The largest moving sand dunes in the southern hemisphere hide a tiny off-grid shack settlement — explore by 4WD, camel, quad bike or sandboard.
Family
Stockton Beach stretches 32 km from Anna Bay to Newcastle, backed by the largest moving coastal dunes in the southern hemisphere — some over 30 metres high. Marooned in the middle sits Tin City: a huddle of eleven corrugated-iron shacks with no power, no water and no road, occupied since the 1800s and famous as a Mad Max filming location.
Exploring the dunes
The dunes are part of the Worimi Conservation Lands, and access is via guided experiences from Anna Bay: 4WD tag-along tours to Tin City, quad-bike safaris, camel rides and sandboarding on the big slip faces. Licensed 4WD owners can buy a permit and drive the beach themselves — tyre pressure down, tide chart in hand.
Tips for visiting
Go early morning or late afternoon when the light sculpts the dunes and the sand is cooler underfoot. Sunset from the high dunes, with the Sygna shipwreck ribs offshore, is unforgettable for photographers. Pair it with Port Stephens’ beaches or a Newcastle–Nelson Bay road trip, and browse more hidden places nearby.
🏅 Own or manage this place? Get your “Featured on AustralianSecret” badge
Show visitors you're featured in our independent directory — copy this snippet into your website. The badge links back to your listing here.
Watch
Photo Gallery
Facilities
Tour operators, parking and cafes at Anna Bay / Birubi Point; nothing on the dunes
Photography Tips
Late afternoon side-light turns the dunes into ripples of gold; shoot Tin City's shacks wide against the empty dune field for scale.
Insider Tips
Book a tag-along or quad tour if you don't have a 4WD; if driving yourself, buy a Worimi permit, lower tyre pressures and watch the tide.
Getting There
Base yourself at Birubi Point, Anna Bay (45 minutes from Newcastle). Tours depart James Paterson Street; private 4WD entry is via Lavis Lane with a permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you visit Tin City without a tour?
Yes, if you have a 4WD and buy a Worimi Conservation Lands beach permit — otherwise join a tag-along, quad bike or 4WD tour from Anna Bay.
Do people still live in Tin City?
The eleven shacks remain privately occupied under long-standing arrangements, entirely off-grid — respect residents' privacy when visiting.
How big are the Stockton sand dunes?
They run 32 km behind Stockton Beach and reach over 30 m high, making them the largest moving coastal dunes in the southern hemisphere.
Was Mad Max filmed at Tin City?
Yes — the dunes and shacks appeared in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, which cemented Tin City's cult status.
