The best spots to sandboard in Queensland

There are two popular styles of sand surfing – choose the right style for you to make the most of your Queensland sandboard adventure.

When sand tobogganing, riders typically sit on lie face-first on a waxed board and slide down the hill.

Sandboarding involves standing on a board with your feet hooked into straps, in a style similar to snow boarding.

North Stradbroke Island

North Stradbroke Island (or Straddie as it’s affectionately known) is famous for its perfect sand dunes and azure blue waters, so it’s no wonder it is one of the best sand surfing spots in Queensland.

Straddie Kingfisher Tours offer sandboarding tours for visitors on the island, or they can pick you up from the mainland. They’ll guide you to the best slopes in the Straddie Desert, then help you to perfect your technique on some smaller hills before letting you glide down the bigger slopes. If you’re up for an adventure, they can even take you to an extremely fast ‘monster’ slope. The tour also comes with the boards and board wax supplied, so all you need to bring is a lot of adrenaline (plus some sunscreen and a water bottle).

Once you’ve had your fill of the dunes, this guide to things to do on Straddie has the rest of your weekend sorted.

Moreton Island

It’s the third largest sand island in the world, and home to one of the largest coastal sand dunes in the world, Mt Tempest. Yes, Moreton Island is a sandboarding mecca. Climb perfect white dunes and enjoy the view on the way up, then glide down and experience this natural playground from a whole new perspective.

There are three main sandboarding destinations on the island: Little Sand Hills, Big Sand Hills, and The Desert. Feel the rush as you hit speeds of up to 60 kilometres and hour sliding, carving and tumbling your way back down the aptly named Desert Hill. But, be warned, getting up the bigger sand dunes is half of the adventure.

And the fun doesn’t stop there. Here’s a guide to having an adventure-packed weekend on Moreton Island.

Big Red Sand Dune

Say g’day to Big Red. Standing at 40 metres in height, and situated just 35 kilometres from Birdsville, this famous sand dune offers a rush you won’t find anywhere else.

The first of 1,140 parallel dunes in the Simpson Desert, ascend Big Red and you’ll be treated to a stunning desert sunset. You’re welcome to use your own sandboard equipment to ride down the dune – boogie boards, snow sleds, and even large pieces of cardboard are often used.

You’ll need a four wheel drive to get to Big Red, but the best way to see her majesty is with a tour. Birdsville Adventure Tours will get you to Big Red for the sunrise.

Ready for your outback adventure? There are plenty more free things to do in the outback once you get there.

Fraser Island

It doesn’t get more exhilarating than sliding down a sand dune on the largest sand island in the world, Fraser Island. The massive sand dunes lining the coast are a natural wonder which is best explored head on.

Waddy Point, Orchid Beach on the eastern side of the island are popular sandboarding spots, as is Sandy Cape to the north.

A four wheel drive is the only way to travel while on Fraser, and there are plenty of tours to get you where you want to go. Australian Sunset Safaris offer four wheel drive tours of the island, operating from the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and the Sunshine Coast.

If all of this sand surfing has you in the mood for the real thing, these Queensland surf events should be next on your list.