camel safari port stephens

Port Stephens Camel Ride & Sand Dunes: Birubi Beach

By: Author Catrina

Posted on Last updated: May 11, 2022

Categories AUSTRALIA , NEW SOUTH WALES , OCEANIA

If you are looking for something really unique and memorable to do in Port Stephens, how about a camel ride along the beach? Along with the Tomaree Head Summit Walk and swimming with dolphins , a camel ride along Birubi Beach and exploring the Stockton Sand Dunes is a must do when in Port Stephens – read on to find out more!

Port Stephens is located around 3 hours north of Sydney by car and makes the perfect weekend trip – there are so many things to do here and the scenery is extremely beautiful!

Stockton Sand Dunes (Worimi Conservation Lands)

The Stockton Sand Dunes lie in the Worimi Conservation Lands (an Aboriginal owned park) right behind Stockton Beach. Stockton Beach is a 32km long beach that stretches from the area of Stockton (by the mouth of the Hunter River at Newcastle) to Birubi Beach, Anna Bay. The sand dunes cover 4,200 hectares and are the largest moving sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. They are an incredible sight and from the sand dunes you can look all the way out across to the Pacific Ocean.

Birubi Beach

Birubi Beach is located in Anna Bay on the northernmost part of Stockton Beach. To reach Birubu Beach head to James Paterson Street. You’ll find lots of parking here. You can then walk down to the Surf Life Saving Club and you’ll find the beach there.

PORT STEPHENS CAMEL RIDE

A camel ride along Birubi Beach is a great activity for both adults and children! Depending on when is most convenient for you, you can either do the camel ride during the day or at sunset. You will have a guide who will help you onto the camel and guide the camels across the dunes and onto the beach.

I lived in The Middle East for almost four years so have certainly had my fair share of camel rides, but it never gets old! If you have never been on a camel before it may feel strange at first! The camel will be kneeling down so you can get on. You need to hold on tight and lean back when it stands up as it stands it’s back legs up first and then it’s front legs, so if you don’t hold on you could fall off! As for the camel ride, it’s a lot bumpier than a horse ride, but just hold on and you’ll be fine!

So why are there camels in Australia?

Whilst camels in Australia seems strange, there are actually many here! Australia actually has more wild camels than any African or Middle Eastern country (there are about 300,000 here)! You’ll find them mainly in the Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland.

The camels were actually imported from Afghanistan in the 1840’s as a method of transportation through the Australia Outback. As time went on and technology improved, the need for the camels declined. Many were released out into the desert, and as the climate is suitable for them, they have survived extremely well. There is so much land in the Outback and they have been able to roam free.

Port Stephens Camel Ride Company:

The Outback Ranch Camel Rides company offers camel rides at Birubi Beach.

• 20 minute camel ride during the day – $35 ($30 for children aged 2-14).
• 60 minute sunset ride – $90 ($70 for children aged 10-14).

Note the day camel rides are only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays (apart from the NSW School Holidays when they are open 7 days a week). They are also open on Public Holidays (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day however). Weather dependent, the sunset rides depart only on Fridays and Saturdays. Click here to enquire or book .

The camel rides depart from the lower public car park at the end of James Peterson Street ( click here to see the exact location ).

The 20 minute day rides don’t need to be pre-booked, but the hour long sunset rides MUST be pre-booked. If you would like to do a day ride longer than 20 minutes it is also possible, as long as you pre-book this too. I would definitely recommend doing a longer ride than simply 20 minutes as it goes far too fast!

What else to do at Stockton Sand Dunes?

Beach & dune driving.

If you have your own 4WD vehicle you can go beach and dune driving here at the Stockton Sand Dunes! Over 22km of beach and over 350 hectares of Worimi Conservation Lands are available for 4WD access, making it one of the largest coastal dune driving areas in New South Wales, and a really popular activity!

You are allowed to drive on the beach and dunes so long as you are only driving in the Recreational Vehicle Area. All vehicles must be registered and display a valid beach vehicle permit. This includes recreational vehicles such as quads & motorbikes.

You can buy a 3 day permit for $33 or an annual one for $88. Permits can be purchased at the BP Service Stations in Anna Bay and Salt Ash, as well as the Port Stephens Visitor Centre and NPWS Hunter Coast Area Office – both of which are located in Nelson Bay.

Sand Dune Safaris

If you fancy going on a 4WD dune bashing trip and don’t have your own 4WD and want to try sand boarding aswell, then Sand Dune Safaris is for you! Note this a family run business and they only open on weekends (open every day during NSW school holidays however). They are open on other days only on request. Tours are $35 per adult and $30 for children and last around 2 hours. You’ll find the Sand Dunes Safari office right by the Outback Ranch Camel Rides departure point at the lower car park on James Paterson Street. Click here to book a tour !

Quad biking

Quad biking is a great way to explore the Stockton Sand Dunes! A 1 hour session will cost $110 ($200 for 2 adults together on the same quad bike). Click here to book your Quad Biking experience with Sand Dune Adventures .

Camping in Worimi Conservation Lands

Camping in Worimi Conservation Lands at one of the remote campsites is a really unique experience! Click here to learn more and to book .

What else to do at Port Stephens?

Swim with dolphins.

Swimming with dolphins in Port Stephens is an absolutely dream for so many people. Just a few kilometres from Birubi Beach is Nelson Bay – the home of  Dolphin Swim Australia.   Dolphin Swim Australia is the only company in Australia where you can swim with dolphins in the wild! This is a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, and as Port Stephens is often named the dolphin capital of Australia, you have to add this onto your bucket list! Around 165 bottlenose dolphins live here in the port so your chances of seeing the dolphins are very high.

Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters

Visit the interactive aquarium at Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters . Feed and pat the stingrays, and feed the zebra sharks and tawny sharks!

Tomaree Mountain Summit Walk

The Tomaree Summit Walk provides the best views over Port Stephens. The hike up to the top is only 1.3km so should only take you 20 minutes or so, but it is pretty steep! Read this article for all you need to know about the Tomaree Summit Walk !

The city of Newcastle is a 45 minute drive from Port Stephens. Newcastle is a really nice city to explore – plus it has the most epic ocean pool The Bogey Hole – click here to read !

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Catrina is a Travel Writer and ex-Flight Attendant based in Sydney, Australia. She has visited 85 countries and lived in several – including Italy, Australia, United Arab Emirates and England. Her work has been featured in a variety of popular travel publications including Fodors, Escape, Australian Traveller and Bear Grylls, as well as several international aviation and travel companies. She only writes about places she has personally visited, and aims to give real, honest advice to help her readers.

ONE CHEL OF AN ADVENTURE

Camel ride in stockton sand dunes – port stephens, nsw.

If you’re planning a trip to Shoal Bay or Port Stephens, I highly recommend doing a Camel Ride in the Stockton Sand Dunes . Oakfield Ranch offers camel rides through the dunes outside of Port Stephens, and it is an absolute must-do!

Port Stephens Must Do: Camel Ride in Stockton Sand Dunes

Pulling into Birubi Beach and seeing the incredibly vast sand dunes just outside of Port Stephens, it’s hard to believe you’re in Australia and not the Sahara! 

Getting to Stockton Sand Dunes

The Stockton Sand Dunes are about a 30-minute drive from Port Stephens. You can either can drive, call an Uber, or take public transportation! 

The parking lot for the camel rides is located at Birubi Beach, drive to the end of James Patterson Street, head down past the surf club to the lower parking lot. The tours depart directly from there!

Stockton Sand Dunes Camel Tours

Oakfield Ranch offers 20-minute camel rides through the Stockton Sand Dunes. 

Cost: It’s $35 AUD for adults and $30 AUD for children.  Hours: open 6 days a week (closed on Wednesdays), weather permitting To Book: You don’t have to reserve in advance, walk-ups are welcome

60-Minute Sunset Camel Ride in Stockton Sand Dunes near Port Stephens, Australia

They also offer 60-minute sunset rides on Fridays and Saturdays which we personally did and I HIGHLY recommend! 

Cost: It’s $90 AUD for adults and $70 AUD for children.  Hours: Operates Friday and Saturday evenings, timing dependent on sunset To Book: Reservations for the sunset rides are required, you can book by texting 0429 664 172 (Australian Number) or messaging them on their website

Our Camels, Sid and Daisy, were so well behaved and we had absolutely no issues with them! 

Getting on to the camel was a little awkward. You have to climb into the saddle while they’re laying down because they’re so tall, some up to 7 ft at the shoulder alone. They tell you to lean back when the camel stands up. Do it. I nearly fell straight over Sid’s head when he was getting up.

Sunset Camel Ride through the Dunes

The tour begins and you head off into the dunes! It’s an incredible sight to see: one direction you’re looking into the vast dunes that make up Stockton Sand Dunes. Do a 180° and you’re on the beach facing straight into the Pacific Ocean. 

Fun Fact: Australia has the world’s largest population of wild camels!

Yep, even more than any country in the Middle East or Africa. They were imported in the 1840s to help with transportation through Australia’s outback, but as technology modernized, they weren’t needed as much. Since then, many were released or escaped into the desert where they’ve clearly flourished.

Once up and settled, we headed off into the dunes! Our guide led Sid and Daisy along the edge of the dunes, pausing for the occasional photo opp. It’s a not-so-surprisingly bumpy ride. The camels followed the guide very well and seem quite content on our walk.

Camel Ride on Birubi Beach

After cruising through the dunes, you’ll then head to the beach! Your guide will lead your right to the ocean’s edge, it’s amazing.

We were lucky to have an amazing sunset. The sun was just sinking below the horizon, revealing an absolutely beautiful sunset. The colors reflecting off the water were gorgeous.

Just after the sunset, our guide led the camels back to the starting point and helped us off. It was such a cool experience, and I cannot recommend a 60-minute Sunset Camel Ride with Oakfield Ranch enough! 

These are some other cool tours that are worth checking out on a trip to Port Stephens, NSW ! I especially loved our Dolphin Watching Cruise .

Have any questions about riding camels through the Stockton Sand Dunes near Port Stephens? Feel free to comment below or send me a DM on Instagram ! 

Related Posts:

Port Stephens Dolphin Watching Cruise

• Ultimate Australia Bucket List: 100+ Things To Do in Australia 
• What to Pack for a Beach Vacation

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6 thoughts on “ camel ride in stockton sand dunes – port stephens, nsw ”.

• Pingback: Port Stephens Dolphin Watching Cruise – One Chel of an Adventure

Wow this is amazing!!

stunning! to be honest i hadn’t seen pictures of this side of Australia yet; definitely more keen to go now x

Yeah it’s not the typical Australia you think of!

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NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

Port Stephens guided camel rides

Worimi National Park

Open, check  current alerts  

Learn more about why this park is special

A forest beyond the dunes.

Worimi National Park comprises sandy stretches of beach and mobile sand dunes  in fact, at Stockton Bight, you’ll find the largest mobile coastal sand mass in the southern hemisphere. If you venture beyond the dunes, you can find forest thriving with coastal sand apple blackbutt and swamp mahogany paperbark trees. The area is part of Worimi Conservation Lands, including over 1,800ha of forest.

An ancient heritage

When you visit Worimi Conservation Lands, you'll step into a place abundant in Aboriginal cultural history. There are an extraordinary number of Aboriginal cultural sites that pre-date European settlement, scattered throughout the dunes. These include middens, campsites and burials, all of which reflect the cultural use of the land and have special cultural significance to the Worimi people.

• Sand Dune Adventures quad bike tour Tackle the dunes on 4WD quad bikes with Sand Dune Adventures, an Aboriginal-owned tour company. For beginners or advanced riders, it's a thrilling way to see Worimi's spectacular coastal dunes.
• Worimi guided sandboarding and sand surfing adventures Join Sand Dune Safaris for an epic adventure in Worimi National Park. Learn how to sandboard or take on a sand surfing challenge on the largest moving sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere.

Beach activities

Surfing, fishing, whale watching, bird watching, dog walking, horse riding, quad biking, beach walking; the list continues. Stockton Beach is an absolute treasure trove for sun-lovers. Enjoy a unique driving experience on a 4WD tour . It's a beach holiday you'll remember long after you've shaken the sand from your shoes.

• Port Stephens guided camel rides Explore the vast sand dunes of Worimi National Park on camelback with Oakfield Ranch Camel Rides. Your guides will take you on a tour along beautiful Birubi Beach, near Port Stephens.
• Worimi beach horse riding tours Experience the pristine coastline of Worimi Conservation Lands on a guided tour with Sahara Trails Horse Riding.

Dynamic dunes

Set your sights on the southern hemisphere's largest mobile coastal sand mass at Stockton Bight. The landscape's creation began well over 100,000 years ago, and believe it or not, these enormous dunes are 'alive' and forever changing. Stockton itself at 32km is the state's longest beach, and its dunes offer endless appeal. Their shape, slope and stability vary with the weather. This unpredictability, potential for damage to Aboriginal cultural sites, and possible impacts to plants and animals are important reasons why we ask you not to drive over the dunes.

• Quad Bike King tours in Worimi sand dunes Jump onto your very own 4WD quad bike and join the professional guides from Quad Bike King for an adrenaline-filled adventure in the pristine dunes of Worimi National Park, near Port Stephens and Newc...
• Worimi sand boarding adventure in coastal dunes Spend an unforgettable day sand boarding and exploring spectacular coastal dunes with Port Stephens 4WD Tours.
• Worimi sand boarding with 4WD Tours R Us Explore pristine Worimi National Park with the friendly guides of 4WD Tours R Us and get your adrenaline pumping with a sand boarding adventure on the dunes of this stunning coastal wilderness.

Plants and animals protected in this park

White-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

White-bellied sea eagles can be easily identified by their white tail and dark grey wings. These raptors are often spotted cruising the coastal breezes throughout Australia, and make for some scenic bird watching. Powerful Australian birds of prey, they are known to mate for life, and return each year to the same nest to breed.

Old man banksia (Banksia serrata)

Hardy Australian native plants, old man banksias can be found along the coast, and in the dry sclerophyll forests and sandstone mountain ranges of NSW. With roughened bark and gnarled limbs, they produce a distinctive cylindrical yellow-green banksia flower which blossoms from summer to early autumn.

Smooth-barked apple (Angophora costata)

Smooth-barked apple gums, also known as Sydney red gum or rusty gum trees, are Australian native plants found along the NSW coast, and in the Sydney basin and parts of Queensland. Growing to heights of 15-30m, the russet-coloured angophoras shed their bark in spring to reveal spectacular new salmon-coloured bark.

Look out for...

Smooth-barked apple.

Angophora costata

Environments in this park

• Coastal environments
• Eucalypt forest environments

Education resources (1)

• Who cares about national parks?, Stage 2 (Years 3-4), Geography

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Get to the Point!

What we see & action.

Port Stephens, located in the Sydney area, is a beautiful destination that offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy. One of the main attractions is the opportunity to see dolphins in their natural habitat on a dolphin-watching cruise. Additionally, the area is home to some of the largest dunes in the Southern Hemisphere, which can be explored on a 4WD adventure tour or a sandboarding excursion. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing day at the beach or an adrenaline-packed adventure, Port Stephens has something for everyone.

Departs : Every 1st Week each month

• 8:00 AM Departs city
• 8:15 AM Departs Strathfield Bus stand D.
• Toilet Break half way
• Early Lunch at Nelson Bay***
• 12.30 pm : Enjoy 4WD dunes- Ticket incl.
• Camel Rides tours**
• Approx. 7.30 pm drop of City & Strathfield.
• *** At your own expense

Departs :8.00 AM

Returns :7:30 pm, weather : 11.30 hours.

“VIP front seats cost an additional $20 per person. No children <4 allowed upfront.”

Be at the Hilton Sydney Hotel on Pitt Street at 8:00 am, Please be at the meeting point 10 minutes early for pick up. Returns 7.30 pm 

Address: 255 Pitt Street Sydney 2000

Meeting point: Bus Stand D Everton Road. at 8:15 a.m. Arrive 5 mins early. Approx. Returns 7:30 pm.

Addre ss: Strathfield Station, Everton Rd, Stand D

• Package 3: Camel Rides ** 
• Adult, Child, Student $179 pp 
• Child 2 -14 yrs
• Camel Rides Extra**
• Adult $40 pp | Child $30 pp
• The camel doesn’t like rain. No Camels Tours when it’s raining day.
• FARE & ITINERARY APSE TOURS reserves the right to amend the itinerary where circumstances beyond our control make that necessary. No refunds will given if the weather conditions are not as you expected.

Family Stress-free Travel!

From start to finish.

Are you tired of the stress and hassle that comes with planning a family trip? Let us take care of it all with our family-friendly tours that guarantee a hassle-free travel experience for you and your loved ones. Say goodbye to the headache of planning and say hello to making unforgettable memories with your family.

• 24 Years of Experience local guide
• Tours inspection Toilet & Hotel
• Hotline working 24/7

Why Travel with APSE TOURS?

Local guide experience travel, local guide .

If you want to take your travel experience to the next level, there’s no better way than with a local guide. With their expert knowledge and insider access, they can show you the best of what your destination has to offer, and help you avoid the tourist traps. So don’t settle for a mediocre trip – book a local guide today and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!

Food & Wine.

“Indulge in the ultimate culinary adventure while embarking on a tour. Discover the most exquisite and mouth-watering food options that are a must-try. Trust us, your taste buds will thank you!”

Site Inspection!

“Attention! It’s crucial to bear in mind that to ensure a hassle-free and enjoyable tour for your group, it’s highly recommended to visit the inspection site beforehand. By doing so, you’ll be able to guarantee that everything is in order and your group can have an unforgettable experience.

ask us any thing

Any extra payment.

• Lunch approx. $20 pp
• Camel Rides Adult $40 pp  Child $30 pp – Bring some cash.

Can We eat on the coach?

• We allow water to bring fruit ( NO DURIN ).
• We were not allowed to bring the food on the coach during food safety must below 5c.
• Coach temperature during on tours approx. around 22c -23c
• Every tour will stop at the best cafe.
• We do tour inspections before bringing a group to make 100% the best food with the best tours.
• We will stop for meal breaks every 1 – 1.50 hours.

what kind of Lunch on Tours?

This Tours suitable for Vegetarians Fish & Chips guide inspection best one costs for $20 incl. water

what kind of the coach?

A group travels 14-20 people small group travel.

What to bring?

• Comfortable walking shoes
• sunglasses, Sunscreen, hat
• Water bottle, swimsuits

Want your own group?

• Do your tours start from 4 people to a large group?
• Camels not working every Wed. 

Stay in Touch

Get update for special news ! you will be upfront of other people

Trusted by:

[email protected]   Lower Car Park – James Paterson Street Anna Bay NSW 2316

Look for our Ticket Booth in the Lower Car Park

0425 213 096 | [email protected] Lower Car Park – End of James Paterson Street Anna Bay NSW 2316

For gift vouchers please click on Book Now

Sit and Slide

Stand and surf, tin city safaris, private tours, we can't wait to see you on the dunes, welcome to sand dune safaris   .

EASTER TRADING HOURS: (FRIDAY 29TH MARCH TO TUESDAY 2ND APRIL)  9.30AM START. LAST SHUTTLE TO DUNES IS 4.30PM, LAST ONE BACK TO CAR PARK IS 6.30PM.

Take an adventure on the largest moving sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. We are located a 2.5 hour drive North of Sydney, in beautiful Port Stephens. Choose from one of our fabulous Safaris that will transport you to another world!  Take in the magnificent sand dunes from one of our unique 4WD vehicles. Our Sandboarding Adventure is our most popular activity, suitable for all ages and abilities. For something unique visit the remote outpost of Tin City on our Tin City Safari. Situated 20 minutes drive down amazing Stockton Beach, at 32km, its the longest beach in NSW! You can also organise a private charter, birthday party, corporate function or some sunset photography.

HOW ARE WE DIFFERENT? We are a small family owned and operated business, we pride ourselves on our personal service – check our reviews! The fact we are non commercial (no big tour groups) means we can offer you both sit down AND stand up boarding. We also provide a shaded picnic area with tables and chairs so you can relax and enjoy the views! Our 4WD fleet consists mainly of Toyota Landcruisers, as well as a 20 seater bus and 17 seater bus, getting you around the dunes in comfort and privacy!

Tin City Safari

Private Charters

Sandboarding-Sandsurfing

Join Sand Dune Safaris for some thrilling fun. Suitable for all ages and abilities!

Sand Dune Safaris

All tours depart from:

Lower Car Park at the End of James Paterson Street, Anna Bay NSW 2316

Phone: 0425 213 096.   Feel free to call or you can also text anytime!

Hablamos Español!

Contact Us!

Email Address

• Accommodation
• Travel Inspiration

• things to do
• oakfield ranch camel rides

Camel Riding

Experience the thrill of the ships of the desert on an adventure daytime or sunset camel ride over the vast sand dunes of Port Stephens.

Camel Rides operate everyday except for Wednesdays from the lower carpark, James Paterson Street at Anna Bay, Port Stephens.

Birubi Point is the northernmost point of the 32 kilometres of Stockton Beach, the largest moving coastal sand mass in the southern hemisphere.

Accessibility

Does not cater for people with access needs.

20 minute Camel Rides

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Sand Dune Safaris

Sand Dune Safaris is a small, non-commercial, family owned and operated business. We have been operating on the beautiful Stockton Sand Dunes for over 20 years. What sets us apart from other 4WD tour operators is that we do not cater to the large inbound tour groups that visit the dunes daily from Sydney. Therefore we are able to provide you with the friendly, personal service we pride ourselves on!

Our focus away from the ‘mass produced” tourist market allows us to be unique in several ways: We are able to offer Stand Up sandboarding in addition the sit down style. This is because we don’t have an overcrowded dune. In addition, our personal service means we can spend more time overcoming any language barriers, and offering individual attention. We like to encourage our customers to stay and enjoy their experience for as long as possible.

We provide a shaded picnic area complete with tables and chairs. Bring your lunch and enjoy the views! Our sand dune area is the furthest along the dunes, as we don’t have groups needing to stick to tight itineraries. This means getting to our sand dune area is relaxing, and half the fun! We can be very flexible and provide our customers with that ‘little bit extra” to ensure your visit is extra special. We love staying open until late, especially in winter as the sunsets are amazing! Our tours are designed to be fun for the whole family, regardless of age. Highlights include the unique settlement of Tin City, Pippi Catch and Release (both subject to tides), Sandboarding, visiting WWII sites and learning about the indigenous history within the sand dunes.

On weekends and during school holidays we run a continuous shuttle service to the dunes. Hop on one of our 4WD's for an exciting ride to some of the best sandboarding dunes available! Here one of our friendly instructors will greet you and make you feel at home. Find a spot under the shade in our picnic area, then stay and play as long as you like. Shuttles run every 15 minutes.

Our vehicles are also available for private charters. We pride ourselves on offering flexibility to our customers, let us know if you are looking for a unique experience for your group and we can tailor a tour to suit your requirements!

Lower Car Park, James Paterson St, Anna Bay NSW 2316

Cancellation Policy

Book online and save 10%! Use code FUN10

Port Stephens 4WD Tours

Sandboarding adventure & 4wd tours, featured sandboarding and 4wd tours.

• MOST POPULAR
• Hour Glass 75 minutes
• User All ages

Beach & Dune w/ Sandboarding

Experience the birubi wiggle and slide experience to the largest coastal sand mass in the amazing Australian beaches with lots of amazing photos.

• Hour Glass Approximately 1 hour

Sandboarding Adventure

Sandboarding is a must-do activity in Port Stephens! Join us on an exciting adventure into the largest moving coastal sand dunes.

Port Stephens is renowned for being one of the best holiday destinations along the NSW coastline, with a range of activities to enjoy during your stay. What do you think when you hear Port Stephens?

Most people think of the good food, wine, friendly locals, boutique shops, breathtaking scenery, gorgeous waterways, dolphins, whales, and other sea life and of course, the amazing sand dunes and sandboarding.

Check out our coverage from the award-winning TV show “Eat, Play and Stay.”

ADRENALINE-FILLED FUN

Looking for excitement and adrenaline for your holiday or weekend getaway? Look no further than Port Stephens 4WD Tours, offering you stunning scenery, sandboarding thrills, and adventure for the whole family…and an experience you won’t forget!

QUALIFIED, EXPERIENCED DRIVERS!

All vehicles come with a fully qualified driver, with exceptional knowledge of the Stockton Beach Sand Dunes. Enhance your dune experience with an exclusive charter tour.

YOUR ULTIMATE BEACH AND SAND DUNE ADVENTURE

"The tour down to tin city was great Our driver was very helpful and informative lots of photo stops along the way not rushed great afternoon."

"The sandboarding is fun - but a bit exhausting, too, since you need to climb up the hill. Apart from the actual sandboarding you are in a nice scenery which is worth photographing. You can take a little walk around and enjoy the view. "

"The ultimate adventure ride with Frank incredibly knowledgeable of the area and super helpful in guiding us to where we needed to go and get the best photos."

"Sandboarding was really nice to do! I have never done it before, but the experience was great. I went with a group of friends and we’ve had a lot of fun. Even de drive to the sand dunes was a nice experience."

YOUR PORT STEPHENS 4WD TOUR AWAITS YOU!

Experience dunes of brilliant white sand as they climb up to 30 metres high with slopes up to 60º.

Unfortunately the recent rain has flooded our site at the beach. Our camels are not at the beach today.

For more information read our FAQ's which feature many of the Frequently Asked Questions asked by our customers.

These frequently asked questions provide answers to many different questions and may have the answer to your enquiry. If you cannot find the answer to your question, please email us using the online contact form.

BOOKINGS FAQ's

Q: can i book online or by phone for a 20 minute ride.

A: No. The 20 minute rides are strictly 'walk-in only'. You CANNOT purchase tickets or pre-book by phone or email.

Q: Can I book online or by phone for a 60 minute ride?

A: Yes. Bookings for both the 60 Minute Day Ride and the 60 Minute Sunset Ride are essential. Bookings online only via BOOK NOW button.

Q: Do you take eftpos?

A: Yes. We accept payment by card or cash.

DEPARTURES FAQ's

Q: what time is the first ride and last day ride.

A: First ride heads out at 10:00am. The last ride departs at 3:30pm. Come along at any time between to enjoy a ride.

Q: How long do the rides go for?

A: Day rides - 20 minutes - departing approximately every half hour between 10:00am & 3:30pm. Sunset treks - 60 minutes - departure time varies with the seasons.

Q: What time should participants arrive?

A: Please arrive no later than 15 minutes before the ride departure time.

LOCATION FAQ's

Q: where are you located.

A: In the lower public carpark at Birubi Beach, end of James Paterson St, Anna Bay. Free parking near the Camel Ride departure point.

Q: Where do the rides go?

A: The day ride goes out along the small sand dunes and back along the beachfront. The sunset trek goes into the higher sand dunes and returns along the water's edge, capturing all the pretty sunset colours.

PARTICIPANTS FAQ's

Q: what age children can ride on the 20 minute day rides.

A: Children aged 2 years and up can ride on the day rides. Infants aged under 2 years are not allowed to ride.

Q: Can children ride on the 60 minute sunset trek?

A: Children aged 10 years and up can ride on the 60 minute sunset trek.

Q: Is there a weight restriction?

A: Yes. 130kg per camel.

Q: Can you cater for large groups?

A: Yes. We can take up to 24 riders at a time.

Q: How many riders per camel?

A: Two riders per camel for the day rides, usually one rider per camel for the sunset tours.

RULES FAQ's

Q: do participants need to wear any special clothing or footwear.

A: No. Nothing special, just wear comfortable casual clothing.

Q: Can I bring my drone?

A: No. However, you can bring a mobile device or small handheld camera.

Q: Can I take photographs?

A: Yes. On a mobile device or small handheld camera. Staff are happy to take some happy snaps for you on your devices.

Q: Do you operate in bad weather?

A: We operate in light rain providing the weather allows for the ride to be a pleasant experience. During inclement weather we do not operate.

Additional Information

Located in beautiful Port Stephens Oakfield Ranch Camels provide camel rides on the largest moving coastal sand mass in the southern hemisphere.

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Browse our Gallery and view some of the many photos of Camels and Horse Drawn Carriages available for hire at Oakfield Ranch, Anna Bay, NSW.

• Testimonials

Oakfield Ranch have so many 5 star reviews. Read a small selection of the large number of appreciative words from our wonderful customers.

Oakfield Ranch is located at James Paterson Street, Anna Bay in Port Stephens.

CAMEL RIDES OVER THE SAND DUNES OF PORT STEPHENS

• Camel Rides
• Horse Drawn Carriages
• Animal Hire

Oakfield Ranch place Birubi Point Public Carpark (Lower Carpark) James Paterson Street Anna Bay, New South Wales 2316

Email: [email protected]

OPERATING HOURS

Monday | 10:00am - 4:00pm Tuesday | 10:00am - 4:00pm Wednesday | Closed Thursday | 10:00am - 4:00pm Friday | 10:00am - 4:00pm Saturday | 10:00am - 4:00pm Sunday | 10:00am - 4:00pm

Go on Safari!

Immerse yourself in Africa’s essence at Safari West! Climb aboard a safari vehicle and adventure among herds of giraffes, wildebeest, cape buffalo, zebras, and other African hoofstock. Along the drive, guests will have the opportunity to stop and observe the majestic rhinos. During the tour, encounter cheetahs, primates including lemurs, and birds from different regions of the world.

Join us in our mission to promote conservation and impart knowledge that enables every person to make well-informed choices for the environment and wildlife. Join us – you’re the vital element in this extraordinary journey!

Immerse in Nature. Educate and Engage. Advocate for Conservation! Advanced Reservations Required Book Now

• Good to Know
• Pricing & Times
• Wild Manners
• Accessibility

Age Requirement

For the safety and comfort of all our guests, children must be at least 4 years old to participate in the Classic Safari Adventure. Many of our Private Adventures are exempt from age restrictions.

Top Seat Height Requirement

For the safety of our guests, children 4 and up wishing to take a turn on the top seat must be at least  45 inches tall .

Gratuity and Tipping Policy

If you enjoyed your safari, feel free to tip your guide. They work hard and appreciate the recognition. Please Note : If you reserved a private vehicle or made a group reservation for 10 or more, a 10% service charge is included.

Cancellation Policy

We are more than happy to help you reschedule your exploration or provide you a gift card for the amount that was charged so that you can reschedule at your leisure. Please note that your gift card is entirely transferable, should you choose to gift it to a loved one or donate it to a charity or other organization instead.

Pets are not allowed at Safari West. If you have a pet that is not a service animal, we ask that you respect the important work of service animals by not claiming that your pet is a service animal. Please see the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) description of a service dog noted below. This is for your safety, as well as that of your pet, fellow guests and the animals of the Safari West collection. Please do not leave your pet locked in a parked car!

Service Animal Policy

We welcome guests with special needs who bring their service animal to enjoy our facility and the wonderful creatures making their homes here. Our policy is to assist all guests in making their time at Safari West enjoyable. A service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability. “Companion” and “comfort” dogs are not “service animals” protected by the ADA.

• Service animals are permitted to visit Safari West. However, service animals are prohibited from all areas where our exotic collection is not separated from guests by a physical barrier.
• Service animals may also be restricted in certain areas due to the sensitivity of our animal collection.
• If you are spending the night, your service animal is allowed in one of our accessible tents.
• Your service animals are restricted from accompanying guests while on tour.
• Service animals must be housebroken.
• Service animals may not display vicious or aggressive behavior toward other people or animals. This includes barking and/or growling. If your service animal is disruptive at any time, you will be asked to remove your service dog from the park.

If you need to bring your service animal, call (707) 579-2551 at least 72 hours in advance to make arrangements.

Safari Adventures are always in season!

Adults (18 – 61), Seniors (62+), Teens (13 – 17) and Children (4 – 12)

Please be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before your safari is scheduled to begin!

Please Note: Weekend rates apply for Holidays. These include – President’s Day • Memorial Day • Spring Break (March 18 – April 19) • Labor Day • Columbus Day •  Martin Luther King, Jr.  Day • Thanksgiving Week • Christmas Eve – New Year’s Day (closed Christmas Day)

Rules, Safety, and Etiquette

Safari West is the home of more than 800 wild animals, with all their natural behaviors and instincts. They are not trained pets, so we must act in accordance with their world rather than expecting them to understand ours. We are pleased to offer you a truly enjoyable and memorable adventure on the Sonoma Serengeti, so to get the most from your visit, please keep these few common-sense safety rules in mind and practice your wild manners.

Respect our Wild Friends

• Please stay at least three feet back from the animal enclosures.
• These animals are not to be touched . Be especially aware of children who may not understand that these animals are not like your pets at home. They may bite, kick or otherwise defend themselves if startled.
• If you see anyone harassing the animals, throwing objects or poking sticks into the animal enclosures, or teasing them in any way, please alert a staff member immediately.
• Never feed the animals. They eat special diets in the wild, and the Safari West animal staff sees that they enjoy the same appropriate foods here. Snacks that you love can be harmful to them.
• No running! The animals interpret running as a sign of danger and are likely to panic and hurt themselves.

Safari Truck Etiquette

We recycle! Throughout the lower area of the preserve are recycling bins. Please save your plastic water bottles, soft drink cans, and other recyclables until you can dispose of them in a bin. Children who wish to sit on the top of our double-decker truck must be at least 45 inches tall. Our guides stop occasionally along the drive to allow seat changes so that everyone who wants a top-tier ride will get a turn.

Lost and Found

Safari West is not responsible for lost items. Please keep a close eye on your belongings during the course of your stay as you will be exploring a large, mostly undeveloped preserve. Should you misplace an item, Safari West maintains a Lost and Found Location at the front office. Please check with us there if you should lose (or find) anything of value.

Welcome to Safari West!

We go to great lengths to ensure that our safari adventures are accessible to everyone and in compliance with all ADA requirements. If you or a member of your family have special needs due to mobility or sensory issues, please contact us and we’ll work with you to plan your safari excursion. Safari West is indeed a special place and we will do everything possible to provide our guests with equal enjoyment of the wonderful experience offered by our park.

Our classic safari vehicles are customized Dodge Power Wagons and are not ADA accessible and unfortunately are not equipped to handle wheelchairs or other mobility assisting devices. If a guest utilizing a wheelchair can safely transfer themselves unaided or with the assistance of a family member, friend, or personal assistant, the Classic Safari Tour remains a viable option.

For guests unable to transition into the Power Wagons, we are able to provide one customized vehicle capable of accommodating most wheelchairs. It requires advanced planning and has some restrictions on seating capacity. Please contact our reservations team at 707-566-3667 to discuss options.

We currently have two fully accessible tents on the property. Both rooms are fully wheelchair accessible and include appropriately equipped showers and bathroom fixtures. These rooms also feature designated parking spaces at the foot of the ramps for easy loading and unloading. They also benefit from close proximity to the restaurant, offices, and gift shop.

Service Animals

Service animals are welcome at Safari West; however, due to concerns about guest safety as well as the safety of the animal collection, service animals are restricted from all safari tours and anywhere where there isn’t a barrier between the collection and our guests. While service animals are welcome to join you in our overnight accommodations, they cannot join you on tour unless you have reserved a Service Animal Serengeti Trek. This variant on the paratransit Serengeti Trek foregoes the walking portion of the tour. Instead, it accesses as much of the lower grounds as possible from within the paratransit vehicle.

Hearing Impaired:

Because of the cost of live, on-demand certified interpreters, Safari West no longer pays for live, on-demand, in-person ASL interpreters.  However, guests with hearing impairments are welcome to bring their own live ASL interpreter and Safari West will waive the admission charge for the guest-provided interpreter.  Similarly, as a further reasonable accommodation, Safari West will provide a complimentary safari tour to a non-professional ASL signer for a hearing-impaired guest, e.g., friends or family members who sign for the guest.

Vision Impaired:

With advance notice, a tactile tour can be provided for a visually impaired guest. A sighted companion will almost always accompany a visually impaired visitor. Should this not be the case, the guest will be accompanied by one of our guest service personnel.

Safari West offers free parking to our guests. Our parking lot has several accessible parking spaces for disabled persons supplying a valid disability-parking placard. Additional reserved parking spaces for placarded vehicles may also be available upon arrival. If you or a member of your party has any special needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us at  707 566-3667

Let us help you plan the safari adventure of a lifetime at Safari West!

400 Acres of Exploration

From cheetahs to lemurs, giraffes to wildebeest, there’s always something amazing waiting just around the bend. Alongside one of our highly-trained safari guides, head out on a 3-hour excursion to get up close and personal with nearly a thousand animals. With over ninety species making their homes here, Safari West truly is Sonoma county’s very own slice of the Serengeti.

Hit the Road

Climb aboard one of our custom safari vehicles and roll out to explore the Sonoma Serengeti. From the canvas-covered shade of the truck, go in search of the marvelous megafauna of Africa. Your expert guide will track down graceful giraffes, nimble impala, imposing cape buffalo and maybe even a few hulking rhinoceros. You never know what you’re going to find!

Take a Stroll

While the view from the safari truck guarantees a great look at the herds, some animals need a more subtle approach. On the safari walk, saunter through the Amani Oasis Aviary where demoiselle cranes preen along the path and scarlet ibis soar overhead. Come face-to-face with a black-and-white colobus monkey, search out a cleverly camouflaged cheetah and watch the courtly parade of flamingos around their lagoon home.

Cape Buffalo by John Burgess

Giraffes and Roan Antelope on the Sonoma Serengeti by Nancy Albury

Kudu by Katie Desmond

Safari with Giraffes by Mark Pressler

Ring-tailed Lemur by Marilyn Wyett

Amari Oasis Aviary by John Burgess

Zebras by Nancy Goodenough

Bontebok and Roan Antelope

Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party

Here are some of our popular theme parties:

…or we’ll create a new one for you.

Exotic Africa is the scene for the Safari Party.  Enter the village through a large communal hut and be entertained by African drummers and dancers while you sample foods from Morocco, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. We set up an exhibit of exotic animals where your guests can get an up-close experience with a monkey, lemur, African porcupine, alligator and an assortment of other gently raised and respected creatures.