Tasmania may be small, but it packs some of Australia’s toughest and most spectacular 4WD adventures. The island’s wild west coast is legendary for its deep mud, tidal beach runs, and rocky coastal climbs. Inland, you’ll find alpine switchbacks, lush rainforest tracks, and hidden waterfalls.
Tassie’s unpredictable weather means preparation is essential, but the rewards are huge—remote campsites, dramatic scenery, and some of the most challenging off-road experiences in the country.
1. Balfour Track (West Coast)
This notorious mud run is not for the faint-hearted. Deep, water-filled ruts can swallow rigs, and many vehicles finish with fresh scars. Short in distance but brutal in challenge, it’s a proving ground for serious off-roaders.
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Difficulty: Extreme
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Length/Time: 20 km, full day
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Location: Near Temma, northwest Tasmania
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Best time: Summer (avoid winter rain)
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Terrain: Deep mud holes, boggy clay
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Permits: None required
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Vehicle prep: Lift, lockers, winch, full recovery kit
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Why Off-Roaders Love It: Infamous mud challenge, ultimate test of driver and vehicle
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Camping: Bush camps at Temma and Balfour
2. Sandy Cape Track
Remote and wild, Sandy Cape is Tassie’s ultimate coastal drive. The soft beaches and tidal crossings make it risky, but those who get the timing right are rewarded with stunning isolation. It’s one of those trips where every decision matters.
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Difficulty: Challenging
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Length/Time: 100 km return, 1–2 days
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Location: West Coast, accessed via Temma
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Best time: Summer months (low tide essential)
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Terrain: Beach sand, tidal crossings, dunes
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Permits: Access permit required
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Vehicle prep: Tyre deflation, compressor, recovery gear, snorkel for crossings
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Why Off-Roaders Love It: Rugged coastline, remote feel, stunning west coast sunsets
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Camping: Sandy Cape campground
3. Climies Track (Trial Harbour to Granville Harbour)
This west coast favourite hugs the shoreline, mixing rocky steps, boggy sections, and epic ocean views. It’s technical and slow-going, best tackled in a convoy with recovery gear on hand. Few tracks combine challenge and scenery quite like this one.
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Difficulty: Moderate–Challenging
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Length/Time: 20 km, 4–6 hrs
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Location: Trial Harbour to Granville Harbour, west coast
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Best time: Summer–Autumn
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Terrain: Rock steps, bogs, rocky coastal trails
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Permits: None required
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Vehicle prep: Lift and A/T tyres recommended; lockers helpful
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Why Off-Roaders Love It: Technical challenge, dramatic coastline, convoy camaraderie
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Camping: Campsites at Trial Harbour and Granville Harbour
4. Montezuma Falls Track
Winding through dense rainforest, this track leads to Tasmania’s tallest waterfall. It’s narrow, muddy, and slippery after rain, with tight sections that can make larger vehicles work. At the end, a suspension bridge gives you breathtaking views of the 104-metre falls.
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Difficulty: Moderate
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Length/Time: 14 km return, 3–4 hrs
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Location: Near Rosebery, west coast
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Best time: Summer (falls still flowing, less mud)
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Terrain: Mud, narrow rainforest track
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Permits: None required
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Vehicle prep: A/T tyres and recovery gear recommended
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Why Off-Roaders Love It: Tallest waterfall in Tassie, lush rainforest drive, suspension bridge views
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Camping: Campgrounds near Rosebery and Zeehan
5. Arthur River to Couta Rocks
This rugged coastal run combines dunes, rocky outcrops, and windswept beaches. The scenery is wild and dramatic, but conditions can change quickly, making kit upgrades ever more important. It’s a raw west coast adventure where isolation is part of the appeal.
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Difficulty: Moderate–Challenging
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Length/Time: 40 km return, 1 day
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Location: West Coast, near Arthur River
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Best time: Summer–Autumn
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Terrain: Dunes, rocky beach sections, coastal tracks
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Permits: None required
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Vehicle prep: Tyre deflation, recovery gear
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Why Off-Roaders Love It: Remote coastline, dune driving, windswept scenery
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Camping: Arthur River campground
6. Ben Lomond Summit Road (Jacobs Ladder)
A completely different Tassie adventure, this alpine climb takes you up Jacobs Ladder—a series of sharp switchbacks that cling to the side of Ben Lomond. While less technical than the west coast mud runs, the exposure and views make it exhilarating.
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Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
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Length/Time: 10 km climb, 1–2 hrs
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Location: Ben Lomond National Park, northeast Tasmania
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Best time: Summer–Autumn (snow closes roads in winter)
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Terrain: Steep switchbacks, gravel
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Permits: Park entry fee required
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Vehicle prep: Suitable for stock 4WDs; snow chains in winter
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Why Off-Roaders Love It: Alpine challenge, dramatic switchbacks, panoramic views
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Camping: Alpine village or nearby campsites
Tough Tracks, Wild Scenery
Tasmania’s 4WD scene is as raw and varied as the island itself. One day you’ll be tackling brutal mud holes, the next winding through alpine passes or driving deserted beaches. It’s a place where preparation counts—good tyres, recovery gear, snorkels, and performance upgrades aren’t luxuries, they’re essentials.
DEA Performance can help you gear up for Tasmania’s toughest tracks. Explore our blog for more inspiration, or check out our high-performance exhaust kits before heading into Tassie’s wild west.
