Lancelin is Western Australia’s premier sandboarding destination because of its close proximity to Perth city. It is located north of Perth, in the Shire of Gingin. Featuring soft and smooth white sand with no vegetation, Lancelin Sand Dunes is a perfect place for adventure lovers.
Lancelin Sand Dunes are the largest sand dunes in Western Australia and the main reason why people visit Lancelin.
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HOW TO GET TO LANCELIN SAND DUNES
Lancelin is located around 127 km, a 1.5 hr drive from Perth making it one of the best day trips from Perth that is both easy and fun. The best way to get to Lancelin is by car or by taking day tours from Perth. Rent a car if you don’t have your own.
Lancelin Sand Dunes are easy to get to. You can put Lancelin Sand Dunes on google maps and you will be directed but here are the instructions just in case you couldn’t figure out the way or get confused.
Self-drive towards the Mitchell Fwy/State Route 2 and State Route 60 to Gingin road in Lancelin.When you are in the town, take a right to Gingin Road and follow it then take a right to Sidney street and then left to Bootoo St. Continue towards the Beacon road and then turn right to desert road. There is only one entry point so you will know when you arrive.
TRAVEL TIP: You don’t need a 4-WD for these sand dunes but if you hire a vehicle (2-WD), make sure to stay on the hard track and don’t try to drive on loose sand. Most car hire companies forbid off-roading.
BEST TIME TO VISIT LANCELIN DUNES
Though Lancelin sand dunes can be visited all year round except during winter months (June – August) when it rains too much in Western Australia, I suggest going there during early summers for ideal weather conditions. Spring and Autumn are also good times if you don’t mind cool temperatures.
The best time to visit the Lancelin sand dunes is in the morning when the winds are not strong and the weather is a bit cool. This is also the time when there is a minimal crowd so you can have fun in peace. In the late afternoon, the wind can pick up making sandboarding harder and if you are visiting during summer, it can get really hot and dry.
Visiting the sand dunes at sunset can be a wonderful experience as the sun sets on the opposite side of the dunes, at the beach making the sand dunes look spectacular with pastel pink/purple colors in the sky.
PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: If you are into photography, sunrise is the best time to have the calm sand and pastel colors in the sky. Even after sunrise, the conditions are good for photography with soft light around.
After 10 am, the light can be really harsh for photography, and for the eyes in general, too so I suggest avoiding photographing this time of the day.
LANCELIN SAND DUNES OPENING HOURS & COSTS
Lancelin Sand Dunes opens from 8 am – 5 Pm, though the timings can change so it is best to check google for updated hours. I have been there before 8 am and it was open along with the sandboard hire van. If you reach at 8 am or before, it may be possible that you don’t find the sandboard or quad-bike hire van so better to wait or do some dune sightseeing.
The best part of visiting the Lancelin dunes is that there is no entrance fee for it so you can come and go as you please.
TRAVEL TIPS FOR VISITING LANCELIN SAND DUNES
1. If you are willing to do some off-roading then you will need a 4-WD but take extreme care and precautions and only do this if you are a pro-4-WD driver.
2. It is only legal to use the licensed off-road section which falls in the middle of the dune area and is clearly signed at the entry. If you are unsure, make sure to ask someone on the ground about the rules.
3. There are no facilities for water and toilet on the site so come prepared. Bring lots of water with you.
4. Be sure to apply a lightweight, non-sticky sunscreen at least 30 mins in advance so that the sand doesn’t stick on you when you fall.
5. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sunlight that is reflected by the sand.
6. When you are at the dunes, make sure to keep an eye out for ATVs and 4 WD. Though both of these are usually further away from the area where people sandboard, you still need to be careful. Better choose the inside of the dune to sandboard.
SANDBOARD HIRE IN LANCELIN
Hiring a sandboard in Lancelin is very easy. You can hire the Sandboard online before the trip and collect it at the pickup point in the center of the town. You just need to fill in how many sand boards you want along with the day and time you want to collect. The price for the sandboard hire is $12.50 for 2.5 hrs and $14 for 3 hrs plus a 2.5% booking fee to cover card payments and admin.
Board wax is also provided with sandboard bookings at no extra cost. A 45 minute long buffer time is also given in case you arrive a little early or late when picking up the board.
There are 2 types of sandboards for you to choose from Stand-up boards and sit-down boards. I recommend getting a stand-up board as you can also sit on it if you want to sit and slide the dune. If you want to purchase your own sandboard rather than renting it then there are sandboards available for sale here.
SANDBOARDING IN LANCELIN DUNES
Sandboarding is a fun adventure and one of the great outdoor activities that you can do in Western Australia. You don’t have to be a pro in sandboarding to visit the dunes. If you are doing sandboarding for the first time, it might seem daunting but it isn’t hard at all. For those who know skateboarding or snowboarding, it’s a piece of cake for them.
If you are a first-timer, I suggest finding a spot with steep dunes and no rocks. Try to go down the dune sitting on the sandboard a few times before you try standing on it. This will get you in the rhythm and you will be able to judge your angles and balance better.
It is highly likely that you will fall a few times while trying to maintain your balance but trust me the worst thing that can happen is you getting covered in sand from head to toe. Make sure to wax your board regularly so as to keep the board sliding smoothly and speed it up.
MORE ACTIVITIES IN THE SAND DUNES
Apart from sandboarding, there are some other fun activities to do in Lancelin if you are seeking an adrenaline rush. Quad Biking, buggy’s, and 4 Wheel driving are very popular at Lancelin sand dunes and you must give them a go as well while you are there.
MrXtreme Thrill Rides and Lancelin ATV, Buggy, Motocross Tours are 2 tour operators that are present at the site and you can take a tour with them. You do not need an ATV or Quad Biking experience to do the tours. You can ride as a single or a double and the tour operator will give you every safety essential and briefing.
You can rent a vehicle online and you’ll also get an hour of sandboarding included in the price.
WHAT TO WEAR TO THE LANCELIN SAND DUNES?
You can wear whatever is comfortable for you but I would suggest wearing shorts and tank tops as it’s easy to get the sand off of these clothes rather than dresses or jeans. You can also wear long sleeve tops to avoid getting sunburned.
The sandboards that you hire have foot straps so if you are comfortable on the sandboard bare feet then you should be fine. But I only recommend doing so when the weather is not too hot. You don’t want the hot sand to touch your feet as it would be unbearable so wear closed shoes if coming on a hot sunny day.
WHERE TO STAY WHEN VISITING THE LANCELIN SAND DUNES?
As I have always visited Lancelin as a day trip, I never needed accommodation but there are several stays in the area for people with all kinds of budgets.
Budget Accommodation
- Lancelin Lodge – With great reviews and good rating, Lancelin Lodge is the best place to stay in Lancelin if you are on a budget.
Other Accommodations
- The Jetty
- Just Chillin
- Salty Shack Lancelin- Two Bedroom
- The Beach Haven
- The Bothy Lancelin Family Retreat
Lancelin Camping Grounds & Caravan Parks
There is no free camping permitted in Lancelin and you will be fined for doing so.
Find other great places to stay in Lancelin on Booking.com.
FINAL THOUGHTS – IS LANCELIN WORTH VISITING?
If you are a fun lover and adventure seeker then a few hours in Lancelin dunes is just what you need to break that mundane routine of life. Being a cleanliness lover, I never thought I would love my sandboarding experience so much but I have already visited thrice.
It is definitely worth visiting Lancelin for a day or two and putting sandboarding in Lancelin in your list as one of the top things to do in Lancelin. Whether you are on a road trip within Western Australia or you live here, you can plan your trip to Lancelin sand dunes in many ways.
Travel Tip: Don’t forget to visit Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park which is just 50 mins away from Lancelin.
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