Six of the best ... surf spots on the Gold Coast, Australia

There is nothing subtle about Queensland's Gold Coast: it's more a case of excess all areas, from the 300-plus days of perfect weather a year, to the beery backpacker-infested nightclubs of Surfers Paradise, to the glittering high-rises that jut from the wide sweeps of sand. The prevailing fashion sense could be described as: 'If you've got it, flaunt it. If you haven't, flaunt it anyway.' But what the Gold Coast lacks in culture and social graces it makes up for in long, barrelling waves. In the right conditions, few places can rival the splendour of this 50-kilometre surf stretch. Here is a little local knowledge to stop you looking like a total 'kook' or 'fluoro touro' out in the line-up.

Kirra/Snapper Rocks A A$10-million-a-year (HK$48 million) sand bypass project, started in 2001, has restored famous Kirra to its former glory and created what experts say is the world's longest wave. One recent day, which locals dubbed Big Wednesday, saw continuous two to 2.5-metre tube rides of up to 500 metres peeling off from Snapper. Awesome. When it's good, hot surfers are thick in the water, so be polite and know your limitations.

Duranbah Known as D-Bah to the locals, this is an intense beach between the northern wall of the Tweed River and the southern side of Snapper Rocks. At times D-Bah is out of control: a riot of unsurfable whitewater. But when the swell drops, this is the place to be. It can be super-crowded and aggressive, but when the rest of the coast is like a millpond, D-Bah can be pumping. The waves are unusually heavy for their size so take care.

Fingal Further south, on the other side of the Tweed River and in New South Wales, is the place for the aspiring soul surfer - no crowds, no aggression, just kilometres of beach. Early morning is best, before the onshore wind picks up. If there is one to 1.2 metres of swell running and a gentle offshore breeze, you can find superb beach breaks and probably have them to yourself. But it is best to surf with a friend - you are a long way from lifeguards.

Burleigh Heads Burleigh is another of the coast's world-famous spots, located 10km north of Kirra. Getting out is hairy: you have to jump into a surf-pounded cove after clambering down from the headland over slippery rocks. Watch the locals to see how they time it. When it's big, it's for experts only. There is a gorgeous view looking back at the emerald headland.

Surfers Paradise (above) Surfers is strictly beachbreak territory, so its quality depends on the sandbanks, swell and wind. It is no better or worse than nearby beaches such as Main Beach, Narrowneck and Broadbeach, but you have the novelty of surfing right out in front of the high-rises. It is a good place for beginners because lifeguards abound but stay out of the swimming zone between the red-and-yellow flags.