Newcastle Surfest, one of the world’s longest-running and most iconic surf festivals, will officially launch the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series from June 2 to June 8 at Merewether Beach. The event marks a major return to prominence for the coastal New South Wales city and is expected to draw thousands of spectators and international athletes.
Established in 1985, Surfest began as the richest surfing event in the world. Now entering its 40th year, the festival has evolved into a multi-event celebration of surf culture, regional pride, and athletic excellence. While the city of Newcastle is often referred to as the “steel city,” it has long been recognized as a cradle of Australian surfing — home to legends such as four-time world champion Mark Richards and current stars like Ryan Callinan, Morgan Cibilic, and Jackson “Jacko” Baker.
This year’s Surfest will serve as the opening event of the 2025 WSL Challenger Series, the league’s second-tier competition where athletes compete for a spot on the elite Championship Tour. The upgrade from a Qualifying Series (QS) event to a Challenger Series (CS) leg signals the festival’s elevated status on the world stage.
Local Heroes in the Spotlight
Among the headline competitors is Merewether’s own Jacko Baker, who won the event in 2022 while it was still part of the QS. After losing his place on the Championship Tour in 2023, Baker will look to leverage his local knowledge and the support of hometown crowds to make a return.
“Us locals had a bit of a curse competing in our home event here,” Baker said. “Philippa [Anderson] was the first Novocastrian to win it in 2009, but I was the first male local to take the victory in 2022. Now that it’s a Challenger Series event, the slate has been wiped clean.”
Baker admitted the home crowd brings both pressure and inspiration. “You can definitely feel a bit of pressure when you’ve got thousands of people on the beach cheering for you,” he said. “But it’s about tapping into that and using it to your advantage.”
Another notable contender is Julian Wilson, a former WSL Championship Tour runner-up. Though originally from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Wilson has called Newcastle home for several years and recently placed second at the Gold Coast CT event as a wildcard.
“I’ll get the support until I come against a surfer who was born in Newcastle,” Wilson joked.
Festival Schedule and Community Events
Surfest 2025 features nine separate events from March through June, catering to various age groups and communities. These include:
Burton Automotive Newcastle Surfest presented by Bonsoy (Challenger Series): June 2–8
Surfest Pro Junior
Surfest Indigenous Classic
Evolution Charity Cup
Surfest High School Team Challenge
Reflections Holiday Parks Cadet Cup
Each event reflects Newcastle’s grassroots commitment to surfing and community development, organizers say.
Prime Viewing and Local Favorites
Merewether Beach, the event’s permanent home since 2007, offers natural amphitheater-like conditions for spectators. According to Rhys Smith, owner of Sanbah Surf Shop, it’s an ideal location.
“If the waves are firing, Merewether is the most perfect spot to have a contest,” Smith said. “Long right-handers — it can look like J-Bay when it’s on.”
Sanbah Surf Shop has sponsored Surfest since its inception and remains a go-to destination for visiting surfers in need of gear.
Outside of the competition, the city offers a range of food and lifestyle venues beloved by locals and athletes alike. Baker recommends Akuna Café for coffee and Merewether Bakery for a post-surf chicken salad sandwich. The Beach Hotel, perched above Merewether, offers ocean views and pub fare, and will host the Tracks Party on June 6, featuring local band Rum Jungle and other surf rock performers.
Getting There and Planning Your Trip
Newcastle is located two hours north of Sydney by car via the Pacific Highway. Direct train and bus services from Sydney Central Station also run regularly, with travel times under three hours. Newcastle Airport offers regular domestic flights for those traveling from further afield.
Accommodation options range from hostels and budget-friendly hotels to luxury beachfront resorts. For full travel details, visit Destination NSW’s official tourism page.
Experience Surf Culture at Its Core
Whether you’re a seasoned surf enthusiast or a first-time spectator, Newcastle offers an immersive experience that fuses world-class surfing with vibrant local culture. With Surfest kicking off the WSL Challenger Series, the event promises not only thrilling competition but also a showcase of the city’s coastal spirit.
For more information and to follow event updates, visit Newcastle Surfest’s official site.