Circumstances:
The pilot reported that he had obtained forecasts and actual weather reports for the intended route. The forecasts indicated low cloud, rain showers and drizzle along the coast, but actual reports indicated that he would get through. After waiting some time for the weather to improve, he departed, following shortly after another aircraft along the same route. In the Batemans Bay area he was unable to proceed further south and found the weather closing in behind. After circling for some time, and with darkness approaching, he elected to carry out a precautionary landing on a beach. During the landing run, the aircraft struck patches of soft sand, resulting in the nose landing gear collapsing and right main gear being torn off.
