Weekly passes were withdrawn from sale last week and only those with annual or monthly permits will be allowed access.

It is estimated more than a thousand vehicles accessed the beach last Australia Day, which is traditionally the park's busiest weekend.

The Belmont Wetlands State Park board hopes the measure will reduce the number of 4WDs on the beach by about 50 per cent.

"We have had some horrendous weather here and around the country with the fires and it has really brought to a head how dangerous this sort of situation can be," state park chairman Jamie Wadley said.

"A lot of our sister parks up and down the coast have decided to close outright, that would have been the easy answer for us but we decided we have an obligation to our people who want to come somewhere like this and enjoy Australia Day.

"We decided to do the best of both and restrict the numbers but still give people access to the park without pulling the pin on it."

Six park rangers, police and a private security contractor will patrol the beach over the long weekend to ensure compliance.

"We have got people who will be on the gate today and on the weekend who will be looking for beach permits. Anyone who doesn't have a valid permit will be turned away," Mr Wadley said.

"There is no way they can buy a permit online or through the agencies this weekend."

Weekly passes will be back on sale from Tuesday February 28.

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