The Sunshine State is famous for many things: beaches, forests, hinterlands, theme parks and weather that the rest of the country can only dream about. For a state with such varying landscapes, it may not come as a shock to you that the best way to traverse this great state is from the front seat of your 4WD.
Read on as we highlight some of the best 4WD tracks in and around Brisbane. No experience? No worries. We have also highlighted the hardest and easiest tracks for beginners and, for a special treat, the best tracks near some of those famous beaches. So happy reading, and good luck with your next 4WD adventure.
North Stradbroke Island 4WD Track
This one is special because it’s not just a road journey but also a sea journey. Taking one of the Stradbroke Ferries will get you to the island on the first leg of your adventure to some stunningly beautiful island sites famous for its sand dunes and picturesque views.
- Destination: North Stradbroke Island
- Distance: Approximately 30km east from Brisbane to the ferry terminal (45 minutes drive), followed by a 1-hour ferry ride.
- Fees: Ferry fare (check Sealink for current prices), 4WD permit required for beach driving
- Difficulty: Choose your own adventure style with sealed roads, more challenging tracks and beach driving so you can select your level of challenge.
- Don’t miss: Pack your snorkel because no matter what time of the year you visit, there are manta rays, coral reefs and more tropical fish than you can count to discover. Visit Stradbroke Island for more information
Mount Mee Forest Drive
From the beach to the trees, the next 4WD track will make you think you are in a completely different state, not just 70 km from central Brisbane.
- Destination: Mount Mee Forest Drive
- Distance: 71km from Brisbane, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes drive. The forest drive itself is 16km long.
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate with optional short tracks you can take off the main thoroughfare for more advanced drivers.
- Fees: No entry fees, but camping fees may apply at Neurum Creek or Archer campgrounds.
- Don’t miss: Pack your tent and stay the night; Neurum Creek or Archer campgrounds offer overnight stays and more time to enjoy the forest views and immerse yourself in nature. Check Queensland Parks for more details
Condamine River Track
A few water crossings and rough roads make this track perfect for beginners to test their limits and improve on a few essential 4WD skills.
- Destination: Condamine River Track
- Distance: Approximately 140km from Brisbane, 2 hours 15 minutes drive. The track itself is about 21km long with 14 river crossings
- Difficulty: Depending on the water levels and condition of the track, this relatively simple course will take 40- 50 minutes to travel across the track’s 14 river crossings.
- Fees: No entry fees.
- Don’t miss: Some beautiful, wide-open spaces and places to stop along the track for a picnic.
Moorgumpin/ Moreton Island sand tracks
Swimming, fishing, camping, Moreton Island has everything you could want in a 4WD adventure.
- Destination: Moorgumpin/ Moreton Island sand tracks
- Distance: 47km via ferry from Brisbane (1 hour 15 minutes), ferry ride is approximately 75 minutes.
- Difficulty: there are multiple tracks you can take on the island that range from beginner all the way to advanced, including a fair amount of beach driving, so pack your air compressor/ decompressor and drive carefully (check out our blog on sand driving to learn all the tips and tricks).
- Fees: Ferry fare, vehicle permit required ($55.90 per month)
- Don’t miss: If you plan to stay the night, North Point Campground is our pick for best spots as its large grassy camp spots are protected from the sun and close to the stunning blue water. Check Queensland Parks Moreton for more details.
Lennox Head Beach Track
Taking us down south of the NSW/QLD border, this 4WD track combines some endless sand driving with some of the best waves in the southern hemisphere.
- Destination: Lennox Head Beach
- Distance: This one is a journey from Brisbane, about 190km heading south (approximately 2 hours 30 minutes drive). The 4WD track is 10km long.
- Difficulty: The 4WD route is a short track that’s only 10km long but with plenty of chances to stop and enjoy the waters, making it a rather simple drive.
- Fees: No specific fees mentioned, but check for any parking or access fees.
- Don’t miss: Pack your surfboard as the area is a designated National Surfing Reserve, so the waves should not be missed. Consider staying at Reflections Lennox Head Holiday Park for accommodation.
Bellthorpe National Park track
For the sheer variety of tracks, the Bellthorpe National Park holds the title as the most advanced track near Brisbane, where you can challenge yourself on creeks, rock pools, forest, and cascades across the track with multiple entry and exit points, allowing you to create a journey that suits you.
- Destination: Bellthorpe National Park
- Distance: 85km north-west from Brisbane
- Difficulty: Varied tacks with difficulty also depend on recent weather, as wet conditions and high waters can make some of the tracks quite tricky to navigate.
- Don’t miss: If the water isn’t too high, you can find so many spots along the track to stop and take a swim.
Janowen Hills 4WD Park (Great for Beginners)
Located in the Goomburra Valley, the Janowen Hills 4WD Park is perfect for beginners and even includes a buddy system for added safety to ensure you aren’t attempting the tracks alone.
- Destination: Janowen Hills 4WD Park
- Distance: 160km southwest of Brisbane. It should take 2 hours to travel there.
- Difficulty: With multiple tracks of varied terrains, including rocky gullies, you can choose an easy, moderate, or difficult adventure.
- Fees: $30 per day access fee, camping fees vary.
- Don’t miss: You can bring your pooch along to this one, so don’t miss out on all the adventures you can have with your furry friend. Check Janowen Hills for more information.
Bribie Island
We’ve listed a lot of islands on this list, and there is a good reason; QLD and the Brisbane area are surrounded by some of the most picturesque, and our final 4WD track recommendation is one of the most popular.
- Destination: You don’t need a ferry ticket for this one; you can access this island from the easy-to-travel bridge on the mainland.
- Distance: Only 1 hour and 45 minutes from Brisbane.
- Difficulty: Choose to circle the entire island. You can go either clockwise or anticlockwise. The island includes moderately complex sections that you should not attempt for 2 hours on either side of high tide, so keep an eye out.
- Fees: No bridge toll, but check for any permits for beach driving.
- Don’t miss: The WWII naval defence fortifications on Bribie Island were an integral part of Australia’s “Brisbane Line” of defence during the war, and you can still visit essential elements of Fort Bribie Island today.
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