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Beach driving is one of the most popular activities around Australia – particularly over summer, with more people set to take to the sand as the holidays kick off in the coming weeks.
Whether it's camping or off-roading, Australia’s coastlines are often densely populated by tourists and locals alike who want to make the most out of their trip.
However, the influx of vehicles along beaches in Australia has led to environmental concerns being raised by local and federal authorities, with some councils banning cars due to their negative impacts on local flora and fauna.
If you’re thinking about driving on beaches in Australia, here are the state and territory road rules you need to know.
Note: The information listed down below serves as a general guideline and is not legal advice.
Since beaches are owned/governed by federal authorities, local councils and private landowners, the laws and penalties surrounding vehicle use can be subject to change depending on the authority.
Can you drive on beaches in Victoria?
No, it is illegal to drive on beaches in Victoria. However, there are certain locations around the state where vehicle use on sandy areas is permitted.
Parks Victoria states on its website: “Off-road access to marine and coastal Crown Land and beaches by private vehicles is prohibited.
“Visitors to Victoria’s coastal parks and beaches are urged to only drive on legal roads and tracks to avoid damaging coastal dune environments.
“Visitors who witness vehicles or motorbikes driving off-road are urged to contact Parks Victoria."
Victorian tourists wanting a taste of sand driving can find a dedicated off-roading course in Discovery Bay Coastal Park – a nature preserve located approximately 420km south-west of Melbourne – along the coastal town of Portland and the Great Ocean Road.
The 1800 hectares are governed by the Portland Dune Buggy Club (PDBC), where off-road enthusiasts are eligible to camp and drive their vehicles for a fee.
According to the PDBC, “Only road-registered 4WDs may be driven on the sand dunes as long as the driver’s a financial member or holds a valid four-day permit”.
Additionally, Shallow Inlet – an 18km stretch of beach located on the south coast of Victoria, approximately 180km from Melbourne – is a popular tourist destination alongside holiday hotspots such as Sandy Point and Wilsons Promontory, where off-road driving is legal.
According to the Gippsland Council – the local road authority – “the firmly compacted sand [found in Shallow Inlet] means that vehicles can be driven on the beach, giving greater access to the water”.
Can you drive on the beach in New South Wales?
Yes, drivers are permitted to drive on some New South Wales beaches, provided motorists acquire a local beach driving permit.
As a reference, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council – which governs North Shore, Light House, Rainbow, Grants and Dunbogan Beach – has a set fee for beach driving permits, which ranges from $40 for a daily pass to $80 for a yearly permit.
Of note, the local council has warned beach drivers must adhere to a specific set of road rules when travelling on council-owned beaches.
These include a maximum 50km/h speed limit (but lowered to 25km/h when the car is within 100m of a pedestrian or other vehicles), giving right of way to people of all times and a minimum 15m distance of other beach users.
Additionally, drivers must “not drive through surf patrol areas, unless you have the permission of the patrol captain on duty”.
Can you drive on the beach in Queensland?
Yes, you can drive on specific beaches in Queensland as long as you acquire a Vehicle Access Permit (VAP).
As a reference, the Queensland Government said VAPs must be purchased if motorists intend to drive on beaches located along popular tourist destinations such as Bribie Island, Cooloola, and K’Gari (Fraser Island).
For beach driving permits relating to the areas listed above, fees range from $14–$21 for a daily pass, to $36–$55 for a week-long stay, $57 for less than a month, and $173–$466 for a yearly pass. These prices are subject to change depending on the location.
It is worth noting that some local councils in Queensland have started to ban the use of vehicles following environmental concerns.
In a September 2024 report by The Australian, the Mackay Regional Council, which governs the tourist hotspot Harbour Beach, banned four-wheel drives and motorbikes from operating along the beach.
“Over time, vehicles have caused significant damage to the foredune, impacting on the coastal flora and fauna and turtle and shorebird nesting sites,” Greg Williamson, Mackay’s Regional Mayor, told the newspaper.
“The impact of that damage over many years is threatening the ecological integrity of this area,” Mayor Williamson added.
Can you drive on the beach in South Australia?
Yes, driving is permitted on numerous beaches in South Australia. Depending on the location, drivers may need a permit to use their registered vehicles on South Australian beaches.
However, local and federal SA authorities have started to clamp down on vehicle access along popular coastal destinations over fears the growth of the tourism industry has had a negative impact on the environment.
As previously reported by Drive, the South Australian Government is restricting the use of large camping vehicles such as campervans, motorhomes and tent trailers on Wauraltee Beach – a popular tourist site on the Yorke Peninsula – as well as overnight camping from February 3, 2025.
“There is no intention [to] ban all vehicles from all beaches [in South Australia]. This is about finding a balance between visitor enjoyment and the need to protect native flora and fauna,” Jason Irving, the National Parks and Wildlife Services Programs Director, said in a media statement.
“Large camping vehicles are being driven onto the beach in mass numbers with the purpose of remaining overnight and this is the challenge we are aiming to address.
“The new rules for vehicle access at Wauraltee Beach seek to ensure its environmental values are protected,” Irving added.
Can you drive on the beach in Western Australia?
Yes, it’s legal to drive on some beaches in Western Australia. However, a Department of Transport WA spokesperson said the beach rules in the state are set by local government.
This means that depending on what beach you want to drive on, there are specific laws relating to the location, duration and parking.
In the case of Cable Beach – one of the most popular Australian beaches – the Broome local council states on its website: “There are off-road areas on Cable Beach set aside for use by road-registered vehicles.
“Motorcars and other road-registered vehicles are permitted to drive/and or park between the high and low watermarks on Cable Beach to the north of the access ramp at Cable Beach Reserve."
According to the local council, drivers found violating beach laws can pay a maximum $1000 fine.
Can you drive on the beach in Tasmania?
Yes, you can drive on some beaches in Tasmania. Unlike other states, most beaches in Tasmania – but not all – don't require tourists to apply for a vehicle permit to drive on them.
According to Tasmania Parks, the Arthur Pieman Conservation Area is “currently the only place in Tasmania where off-road, 4WD drivers are required to purchase a Recreational Driver Pass”.
“Vehicles must only be driven on specified tracks, beaches and areas shown on the vehicle track maps in the Recreational Driving Guide,” the state government agency added.
The Recreational Driver Pass is priced from $33 for a one-month pass or $55 for a yearly fee.
Can you drive on beaches in the Northern Territory?
Yes, you can drive on certain beach areas in the Northern Territory.
According to the local news outlet About North NT, there is a 5km stretch of beach in the northern sector of Gunn Point Beach (Murrumujuk) where driving and camping are allowed, while the southern section heading towards Tree Point Conservation Area and the Durduga Community is off-limits.
However, the NT road rules state that people are banned from driving on all beaches between Emery Point and Buffalo Creek unless the driver is on a ramp or jetty, launching/loading a boat, and/or receive written approval from “the competent authority”.
Can you drive on beaches in the Australian Capital Territory?
Since the Australian Capital Territory is a land-locked area, there are no coastal beach areas within its jurisdiction that would require motorists to adhere to specific driving road rules.
Ethan Cardinal graduated with a Journalism degree in 2020 from La Trobe University and has been working in the fashion industry as a freelance writer prior to joining Drive in 2023. Ethan greatly enjoys investigating and reporting on the cross sections between automotive, lifestyle and culture. Ethan relishes the opportunity to explore how deep cars are intertwined within different industries and how they could affect both casual readers and car enthusiasts.
