The Ultimate Guide to Sandboarding Stockton Sand Dunes

On our recent trip to Australia my family went on an incredible excursion to Stockton Beach. There, we discovered sandboarding on the largest sand dunes in the southern hemisphere. Stockton Beach in Anna Bay, Port Stephens, is famous for its enormous dunes which spread as far as the eye can see.

Come with me as I share with you the most detailed guide to sandboarding Stockton Beach. I’ll review with you what you’ll need for your family adventure, the best times to go, costs, and other things to do nearby.

Stockton Bight sand dunes

The Stockton Bight sand dunes are constantly changing, through forces such as wind, erosion and waves. Our sand dune guide pointed out areas where the tree line adjacent to the dunes were covered, where they weren’t in years past.

We stumbled upon this sandy adventure in Port Stephens after a camel ride. And we’re glad we did! We had already made arrangements to ride camels that morning.

Learn more: Our Experience Riding “Ships of the Desert” in Australia

Lucky for us, a vendor doing sandboard tours pulled up next to our camel tour. We made arrangements to go up to the dunes to ride them shortly thereafter, and were loaded into a 4×4 vehicle to make the trek to the dunes.

When I saw the Stockton sand dunes for the first time, I was astonished just how large they were. Our sand dune tour guide told us they were about 50 meters high (that’s the height of a 10-story structure).

After boarding a huge, red 4×4 vehicle designed for the sand, we made our way towards the dunes. This was no ordinary vehicle, but designed to traverse the dunes with ease and without getting stuck in the sand. Our trip was with Port Stephens 4WD Tours.

Before we start talking about sandboarding it’s important to know a little more about the landscape and history of Stockton Bight sand dunes. There’s too major components of the sand dunes which are the Worimi Conservation Lands and Stockton Beach.

Worimi Conservation Lands

We made our way to the 4,200-hectare Worimi Conservations Lands which encompass the Stockton Beach sand dunes. Worimi Conservation Lands include Worimi National Park.

These grounds sit on and next to Stockton Beach and were established in 2007. In February of that year, the Woirmi Local Aboriginal Land Council was given this land from the Crown at Stockton Bight.

It took us ten minutes to ride up the dunes to the highest point. This peak would become our drop off spot to start sandboarding. Our family was very excited with anticipation, not knowing what to expect.

Stockton beach

Stockton Beach extends from Stockton to Anna Bay in New South Wales, Australia, just north of the Hunter River. It’s an enormously long beach (32 kilometers) and makes up part of the Stockton sand dunes.

Interestingly enough, several ships and planes have collided on this massive beach. Popular activities at Stockton Beach include the following experiences:

• Fishing
• Swimming in rock pools
• Sandboarding
• Surfing
• Photography
• Camel riding
• Quad biking
• 4WD vehicle driving

Our family had the opportunity to surf, fish, swim and snorkel in rock pools, and camel ride in the Stockton Beach area. As you can see, there’s a lot to do in the Port Stephens area and if you love adventure it’s a great home base to do a lot of excursions.

Taking public transportation from Sydney was easy and Port Stephens even had some public transport via buses. I cannot say that the transportation in Port Stephens was reliable, and if you’re counting on an Uber it’s hit or miss.

One time, we had to walk a couple miles just to return back to Middle Rock. Not a huge deal, but tougher when you’re traveling with kids as we were.

What is sandboarding?

Sandboarding at Stockton Beach sand dunes involves using plastic or fiberglass boards, similar to a small surf boards, to ride down the sand. Another way to describe the sport would be “sand surfing.”

Costs

• Adults (age 15+): $40 AUD
• Children (4-14): $35 AUD
• Family of four (2 adults and 2 children): $142.50 (AUD)

Check the currency rates before you go to determine how much money you will spend and need to bring with you. When our family went, 1 USD equaled approximately 1.5 AUD. Overall, I felt that the pricing was reasonable for as much time you were given on the dune to sandboard.

Equipment

To start your sandboarding experience, you’ll need some basic equipment, including a a sandboard, hat, sunglasses, drinks, sunscreen, long pants, and a long sleeve shirt for sun protection.

Consider wearing knee protectors, elbow pads, and wrist guards. All of these items were provided for us on our trip, except for knee protectors, elbow pads and wrist guards.

You can rent sandboards from a variety of local businesses or bring your own. Our boards were all the same size. They were black, with a little stopper on the toe to keep your feet in place.

The bottom was slick so you could move as quickly as possible. Ask for wax from your tour guide operator if you want to go faster.

Here’s a list of equipment you’ll need for a self-guided trip:

• Sandboard
• Sunglasses
• GoPro or camera inside a plastic sleeve or zip lock bag (so it doesn’t get sand in it and ruin your phone)
• Sunscreen

Clothing

Here’s a list clothes I’d recommend wearing:

• Long pants for protection from the sun
• Ball cap for sun protection
• If you can tolerate the warmth, consider long sleeves

Safety

Sandboarding is relatively safe, with a few exceptions. The most dangerous situations include catching sand in your eye or breaking a bone by traveling too fast. You may also clash with other sandboarders in your group, so stay alert of your surroundings.

Also, be aware of a little sand slide, which collapses and falls around you. Lastly, there are trees, roots and other things buried in the sand dunes, especially near the bases. Keep that in mind as you’re traveling down and need to stop.

While not supplied on trips, you should consider taking the following safety equipment:

• Goggles (we didn’t have these, but if you had snow ski goggles or swimming goggles, they would be ideal)
• Helmet
• Knee and elbow pads

Do-it-yourself versus a tour guide

The central sandboarding location at Stockton Beach is located in the Worimi Conservation Lands. The National Park and Reserve has several designated sandboarding areas with varying dune sizes suitable for different skill levels.

Self-guided

The park is most easily accessible via Gan Gan Road, which is about a 10-minute drive from Nelson Bay. The park has two entrances: Birubi Beach and Anna Bay. Birubi Beach is the most popular entrance for sandboarding because it is closest to the main sandboarding area.

To do Port Stephens sandboarding without a guide, you’ll need to get to the sand dune. This means that you’ll need a 4×4 vehicle and obtain a beach vehicle permit before driving on the Worimi Conservation Lands.

Stockton sand dune sandboarding tours

If you’re going on a tour, meet at Birubi Beach’s bottom public car lot. To reach there, head to the end of James Paterson Street in Anna Bay, New South Wales.

Going with a group or a guide will make your sandboarding experience safer and more fun. Many tour providers in the region offer sandboarding packages.

These tours may include transportation, equipment rental, and expert guidance. The Worimi Conservation Lands Visitor Centre also provides information about the park, including its rules and regulations. The staff can provide region maps as well as helpful sand snowboarding suggestions.

Sandboarding tour meet up address

Birubi Beach Lower Public Car park, Anna Bay, Stockton Beach, NSW 2316, Australia (this is also the meeting point for camel riding in Port Stephens).

Map

Sandboarding technique

There’s several ways you can ride your sandboard. You’re only limited by your imagination. You can sit on your bottom, stand up, ride backwards, you name it. We really started going fast down the dunes once you get the hang of it. The hardest part is learning how to stop.

What does sandboarding feel like?

Here’s my best description for sandboarding: if you’re an adult, it feels like you get to be a kid again for the day, playing in a giant sandbox. The motions you’ll repeat are sitting down, standing up, and walking up the dune each time.

It’s a lot of fun, especially with others around you, but it does get tiring. You can choose different dunes to go down as well as different spots with different grades on each dune.

If you want to go faster, choose a dune with more elevation or one that has a sharper pitch. It can get dangerous if you go too fast, so choose your sand dune wisely.

Controlling your speed

You can also go faster if you choose a sandboard with wax. It takes only seconds to reach the bottom of the dune after you go sand surfing, and it probably takes 8 to 10 minutes to walk back up the hill to start again.

The sand can be hot, especially since you’ll be barefoot. Therefore, you might consider choosing a cooler day to go when the sand and sun aren’t so harsh. For our family, we were only in Port Stephens for a week, so we couldn’t be too picky on the time of year we went.

The speed varies based on several factors

The speed at which you go will vary depending on the height of the dune and its pitch. Furthermore, persons who weigh more will move faster than those who weigh less. Sandboarding is also affected by the conditions such as wind and rain.

High winds can cause you to go slower or quicker. If it’s pouring and the sand’s moist, you’ll move faster. To ride, simply choose a place where you feel comfortable going downward. Jump on your black sandboard, tappered end pointing down the slope of the sand dune.

Put your hands back and push off! You can now lay down, go backwards, and rise up. There are many options, so be creative.

How to slow down

There’s two ways to slow down. First, use your hands behind you. Second, and the most effective, use the heels of your feet. The sand is normally very clean, but be very cautios of what’s in the dunes like trash, trees or roots so that you don’t accidentally run into one with your heels.

How to speed up

Accelerating is analogous to slowing down. Simply do the opposite of what you would to slow down. Keep your hands and feet on the sandboard rather than in the sand. Also consider using wax, which will speed up your board.

Best times to go

Sandboarding at Stockton Beach is best done during the warmer months of September through May. Sandboarding is not suggested in wet or windy circumstances, so check the weather before setting out.

Why you should go Sandboarding

It’s fun and exciting

Sandboarding at Stockton Beach is a unique, adventurous, and exciting activity ideal for adrenaline enthusiasts. It’s an ideal vacation for families, friends, and solitary travelers of all ages and skill levels.

Stockton Beach is a sand dune boarding paradise that provides thrill-seekers with a one-of-a-kind and exciting experience. With its high dunes, breathtaking views, and convenient location, it’s simple to see why sandboarding is becoming increasingly popular in this area.

It’s great exercise

Sandboarding is also an excellent workout because you will use your leg muscles to ascend the dunes. Sandboarding at Stockton Beach is a must-do activity for travelers looking to add spice to their holiday.

Stockton Beach provides something for everyone, whether you’re new to dune surfing or an experienced sand surfer. Remember to carry your protection gear, a sense of adventure, and an open mind as you take on the dunes.

Things to do nearby Stockton sand dunes

There are various activities to do after you’ve finished sandboarding. These excursions include swimming the Champagne Spa at Boat Harbour, heading to Nelson Bay for an art stroll, taking surf lessons at One Mile Beach, spear fishing, fishing, hiking, and more.

Sandboarding Stockton sand dunes FAQ

How long is a sandboarding tour at Stockton Beach?

Tours to the sand dunes including sandboarding are approximately 2 hours. Some tours allow unlimited sandboarding, but most people won’t made it past 1.5 hours of actual sandboarding because it’s such a strenuous activity.

How long is it the sand dunes?

The drive in the 4×4 vehicle is an adventure in itself! It only takes about 8 to 10 minutes to get from the parking lot at the end of James Paterson Street to the top of the sand dunes at Anna Bay.

Is there protection from the sun when sandboarding Port Stephens?

You could always hang out in the 4×4 truck if you need shade. In addition, you could bring an umbrella or pop up tent, but the tent is probably overkill. Some tour operators have a canopy at the dune, but check with the tour company before booking if you’re expecting one.

Can children go sandboarding?

Yes! Most tour operators allow children of any age to go sandboarding. Our two kids participated and had a blast. The steeper hills could definitely be dangerous for some people, so use your best judgement and decide what’s best for your family.

What’s the closest sand boarding near me?

If you do an online search for “sandboarding near me”, you’ll likely find that in the Sydney or Port Stephens area, Stockton sand dunes are your best place to go sand surfing. You can take public transport from Sydney to Port Stephens.

What happens if it rains?

Sandboarding tours operate in the rain and wind. However, your trip might not be as comfortable. Wet sandboards do go faster in wet weather. If it does rain, dress accordingly, or reschedule.

Give sandboarding a try

There’s two activities that I would not leave Port Stephens without doing. These are sandboarding and riding camels in Stockton Sand Dunes.

If you have any helpful tips on riding sand dunes in Port Stephens or perhaps somewhere else in the world, let me know in the comments section below. Have fun, stay safe and “catch some sand” next time you’re in Australia.