A thrill seeker’s guide to exploring the Stockton sand dunes

Surf, bike or journey camel-back through Port Stephens’ otherworldly natural phenomenon — the Stockton sand dunes.

Like something out of a Hollywood film set, the Stockton Bight sand dunes stretch 32 kilometres between Birubi Beach and Stockton in Port Stephens. A mountainous valley of powder as far as the eye can see, they’re the largest coastal sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere.

The staggering natural wonder (more commonly referred to as the Stock sand dunes, no Bight) sits within the 4,200-hectare Worimi Conservation Lands, a joint expanse managed by both the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and local Traditional Owners. What does that mean for visitors? Your exploration options won’t harm the dunes, plus they’re surprisingly immense, spanning speedy drives, gentle animal-backed trails, Aboriginal cultural tours and more.

As one of the best things to see and do in Port Stephens, let’s dive into every way to navigate the Stockton sand dunes.

Exploring the dunes

The Stockton sand dunes are constantly evolving as wind, sea levels and other natural factors shift slopes and stability at any given time. Dating as far back as the Pleistocene era, the moon-like landscape is best explored now while tour operations (and access) prosper.

1. 4WD and Beach Driving

Drive to the beach on a 4WD. (Image: Destination NSW)

One of the most popular ways to explore the Stockton sand dunes is via a set of appropriate wheels. Beach and dune driving in a 4WD is a cinch given the wider Worimi Conservation Lands allows 4WD access to more than 22 kilometres of Stockton beachfront and 350 hectares of dunes.

One of the largest coastal dune-driving hot spots in NSW, entry is found via Lavis Lane in the south or Gan Gan Road in the north. There’s also a 4WD-only entrance at Fern Bay’s Fern Bay Seaside Village.

Don’t leave home without securing your permit as all vehicles entering the Worimi Conservation Lands must display one after registering with the Port Stephens Visitor Information Centre (60 Victoria Pde, Nelson Bay). A three-day beach permit costs $33 and an annual permit costs $88. Visit the Worimi Conservation Lands website for further information.

Don’t have a 4WD but keen to get amongst it? That’s no issue. Go adventuring with Sand Dune Safaris, who offer popular Toyota LandCruiser charters.

2. Sandboarding Adventures

Slide down the coastal dunes. (Image: Destination NSW)

Try your luck at stand-up sandboarding with the team at Sand Dune Safaris again. These guys really are pros as they’ve been touring the Stockton sand dunes for more than 20 years.

Your sandboarding escapade starts by combing the dunes in a custom-built 4WD to reach a private sandboarding area in the heart of Stockton Bight. There, you’re invited to trial a range of hand-crafted sandboards, including some built for stand-up styling.

Keen snowboarders can also opt for a board with bindings, while couples can tackle the sand slopes in tandem. Tours depart on weekends at 9am during summer and 9:30am in winter.

3. Quad Biking Experiences

Experience the thrilling slopes of Stockton sand dunes. (Image: Destination NSW)

Desperate to fly? You can’t go wrong with Quad Bike King, a Stockton sand dunes tour company that knows its way around all the highlights. Secure your spot on their one-hour-and-45-minute ‘Safari Tour’ which encourages visitors to open the throttle in search of dusty horizons. The team know it’s an unforgettable experience, which is why they make time for a photo opportunity down at the beachfront.

Beginners can go a little slower on the ‘Scenic Safari Tour’ which runs for the same amount of time but recruits multiple guides to ensure you’re stickybeaking the sights safely.

Unique Experiences

While racing along the Stockton sand dunes is an adrenaline junkie’s dream, there are also several ways to explore with a steady heart rate. From trotting along on the back of a new four-legged friend to seeing things from an entirely unique perspective, slower-paced touring experiences provide beautiful holiday moments.

1. Camel and Horse Riding

Take a scenic camel ride through Port Stephens’ otherworldly natural phenomenon. (Image: Destination NSW)

Hug the Hunter coast’s curves on a tour with Oakfield Ranch Camel Rides. You won’t see as much as the quad bikers or 4WDers but you’ll still marvel in the dunes’ beauty over from Birubi Beach at the northern end of the stretch. The camel caravan route winds from bush to beach along a river of sand that passes through great swathes of country home to the Worimi Nation, the traditional owners of the land.

The best time to explore this area is at dusk, when the sea resembles a piece of glittering tin foil. See large birds of prey wheeling in circles above while you bounce along with your guides.

Budding equestrians who love wide, open spaces will take stock in the vast emptiness while travelling horseback. Friendly guides from Sahara Trails Horse Riding will lead you along the shoreline towards the base of the Stockton sand dunes. Book a tour at dawn when the dunes are lit up in the early light and the beach is a paradise of crashing waves and salty air. You’ll meander along the beach as it tapers north, taking your trusty steed into the surf for a swim.

2. Aboriginal cultural tours

You’ll navigate the slopes with a local Aboriginal guide. (Image: Destination NSW)

The Worimi people welcome visitors to the Stockton sand dunes and there are many visible signs that demonstrate a connection to the Worimi Nation, which consisted of up to 18 clans. The Worimi were hunter-gatherers, as evidence around the dunes confirm—but there’s so much more history to soak up.

Self-navigation is one option, so long as you follow the rules applied to land. “Leave footprints and take only memories,” says Worimi Aboriginal Land Council CEO, Andrew Smith. There’s also the crew at Sand Dune Adventures, who run a 1.5-hour ‘Aboriginal Cultural, Sand Boarding and Quad Bike Tour’ with a local Aboriginal guide. Pop on your high-vis vest and helmet and listen up, as knowledge of the landscape flows while you ride the ridged sand mountains. Your guide will point out middens, where Aboriginal people feasted on fish and shellfish, hammer stones used as tools and teach you about bush food such as ninang (oysters) and makurr (fish).

It’s worth noting that The Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council also work with other local tour operators to ensure the land maintains its world-renowned pristine, untouched quality. Check out their website for affiliated tour companies.

3. A detour to Tin City

The Tin City is the last legal squatter settlement in Australia. (Image: Destination NSW)

It’s technically located on Stockton Beach but a visit to the Stockton sand dunes is a great excuse to push your adventure towards Tin City. Jump on board Sand Dune Safaris’ ‘Tin City Safari’ which leads you right to a series of iron-roofed shacks steeped in history.

Dating back to the early 1900s when the ocean did its worst and wrecked a ship offshore, Tin City began to accommodate the shipwreck’s survivors and, during the Great Depression of the 1930s, expanded its ramshackle reach to include more than 36 huts.

There are 11 still standing, representing the last legal squatter settlement in Australia. Fascinating stuff worth putting some time into while you’re in this extraordinary neck of the woods.

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