South Australia’s first wave park has been approved for a site south of the capital.
The Break Surf & Stay proposed for the Fleurieu Peninsula about 70km south of Adelaide won planning consent from the City of Onkaparinga Council Assessment Panel on May 2.
The $100-million precinct is to rise on a 7.1ha site at Tuit Road, Aldinga, close to the coast on vacant land zoned for tourism development.
“With an expansive surf lagoon and beach, native vegetation, accommodation, wellness and dining precinct and coastal inspired community facilities by award-winning local architects Studio Gram, the precinct promises an authentic ‘barefoot luxury’ experience,” the team behind the plan said.
The project’s founding partners are Ben McCarthy, Richard Sheppard, Leigh Gapp and Dwight Stuchbery—surfing enthusiasts with expertise across property finance and development, engineering, sustainability, and surf park technology.
McCarthy was the founding group development manager of Urbnsurf, operators of Australia’s first commercial surf park in Melbourne and whose second, in Sydney, opens on May 13.
Leading advisory firm FinCap was also on board to drive further investment in the privately funded project, the team said.
The Break has partnered with Endless Surf to deliver the lagoon’s wave technology, making South Australia one of the first places in the world to use its pneumatic system.
“Similar to swell in the ocean, Endless Surf waves are made using air and pressure within pneumatic chambers, allowing for flexibility of waves for all kinds of surfers,” the team said.
“It will create high-quality surf waves up to 2.1m high for rides of up to 18 seconds (single peak) or 9 seconds (split peak).”
The Break will also include 35 short-stay villas and publicly accessible beachside amenities including craft brewhouse and licensed restaurant, and nature play and skating areas.
A surf academy, wellness studio and event space, retail and rental store for boards, wetsuits and more, lifeguard and first aid facilities, and all-abilities changerooms are also included in the plans.
It has been forecast that the project will support 300 jobs through construction and 60 on completion.
The team estimates 320,000 visitors will be attracted to The Break annually, “enhancing the region’s already thriving tourism economy”.
Construction is to begin in early next year and the first wave are due to roll in mid-2026.
