Perth Surf Park construction begins on $120m project, Chris Hemsworth promised as first waves opening day star

Construction has officially started on the $120 million Perth Surf Park, with the project’s developer doubling down on a massive claim to host Hollywood superstar Chris Hemsworth on the day of the park’s first waves.

Aventuur Chair and Chief Development Officer Andrew Ross revealed he plans to hold the Marvel actor to a promise made to the State Government years ago.

“I remember promising the minister a long time ago at one of our first meetings that I’d endeavour to get Chris Hemsworth along to first waves,” Mr Ross said.

“She seemed very excited by that possibility, and so I’m going to ensure that Hemsey joins us... I’ll probably just text him and we’ll ask him to come along.”

Mr Ross said the actor is a “massive advocate” for surf parks and has surfed with the company in Melbourne several times.

“I reckon he’ll be quite keen to come across,” he said.

The ground-breaking at the Cockburn Central site marks the start of the largest private tourism infrastructure project in Western Australia in 25 years.

First waves are expected in Spring 2027, with a public opening scheduled for late 2027.

The project had been in limbo since receiving formal approval in March 2023 as it waited for final funding, having initially planned for construction in late 2025.

Investment from the RAC and the Wyllie family in August last year provided the final green light for the 2.2-hectare surfing lagoon.

An emotional Mr Ross told the crowd on Thursday that the start of works was a defining moment.

“We’re finally here, it feels like it’s been forever to get to this moment,” he said.

“This is going to become an iconic and significant legacy project for Perth, where it will have meaningful and positive impact on the social, cultural, sporting, entertainment and tourism landscape of this city.

“And I couldn’t be more excited to be bringing this to my hometown. We’re proud that this is a project that is for the West, and by the West.”

The park will feature a 62-module Wavegarden Cove surfing lagoon — the equal largest of its kind in the world — located less than 400 metres from the Cockburn Central train station.

The technology can produce 1,000 waves per hour, though commercial operations will likely limit that to 400 or 500 to ensure quality rides.

“The main advantage is just the consistency and the fact that Mother Nature doesn’t often play kindly to us but you can always rely on the fact that the wave generator here, we’re pumping out two meter high, perfect barrels all day, every day,” Mr Ross said.

“In an hour here you might get 15 or 16 rides in the ocean you’d be lucky to get two or three good rides in about two hours. So you do leave the pool pretty buggered after having a session.”

Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti said the park would be a major drawcard for the state, noting she had seen the project through several of her ministerial portfolios.

“It’s been a very long journey... these projects aren’t easy, and there’s been a number of hurdles along the way,” she said.

“We won’t go through all of them because it may take the rest of today, but there’s been a lot of hurdles, and I know the team has had to navigate them all.

“This will be an incredible addition to the surfing community, but the general community too, where those who may not be that accomplished in the surf could go out and try surfing without the fear and the confrontation of actually dealing with the entire ocean.”

Professional surfer and Aventuur Director of Surf Adrian “Ace” Buchan said the facility would help develop the next generation of WA talent.

“I think today there’s probably the next Western Australian champions waking up — young girls or young boys who don’t know that their wave is coming,” he said.

The precinct will include a surfing members’ clubhouse, high-performance surf academy, wellness studio, Rip Curl flagship store, skate park, and rooftop glamping accommodation.

A beach club, restaurant, bar, and cafe are also part of the mix, which is expected to drive more than one million visits annually.

The project will create 280 jobs during construction and 100 full-time positions once operational, delivering an estimated $300 million to the WA economy over its lifespan.