AIR Berlin is allowing passengers to transport their festive Christmas trees for free this year.

Spokesman Titus Johnson said, "Most demand comes from our German customers.

"It seems they can't bear to be parted from their trees.

"As our present to everyone, we will carry the trees without a charge," he said.

The airline will accept trees up to six and a half feet tall until Christmas Eve as long as customers notify the airline's call center at least 24 hours before travel.

Her friend Julia Fritschi, also 20, hasn't had a chance to hit the waves yet but said it is definitely on her “to do” list.

”We wanted to come here because of the nice weather and the beaches,” Bettina said.

”It's very hard to learn it but this weekend I am doing a surf weekend and I hope I can get better.”

Narrabeen surfer Zahn Foxton, 27, has mixed feelings about the new tourism initiative.

”I don't like the surf getting any more crowded but it's good for the town,” he said.

”I'm an instructor at Manly Surf School and it's fun to teach them (tourists) to surf.”