Arguably, Tasmania offers some of the most diverse 4X4 tracks in the country and whether you’re into combining your four wheel driving with camping, glamping, hiking, fishing or simply want the adrenalin that only an off-road challenge can bring, then here are some options to consider. So get out and try some of these terrific little tracks, all of which lie within a day’s drive from Hobart.
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South Bruny Island – between Cloudy Bay and Adventure Bay
Probably better known for its ‘Made on Bruny’ gourmet food trail, but what better excuse to get over to Bruny Island than for a day driving the State Forest tracks of South Bruny? You won’t even need to pack anything for this day out as you can fill your picnic basket full to the brim on the way in with locally produced cherries, berries, cheese and wine, smoked meats and fresh oysters.
Head south past the fairy penguin colony and across ‘The Neck’ towards Cloudy Bay Road and the State Forest opens up with three main tracks running west to east through the State Forest – all of which end up in Adventure Bay on the east coast.
The tracks themselves are graded Easy, so by no means represent the toughest terrain around… but you’ll easily spend a day driving these and the scenery is just beautiful as they meander their way east through pristine rainforest and past the three highest peaks on the island. There are also a couple of short walks along the way with spectacular views.
If you have a little more time on your hands then why not base yourself at one of the sweetest camping spots in the whole of Tassie? Don’t tell your friends, but the camp at Cloudy Corner is one of the best kept secrets around. There’s even a couple of kilometres of beach driving to get you there, so drop your tyre pressures and you won’t be disappointed.
BEST DRIVE
Try the loop, starting from the west along Coolangatta Road, heading south into Resolution Road and Lockleys Road and then back west along Staffords Road.
BEST CAMP
Without doubt one of the best campsites in Tassie – Cloudy Corner.
5 THINGS YOU NEED
A National Parks pass if you intend on camping, a good map, a camera, fishing gear and a picnic basket to fill up with goodies on the way in.
UNSEALED 4X4 TRACK RATING
2
Wellington Park
A little known 4X4 secret close to Hobart is Wellington Park and it offers a range of 4X4 tracks, most of which require recreation permits and gate keys. These can be obtained through the Derwent office of Parks and Wildlife Service.
In total, there are four different track options, but by far the simplest in terms of access is the White Timber Trail, situated on the western fringe of the Wellington Park Reserve and the only ‘unrestricted access’ 4X4 track in the park. The complete track runs from Judbury in the south through to Lachlan in the north and you may be forgiven for thinking the 50-odd kilometres of track is an easy couple of hours, driving.
Be warned – this little beauty will definitely test your mettle, particularly if recent rain has adorned Australia’s second-driest capital city, in which case we suggest you let it dry out for a while.
To access the track from Hobart, head west to the town of Judbury. Entry to White Timber Trail is via Judds Creek Road and it’s a steep climb northwards to over 900 metres before turning east past the summit of White Timber Mountain. At the junction of Jefferys Track, turn left and head north towards the town of Lachlan where the track drops back down through the farmland of the New Norfolk region.
Deep ruts, loose gravel, steep climbs and descents, narrow tracks, big boulders plus plenty of mud puddles make this track a real challenge and therefore, we recommend a high clearance 4X4 and plenty of options when it comes to recovery gear… not to mention knowing how to use it.
Unfortunately, 4X4 based camping isn’t permitted in the park; but being so close to Hobart and its surrounds, this shouldn’t really be too big an issue as it’s the thrill of the drive that makes this one of Tassie’s top five off-road areas.
BEST DRIVE
White Timber Trail
(including Jefferys Track).
BEST CAMP
Anywhere around Hobart will give you a good base for tackling the tracks of Wellington Park.
5 THINGS YOU NEED
A GPS (and detailed maps), recovery gear, a winch can be handy, good off-road tyres, a working knowledge of recovery techniques.
UNSEALED 4X4 TRACK RATING
Derwent River and Lake Repulse
A little over an hour’s drive from Hobart, the town of Ouse marks the point of access to this 4X4 recreational wonderland and possibly one of the most accessible temperate wilderness areas in the country. State Forest and pine plantations along the southern edge of the Derwent River and Lake Repulse make for a range of fun tracks as well as isolated, quiet and completely self-sufficient camping.
The State Forest is situated north-west of Mount Field National Park and offers hundreds of kilometres of tracks which run between the Florentine River in the south-west and the Derwent River on its north-eastern fringe. There’s something for everyone ranging from graded forestry roads through to tough, steep and slippery descents onto the rivers and creeks below.
Speaking of descents, one of the best campsites is off Thunderbolt Road and into the top end of Lake Repulse where you’ll find numerous quiet, picturesque and pristine sites along the lakeshore. The track itself is only relatively short, but is heavily rutted with big deep mud holes that can take some negotiating before descending hundreds of metres down to the lake below. The camping areas are spacious and spread well apart and if you’re lucky you might even hear the gut-wrenching screams of the local Tassie devils.
A recreational mecca for trout fishing and boating, it’s hard to believe this area is only a stone’s throw away from the main road, with so much on offer.
BEST DRIVE
Try Florentine and Tiger Roads that intersect at the Florentine River and provide a mix of 4X4 adventures.BEST CAMP
Along the top end of Lake Repulse.
5 THINGS YOU NEED
A GPS (and detailed maps), fishing gear, a kayak, self-sufficient camp gear, plenty of food – as you’ll want to stay a week.
UNSEALED 4X4 TRACK RATING
Ben Lomond National Park and surrounds
Jaw-dropping mountain scenery, spectacular trout fishing along the North and South Esk Rivers and days of 4X4 tracks to explore – what more could anyone ask for, I hear you say? Yep, that’s what awaits in and around Ben Lomond National Park and its surrounding State Forests.
One of the greatest views in Tassie has to be at the top of Jacobs Ladder where the road zig-zags its way up through a narrow gap in the dolerite cliffs to a lookout not far from Legges Tor (Tasmania’s second-highest peak at 1574 metres).
But it’s the unsealed tracks of the State Forests to the north-east of the National Park where the fun really begins. Base yourself in one of the many campsites in the area and you could literally spend days here and not drive on the same track twice. There are trails which criss-cross the North Esk River and the South Esk River as well as numerous creeks and rivulets, all of which surround the National Park boundaries between the A4 in the south and the A3 to the north.
But why stop there? Head a little further east and the State Forest that surrounds the Scamander River opens up with an assortment of new tracks to be tackled. Bring your camping gear, bring your fishing rod and immerse yourself in adventure for days on end.
BEST DRIVE
Certainly not difficult in terms of 4X4 off-road driving but the drive up Jacobs Ladder ends in scenic bliss.
BEST CAMP
Ben Lomond National
Park campground.
5 THINGS YOU NEED
Winter woolies as there are some serious altitudes in some of these mountains tracks, fishing rod, camera, firewood and a current Parks pass.
UNSEALED 4X4 TRACK RATING
5
The west coast
Without doubt, the west coast is Tasmania’s four wheel drive heartland and whilst not exactly a day’s return trip from Hobart, the area itself can be driven to in a day – perfect for a long weekend of touring, camping and adventure.
In the northern section is the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area and one of the most challenging 4X4 tracks in Tasmania – the Balfour Track. A stone’s throw from the town of Arthur River, the track runs east from the coast, through button grass plains as well as a 70 metres, canal-like deep water crossing.
Further south and slightly west of the mining town of Zeehan is Climies Track which runs parallel with the coast between Trial Harbour and Granville Harbour. Only experienced four wheel drivers need apply here with steep step-ups, precipitous sandstone drop-offs and rocky creek crossings to negotiate carefully.
Both of these tracks are relatively short in distance but are extremely challenging and we recommend they be tackled in convoy, as not only will you have someone to share the adventure with, you’ll also have another vehicle on hand to pull you out when you inevitably get stuck. Recovery equipment and the ability to use it are also a must.
BEST DRIVE
The Balfour Track loop from Arthur River, through Temma and back to Smithton via Blackwater Road.
BEST CAMP
Manuka Campground near Arthur River.
5 THINGS YOU NEED
Recreational driver pass, recovery gear, UHF radio, a second vehicle and plenty of patience.
UNSEALED 4X4 TRACK RATING
Hard to extreme!
Additional Info
For more information on National Parks in Tasmania, head to: parks.tas.gov.au
For more information on Wellington Park, head to:
wellingtonpark.org.au/driving
Words and Photography by Tim Stanners
