Stockton Beach (Edit)

By Michael Whyms
Published 26-Jul-06 08:01 PM

Stockton Beach offers drivers the ability to set their own destiny, with no set tracks and plenty to see and do. The fun and sand of Stockton Beach is only 1.5 hours from Sydney, near Newcastle and the beautiful Port Stephens. It covers 32 kilometres of coast from Anna Bay in the north to Fern Bay in the south and averages 1 kilometre in width. It is accessed from the Pacific Highway via Hexham and Raymond Terrace. There is also an entry from Newcastle via Kooragang Island to Fern Bay, with the old barge used to transport vehicles long replaced by a bridge.

There is much to see and do at Stockton such as the usual four wheel driving, fishing, photography as well as quad biking and horse riding. Attractions include many shipwrecks, including the wreck of the Syna (a Norwegian Ship which broke up on the beach in 1974) and the Oimara which ran aground in 1903. There is also piles of shells left at frequently used aboriginal campsites, relics of World War 2 anti invasion devices and `Tin CityÕ, a small squatters settlement of simple tin shacks.

When I first read about Stockton Beach, ÔTin CityÕ struck me as a myth. Opinions vary as to the actual purpose of this settlement from squatters settlement to old movie set. I found it hard to believe that it could be a movie set, however when you first see Stockton Beach it is easy to see how a movie on a shoe-string budget may use the area for a desert setting. The width of the beach seems to get lost in perceptions of the word beach, until you actually see and experience the true size of the shifting sands.

Before you arrive you will need a permit ($8.00 for the day, $30.00 for the year) which are available from the Service stations at Lavis Lane and Anna Bay as well as other fishing stores and the Nelson Bay information centre. The Port Stephens information centre at Nelson Bay proved to be the best for us, as it also provided an opportunity to see what else in the area was on offer, and pick up a tourist map ($6.50) of the beach. The Port Stephens and environs tourist map by LPI covers the vast majority of Stockton and also shows other local attractions around Port Stephens. Those people driving Stockton should check the tides, a tide guide ($4.40) is also available from the information centre for those who need some assistance.

As a precaution, you should travel with another vehicle and always lower your tyre pressures (about 16-20psi will do the job). You should also carry a snatch strap, two rated shackles, a shovel and jack with wide base plate. There were plenty of vehicles around when we visited but stories abound of long walks to get rescued Ð and vehicles that disappear when the tides come in! If you are going to travel alone there are plenty of tour operators running regularly on the beach, and quad bikes and horses provide alternatives to seeing Stockton without risking the embarrassment of getting stuck.

We saw far too many people driving onto the beach with high pressure tyres and no preparation who were hopefully not in for a long day digging themselves out of a bog. The sand consistency can change from hard compacted to soft powder without warning and have brought many unprepared drivers unstuck.

Access to the beach can be gained from Anna Bay in the north, via Gan Gan Rd, or by Lavis Lane in the south, near Williamtown Airforce Base. There are other tracks marked on maps showing exit points onto the main Nelson Bay Road, however we found most of these had gates on the Road end which makes them unreliable at best. We did see a Landcruiser exit at Salt Ash with sand falling off and low pressure tyres but cannot say whether he actually made it to the beach.

There is a speed limit of 40kmph on the beach, however this reduces to 20kmph when you are within 100 metres of pedestrians, who have the right of way. Pedestrians may not be able to hear you coming so be wary. Remember to wear your seatbelt and check the dune you are about to ascend as some have shear drops on the other side.

There have been fatalities on this beach so be careful. There are also serious injuries related to sand driving that should be remembered, and the accident doesnÕt have to involve another vehicle Ð wear a seatbelt.

Stockton boasts some of the highest dunes in Australia with the highest 30-40m. There is plenty to challenge the driver with different heights and levels of compaction. As a general rule you should stay above the high tide mark.

Camping is permitted on the beach, however the wind and sand makes this far from ideal. The residents of ÔTin CityÕ apparently have quite a job digging out their shacks in high winds to stop them from being buried by the dunes. There are some reasonable campsites behind the dunes off Lavis Lane as an alternative.

Please donÕt forget to dispose of your litter thoughtfully. There is a dumpster at both exits to help this, however there is still an over abundance of litter on the beach, including broken glass.

When your day of fun is over, the Anna Bay track is by far the easiest to find over the Lavis Lane track as the Anna Bay township stops any vehicles travelling further up the beach. Before you leave the area if youÕre not a local, take the time to visit the Tomaree National Park, which has plenty of Ship wrecks and WW2 defence positions Ð and the option to get out of the car and enjoy the area on foot. If you are keen for another day there are plenty of places to stay in the Nelson Bay and Newcastle area.

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