STOCKTON BEACH, NSW
YOU won’t be the first tourer to be overawed by Stockton Beach’s formidable sand-dune system, which stretches as far as the eye can see. However, much of it is fenced off from the general public. Due to environmental damage parts of the sand-dune system have been blocked off to the general public while the many tracks and dunes recover. Pundits, though, can still play on the beachfront at defined routes, and at the 3.5km² Recreation Vehicle Area.
Aside from the obvious off-roading benefits, what draws many pundits is the area’s rich history. Many relics from WWII defence systems can be found on these shores, as well as numerous Aboriginal midden sites that are of cultural significance. This is why it is vital to avoid reckless driving (something the area is unfortunately known for) and not drive over vegetation or shell accumulations.
A highlight of Stockton Beach is The Shacks (or Tin City), a collection of huts located 11km south-west of Anna Bay. The huts were constructed by a group of squatters during the Great Depression of the 1930s, and were then torn down during WWII. Now only 11 shacks remain..
You can also hunt for the 1932 Uralla shipwreck, and the remains of the 1974 Synga shipwreck located about 6km from Lavis Lane. It's only visable on a very low tide these days
Annual and three-day vehicle permits are available and required. Despite the strict rules governing the region, Stockton Beach is still a worthy beach expedition.
There’s no better place to dunehop in Victoria than at Portland Dunes (within the Discovery Bay Coastal Park), located about four hours from Melbourne in the state’s south-west. Well, we say no ‘better’ place, but there aren’t really any other places in Victoria where you can drive a 4x4 on the beach.
There is a catch: you’ll need a membership with the Portland Dune Buggy Club to access the area. Membership applications generally take up to five weeks to be processed, so planning your trip is essential. Campsite management and bookings are also taken care of by the Portland Dune Buggy Club.
Once you’re in, you’ll be rewarded with a challenging sand-dune system, and you’ll need an adequately set-up rig for serious sand play, with recovery gear and working comms.
The closest town for provisions is at Portland, about 50km away, so you’ll also need to be totally self-sufficient when it comes to food, water and, of course, fuel.
An attraction of the Dunes is ‘The Bowl’, where dune buggies can be found circling the 30-degree slope at speeds up to 130km/h. And when you need to take a break from 4Wding, fishing from the beach provides a bit of fun.
Victoria might be better known for the High Country, but you won't be disappointed with a detour (quite a big detour, mind you) to the Portland Dunes.