Written by Craig Seckerson – Header photo credit: Tourism Australia

Ready to Learn More About The Best Off-Road Destinations in Australia

Originally from the UK, I have been fortunate to journey through numerous countries and continents, immersing myself in diverse cultures and experiencing local traditions. I now proudly call the land Down Under home. Australia truly stands out as one of the world’s most diverse destinations offering unforgettable experiences for every kind of traveller. From the vibrant fun cities to wild outback adventures, pristine beaches to ancient cultural landmarks, the country combines natural beauty, unique wildlife, and rich cultural experiences. So wearing my overlanding hat, I have rounded up my Top 5 off-road destinations across Australia. Check them out, and remember to ‘Come and say G’day’. 

1. Cape York Peninsula

The Cape York Peninsula or to give it it’s indigenous name Pajinka “The Tip”, is located in the far North of Queensland. If you drive up Australia’s east coast literally stop at the sea at the most northerly point and you know you have made it to Cape York, any further and your car gets wet in the Torres Strait. It offers a mix of natural beauty, rugged adventure and with one of the oldest civilisations in the world, it has lots of cultural experiences including some of the most significant rock art sites in the world.

Figure 1: Cape York Cave Paintings (Credit: Phil Warring and Tourism and Events Queensland)

The 14 million hectares was originally home to 43 tribal nations each with its own language, while these have been lost since the arrival of European settlers, Traditional Owners still inhabit the region with many different languages still spoken.

Cape York Peninsula offers a variety of 4WD tracks of which are all pretty adventurous, from the iconic Old Telegraph Track (OTT) to the very challenging Cairns Regional Electricity Board or known locally as the CREB Track. The OTT is one of Cape York’s most popular tracks and is generally split into northern and southern sections. They are both exhilarating and full of adrenaline pumping creek crossings, dotted with the odd calming stop or swimming spot (there shouldn’t be any but still check for any croc warnings). I would strongly recommend starting in the south and travelling north as this generally follows the flow of traffic and makes for a more pleasurable journey.

Please don’t think this is going to be an easy track to complete, it is still classed as difficult, and I would recommend allowing at least 2 days to complete either section. The track is changeable with weather conditions and the number of vehicles who pass before you, so if it is your first time taking on the Aussie wilderness, I would highly recommend sticking to the dry season between June and October. Also note, the entrances and exits on a number of the creek crossings are extremely steep and some quite narrow, vehicle damage is quite possible, so take your time, get out your vehicle and survey the track before attempting the crossing.

Figure 2: 4WD on track (Credit: Charlie Ferguson and Tourism and Events Queensland)

The CREB is regarded as one of the toughest tracks Australia has to offer, at just over 60km, it can be achieved in a day, but I would recommend taking your time and enjoy a more leisurely approach over 2 days. The track is graded as 4WD only and extreme, so be warned and plan accordingly, it is recommended to speak to locals before attempting the CREB, as even the slightest rainfall can alter the terrain and make it almost impassable. The local council will close the track if it deems it unsuitable or dangerous, a quick heads up, if you choose to travel a closed road and you get stranded, you will get charged for your own rescue. Towing a van is not advised, however, if the track has been dry for some time and you own a quality off-road camper there is a good chance you will make it, but your nerves will be in tatters.

Figure 3: Driving adventures Rinyirru Lakefield National Park (Credit: Sean Scott and Tourism and Events Queensland)

Bottom line, this place is remote and a long way from anywhere, but that is one of the major draws along with the scenery and its natural beauty. A nature lovers paradise, with a over 300 plant species and 320 different bird species including the endangered Palm Cockatoo (the largest of Australia’s 14 Cockatoo species), and two of the largest living birds in the world, the Emu and Cassowary. Fishing is at another level up in Cape York, with one of the Seven Wonders of the World on its doorstep, the Great Barrier Reef in this region is among some of the most pristine.

The closest port to the reef is located in Cooktown, and a short boat trip takes you to some of the best snorkelling and dive sites anywhere in the world. Over 1500 species of fish, with hundreds of different corals and sponges displaying an amazing myriad of colours. This UNESCO World Heritage Listed site, is a ‘Must Do’ on anyone’s bucket list, it is just an amazing experience visiting an incredible living ecosystem and realising the sheer scale of the Great Barrier Reef.

Figure 4: Ribbon Reef (Credit: Darren Jew and Tourism and Events Queensland)

It’s not all about adventure and discovery, you can just sit back and chill out at some fantastic beaches, Venture east on the rough tracks towards the coast and into the Iron Range National Park and you happen upon Chilli Beach, a spectacular white sand beach with the idyllic coconut palms swaying in the breeze.  What makes it even more enjoyable is it is 4WD accessible and you can stay the night at one of the designated camping areas back behind the dunes.

Figure 5: G’Day Adventure Tours (Credit: Courtney Atkinson/AWOL Family and Tourism and Events Queensland)

If you happen to find yourself in Australia looking for adventure, Cape York Peninsula is probably one of the most rewarding locations to take a four-wheel drive vehicle, however, this is not for the faint hearted. A reasonable sense of adventure is required to endeavour into this unspoilt wilderness, as is a decent knowledge of off-road driving. River crossings and near vertical drops are often hurdles that need to be overcome along the tracks. So before you take on the Cape York Peninsula, remember to do you research, plan your journey, speak to the locals, take lots of water, oh and be CROC-WISE, local authorities don’t put crocodile signs up for the fun of it, so if you see a warning sign, take note as there will be a croc in the water somewhere.

Figure 6: Bush camping (Credit: Sean Scott and Tourism and Events Queensland)

2. Simpson Desert

Probably one of our more challenging 4WD destinations, so let’s get the elephant out of the room, the Simpson Desert is huge, it covers 176,500 square kilometres, sprawls through the Northern Territory, South Australia, Western Australia and a bit of Western Queensland. Australia is enormous and the Simpson Desert is about 2.3% of its total land mass, so as you can imagine, crossing it takes a while. With 1136 sand dunes standing in your way, traversing the desert can take a minimum of 4 days.

There are no proper roads, but there are many tracks, these tracks include the French Line, the Rig Road, and the QAA Line to name three of the most popular. However, be warned only well-equipped four-wheel drive vehicles with low range and high ground clearance should attempt to use these tracks, and they must carry extra fuel and water on-board.

Figure 7: Stillwater Four Wheel Drive Scenic Tours (Credit: Stillwater 4×4 Scenic Tours)

The Simpson Desert is famous for its giant red sand dunes, which can be up to 40m high and 190km long. east to west is the most challenging as the eastern dune faces are generally steeper due to wind direction, with the larger dunes also appearing on the eastern side of the desert and gradually getting smaller as you travel west. This trip is not for the faint hearted and requires lots of preparation and planning.

Figure 8: 4WD on Sand dune Credit: Tourism NT Sean Scott

French Line and QAA are probably the shortest and most used of the tracks, however, they can also be the most difficult to cross due to the number of vehicles using the route and there are also a number of large dunes to cross. Plan ahead and beware that many of the climbs become more difficult due to them being degraded over the course of a season, so an earlier visit is recommended if you are a less experienced 4×4 driver. Rig Road is another major route through the desert, it is also the longest and most southernly track, it was once the easiest to cross, but the erosion of the clay tops has made it more demanding.

Despite the Simpson Desert being remote, the Rig Road track offers a stronger feeling of isolation over French Line and QAA, this is due to their popularity as you tend to see more fellow 4WD enthusiasts on these tracks than you don’t get on Rig Road. There are a number of other tracks that you can explore, but these three are probably a good starting point.

Figure 9: Driving (Credit: Maxime Coquard)

One of the more popular attractions while crossing Simpson Desert is situated 250km south of Alice Springs. Dalhouse Springs also called Witjira-Dalhousie Springs has over 60 natural springs. Good news, swimming is permitted in the main pool, and the temperature is normally a pleasant 36-38 degrees Celsius. This makes it a popular spot for some relaxation and a very unique experience, you never know, you may even get to see one of the rare fish like the Dalhousie Hardyhead that are found nowhere else in the world.

Figure 10: Dalhousie Springs (Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission)

So, if you are into your more extreme 4WD holiday destinations, crossing the Simpson Desert is definitely for you, so I suggest you get planning and prepare to lower your tyre pressures for an adventure of a lifetime.

Figure 11: Witjira National Park (Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission)

3. Flinders Ranges

As Simon and Garfunkel once sang, “And no one dared Disturb the Sound of Silence”, well take it from me, it is well worth it. What a place the Flinders Ranges is, you are miles away from any city, for reference the closest major city is Adelaide which is more than 425km away and the silence is deafening. This is without doubt, one of Australia’s most scenic and diverse regions, you will discover jagged edged mountains, wildlife in abundance through the river red gum lines gorges and blue gum scrub, and a kaleidoscope of colours bouncing off every surface though-out the day. The Flinders Ranges really is a must do destination for any 4WD enthusiast visiting Australia.

Figure 12: Flinders Ranges & Outback (Credit: Isaac Forman)

The tracks have been set by explorers that ventured before you, stockmen, Afghan camel drivers, the Overland Telegraph and the original Ghan Railway. You can always join one of the many guided tours or you can do as we do, and explore alone. There are plenty of tracks within the Flinders Ranges to suit all 4WD skill levels and any time constraints you may have. From a quick and reasonably simple 2.5-hour blast on Escape to Carinya track, where you can witness amazing rock formations and a 600 year old Yakka forest. If you manage to make the 770m climb up to the summit, you will be greeted with magnificent 360-degree panoramic views. If you have slightly more time you can experience Warraweena, a family friendly 200km of self-drive tracks to suit all skill levels.

Figure 13: Hawker, Flinders Ranges (Credit: Tourism Australia)

Warraweena is part of the Northern Flinders Ranges and is renowned for its outstanding rugged beauty and diverse landscapes around every corner, not to mention the amazing wildlife. These include some of Australia’s unique fauna, the Echidna (an egg laying mammal), the Emu and not forgetting the endangered Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby. This cute little creature is about half the size of a Kangaroo and is well adapted to its rocky home, at times showcasing its amazing agility bounding over the terrain and making what can only be described as leaps of faith from one rock to another with absolute ease. Make sure you have plenty of time, as when you find these furry little speedsters, you will want to watch them for hours.

Figure 14: Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby (Credit: Joanne Seckerson)

Other tracks you may wish to check out include:

• Alpana Station
• Arden Hills
• Worumba Experience
• Merna Mora Station 
• Bendleby Ranges
• Skytrek

There are a number of camping options when visiting the Flinders Ranges, these range from bush camping or off-grid, to powered sites with all the amenities. Some are 2WD friendly and others are only accessible by 4WD vehicle, so do your homework. Wilpena Pound (also known as Ikara) is a must for any outdoor adventurers, it is one of the most iconic natural landmarks within South Australia.

Shaped by hundreds of millions of years of geological folding and erosion, this natural basin is a vast ancient amphitheatre of rugged mountains and spectacular scenery. “Ikara” means meeting place in the language of the Adnyamathanha people who are the traditional owners of the land, the Pound and the surrounding areas offer a rich insight into Aboriginal culture, stories dating back generations and many sacred sites. There are many walking trails when you are in the Pound, whether you hike inside or view it from one of the lookouts, the views are breathtaking.

Figure 15: Wilpena Pound (Credit: Tourism Australia / South Australia Tourism Commission)

A fantastic location to stay while in the Flinders Ranges is Wilpena Pound Resort, this offers a full range of powered and unpowered sites with toilets, showers, laundry and a camp kitchen (where everyone meets), this is also 2wd friendly and close to the trails into Wilpena Pound or up to one of the lookouts. Remember your camera (or phone), the scenery is absolutely stunning, and you will see a plethora of wildlife as you journey through these ancient lands. 

4. Fraser Island/K’gari

Located on Australia’s east coast, Fraser Island or to give it its official indigenous name K’gari is the world’s largest sand island. It was listed by UNESCO in 1992 as a World Heritage site, K’gari is the only place on earth where rainforests grow on sand dunes. It boasts diverse landscapes, crystal clear lakes and pristine creeks. It’s also known for its unique dingo population. Above all, it is only accessible by 4WD vehicles so has lots of great off roading opportunities, it is hard to put a number on it due to erosion, tides and seasonal closures, but there is roughly over 200 km of driveable sand tracks in total. K’gari can be completed in a day, but I would recommend taking a more leisurely 3 days to see the sights, have some 4WD fun and do the island justice. 

Figure 16: 75 Mile Beach (Credit: Ferry Tomasowa and Tourism and Events Queensland)

If camping is your thing, there are 3 options on K’gari, there are Beach Front camping zones, which are located along the eastern and western beaches, these are great if you want unparalleled ocean views and be close to the best fishing spots. However, be warned, these are unfenced and wild Dingos will roam through the site, so you have to adhere to the strict safe food storage policy (and never feed them). Next on the list are the inland campsites, these are generally quieter than the beach zones, mainly because it is more of a 4WD challenge getting there. I would highly recommend the inland sites as they are very tranquil, surrounded by forests and full of wildlife. The inland sites are also unfenced, so the same Dingo safe food storage rules apply as the beach front zones. The last camping options are fenced sites, these include locations such as Central Station, Cathedrals on Fraser and Dundubara, these are all classed as Dingo Safe. The fenced sites are certainly more family friendly, ideal for anyone who requires a little more peace of mind with small kids. There are amenities on these sites including showers, BBQs and some have small shops.