The steep divots up the red sand dune seemed to go on forever. On what felt like my 100th trek up the hill with my surprisingly energetic children I decided that this was the last time. After finally reaching the top I took a moment to catch my breath with a side benefit of being able to enjoy the amazing view across the red sand dunes.
Getting back to business I set up the snow toboggan to share with one of my children and we were finally ready to go. 3-2-1 and we sped at mach speed down the dune shrieking all the way until we stacked at the end! 10 minutes of exertion, 5 seconds of absolute pleasure… Maybe I could climb the hill again…
There is a basic human urge to slide down sand dunes where ever possible. Australia has a surprising range of sand dune sliding options across the countryside which are readily accessible to most people to enjoy the thrill! And get some exercise on the side…
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Sand Sliding Equipment
To get the most out of your sand sliding experience you will need to either book a tour or plan to take a snow toboggan or a sand board. Your sliding tool needs to have a very glossy or waxed lower surface to enable sliding to occur. You may be able to hire sand sliding equipment at the town nearest the sand dunes but check in advance to avoid disappointment.
Perry Sand Hills, New South Wales
The Perry Sandhills are located a short 10 minute drive from Wentworth, New South Wales. The Perry Sandhills are easily accessible by 2WD vehicles via a sealed signposted road to the north of Wentworth. Vehicles are not allowed to drive on the sand hills, but the area around the edge has 2WD accessible unsealed road access and parking options. There is a picnic area with toilet facilities at the site.
The Perry Sandhills consists of 400 acres of beautiful red sand dunes, many of which are suitable for sliding. The sliding dunes are approximately 10-15 meters high, which is a great height for children to have multiple slides in a short time period.
For accommodation check out the below Booking.com accommodation deal box to find the best accommodation options in and around Mildura.
Booking.com
Moreton Island, Queensland
Moreton Island is located in close proximity to Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland. Moreton Island is one of a string of sand based islands located in close proximity to the south Queensland Coast. Moreton Island is only accessible by boat and a 4WD vehicle is required to travel around the island.
Moreton Island has one of the world’s highest sand dunes – at 280m high Mt Tempest is a formidable sand dune located in the centre of Moreton Island which is not suitable for sliding. On the southern tip of Moreton Island near Kooringal are the amazing white sand Big and Little Sand Hills. Excellent sand sliding is available and the sandhills are easily accessible from both the eastern and western beaches. Near the centre of the west coast is The Desert, which also provides easily accessible sand dunes suitable for sliding. See this map for good detail on Moreton Island locations.
The Desert and the Little Sand Hills are good for beginners and families. If you feel the need for speed then you should head to the Big Sand Hills area which has steep sand dunes up to 90m high.
The Tangalooma Island Resort is the main accommodation option on Moreton Island.
Little Sahara, Kangaroo Island
The Little Sahara area on Kangaroo Island in South Australia is an area of pristine white sand hills up to 70m high, and is accessible by 2WD vehicle. Kangaroo Island is accessible by a regular passenger and vehicle ferry. Toboggans and Sandboards can be hired from the township of Vivionne Bay.
Click below to see the accommodation options on Kangaroo Island through Booking.com.
Booking.comLancelin Sand Dunes, Lancelin, Western Australia
The Lancelin Sand Dunes are the largest in Western Australia and are an area of white sand hills of varying sizes which are accessible by 2WD vehicles to the entryway. Sand boards and toboggans can be hired from the township of Lancelin, or you can book a tour as shown in the Get Your Guide box below.
For accommodation check out the below Booking.com accommodation deal box to find the best accommodation options in and around Lancelin.
Booking.comHenty Sand Dunes, Strahan, Tasmania
The Henty Sand Dunes lie just north of Strahan in Tasmania, and are readily accessible by 2WD vehicle. There are many 30m high sand dunes and sand boards and toboggans can be hired in Strahan.
Click the below map to see the accommodation options in Strahan through Booking.com.
Booking.comThurra Sand Dunes, Victoria
The Thurra Sand Dunes are located in UNESCO World Heritage Biosphere Reserve of Croajingolong National Park near Mallacoota, Victoria, and contains the second highest sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. One hill is over 100m high and is very steep, and is suitable for sandboarding with a river at the base.
The dunes can be directly accessed by foot from the Thurra campsite. Details on how to access the Thurra River Campsite can be obtained from the Thurra River Campsite Overview.
Click the below map to see the accommodation options in Mallacoota through Booking.com.
Booking.com
Join the Australia Travel Planning Facebook Group
Check out our Australia Travel Planning Facebook Group – you are welcome to join and it is a great resource to enable you to ask questions about your Australian trip!
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you book after clicking on one of these links then we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
I haven’t tried any yet as I have never been to Australia yet but would love to one day. great post
I hope you get to Australia one day. Thanks for your comment.
This looks so much fun! I’ve only been to Sydney and Melbourne but would love to explore these. We are going to the sand dunes here in the US next month and will be using your tips, I’m dreading the climb uphill but I’m sure it’s all worth the thrill down 🙂
The climb is definitely worth it! Hope you enjoy your trip, and thanks for your comment.
I’m going to Moreton Island next week so will hopefully get to try out those dunes!
Thanks for your comment. I hope you enjoy the sliding! Please come back and let me know how it all goes!
I was so glad to see Henty Sand Dunes on here. I was there just a few months ago and had an amazing time just jumping off the top of sand dunes! Although next time I do think that I will be hiring a sand board 🙂
Sarah, thanks for your comment. It is great to hear you had a fantastic time at Henry dunes. Playing in sand dunes is so much fun!
This sounds like so much fun! I also hear that Sand Boarding in Port Stephens, NSW is a great day out.
Ciara, thanks for your comment. Sand dune sliding is definitely great fun (and good exercise). It is amazing once you start looking how many different sand dune areas are around Australia. The Port Stephens option sould like a good addition.