It is no secret that most 4WD owners in Australia love to get the tyres of their machines dirty by putting them into some real off-road action. Well, if you are one of these people, you are probably wondering where you can put your car to the test during the weekends or in the summer.
Keep reading because, in this article, we have discussed the eight best 4×4 tracks in Australia.
1. Victoria High Country
The Victoria High Country track starts in Mansfield and passes through the Howqua River before climbing into one of Australia’s famous national parks – the Alpine National Park. This 4×4 track also presents you with an opportunity to traverse the Howitt Plain and come across Grant and Dargo. As you leave Dargo High Plains Rd, you can choose to take your adventures a notch higher by visiting the ridge top drive situated on the Blue Rag Range.
The ridge top drive ends on the Blue Rag Trig Point, which is roughly 1718 metres above sea level. At this point, expect to be presented with a 360-degree panoramic view of the countryside nearby as well as the Feathertop, Hotham, and Bogong regions. This track ends in Harrietville and even provides you with a chance to start another trip in case you find yourself beside Mount Beauty.
At a Glance
- Location: 516 kilometres northeast of Melbourne
- Distance: 306.16 kilometres
- Terrain: Rock and dirt
- Travel Time: Three to four days
- Difficulty: Moderate to hard
- Best Time to Travel: December to April
2. Canning Stock Route (CSR)
There is a reason why the Canning Stock Route is commonly referred to as the “last frontier”. Stretching up to around 1850 kilometres from Wiluna (its southern end) to Billiluna Community (its northern end), the CSR is one of the longest, and, of course, the trickiest 4×4 tracks in Australia. It is one of the most remote 4WD tracks not just in Australia but in the entire world.
Along this track, you will come across zero towns, plus, there are no vital services. Support for emergencies is not there either. It, therefore, makes sense when people who are not so good at car repairs or just getting started in the 4WD adventures are discouraged from opting for this route. Additionally, the CSR traverses the Great Sandy Desert, the Little Sandy Desert, and the Gibson Desert, which further makes it a trickier track for most 4×4 owners.
At a Glance
- Location: 1156 kilometres northeast of Perth
- Distance: 2006.21 kilometres
- Terrain: Dirt roads and sand
- Travel Time: 16 days
- Difficulty: Very hard
- Best Time to Travel: May to August
3. Gibb River Road
There are a couple of primary routes that traverse the Kimberly Region. Of them, the Gibb River Road is the most preferred by adventure seekers in Australia. Well, one of the reasons this 4WD track is popular is that follow it and you will get to see the majority of gorges, which are the key highlights of Kimberley.
The landform here is rugged and combines with the vast expanse of remoteness to make sure everyone who visits this place has a story to tell when they go back home. The peak season starts in May and ends in September. During this period, you are likely to find yourself sharing a camp with many other camping enthusiasts.
Now, some people love solitude. And if you happen to be one of them, then all you need to do is keep off the main route such as south to Mornington and north along Kalumburu Rd.
At a Glance
- Location: 249 kilometres north of Brisbane
- Distance: 929.28 kilometres
- Terrain: River crossings, rock, dirt, and sand
- Travel Time: Three days
- Difficulty: Moderate to hard
- Best Time to Travel: May to September
4. Wollemi National Park
If you are not so experienced in off-road driving, the Wollemi National Park should be your go-to 4WD track. Just 100 kilometres from Sydney, this national park is an excellent destination for weekend trips. The 492,976-ha park is unsurprisingly the largest wilderness area in New South Wales. It has a fantastic maze of canyons, cliffs, and virgin forests.
Furthermore, a visit to this park will give you a chance to come across a spectacular trek. The trek starts in Windsor and goes all the way to Newnes. Plus, you will find it in some of the South Western sections of Wollemi National Park. You must, however, note that the road, which leads to Newnes can be a bit tricky to drive on. It is unsealed and tends to vary quickly.
At a Glance
- Location: 272 kilometres northwest of Sydney
- Distance: 177.54 kilometres
- Terrain: Sealed roads and dirt
- Travel Time: Two days
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
5. Simpson Desert
What makes the Simpson Desert one of the best 4×4 tracks in Australia is its location. It is situated across the corners of three states, which are South Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland. That being said, you can explore the entire Simpson Desert in just a single trip. All you need to do is take the “Combined Route”.
Besides, the whole of Simpson Desert has three major tracks; Simpson Desert WAA Line, Simpson Desert Rig Road, and Simpson Desert French Line. If you use these three routes, you will cover a distance of 570 kilometres. Ideally, you must note that you can traverse the Simpson Desert either from East to West or West to East. Also, you must note that only wheel marks and ruts in the sand define tracks in this area.
At a Glance
- Location: 982 kilometres northwest of Adelaide
- Distance: 569.46 kilometres
- Terrain: River crossings, rock, sand, and dirt
- Travel Time: Three days
- Difficulty: Moderate to hard
6. Binns Track
Every adventurer seeker wants to see and be part of gorgeous landscapes as well as historical sites. Well, that is exactly what the Binns Track offers. Snaking through NT, this 4WD track boasts challenging terrains that will no doubt leave any car enthusiast thrilled.
There are deserts, mountains, and even vast plains of grass that stretch to the horizon. But the phrase “no sweat, no gain” applies here as well. That is to say, for you to visit and experience all the sites this track has to offer, you must drive through jagged rocks, riverbeds, bulldust, and bogs.
Another reason why most Australian residents love Binns Track is that it also takes people back in time with its pieces of Aussie history. In this area, there are cattle stations of Burra as well as historical mines of Tennant Creek.
At a Glance
- Location: Mt. Dare on the border of NT and SA to Timber Creek in NT
- Distance: 2,191 kilometres
- Travel Time: 10 days
- Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
- Best Time to Travel: April to August
7. Fraser Island
This list would not be complete without the biggest sand island in the world. We are talking about Fraser Island, which is located in the southern part of the Great Barrier Reef that is only 15 kilometres off Maryborough’s coast and Hervey Bay. Fraser Island is particularly a great destination for those who love fishing.
All you need to do is pitch camp up north to the eastern beach towards Eli Creek. In this region, you will be able to easily access lots of wonderful fishing spots such as Moon Point, Orchid Beach, Sandy Cape, and Maheno. Ideally, you should use various base camps at different locations. Well, this will prevent you from driving long distances, which, in turn, means more leisure time.
At a Glance
- Location: 352 kilometres north of Brisbane
- Distance: 391.5 kilometres
- Terrain: Sealed roads, beach, and sand
- Travel Time: Three days
- Difficulty: Moderate
8. Cape York
It is safe to say that Cape York is one of the most sought-after adventure destinations in the world. This place is where all the most popular 4×4 tracks merge. These include CREB Track’s steep clay climbs, the phenomenon that surges up the Old Telegraph Track, and the wind-swept beaches of the Starcke Coast, among others.
Add this to the fact that the whole of Cape York is only practically open for a 4×4 drive from April to October and you have a dream place to quench your thirst for adventure. Well, if you want to know why this area is closed during certain months, is because road conditions are not so good during this period. Plus, there tends to be monsoonal flooding during these months.
At a Glance
- Location: 2,681 kilometres northwest of Brisbane
- Distance: 848 kilometres
- Terrain: River crossings, rock, sand, and dirt
- Travel Time: Three days
- Difficulty: Hard
From Australia’s 4WD tracks that are easy to navigate to those that should only be left to seasoned 4×4 drivers, we have it all in this post. The above eight tracks promise to redefine adventure by taking you to places you have never been.
Checklist for Off-Road Driving
Before you leave on your big 4×4 adventure, remember to take with you:
- GPS navigation
- Tool kit
- Recovery tracks
- First-aid kit
- Window Sox, especially if you plan to visit such 4WD tracks as Canning Stock Route and the Simpson Desert.
- Spare tyres and tyre-changing tools
- Fire extinguishers (such as the Firestryker)
- Emergency communication devices
- Camping gear for an extended stay
Made of a long-lasting fine mesh, Window Sox ensures you are well-prepared for off-road trips by providing unrivalled UV protection from passengers, pets, and the upholstery of your car.