Australia is paradise for the 4WD tourer. Every state has serious off-road country; the variety from sand to alpine to desert to tropical is unmatched anywhere on Earth. The hardest part is choosing where to go.

Here are 10 destinations that best showcase what Australian 4WD touring is — from beginner-friendly to genuinely demanding expedition routes.

Photo by 4Wheelhouse on Unsplash

Australia's high country attracts tourers to alpine meadows, imposing range country, icy streams, historic huts. Many old tracks are now walking-only, but plenty remain for 4WDers during the touring season (November-June).

• Recommended tracks: Major Clews Trail + Geehi Walls Trail (south, moderate, great camps); Blue Waterholes Trail (north, scenic)
• Difficulty: moderate
• Best season: December-April
• Camping: dispersed bush + a few established sites

The world's largest sand island. Beaches, freshwater lakes, fishing, dingoes. Sometimes challenging — powdery tracks call for capable 4WD + driving experience.

• Lower tyre pressures essential (15-18 PSI for sand)
• Vehicle permit required
• Camping permits best arranged in advance — many camps fill via internet/phone allocation
• Difficulty: intermediate
• Best season: April-October

Tasmania's wild north-west corner — great escape for dedicated fishers + self-contained travellers. Secluded camping around Arthur River township + coastal tracks heading to Temma + beyond.

• Serious rigs can tackle the water-logged Balfour Track
• Soft-roaders ok for the Western Explorer Road
• Check with rangers for permission to drive sandy coastal sections
• Travel with others for safety
• Difficulty: intermediate to advanced

Photo: 4Wheelhouse / Unsplash

One of Australia's most difficult 4WD treks. Best left until you have considerable off-road experience + a capable vehicle + companions similarly experienced.

• Demanding terrain for almost 2000km of desert
• One small community breaks the journey
• Full self-sufficiency: food, fuel, camping, vehicle repairs
• Effective communications + tyre repair gear essential
• Difficulty: expert ONLY
• 2 weeks plus travel to + from WA

Victoria's Alpine NP is the 4WD mecca during warmer months.

• Beginner-friendly: Talbotville, Howqua Hills, Wellington River
• Experienced 4WDers: Wonnangatta, Blue Rag, Davies Plains, Billy Goats Bluff
• Steep rocky climbs + slippery rutted descents are the daily challenge
• Dispersed bush camps numerous
• Best season: December-April (winter snow closes most tracks)
• Difficulty: beginner to expert depending on track choice

Popular during The Dry (April-October). 4WD tracks vary from easy (Gunlom access) to difficult (Twin Falls access). Wildlife is abundant + fishing is productive — but be CROC-WISE in this frontier country.

• Aboriginal artwork + culture is fascinating
• Numerous bushwalks into escarpment country
• Camping plentiful + glamorous accommodation also available
• Difficulty: beginner to advanced

Photo: Brian Kungu / Unsplash

Beach driving isn't only for northern Australia — beaches around Robe in SA are equally attractive + challenging. Full-sized 4WDs with bagged tyres required.

• Watch the tide — low tide best for driving
• Always travel in company — boggings happen
• Snatch strap + recovery gear mandatory
• Difficulty: intermediate

Australia's most iconic desert + a magnet for adventurous 4WDers. 3-4 days driving between Birdsville + Mt Dare. 1100 dunes between, lurching corrugated climbs each day.

• Full-sized 4WDs + experience required in all party
• Sand flags + UHF radio mandatory
• Summer travel prohibited (April 1 - October 31 only)
• Wood fire restrictions apply
• Difficulty: advanced to expert

1300+km Beadell-built track across SA + WA. Not a "highway" in the modern sense — well-prepared 4WDers + permits only.

• Corrugations hammer your vehicle
• Desert scenery is outstanding
• Beadell-era road relics remain (mostly replicas)
• Roadhouse at Ilkurlka — hot showers + supplies
• Sat-phone or HF radio + tyre repair essential
• Difficulty: expert

700km Derby to Kununurra — wonderful touring country. Remote but not especially demanding. Some rough sections + the notable Pentecost River crossing.

• Station stays + NP bush camps
• Countless gorges, waterfalls, swimming opportunities
• Side tracks for serious 4WDers wanting more challenge
• Difficulty: intermediate
• Best season: May-September

Plotting one of these epic 4WD destinations? Use our Campsite Explorer to find bush camps, station stays + roadhouse stops along the way.

Open Campsite Explorer →

• Cape York permits: parks.des.qld.gov.au/cape-york
• Simpson Desert (Munga-Thirri NP): parks.des.qld.gov.au/munga-thirri
• Canning Stock Route: parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/canning
• Sat phone hire: Available from $20/day at major outdoor retailers
• Track + road conditions: Check state DOT websites + RACQ/RACV/RACWA before departing
• Recovery training: 4wdvictoria.org.au + state 4WD clubs
• Weather + cyclones (BoM): bom.gov.au
• Leave No Trace Australia: lnt.org.au

The right approach is to build up over years. Start with the beginner-friendly destinations (Alpine NP soft tracks, Robe beaches), build to intermediates (Fraser Island, Gibb River Road, Kakadu), tackle the advanced (Anne Beadell, Simpson Desert) once you've got the experience + the recovery skills.

The Canning Stock Route is the bucket-list expedition for serious tourers — but only attempt after you've genuinely earned the experience on lesser routes. Build the kit, build the skills, build the convoy of mates. Then the country opens up.