3 must see beach drives for your next adventure

Driving through dunes or along the water’s edge requires different skills to a normal road so check out these tips, do a bit of forward planning (permits may be required) and you might find that perfect fishing, surfing or camping spot.

Stockton lays claim to being NSW’s longest beach and as the 32km stretch of sand is just north of Newcastle and only two hours from Sydney it’s a must-do for anyone into off-roading. The beach is best accessed via Lavis Lane in Williamtown – well away from swimmers closer to Newcastle - and there are miles of flat sand to drive on once the soft stuff has been negotiated.

If you want to stop for a swim or a spot of surf fishing, you’re more than welcome. There’s more to see, however, than just beach and waves. The Stockton Dunes tower 30 metres above the beach in places so bring the boogie board for some downhill action.

The Isuzu D-MAX's Rear Differential Lock can give you extra traction on your sandy beach adventures.

Tin City is a Mad Max-like collection of corrugated iron huts half buried in the sand that form a surreal, lost-village landscape. Then there’s the wreck of the Sygna, a 53,000 tonne cargo ship blown ashore in 1974 and still rusting. A camp site for tents or single-axle trailers is at Ganyamalbaa at the southern end of the beach.

If you’re driving between Melbourne and Adelaide via the coast, or just feel like a weekend away from either capital then the historic beachside town of Robe has plenty to offer. That includes getting your off-roader’s tyres sandy and salty on Long Beach, north of town. This is not for the faint hearted and you’ll need recovery gear - just in case.

It’s easy to get stuck in soft sand and if the tide comes in while you’re still digging – you can probably guess the rest. But the windswept, open beach is incredible and once you’ve had a look around and stopped for a swim, you can drive almost 60km towards Beachport in the south, detouring onto tracks into the dunes of the Little Dip Conservation Park (as obstacles and tides dictate).

With the Isuzu D-MAX's 3.5 tonne towing pulling power, you’ll be able to bring your boat, caravan or camper along for your beach adventure.

Or you can go for a short drive, turn around and go back. The Robe information centre has maps and advice so that should be your first port of call. The town itself is pretty and after a hard day’s off-roading nothing beats a cold Coopers Pale Ale and a seafood feast at the Caledonian Inn.

Noosa Heads is one of Australia’s great holiday destinations, but all those southerners sipping cocktails on Hastings Street are probably unaware it is also close to one of the country’s best beach drives.

Take the small ferry across the river at Tewantin to Noosa North, leave the bitumen and hit the sand at Beach Road, and don’t look back for about 50km on the way north to Rainbow Beach. Below the high-tide mark the sand is mainly firm, but obviously follow all 4WD sand-driving precautions.

With the Isuzu D-MAX's 800mm water wading depth, taking a little dip as the tide comes in is no issue.

Surf fishing is huge up here and you can swim (too far south for crocs and stingers) if you are careful with rips. Blue water, green coastal vegetation and the sand singing under your tyres – how much better can it get?

Are you itching to get out there and try some beach driving? Visit Isuzu UTE Australia’s website and go your own way for a great adventure around Australia.