Acting teen sensation Zac Efron has had an overwhelming welcome during his trip down under, getting mobbed by thousands of screaming fans during his short trip.

A swarming sea of fans greeted the Hollywood heartthrob when he arrived at Sydney’s Bondi Beach yesterday afternoon and struggled to even enjoy his private surfing lesson with former World Champion Layne Beachley.

The 22-year-old flew into Australia on Monday to spend time with girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens. The pair is down under as guests of sunglasses manufacturer Oakley, who reportedly paid them $200,000 to make an appearance.

When news circulated that he would be at the notorious surf break, hundreds of fans lined the famous beach strip, clutching books, memorabilia and cameras.

Squealing girls swamped the actor as he arrived, crying out “I love you”, while the odd smart-ass remark was also heard.

The High School Musical star seemed overwhelmed by the attention and at one point even turned to Beachley and said: “It’s crazy I know.”

Security hastily assembled a metal barricade to keep fans at bay, but it was to no avail as fans soon poured through and followed the star onto the sand.

Efron and Beachley fled in a sand buggy and headed to the south end of the beach. There he spent about half an hour in the water.

Chippendale resident Michael McCoy managed to get a sneak peak at one of his biggest acting fans and was overwhelmed by the occasion.

“I’m still buzzing,” he said.

“It’s like a dream come true.”