South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula is set to welcome a unique addition to its tourism landscape with the unveiling of plans for ‘The Break Surf & Stay,’ a premier surf park and hospitality precinct. The project, boasting a price tag of $100 million, secured planning approval from the City of Onkaparinga Council Assessment Panel last night, marking a significant milestone for the region’s tourism sector.
Located on 7.1 hectares of land at Tuit Road, Aldinga, just 40 minutes from Adelaide, ‘The Break’ promises to offer an world-class experience with a wave lagoon surfing, accommodation, wellness amenities, and beachside activities. Framed by native vegetation and designed by award-winning local architects Studio Gram, the precinct aims to deliver an authentic ‘barefoot luxury’ experience to visitors.
Central to the project is the 11,700 square metre ‘Endless Surf’ wave lagoon, powered by cutting-edge pneumatic wave generating technology. This innovative system, a first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, will produce high-quality surf waves up to 2.1 meters high, catering to surfers of all levels.
The project’s founders, Ben McCarthy, Richard Sheppard, Leigh Gapp, and Dwight Stuchbery, bring a wealth of expertise in property finance, development, engineering, sustainability, and surf park technology. With Ben McCarthy’s experience as the founding Group Development Manager of URBNSURF, operators of Australia’s first commercial surf park, the team is well-equipped to deliver and operate ‘The Break’ at the highest standard.
Partnering with Endless Surf, ‘The Break’ aims to foster healthy, active communities through its onsite surf academy, offering programs tailored for all abilities. Additionally, the project will feature 35 short stay villas, beachside amenities, a wellness studio, retail outlets, and extensive native landscaping, enhancing the overall visitor experience.
Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison MP shared her enthusiasm for the project, saying “Projects like this that embrace a different type of tourism are critical for South Australia and help drive additional visitation to our beautiful regions.
“There’s no doubt that the Fleurieu and McLaren Vale are already world-renowned destinations, and The Break will add another layer of wellness and surf-inspired tourism for the region while also driving economic and social outcomes for the local community.
“I commend the team for their bold vision and investment in the South Australian tourism landscape and look forward to seeing these beautiful plans shape into reality.”
Richard Sheppard, one of the founding partners, hailed ‘The Break’ as a passion project, saying “The Break brings together the best in technology, design and visitor experience while thoughtfully integrating the local environment and surfing community into the overall experience.
“There is a significant market for health and wellness, active and surf tourism that is largely untapped in South Australia and we believe this transformational project will help to unlock that opportunity for the region and the state. And that’s to say nothing of the benefits of attracting new visitors to this region’s world class vineyards, beaches, eateries, trails and landscapes.”
Ben McCarthy echoed Sheppard’s sentiments, saying “We’re bringing Endless Surf to South Australia because it quite simply represents the best and most flexible in surf park technology.
“The customisable nature of pneumatic waves means we will be able to cater for everyone, from kids learning to surf through to professionals competing at an international level – often at the same time.
“Our vision is to see The Break become a destination for families and surf lovers from around the country and the world, while also using the facilities to teach every South Australian kid to surf in safe, inclusive, controlled conditions.”
With construction slated to commence in early 2025 and first waves expected by mid-2026, ‘The Break Surf & Stay’ is poised to become a major tourism drawcard for South Australia, offering world-class amenities and experiences for visitors from around the country and the globe.
For more information about ‘The Break,’ visit thebreak.com.au.
For investment opportunities, visit fincap.com.au.
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