Usually the only waves to be seen out Melbourne Airport way are from friends and family saying their goodbyes.

That's all going to change thanks to Australia's first man-made surf park, work on which is due to start on Thursday.

The development sits on 7.1 hectares leased from Melbourne Airport for 30 years and is adjacent to the Essendon Football Club.

One thousand waves will be pumped out each hour using renewable energy sources, with waves ranging from 0.6 to two metres high across six separate sections to accommodate each surfer's skill level.