Stark warning to drivers visiting infamous Aussie beach: 'Not suitable'

Australia Day is one of the busiest periods of the year on beaches across the country, and one SA council is bracing for chaotic scenes.

Long lines of traffic (left) and cars stuck in the sand on Goolwa Beach (right).
Long lines of traffic backed up down the street while ill-equipped cars got stuck in the sand at Goolwa Beach this summer Source: Facebook

With many around the country gearing up to enjoy a long weekend in the sun, one council is bracing for chaotic scenes at one of the country's most infamous 4WD beaches.

Long traffic jams were caused this January as ill-equipped cars — including a tourist in a Tesla — attempted to access the 4WD-only beach in Goolwa, South Australia, and found themselves bogged in the sand, clogging up the only access point onto the beach.

The frustrating scene is all too common — and it's prompted a stern warning from Alexandrina Council's Mayor Keith Parkes, who told Yahoo News Australia that drivers planning to visit Goolwa Beach this weekend must be prepared despite council's best efforts to make the track as safe as possible.

"It is still a 4WD only track and NOT suitable for 2WD and AWD vehicles," he told Yahoo News.

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SA Police have also issued a warning they will be cracking down on several offences this weekend including "drink and drug driving, speeding, distracted driving and illegal mobile phone use, non-use of seatbelts and dangerous driving" — all of which apply to drivers on beaches across the country.

Left, a caravan seen in the distance bogged in the sand at Goolwa Beach with a warning sign stating only 4WDs were allowed on the track in the foreground. Source: Facebook
Left, a 2WD caravan seen in the distance bogged in the sand at Goolwa Beach with a warning sign stating only 4WDs were allowed on the track in the foreground. Source: Facebook

Keith Parkes explained Australia Day is "one of the busiest public holidays" for Goolwa Beach. "It’s common to see this long beach lined with 4WDs," he said.

He explained council workers have graded the access track, hoping it will make it safer for navigating but stressed that it's still only for 4WD use.

"If you’re thinking about coming to Goolwa Beach, please make sure you are prepared with the right 4WD vehicle and equipment and that you have the driving knowledge to navigate deep sand.

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“I would also encourage everyone to be patient and courteous of everyone accessing this beautiful area and, most importantly, please be respectful of this fragile environment and stay away from the dunes."

The warning comes after years worth of damage was done to the dunes on Christmas Day in 2022 as hoards of cars were seen driving up and down the beach, with wild manoeuvres causing significant damage to the area. Parkes said at the time it could take "years and years, if it ever recovers".

Fed-up locals have gone as far as bringing their tractor down to the beach in a drastic attempt to help solve the problem of stuck drivers causing traffic jams. Belle Baker and her partner Patrick watched in frustration as countless vehicles attempting to access Goolwa Beach in SA became bogged while attempting to manoeuvre the council-controlled sandy track down to the beach.

“It's so frustrating that cars that are not four-wheel drives go on to the beach and get bogged,” Belle told Yahoo News Australia.

“There's only one entry and exit off this beach. So when people get bogged, they block the whole way and it's hard to get away. Sometimes you can get past but generally, it just blocks everything up.”

Four cars were rescued from Goolwa Beach by Belle and Patrick. Source: Supplied
Four cars were rescued from Goolwa Beach by Belle and Patrick. Source: Supplied

This weekend, SA Police announced they'd be conducting road safety operations across the state.

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Traffic Services Branch Officer in Charge Superintendent Shane Johnson warned road users not to take risks on the road. “Police will have a strong presence across South Australia with Operation Safe Long weekend, Operation Safe Hills and Operation Stop Drink Drug Drive,” he said.

“The Australia Day long weekend has historically marked a busy season on South Australian roads with people commuting for holidays and travelling to events.

“Our long weekend operations will cover proactive detection activities for drink and drug driving, speeding, distracted driving and illegal mobile phone use, non-use of seatbelts and dangerous driving.

“Road safety offenders risk heavy penalties, but more importantly, they risk the loss of life or serious injury - a lasting tragedy for the families and communities left behind. It’s imperative we do our part to keep roads safe for ourselves and others.”

Police across the country in Queensland have also issued a warning ahead of the long weekend for the increasingly popular Noosa North Shore beach area. "This is your reminder that Teewah Beach and the camp zones are all 40km/h speed limit, which will be enforced with zero tolerance," Acting Senior Sergeant Richards said.

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"You must treat driving on the beach as you would any other road — the same road rules apply regardless if it’s on the bitumen or the sand."

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