Boasting fresh air, rugged mountain ranges, beautiful beachside bluffs and verdant forests, Tasmania is a must-visit for adventurous nature lovers.
It’s also home to some of the most challenging, fun and rewarding 4-wheel drive tracks known (and not-so-well-known) to man.
Let’s hit 10 of them…
1. Mount Huxley Track, Queenstown
Looking for a track that will test and reward in equal measure?
Head to the West Coast to navigate 16 kilometres of steep, stunning terrain.
This 2–3 hour return trip from Queenstown delivers thrills and outstanding views of Lake Burbury.
It’s one for the adventurous, especially in winter, so travel in convoy and pack recovery gear.
After testing your mettle on road, recover at the free lake campsite at the edge of Tasmania’s World Heritage Wilderness Area.
2. Jefferys Track, Wellington Park
Originally passages for emergency vehicles following Hobart’s historic 1967 fires, five tracks in Wellington Park are now open for recreation.
Experienced drivers will enjoy the rugged 14-kilometres of Jefferys Track, which runs from Lachlan to Crabtree.
Moderately difficult, it provides panoramic views over both the Derwent and Huon Valleys, with stretches of stunning Aussie Bush between.
For something a little less challenging, hit the Park’s Collins Cap Track, an 11-kilometre, one-way stretch, taking roughly half an hour.
Camping is allowed in the Wellington Park Natural Zone, but you must register and grab a key for entry.
3. Montezuma Falls Track, Rosebery
Tasmania’s wild West Coast prides itself on being ‘a little outside your comfort zone’ – where, as we all know, the best things happen.
Things like The Montezuma Falls Track.
Just off the Murchison Highway, before Rosebery, this drive has it all – lush rainforest juxtaposed with discarded mining gear, tight, hill-flanked turns, and fun driving.
At the fork, go left to complete the track (or right to do Ring River), and enjoy peaks and troughs down to the (pedestrian) suspension bridge, and impressive 104-metre waterfall.
You can’t camp in the falls area, so this is a great day trip, but if you want to stay, you can camp free in Rosebery.
4. South Bruny Range Track, Bruny Island
Twenty minutes on the ferry from Kettering, near Hobart, lies Bruny Island, a rugged spot perfect for driving.
The South Bruny Range Track gives drivers the chance to drive along Cloudy Bay Beach and through the Hinterland, winding away from the aptly-named Adventure Bay.
An easy track that can be tackled alone, this drive is a great place to perfect your sand-driving skills.
Best of all, there’s free basic camping, right on the beach. You’ll need a permit and park fees apply.
5. Jacobs Ladder, Ben Lomond National Park
If you’re boasting about 4-wheeling through Tassie, prepare to be asked if you’ve conquered the famous Jacob’s Ladder, a dizzying labyrinth 50 clicks from Launceston.
Fourteen kilometres long, the terrain’s not overly challenging, but the sheer height, zig-zags, and precarious cliffside drops as you wend your way up Ben Lomond Mountain, are.
Here, restrictive speeds are a blessing, not just for safety, but also because they afford you time to drink in the jaw-dropping vistas.
If you want a rest before tackling the drive, a small campsite lies just inside the park, below Ben Lomond’s summit.
6. Siamese Water Track, St Helens
If you like to turn off-road experiences into weekend events, the Siamese Water Track’s for you.
11 kilometres from St Helen, this scrubby drive sits in the middle in terms of difficulty.
Untamed bush leaves the track sometimes unmarked – and hard to pick out – which is great for brushing up on your skills, but not so great for your paintwork.
Still, if you’re not precious about your chassis, it’s an enjoyable ride with a water crossing.
Free camp at the Bay of Fires and enjoy excellent salmon and bream fishing at Grants Lagoon.
7. Fortescue Bay Track, Tasman National Park
For first-timers, the 12-kilometre Fortescue Bay Track offers an easy, scenic drive.
While experienced drivers won’t find the short track itself thrilling, it’s worth it for the area’s natural beauty, and great fishing, hiking and camping.
Set in the stunning Tasman National Park, about 1.5 hours from Hobart, this is one of many little tracks to get you back to nature.
A park pass is needed, and Fortescue Bay Camp offers hot showers and campfires by the sea.
8. Climies Track, Heemskirk
At the opposite end of the ‘challenging’ spectrum lies Climies Track, a tough 40-kilometre round trip just for advanced drivers.
The terrain on this 4WD track is unforgiving – steep, rocky and often eroded – and it’s best to travel as a 4X4 group.
Along this wind-swept ocean track, you’ll traverse the hills, cliffs and waterfalls of the gorgeous Mount Heemskirk Regional Reserve.
After a thrilling day spent navigating bog holes, ascents and river crossings, camp at Trial Harbour, a free site popular with self-sufficient travellers.
9. Ocean Beach, Strahan
If your idea of great 4-wheeling sees you deftly navigating imposing sand dunes and foamy ocean, then you’ve met your match.
While not the toughest track, Ocean Beach does test your sand (and sometimes quicksand) skills to get your heart racing.
Best done in tandem, this drive offers spectacular coastal views and top-notch fishing.
Stay a while at Macquarie Heads Camping Area, an affordable home base for campervans, caravans and motorhomes.
10. The Wyniford Weir Track, Weldborough
Adrenaline junkies who love bumping up and over rocks, knowing there’s no turning back, will enjoy this terrain.
A good 3 hours, this road encompasses some fairly deep river crossings and loads of step-ups, so ensure high clearance and carry a winch.
Roll-overs are possible here as dramatic dips dot the track. After rainfall, you may find the river flows too fast for some vehicles.
That said, once you make it to the weir walking track, you’ll feel on top of the world.
For nearby camping, hit the free Weldborough Campground between Scottsdale and St Helens.
There’s an endless number of 4WD tracks to take in this world, and many of the best are in Tasmania!
Be prepared, drive lightly on Earth, and have fun.
Related Reading
Best 4WD Destinations in Western Australia
Top 6 4WD Tracks Near Brisbane
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