Port Stephens Tours

Port Stephens tours here take you onto the sand dunes at Anna Bay by 4WD or quad bike, or all the way from Sydney on a coach day trip. Most of the choosing comes down to how you want to ride the dunes and how long you want to stay on them.

4WD sand dune tours and sandboarding from Anna Bay

The 4WD Beach & Dune Tour with Sandboarding is the guided version. A purpose-built, air-conditioned 4WD takes you 2 km down Birubi Beach, your guide shows you how to find pipis, then it's into the dunes for a safety briefing and a go on the sandboards. It leaves from the lower car park on James Paterson Street, Anna Bay.

The Unlimited Sandboarding & 4WD Adventure is a popular choice for anyone who wants to keep climbing and sliding. An off-road vehicle carries you from Birubi Beach along the beach to dunes that can reach 30 metres high, and the pass lets you stay as long as you like. Most people last about 1 to 1.5 hours. Pack socks, because the sand gets very hot.

Stand-up sand surfing in the dunes

The Sand Surfing Adventure from Stand Up Sand Surfing Port Stephens is the one to book if you'd rather stand than lie down. Board hire and instruction are included, and you choose boards with bindings or without. A 4WD shuttles you from Anna Bay to a large bowl-shaped dune with slopes of different sizes, and there's a shaded picnic area, so bring lunch. Sand surfing is done barefoot, and goggles are free to borrow on windy days.

After heavy rain the sand turns very smooth and fast, and the operator may limit stand-up runs to the smaller slopes. Standing on the board is not allowed on the 4WD Beach & Dune Tour, but the sand surfing and unlimited sandboarding options let you stand, sit or kneel.

Guided quad bike tour through the dunes

The Guided Quad Bike Sand Dunes Tour is a one-hour ride that starts with a safety briefing, then helmet and hi-vis vest on and out along a grassy track into the dunes. You drive past water lagoons and up to panoramic summit views, with some local history from the guide on the way. It's self-drive, with a double bike option for an adult and child, and no experience is needed.

The quad bike tour meets at Murrook Aboriginal Culture Centre on Nelson Bay Road, Williamtown, not at Anna Bay. Wear long pants and enclosed shoes, bring sunglasses, and arrive 30 minutes before departure.

Port Stephens day tour from Sydney

The Port Stephens Day Tour from Sydney suits anyone who'd rather not drive. A premium coach leaves early with pickups at Central Station and Darling Harbour, and you arrive in Nelson Bay by 10 am. The day takes in a 90-minute dolphin cruise, free time and lunch on the Nelson Bay waterfront, and a 4WD and sand dune experience at Anna Bay. Koala Sanctuary admission is included, and the whole trip runs about 12 hours.

How to choose between the Port Stephens tours

Take the 4WD Beach & Dune Tour for a guided first go with a beach stop. Choose unlimited sandboarding or sand surfing when time on the board matters more than commentary, and the quad bike when you'd rather drive. The day tour makes sense if Sydney is home base. For time on the bay as well, the cruises out of Nelson Bay cover dolphin watching, or browse all Port Stephens activities.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Port Stephens from Sydney?

Port Stephens is about 2.5 hours north of Sydney by road. The Port Stephens Day Tour from Sydney leaves early and reaches Nelson Bay by 10 am.

Do I need experience for the Port Stephens quad bike tour?

No. The Guided Quad Bike Sand Dunes Tour needs no riding experience, and your guide runs a safety briefing before you get on the bike.

What should I wear on a Port Stephens sand dune tour?

Wear loose clothing that doesn't restrict you, plus a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses, and bring water. Sandboarders are advised to pack socks because the sand can get very hot.

Do the Port Stephens sandboarding tours run on Christmas Day?

No. The 4WD Beach & Dune Tour with Sandboarding and the Unlimited Sandboarding & 4WD Adventure are both closed on 25 December.

How long is the Port Stephens day tour from Sydney?

The Port Stephens Day Tour from Sydney takes about 12 hours, with the coach leaving at 7 am and pickups from 6:45 am at Central Station.

Local tip: The quad bike tour meets at Williamtown and the sandboarding tours meet at Anna Bay, so if you book both in one day, check the meeting points and leave time between them.

Pick your dune day above, from sandboarding to quad bikes, or let the coach do the driving from Sydney. All good days are waiting.