Port Stephens Must Do: Camel Ride in Stockton Sand Dunes

If you’re planning a trip to Shoal Bay or Port Stephens, I highly recommend doing a Camel Ride in the Stockton Sand Dunes. Oakfield Ranch offers camel rides through the dunes outside of Port Stephens, and it is an absolute must-do!

Port Stephens Must Do: Camel Ride in Stockton Sand Dunes

Pulling into Birubi Beach and seeing the incredibly vast sand dunes just outside of Port Stephens, it’s hard to believe you’re in Australia and not the Sahara!

Getting to Stockton Sand Dunes

The Stockton Sand Dunes are about a 30-minute drive from Port Stephens. You can either can drive, call an Uber, or take public transportation!

The parking lot for the camel rides is located at Birubi Beach, drive to the end of James Patterson Street, head down past the surf club to the lower parking lot. The tours depart directly from there!

Stockton Sand Dunes Camel Tours

Oakfield Ranch offers 20-minute camel rides through the Stockton Sand Dunes.

Cost: It’s $35 AUD for adults and $30 AUD for children.
Hours: open 6 days a week (closed on Wednesdays), weather permitting
To Book: You don’t have to reserve in advance, walk-ups are welcome

60-Minute Sunset Camel Ride in Stockton Sand Dunes near Port Stephens, Australia

They also offer 60-minute sunset rides on Fridays and Saturdays which we personally did and I HIGHLY recommend!

Cost: It’s $90 AUD for adults and $70 AUD for children.
Hours: Operates Friday and Saturday evenings, timing dependent on sunset
To Book: Reservations for the sunset rides are required, you can book by texting 0429 664 172 (Australian Number) or messaging them on their website

Our Camels, Sid and Daisy, were so well behaved and we had absolutely no issues with them!

Getting on to the camel was a little awkward. You have to climb into the saddle while they’re laying down because they’re so tall, some up to 7 ft at the shoulder alone. They tell you to lean back when the camel stands up. Do it. I nearly fell straight over Sid’s head when he was getting up.

Sunset Camel Ride through the Dunes

The tour begins and you head off into the dunes! It’s an incredible sight to see: one direction you’re looking into the vast dunes that make up Stockton Sand Dunes. Do a 180° and you’re on the beach facing straight into the Pacific Ocean.

Fun Fact: Australia has the world’s largest population of wild camels!

Yep, even more than any country in the Middle East or Africa. They were imported in the 1840s to help with transportation through Australia’s outback, but as technology modernized, they weren’t needed as much. Since then, many were released or escaped into the desert where they’ve clearly flourished.

Once up and settled, we headed off into the dunes! Our guide led Sid and Daisy along the edge of the dunes, pausing for the occasional photo opp. It’s a not-so-surprisingly bumpy ride. The camels followed the guide very well and seem quite content on our walk.

Camel Ride on Birubi Beach

After cruising through the dunes, you’ll then head to the beach! Your guide will lead your right to the ocean’s edge, it’s amazing.

We were lucky to have an amazing sunset. The sun was just sinking below the horizon, revealing an absolutely beautiful sunset. The colors reflecting off the water were gorgeous.

Just after the sunset, our guide led the camels back to the starting point and helped us off. It was such a cool experience, and I cannot recommend a 60-minute Sunset Camel Ride with Oakfield Ranch enough!

These are some other cool tours that are worth checking out on a trip to Port Stephens, NSW! I especially loved our Dolphin Watching Cruise.