Reading Time: 3mins
Finding a secluded beach in Australia is fantastic, especially if you’re in a 4WD. Queensland’s 6,973km coastline is perfect for beach driving and accessing the best beach camping spots. Here are some beach driving tips for first-timers.
AWD vehicles are not suitable for beach driving in hot, dry conditions. Most AWDs lack the necessary clearance and low-range settings. It is better to use 4WD vehicles for beach driving.
When driving on the beach, lowering your tyre pressure is important to increase the tyre footprint and improve traction on the sand. It’s crucial to find the recommended PSI for your vehicle. Keep a pressure gauge in your glove box for beach driving. Before hitting the sand, lower your tyre pressure at a turnout. After driving, reinflate your tyres at the nearest petrol station, and consider getting a portable air compressor for future beach driving adventures. Keep your speed below 40 km/h for safety.
Knowing the timing of low and high tides is crucial before driving onto any beach. It’s best to be on the beach for only two hours around low tide. The tide can quickly approach the beach, causing stress for first-time beach drivers as the water inches closer to their cars.
The optimal driving area for beach driving is the hard sand, away from the water. By following the advice on tides, you’ll be all set.
Having the right recovery gear is essential if you are stuck while driving on the beach. Avoid accelerating when trying to get unstuck, as this will only worsen the situation. Instead, try reversing out first. If that doesn’t work, you’ll need recovery gear such as a shovel, traction aids, and a Snatch Strap kit with gloves and bow shackles.
Remember to drive your car in the tracks or ruts other vehicles have made. Don’t fight the steering wheel when driving in a rut; gently guide it. Also, avoid making tight turns on the beach, as the sand can build up in front of your tyres, increasing the likelihood of getting stuck. Instead, make wide, gentle turns.
When driving on sand, it’s important to maintain just enough momentum to keep the tyres cruising on top of the sand. If you brake hard, your tyres will dig into the sand, causing you to sink further into the beach. Here’s a tip: when you encounter a large dip in the beach, ease slowly into the dip and then accelerate out of it.
Treat the beach like a road. Stick to speed limits, keep left, wear your seatbelt, and watch for children. Follow signage and seasonal rules, such as protecting turtle nests.
Use your car’s turn signals to indicate the direction or side of the beach you plan to move towards.
Stay above the high tide mark when parked on the beach and face your vehicle towards the water.
After you finish driving on the beach, it’s essential to wash your vehicle’s undercarriage thoroughly. This will help prevent rust and corrosion caused by salt and sand buildup. Regularly cleaning the undercarriage is essential for maintaining your vehicle’s longevity and structural integrity.
Before driving on a Queensland beach, ensure that 4WDs are permitted and you have the required permits. Permits can be booked online through the Queensland National Parks Booking Service.
