An aerial photo of cars lined up along the beach at Aldinga/Sellicks Beach.

Be beach smart this Australia Day

Published on 25 January 2022

Heading to the beach for Australia Day? City of Onkaparinga advises to arrive early if you intend to park on the sand.

Onkaparinga beaches are always a popular place to be, but every year on Australia Day, council anticipates so many cars on the sand at Moana, Aldinga, Silver Sands and Sellicks Beach that once the beaches reach maximum capacity – SA Police will close vehicle access to the beach.
 
Council is asking everyone to respect the beautiful environment and help ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable visit that protects the coast and its wildlife for future generations to enjoy. Here are some top tips ahead of your visit:
  • Visit the City of Onkaparinga Facebook page on Australia Day to check when the beach vehicle ramps are closed
  • stay on the hard sand
  • keep to the 10 km/hour speed limit
  • look out for new signs about where to drive and park
  • exit the beach before high tide
  • take your rubbish home
  • bring your free beach permit or pay the $8 ramp access fee
  • observe parking restrictions around Hooded Plover nests. These birds are threatened with extinction if we don’t give them safe places to breed over summer.

Traffic management

If beaches become overcrowded, traffic wardens will be stationed at each beach vehicle entry ramp. We’ll monitor the situation throughout the day and provide updates on council's Facebook page.

Free beach permit

Did you know Onkaparinga residents are entitled to a FREE summer-long 'cars on beach' permit? Find out more on the City of Onkaparinga website.

EFTPOS facilities

During the summer months, access ramps are staffed by community group volunteers and an $8 vehicle access fee will apply to drive onto the beach in accordance with council bylaws. EFTPOS facilities are available for your convenience.

Speed limit

Please keep our children and wildlife safe by driving at the recommended speed limit of 10km per hour on Onkaparinga beaches.

New signs

Look out for the new signs that have been erected to help guide motorists about where to drive and park. To protect sensitive coastal areas, it’s important not to drive on the sand dunes, pebble banks, high beach (where the seaweed accumulates) and dry soft sands. Driving on these areas can disrupt the beaches’ natural recovery process, making them more susceptible to erosion and storm damage. It can also destroy habitat for wildlife such as the vulnerable Hooded Plover.

Dry zones

Alcohol restrictions (dry areas) will be enforced at some of the foreshore locations.

Toilets and bins

Portable toilets and extra bins will be placed at selected locations along the foreshore. Please take your rubbish home with you and don't litter the beautiful environment.

Barbecues/fires

You can use a portable gas or electric BBQ on a non-total fire ban day on the foreshore (not coal/solid fuel). You'll need to make sure there are no flammable materials within four metres of the BBQ. On a total fire ban day, a gas or electric barbecue  can be used within 15 metres of a domestic or commercial premises, or on a coastal foreshore providing: the barbecue/cooking appliance is clear of all flammable vegetation to a distance of at least four metres, and a person who is able to control the fire is present at the site of the fire until it is extinguished. An appropriate extinguisher must also be at hand.

Dogs

Dogs may be exercised off-leash at all times if under effective control at Aldinga and Sellicks Beach. Dogs must be on-leash between 10am to 8pm during daylight savings at Moana and Silver Sands. For more information visit the City of Onkaparinga website.

Drive safe

Photo by Bryan Piol @bryanfromadelaide
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