One of Australia’s greatest surfers, Mick Fanning, will bid farewell to the professional tour at the scene of some of his greatest triumphs - the iconic Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach.

Three-time world champion Fanning, 36, has chosen the famous break on Victoria’s surf coast to walk away from the World Surf League tour after the best part of two decades at the top of his sport.

It was at Bells Beach in 2001 that Fanning burst onto the surfing scene, winning the first of his four Bells crowns as a 19-year-old wildcard entrant.

Fanning will compete at the Quicksilver Pro on the Gold Coast this month but will retire from the championship tour after his final heat in the famous Bells Bowl over Easter.