Port Stephens Sandboarding: Sit Down & Stand Up on Sand Dunes

Relax under shade with a drink while you glide or cheer on the fun

Port Stephens Unlimited Sandboarding is an activity where you ride sandboards down a bowl-shaped dune in the heart of the largest moving sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. A 4WD vehicle takes you to the sandboarding area, and an instructor teaches both sit-down and stand-up techniques before you choose your own slope size. Instruction, supervision, shaded seating, tables and chairs, and board hire are all included. Most people stay 1–2 hours.

The experience

You arrive at Port Stephens with a free afternoon or a gap in your itinerary, and sandboarding fills it without needing to plan anything in advance. A 4WD vehicle picks you up and drives across the sand dunes to a bowl-shaped landing deep in the dune field. The landscape is the real draw here: these are the largest moving sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere, and the ride in alone shows you the scale of them. Once you arrive, the crew sets up a shaded picnic area with tables and chairs where you can rest between runs or just watch.

An instructor walks you through the safe method for both sit-down and stand-up sandboarding, then you pick which one to try first, or both, if you want. The bowl has smaller slopes for building confidence and a monster hill for anyone ready for it. You choose the size based on how you feel that day, not on what someone else thinks you should do. Sandboarding works for all ages and abilities, so a seven-year-old and a sixty-year-old can ride the same dune and have completely different runs. You can stay and play as long as you like within the session. Most people spend between one and two hours before heading back.

Transport to and from the dunes, board hire for both styles, instruction, supervision, the shaded rest area, and entry to the national park are all included in one price. Bring snacks and drinks if you want them, or buy bottled water on-site. The only thing you need to arrange is showing up ready to ride.

What’s included

• 4WD transport to and from the sandboarding area in the dunes.
• instruction and supervision from a live guide in English.
• sandboard hire for both sit-down and stand-up styles with straps.
• shaded picnic area with tables and chairs.
• National Parks & Wildlife entry fees.
• all taxes and fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day13 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 15:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Child (4 to 17 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sand Dune Safaris

Is this one for you?Choose this activity if you have a free afternoon in Port Stephens and want something hands-on that needs no planning: the 4WD ride, instruction, and all equipment come as one package. Sit-down sandboarding suits anyone who wants to ride without standing, while stand-up boarding works for those who prefer the balance and carving feel of a board under their feet.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 17 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between sit-down and stand-up sandboarding?

Sit-down sandboarding uses a board you ride like a sled, lying back or sitting upright as you slide down the slope. Stand-up sandboarding uses a strapped board you ride like a snowboard, standing and carving as you go. The instructor teaches both methods, and you can try one or switch between them during your session.

Can I choose how steep the slope is, or do I have to ride the monster hill?

You pick the slope size based on your own confidence level. The bowl-shaped dune has both smaller slopes and a larger one, so you can start small and work up, or stick with what feels right for you.

How long does the whole activity take, including the 4WD ride?

Most people spend 1–2 hours on the sandboarding itself. The 4WD transport to and from the dunes adds time on either end, but you can stay and play as long as you like once you're there.

What happens if I'm not confident about trying stand-up sandboarding?

You can stick entirely with sit-down sandboarding if you prefer, or try sit-down first and move to stand-up once you feel ready. The instructor is there to teach you the safe method for whichever style you want to try.