NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY
All riders receive:
Helmet fitting and equipment checks
A full quad bike familiarisation
Safety briefing and riding demonstration
Clear riding instructions from experienced guides
OUR QUAD BIKES ARE DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR SAND TERRAIN AND SUITABLE FOR RIDERS AGED 16+.
Your safety is our priority from the moment you arrive!
Our safety policy includes:
SDA has developed and implemented an ‘Indemnity Form’ which highlights the risks. This process clearly sets the tone of the tour and highlights the expectation on you to behave appropriately.
Both a lead guide and a tail guide are assigned to every tour. Where there is greater than 10 people, a third guide is added.
All guides have portable communication devices.
The tour is only conducted in a tag-a-long (single file) format, with each rider instructed to leave a safe distance (5-10m) between themselves and the bike in front.
You are instructed to stay in the riding line (tracks) of the person in front of you and not to veer off on your own track or ride erratically (no overtaking and no side by side riding).
Clear and simple hand signals are demonstrated and provided by the lead guide.
You are provided with a riding helmet.
SDA recommends you come prepared for your tour in closed in shoes, long pants, sunglasses, sunscreen and bring a camera.
Unfortunately we no longer accept children under 16 years to operate a quad bike. Children 16-17 years may participate on tour with written parental consent and may be subject to ID checks.
Our Safe Riding Techniques and Conditions
Steering - Two (2) hands steering at all times (NO phones or videoing while in motion).
Single File Riding - (tag-a-long) at all times and no side by side or overtaking.
Riding Distance - Leave 5-10 meters between you and the rider in front.
Slowing Down - Release your accelerator (right thumb operated). Do not slow down only to speed off faster than the designated tour speed.
Braking Safely - Gradually squeeze the hand brake levers on.
Unacceptable Behaviour - No spinning tyres, fish tailing or sudden turns on the handle bars as this can cause rolls rover.
Turning Corners and Bends - Slow down on every turn as this can cause roll overs at high speeds.
Climbing or Riding Down Dunes - Keep wheels straight at all times and no excessive braking.
Bogged (stuck in the sand). Stop accelerating and hold your brakes firmly.
No Alcohol Zero Tolerance - Tour Guides reserve the right to ‘breath test’ if deemed necessary.
It's not a race!
Non-compliant Behaviour - It’s our responsibility to keep clients safe at all times.
Please respect our rules and our tour guides. Abuse will not be tolerated.
Tour Cancellations - Failure to comply with rules will result in tours being terminated with no refund.
Legal Document - Please do not sign on behalf of another person unless they are under the age of 18. False and misleading information may result in charges being filed and/or administration fees applied.
KNOW BEFORE
YOU RIDE
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Customers MUST arrive 30 minutes before your booking to allow enough time for check-in, paperwork and preparation before your tour begins.
From check in, there is a short self-drive to the tour staging area where your adventure starts. Transfers available during weekends, public holidays and special events.
Arriving early helps ensure you receive the full experience and avoids delaying other guests and potential cancellation.
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Tours run for either 1 hour or 1.5 hours depending on the experience booked.
Every tour begins with a bike familiarisation and safety briefing before heading onto the dunes. Our guides work hard to maximise riding time while ensuring every guest feels comfortable and confident on the bikes.
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Absolutely. Everyone receives a full bike familiarisation and clear riding instructions before setting off on the adventure.
The training area is designed to help riders build confidence before heading onto the dunes.
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Yes. Our quad bikes are specifically selected for comfort, stability and sand riding performance. They are beginner-friendly and suitable for riders with little or no previous experience.
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Safety is our highest priority.
Before every tour, all participants receive:
• A full bike familiarisation
• Safety briefing and riding demonstration
• Helmet fitting and equipment checks
• Clear instructions from experienced guides
All riders must follow guide instructions at all times to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
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No driver’s licence is required to participate.
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Advance bookings are highly recommended to secure your preferred tour time and avoid disappointment, especially during busy tourism periods and weekends. Walk-ins may be accepted depending on availability.
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If you are running late, please contact the team as soon as possible.
Tours operate on schedule and may leave without late arrivals to avoid impacting other guests. If your tour departs without you, refunds are not available.
We will always do our best to accommodate guests in a later session where possible.
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SDA recommends you come prepared for your tour in:
• Closed in shoes (no thongs or sandals) as we traverse through a bush track then onto the sand dune we would not like a stick or something else coming up and accidentally cutting your foot or leg.• Long pants as the motor can get very hot and would protect your leg from getting burnt
• Sunglasses as Stockton beach has white sand and can get very glary on your eyes as you are riding along.
• Sunscreen as we would not like you to get sunburnt.
• Camera to capture great shots on the sand dunes! The tour guides will stop on one of the highest dunes and take your picture for you. Wearable devices such as go-pro’s are permitted on the body only, no helmet attachments and no drone use.
Please note: Helmets are mandatory for all riders and must be worn correctly and securely at all times. No headwear, head coverings or hard hair clips can be worn underneath the helmet while riding. Cultural or religious headwear, such as turbans or head wraps, may need to be adjusted where possible to ensure the helmet can be worn correctly and securely. In some circumstances, headwear may need to be removed to allow the helmet to fit safely.
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Tours operate in most weather conditions, including wind and rain.
In the event of unsafe or extreme weather conditions, tours may be rescheduled or cancelled. If a tour is cancelled by Sand Dune Adventures and another suitable time cannot be arranged, a refund or credit option may be provided.
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We want everyone to have a go! Depending on the client’s concern, physical and mental capacity, SDA guides always work with the client and offer them every opportunity to ride the bike themselves.
To do this, we have developed a procedure whereby clients ride the smaller training track to provide them with an opportunity to develop confidence, and/or demonstrated that they can handle the bike (noting that safety comes first). Our guides provide a personal induction and ‘one on one’ time with the client and following the client’s brief riding demonstration, our guides will make an educated assessment on their ability.
If for any reason, the Guide (or the client) determines that they are unable to ride the vehicle alone, then the following is offered to the Client:
• You can be doubled by our Tour Guide – Subject to staff availability. This is the more popular option and has occurred on numerous occasions with people always walking away from the experience completely satisfied. For example our guide will have some fun on the bike doing manoeuvres that you wouldn’t have been able to do. On a rare occasion we have had to double more than one person per tour. For example 3 guides could equal 3 clients being doubled.
• Provide you with a 4WD Tour – Subject to staff and vehicle availability. On most occasions, people will take up the offer of a 4WD Tour. Customers are pleased to learn that they are not penalised due to a fear or inability to ride. Disability groups and clients often book our tours with carers or support workers.
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Generally, this is not something that we are able to accommodate. However, during quieter tour times, this may be allowed at the discretion of the tour leader.
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Yes, custom group experiences can be arranged on request. Sand Dune Adventures offers private group tours, corporate team building, incentive and reward experiences, social and sporting group bookings, Hens and bucks parties.
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Group sizes are managed carefully to maintain a safe and enjoyable experience for all riders. Additional guides are provided for larger group bookings where required.
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For safety reasons, pregnant women are unable to participate in the tours.
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No. Tours operate using Sand Dune Adventures bikes and equipment only.
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Sand Dune Adventures offers guided experiences through the spectacular Worimi Sand Dunes in Port Stephens, with access to some of the region’s most impressive dune landscapes.
Combined with experienced local guides, beginner-friendly tours and unforgettable scenery, the experience is designed to be one of the most unique adventure tourism activities near Newcastle.
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We would love for everyone to experience our tours; however, we have a strict minimum height requirement of 130 cm for children to be able to ride with an adult.
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Due to the busy nature of our office and SafeWork regulations, we are not able to mind your child for you.
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Please contact the office to discuss the options available.
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Safety is at the centre of every Sand Dune Adventures experience.
All participants must:
• Wear a helmet provided by Sand Dune Adventures
• Follow all guide instructions at all times
• Ride at safe speeds suited to conditions
• Maintain safe distances between riders
• Participate drug and alcohol free
• Complete all required waivers prior to the tour
Our experienced guides are there to support riders throughout the adventure and ensure every guest feels safe, comfortable and confident from start to finish.
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Yes. When you click the BOOK NOW button, a pop-up will appear. You must read the Safety & Risk Statement and tick the acknowledgement box to confirm you have read and understood it. You can then proceed to book your tour.