7 Must-Do 4WD Tracks Near Brisbane

Queensland is Australia’s ultimate 4WD playground. From the sandy islands off the coast to the legendary Old Telegraph Track at Cape York, the state offers endless variety. You’ll find beginner-friendly beach runs just hours from Brisbane, as well as extreme expeditions that test every ounce of skill and preparation. Whether you’re chasing remote fishing spots, rainforest camping, or desert dunes, Queensland has it all.

Photo by Iszac Bale on Unsplash

1. K’gari (Fraser Island) – 75 Mile Beach

There’s nothing like driving along 75 Mile Beach with the Pacific Ocean rolling beside you. K’gari is the world’s largest sand island, and while it feels like paradise, it’s not without challenges. Inland tracks cut through rainforest, tides dictate your timing, and creek crossings can catch the unprepared. It’s a classic Aussie adventure where careful planning and the right gear matter.

• Difficulty: Moderate

• Length/Time: 123 km beach run + inland tracks, 2–4 days

• Location: Off Hervey Bay, ferry access

• Best time: Winter–Spring (dry season, avoid cyclone season)

• Terrain: Soft sand, tidal zones, inland rainforest tracks

• Permits: Vehicle access and camping permits required

• Vehicle prep: Snorkel, recovery boards, compressor, rust protection recommended

• Why Off-Roaders Love It: Iconic beach driving, shipwrecks, freshwater lakes, dingo sightings

• Camping: Numerous beachfront and inland campsites

2. Cape York Peninsula – Old Telegraph Track (OTT)

The Old Tele Track is the holy grail of 4WDing in Australia. Remote, technical, and unforgettable, it’s a pilgrimage for off-roaders. Deep river crossings, steep washouts, and boggy sections test both vehicles and drivers, with famous spots like Gunshot and Nolans Brook earning their reputations. Conquering the OTT is as much about teamwork as it is about skill.

• Difficulty: Extreme

• Length/Time: 350 km, 5–7 days

• Location: Northern Cape York, accessed via Cooktown

• Best time: Dry season only (June–Oct)

• Terrain: Deep crossings, mud, eroded banks

• Permits: Camping and Indigenous land permits required

• Vehicle prep: Snorkel, lockers, winch, dual batteries, full recovery kit

• Why Off-Roaders Love It: Legendary crossings, remote Outback feel, ultimate bragging rights

• Camping: Bush camps along the track

3. Moreton Island

Just a short ferry ride from Brisbane, Moreton Island feels like a world away. Endless beaches, sandy inland tracks, and crystal-clear lagoons make it the perfect weekend escape. It’s more forgiving than Fraser, but the soft sand still demands tyre deflation and recovery gear on hand.

• Difficulty: Easy–Moderate

• Length/Time: Various tracks, weekend trip

• Location: Ferry access from Brisbane

• Best time: Year-round (summer heat can be intense)

• Terrain: Soft sand, beach driving, dunes

• Permits: Vehicle access and camping permits required

• Vehicle prep: Compressor, recovery boards, deflated tyres essential

• Why Off-Roaders Love It: Close to Brisbane, snorkelling wrecks, beachside camping

• Camping: Multiple beachfront campsites

4. Condamine River Road – 14 River Crossings

This short but scenic track is all about the crossings—14 of them in just 20 km. Set in the Scenic Rim, the road meanders through the Condamine River, with mountain scenery making the drive even better. It’s beginner-friendly but extra fun after rain, when the water levels rise.

• Difficulty: Easy–Moderate

• Length/Time: 20 km, 1–2 hrs

• Location: Near Killarney, 2 hrs from Brisbane

• Best time: Year-round, avoid heavy rain

• Terrain: Shallow river crossings, gravel roads

• Permits: None required

• Vehicle prep: Stock 4WDs suitable; snorkel helpful in high water

• Why Off-Roaders Love It: Fun water play, family-friendly drive, great picnic spots

• Camping: Queen Mary Falls and Killarney campgrounds nearby

5. Cooloola Recreation Area – Rainbow Beach to Double Island Point

This is Queensland’s most colourful coastal drive. The route takes you past Rainbow Beach’s striking cliffs, along wide stretches of sand, and out to the headland at Double Island Point. Tides are the real challenge here, and timing is everything.

• Difficulty: Moderate

• Length/Time: 40 km, 2–3 hrs

• Location: Between Noosa and Rainbow Beach

• Best time: Year-round; avoid king tides

• Terrain: Beach sand, tidal zones, dunes

• Permits: Vehicle access permit required

• Vehicle prep: Tyre deflation, compressor, recovery gear essential

• Why Off-Roaders Love It: Rainbow cliffs, surf breaks, chance to spot whales in season

• Camping: Teewah Beach and Inskip Point campsites

6. Glass House Mountains Tracks

The Glass House Mountains are legendary among QLD off-roaders. Clay climbs, rock steps, and deep ruts provide plenty of technical challenges. Some trails are beginner-friendly, but the tougher tracks will quickly show you the limits of your setup—this is where lockers, winches, and strong exhaust systems prove their worth.

• Difficulty: Easy to Extreme (varies by track)

• Length/Time: Various, half-day to weekend

• Location: 1 hr north of Brisbane

• Best time: Dry weather only—clay becomes treacherous when wet

• Terrain: Clay, rocks, steep climbs, ruts

• Permits: Forestry restrictions apply in some areas

• Vehicle prep: Recovery gear, lockers, winch recommended for extreme tracks

• Why Off-Roaders Love It: Close to Brisbane, huge variety, training ground for serious rigs

• Camping: Coochin Creek and Peachester campgrounds

7. Big Red – Simpson Desert (Birdsville)

Big Red is the largest sand dune in the Simpson Desert and a rite of passage for off-roaders. Just outside Birdsville, it’s an exhilarating climb that demands the right tyre pressures and plenty of momentum. Sunset from the top is one of the Outback’s greatest sights.

• Difficulty: Moderate–Challenging

• Length/Time: 35 km return from Birdsville, 2–3 hrs

• Location: 35 km west of Birdsville

• Best time: Winter months (May–Sept)

• Terrain: Sand dune climbs, desert conditions

• Permits: Desert Parks Pass required for full Simpson crossings

• Vehicle prep: Compressor, recovery boards, extra fuel recommended

• Why Off-Roaders Love It: Biggest dune in Australia, iconic Outback challenge, epic sunsets

• Camping: Birdsville or bush camping near the dune

Queensland Awaits

From island beaches to Outback dunes, Queensland is built for adventure. Whether you’re planning a quick weekend on Moreton Island or a multi-week expedition to Cape York, the right prep will make or break your trip. With performance exhausts, snorkels, suspension kits, and recovery gear on board, you’ll be ready to take on anything QLD throws at you.

DEA Performance is here to help you gear up and go further. Explore our blog for more trip ideas, or check out our high-performance exhaust kits to get the most from your 4WD.