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27/02/2005: "Travelling Surf Lessons .......'for the ride of your life'"

Half a million backpackers are set to visit Australia this year. Two hundred thousand of them will try surfing or diving.

Five bus companies run 'learn to surf safari' trips from Sydney to Byron Bay. Lessons, food and accomodation for five days culminating with a Friday night arrival at the bay the Kings Cross of the beach. Aussie Surf Adventures (pictured) is the leader.

Yet the scuba-snorkle demand opportunity and is so far neglected by the surf bus tours. A good opening exists for at least one bus company to offer snorkel and scuba introductions (on fine weather days) as options.

How long will Byron Bay last as the big attraction? Forever! Despite the over-priced accomodation and food offered there - it has incredible international momentum that it probably no longer deserves. Port Douglas is heading the same way. Where to next? North Stradbroke Island? Point Lookout? A far superior choice out of Brisbane. Avoid Sydney altogether. That's my tip for the future.