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Four wheel driving

With large areas of Victoria designated as either national park, state park or state forest, there is sure to be somewhere suitable for four wheel driving not too far away, regardless of where you are in the state.

4WD tracks

Close to Melbourne, the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley region has popular sites, particularly in the Murrindindi and Toolangi State Forests with their stands of mountain ash along the high ridges, and numerous river crossings. Bunyip State Park has more than 130 kilometres of tracks catering for both novice and experienced drivers, while some of the tracks in Lerderderg State Park, near Bacchus Marsh, offers challenging steep and rocky sections.

In the Otway Ranges, in the state's west, there are a number of good tracks, particularly in the Forrest and Lavers Hill areas.

Further north, the Grampians also has many tracks to explore. The mountainous and rocky terrain makes for some interesting drives, and track conditions range from clay to sand. There's stunning scenery, tricky manoeuvres and plenty of river crossings to keep you interested. Re-fuel in Halls Gap before taking to the 4WD trails and steep ascents to get your heart racing in the National Park. More information about the Grampians National Park.

Victoria's own corner of the outback, the Mallee in the far north-west of the state between Mildura and Ouyen, offer myriad four-wheel driving opportunities within the Wyperfeld National Park and Murray-Sunset National Park. Murrayville Track, which stretches 180 kilometres from Nhill to Murrayville, provides access to the western parts of Wyperfeld National Park. The Murray-Sunset National Park, home of the Pink Lakes, is a semi-arid environment, relatively untouched by man, with tracks through the remote wilderness.

The Little Desert National Park, which stretches from Horsham to the South Australian border, has close to 600 kilometres of tracks, making it an ideal area for off-roaders. Most tracks are sandy though there are also some clay tracks, which can become boggy when wet. Remote areas close to the South Australian border are accessible.

The High Country, in the state's north-east, is also very popular for four wheel driving. There are many tracks in this area, with a range of difficulties, making it suitable for drivers with varying levels of experience. Around Mansfield are some well-maintained tracks. Craig's Hut, which featured in the movie The Man From Snowy River, is located on Mount Stirling and is one of the most visited spots in the area. There is also a circuit track around Mount Stirling. The Alpine National Park is an ideal place for four-wheel driving but deep in the park is suitable for experienced drivers only. Experienced drivers will enjoy the track over the rugged Great Dividing Range from Myrtleford to Wonnangatta Homestead, near Dargo. It covers a distance of 108 kilometres, via Dandongadale and Abbeyard.

In Victoria's far east, the Snowy River National Park offers experienced drivers challenging, steep terrain along the Deddick Trail. There are also less difficult tracks in the park that lead to waterfalls and the Snowy River. Croajingolong National Park, on the coast in the eastern corner of Victoria, has tracks through the forest, with some leading to remote locations.

Other popular areas in Gippsland are around the Walhalla and Wonnangatta Valley areas. There are tracks in this region ranging from easy to difficult level, including narrow, steep and rough tracks, and creek and river crossings.

Discover six of Victoria's best four wheel driving tracks at Iconic 4WD Adventures

A detailed guide to 4WD tracks in Victoria and Australia is available from 4x4 Earth.

Planning your drive

During winter, many tracks throughout the state are closed to prevent damage due to wet conditions. It is always advisable to check whether tracks are open before planning a trip by contacting Parks Victoria. It's also advisable to carry recovery gear, especially in remote locations and on sandy or wet tracks, and to obtain a detailed map of the area to which you are planning to travel.

The Four Wheel Drive Track Classification System has been developed jointly by government departments and four wheel drive groups. It is a four-level, colour-coded system alerting drivers to the degree of difficulty that can be expected on individual tracks, thus allowing the driver to decide whether they are equipped to tackle the track before setting out on it. Download the 4WD Recreational Track Classification guide.

Organised tours

If you don't own a four wheel drive vehicle, or if you're not confident about travelling on your own, it is still possible to enjoy some of Victoria's off-road tracks by going on a guided tour. Personalised passenger tours and tag-along tours (where you take your own vehicle but travel with a group) are available.

	5 Star Adventure Tours	Offering a wide range of tours demonstrating local knowledge, history, archaeology, bush foods and bush medicines. Explore the stunning flora and fauna of the Alpine high plains. Indulge your senses on one of our gourmet food and wine tours. Walk, climb, paddle, ski or join a 4WD driving adventure as part of fantastic outdoor tours in amazing locations. Our commitment to the High Country and Eco Tourism allows us to create unique as well as distinctive nature based adventure experiences. We are passionate in presenting the beauty of the Victorian High Country. Tours depart from Bright.
	Bush Experiences	Offering personalised tours of the high country where you can undertake four wheel drive touring, visit remote and historic areas, view Australia's unique wildlife, flora and fauna up close, go fishing, bushwalking or horseriding. Based on a scenic property near Mansfield and Merrijig.
	Grampians Tours & Adventures	Our local knowledge and passion allows us to create unique as well as distinctive nature based adventure experiences from our base at Halls Gap in the Grampians National Park. Choose from bushwalking, night walks, rock climbing, abseiling and 4WD tours.
	Pinnacle Offroad Discovery Tours	Join a four wheel drive discovery tour and see the best of the Grampians. We offer luxury daily guided tours and tagalong tours all year round. Get back to nature. Tours start from Halls Gap.
	Taggerty Tours	See the beautiful sights of the Acheron Valley, Cathedral Ranges, Lake Eildon and Marysville in a Toyota Troop Carrier and discover those hidden areas that others miss
	Whimpey's tours	Experience the wonders of the Little Desert National Park with a four wheel drive tour out of Nhill, showcasing its tranquil beauty, unforgettable scenery and unique wildlife. Alternatively, take a birdwatching tour or a night spotlight tour where you can see nocturnal creatures of the bush.