Port Stephens 4WD Tours
Take an exhilarating ride in a 4WD over monstrous sand dunes and discover a 'lost' village.
Overview
Picture this: you're driving in a 4WD through a desert. There's nothing but emptiness — just sky and sand — for as far as you can see. No signs of life. Then suddenly, something emerges in the distance like a mirage. It's a collection of buildings that resembles a small village. If you think it sounds like a scene out of a movie, you're on the right track. The place we're talking about, Tin City, was actually used as a set in the legendary Australian film Mad Max (1979).
The site is thought to date back to the early 20th century with two structures built for shipwrecked sailors to seek shelter in. It was expanded in the 1930s as a squatter settlement with over 36 huts and used primarily as a fishing village. The dunes fall under the remit of Worimi Conservation Lands, while the remaining 11 huts, including the old pub, are 'passed down' through families and friends.
You can visit Tin City with Port Stephens 4WD Tours (though they're currently on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions). Across the two-hour tour, you'll venture to the shantytown in its purpose-built 4WD buses, plus visit some important WWII sites and try a little snowboarding. The tour costs $55 per person.
Images: Destination NSW
