Australia’s Best Sand Driving Beaches

Whether adventurers want to simply mosey along the beach and enjoy a relaxing drive or play harder with a thrilling ride up and down sand dunes and the need for 4-wheel drive, Australia has phenomenal driving beaches to explore. Sitting at home or in a hotel room and just looking at pictures online could never be the same as going out and experiencing the glorious outdoors that Australia has to offer in person. The key is knowing which beaches are the best for driving.

Here are five beaches to consider planning an adventure to:

1. Stockton Beach, NSW:

This is a very popular beach to visit. Adventurers will discover “sand skyscrapers” that may be as much as 30m high. It’s a location to visit repeatedly as the sand continually shifts. Of course, sudden changes in the beach can also be very hazardous; therefore, explorers must pay close attention to drop-offs, flooding or areas that are potentially impassable. There’s more to do at Stockton Beach than just traverse the beach though including historic sites partially buried in sand, shipwrecks and more. To drive on the beach, drivers will need to obtain a beach vehicle permit from Hunter Region NPWS.

2. Ocean Beach, Tas:

Approximately half of this beach is accessible for beach drives. The beach is the longest one in Tasmania. Not only are there cool sand dunes, but this beach offers glorious views of the sunset. Being mindful of the tides is of utmost importance when driving this beach though. On top of that, severe weather can create quicksand-like areas where the rivers meet the ocean.

3. Robe to Beachport, SA:

Adventurers have loved this beach for years. This stretch of sand runs between the two ports. It’s tricky due to the tides, soft sand and extremely steep dunes. Yet, that adds to its appeal for many. There are tracks that assist drivers along their journey. Knowing where these tracks are is highly important to ensure a safe and more enjoyable experience.

4. Coffin Bay, Eyre Peninsula, SA:

This is a perfect spot for people who do not enjoy crowded beaches. It’s not as popular for a reason; this beach can be quite a challenge. Four-wheel drive vehicles will need to have higher clearance than many. The sand is much softer than one might first belief, and there are fantastic jagged rocks. The benefits outweigh the drawbacks though from birdwatching to bushwalking to surfing to fishing from the beach.

5. North Stradbroke, Qld:

Locals call this island, Straddie. It’s the world’s second largest sand island. One should expect this to be a busier sand beach. There are cabins and places to camp. The adventure doesn’t end with driving from one end to the other. There is so much to do there including surfing and sea life to encounter from whales to dolphins to sea turtles.

6. Bonus!! Fraser Island (75 Mile Beach), Great Sandy National Park, Qld:

Fraser Island is the biggest sand island in the world, so it’s a must go to. It’s far simpler to drive than beaches with deep soft sand. The sand at Fraser is harder packed. Therefore, driving is much easier, but drivers still must pay attention to sudden changes or heavier rains or ocean swells causing wash-outs, erosion, ocean debris, etc. Even with the drive being considered to be easier, only higher clearance vehicles should drive there.

With so many beaches to explore for sand driving adventures, drivers should take into consideration what they want to do at each location. If they choose to venture into the water, having the best way to haul kayaks or surfboards will make a huge difference. Yakima has numerous options to transport one’s water gear. Make sure to check them out.