Surf: Fun, but often fat righthander, Arrawarra is less daunting than most north coast points. From waisthigh to headhigh, the longboarders have the whip hand as any S swell refracts around the large headland, filtering out some size and power. Once it gets overhead, power increases and the inside runners close to the rocks will stand up in sections and offer faster ripable walls for shortboarders. Much better at lower tides, unless it is huge. Environment: With 400m easy rides on offer, it's no surprise the crowds can get crazy. If not working, check the handful of beaches back towards Woolgoolga including Mullaway, which has a much more powerful pointbreak and heavy beachbreak for advanced riders. Northwards the Pacific Hwy wanders inland and large tracts of bush separate small towns, usually at rivermouths that may organise some banks. Check Red Rock, the jetty at Wooli, Minnie Water and Broomes Head, but quality is rare.