Beach driving

By the end of this topic you can

• You can find out whether a beach is open to vehicles and whether you need a permit
• You can plan a beach drive around the tide times
• You can adjust tyre pressures for sand and reinflate before road driving
• You can drive through soft sand without getting bogged
• You can drive safely around people, swimmers and wildlife on the beach

What you need to know and understand

• Only drive on beaches that are signed or listed as open to vehicles; many are closed
• In Queensland a vehicle access permit is needed for areas such as K'gari, Cooloola, Bribie Island, Moreton Island (Mulgumpin) and North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah)
• On beaches where road rules apply, you need a licence and registration, must wear seatbelts and can be breath tested
• The safest time for beach driving is usually around low tide
• Lowering tyre pressures within your vehicle's guidance helps the tyres float on soft sand
• Beach permits, speed limits and closures vary by state and by location

Permits and local rules

Before you go, check with the land manager, which might be a national parks service or a local council. In Queensland, you must buy a vehicle access permit before driving on the beaches and tracks of recreation areas such as K'gari and Cooloola, and Queensland road rules apply there. Other states have their own permit systems and designated beach driving areas, so check locally.

Speed limits, closed zones and seasonal closures, for example to protect nesting turtles or shorebirds, are signed or published by the land manager. Follow them.

Reading the tide and the sand

Soft, dry sand above the high-tide line is the most likely place to get bogged. Cross it in a low gear with steady momentum.

• Check the tide times before you leave and plan to drive in the hours either side of low tide
• Never drive on a rising tide close to the water or rocks where you could be cut off
• Firm, damp sand between the high-tide mark and the water is usually easiest to drive on
• Watch for washouts and creek outlets, which can create sudden drops and soft holes
• Avoid driving through the shallows, as salt water damages vehicles and hides holes

Getting onto the sand

Remember that beaches are shared spaces. Children, anglers and dogs may be close to the tracks, and the sound of waves can stop people hearing you. Slow right down near people and give wide space to wildlife.

1. Stop before the sand and engage 4WD, using high range for most beach driving
2. Lower your tyre pressures to suit sand, following your vehicle and tyre maker's guidance, and check them with a gauge
3. Drive onto the beach in existing wheel tracks, with steady, gentle throttle
4. Avoid sharp turns and sudden braking in soft sand, which can dig the wheels in
5. Keep left of oncoming vehicles where possible, signal your intentions and watch for people
6. Reinflate your tyres with a compressor before going back onto a sealed road

Common mistakes

• Driving without a permit: check the land manager's rules before you go
• Ignoring the tide: plan around low tide and never get cut off by rising water
• Running road pressures in soft sand: lower pressures within guidance to avoid bogging
• Driving back onto the road with low tyres: reinflate first
• Speeding near people: slow right down around beachgoers and wildlife

Test yourself: Beach driving

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.