Ninety Mile Beach 4WD Track
145km of Victorian coastline with no crowds.
Ninety Mile Beach in Victoria’s Gippsland region is exactly what the name suggests — a near-unbroken barrier beach stretching along the coast between Seaspray and the Gippsland Lakes entrance near Lakes Entrance. Driving it is an exercise in reading the tide, watching your tyre pressures, and not getting lulled into overconfidence by the flat surface. The beach narrows significantly at high tide and some sections become impassable — timing your run around low tide is mandatory, not optional. The southern launch point at Seaspray gives access to a stretch of Victorian coastline most people only see from a distance, backed by the Gippsland Lakes system and fronted by relentless Southern Ocean swell.
This is a moderate beach drive made harder by inexperience and complacency. Tyre deflation to around 18-20 PSI is required — run standard pressures and you’ll be digging before the first headland. A stock high-clearance 4WD handles it fine in dry conditions. Permits are required and must be purchased online through Parks Victoria before you drive on. The beach is closed to vehicles during the Little Tern and Hooded Plover nesting season, typically October through March, which also makes the cooler months the practical window for access. Recovery gear, a tide chart, and a compressor are non-negotiables. Fuel at Seaspray or Sale before you go — there’s nothing on the beach.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Sand |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 90 mi / 145 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 30 ft |
| Best season | April-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Seaspray, Victoria |
| Land manager | Parks Victoria |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Parks Victoria – Ninety Mile Beach Parks Victoria Permits Portal |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Pajero or LandCruiser handle Ninety Mile Beach without modifications?
A stock high-clearance 4WD will manage fine as long as you air down to around 18–20 PSI before hitting the sand. Soft-roaders and AWD wagons without low-range are a bad idea — you will get bogged, especially in the softer sections near the dunes.
When is Ninety Mile Beach actually driveable and when should I avoid it?
April through September is the sweet spot — cooler temps, firmer sand, and far fewer day-trippers. Summer brings soft sand, high tides that shrink your driving window, and holiday crowds at the access points. Always check the tide chart before you go; at high tide sections of the beach are impassable.
Do I need a permit to drive and camp on Ninety Mile Beach?
Yes. Parks Victoria requires a vehicle entry permit for beach access and a separate camping permit for overnight stays. Book through parkstay.vic.gov.au before you leave — there are no ticket booths on the sand.
What's the hardest part of the drive and what actually catches people out?
There's no single gnarly obstacle — the difficulty is sustained soft sand over 145km, which punishes anyone who hasn't aired down or who tries to push through at the wrong tide. Getting bogged far from an access point with cell service dropping in and out is the real risk; carry a decent recovery kit and know your entry/exit points before you roll in.
How far apart are the beach access points, and can I get fuel along the way?
Access points are spaced roughly every 20–40km, but fuel is not available on the beach itself — fill up in Seaspray or Sale before you start. If you're running a thirsty rig and driving the full 145km, carry a jerry can; the nearest reliable fuel at the eastern end is Loch Sport, which has limited trading hours.
Trail track
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