If you’ve never heard of Stockton sand dunes and you’re looking for one of Australia’s hidden gems, or you’re planning an epic day trip from Sydney, this is the Australia road trip you need to do!

Over the past few years I have covered the East Coast of Australia in a variety of ways and have pretty much covered all the typical touristy spots. Check out my East Coast bucket list here.

EXPLORE AUSTRALIA ON MY BLOG HERE

Now, one of the ‘big’ bucket list adventures on the East Coast of Australia is Fraser Island. But it’s also important to dedicate adventure time to exploring places that are more ‘off the grid’. What I want to share with you today is a pretty great alternative for those that cannot afford one of the Fraser trips (although it can be done on a backpacker budget) or maybe don’t have the time to venture that far up the coast…

My guide to Stockton sand dunes: a road trip from Sydney to Newcastle

The itinerary…

• Shoal Beach
• Mount Tomaree mini hike and lookout
• Beach lunch and ocean dips
• Stockton beach drive and Stockton sand dunes adventure

Wanting to drive yourself around Australia? Here’s a complete guide to planning your travel and transport in Australia!

1. Make your way to Newcastle.

Newcastle is a 176km road trip from Sydney. On a clear day, this will take you just 2 hours. I’d definitely drive if you can, as it’s a really nice coastal drive!

Otherwise, you can indeed catch a train from Sydney Central Station up to Newcastle for around $8, or land into Newcastle airport. But to do the adventure in this blog post, you will still need access to a car when you arrive.

On a backpacker budget? Here are my top tips for saving money when you’re travelling in Australia!

2. Start the day at Shoal Beach.

If you’re looking to save some money on accommodation, check out this guide to freedom camping in Australia.

3. Next up is the Mount Tomaree hike and lookout…

SEE ALL MY ACTIVE ADVENTURES ON MY BLOG HERE

En route to the beach (Anna Bay bound) now you will need to pick up a permit for permission to drive on the beach. It’s $33 for a 3 day pass and that money goes to the maintenance of the dunes.

You also need to stop off at a petrol station and partially deflate your tyres in preparation for sand driving.

Click here to see more about the permits and the locations where you can pick one up, as well as advice about beach driving.

Don’t know much about hiring a camper van in Australia? I’ve answered all your questions in this blog post!

4. Beach lunch and ocean dip…

Before you begin the beach drive, head to Crest Birubi Beach where you can grab a coffee or some food over looking the beach you are about to explore. PS: The chips here are so great.

Address for your sat nav… 73 James Paterson St, Anna Bay NSW 2316, Australia

After refreshments you can even opt for a dip in the ocean or enhance your sand experience with a camel ride in the dunes with Oakfield Ranch Camel Rides.

If you’re backpacking Australia solo and feeling a little apprehensive, here’s my guide to solo travel in Australia!

5. Stockton beach drive and Stockton sand dunes adventure…

To drive on the Worimi Conservation Land (where Stockton sand dunes are located), as mentioned previously, you will need a permit. Permits are super cheap and essential.

Once you have picked one up from the many locations in which they are available, you can freely roam the beach and drive alongside the ocean with views both out to sea and over the Stockton sand dunes. Take a picnic with you and park up along the way to enjoy it. Make sure you leave time wander into the dunes.

The Stockton beach drive stretches 19km and will allow you to drive from Anna Bay all the way down to Williamstown or vice versa.

Tip: If you’re heading back to Sydney, Anna Bay down to Williamstown is definitely the way you should do the Stockton sand dune drive. That way you’re heading south and in the right direction to continue back to the city!

There are of course some rules to follow and advice you should definitely take when driving on the beach, some of  which include:

• a 40km speed limit
• sticking to the beach and not driving into the dunes
• deflating your tyres for beach driving
• wearing a seatbelt

See all the advice given by Worimi Conservation here.

Remember you must reinflate your tyres again ready for the road driving! Particularly important if you are road tripping back down 2 hours to Sydney!

On a backpacker budget? Here’s my complete guide to budgeting for backpacking Australia.

To extend your trip to the Stockton sand dunes…

Book an overnight stay in Newcastle or Port Stephens and then spend the following day exploring one of Australia’s most famous wine regions: Hunter Valley.

See my Hunter Valley experience here.

Check out the best 20 day trips from Sydney in this post.

EXPLORE AUSTRALIA ON MY BLOG HERE

Have you been to Stockton sand dunes?

What road trips in Australia would you like to do? I’d love to know!

Love as always and happy adventuring,

Mollie.

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