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                                    Gunbarrel Highway in the Gibson Desert in Australia’s Northern Territory (photo: AustralianGeographic.com.au)

When you plan on a holiday in Australia, chances are you won’t want to rent a car, but you will want to rent a 4WD utility vehicle, from Budget Trucks.  Even if you aren’t seeking out rugged terrain during your holiday travels, chances are you are going to come across roads that require a 4WD vehicle.  Then, there are those of you who will regularly seek out that “path less taken” and avoid slick city streets the same way most avoid off road travel. This article is for those of you who seek adventure in your holiday drive. We are highlighting some of the top off-road holiday adventures there are to explore in Australia.

1. Cape York Track / Old Telegraph Track

                                  Cape York Track Map (photo: CooktownandCapeYork.com)

Cape York Track (photo: AustralianGeographic.com.au)

Let’s start off at the top; in this case, the top is “The Tip”, the most northern location on mainland Australia. This off road track is in the Far North of Queensland, also known as “The Tip”. You can spend up to several week adventuring and off roading on this track from Cooktown to Seisa. It is 848 kilometres and the best time to travel is from May to October. If you are not from Australia, or not familiar with northern Queensland, one thing to remember is that this is the tropical north, it is hot for much of the year and can get large amounts of rain, especially during the wet season. The Cape York Track is also known as the Old Telegraph Track because it once was this region’s only way to communicate. The track features several river crossings. During your 4WD trek, some of the places to stop include Old Laura Station, Lakefield National Park, Weipa, Thursday Island, and Chili Beach. Cool off and take a dip in some of the many swimming holes along the way like Fruit Bat Falls, Eliot Falls, or Twin Falls.

2. Gibb River Road

                                   Gibb River Road Map (photo: KimberleyAustralia.com)

Gibb River Road (photo: AustralianGeographic.com)

The Gibb River Road runs right through the remote Kimberley Region of Western Australia. This is 4 wheel-driving through the outback! The distance from Kununurra to Derby is 930 kilometres and suggested minimum travel time is 3 days. However, there are Aboriginal settlements to visit, fresh water gorges, and swimming holes to jump in, so you can take your time. There are several excursions you could take to see the national parks of the Kimberley and the falls at Mitchell Plateau. The best time to go four-wheeling here is the dry season May through September; however it is surprisingly popular for such a remote location, so you could try the outskirts of the tail end of the wet season in April if you want to see less people and more open roads.

3.     Binns Track

                             Binns Track Map (photo: TravelOutbackAustralia.com)

                 Binns Track (photo: AustralianGeographic.com)

The Binns Track takes you from the South Australia / Northern Territory border north through the Northern Territory outback.  The distance is only 219 kilometres, but the suggestion minimum travel time is 10 days. That is barely enough time to explore the rugged outback terrain central Australia is known for. The track takes you through many different terrains including mountains, deserts, and vast plains. There are plenty of 4WD challenges including sandy slopes, soft riverbeds, jagged rocks, bogs, bitumen, and bulldust. However, the views in the Simpson Desert, Alice Srpings, and the East MacDonnell Ranges are worth the challenge.

4.     Victorian High Country and Billy Goats Bluff

                             Victorian High Country and Billy Goats Bluff Map (photo: Google Maps)

  Victorian High Country and Billy Goats Bluff (photo: AustralianGeographic.com)

The trip from Mansfield to Harrietville in Victoria is different from most of the other four wheel drive tracks we are featuring today. Rather than rugged outback type terrains, this is mountain off roading. There are tall peaks in this region where you can enjoy panoramic mountain views as you wind through the mountainous ridgelines. The distance is 306 kilometres, and suggested minimum travel time is 3 days. That gives you time to stop and explore the abandoned mining towns which give you a glimpse into how life was in these mountains 100 or 200 years ago. Beware of Billy Goats Bluff; it is a steep part of this track which takes you 1480 metres above sea level over only 6 kilometres with changing surface conditions.

5.     Stockton Beach

                         Stockton Beach Map (photo: 4wdbdsmgetaway.net)

Stockton Beach (photo: AustralianGeographic.com

We are rounding out our top 5 Australian four wheel drive tracks with another unique track. This one is for off-road beach enthusiasts who like to drive in the sand. Stockton Beach track is in New South Wales and is accessible all year round.  It can be just a day trip through the sand dunes and steep obstacles. When you aren’t exploring the area in your vehicle, you can explore the 1974 wreck of the MV Sygna right at the beach and shallows during low tide.