75-Minute Beach Drive, Boarding

This 75-minute trip pairs a 4WD ride across the Birubi Beach stretch of the Stockton Bight dunes with time on a sandboard. Port Stephens 4WD Tours runs it, boards are supplied, and you can cancel free of charge. Rated 4.8 from 127 reviews.

Overview

A red air-conditioned 4WD sets off from James Paterson St in Anna Bay and rolls two kilometres down Birubi Beach before the sandboarding even begins. The first stop is about pipis: the guide shows everyone how to find the shellfish buried under the sand, and there is time to take photos while the guide explains what you are digging up.

The sliding itself runs for roughly 45 to 50 minutes on the dunes, with the guide on hand to help with photos and questions. Commentary continues on board the vehicle between stops.

The whole outing runs 75 minutes. One reviewer with three children said the mix of beach education and boarding was the right length for kids, and another said it was great for all ages. Water, sandboard rental, the guide and the national parks per person fee are all included, and pickup and drop-off are not, so travellers make their own way to the meeting point.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Anna BayCheck in at Port Stephens 4WD Tours on James Paterson St, Anna Bay. The tour starts and ends here.
2. Drive onto Birubi BeachA short 5-minute drive takes the vehicle onto Stockton Beach for the guided sightseeing leg.
3. Pipi digging stopAbout 2 kilometres down the beach, the guide demonstrates how to find and dig for pipis under the sand. There is time for photos, and low-level RAAF jets sometimes pass overhead.
4. Drive to the dunesAfter roughly 20 minutes on the beach, another 5-minute transfer carries the group to the sandboarding area at Anna Bay.
5. SandboardingThe guide explains technique, helps with photos and answers questions. Sliding runs for 45 to 50 minutes down the towering Stockton Bight dunes.
6. Return transferA final 5-minute drive brings the vehicle back to the departure point on James Paterson St.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this tour goes, from what to wear to how the group feels on the sand.

• Sun protection. The listing asks travellers to bring sunglasses and sunscreen, and the tour spends its whole 75 minutes outdoors on the beach and in the dunes.
• Pace and fitness. No special fitness is mentioned in the listing. One reviewer with young children felt the time was well judged, and another said the outing worked for all ages. The sandboarding block of 45 to 50 minutes is the longest part of the tour.
• Group feel. One reviewer described small groups and privacy on the dunes, and another said the experience suited all ages. The guide stays with the group and helps with photos, which reviewers repeatedly appreciated. Several also praised the guides as friendly and knowledgeable.
• Water and gear. Water and sandboard rental are included, so there is no need to carry a board. The sandboarding runs for 45 to 50 minutes, which is plenty of time to work up a thirst on a warm day.
• Weather. The listing states the tour runs rain, hail or shine, so it is not postponed for ordinary bad weather. Travellers should book with that all-conditions policy in mind and dress for whatever the day brings.
• Photos. The guide assists with photos during sandboarding, and one reviewer mentioned a guide suggesting creative poses and taking pictures for the group. Bringing a phone or camera is worthwhile for the beach stop too, where the listing encourages photos.

Common issues. The main limit is transport: pickup and drop-off are not included, so every traveller must get themselves to James Paterson St in Anna Bay on time. The tour runs in any weather, so dress for the conditions on the day. No accessibility details are given in the listing, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask the operator before booking.

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