Four wheel driving in Victoria

Head off the highway and explore some of the best 4WD areas Australia has to offer, with an endless number of tracks available that vary from easy to extremely difficult.

Close to Melbourne
Less than one hour's drive from Melbourne, Lerderderg State Park and Wombat State Forest offer a host of 4WD tracks to follow. The Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges is an ideal 4WD destination for a day or weekend trip out of Melbourne. The towering mountain ash forest in the Toolangi and Murrindindi State Forests offer unsealed tracks to trails with dips full of water, river crossings, hills and dales.

Further afield
Explore rocky outcrops, clay and sand trails in the Grampians National Park. The nearby Little Desert National Park offers sand four-wheel driving, with some large sand dunes. Get off the Great Ocean Road and into the Otways State Forest for either easy or challenging four-wheel driving and some great camping and bush scenery.

The Alpine National Park and the surrounding high country are popular for spectacular scenery and challenging terrain as is Mt Baw Baw National Park near Walhalla. The legendary Wonnangatta Station tour and the Dargo/Grant diggings are famous Victorian four-wheel driving tours.

The Murray
No 'off-track' driving is permitted in the outback national parks in the Murray region, but there is still a vast network of dirt tracks to be explored with a four-wheel drive vehicle. Bring your own or hire a vehicle in one of the major towns in the north-west of the region such as Mildura or Swan Hill and discover the Australian outback.

Safety first
Remember that native animals, walkers, bike riders, horse riders and 4WDs may share the same road or track. Reduce your speed and give them a change to live.

A number of roads and tracks throughout Victoria are closed to the public during the wetter periods of the year (June to November). These closures help to maintain track surfaces in good condition and assist driver safety. Please note that preparation and experience are generally essential for 4WD touring and driving off bitumen roads in this area. For information on track closures and maps and safety information call the Parks Victoria information line on 13 19 63 or contact a local Visitor Information Centre.