9 Best 4WD Tracks in Australia to Flex Your Rig (2025)

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Countries on which these adventures take place who have occupied and cared for these lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

What’s the best way to explore Australia, with her wide open skies that stretch endlessly over red deserts, lush forests, and jagged mountain ranges? By Kombi? By foot? On a bike?  There’s no wrong or right way to tour Australia. However, if you said in a 4WD, well, that’s the most right answer. 

A (good) 4WD can handle almost any terrain, from muddy rainforest tracks to sandy outback paths and beyond. With its rugged build, a reliable 4WD lets you venture off the well-worn routes, allowing you to experience Australia’s wild beauty up close.

The freedom of the open road lets you craft your own journey, discovering the best of Australia at your own pace, in your own trusty rig. So, what are some of the best 4WD tracks and touring routes our beautiful country has to offer? Let’s find out.

Read more: 9 Things to Think About Before Your First 4WD Trip

9 Best 4WD Tracks & Touring Routes in Australia

1. Old Telegraph Track, QLD

Location: Cooktown to Seisia
Distance: 848km
Duration: 4-5 days

The Old Telegraph Track (AKA The Cape York Track) is one of the most iconic 4WD tracks in Australia. Winding its way through Cape York’s tropical wilderness, it once connected the region via an old telegraph line. Nowadays, it’s an epic playground for Explorers seeking a challenge, with river crossings like Gunshot Creek and the Jardine River that’ll make your heart skip a beat or two.

Steep banks and deep waters mean you’ll need all-terrain tyres and solid recovery points, but it’s worth the effort. Along the way, you can cool off in gorgeous swimming spots like Fruit Bat Falls, Eliot Falls, and Twin Falls, while also checking out scenic gems like Old Laura Station, Weipa, Lakefield National Park, and the iconic shores of Chili Beach. 

Read more: The Old Telegraph Track Across Cape York Peninsula

One thing about the 4WD community is everyone always lends a hand even if they don’t know each other. Fellow 4WDer caught out in Nolans Brook | Photo by Grace & Brenton Kelly

2. Simpson Desert Crossing, NT, QLD, & SA

Location: Mount Dare, SA to Birdsville, QLD
Distance: 495km
Duration: 3-4 days

The Simpson Desert Crossing is a legendary 4WD adventure that lets you explore Australia’s vast Outback across three states. Starting in Birdsville in Queensland or Mount Dare in South Australia, you’ll traverse hundreds of kilometres of rolling red dunes, salt lakes, and endless clay pans. It’s home to the world’s longest parallel sand dunes, with Big Red standing tall at about 40m high.

This journey isn’t for the faint-hearted. It requires a sturdy 4WD, plenty of fuel, and heaps of water, but the reward is pure desert magic. You’ll drive along iconic tracks like the French Line and QAA Line, each offering a taste of the harsh yet beautiful landscape. As you navigate the dunes, you might spot wild dingoes, camels, and desert wildflowers. It’s truly an unforgettable Aussie adventure. 

Read more: Simpson Desert Crossing – Driving the Desert in a 4WD

3. Gibb River Road, WA

Location: Kununurra to Derby
Distance: 660km
Distance: 4-5 days

The Gibb River Road takes you right through the heart of the Kimberley region in Western Australia. Starting from Kununurra and ending in Derby (or vice versa), this iconic 660km route is packed with gems like freshwater gorges, waterfalls, and secluded swimming holes, including Bell Gorge and Mitchell Plateau. 

En route, you’ll find breathtaking outback scenery, sprawling cattle stations, and sacred Indigenous rock art at places like the Mowanjum Aboriginal Art and Cultural Centre.

A lot of the road is corrugated, so expect a bumpy ride. However, as it’s a frequented route during the dry season and isn’t as technical as some of the other tracks, it’s suitable for 4WDers with less experience – you still need all the gear though! Overall, the Gibb River Road is a spectacular 4WD touring track that offers a unique look into Australia’s rugged beauty and rich cultural heritage.

Read more: Gibb River Road – Road Tripping Australia’s Most Famous 4WD Track

Good luck getting that dust out | @the.out.fit

4. Oodnadatta Track, SA

Location: Marree to Marla
Distance: 620km
Duration: 4 days

Do you think all outback 4WD tracks are the same and require expert-level 4WDing skills and heaps of recovery gear? Not quite so! Say hello to the Oodnadatta Track. This renowned South Australia 4WD track is perfect for anyone trying off-road driving for the first time, while still packing in enough sights and experiences to amaze even the most seasoned Explorer. 

Stretching 620km from Marree to Marla, the track follows the path of the old Ghan Railway Line and is packed with highlights like Lake Eyre’s stunning pink waters and the charming William Creek, where you can refuel and camp.

In Oodnadatta itself, you’ve gotta stop at the legendary Pink Roadhouse for a warm shower, some pub grub, a beer, and chinwag with some friendly locals. 

Read more: 4 Stops That Define the Oodnadatta Track

Time to hit the road | @joshleonard4x4

5. Mallee Drive, VIC

Location: Wyperfeld and Murray-Sunset National Parks
Distance: 625km
Duration: 4-5 days

Victoria’s Mallee Drive is another of the best 4WD tracks in Australia that has a little bit of everything – classic outback landscapes, pink lakes, towering sand dunes, and woodlands teeming with Aussie wildlife like emus and kangaroos.

The 625km track takes you through Wyperfeld and Murray-Sunset National Parks, following rugged tracks and dusty roads that prove Victoria has outback beauty too. From sweeping views near Lake Agnes to the otherworldly saline plains of Rocket Lake, there’s no shortage of jaw-dropping scenery. 

The pink Lake Becking in Murray Sunset National Park | Photo by Tracy Hind via Flickr | License

6. Kingsford Smith Mail Run, WA

Location: Meekatharra to Carnarvon
Distance: 834km
Duration: 5 days

The Kingsford Smith Mail Run is a five-day adventure through the outback of Western Australia. Starting in Meekatharra, you’ll head west towards Carnarvon, passing through epic landscapes like Mt Augustus, which is 1.5 times larger than Uluru, and the Kennedy Ranges with their striking red rock gorges. 

Refuel at Landor Station, famous for its outback races, and grab a cold beer at the Gascoyne Junction Pub, where the stories are as good as the drinks. Your drive wraps up in Carnarvon, where you can sample fresh local produce (Carnarvon is famous for its mangos and bananas) and learn about the region’s quirky space history – because why not? 

Read more: Kingsford Smith Mail Run – A 5 Day Road Trip in Outback WA

Bumping through the Kennedy Ranges | @pelusey_life

7. Great Central Road, WA/NT

Location: Leonora, WA to Uluru, NT
Distance: 1,200km
Duration: 4-7 days

The Great Central Road is a 1,237km journey that cuts through the Great Victoria Desert, taking you from the Western Australian Goldfields all the way to the iconic Uluru and Kata Tjuta in the Northern Territory’s Red Centre.

Starting at Leonora, about 830km northeast of Perth, this epic adventure heads east into the desert, where you’ll traverse red sands, remote Indigenous communities, and stunning outback landscapes. 

You’ll pass historic roadhouses, salt lakes, and mesmerising desert scenery, eventually reaching the awe-inspiring landmarks of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. It’s a long road trip but a must-do for those who want to experience the raw and unfiltered beauty of Australia’s Outback. 

Read more: A Guide to Driving the Great Victoria Desert from Leonora to Uluru

Rough camping in the desert | @pelusey_life

8. Corner Country, NSW

Location: Broken Hill to Cameron Corner
Distance: 469km
Duration: 3-4 days

The Corner Country 4WD track is an epic track that takes you through some of Australia’s most remote landscapes, where the borders of Queensland, South Australia, and New South Wales meet. Starting from the historic mining town of Broken Hill, the track winds through dramatic terrain including red sand deserts, salt lakes, and the sparse bushland of the Strzelecki Desert.

Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Australia’s 10 Deserts

The route is packed with famous landmarks like the Dog/Dingo Fence and Cameron Corner, where the three states meet. En route, you can stop at Milparinka and Tibooburra, two small outback towns with a fascinating gold rush past, and also check out the vast gibber plains.

With a good mix of gravel, sand, and clay roads, this track is ideal for both beginners and the more advanced 4WDrivers.

Read more: How To 4WD for Beginners

Finally! A corner for all the Camerons out there | Photo by @slider_80 via Flickr | License

9. Binns Track, SA/NT

Location: Mount Dare, SA to Timber Creek, NT
Distance: 2,230km
Duration: 10 days

For the biggest, most epic 4WD touring route in Australia, we’ve saved the best until last – the Binns Track. This mammoth 2,230km track is for serious 4WD tourers only because you’ll be spending at least ten days in your rig, battling some of the most remote landscapes in Aus.

Named after legendary ranger Bill Binns, the route takes you through towering Simpson Desert dunes, stunning East MacDonnell Ranges, rock art, historic gold mining towns, the huge granite domes of Karlu Karlu, Tennant Creek, and Judbarra/Gregory National Park. 

There’s so much to pack into this trip, so if you want the best ‘one and done’ 4WD track, this is it – an unforgettable adventure that showcases the raw, untamed beauty of the Northern Territory’s Outback.

4WD Adventures Essential Gear

A good adventure is a safe adventure! Always know your driving limits (your skills and the ability of your 4WD) and always tour with at least one other 4WD rig.

• Snatch strap
• Shovel
• Recovery tracks
• Air compressor/decompressor 
• Tyre repair kit
• First aid kit
• UHF radio, satellite phone, or PLB
• Wrench and socket set
• Pliers and screwdrivers
• Spare tyre
• Fuel 
• Water
• Tent or swag
• Sleeping bags

Read more: What You Should Carry in Your 4WD Recovery Kit

Well and truly stuck – the recovery tracks got me out of here | @fungshuay

4WD Tracks Australia FAQs

What is the most popular 4WD track in Australia?

The Simpson Desert French Line is one of the best and most popular 4WD tracks in Australia. With its endless dunes and vast desert landscapes, it’s a fan-favourite amongst Australia’s 4WD lovers. 

What are the hardest tracks in Australia?

Tracks like the Old Telegraph Track in Cape York or the Canning Stock Route in Western Australia will challenge even the most experienced drivers with tough river crossings, rocky terrain, and remote conditions.

What is the most remote track in Australia?

The Canning Stock Route also takes the crown for the most remote, stretching over 1,800km through isolated desert country. It requires serious preparation and a well-equipped 4WD. 

Did we miss your fave 4WD track in Australia?

We did it! We whittled down a slew of amazing Australian 4WD tracks to the top nine. 

Did we list your favourite? If not, don’t gatekeep – comment below and tell us the best 4WD tracks you’ve done or want to do in Australia. 

And, for more epic 4WD content, check out our 4WD section which has heaps of great 4WDing inspo.

Feature photo by @fungshuay
TOC photo by @evadavisboermans