It’s no secret Australian’s love exploring getting off the beaten track in a 4WD and exploring our huge backyard. However often the best 4WD tracks are the hardest to come by.
Whether you’re new to 4WDing or have exhausted all of your regular haunts, we have prepared some ideas on where you can next explore on an off-road adventure.
Local 4WD clubs and associations, as well as state tourism websites are a great place to start, providing tips and ideas for 4WDing all across the country.
VICTORIA
There are plenty of choices for those looking to explore Victoria’s 4WD tracks, with the state offering a diverse range of national and state parks suitable for 4WD enthusiasts. Whether it’s a short day trip or extended tour, Victoria’s extensive track network and beautiful scenery will cater to all levels of skill and expertise.
Victoria has it all, from desert, beach and rainforest to snow and mountains. Good places to get your 4WD fix are the Halls Gap region and Grampian National Park. Equally worthy 4WD locations are the Otway Ranges, Mount Hotham and the Snowy River National Park.
Be sure to check if the track you are planning to travel on is suitable for your skill level. There is a classification system for public 4WD tracks in place in Victoria, with a four level colour coded system indicating the degree of difficulty. The chart ranges from easy to very difficult.
For inspiration for your next Victorian trip, visit http://parkweb.vic.gov.au or http://www.4wdvictoria.org.au.
NSW
Four wheel drive enthusiasts will love getting off the beaten track in NSW, with the state offering both coastal and inland off-road drives to explore.
With many diverse terrains and views, NSW packs beautiful coastlines, mountain ranges, waterways and snowy maintains.
Four wheel drivers should check out tracks in the Great Dividing Range, the picturesque Blue Mountains, Wadbillinga or Deua National Park.
Visit NSW has plenty more fantastic ideas, including suggested itineraries for both north and west of Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
QUEENSLAND
Lush rainforests, expansive outback terrains and luxe coastlines are just some of what makes diverse Queensland an extremely popular 4WD destination.
Just waiting to be explored are places such as the popular Cape Palmerston National Park in QLD, offering great beach tracks and places to camp and fish.
Fraser Island is another option for those who love the beach - featuring many kilometres of white sand, wildlife and rainforest.
Popular 4WD tracks can also be found in the Border Ranges National Park, Landcruiser Mountain Park, Cape Palmerston National Park and Cordalba State Forest.
More Queensland 4WD ideas and essential information can be found by visiting local clubs such as Queensland 4x4 Club.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
South Australia has an extremely generous offering of 4WD tracks, suitable for a range of experience levels. For those looking to explore South Australia, be sure to put areas such as the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, Eyre Peninsula and the Little Dip Conservation Park on your shortlist.
South Australia contains some extremely remote and beautiful places which can be explored through the state’s national parks – ranging from picture-perfect beaches on the coastline to amazing red desert dunes.
Further South Australia trip ideas and tips can be found at https://www.environment.sa.gov.au.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
It’s no wonder Western Australia is so highly regarded for 4WDing, with stunning beaches at Margaret River, beautiful views in the Namburg National Park and the rugged ranges of the Kimberley all with fantastic trip potential.
Given the Western Australian outback is so diverse, be sure to visit local 4WD clubs or associations for insider knowledge before you begin planning your trip. 4WD Club WA and Four Wheel Drive WA are a bountiful resource for local 4WD tips and advice.
TASMANIA
Australia’s smallest and only island state, Tasmania, is big on impressive 4WD tracks. Tassie’s much-loved Cradle Mountain offers a rough and muddy terrain that will be sure to create an exciting ride, meanwhile Freycinet is one of the state’s most popular national parks, with a stunning landscape that takes in pristine beaches and red granite peaks. The 40km expanse of Henty Dunes on the west coast may also be calling your name.
Regardless of the type of scenery you are looking for, Tasmania’s Parks and Wildlife Service offers a wide variety of maps and instructions for maps across the state, ranging from easy to difficult.
