Everything you need to know about Surfest in 2025

"It's radically different," Andrew Stark, the WSL's Asia-Pacific president, said of the main contest's elevation from the third-tier Qualifying Series in November last year.

With heightened status, the competition from June 2 to June 8 promises bigger names, better surf and more eyeballs on Newcastle's glorious coastline.

Public transport is the best way to get to Surfest with buses running regularly to Merewether Beach, where most of the surf action is happening, the event has advised.

The Newcastle light rail runs regularly from the Newcastle Interchange on Stewart Avenue to Newcastle Beach, connecting to regional train lines.

Event goers using the light rail can connect with route 12 at Hunter Street at Florence Street - a short walk from Newcastle Interchange or connect with route 21 at Customs House, Watt Street - a short walk from the Newcastle Beach stop.

The ferry operates between Stockton and Queens Wharf with services every 15 minutes during peak periods and 20 minutes throughout the day and weekends.

Event goers can connect with the Route 21 service at Customs House, Watt Street - a short walk from the Newcastle Beach stop.

Surfest events have been running since December, but the height of the action brings the show to a rollicking climax in Newcastle from Monday, June 2, to Sunday, June 8. Here is the full event schedule.

If you cannot make it to the beach, the Surfest website will live stream events as they happen, including the June 1 to June 8 Challenger Series. You can watch the events here.

Surfest 2025 is returning "home" to The Beach Hotel at Merewether from June 2 to 8.

Not only is the hotel stepping up as an official event sponsor this year, it's also acting as a hub for Surfest entertainment and sponsoring Merewether's own Ryan Callinan, a world-class surfer and proud representative of the local Boardriders club and celebrating the rich surfing heritage of the region.

The hotel is also hosting a string of Surfest events, including the Ain't That Swell live podcast with Vaughan Blakey and Jed Smith (June 1); the Go For Broke breakfast and panel with Morgan Cibilic, Andrew Stark, Mitchell Ross, Kate Wilcomes and Stace Galbraith (June 5); and the Surfest Closing Party with Tommy Trash (June 8).

"We're stoked to partner with The Beach Hotel for this year's Burton Automotive Surfest Challenger Series," says World Surf League (WSL) Asia Pacific (APAC) president Andrew Stark.

"It's an iconic venue with deep roots in the local surf scene - especially with the Merewether Boardriders and the local community.

"With its epic location, great food, and surf history on the walls, it's the perfect spot for competitors and fans to kick back after a day in the water. We're pumped to see it all come to life."

With Merewether being the original birthplace of Surfest, The Beach Hotel has long been woven into the fabric of Newcastle's surf culture. It's something owner Glenn Piper was adamant about preserving - and honouring - while renovating the building.

"Surfing is in our veins here at The Beaches," he said.

"Bringing Surfest back to its original home and supporting local legends like Ryan is about honouring our past while investing in the future of Newcastle's surf culture."

Added Ryan: "The Beach Hotel has always been at the heart of Merewether's surf scene, whether it's boardriders swapping stories after a comp or locals celebrating a perfect run of swell. Having them back in the 2025 season is more than a sponsorship; it's a show of community strength and pride. Carrying the Beaches logo in the line-up reminds me I'm representing everyone who calls this place home."

The 2025 Surfest will be the opening event of the World Surf League Challenger Series, drawing over 120 of the world's best surfers to Merewether Beach from June 2 to 8. It's the largest surfing festival in the Southern Hemisphere, showcasing Newcastle's vibrant coastal community to a global audience.

To see the full Surfest program at The Beach Hotel, visit thebeachhotel.com.au.

In coordination with the event, Sanbah Surf Shop - a major supporter of Surfest - is coordinating surf classes with professional coaching staff from Newcastle Surfest Surf School.

Instructors are accredited with Surfing Australia and operate as a licensed Surfing Australia surf school, teaching surf lessons to children and adults from Nobby's Beach, Newcastle. Bookings and details are available here.