Get yourself ready for the summer season in Australia by investing in the best beach wagon! If you love going to the beach as much as I do, and you take as much stuff to the beach as the guy in this photo, this guide to folding beach wagons and pull along beach carts with big wheels is for you!

We moved to Australia for this beach lifestyle, so it’s important to make beach trips as fun as possible, and that is where owning a good beach wagon comes in for carrying beach essentials.

My experience with beach trolleys and my search for the best beach wagon!

I have three little kids and when we go to the beach in Australia, we take tonnes of stuff with us – our beach tent or umbrella, boogie boards, food and drink, towels, hats, sunscreen, a football, cricket set…it equals a LOT of family beach gear.

I did a lot of research into finding the best beach wagon with big wheels as I wanted a good quality folding wagon suitable for pulling on soft sand. A heavy-duty beach trolley is a must-have beach item, so wanted to share everything I’ve learned during my beach cart research with you.

A great beach wagon will honestly make your days at the beach easier and a lot more fun (and there will be no more fighting about who carries what as you make your way to the best place on the sand when you can just put everything into your beach cart and pull it along easily!)

Want to discover the best beach trolley Australia has to offer?

Read on to find out my thoughts about the best wagons for beach days!

I try my best to keep this post about my favourite beach wagons and beach carts up to date. At the time of re-publishing this post, all of the beach wagons and beach carts listed were either available in Australia or were available on free international delivery with Amazon Prime. They were also of a reasonable price at the time I updated the article. Prices change drastically depending on availability – sometimes they can rocket from $180 up to $600, so please check prices before ordering (I believe you should be able to get a good beach trolley for under $300). 

I update this post about the best beach cart at least once a year to keep my recommendations up to date and accurate (and also to take into account the best new beach wagons on the market). Products like beach wagons and folding beach carts come in and out of stock and the free Prime delivery option comes and goes on the items too, so be sure to check postage and location options of your beach cart before checking out on Amazon. 

This post about wagons for beach days and choosing the best beach wagon contains affiliate links. 

If you enjoy this post about the best beach wagons Australia has to offer, you might like my review of the best rucksacks for travelling

Introduction to buying the best beach cart or the best beach wagon with big wheels for sand 2022

The best beach wagon in Australia has many uses. If you get a heavy-duty, flexible all-terrain folding wagon it can be used as a beach buggy cart, as a beach fishing cart, as a kids’ wagon, as a camp cart, as a folding sports wagon, as a garden cart or even as a wagon for getting shopping from your car to the kitchen!

You can get a collapsible wagon that is essentially a beach cooler with wheels, or a foldable wagon with canopy, or a foldable beach trolley that just holds your beach chairs, or a wagon for kids to ride in when their legs get tired – there are so many beach wagons to choose from depending on your needs. The best part is that your fold-up beach wagon doesn’t take up much space in your boot (which is important given how much beach gear you’re likely to be taking with you if you’re anything like me!) yet a foldable beach trolley pops up and transforms into a pull along beach cart to give you a helping hand to carry a large load.

I find a beach wagon is also so handy when we go on a self-catering holiday – we use ours to go from the car to our room easily! We stack in all of our luggage and food when going up to our apartment to save us doing multiple trips back to the car park! There are so many uses for the best beach cart. 

I had a lot of fun looking around at the best beach cart Australia has available. Owning a beach cart makes the summer season so much easier and more fun! It has transformed our days out (especially picnics and days at the zoo!)

I know you’re eager to begin beach trolley shopping so I’m going to kick right off with telling you all about the best beach wagons in Australia, but be sure to scroll to the bottom of the article too to read my advice and tips about choosing the best beach cart and the things you should consider before making your purchase to make sure your cart for beach days lives up to your expectations.

If you love the beach life in Australia, you need to check out my ultimate guide to choosing the best zinc sunscreens in Australia You can’t go to the beach without sunscreen!

Australia’s best beach wagon comparison table 2022

Below is my best beach cart comparison chart 2022, you can see the top brands of all-terrain beach cart compared side by side. Have a look at the best beach cart comparison table below and read on for my best beach wagon recommendations with descriptions.

I’ve just updated the list of folding wagons below to take into account the beach wagons and carts that are currently easily available in Australia (or that are for sale internationally with free delivery to Australia via Amazon Prime). Unfortunately, the market changes constantly, and annoyingly every time I update this post I find that my favourite folding beach wagons have gone off the market, sold out or stopped being included in the free international delivery promotion. It’s so annoying!

A couple of beach wagons that I really love aren’t currently available in Australia (on the date I’m updating this) but I wanted to mention the brands here because the only reason they aren’t on this best beach cart list is their lack of current availability. Some of my favourite wagons are: the Beau Jardin, and Sekey.

Hopefully I’ll be able to come back and add them to my list again at some point but for now I can’t find availability without a huge delivery fee so I’m leaving them off the best beach wagon comparison table (you can click the links to the items to see their current shipping costs).  

ProductImageFeaturesBuy now
Mac Heavy Duty Beach WagonSturdy beach wagon, chunky beach wheels, holds up to 68kg.Buy now from Amazon
Mac Sports WagonHolds up to 68kg, adjustable handle, durable fabric, pockets for drinksBuy now from Amazon
Radio Flyer Kids Wagon

Kids safety features inc seatbelt, converts to bench, can be bought with or without canopy, drink holders, holds up to 68kg. Buy from Amazon
ONIVA beach cartPull and push handles, very heavy duty, extra storage areas, comes with excellent guarantee for repair or replacement.Buy now from Amazon
Rio Beach Deluxe Wonder WheelerCompact and lightweight, storage for valuables, mesh compartment, holds up to 45kgBuy now from Amazon
Gorilla CartsSoft sided folding upright cart, side pockets for extra storage, carries up to 68kg. Buy now from Amazon
Mac Sports Double Decker Beach Wagon Two tiered sports wagon, holds up to 68kg, easy foldingBuy now from Amazon

Love spending days out on the sand? Read this post to learn all about choosing the best portable BBQ! 

Getting your hands on your foldable beach trolley: Free shipping tips and product availability

>> Sign up to get Amazon Prime Australia here

I’ve included beach cart reviews for collapsible wagons that are available in Australia (on the date I’m updating this post) but where possible I’ve included beach wagons that are available worldwide. I get lots of messages asking me for the best folding beach trolley in the UK or the best beach trolley in the US too so I’ve tried to list the best heavy-duty beach cart with big wheels that can be purchased from your local Amazon or be shipped from the US.

If the item is currently eligible for free Amazon Prime international delivery it tells you near the buying button (please note, the items included in the Amazon Prime international delivery change all the time so I can’t guarantee how long the free Amazon Prime delivery option will last).

Please note: beach wagons that were available in Australia when I wrote this, may no longer be available in Australia when you’re reading this as stock changes so quickly so double check first. Either way, I LOVE my Amazon Prime Australia account and it has been so worth it for me to be a member so I recommend signing up either way. 

>> Sign up to get Amazon Prime Australia here

What is the best-rated beach cart brand on the market in 2022?

It was a tough choice but my favourite beach cart has to be the Mac Sports Heavy Duty Wagon with all-terrain wheels. The reason I made this call was because I felt it was the best beach cart for soft sand and I think it’s the best all-terrain collapsible trolley cart as it’s sturdy and durable. 

Mac Sports Heavy Duty Wagon for Beach

>> Shop for the Mac Sports Heavy Duty Wagon for Beach days on Amazon
(In case the above page redirects you to a page listing lots of MacWagons, this is a direct link to it on Amazon Australia)

If you’re looking for the best beach cart in Australia for soft sand to use as a pull-along beach trolley, this is a great wagon for beach days. The Mac Sports beach wagon is a multi-purpose outdoor folding wagon with sand cart wheels.

I’m excited to be able to relist this heavy-duty wagon with extra-large wheels in this post about wagons for the beach as for a long time it hasn’t been available for an affordable price in Australia from Amazon but the current free Prime delivery option has started again (at the time of writing it was available so I’m not sure how long it will stay there so get in quick!). I think it’s the ultimate beach caddy cart for your perfect trip to the beach.

If you’re looking for a wagon for sand, this one comes with chunky back and front wheels – these extra chunky beach wagon wheels mean you can pull it off-road on rough terrain and soft sand so much easier than many of the other wagons for beach days out there.

This wagon has a maximum weight capacity of 68kg meaning you can carry heavy loads including beach chairs, your beach umbrella, cool bag, your boogie boards and all of your gear for your beach day (although please note: it’s not recommended for kids to ride in). 

The adjustable handle means it suits people of different heights, and it comes with two mesh cup holders for your water bottles (which is useful as we often have to pause while walking across the hot sand to have some water if it’s a long walk across the beach!)

The best part about this collapsible wagon is that it folds up neatly to under 25cm in thickness, which is really handy when you’re heading to the beach with your whole family and you’re looking for an easy storage solution for your boot! I know when we head to the beach we take A LOT of stuff. It also comes with a protective cover so you can keep it neat and tidy and protected when it’s stored away. 

This durable wagon is roomy enough for a day’s worth of beach essentials – perfect for your picnic, cooler, beach tent, sand toys etc. or for stacking full of sports equipment.  

The heavy-duty, durable canvas (600D fabric) on the Macwagon can be cleaned easily and the fabric is UV and mildew resistant, plus it has a heavy-duty frame.

As far as rolling beach carts go, this is really impressive wagon for beach days. This sports wagon cart has a great score on Amazon with lots of positive reviews and Mac Wagons are one of the best-known and most trusted brands of collapsible beach wagon – it’s a really solid product that is built to last.

(If you don’t need a heavy-duty beach cart, they make a version of beach utility cart with smaller wheels which you will find mentioned below).

Mac Sports is a well-known brand for the beach or for camping, so you can also buy matching beach gear to go with it including chairs, picnic tables, gardening gear and umbrellas. If you’re looking for a long-lasting, top-quality foldable cart to use as a beach trolley then this is it. I like the strong colours too – they are bold but dark enough not to show up marks.

> Shop for the Mac Sports Heavy Duty Wagon for Beach days on Amazon
(In case the above page redirects you to a page listing lots of MacWagons, this is a direct link to it on Amazon Australia)

More of the best all-round beach wagons

Mac Sports Collapsible Folding All Terrain Beach Wagon Cart

>> Shop for the Mac Sports collapsible wagon on Amazon

Mac Sports is one of my favourite folding beach cart brands – as you can see the heavy duty version was my top pick of the best beach carts above. If you don’t need a heavy-duty beach cart, they make a lightweight version of beach utility cart with smaller wheels. If you don’t need something quite as study as the one mentioned above (perhaps you’re looking for something to get from the parking lot for concerts/sporting events etc.) then this version with smaller wheels might suit you better. 

It still has a large capacity and can take as much weight as the heavy-duty version (68kg load capacity) but for ease of use, the smaller wheels can be easier to maneuver on firm ground. 

The Mac Sports Utility Wagon is hardwearing and durable. It comes with two mesh bottle holders and a telescoping handle

This beach wagon folds up easily and comes with a carry bag. It’s a brand that is build to last! 

Amazon has a number of different options of Mac Sports collapsible folding outdoor utility wagon at different price points so be sure to check them all out. You might find some available for free delivery to Australia and others not, so click around to get the best deal. 

> Shop for the Mac Sports collapsible wagon on Amazon

The best folding beach trolley for kids

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Radio Flyer 3-in1 EZ Folding Outdoor Collapsible Wagon 

Radio Flyer Wagon


I think Radio Flyer is super fun brand for people with young kids taking a beach trip (I really wish I’d discovered it when my three were little!). There are a couple of versions of beach cart available on Amazon – one includes the canopy as pictured above, and one without. You can check availability in your country here

The Radio Flyer beach cart (with or without canopy) comes with seats for two kids, plus it converts into bench seating for when your little ones want to rest their legs (how often have we all heard the phrase: “I’m tiiiiiirrrrrreeeeeddddd!”?).

It has a wipe clean fabric, two cup holders for your kids’ water bottles and the telescopic handle makes it easy to pull along. The great thing about it is these Radio Flyer wagons are created for kids to ride in, so they’re safety tested and even have seat belts for added safety. (Although your kids can ride in many of the other beach wagons I’ve listed, they usually weren’t built for that and don’t have these wagon safety features and comfort features like seat belts). If you get the version with the removable canopy, it makes it a very flexible all terrain wagon. 

I would say though that the wheels aren’t thick, heavy-duty sand wheels so it’s a pull-along cart more suited to using on grass or roads than pulling along on soft sand. It holds up to 68kg, and if you invest in the beach cart with canopy then you get UV-blocking sun coverage too. The canopy version has the additional features of extra storage space to slot the canopy when not in use in a pocket at the back. 

>> Radio Flyer 3-in1 EZ Folding Outdoor Collapsible Wagon 

If you’re specifically looking for a more heavy-duty beach cart with canopy in Australia (rather than a basic pull-along wagon for kids), there are some great other options available on eBay.com.au

>> Shop for beach wagons with canopy on eBay.com.au

The best push and pull all-terrain beach trolley

ONIVA Picnic Time Adventure Wagon GT Folding Cart

The ONIVA folding beach wagon is another great contender for the title of best beach wagon. 

The ONIVA collapsible beach cart with all-terrain wheels features a collapsible steel frame and easy to clean, durable fabric. It is such a solid, off-road beach cart with big wheels perfect for taking to the beach in Australia. It has a telescoping pull handle on front and it has a zip pocket for your valuables like mobile and keys.

What I really love about this beach cart is that it is backed by the Picnic Time family of brands ‘built to last’ lifetime pledge – they promise to repair or replace it if it is defective for any reason. There aren’t many brands out there that offer this sort of guarantee, so at least you know this is going to be the last beach wagon you’re ever going to need to buy!

The ONIVA folding cart is a really solid pull-along beach trolley that offers a lot of flexibility. Its dark fabric also means you won’t see any marks on it too.  

>> Shop for ONIVA folding beach wagons on Amazon 

The best upright beach cart trolleys

If you aren’t taking tonnes of bulky children’s beach gear to the beach or for outdoor activities like me, maybe an upright beach caddy is the kind of portable wagon you’re looking for. These kinds of upright beach trolleys are still foldable beach wagons, and they can still hold lots of beach gear. A beach trolley cart also makes a great option for taking to busy events as they take up much less space in crowds. They are just for carrying things though – your kids don’t get to ride in these like in some of the other ride along beach carts!

Rio Beach Wonder Wheeler Deluxe Foldable Beach Trolley

Please note: This is not currently available for free Prime delivery like it usually is but I’m leaving it in the listing as it’s a great product and the free delivery is likely to return at any time!  Click through here to check the latest shipping options. 

Rio Beach make the best beach trolley around if you want an upright model of beach cart! The Rio Beach Deluxe Wonder Wheeler foldable trolley has two large wheels and two small wheels, meaning you can push it on four wheels or tilt it back to make it into a pull-along beach trolley. The net bag allows your things to breathe which is important if your things might be wet from the ocean, and there is a large basket in the handle which is great for handbags and smaller items.

It is a very flexible beach trolley and can be filled with goods, or used to carry four beach chairs plus it can also fit a cooler too. It’s a lightweight folding wagon cart, and little details like the sun umbrella holder and body board holder mean you can really be hands-free for your beach day out. The collapsible folding wagon cart is your own personal beach wheelbarrow! The Rio Beach trolleys may look small and compact but these beach carts are mighty!

>> Get the Rio Beach Deluxe Wonder Wheeler foldable trolley from Amazon

The best compact beach wagon 

Gorilla Folding Cart

The Gorilla folding cart is more like a food or picnic trolley but it also works great for taking along to sports events or camping trips.

Gorilla Carts are lightweight and they fold up for easy storage. Don’t be fooled into thinking this lightweight, soft-sided beach cart isn’t as good as some of the other options though – it can still carry a lot of weight (up to 68kg which is actually the same as the Heavy-Duty Mac Wagon!). It’s not the best if you have a lot of gear that is bulky – it’s more of a helpful carry bag

The cool thing about this little cart is its foldable design. It folds up flat and compact instantly making it so easy to get out of the car and fill with your beach necessities. It has an extendable handle and it weighs just under 3kg making it a really lightweight option.

I think the Gorilla Carts is a great option for small families or couples that don’t need a heavy, big beach cart – it’s just about giving you a helping hand to carry heavy things around. This isn’t a folding cart you’d pull on the sand though as it’s not a cart with chunky sand wheels but it has so many other uses!

I actually think one of these is super handy to own ASWELL as a regular flat bed beach cart as they can be used in different situations. I can see this is something I’d use regularly to move shopping from the car into the kitchen, or to take school stationery on the first day of school etc. You can even pop tall things in the bag like folding chairs so it can actually carry a large load even though it’s smaller (which is a reason I like that it doesn’t have a lid on top so you can get a lot more in it for your next beach trip/sports day). 

>> Shop for the Gorilla folding cart on Amazon

The best double-decker beach wagon

MacSports Heavy Duty Outdoor Folding Double Decker Wagon


>> Shop for the Double Decker Mac Heavy Duty Cart on Amazon 

Now, this is a wagon that has me excited! It combines the best of the folding beach wagons with a flatbed trolley so you can take all of your beach toys to the sand! The extra flatbed shelf on the lower level gives you easy access to larger items like your beach cabana or chairs and you can put small items (and big things!) in the basket on top. Essentially, it doubles up the storage space. It still has a maximum load capacity of 68kg like the other Mac Wagons but you can spread it out – personally our problem when we go to the beach isn’t that we have too much weight, it’s that we have a lot of bulky gear so this is a great solution. 

Even with the folding shelf at the bottom and the foldable steel frame, the collapsible design means it’s quick and easy to fold out and it has all of the features you’d expect from MacSports (durable fabric, an adjustable handle, cup holders) plus it still folds down into a compact but sturdy beach wagon. The sturdy wheels of this wagon cart are narrower than the Mac Heavy Duty Wagon, but the benefit of this particular cart is more that you can carry a lot more volume of bulky gear rather than the ability to pull it across very deep sand.

I haven’t tried this one yet personally but this could be my favourite beach wagon when I do get my hands on one as I can see so much storage potential with the basket storage compartment AND the flatbed area. 

>> Shop for the Double Decker Mac Heavy Duty Cart on Amazon 

Find the best beach trolley or beach caddy for your needs in Australia or worldwide in 2022

Now that you’ve seen the best beach carts on my list, let me share my tips on choosing the best beach wagon. Australia has incredible beaches and you can enjoy a day at the beach a whole lot more if you go to the beach with everything you need and carry it all effortlessly in a beach utility wagon!

Finding the best beach cart makes your days out sooo much easier and so much more fun! Getting a great beach wagon really did make our days out so much more enjoyable. 

Here are some things to look for when shopping for Australia’s best beach trolleys:

  • How small does the collapsible wagon fold down (and how easy is it to collapse)? Will it offer you easy storage? 
  • How heavy is the foldable wagon for carrying when folded?
  • Is the canvas wagon made from tough and durable materials? Does it have a protective cover to protect it when folded? 
  • Does the beach trolley have all terrain wheels suitable for pulling on soft sand or is it something that you’d drag along the sand?
  • Is the beach cart a heavy duty folding wagon that will last you for years? Does it have a steel frame? 
  • Is it a flat bed wagon or an upright beach trolley?
  • Is it a specialist cart like a beach cooler cart or a wagon for kids to sit in to be pulled?
  • Will you be able to fit all of your sports, beach or fishing gear in it comfortably? What is the load capacity – think about the maximum weight capacity and what you’ll be using it for? 
  • Does the heavy duty beach trolley have an optional lid, table top or side table that you can buy with it?
  • In the beach trolley reviews does it say if it has a telescopic handle, telescoping handle or an adjustable handle? How comfortable it is to pull along? Will it suit your height?
  • Is the foldable beach cart held together when folded (you don’t want it to fall open – it should be held together firmly with velcro or a strap or carry bag)?
  • Is it a beach trolley with canopy made with UV fabric to protect your things from the sun (if that is important to you)?
  • Does the pull along beach buggy also have a fixed handle on the other side to the main handle to make it easier to carry down steps or on more difficult terrain?
  • Does the beach wagon have a brake so you can lock it in place to stop if from rolling away? 
  • How to do the extra-wide wheels of the beach cart perform when being pulled around – is it easy to change direction? Can you make sharp turns? Does it have wide wheels? Does it have removable wheels and replaceable wheels (it’s worth knowing if you can replace wheels if they break). 
  • Does the heavy duty cart have any pockets for your valuables or to hold drinks? Does it come with two cup holders or a built in drink tray? Does it have any other special features?
  • Will the beach trolley be easy to clean? 

Are you obsessed with Australia’s beaches like me? If so check out my Discover Australia posts.

Conclusions about choosing a beach cart with large wheels to use in Australia

Before you invest in a beach trolley in Australia or anywhere else around the world, be clear about what you want to use your beach cart for.

Just because this post is about the ‘best beach wagon Australia has to offer’ it doesn’t mean that you can only use your beach trolleys at the beach! Foldable beach carts make amazing camping companions for all occasions! They’re perfect for taking on days out to the park, they’re great for carrying picnics and drinks on days at the zoo or wildlife park, and they’re great on the first day of school for carrying in all of the school books and stationery to school for your kids (oh my gosh, I have no idea how I coped carrying three stacks of books and stationery before we realised beach trolleys were the solution!).

Pull along beach trolleys and heavy-duty folding wagons have so many uses!

There are lots of beach carts with big wheels on the market, but make sure you think about where you plan on using it (is it a cart for beach days or camping?), how much gear you plan on carrying in it (do you need your wagon to carry beach chairs, coolers and body boards or is it needed to carry kids too?!), how you will transport your folding beach wagon to places (will it fit in your car when folded with the rest of your beach gear?) and how long you want your foldable beach cart to last (I suggest you invest in a beach cart that is going to last you as cheap beach carts are false economy).

Quality beach wagons for sand are a bit more expensive as they are made with durable materials and have extra features and details. If it’s only for very occasional use and carrying lightweight things, a cheap folding wagon could be the best buy for you though if you don’t mind knowing it is going to break at some point.

Read lots of beach wagon reviews like those included in this post about the best beach carts in Australia and around the world. You’ll find that all beach carts with big wheels have some pros and cons – you just need to work out which folding beach cart features are the most important to you so you buy the beach wagon that suits your lifestyle and budget. 

I hope you enjoy your beach trips this summer with your new all-terrain beach wagon! 

Did this post help you choose the best beach cart for your days on the sand? If so, please consider giving it a share!

If you enjoyed this post, you might also like to read…
Choosing a natural mosquito repellent
Read my CoolCabana review
Find out what to pack for the beach

Pinterest image for the ultimate guide to the best beach wagons and the best beach carts

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5 Comments

  1. Jenna

    I was excited to stumble across your page as I’ve had trouble finding a beach wagon. Your two top recommended beach wagons on Amazon cost just as much to post as it does for the item. Very disappointed as this clearly doesn’t suit Australian buyers!

    • KarenB

      Hi Jenna, Thanks for your comment. I include product recommendations that are for sale on other sites and unfortunately I don’t control when they sell out in different countries or what shipping offers are at the time. In response to your comment, I’ve just given the post a full update and removed a lot of products that were either no longer available or that had been marked at crazy high prices and I’ve also switched some of the links to alternative listings of the same products that are available for free international shipping if you sign up to a trial of Amazon Prime. Amazon AU is growing and improving but it’s still in the early days so not everything is available here right now and products do tend to go out of stock or change their links often. I’ll continue to update the post a couple of times a year to make sure that what I’m listing can be obtained in Australia for a reasonable price. Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂

  2. James

    Really helpful post. Thank for sharing

  3. Vish

    Hi! Thanks for this great article. So much information to consider. Did you reach a conclusion as to which one is the best for carting kids around?

    • KarenB

      Thanks a lot! I personally think the Radio Flyers are the best for pulling little kids around as that’s what they were created for – they aren’t the best for carrying heavy goods or pulling on sand but if you want something for days out to pull the kids and a couple of bags then they’re great. And if you can get the one with the canopy I think it’s worth it if you live somewhere hot.