These coastal 4WD beach tracks in WA are closing to the public

The new master plan aims to protect the environment.

Whether it’s the cost-of-living crisis, digital fatigue or simply a new generation looking for something different, off-roading has become one of the biggest trends in travel. And in Australia, where better to do so than the beach?

One place riding this wave of popularity is Western Australia, thanks to over 12,000 kilometres of picturesque coastline – much of it covered in flat, hard-packed sand. But due to rising concerns over environmental damage and beach erosion, close to 200 kilometres of coastal 4WD tracks are about to close.

Which parts of the coastline will close – and why?

Western Australia is known for its natural beauty, but arguably the state’s biggest drawcard is its coastline. Boasting some of the best beaches in the country, it’s become a hotspot among off-road enthusiasts with a penchant for oceanfront driving. The state’s mid-west coast has experienced this growth firsthand, with regional towns between Guilderton (around 200 kilometres north of Perth) and Leeman booming. But like all actions, there have been some serious consequences.

4WD beach driving in Western Australia — Many off-roaders opt to cruise WA’s coastline. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

In recent years, an unprecedented number of unofficial 4WD tracks have been created by recreational vehicles along the region’s beaches and coastline. The environmental impact has been significant, from sand dune erosion to the destruction of native vegetation and animal habitats. Damage to these delicate ecosystems can have devastating long-term effects on the natural environment and local wildlife.

In hopes of protecting the landscape for future generations, three local shires have adopted the new Coastal Recreational Track Management Master Plan, which will see all unauthorised 4WD beach tracks closed. Initially proposed back in April, it also includes the introduction of educational pamphlets, signage at approved tracks and cameras to monitor vehicle activity. The Coorow, Dandaragan and Gingin councils officially accepted the strategy last week.

Once the local habitat has recovered, the previously forged tracks will remain closed. Returning off-roaders are urged to adhere to the rules and drive responsibly, as well as respect the environment and embrace a leave-no-trace philosophy. It was only this year that the New York Times listed Western Australia among the world’s 52 places worth travelling to – let’s keep it that way.

Looking for more coastal four-wheel driving adventures?

The new master plan has been welcomed by the local community, but some particularly passionate off-roaders might feel a little let down. The good news? Plenty of official tracks remain open in the region, with hundreds more to explore across Australia. Here are just a few where you can cruise the coast completely guilt-free.

1. Stockton Beach, NSW

Stockton Sand Dunes in Port Stephens, NSW — Cruise the dunes on a quad bike tour. (Image: Destination NSW)

With more than 19 kilometres of beachfront and over 350 hectares of dune driving (connected to the nearby Worimi Conservation Lands ), Stockton Beach is a four-wheel driver’s dream. Visitors can even join quad-bike tours across the dunes, one of the region’s best tourism offerings. Just be sure to book your beach vehicle permit!

2. Great Beach Drive, Qld

Officially the longest coastal driving track in Australia – and one of the longest in the world – Queensland’s Great Beach Drive is a must for any off-roader. It spans more than 400 kilometres of coastline between Noosa, K’gari and Hervey Bay, looping in stops at World Heritage areas and even a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

3. Coffin Bay, SA

Coffin Bay oyser experience in South Australia — Don’t miss sampling the region’s oysters. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The northern section of Coffin Bay National Park is where you want to be, as it can only be accessed by 4WD. Brave the bumpy track and you’ll be rewarded with remote white-sand beaches and windswept cliffs. The region is also one of the country’s top foodie wonders, renowned for its unbeatable fresh oysters.

4. Sandy Cape, Tas

Sandy Cape is considered one of the more difficult 4WD routes in Australia, best suited to experienced off-roaders who can travel in groups. Hugging the wild west coast of Tasmania, the drive explores the remote Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area . It’s a playground for big vehicles, with lots of challenging tracks to conquer along the way.

5. Lucky Bay, WA

If you want to stay in Western Australia, head down to Lucky Bay in Cape Le Grand National Park . Not only is this one of the region’s most popular stretches of sand for four-wheel driving, but it also boasts picnic spots, boat-launch sites, camping grounds and bushwalks – making it a great holiday spot for off-roading families.

Discover the perfect road trip stopover between Perth and wine country.

Western Australia punches above its weight when it comes to coastal hot spots, but no other town or city has seen a tourism boom quite like Mandurah. Named Australia’s Top Tourism Town in 2023 , it’s the relaxed, beachside break you’ve been searching for. And it’s perfectly placed, sitting between Margaret River and Perth, as it’s just a 55-minute drive from Perth’s CBD. Which is why we’ve put together your ultimate Mandurah guide.

Aerial view of Mandurah. — Plan your perfect coastal escape to Australia’s Top Tourism Town of 2023.

The best things to do in Mandurah

Wetlands and rivers, ocean and inlet; Mandurah’s laid-back lifestyle centres around the aquatic. Its waterways cover twice the ground of Sydney Harbour – measuring some 134 square kilometres in total – and form a unique environment for oceanic and estuarine flora and fauna to thrive.

In the city’s estuary lives perhaps the region’s most famed inhabitants – a resident pod of 100 bottlenose dolphins – and the inlet’s silty bottom is home to the prized blue manna crab. Spot the former breaching and playing on an hour-long dolphin cruise through the channels, or try your hand at catching the latter by wading through the estuary’s shallows with a scoop net in hand.

While swimming at the circular Kwillena Gabi Pool, chance encounters with the local wildlife aren’t uncommon. The sheltered estuarine pool takes its name from the traditional custodians of the land, the Bindjareb people, and directly translates to ‘dolphin waters’. Jutting out of the eastern foreshore, it’s enclosed by a ring of net-free floating pontoons, which allow the dolphins to swim freely through the attraction.

If that’s a little too close for comfort, book a kayak tour with Down Under Discoveries . The dolphins have been known to cruise beside the paddle-powered crafts, which are a fun, family-friendly way to explore the city’s inner waterways.

Dolphins swimming in Mandurah. — Watch dolphins glide by as you explore Mandurah.

You don’t have to be on the water to appreciate the coastal city’s aquatic beauty, with 600 kilometres of cycleways and scenic walking trails traversing Mandurah’s estuary, inlet and coast.

Follow the 30-kilometre coastal trail and you’ll come face to face with one of Thomas Dambo’s headline-making ‘Giants of Mandurah sculptures, Santi Ikto, along the way. There are five sculptures around Mandurah in total, hidden among gum-filled reserves or sitting sentry over the water.

Head to the Mandurah Visitor Centre to pick up a map to pinpoint their exact location and download the traveller’s companion to learn more about the sights along the way. Or join a three-hour e-bike tour from The Bike Kiosk and you’ll stop by two of the giants – Santi Ikto and Yaburgurt Winjan Cirkelstone – as you sightsee central Mandurah.

The towering Santi Ikto, one of Thomas Dambo’s iconic Giants of Mandurah. — Meet Santi Ikto, one of the legendary Giants of Mandurah.

Where to eat in Mandurah

Mandurah’s culinary scene reflects its laid-back lifestyle, with large, honest meals and locally brewed beer. After visiting Lake Clifton’s 2000-year-old thrombolites, head to the peppermint and gum-shaded beer garden at Thorny Devil Brewery . Tuck into a platter of house-smoked meats and an ale pulled fresh from the tanks. Closer to town and right on the waterfront is Boundary Island Brewery ; here, woodfired pizza, pub-style seafood dishes and easy-drinking brews are centre stage.

On a Murray River Lunch Cruise , the focus is as much on the environment around you as the food you’re filling up on. Help yourself to the colourful salads and freshly cooked meats on the buffet as you meander up the winding, jarrah tree-lined waterway, stopping at the heritage Cooper’s Mill for a quick walking tour along the way.

Keep your eyes trained on the Creery Wetlands as you pass – you’ll spot much of the region’s migratory birdlife, and, as always, might see the playful bottlenose dolphins in the inlet.

The most memorable meals aren’t necessarily always the fanciest, and lunch aboard a self-skippered Mandurah BBQ Boat is a testament to that. All food and beverage prep is left up to you as you cruise through the canals, sausages and steaks sizzling away on the central hot plate.

If seafood is more your kind of fare, board the Wild Seafood Experience , where dolphin cruise meets long table lunch. Eight courses of crab, crayfish and scallops await.

A table filled with plates of crab, crayfish, and scallops. — Dine on the water with eight courses of ocean-fresh fare.

Where to stay in Mandurah

With so many waterways comes abundant waterside stays. Like the self-contained Seashells Mandurah on the shores of Comet Bay. The calm, oceanic outlook from the one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and villas is as close to Maldivian as Mandurah gets. Families especially enjoy the property, bouncing between the protected cove and the beachfront pool for endless hours of fun.

The Sebel Mandurah , just a hop, skip and jump from the Mandurah Ocean Marina, has a different outlook entirely, overlooking the estuary and lively foreshore on the other side. It’s also within walking distance of the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre , cinema and a swathe of waterfront bars and eateries.

But you can’t get any closer to the water than on a vessel from Mandurah Houseboats . You don’t need a skipper’s ticket to hire one, nor do you need comprehensive boating experience; just a full driver’s license and your undivided attention during the pre-departure tuition will do. Then you’re free to take to the estuaries and tributaries for a few nights of peaceful rest, surrounded by the very element that makes Mandurah so special.

A houseboat cruising in Mandurah along the river — Captain a houseboat to explore Mandurah at your own pace.

Plan your next WA getaway in Mandurah.

These coastal 4WD hotspots in WA are closing to the public