“Too many people don’t realise when they buy a 4WD that it really is a ticket to adventure,” says South Australian 4WD guru David Wilson. “As an off-roader at the beach, you’re always looking for the next fishing spot, or the next remote, perfect wave.”

Wilson is the tuition guru at Adventure 4WD training (adventure4wd.com.au) and Isuzu UTE Australia’s I-Venture Club, where he is the lead instructor. He is also two parts Jawa, one part camel: a being utterly at home in the dunes. “Once you learn the basics, from engaging 4WD properly to tyre pressures, to then driving in an appropriate fashion that’s eco-friendly as well, the beautiful Australian coastline really is all there for you to explore,” he says.

Don’t just point your ute towards the nearest ocean and Thelma & Louise the accelerator, though. For off-road novices, a few simple tips can stop your first salvo into the silica ending in disaster.

Buy a tyre pressure gauge. “At the beach, lower tyre pressures work every time,” says Wilson. “My rule is to keep letting out air until the wheel spin stops.” This is because a less-inflated tyre gives your rubber more contact area with the sand—and, thus, more grip. Start at your mandated road tyre pressure—check the placard inside the driver’s door—and drop to about 20psi to start. Descend to somewhere between 18 and 15psi as necessary, but stop there; turning at lower pressures can easily roll your tyre off the rim. That’s bad. If you don’t have a compressor, drive slowly to the service station to re-inflate afterwards.

Like politics, war, or Mum’s Christmas roast, sand driving is all about momentum: once you’re stopped, things get much harder. But don’t just suddenly floor it if you feel like you’re going to stop; you’re more likely to spin, dig in, and bog. Instead, avoid sudden changes (braking, sharp turns, rapid acceleration). Always coast to a halt, and facing downhill if possible. Reversing in your own tracks can also help if you’re in trouble, as the compacted sand is firmer.

First-time beach-driving is a mug’s game. If you’re on your own, you’re going to have a bad time. Courses like Wilson’s are available nationwide, but heading out with more experienced friends is an option everywhere, every weekend. And know your equipment: apparatus such as snatch straps and high-lift jacks can be very dangerous if not used correctly. At a bare minimum, take a good shovel and some recovery boards, such as Maxtrax, on every journey.

Check the tides, and if possible, time your trip around them. Low tide = more hard-packed sand for driving. Incoming high tides can also turn an everyday bogging into an expensive 4WD write-off. Either way, be very wary of driving through wash-outs, where the sand can be softer, and may even have turned into quicksand slurry. If in doubt, always get out and check.

“Australia is the best beach-driving country on the planet,” says Wilson. “Just keep your eyes open, take it easy, have fun, and look out for others. You’ll never have a better weekend.”