A joyride along a non-4WD beach in a stolen vehicle has ended in irreparable damage to a century-old shipwreck on the New South Wales Mid North Coast.

Key points: NSW Police and the OEH are investigating damage to protected shipwreck the Mid North Coast

NSW Police and the OEH are investigating damage to protected shipwreck the Mid North Coast Two of the most prominent parts of the wreck were smashed off in the incident

Two of the most prominent parts of the wreck were smashed off in the incident Penalties for interfering with historic relics include imprisonment and fines of up to $1m

The perpetrators mowed down the prominent, visible parts of Buster — a 310-tonne timber barquentine — that is mostly buried deep beneath the sand.

Early morning walkers along Woolgoolga's main beach were furious to find two pieces of the treasured wreck broken from the main structure.

"It's pretty devastating news for Woolgoolga [with Buster] being such a large part of its local history and maritime history," resident Sam Newman said.

"The two most prominent parts that we see on a daily basis, now that's gone."

The Canadian-built, 39-metre vessel has been a fixture on the main beach for tourists and locals since it washed ashore in 1893.

The protruding parts serve as signposts for the buried wreck, which is only fully exposed during major storms every few years, and Mr Newman said it is now difficult find.

Police have publicly appealed for information about a group of people who drove a stolen, black Mitsubishi Pajero onto the beach on Monday night.

The car was found abandoned at a nearby village.

The 4WD tracks from a stolen car that drove over the site of the protected, historic shipwreck. ( Supplied: Sam Newman )

Jail time, big fines for damaging relics

NSW Police and the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) are continuing to investigate the incident, which could lead to very serious penalties.

The Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 states those who damage a protected shipwreck face up to five years jail and a fine of $21,000.

Maritime archaeologist, Brad Duncan says Buster is the best preserved wreck in the country. ( Supplied: Brad Duncan )

Because it is situated at the low tide mark, shipwrecks like Buster fall under Commonwealth jurisdiction, whereas state laws cover wrecks inside sheltered bays and rivers.

OEH Maritime archaeologist Brad Duncan said the penalties are "a big incentive" not to damage or disturb maritime relics.

Dr Duncan has conducted research at the site when it has been fully exposed, as it was in 2012, to help create 3D models that assist in tracking the state of the wreck.

An outline of what Buster would have looked like when it shipped timber in the 1800s. ( Supplied: Department of Primary Industries )

"It belongs to everyone, not just to the government agencies," he said.

"This is one of the best preserved wrecks that I've ever seen anywhere in the country."

He said the tale of how Buster ended up at Woolgoolga's main beach is an "interesting story with a good ending."

How Buster ended up here

According to heritage records, a wall of water smashed into the side of the boat, broke the anchor chain and swept it out into heavy surf while the crew attempted to secure it at the Woolgoolga Jetty on the evening of February 17, 1893.

"The whole night the poor crew were climbed up into the rigging, saying their prayers, thinking they were going to die," Dr Duncan said.

"And as the sun dawned, they looked down and the vessel was high and dry on the beach and they just got down and walked down on the shore to the jetty."

Dr Duncan is confident Buster's story will live on through the local community, which he said is passionate about the wreck.

The vessel Amphitrite, similar in make and age to Buster, gives an idea of what Woolgoolga wreck would have looked like in the 1800s. ( Supplied: David Greenhalgh )

For his part, Mr Newman wants to ensure Monday's "unfortunate one-off" never happens again.

He has liaised with local authorities about the two damaged pieces of the ship, which he has removed from the beach for safekeeping.

"I would like to see them definitely kept in the local area though, not sent off to an outside maritime museum or anything like that," he said.