‘Celebrity’ wave pool Surf Lakes to open to the public

A Central Queensland wave pool so far surfed only by invited guests, including Chris Hemsworth and Mark Occhilupo, is set to open to the public.

A Central Queensland wave pool surfed by celebrities including Chris Hemsworth is set to open to the public.

Surf Lakes at Yeppoon opened in 2018 as a prototype to entice investors wanting to build their own surf parks.

So far, it’s been surfed only by invited guests including Hemsworth and his eight-year-old twins Sasha and Tristan, with proud dad posting a pic of one of his boys getting tubed in the bowels of an artificial barrel during a visit to Surf Lakes last month.

Top surfers including former world champion Mark “Occy” Occhilupo, who’s an ambassador for the project, have also ridden the wave pool which uses a central plunger to pump perfect waves from the middle of a man-made lake.

Now, wave pool development and operations company Global Surf Parks has announced that its signed an agreement with Surf Lakes International to rebuild the Yeppoon facility and open it to the public.

Mark 'Occy' Occhilupo carves up one of the breaks that was named after him at Surf Lakes.

Livingstone Shire Council last year approved a development application to expand the Surf Lakes footprint from 6ha to 40ha and allow accommodation, food and beverage precinct and eco-camping and glamping.

“We are extremely happy that Surf Lakes International and GSP have been able to come to an agreement whereby a significant community asset may be finally opened to the public,” said GSP business development and media director, Wayne Dart.

Surf Lakes near Yeppoon.

“Having worked with Surf Lakes over the past few years to develop and manage the in-water experience, we know just how incredible the experience will be and we know that the technology is by far and wide the best in the world.

Surf Lakes near Yeppoon.

“It is a truly amazing location, and in proximity to other star attractions, such as Great Keppel Island and the Southern Great Barrier Reef.

“We know that it will be a preferred internationally recognised destination for not just die-hard surf enthusiasts but also families, school groups and corporates. We are genuinely super excited!”

Surf Lakes founder and CEO Aaron Trevis said: “Having seen the sheer surf-stoke and the now global interest in Surf Lakes technology, and also knowing how special the Surf Lakes Yeppoon location is, we can’t wait to see the site become commercial.”

GSP said it was in discussions with potential investors and was interested in talking with others to commercialise the wave park, which was expected to open to the public in 2024.