Stockton Beach 4WD Tour & Thrilling Sandboarding Adventure

This is my travel diary from my 2023 Australia trip.
After the dolphin cruise, our next destination was the vast desert of Port Stephens.
This area is famous for its long stretch of white sands, the 32km-long Stockton Beach,
and the massive sand dunes formed over 6,000 years ago.

The tour brochure mentioned a 4WD drive across the sand dunes
and a high-speed sandboarding experience.
But honestly, it was hard to picture.
I imagined something like a wide beach—perhaps just a bit bigger than the ones in my hometown, Busan.

I was very wrong.

First Impressions — A Massive Desert Beyond Imagination

The moment we entered the site, a breathtaking landscape unfolded.
An endless stretch of rolling sand dunes spread out like a golden sea.
It wasn’t a “big beach.”
It was a real desert, vast and unfamiliar.

Seeing this kind of landscape in Australia—after a morning filled with forests, hills, and ocean views—felt surreal.

The 4WD Desert Ride — Bumpy, Shaky, and Exciting

We boarded a 4WD vehicle to reach the sandboarding area.
Driving over soft sand meant constant shaking and bouncing,
but even that was part of the adventure.

The bus rumbled deeper and deeper into the heart of the desert.

Walking Across the Sand — A Childlike Feeling

Once we stepped off the vehicle, it was sand everywhere.
From here on, everything had to be done on foot.

Holding our sandboards, we climbed up the sand dunes.
The top was incredibly spacious—
standing there felt like being right in the center of an endless desert.

I ran across the soft sand, my feet sinking with each step.
It felt strangely nostalgic, as if I had become a child again. ^^

Main Event — My First Ever Sandboarding Experience

Then came the highlight: sandboarding.

I had ridden snow sleds before,
but sliding down sand dunes was a completely new sensation.
Surprisingly fast, thrilling, and incredibly fun.

There was even a small prize for the best rider,
but unfortunately… I didn’t win. ^^

Returning Through the Desert — Like Boarding a Spaceship

After plenty of sliding and laughter,
we hopped back onto the 4WD vehicle.

The bumpy ride across the dunes felt almost like returning to Earth on a spaceship.
A unique and memorable experience.

Dinner Time — Fresh Seafood Buffet

All the activity worked up quite an appetite.
Dinner was a seafood buffet,
and everything tasted wonderful—
perhaps because the seafood was fresh,
or simply because I was hungry after the day’s adventure.

Either way, I finished several plates in no time.

A Lonely Seagull on the Way Back

On the way back to the hotel,
a single seagull caught my eye.
It wandered the city street alone,
seemingly hungry and looking for food.

It was a small but memorable moment at the end of a long day.

The Second Day Comes to an End

After spending the day under the strong Australian sun—
first at the ocean and then in the desert—
I finally returned to the hotel to rest.

By then, two days of my 3-night, 5-day trip had already passed.
Travel always feels like this:
the anticipation before the trip seems long,
but once it starts, the days fly by.

Maybe it’s because we wish to enjoy just a bit more time in each moment.
And when that thought begins, time seems to pass even faster.

How do you feel when you travel?
Do you also find yourself wishing for just a little more time?

Stay tuned for Australia Travel #6. 😊

For Your Dream Life
by Dream Max