- 12 August 2022
5 minute read
The best off-roading destinations to hit this Spring
It’s been a bumpy winter, but spring is just down the road – and we’re more than a bit pumped for some off-roading adventures.
Plenty of people will already be planning a sneaky Spring get-away. Accommodation or campsites are likely to book out fast, so it’s the perfect time to start planning your next escape to the great outdoors.
After such a good response to our article about ‘Getting Out in the World with your Weber’, we’ve pulled together a few more amazing destinations to jump in the car and visit.
The Simpson Desert
It’s a classic destination for a reason – many off-roaders would probably consider the Simpson a right of passage, and it’s not hard to see why.
Endless red sands under endless skies that turn from a deep blue to a jaw-dropping orange in the evening. It’s stunning in so many ways, from the rolling dunes that promise plenty of action and adventure, to the amazing sense of isolation you can only feel in the distant and desolate parts of the country.
This is quintessential Australia, and really needs to be driven to be believed.
Cape York Peninsula
Not only is Cape York one of the most secluded parts of Queensland, it also hosts a number of challenging but incredible 4WD tracks.
Also known as “The Tip”, May to November is the peak time to visit this region (since you won’t be inundated by any rainy-season deluges). Whichever track you pick you’ll quickly find yourself delving bonnet-first into beautiful tropical rainforests, and leaving with some equally pleasant memories. Just make sure you bring a snorkel.
There’s plenty to do off-road in the area too, whether you’re into fishing, walking or exploring Aboriginal culture. You’re also just a short trip from the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree.
Birdsville Track
What started out as a cattle route has since become an iconic off-roading destination. Otherwise, things have hardly changed around the Birdsville Track; livestock, kangaroos and emus are a regular sight on the road.
What sounds like one route is in fact two: the Inside Track, following the original stock path, and the Outside Track created by other travellers as a safer route, avoiding the Diamantina floodplain.
As long as you stay aware of the wildlife and the occasional cattle-grid, plus be careful about braking too fast on the pebbly road, you’re in for an amazing trip.
Canning Stock Route
One of the world’s most remote tracks, the Canning Stock Route will challenge even the more seasoned off-roader, but offers plenty in the way of rewards as well.
Following a series of wells once used by stock, the track leads you from one water source to the next, but there’s little in the way of towns or emergency support. That means planning ahead is essential – keep an eye on the weather forecast ahead of time so you don’t get stuck, and make sure you pack for any situation.
It’s best to travel this route in a convoy of 2-4 vehicles so there’s help on hand if you need. Why not get a few mates together and make a trip of it?
Stockton Beach
If you’re a sand-loving off-roader, Stockton Beach should be on your must-visit list.
The dunes here are seriously deep, meaning most can only be summited by snaking your way up the easier slopes nearby. It’s a challenge, but that’s part of what makes this such a popular destination, and the scenery really does speak for itself.
The beach offers more than enough to take a break from the dunes as well. Wait for load tide and check out the wreck of the MV Sygna, washed ashore in 1974, or investigate the tank traps laid down for defence in World War II.
