{"id":1535,"date":"2021-04-11T21:43:42","date_gmt":"2021-04-11T11:43:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.autohero.com.au\/blog\/?p=1535"},"modified":"2021-12-29T00:35:11","modified_gmt":"2021-12-28T14:35:11","slug":"the-10-best-australian-4x4-trails-for-your-bucket-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.autohero.com.au\/blog\/the-10-best-australian-4x4-trails-for-your-bucket-list\/","title":{"rendered":"The 10 Best Australian 4×4 Trails for your Bucket List"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s really nothing like the satisfaction that comes with conquering some epic Australian 4×4 trails. Knowing that you\u2019ve navigated to places that many will never reach is a great feeling – and Australia has many of them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Land Down Under really is a 4×4 lover\u2019s dream. All over our sunburnt country you\u2019ll find epic tracks that will push you to the limits and introduce you to some of the country\u2019s most beautiful and fascinating places.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Top 10 Australian 4×4 Trails<\/span><\/h2>\n

While there are hundreds of trails dotted all around the nation, here are the ten that you\u2019ve just got to experience in your lifetime. Yep, these are the top ten Australian 4×4 trails that should be on your bucket list.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Gibb<\/p>\n

Gibb River Road (WA)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Location:<\/b> Kununurra to Derby (northern WA)<\/span><\/p>\n

Distance: <\/b>660km \/ 1-2 weeks<\/span><\/p>\n

When to Go: <\/b>May to September – check roads ahead of time as they can be impassable<\/span><\/p>\n

It made our list of the <\/span>best road trips in Australia<\/span><\/a> so of course it deserves its place here too. The Gibb River Road really is one of those goosebump-inducing adventures that you\u2019ll be bragging about for years.<\/span><\/p>\n

This monumentally spectacular track goes across the rugged Kimberley region of northern WA, taking in natural springs, expansive cattle stations and lots and lots of red dirt. If it\u2019s a true Aussie adventure you\u2019re looking for, this is it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Climies Track (TAS)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Location:<\/b> Trial Harbour to Granville Harbour<\/span><\/p>\n

Distance: <\/b>20km (one way) \/ 2-3 hours each way, 4 – 6 hours return<\/span><\/p>\n

When to Go: <\/b>Year round, but be careful during bad weather<\/span><\/p>\n

On this list you\u2019ll find plenty of well-loved Aussie 4WD tracks, but what we love about Climies Track is it\u2019s a relatively unknown destination. Along Western Australia\u2019s wild west coast, this track is a serious challenge with bog holes, changing elevations and river crossings.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t be fooled by the relatively short distance of this track, it\u2019s an epic adventure and one that relatively few undertake. For your hard work, you\u2019ll be rewarded with jaw-dropping views such as the sea whipped into a frenzy and dramatic waterfalls.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Birdsville Track (SA\/QLD)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Location:<\/b> Marree to Birdsville (north-eastern SA to QLD)<\/span><\/p>\n

Distance: <\/b>534km<\/span><\/p>\n

When to Go: <\/b>April to October is best<\/span><\/p>\n

Like the Gibb River Road, the Birdsville Track started life as a stock route used by the toughest stockmen and women. It\u2019s hard to imagine how intimidating it must have been to attempt this route before phones and GPS.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Birdsville Track snakes through some of the driest and least hospitable Terrain in Australia. Yet, its rugged beauty is undeniable, and it\u2019s always a thrill to spot native Aussie animals along the way. It’s certainly a worthy addition on our list of best Australian 4×4 trails.<\/span><\/p>\n

Oodnadatta Track (SA)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Location:<\/b> Marree to Marla<\/span><\/p>\n

Distance: <\/b>600km\/1- 2 days<\/span><\/p>\n

When to Go: <\/b>the road is open all year round<\/span><\/p>\n

Located in the top right hand corner of South Australia there\u2019s the Oodnadatta Track, not far from another entry on our list – the Birdsville Track. This route follows the old Ghan Railway Line, and it\u2019s another great option for an outback adventure.<\/span><\/p>\n

While the Oodnadatta Track has enough to challenge you, it\u2019s also a good quality road so this is a great track for beginners. Drivers of all abilities will surely love the unique sights along the way, such as the pink Lake Eyre and the pink roadhouse at Oodnadatta.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking for more great SA drives? Check out <\/span>our favourite road trips in South Australia.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Victorian
Victorian High Country, one of the best Australian road trips<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Victorian High Country (VIC)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Location:<\/b> Mansfield to Harrietville (location)<\/span><\/p>\n

Distance: <\/b>300km \/ 2 days<\/span><\/p>\n

When to Go: <\/b>December to April<\/span><\/p>\n

Australia\u2019s best 4×4 trails aren\u2019t just about red dirt (although there\u2019s a lot of that). With the Victorian High Country route, you\u2019ll be treated to some jaw-dropping scenes that include lush greenery.\u00a0 This entry on our list is also unique as there\u2019s a heavy dose of history here, with many abandoned ghost towns harking back from the gold rush days.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While it\u2019s all great fun to drive, there\u2019s the particularly hair-raising, elevated Billy Goats Bluff section to get that adrenaline rush. The Blue Rag Range Track is another highlight.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Old
Old Telegraph Track<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Old Telegraph Track (QLD)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Location:<\/b> Cooktown to Seisia (location)<\/span><\/p>\n

Distance: <\/b>800km \/ Min. 2 weeks, preferably more<\/span><\/p>\n

When to Go: <\/b>May to October (closed in et season)<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got time on your hands and adventure in your veins, then you\u2019d best take a look at the Old Telegraph Track. Heading north from Cape York into Australia\u2019s remote and rugged north-eastern tip, the path is dotted with swimming holes and epic views.<\/span><\/p>\n

This track requires a number of river crossings so it is no walk in the park. It\u2019s best for experienced drivers, and it\u2019s crucial to make sure that you have good quality all-terrain tyres. (We can help you with that! Check out our tyre comparison tool<\/a> here).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"4WD
4WD along the Canning Stock Route, one of the best Australian 4×4 trails<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Canning Stock Route (WA)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Location:<\/b> Willuna to Halls Creek\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Distance: <\/b>1800km \/ 2 weeks+<\/span><\/p>\n

When to Go: <\/b>May to August<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking for a once-in-a-lifetime challenge? The kind that will impress your friends at the pub for decades? If so, you\u2019d better prepare yourself to undertake the utterly epic, almost impossible Canning Stock Route. It even has <\/span>its own Wikipedia page<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Like many of the other trails on our list, this trail started as a humble stock route for some seriously brave, intrepid and resilient stockmen and women. To this day, water sources are generally limited to small wells set up back in the day for stock, and there are almost no amenities along the way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For this reason, it\u2019s advisable to travel in convoy and to be very, very well prepared.<\/span><\/p>\n

Binns Track (NT)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Location:<\/b> Mt Dare (SA) to Timber Creek (NT)<\/span><\/p>\n

Distance: <\/b>2200km\/10 days<\/span><\/p>\n

When to Go: <\/b>April to August<\/span><\/p>\n

Technically this track starts right at the top of South Australia, but the bulk of it sees you adventure through the Northern Territory. Named after a former NT Park Ranger, Bill Binns, this is a serious adventure in the Top End.<\/span><\/p>\n

Much of the trail traverses the unforgiving Simpson Desert, with its seemingly endless stretches of red dirt. There are also plenty of sights along the way including gorges, ruins and rock formations, as well as a couple of tiny townships such as Tennant Creek.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Aerial
Aerial view of Stockton Beach Track<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Stockton Beach Track (NSW)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Location:<\/b> Williamtown to Anna Bay<\/span><\/p>\n

Distance: <\/b>53km \/ 2 hours<\/span><\/p>\n

When to Go: <\/b>Year round<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019re big fans of outback driving, but sometimes you want to change up the scenery. That\u2019s why we’ve chosen the Stockton Beach Track in NSW as one of the best Australian 4×4 trails. As the name suggests, this track takes in stunning coastal views and challenges you to navigate over the soft pale sand.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fun fact – this beach featured in some of the scenes of the action movie, Mad Max, which gives it an extra cool factor. At 53km long (each way), the Stockton Beach Track can be done in a day but we recommend leaving plenty of time to do your fair share of dune bashing while you\u2019re at it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gunbarrel Highway (WA\/NT)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Location:<\/b> Wiluna (WA) to Yulara (NT)<\/span><\/p>\n

Distance: <\/b>1500km\/5 days<\/span><\/p>\n

Best time to Go: <\/b>April to September<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not just the name that we love about this Australian 4×4 track through the remote central Northern Territory. It\u2019s an adventure lover\u2019s playground, with plenty to keep even an experienced driver on their toes – watch out for the washaways in particular.<\/span><\/p>\n

Along the track, you\u2019ll find ruins, amazing viewpoints and natural rock formations that appear seemingly out of nowhere. While you are welcome to adventure along this trail, you do need to obtain a permit from the Central Land and Ngaanyatjarra Councils before setting off.<\/span><\/p>\n

Without wanting to be the fun police, it is important to remember to be very careful driving in the outback of Australia – many of these trails require specialised tyres and equipment, and it can be hundreds of kilometres between fuel stations. A safe vehicle starts with safe tyres – so check out our tyre comparisons here.<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s really nothing like the satisfaction that comes with conquering some epic Australian 4×4 trails. Knowing that you\u2019ve navigated to places that many will never reach is a great feeling… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1535","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-road-trips"],"yoast_head":"\r\nThe 10 Best Australian 4x4 Trails for your Bucket List - AutoHero.com.au<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Australia is an adventure paradise, with many atracks to explore - but which do you choose? 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