There are around 250 national parks in Queensland and each of them has something to offer. Going to each of them will also take more than a year, however, there are some of them that stand out from the rest. So, we have chosen 15 of the best parks with 4WD tracks that can be traversed by newbies and enthusiasts alike.
There are some things that you should do before you head to your chosen destination. You should prepare your supplies (food & water), sleeping equipment, a UHF/CB radio, and other equipment that you’ll need. Additionally, you should also check if the track is closed for the season and the weather.
So before you continue, If your new to 4wd and offroading or are not sure what equipment to take out with you on your adventures, make sure to check out the Off Road Aussies Essential 4×4 Equipment List where I have taken the time to review and recommend the equipment I use. If you kit yourself out correctly you will be able to tackle everything that your new adventures will throw at you.
So, here are some of the best tracks in Queensland…
- Mount Mee D’Aguilar National Park
- Moreton Island National Park
- North Stradbroke Island
- Scenic Rim Adventure Park
- Conondale National Park
- Mount Barney National Park
- Condamine Gorge
- Border Ranges National Park
- Landcruiser Mountain Park
- Cooloola Recreation Area
- Sundown National Park
- Yuraygir National Park
- Bindarri State Conservation Area
- Limeburners Creek National Park
- Willi Willi National Park
Read on to learn more on why you should drive on these 15 4WD tracks in Queensland
1. Mount Mee D’Aguilar National Park
Location: 16km west of Brisbane
Difficulty: Easy (main tracks) & Moderate to Difficult (smaller tracks)
Track Length: 59.7km
Track Time: 1-2 days
Terrain: Muddy
The park is the best location for 4WD driving because it is very close to Brisbane. Ideally, you need to spend a whole weekend to explore the area, but you can do it one day. The park also has various waterfalls, pools, rainforests, gorges, and historical landmarks which all add up to make spectacular views
Although South D’Aguilar is closer to Brisbane, the 4WD tracks are only found in Mount Mee. We recommend that you venture into a track that leads to Dayboro which leads into Lacey’s Creek Road and ending in Rasmussen Road. Finishing this journey will lead you to Archer camping area.
As a precaution, check if rain is in the forecast because some roads will be closed when heavy rains occur.
You can find more information about Mount Mee D’Aguilar National Park on this page here.
2. Moreton Island National Park
Location: 72.5km northeast of Brisbane
Difficulty: Moderate
Track Length: 52km
Track Time: 1 day
Terrain: Sandy
The main attractions of the world’s third-largest sand island are beautiful beaches, lagoons, and lush forests. However, reaching it might be difficult because you’ll need to have the proper permits including a vehicle access permit. You will also need to pay camping fees before you can come to the island. So, you will need to prepare if you badly want to visit this place.
Another thing that you should know is that the island’s roads are not paved and are mostly made of sand. This makes the tracks soft and will mostly like cause a recovery situation. You should also remember to keep an eye for high tide because some tracks will become impassable.
Most of the major attractions in the island can be reached by journeying through the numerous tracks that start in the northern section. Some of the sites that you should visit are the Cape Moreton Lighthouse (the oldest lighthouse in Queensland) in the island’s north and Blue Lagoon in the south. The Middle Road track is the starting point for walking tracks that leads hikers to Mount Tempest (the highest point in the island). In addition, the same track leads to The Desert which is connected to the Rous Battery Walking Trail. By taking this trail, you will reach the ruins of a World War II-era fort.
Aside from driving and hiking, you can also indulge in other activities like fishing, swimming, and camping.
You can find more information about Moreton Island National Park on this page here.
3. North Stradbroke Island
Location: 94.3km east of Brisbane
Difficulty: Easy to Hard
Track Length: 37.5km
Track Time: 12-24 hours
Terrain: Sandy
The island is located near Moreton Island which makes it popular because of its sand dunes. Aside from this, North Stradbroke is also a favourite among Aussies because of its beautiful beaches. You can even see migrating whales on the headlands and verdant forests on the island itself.
Like Moreton Island, you need to secure a vehicle access permit before making your journey. All the hoops that you need to get through are worth it because of the various activities that you can do when you reach it.
In Flinder Beach and Main Beach, you can dive to see the rich coral reefs or do fishing. There are also numerous campsites on the island; however, you’ll need to reserve a spot because the island can get crowded during holidays. If you want to camp in a more secluded area, some campgrounds are not frequented by tourists. However, they lack some amenities like toilets or showers.
You can find more information about North Stradbroke Island on this page here.
4. Scenic Rim Adventure Park
Location: 96km south of Brisbane
Difficulty: Easy to Hard
Track Length: 28km
Track Time: 4 hours
Terrain: Hilly & Muddy
Located in the beautiful region of Scenic Rim, the park offers all kinds of 4WD drivers with tracks that have varying levels of difficulty. This is also one of the most accessible locations in this list as it is just an hour’s drive away from Brisbane or Gold Coast.
With more than 28km of tracks, exploring all parts of the park will still be challenging. You and your companions can also avail of their facilities like bushwalking trails, mountain bike tracks, fire pits, play areas for children, and warm showers.
The park also has campsites that are “back to basics”-themed which means that you will have to bring your own food and water.
You can find more information about Scenic Rim Adventure Park on this page here.
5. Conondale National Park
Location: 111km north of Brisbane
Difficulty: Easy
Track Length: 78km
Track Time: 12 hours
Terrain: Mountain & Grassy
The park’s Kenilworth track is one of the tracks that we recommend that you should try. It will take you to different parts of the park and it is relatively easy to traverse. However, if you want to try more challenging roads then you should head to the southern part of the park near Jimna.
With the park being situated in the Conondale Range, it is covered with thick rainforests, numerous creeks, and tracks. Before you venture into these tracks, you should check the weather because it will be difficult to cross them when it rains. Some tracks will also lead you to lush valleys and eucalyptus forests. Additionally, they are very interesting because of the varying degrees of climbs and descents.
Aside from forests and creeks, the park also hosts various attractions like the Gold Mine, Artists’ Cascades, Boolumba Falls, Peter’s Creek, and Strangler Caim. Hiking trails are also found in the park, particularly the Conondale Range Great Walk which can take multiple days to complete. You can also visit the creeks and waterfalls found all throughout the park and swim in their clear waters.
If you’re tired and need a place to relax, most of the park’s four camping grounds are grassy and well-shaded. They are also located near Boolumba Creek which is also worth exploring.
You can find more information about Conondale National Park on this page here.
6. Mount Barney National Park
Location: 125km southwest of Brisbane
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Track Length: 2-12km (a combination of driving and walking)
Track Time: 8 hours
Terrain: Mountain
Mount Barney is the main attraction of this park. With its amazing granite-like look and its astonishing height (second highest peak in Queensland), the mountain itself will make the trip worthwhile. Many of the tracks surround it and most of them have majestic views of Mount Barney. However, the park’s 4WD tracks are quite short. They may be short but most of them will lead you to the park’s forests and scrublands.
Adding to the challenge, the campgrounds can only be reached by traversing a steep trail that is 3.7km long. The campsite offers no supplies or plumbing, so you will have to bring your own. If that is not your cup of tea, then the Mount Barney Lodge is another great option because it is more accessible, and it can accommodate caravans.
You can find more information about Mount Barney National Park on this page here.
7. Condamine Gorge
Location: 140km southwest of Brisbane
Difficulty: Easy
Track Length: 20km (Condamine Gorge Road) + 108km (other tracks)
Track Time: 40-50 minutes (Condamine Gorge Road)
Terrain: Rivers, Rocky Riverbeds, and Mountains
The main attraction in this area is the Condamine Gorge Road which crosses the river of the same name 14 times. The track is also located among the rugged mountains in both the Great Dividing Range and Scenic Rim. This means that you will witness beautiful views of waterfalls and mountains.
When the weather is great, the track is not difficult to traverse. When it rains, however, the road is practically impassable. The track’s water-smoothed rocks are also good for 4WD driving and it will lead you to gullies and eucalyptus forests that you should not miss.
Along the way, you will also pass by waterfalls like the Daggs Falls and Queen Mary Falls. The latter also has walking trails which also has a café and caravan park. On your return trip, you will drive by Carr’s Lookout which will enable you to see the region’s rainforests, mountain ranges, and farms.
You can find more information about Condamine Gorge on this page here.
8. Border Ranges National Park
Location: 141km south of Brisbane
Difficulty: Easy
Track Length: 100km
Track Time: 2 days
Terrain: Mountains and Rainforests
The Border Ranges is perfect for those who want to go off-roading but don’t want to be bothered by overly difficult tracks. So, it’s the perfect destination for the whole family. The park is located quite near the city and is just over the New South Wales border. If you’ve finished exploring the park, you should check out Lamington National Park (a UNESCO world heritage site) which is just a couple of kilometres away.
To enjoy the best views in the park, you should take the Tweed Range Scenic Drive. It is 44km long and weaves along a dense rainforest. The track is not as difficult as the other tracks in this list and the average driver can finish the track in 4-5 hours.
Aside from views of the forest, the park also hosts a large population of marsupials, birds, snakes, and frogs. So, you can also do hiking, photography, and wildlife spotting.
You can find more information about Border Ranges National Park on this page here.
9. Landcruiser Mountain Park
Location: 148km northwest of Brisbane
Difficulty: Easy to Hard
Track Length: 200km
Track Time: 2-4 days
Terrain: Grassy & Dirt
The park extends up to 4,000 hectares of wild tracks that are fit for off-road enthusiasts. Anyone from a beginner to expert drivers can enjoy different tracks scattered around the park. Out of the 200km track, you can encounter everything from the water crossing to deep gullies.
As the first park dedicated for 4WD, it is loved by many enthusiasts and bush campers. The camps in Landcruiser are also one of the best campsites in all of Queensland. However, the camps’ facilities are basic, and you should bring everything that you might need.
The park also hosts various species of flora and fauna which will add to your experience. Other activities that you can do are fishing, swimming, bushwalking, mountain climbing, bird spotting, and watching the beautiful landscape of the park.
You can find more information about Landcruiser Mountain Park on this page here.
10. Cooloola Recreation Area
Location: 248km south of Brisbane
Difficulty: Easy
Track Length: 54km
Track Time: 5 days
Terrain: Sandy and Rocky
The area along with the Great Sandy National Park offers magnificent views of the beach while you are driving along the track. The journey from Tewantin that leads you to Rainbow Beach involves sand driving and you will pass by beautiful beaches. However, you should secure a vehicle access permit before going to the park.
The Tewantin track follows along the coastline and it leads to the Freshwater Road that will take you to Rainbow Beach. When you take Freshwater Road, you will see the diverse flora and views of the park as it changes from mangrove forests to scribbly gum woodland. However, you can take an alternate route that will take you to Double Island Point then take Leisha Track to the west which will take you to Rainbow Beach. Another important thing to consider is the tides, especially along Mudlo Rocks, as it can drown your vehicle.
For hikers, you can take the Cooloola Great Walk to satisfy your urge to be at one with nature. On the other hand, if you want to spend the night in the park, camping is available in Teewah Beach and Freshwater Campground.
You can find more information about Cooloola Recreation Area on this page here.
11. Sundown National Park
Location: 298km southwest of Brisbane
Difficulty: Hard
Track Length: 70km
Track Time: 2 days-1 week
Terrain: Rocky, Steep Gorges, Rivers
For enthusiasts, this should be at the top of your lists. The Sundown National Park is made up of hills covered with pines and eucalyptus. It is remote and offers almost no facilities. The challenge starts from the entrance of the park by taking Sundown Road. At first, it might be easy, but it will increasingly become more challenging the deeper you venture into the track.
While driving through the track, you will encounter the Red Rock Gorge (also a camping ground). A short walk from the camping area, you can enjoy the views of the gorge on the lookout which offers an unparalleled view.
The Severn River also snakes through the park and you can see the river flats, gorges, and waterholes that was formed by the river’s flow. Two of the camping grounds (Red Rock Gorge and Reedy Waterhole) of the park are located near the river and it has pit toilets. However, the farthest and most isolated campsite called Burrows Waterhole lacks all facilities and offers bush camping only.
Another attraction in the park is the Rat’s Castle. It is a tall land formation and the track leading to it is for advanced-level drivers only. This track is the reason why many off-roaders flocks to this park. Due to the challenging state of the track, it can damage your tyres and will surely test your skills as a four-wheel driver.
You can find more information about Sundown National Park on this page here.
12. Yuraygir National Park
Location: 329km south of Brisbane
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Track Length: 150km
Track Time: 2-5 days
Terrain: Grassy & Sand
For those who want to escape the crowds that flock in most of the parks in this list, Yuraygir National Park should be at the top of your list. The park is also relatively near Brisbane or Gold Coast and you will reach it after a 3 to 4-hour drive. The long drive is worth it because the park features cliffs, wetlands, lagoons, and rainforests that you can explore.
Yuragygir is also perfect for all kinds of 4WD drivers because it has many bush and beach tracks. Add that to the fact that the park is very large, and it will take multiple days before you can fully explore it. We recommend that you set up camp near Pebbly Beach because of its stunning view of the sea. However, make sure that you start your journey when the tides are low because some parts of the track are impassable in high tide.
Like other parks, you should stock up on food and water before making your journey because the camps don’t have them. Choosing a campsite can also be difficult because there are 60 campsites that you can choose from.
You can find more information about Yuraygir National Park on this page here.
13. Bindarri State Conservation Area
Location: 421km south of Brisbane
Difficulty: Moderate
Track Length: 52km
Track Time: 3 hours
Terrain: Forests and Dirt
When you happen to be in this park, we recommend that you take the Orara Escarpment which will lead you to various features in the park. You can reach creeks, waterfalls, picnic areas, and swimming holes which makes the journey worthwhile. The track also leads to the famous Bangalore Falls and the nearby Urumbilum Falls (avoid this during wildfire season).
The Orara Escarpment will also lead you to the park’s eucalypt and subtropical rainforests. However, unlike other parks, Bindarri has no fixed campsites. You can get around this by bringing a tent or an RV which comes with a bed. Replenishing your supplies is also not a problem because you can get them at Coffs Harbour. You can also dine on one of the numerous fast food outlets and restaurants in the area.
Important: Orara Escarpment is impassable during and after rain. So, check the weather first before heading out.
You can find more information about Bindarri State Conservation Area on this page here.
14. Limeburners Creek National Park
Location: 547km south of Brisbane
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (after rain)
Track Length: 16km
Track Time: 1-2 hours
Terrain: Sandy
The best track in the park is arguably Point Plomer. It is a sandy track that leads to a campground on the beachfront. The view that you will witness on your journey to the camp is also a bonus. The park’s beaches also have dolphins and whales and many divers visit because of them. The beachfront campsite also has showers and toilets; however, you should bring your own supplies.
Important: You should be mindful of your kids because there are wild animals that sometimes wander in the campsites.
You can find more information about Limeburners Creek National Park on this page here.
15. Willi Willi National Park
Location: 557km south of Brisbane
Difficulty: Moderate
Track Length: 122km
Track Time: 3-7 days
Terrain: Rocky
Willi Willi and Werrikimbe National Park have a combined track that can reach 122 km. The tracks pass through different landscapes like woodlands, rainforests, and gullies. One track even climbs up to 1km which will enable you to see the majestic view of the Spokes Mountain. Aside from these, there are also hiking tracks and waterfalls that are scattered in the park. There are also many species of birds that are found in the park. Thus, bird spotters will truly appreciate the adventure.
Two of the camps that we recommend you stay in are the Brushy Mountain and Plateau Beech camps. These campsites are perfectly situated so that you can explore the park deeper. In addition, the Mooraback campsite can only be reached by 4WD vehicles which are quite challenging. To reach the camp, you need to travel through the Racecourse trail escarpment.
Although the park’s campsites have pit toilets, you should prepare your own food and water. A walkie-talkie is also a must because the area doesn’t have a reliable signal for mobile phones.
Important: The collection of wood and building fires is not permitted during wildfire season.
You can find more information about Willi Willi National Park on this page here.
Related Questions
How Many National Parks Are in Australia?
Parks Australia is a government funded department that looks after Australia’s natural treasures – including Uluru, Kakadu and all our beautiful oceans. They are responsible for six national parks, 58 marine parks, and the Australian National Botanic Gardens.
Are National Parks Free in Australia?
Western Australia. Entry to some of WA national parks are free of charge, however, some do charge an entry fee.
What Is the Name of Queensland’s Largest National Park?
Queensland’s Great Sandy National Park is divided into two sections, one along the coast from Noosa Heads to Rainbow Beach and the other in the world’s largest sand island, Fraser Island, a World Heritage site.
