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The 5 Best Beaches to Drive on Near Sydney

Enjoy the sweet taste of freedom in your 4WD with our carefully curated list of the best beaches to drive on near Sydney. If you’re new to the 4WD beach driving life or need a stretch of sand to give your rig a run on, we’ve got you covered. There’s truly no feeling like your first 4WD beach run. Zooming (safely) down a long stretch of sand, roof off, wind on your face as waves crash beside you, is one of the best experiences you can have.

Taking your 4WD for a run on some of the best beaches near Sydney’s gotta be on the top of your list. There are several beaches near Sydney that allow car access, and we’ve rounded up the top five for you to check out.

1.Redhead Beach

Redhead Beach is situated at the northernmost tip of Nine Mile Beach and is one of the most beautiful beaches to drive on near Sydney. It stretches a glorious 11km of expansive white sand with killer views of the ocean. Better yet, it’s dog friendly, so your fur babies can tag along for the ride too. Looking for dog friendly camping? We’ve got you covered. It’s right next to Belmont Wetlands State Park, so once you’ve hosed down your rig you can head to the state park for a heart-pumping hike. You’re also pretty close to Newcastle for a post-adventure feed at the pub.

2. Mungo Beach

Less than three hours from Sydney you’ll find Mungo Beach in the beautiful Myall Lakes National Park. With Mungo Brush Campground nearby, it’s the perfect spot to combine a good campout and beach run in your 4WD. It’s a pretty cruisy beach drive, so ideal for newbies and pros alike. With epic sand dunes for the hardcore drivers and plenty of waves to be surfed, hiking tracks, kayaking, and fishing, there’s something for everyone. Should be noted, however, the current is strong in this area so check the weather before you go! Only drive in permitted areas as dune and beach environments can be fragile and provide habitat for native species.

3. Kurnell Beach (Boat Harbour)

If you’re looking for a beach to drive on that’s really near Sydney, you won’t find one much closer than Kurnell Beach (Boat Harbour) on the Kurnell Peninsula. This short but sweet 4WD beach is the perfect place for the uninitiated to practice their skills, but it’ll set you back $30 Mon-Fri and $35 on Sat-Sun. However, it’s dog friendly, allows portable BBQs, has lots of food and drink options around and is a great spot for fishing and swimming. Due to an increased amount of people heading out to Boat Harbour to enjoy the sun, sand, and sea, the owners of Holt Estate where the beach resides have limited the amount of season and day passes available. Make sure you’ve got yours before you drive out there to avoid disappointment!

4. Stockton Beach

Ask any 4WD lover where’s the best beach to give your rig a good run and they’ll no doubt say Stockton. For this reason, it gets very busy – especially on the weekends. However, it also means you’re likely to meet plenty of likeminded friends along the way. With plenty of sand dunes in various sizes, Stockton Beach is the ideal track for newbies to the pros. The beach itself is also a beautiful spot for a post-run swim or surf. It’s also known to be a pretty epic whale-watching spot!

5. Samurai Beach

If you’re an avid off-roader with a penchant for nudity, you’ll absolutely froth over Samurai Beach near Port Stephens. It’s a short trip from the stunning Nelsons Bay, and it doesn’t require a permit to drive on, or clothing for that matter – aces! The entrance to the beach is unsigned and easy to miss if you’re not paying attention – follow Gan Gan road to the Samurai Beach access trail. The access trail itself is narrow and sandy (mostly firm sand, however), and winds through the trees before hitting the open dune system. That’s when the real fun starts, as you hit the soft stuff. Driving on the dunes is forbidden – so just don’t do it, OK? There’s a campground behind the beach, which is also clothing optional, however, you’ll need to book if you’re going to set up shop for the night.