beach driving laws

Normal road rules apply.

Some beaches require permits and the speed limit is 40kph. Best to check with your local council first.
Andy

Once again I would stress that you should join a 4WD club for some instruction.

And if you get stuck have your own recovery gear ie. shovel, snatch strap and perhaps maxtracks.

You will also need a decent 12v compressor to pump your tires back up.

And also be aware of tide times if that effects your area.

So that has spent another $700 or so of your hard earned money.

As the others have said

Normal road rules apply
Plan around the tides
Do a 4WD course

Some beaches may require permits or may be closed for various reasons including aboriginal traditional/seasonal use so it will be good to check with the parks first

Watch for non vehicle beach users especially children running down to the water

Don't drive above the high water mark crushing very well camouflaged birds nests and eggs
Don't drive over vegetated dunes unless it is a designated track
Get some local knowledge about common quicksand locations
Tyre punctures on the beach usually occur above the high water mark while driving over marine debris

Road rules certainly do apply (NSW legislation and most likely national). Road rules exist on all road or road related areas. A RR area is defined as "an area designed or used for the carriage of motor vehicles for the payment of money or otherwise" or something like that. Tim

Council laws vary greatly!
Where I live, my local beach is "permit only" and they're damn hard to obtain (put your name in and it's like a lottery for any that have been given up over the past 12 months). But go to the next council area south and you don't need a permit (just good manners and common sense required!)
Check signs at each beach and ask (at local servo or fishing tackle store?) if unsure. The fines are enough to spoil your day!

thanks a lot for the info, will be booking a 4wd corse in the next week or so depending on work commitments.

There is virtually no beach driving allowed in Victoria, thankfully!

for the most part normal road rules apply, but speed limits vary drastically. you need to research and check what the speed limits are before you drive the beach you plan to go on, South Ballina beach for example is 30kph and places like Fraser Island have a 80kph limit, but certain areas on Fraser are also lower speed limits (around Eli creek, The Maheno ship wreck etc etc).
going on the amount of people i saw with kids and adults in the back of their utes driving at South Ballina last week you'd think normal road rules don't apply, but this is not the case.

Agree with previous comments. its classed as 'off road'. check local authorities such as CALM (WA) and police for definitions and rules. plus each state and council has various rules for 4wd in general, some beaches and areas closed to 4wd due to environmental vandals (idiots) and developers or owners of land or council , duty of care and liability playing a big part now in legalities. need to check your insurance as well believe it or not, to ensure your covered for off road driving. 4wd course highly recommended, made a difference to my knowledge and skills in sand. have seen and heard of many a driver coming to grief on the beach. try going with a 4wd club or fishing group as a visitor then join if you want to,very useful. check out local publishers books such as ' western 4wd driver' magazine (WA) for local tracks-these show legal areas and have been checked out complete with directions,photos etc. check fire seasons as well-camp fire restrictions may apply
MG.

Use your indicators.
You will find a lot of drivers will cut across in front of you to stay near the firm sand close to the surfs edge...with no indication.
Cheers Witi