Five great sand dunes for sandboarding and selfies
In a picturesque sense, sand dunes are one of nature’s marvels for their arid beauty and shifting shapes.But all that clean sand piled in steep slopes also means there’s plenty of fun to be had if you want to try sandboarding. Experts can surf standing up, but most of us would be happy to sit down and toboggan to the bottom. Boards are available for hire, so jump in the car, get out and give one of these dunes a go.
Perry Sandhills, Wentworth, NSW
These 330 hectares of constantly shifting sand dunes are just outside Wentworth, which itself is closer to Mildura (in Victoria) than any major NSW town. You can surf down some of the bigger dunes (hire a board in Mildura), check out the semi-buried river red gum and record plenty of arty Insta-moments. Back in Wentworth visit the Pioneer Museum which has replicas of extinct megafauna whose remains were recovered from the 40,000-year-old sands.
Lancelin Sand Dunes, Western Australia
WA’s coastline on the Indian Ocean is always spectacular, especially when seen from the top of somewhere like the towering Lancelin Dunes. It’s about a 90-minute drive north of Perth and worth it just to look at the pure white sand, or you can hire a sandboard and go for a slide. There’s an entry road accessible by normal cars, or if you have a 4WD, all the better. There’s even a 45 minute 4WD coach tour during which the expert driver climbs and descends the dunes in a thrilling but safe ride.
Woolamai Beach, Phillip Island, Victoria
Local footy clubs have used the steep 40-metre slope for endurance training for years, Woolamai Beach is one of Phillip Island’s better-kept secrets. If you have a sandboard (or even just an esky lid) and feel like riding the dune all the way down, be prepared for a steep climb to the top. Take a moment to enjoy the view of Cape Woolamai and the San Remo bridge then get ready for a speedy ride with a soft landing.
Little Sahara, Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Kangaroo Island is an irresistible destination for an outing in the car, and about an hour from the ferry terminal, just a little inland from the south coast, you’ll find Little Sahara. Aptly named after its African counterpart, this stretch of dunes (some up to 70 metres high) are great for photography buffs, especially at sunset, and of course, sandboarding is the preferred local past time. While you’re there, check out the seals at nearby Seal Bay conservation park.
Henty Sand Dunes, Strahan, Tasmania
Strahan is famous enough for its rugged natural scenery, convict roots and more recent mining history but wait: there’s more. Go to the visitor centre, hire a sandboard or toboggan then head out on the Zeehan road to discover the Henty Dunes. The seaside views are magnificent, but if you’ve got that board then going for a slide is the only option. Be prepared for a 30-metre climb back to the top, and then do it all over again.
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