Southern Hemisphere’s Biggest Wave Park Coming to WA

Former UrbnSurf co-founder Andrew Ross has spearheaded the bid to develop Perth’s first wave park, on a 5.7ha site at Jandakot for US wave park developers Aventuur.

The $80-million Wavegarden Cove surfing lagoon development would be the largest wave pool in the southern hemisphere, and would feature a boutique 100-room surf hotel, health and wellness centre, co-working offices, a beach club and restaurants.

More than 25 different waves could be created in the park’s surfing lagoon, with knee-high whitewater for children and beginners through to barrels and “steep pointbreak-style waves” for the more experienced.

Aventuur partner for the Asia Pacific region Andrew Ross said it had been a 10-year journey to bring a surf park to Perth.

It is Aventuur’s first foray into Australia, but Ross said his experience as the founder of UrbnSurf and the delivery of surf parks in Melbourne and Sydney had given him a strong foundation in the niche industry.

“The Melbourne project was really the first surf park in the southern hemisphere … it was really a build it, and see if they came [scenario],” Ross said.

“We really just delivered the lagoon and supporting amenities … but for Perth we have really expanded on our vision by introducing an expanded offering including a hotel, beach club and co-working spaces.

“People can come and have a surf, get some breakfast, do some work in one of the work spaces, and then maybe go for another surf.”

Ross said the vision had been to create a stay and play destination, and said the site would benefit from public transport and road connections.

Subject to development approvals, Aventuur is planning to commence construction in late 2022, with a view to opening to the public in 2024.

MJA Architects has been engaged for the design process, and Aventuur said the project would create about 300 construction jobs, and 100 full-time equivalent jobs upon completion.

Aventuur Inc is a US-based adventure and leisure industry developer—Ross joined as a partner last year to lead the Perth bid in direct competition with UrbnSurf.

Western Australian sport and recreation minister Tony Buti said the project would “showcase Western Australia’s vibrant surfing culture”.

“The quality of both submissions was high, reflecting the level of enthusiasm for a venture of this kind in WA,” Buti said.

“The preferred proponent Aventuur has committed to engaging with local business and interest groups to create a truly Western Australian surfing experience.”

Aventuur won the rights to the Wavegarden technology, used in UrbnSurf’s Melbourne wave park, at the end of last year, and plans to bring that experience to Perth.

Aventuur APAC partner Andrew Ross said the group was looking to other sites across Australia, but could not disclose further details.

Urbnsurf lodged long-awaited plans for a second wave pool and surf park in Sydney in May this year.

The project, which qualifies as a State Significant Development, will cost between $40 million and $60 million, and will be built atop a 37,000sq m car park at Homebush.

Meanwhile, Parkwood Village announced it would build a $35-million endless wave pool in 2023 as part of its resort and leisure precinct on the Gold Coast, after it inked a partnership with Canada-based waterpark manufacturer WhiteWater.