The Best Ways to Experience 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

an aerial view of 4WD on the beach, Stockton Sand Dunes — 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

a couple enjoying sandboarding at Stockton SandDunes — 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

Quad biking experience on the Stockton Sand Dunes — 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

riding camels at Stockton Sand Dunes — 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

a guide briefing visitors before the quad bike tour, Sand Dune Adventures — 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

a fishing shack in the Tin City on Stockton Beach — 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.

Need somewhere to stay? Discover the best accommodation in Port Stephens

The heavens take centre stage at this Outback NSW glamping lodge.

Crane your neck. Look up. If it’s nighttime in a major Australian city, you might see a faint dusting of stars. Now imagine yourself out in the bush. Here, those stars aren’t just scattered dots – instead, they’re smudged across the sky in endless, glittering streaks. Welcome to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit , a new glamping lodge in one of the most picturesque corners of outback NSW.

Between its eight stargazing tents, Gilay Guest Lounge, and shared tales of the Dreamtime night sky, this retreat is designed to exist in harmony with the breathtaking lake and surrounding landscape. Intrigued? Here’s everything you need to know.

Bathed in warm light, a couple watches the sun dip beyond the horizon. — Watch the sky melt into magic at Wilderluxe.

Getting to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit is in the NSW Northern Tablelands, bordered by the Great Dividing Range. The lake itself is hard to miss: this mammoth body of water is two-thirds the size of Sydney Harbour.

Just 40 minutes from Tamworth and close to Gunnedah, it’s on the inland route between Sydney and Byron Bay. Drive or take one of the daily flights to Tamworth’s airport.

Aerial view of Wilderluxe. — Let vast waters and towering ranges set the scene for your escape.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit rooms

Don’t settle for a paltry room when you can sleep directly under the cosmos. Wilderluxe offers eight domed ‘Star Tents’ , all named after Aboriginal sky stories – like Djirri Djirri, the sacred messenger bird, Baiame, the Sky Father and great creator, and Dhinawan, the Emu in the Sky constellation.

On a clear night, use your tent’s retractable roof for gazing above or wander to the outdoor bathtub on your private deck to soak under the night sky. No need to go anywhere. You can stay put come evening with a kitchenette inside and a gas barbecue on the deck.

A couple gazes up at a sky ablaze with stars at Wilderluxe. — Sleep beneath the stars.

Style and character

When it comes to aesthetics, Wilderluxe Lake Keepit stays on trend. The encampment blends with its surroundings, building up layers of minimalist visuals that mirror the ever-changing curves of the water.

Earthy tones, natural materials and timber finishes also anchor the retreat in its bushland surrounds. It’s enough to deepen the sense of calm you’ll experience as you drive off-grid, and this is only heightened as you spot kangaroos grazing at dawn or hear the chatter of native birds by the lake.

The dreamy sunset at Wilderluxe. — Go off-grid in style at Wilderluxe Lake Keepit.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit dining

‘Dinner and a show’ hits differently with the property’s Big Sky dinner experience . Hosted in the Gilay Lounge, enjoy complimentary drinks and a grazing table with the host, followed by a screening of Big Sky Dreaming, a film produced exclusively for Wilderluxe guests in which Kamilaroi storyteller Uncle Len Waters narrates tales of the Dreaming above.

Once your imagination has been fed, it’s time to take a seat fireside for a glass of Australian port and a serving of s’mores.

Keen to explore the wider area? Staff can provide barbecue and picnic hampers, stuffed with regional meats, cheeses and organic local fare.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit facilities

While you could very well spend all your time in your tent, sometimes it’s time to hit pause on the celestial show. Instead, make your way up to the Gilay Guest Lounge, where you can relax on the deck overlooking the lake or the outdoor fire pits. It’s a great way to unwind and clink glasses with other stargazers.

The Gilay Lounge with the view of the lake. — Unwind by the fire and raise a glass at Gilay Lounge.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit experiences

No need to turn nocturnal; when the sun rises, there are still plenty of ways to touch the sky.

Lake Keepit hosted the 2020 Women’s World Gliding Championships, and it’s one of the best places in Australia to stretch your wings. The local Soaring Club operates year-round, meaning you can book a gliding experience any day of the year – or opt for a scenic flight to take in the vast beauty from above.

Prefer to keep your feet on solid ground? There are plenty of walking and cycling trails in and around the area. Luckily, bikes are part of the Wilderluxe package. All you have to do is ask a staff member for their favourite route, throw a picnic onto the back and cycle off into the great beyond.

Alternatively, nab a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or kayak and head out onto the lake. Or, if you’re feeling lucky, borrow a fishing rod and try your chances.

A person kayaking through serene waters. — Paddle into peace.

The details

A two-night minimum twin-share accommodation package includes Big Sky dinner and drinks experience, plus daily continental breakfast. As well as access to leisure equipment including mountain bikes, kayaks, SUPs and fishing gear.

The interiors of the glamping tent. — Let nature restore you, while luxury takes care of the rest.

Start planning your outback glamping adventure at wilderluxe.com.au.

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