Check out local council websites and popular 4WD magazines for information on which beaches permit the use of vehicles.
Lighten your load
It might seem common sense, but removing any unwanted fittings or miscellaneous items from your vehicle can reduce its overall weight.
Check your clearance
Suppose you’ve never taken your vehicle on the beach before; whip out the measuring tape and check the level of clearance between the underside of the vehicle and the ground.
Watch the water
Tides are a governing force for all beachgoers, so ensure you’re not driving during an incoming high tide.
Lower your tire pressure
Most 4WD vehicles will have a road-driving tire pressure between 32-38psi. Lowering your tire pressure will help spread the tire out, increasing the surface area in contact with the sand.
Maintain momentum
If you’re coming up to an area of loose, soft sand, ensure you maintain or marginally increase your speed.
Be prepared to be bogged
Accept the inevitable – at some point, you’re going to get bogged. Shovels, snatch-straps and shackles, Max Trax high visibility treads or equivalent, a tire deflator, and a compressor are all essential recovery gear.
Be aware of road rules
The surface you’re driving on might have changed, but road rules still apply. Always ensure your passengers wear seatbelts, follow the speed limits, and avoid drink-driving.