With plenty of opportunities to get off grid, explore some back roads and get your rig dirty across the country, it can be hard to know what tracks are worth exploring. We’ve recommended a few tracks and 4WD areas in South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania to explore the next time you want to hit the dirt.
South Australia
Easy – Loveday 4x4 Park
Only 2 hours east of Adelaide just out of Barmera on the Murray, Loveday 4x4 Park is perfect for anyone looking to practice their 4WDing and get their rig amongst it. As South Australia’s most popular 4WD park, there are tracks for every level of driver to test out their skills in a more controlled environment than a rural route with no phone coverage. With camping onsite, it’s the ideal spot to spend the weekend and really get some kilometres under your belt.
For more information on Loveday and all the other activities you can do there check out their website.
Moderate – Robe to Beachport
Anyone whose considered doing a bit of 4WDing in South Australia has probably come across the Robe to Beachport run. It’s a route popular with 4WDers, and there’s a reason for that. The track sticks to the coast, following the golden beaches of the Limestone Coast. Summer is the time to go if you want to tackle the whole track and avoid the blacktop. Having a 4WD, some sand driving experience and recovery gear is essential as there are some tough sections. The whole route takes a few days but there are plenty of campsites along the way to stop in at with bathroom and sometimes camper trailer or small caravan access. If you’re planning to tow a caravan or camper trailer it does pay to do your research on the best campsites to stay at as well as having a capable 4WD electric brake controller.
To learn more about the track check out the Follow Me 4WD website.
Hard – Goog’s Track
About 8 hours out of Adelaide, Goog’s tack ventures north out of Ceduna, through the Yumbarra Conservation Park and to the Trans-Australian Railway at Malbooma. Though it’s just under 200km’s long, it’s worth taking a week to explore the track and all the sights along the way. You will need to travel in the winter months though as it gets too hot in the summer. With no facilities along the way, you will need to have a fully self-sufficient rig with plenty of water, food, fuel, 12V power, and recovery gear available. The terrain varies along the length of the track which is where the challenge comes in. Anyone looking to travel Goog’s will need to have experience crossing sand dunes, mallee scrub, and rocks.
For more information on exactly what to expect on the track check out the 4x4 Australia website.
Victoria
Easy – Grampians National Park
While you can explore parts of the Grampians in a 2WD, to get the full experience it’s worth getting stuck into some of the 4WD tracks in the area. The tracks take you through some amazing natural scenery including waterfalls and fields of wildflowers. As far as 4WD tracks go in the Victorian National Parks, the ones in the Grampians are more beginner friendly. There are plenty of different tracks to explore and the hardest one is only of moderate difficulty. Leaving no trace and driving responsibly is especially important in the Grampians as it’s a national park and many of the flora and fauna in the area are protected.
Moderate – Blue Rag Range
Starting in Bright, in Victoria’s Alpine Region, the Blue Rag Range is great for anyone with a moderate amount of 4WD experience that is looking to level up their skills and challenge themselves. It’s an iconic Victorian high-country track that runs 140km up and along a ridgeline. It’s is full of rough rocky terrain and steep climbs that requires plenty of concentration and skill. You will also need a capable high clearance, low range 4WD to tackle this track, and it’s handy to have recovery gear or a mate on hand to help should you get stuck.
If you’re looking to take on Blue Rag Range, check out the Hema Maps website for all the information you’ll need.
Hard – Billy Goat Bluff
315km north-east of Melbourne, Billy Goat Bluff starts in Dargo. It’s definitely not for the inexperienced driver and traverses some of the steepest terrain that Victorian 4WD tracks have to offer. Because of this, having another vehicle tag along with you as well as plenty of recovery gear and knowledge is crucial. The track is 125km long and will take a full day of driving, but the challenge is worth it as the views from the top are spectacular. Like many of these challenging tracks, your rig will need to be fully 4WD ready with high clearance.
To find out everything you need to know before tackling Billy Goat Bluff, check out the High Country 4WD website.
Tasmania
Easy – Fortescue Bay Track
Fortescue Bay Track, on the east coast of Tasmania, is almost as easy as it gets when it comes to 4WD tracks. Perfect for beginners, it’s only 12km long, only takes 15 minutes to complete and can be done in a fairly basic 4WD. It’s surrounded by beautiful scenery and takes you through some of Tasmania’s oldest forestry areas to Fortescue Bay. No preparation is needed and it’s the perfect location for a day trip, with picnic facilities, fishing, bushwalking, and camping areas at Fortescue Bay.
For more information on the Fortescue Bay track, check out the 4WD Tasmania website.
Moderate – Balfour Track
Located near Tarkine, in the northwest of Tasmania, Balfour Track is about 18km long and takes between 2 and 3 hours to complete. It’s a challenging 4WD track that explores some of the temperate rainforest unique to the area. If you’re looking to have a go at the Balfour Track, having a snorkel is recommended as the most challenging part of the track is a stretch of water crossing that can get deep. The rest of the terrain consists of mud, rocks, and dirt tracks through the rainforest. If you’re in the area or finish the track, the abandoned mining town of Balfour is worth a visit.
Off Road Aussie has all the information you need to tackle the Balfour Track.
Hard – Wellington Ranges 4WD Tracks
Wellington Ranges 4WD Tracks are a series of challenging tracks for the diehard 4WDer. The trails run between Jeffrey’s Track and Montrose Road, only an hour out of Hobart. If you’re going to have a go at the Wellington Ranges 4WD Trails you will need to travel with another vehicle and have recovery gear on board. The terrain varies from a basic dirt track to gravel, rocks, and bushland. It’s steep and you will need to have plenty of 4WDing experience to get out of it unscathed. Especially as only six 4WDs are allowed on a trail at any one time, help can be hard to come by if you get in trouble.
For all the information on the different Wellington Ranges 4WD Tracks check out the 4WD Tasmania Website.
If you’re looking to venture a little further from home, have a look at our recommendations for the best 4WDing in the Northern Territory and Western Australia. To see exactly what gear we use to get off grid, check out our new Toyota Hilux build story.
