Step1
Plan your trip during Australia's swell season. Remember the Southern Hemisphere is opposite of the Northern Hemisphere. The prime window for surfing in Australia in general is during the Northern Hemisphere's summer, which is winter in the Southern Hemisphere and Australia.
Step2
Bring every variation of wetsuit you can get your hands on. The weather changes frequently during Australia's winter season, and the water temperature changes dramatically from the colder Sydney to the warmer Brisbane. You will be wearing anything from board shorts to a wetsuit top to a shorty wetsuit to a full wetsuit, possibly in the same day. Other than this, pack extremely light.
Step3
The cheapest transportation and lodging while surfing your way up the East Coast of Australia is a RV. A quick search on the Internet will give you a plethora of RV. options. Make sure to plan this far in advance to get the cheaper rates. Many companies will allow you to pick up an RV. in one city and drop it off in another. This is highly suggested to save gas money and longer rental fees on the RV. for back-tracking. This best option is flying into Sydney and out of Brisbane, or vice-versa. Although, it gets warmer as you go north, so take that into consideration. The more companions, you bring the less the cost for the individual, but since this is an extensive trip, make sure you can be compatible with someone in the size of a van for a few weeks to a few months. The public facilities up the east coast are great for all your bathroom needs and for refilling on water. Beware, when you cross into Queensland if they may be having water shortages, as they often do. You may have to go without a shower at the public facilities for a little while, but luckily you won't be in Queensland for too long.
Step4
Eating out and alcohol especially is very expensive in Australia. Limit yourself to the grocery stores, or an occasional meat pie($2) if you want to eat out. Woolworth's grocery stores are everywhere, they sell "home brand" products, which are extremely cheap. If you were planning on drinking heavily, but wanted to do Australia on a budget, think again. A case of beer can be around $50 due to the high taxes. The cheapest alcoholic drink is boxed wine, but be prepared for a headache.
Step5
Your primary target on the east coast of Australia is Sydney to Brisbabe. Familiarize yourself with the geography of this region, preferably from a surf map. Plan your trip accordingly, so as not to have to backtrack too much. Some swells will force you to backtrack to get the best surf, so take this into account. Plan your trip to your own interests, but look into Nelson Bay, Port Macquire, Byron Bay, Nimbin, Myean Falls and of course, the Gold Coast
Novice 
