4WD Touring Australia – June 2018

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DAY DREAMS

PACK THE 4WD AND

HIT THE ROAD

PAT WILLIAMS

STUFF TO DO

4WDing is allowed on the stretch of coastline

between Red Head and Blacksmiths. Vehicle access

is limited to the beach itself, the two access points and

tracks that are maintained by the Belmont Wetlands

State Park.

Fishing the sandy gutters that litter the beach is

perennially popular and solid hauls of sand whiting,

bream and dart are the reward for soaking a fresh beach

worm or pippi bait. During the cooler winter months,

tailor and Australian salmon are prolic and can be

reliably targeted on metal slugs or pilchard baits.

IMPORTANT INFO

Blacksmiths Beach is 135km north of Sydney and is around two

hours drive north of the CBD. Follow the Pacic Highway north

before taking the Swansea exit to Blacksmiths Beach.

Camping areas are not designated anywhere on Blacksmiths

Beach, according to the Belmont Wetlands State Park website, but

it’s not expressly banned. The website states that visitors must stay clear

of wetland areas and are responsible for their belongings and rubbish.

Permits are required to drive on the beach at Blacksmiths and weekly

permits are available for $33, monthly permits cost $44 and annual

permits are available for $88. Permits can be purchased from the Metro

Redhead petrol station, Third Creek bait and tackle shop and the

Belmont Golf Club.

Fuel is available in Swansea, Newcastle and on the Pacic Highway.

http://www.belmontwetlands.com.au

BLACKSMITHS BEACH, NSW

S

tuck in smoggy Sydney and jonesing for a straight up beach run? Blacksmiths

Beach has got you, baby.

Just 135km north of Old Sydney Town, Blacksmiths is the rst stretch of coastline

out of the capital where you can drop your tyre pressures and get some sand betwixt

your tread.

The somewhat lesser known cousin of nearby Stockton, Blacksmiths receives a little

less trafc, and is every bit as splendid.

For a long time all offroad action on Blacksmiths Beach went down pretty much

unregulated, however the Belmont Wetlands State Park have implemented a permit

system that has been in effect for the last couple of years. Weekly, monthly and yearly

passes are now available from local outlets, and you don’t want to get caught out

without one as stiff nes can be issued on the spot.

TOURISM NSW

SYDNEY