At Car Connect we’re known for searching for cars for sale online and finding those hidden gems Australia-wide. This holiday season we thought we’d go a little further. Revealing our top spots (in no particular order) where you can ‘do life’ off the beaten track in a 4WD.
It can be a tough country out there. So please drive safely and check out the latest track conditions on the local tourism site. Also be sure you have the right 4WD and gear that’s fully up to it.
Hope you find this holiday reading inspiring. Let’s get amongst it.
Nine Mile Beach, QLD - Darumbal country
Nine hours drive from Brisbane is Nine Mile Beach. A haven for campers and fishing lovers set in Byfield National Park. Fringed by the Coral Sea and large stands of casuarina trees, as you navigate the dunes you find four campsites with greater and letter degrees of protection from the often bracing ocean winds.
- Myrtella gives you shimmering ocean views but be prepared for those ocean winds
- Melaleuca provides more shelter and shade at the expense of the ocean views.
- Casuarina has top views and is one of the larger camping grounds.
- Pandanus is the box seat premium choice with large shady sites and stunning beach views.
Make sure you get your travel times right as it is only accessible for 2 to 3 hours around low tide.
Haunted Stream, VIC - Kurnia Country
The Victorian High Country is arguably more challenging than any outback adventure.
You’re right in the heart of ‘The Man from Snowy River’ territory here. Savour panoramic views as you cross towering ridgelines or choose to take in the flavour of abandoned 1920s gold mining towns.
Feel like pushing the boundaries? Between Dargo and Ensay, is the Haunted Stream camping spot. Super basic but truly authentic. But be warned, with numerous creek crossings you won’t have a ghost of a chance of getting there without a low-range, high-clearance 4WD
Cape Le Grand National Park, WA - Wudjari Country
WA is Australia’s largest state, so, as you’d expect there is an abundance for every type of getaway.
The lure of the white sandy beaches and the azure waters of the coast between Perth and Esperance makes a trip to Cape Le Grand National Park a standout. After sharing a picnic with lounging kangaroos at Lucky Bay, Hellfire Bay and Twilight Cove are on the menu.
Before settling in under the stars at Le Grand Beach Campground just metres from the ocean.
While you’re in this part of the world, kicking on to Cape Arid National Park and the Thomas Fishery Campground will prove as challenging as it is unforgettable.
https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/park/cape-le-grand-national-park
Dundee Beach, NT - Larrakia Country
The Northern Territory is home to World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park and its equally stunning cousin, Litchfield National Park. Lots has been written about these and their hidden gems at every turn.
We thought we’d zoom in on a different top spot in the ‘Top End’. Welcome to Dundee Beach about a 90-minute drive from Darwin. Isolated beaches, towering cliffs, and mangroves open onto crystal clear waters teeming with marine life. Go past the Dundee township to Native Point, to experience world-class fishing, beach
camping and a once in a lifetime sunset over the Timor Sea. Remember this is ‘salty’ territory, so stay croc-wise.
Davenport Creek, SA - Wirangu Country
Many intrepid travellers take a relaxing dip in the Dalhousie hot springs before joining the French Line across the Simpson Desert to Birdsville in Queensland.
Others can’t resist traversing the Flinders Ranges featuring some of the continent’s most ancient rock formations and pushing on to the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary.
Yet, we’ve chosen our port of call to be Davenport Creek just west of Ceduna. Head out past Denial Bay and you’ll reach the mangrove-lined Davenport Creek camping ground surrounded by vast sand dunes.
The fishing in the creek and off the beach in the Southern Ocean makes packing a rod and reel an absolute must. If you’ve got some extra time on your hands, you’re also perfectly placed to explore the Great Australian Bight with one of the longest continuous stretches of cliffs on Earth.
Willandra National Park, NSW - Wiradjuri Country
Skipping the sand hopper's delight of Stockton Beach and the semi-arid desert challenges of Corner Country, we’ve settled on one of the best outback camping spots in New South Wales.
West of Hillston, you find seldom-seen shady spots under trees right beside the historic Willandra Homestead and shearing shed. A great place to rest your head after a long day’s drive in such rugged desolate beauty.
Looping in the ACT, we’re also big fans of the Brindabella Ranges located just west of Canberra. The 360-degree views from Mt Coree are a must-see and a swim in the waters of Flea Creek is definitely one for the bucket list.
Deep Creek, Bay of Fires, TAS - Pyemmairrener Country
The untamed wilderness of the Wild West Coast of Tassie was our first thought. Picture rugged four-by-four coastal driving exposed to the Roaring Forties! But thinking a little deeper, we decided on this lesser-known gem – Deep Creek.
An hour’s drive northeast of Launceston you’ll hit the community of Gladstone. Take the gravel road to Eddystone Lighthouse in the world-renowned Bay of Fires area and you’ll find yourself in the middle of an amazing stretch of coastline. Time to debunk and set up on the shores of Deep Creek.
Be sure to explore the wide waterway that spills into the Tasman Sea minutes from your tent.
Toughest tracks
We’re all about helping you prolong the joys of new car ownership. So, here’s a shout-out of Australia’s toughest tracks. Definitely for the serious diehard off-roaders, who don’t flinch at getting more than a few dents in the duco. Probably best left for a few years after getting your shiny new ‘forby’.
Surprisingly it’s not the red dirt of WA or the sandy dunes of QLD that is Australia’s toughest 4WD terrain to tame. It’s the big boulders, mud, and orange clay of Victoria’s Ellis Track that is arguably the hairiest you’ll encounter.
1. Ellis Track, VIC
2. Cleb Track, OLD
3. England Track, SW
4. Sandy Cape, TAS
5. Canning Stock Route, WA 6. Binns Track, NT
7. Gunbarrel Highway, WA/NT
