10 of the best 4WD tracks in NSW

The Barraba Track 

Location: Mount Kaputar National Park, near Narrabri (around 500km west of Coffs Harbour) 
Length: 8km one-way 
Drive time: 1 hour 
When to go: This track is closed during wet weather. Please check the park alerts for the track's status before setting out on your journey. 

For spectacular scenic views of remote volcanic mountains through snow gums and tree ferns, make a beeline for the steep Barraba Track through Mount Kaputar National Park, stretching from Dawson’s Spring to the park’s eastern boundary. Be aware that this is a multi-use track, so you’ll be sharing it with mountain bikers and hikers.   

Doug Sky Lookout, Mount Kaputar National Park

Corner Country 

Location: NSW’s far west, where QLD, NSW and SA meet 
Length: 450km  
Drive time: 2 days 
When to go: This route is very susceptible to flooding and can be closed and impassable after heavy rain. 

This is an interesting route from Broken Hill to Cameron Corner, through remote but colourful outback NSW in the state’s far west, where QLD, NSW and SA meet. Here, on the edge of Sturt National Park, you’ll explore sandplains and dunefields dominated by tall mulga and whitewood.  

Tri State Safari's bus parked by an information sign in Sturt National Park

Caves to Caves 

Location: Southern Highlands (1.5 hours south of Sydney) to the Blue Mountains
Length: 182km 
Drive time: 2 days 
When to go: This is a year-round drive, but be sure to check national park alerts prior to driving as there are creek crossings that can become flooded after heavy rains.  

Get set for thrills on the Caves to Caves, taking you along a track from Mittagong (Southern Highlands) to Jenolan Caves (Blue Mountains). The track is a mix of sealed roads and rough-and-rugged dirt tracks with some very steep sections that will test your mettle. And your car’s metal. Your route traverses national parks, through creeks and past Mount Werong.   

Mount Werong campground, Blue Mountains National Park - Credit: Jules Bros/DCCEEW

Stockton Beach 

Location: Around 170km north of Sydney in Port Stephens 
Length: 32km 
Drive time: Put aside a day, as you’ll want to linger to swim, fish and slide down the dunes.  
When to go: This is a year-round drive.  

NSW’s longest beach, Stockton is part of the largest moving coastal sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. Situated in the Worimi Conservation Lands, it stretches all the way north from Stockton to Anna Bay. Lucky you – there are 350 hectares of dunes available for recreational vehicle access.  

4WD R US at Port Stephens, Hunter Valley

The Barrington Trail 

Location: Around 260km north of Sydney, close to the Upper Hunter region 
Length: 15km 
Drive time: 1 hour, although there are campgrounds (Little Murray and Junction Pools) en route should you wish to extend your stay.
When to go: The trail is open between April and May.

Immerse yourself in the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Site in Barrington Tops National Park. You’ll likely see hikers and mountain bikers along the trail, so drive with caution. Instead, lose your abandon in the spectacular views, amazing array of forest habitats and brisk mountain air. Make sure you load your boot up with all your camping, walking and fishing gear to make the most of your visit to the park and Mount Barrington. Stretch your legs along either Aeroplane Hill walking track or Careys Peak.    

4WD on the Barrington Trail, Barrington Tops National Park - Credit: John Spencer/DCCEEW

Bridle Track 

Location: Between Bathurst and Hill End in the Central West region of NSW 
Length: 52km 
Drive time: 5-plus hours, although there are 13 campsites on route if you want to take your time.
When to go: The trail gets busy during school holidays. Outside of this, temperatures drop to sub-zero during winter; in summer, there are epic swimming spots to cool off in.  

The Bridle Track was first established as the road between Bathurst and Hill End in the 1800s, earning its name from the narrowest sections where hopeful gold miners and settlers had to lead their horses by the bridle. Today, it’s a popular 4WD track traversable in its entire length due to the new Monaghans Bluff Bypass. Get set for an adventure – and don’t forget your fishing rods.   

Bridle Track, Duramana - Credit: Henry Denyer-Simmons/Bathurst Regional Council

Lobs Hole Ravine Trail 

Location: This epic trail is in the Snowy Mountains, near Yarrangobilly and Kiandra, in the northern regions of Kosciuszko National Park 
Length: 39km 
Drive time: 3 hours if you don’t stop. But we recommend you do.
When to go: Note: This trail is currently closed to allow work on the Snowy 2.0 works, but keep watch here to see when it will reopen.  

Dreamy views of mountain peaks, historical relics, mining and pioneer history, gushing rivers… this track is pretty hard to beat. Particularly if you’re a fan of getting out and stretching your legs along walking and mountain biking trails, or to cast in a fishing line. There are also a number of places to camp. With easy access to the magnificent Yarrangobilly River, there's idyllic paddling and swimming options in the warmer months. 

Lobs Hole Ravine 4WD trail, Kosciuszko National Park - Credit: Murray Vanderveer

Levuka 4WD Track 

Location: Northern NSW, close to the QLD border 
Length: 50km 
Drive time: 1-2 days 
When to go: Year round 

On the southwest edge of the Scenic Rim, the Levuka Rainforest Recreation Park is like paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. There’s camping, 4WDing, bushwalking, biking, kayaking… Sound like your cup of tea? The off-road tracks vary from easy through to extreme – think rocky gullies, sticky mud holes, hill climbs and ruts – so there’s something for drivers of all levels. And the Scenic Rim region rewards with amazing valley views and mountain ranges to boot.  

Levuka Rainforest Recreation Park, Urbenville - Credit: Levuka Rainforest Recreation Park

Darling River Run 

Location: Running the spine of outback NSW, following the Darling River from Walgett in the northwest of the state to Wentworth and the junction of the Murray River near Mildura.
Length: 950km 
Drive time: You can feasibly do this in a couple of days – or a couple of weeks.  
When to go: Year round 

This memorable road trip is rich in history of pioneering days, showcases impressive scenery and highlights Indigenous history and culture. Get set to explore national parks, immense cattle stations and quirky towns like Broken Hill and Silverton. Aboriginal ingenuity is on display in Brewarrina, where ancient fish traps await.  

Mungo National Park, Mungo

England Track 

Location: Just to the south of Coffs Harbour town centre 
Length: Unknown 
Drive time: 1 day 
When to go: Year round, although be aware the track is extra tricky after heavy rains 

This trail is for experienced 4WD enthusiasts, as it challenges with steep, slippery and uneven surfaces for most of its length. But those who take it on are rewarded with incredible mountain views over the Coffs region – there’s nothing like a rainforest-clad peak to inspire your travels.