THE BEST PLACES FOR BEGINNER OFF-ROAD DRIVERS IN AUSTRALIA
- The weather: tracks are given a ranking, but this ranking is for when there are dry conditions. If it has been raining, conditions of the track may be more difficult.
- Terrain: get an idea of the terrain of your track. Steep, rocky tracks will be harder to drive.
- Length: how many kilometres is the track, and how long will it take you to complete? For a first time off-road driver, you may want to choose shorter tracks, rather than ones that will take all day.
- The grade of track: consider what level of difficulty the track is and whether that is appropriate for your vehicle and your skill level.
1. LANDCRUISER MOUNTAIN PARK, QUEENSLAND
One of the most popular off-road destinations in Queensland is the Landcruiser Mountain Park. This is a 10,000 acre 4WD park located two hours from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. There’s over 200kms of track, meaning this is the perfect place to learn how to drive off-road.
2. TALLAROOK STATE FOREST, VICTORIA
1.5 hours from Melbourne you’ll find Tallarook State Forest. It has a huge range of tracks for you to explore, ranging from easy to difficult. There’s a variety of surfaces, including rocky, clay based and low-lying tracks. Remember to check the weather before you go, as wet conditions will make this track more difficult to navigate.
3. BRUSHY LAGOON DAM, TASMANIA
In Tasmania, you’ll find Brushy Lagoon Dam, which is a great track for beginner off-road drivers. Going from Westbury to Brushy Lagoon Dam, this track is around 25 kilometres long and can take about 40 minutes to complete. While this track is easy to complete, it is not recommended driving after wet weather.
4. LINCOLN NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Source: Our Family 4x4 Adventures
Want to try driving on sand dunes? Lincoln National Park is the place to go. Here you’ll find some of the best sand dunes on the Eyre Peninsula. As an added bonus you’ll even get to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the national park and the ocean. To find the sand dunes, you’ll need to follow the Sleaford-Wanna 4WD track.
5. DWELLINGUP, LANE POOLE RESERVE, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
6. BRINDABELLA NATIONAL PARK, NEW SOUTH WALES
Brindabella National Park is 267km west of Sydney and less than 60km west from Canberra. It is 18,454 hectares of national park that’s ready for you to explore. The best time of year to visit is in Spring, as it’s recommended to only drive in dry conditions. There are many different unsealed tracks for you to drive on. Just make sure you check what is open before you leave.
7. REYNOLDS RIVER 4WD TRACK TO TJAYNERA FALLS AT SANDY CREEK, NORTHERN TERRITORY
Within the Litchfield National Park, which is 166km south of Darwin, you’ll find the Reynolds River 4WD track. This track has a number of river crossings and is only open during the dry season. You’ll also get to see some idyllic scenery, such as the Tjaynera and Surprise Creek Falls. This track, which winds through termite fields, will take approximately 3.5 hours each way.
Liked this blog post? Check out other blogs by Yakima, including your guide to roof rack accessories and the ultimate road trip playlist.
Last updated: 25th May 2017