I saw a small group of a dozen of these birds in South Durras, NSW back in March. I spent quite a bit of time afterwards with my book and the Internet but couldn't make an id. The bill looks plover-like to me but I couldn't match the appearence with anything: grey on top and clear white underparts.
The birds were skittering round the dry dunes, not on the wet sand near the water.
I wish I had managed to get better pictures.
Plain grey back. Possible rufous neck? I didn't take notes on the day.
DSCN0750 by Rory Molinari, on Flickr
DSCN0752 by Rory Molinari, on Flickr
White underparts:
DSCN0754 by Rory Molinari, on Flickr
did you consider Double-banded Plover or Red-capped Plover?
Peter
Thanks for the response, pacman.
Double-banded doesn't look right to me: there was nothing on the breast.
Red-capped is much closer. I didn't notice red or brown on the head at the time, but in one of the pictures there is a hint of rufous neck. The grey shoulder spur also matches. After you mentioned these two species I found this page http://www.duadepaton.com/double-banded-plover-charadrius-bicinctus/. The third picture compares the double-banded and a female red-capped; my bird looked very like the red-capped. Grey back, head, and shoulder spur; white underparts; and dark grey legs all suggest female red-capped.
I'll keep comparing some pictures online, but I think you are right about red-capped. Thanks!
I'd say Red-capped Plover.