15 Workshops & Classes in Australia to Build a Day Around

Bondi Beach: 2-Hour Surf Lesson Experience for Any Level - The first 20 minutes: arrival, gear, and getting settled

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 935 reviews · 2 hours · from $70Our pick

Meet Let’s Go Surfing at Bondi for a 2-hour beginner lesson with no more than five students. You’ll learn beach safety, practice on the sand, then work on standing and catching waves with instructors such as Luke, Matt, Brontë, and Marcus.

“Simply put, one of the best activities in sydney. Our instructor was a really awesome person who was very patient with us for more than 2 hours. He showed was all the technique’s needed to surf and kept motivating us throughout the session. Even if you have never surfed before , do go ahead and give it a try with them. Will definitely come back again!”

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2-Hour Experiences, Byron Bay Tours, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Byron Bay: 2-Hour Small Group Surf Lesson

2.2-Hour Small Group Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 657 reviews · 2 hours · from $60

Meet Lets Go Surfing on Fletcher Street for a beginner lesson led by qualified instructors such as Tim, Luke, Guido, or Ava. Expect a beach safety briefing, warm-up, paddling practice, wave coaching, and a soft-board session with no more than six surfers per instructor.

“My son and nephew attended a lesson and really enjoyed it, the instructor was great and they are keen to go again in the future.”

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Cairns Tours, Skip the Line, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences, Workshops

Skip the Line Kuranda Scenic Railway Gold Class and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

3.Skip the Line Kuranda Scenic Railway Gold Class and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 574 reviews · from $199

Travel between Cairns or Port Douglas and Kuranda by historic railway and Skyrail cableway. You get Gold Class train seating, rainforest lookouts, hotel pickup and free time for markets, cafés, butterflies, birds, koalas, or Aboriginal culture. The day is mostly self-guided.

“The views are spectacular. The guided tours very informative and interesting. This gave us more things to look out for which made the trip enjoyable.”

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Sydney Tours, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Mosaic Art Classes Sydney: Turkish Lamp Workshop

4.Mosaic Art Classes Sydney: Turkish Lamp Workshop

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 391 reviews · from $56Top rated

At Art Masterclass in Darlinghurst, you’ll spend about 2.5 hours choosing colored glass, following a Turkish pattern, and gluing your own mosaic candle holder. An instructor guides each step, with tea and snacks provided. You can design freely or pay extra to upgrade to a table lamp, classic Turkish lamp, or Aladdin lamp.

“Great afternoon to let creativity flow & produce a beautiful piece of artwork but also useful. Ideal to share with your friends or family. Our instructors informative & very friendly. Really loved it 💚💛🧡💜❤💙”

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Byron Bay Tours, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Half Day Surf Lesson

5.Half Day Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 234 reviews · from $56

Spend about three hours learning to surf with Mojosurf near Byron Bay. Your instructor chooses the best beach between Lennox Head and Ballina, provides the board and equipment, and returns you to town after the lesson. Pickup and lesson times depend on surf conditions.

“The session was short but ended up being the perfect amount of time as it was difficult and tiring so everyone on the tour seemed happy it was only half a day! I’d love to come back and learn more as the teachers were great and really funny too and literally picked me right up from my hostel!”

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1-Day Tours, Byron Bay Tours, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Group Surfing Lessons Kool Katz 1 day

6.Group Surfing Lessons Kool Katz 1 day

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 207 reviews · from $35Best value

Join Terry, Tez, Shane, or Jeremy for a four-hour beginner surf lesson from Byron Bay. Kool Katz supplies the board, wetsuit, rash vest, sunscreen, and water, then chooses a suitable beach for the day. You’ll learn safety, catch waves, and work toward the 40-metre ride guarantee.

“Super fun and helpful surf lesson! We never surfed before and our surf coach was so patient with us and explained and helped whenever possible. All around super day with lots of fun. Definitely recommend!”

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Brisbane Tours, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Mosaic Art Classes Brisbane: Turkish Lamp Workshop

7.Mosaic Art Classes Brisbane: Turkish Lamp Workshop

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 199 reviews · from $56

Meet your instructor at Art Masterclass in Fortitude Valley and learn the 500-year-old Turkish lamp-making craft. You will arrange colored tiles into geometric patterns, enjoy Turkish tea and shortbread cookies, and create a handmade lamp to take home. The class suits solo visitors, couples, and small groups.

“A neat activity to do with friends or solo. Just the right amount of help and leaving us to it. Would be nice to have a little more colour range options.”

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Sydney Tours, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Sydney: Maroubra Surf Lesson

8.Maroubra Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 188 reviews · 2 hours · from $60

Meet at 7 Marine Parade for a 2-hour beginner lesson with no more than six students. You’ll get a soft board, wetsuit, rash vest, sunscreen, and beach-safety instruction before practicing with qualified English-, Spanish-, or Dutch-speaking coaches.

“Excelent experience. Very nice instructors. I would definitely do it again!”

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Hervey Bay Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching, Whale Watching Cruises, Whale Watching Cruises in Hervey Bay, Workshops

World class Whale Watching from Hervey Bay

9.World class Whale Watching from Hervey Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 183 reviews · from $86

Join Captain Phil and the crew of the MV Amaroo for a four-hour Hervey Bay whale watch from July to late October. The stable catamaran has three viewing decks, onboard tea and biscuits, commentary on humpbacks and K’gari, and guaranteed sightings when conditions allow.

“We got so close to the whales and the captain stayed longer because they were putting on a great show”

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Cairns Tours, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences, Workshops

Kuranda, Skyrail & Gold Class Train from Cairns

10.Kuranda, Skyrail & Gold Class Train from Cairns

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 177 reviews · 510 minutes - 1 day · from $195

Travel from Cairns to Kuranda by Skyrail, stopping twice to see the rainforest and Barron Gorge, then return by Gold Class train. You get reserved seating, a dedicated host, drinks, refreshments, and return coach transfers. Allow a full day, with pickup from selected Palm Cove and Northern Beaches locations.

“Great experience. Gold Class Upgrade was a great idea. Less crowd. Great picture opportunities.”

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Byron Bay Tours, Guided, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Half Day Guided Surf Lesson in Byron Bay

11.Half Day Guided Surf Lesson in Byron Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 160 reviews · from $60

Meet Soul Surf School in central Byron Bay for a four-hour beginner lesson led by qualified surf coaches and surf lifesavers. You’ll receive a soft board, instruction, ocean-safety guidance, and plenty of practice in waist-deep water. The beach may be Byron Bay, Lennox, or Ballina, depending on conditions.

“Amazing instructors!! We had so much fun, and was taught very well - even stood up on the board most rides!”

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2-Hour Experiences, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Noosa Heads – 2-Hour Surf Lesson with Expert Instructors

12.Noosa Heads – 2-Hour Surf Lesson with Expert Instructors

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 151 reviews · 2 hours · from $57

Meet your coach at Merrick’s red surf trailer, collect a soft board and rash vest, then walk to Noosa Main Beach for two hours of safety instruction, wave practice, and one-on-one help. Coaches including James, Anthony, Oa, Mike, and Finn teach beginners and intermediate surfers in groups of up to seven.

“Mike and oa were awesome instructors, the whole group got up on the boards, great times!”

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Gold Coast Tours, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Miami: Group Surf Lesson

13.Miami: Group Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 146 reviews · 2h 30m · from $46

Meet the surf van outside Tallebudgera Surf Club for a 150-minute beginner lesson with Australian Surfing Adventures. You’ll get equipment, sunscreen, coaching in English, Spanish, or French, and photos of your best moments. Instructors such as Luke, Jack, Gabriel, Alex, and Ted have earned strong praise for patient, personal teaching.

“Great fun. Pot luck with the waves but we managed to catch a few, had good fun and good company too.”

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Byron Bay Tours, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Small-Group Surfing Lessons in Byron Bay

14.Small-Group Surfing Lessons in Byron Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 131 reviews · from $63

Meet your instructor at 5/11 Fletcher St for a two-hour Byron Bay surf lesson. You’ll receive a board, wetsuit or rash vest, sunscreen, beach coaching, and water practice, with no more than six students per instructor and up to 10 people overall.

“Thanks Ava for the very great Surflesson. It was so so so much fun! We definitely will keep surfing.”

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2-Hour Experiences, Great Ocean Road Tours, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Two Hour Surf Lesson in Torquay on the Great Ocean Road

15.Two Hour Surf Lesson in Torquay on the Great Ocean Road

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 115 reviews · from $47

Meet the Torquay Surfing Academy for a two-hour beginner lesson near Torquay. Your coach chooses the day’s best beach, supplies the wetsuit and board, and teaches ocean safety, wave handling, and standing up. Coaches Kev and Molly have earned praise for friendly instruction and close attention.