Questions Before You Book
Booking Questions
Do I need a permit or my own 4WD to ride the dunes on a guided tour?
Most tours (sandboarding, passenger 4WD, quad, day trips) need no permit or own 4WD. The tag-along differs: your own 4WD plus a Worimi beach vehicle permit. Permits only apply if you drive your own 4WD or quad onto the Worimi Conservation Lands yourself.
What is the difference between sandboarding, quad bike and 4WD dune tours?
Sandboarding tours give you a board and unlimited time sliding down the dunes. Quad bike tours put you on your own machine for a guided ride, while 4WD dune tours take you across the dunes as a passenger.
How long do the tours last?
It depends on the tour: sandboarding runs 1 to 2 hours, quad rides are 1 hour, and 4WD dune tours range from 75 minutes to 3 hours. Sydney day trips run a full day, about 12 hours.
What is the best time of year to go?
The dunes are open year round, with average daily maximums around 28°C in January and 17°C in June and July. If you are combining a dune tour with whale watching, that season runs from May to November.
Can I swim at Stockton Beach / is it safe?
Swimming is not advised: the beach within the park is unpatrolled. The small stretch at Birubi left of the Gan Gan track is closed to vehicles for public safety near the patrolled swimming area.
Can I ride a camel on the dunes?
Yes, but not through this site. Oakfield Ranch runs camel rides at Birubi Point: 20-minute day rides are walk-in only between 10:00am and 3:30pm with no bookings taken, while 60-minute sunset rides on Friday and Saturday evenings require an online booking.
These answers cover the tours listed on this site: sandboarding, 4WD dune trips, quad biking and full-day tours from Sydney to Anna Bay (see Is Sandboarding Worth It).
11 tours are compared on the tours page.