A DAY’S DRIVE FROM SYDNEY

There is no reason why a local overnighter or weekend away can’t be every bit as exciting as a major adventure to one of the iconic off-road attractions we all dream about. What’s not to love about driving only a short distance to find a peaceful spot on a river bend or deserted beach to relax for a day or so?

Its something we hear all to often at Unsealed 4X4, ‘I love four-wheel driving, but I have no time to get out there’. Excuses are what you make when your boss catches you sneaking in the back door after work has started. Excuses and getting time away for four-wheeling should never co-exist.

Which is why we thought it was time to put an end to these common four-wheel drive excuses and show you just how easy it can be to get some downtime. Best of all, you don’t even need to venture far from home! Sure, it can be a challenge to find the time, but if you avoid these five common excuses early in the piece, you’re already on your way to making the time for the break you know you deserve.

NO MORE EXCUSES

 I Don’t Have Any Money:
Start putting away $20 a week now. That means every three months you have $320 to spend on fuel, food or camping permits.

 I Don’t Have A Modified 4X4:
A stock standard 4X4 and a sense of adventure is all that is required to get out there. Then after a few trips, you know what you really NEED, as opposed to WANT!

 I Don’t Have Camping Gear: Beg, borrow or hire. Check the classifieds and on-line auctions for bargains, too. It’s called roughing it for a reason, so start small and buy the best you can afford.

I Don’t Have Anyone To Go With: Check on-line camping or four-wheel drive forums for upcoming trips, or bring some extra food and drinks to meet new like-minded people around the campfire.

I Don’t Know Where To Go:
Then read on, my friend!

THE COLO RIVER

Can you believe the last pristine river in New South Wales is just over an hour from Sydney! The Colo is a personal favourite close-to-home location thanks to the camping, 4X4 tracks and river frontage on offer. Best of all, even the family dog is welcome to visit most of the camp areas, but as always ensure you aren’t in National Parks with your pets.

There are so many camping areas to pick from, including Wheeny Creek, the privately run 40 acre campground called Bielany or the ever popular Upper Colo Reserve. The latter two have amazing river access for swimming or kayaking, as well as amenities blocks with showers, flushing toilets and barbeque areas. Perfect for families, or those wanting more creature comforts than bush camping can offer.

If it’s tracks you want, then Wheeny Creek off Comleroy Road has rocks and ruts aplenty. As mentioned, there is also a camping area there with creek access too, however it can fill up with eager campers really quickly on weekends so it pays to get there early.

BEST DRIVE: Gee Arm

South Trail

BEST CAMP: The Upper
Colo Reserve

FIVE THINGS YOU NEED: Something to float down the
river on, firewood, a map of the area, insect repellent and a good quality torch

RYDAL AND LAKE LYELL

If the idea of going back to a simpler time appeals to you, the drive out to Rydal won’t disappoint. The town itself is made up of a pub, the showground, two churches and an historic train station… that’s it. But for many four-wheel drivers, the relaxed atmosphere of yesteryear is what attracts them. After driving through the showground, things start to get more exciting as the tracks surrounding Lake Lyell provide an assortment of challenges.

You are spoilt for choice when it comes to camping, as there are many clearings and designated camp areas on the Coxs River and Lake Lyell itself. If you are keen on taking on the tracks, look for Mount Walker or the appropriately named Unimog Hill on a map. Rumour has it the local army test their kitted out Mercedes Unimogs on that particular climb. Make it to the top, and you have bragging rights for life! But this is a serious track, so only attempt it if you have the ability and the vehicle.

Leaving the fishing rod at home would be a sin on a trip like this. Both Lake Lyell and the Coxs River are alive with both rainbow and brown trout, which is why we love this area so much. Good four-wheel driving, idyllic camping and exciting fishing. What more could you ask for?

BEST DRIVE: Conquering

Mount Walker

BEST CAMP: The banks of
Lake Lyell is hard to beat

FIVE THINGS YOU NEED:
A GPS (or detailed maps),
recovery gear, fishing rod, aggressive tyres and warm
clothes as it gets cold overnight

THE WATAGANS

Tough four-wheel driving, enough space to set up camp for the whole family, and plenty of attractions (such as waterfalls, lookouts and bushwalks), the ‘Wattos’ has it all. Located north of the NSW Central Coast, the Watagans is one of the most discussed and visited four-wheel drive destinations for local NSW residents. The central location means you can easily duck into a town for supplies, or even head to one of the many beaches for a swim after a day on the tracks.

Speaking of tracks, the Watagans has something for all off-road tastes. From mud-pits, to rock crawling tracks, to scenic dirt road drives. It’s almost like you are a world away, yet the major highway between Sydney and Queensland (Pacific Highway) is almost in sight.

Another draw card to the area is the fact you can easily tack on a few other trips. Stockton Beach is an easy day trip away, and if you are heading further north to Coffs Harbour or Queensland, why not stop in here for an adventure on the way. Sure beats sitting on the highway battling through road works and traffic.

BEST DRIVE: Daniels Point

Road (If it’s not wet)

BEST CAMP: Gap Creek Campground

FIVE THINGS YOU NEED: Mud terrain tyres (if driving Daniels Point Road, recovery gear, tools, STRONG insect repellent and firewood

YALWAL

The South Coast of NSW doesn’t seem to attract quite as much attention from four-wheel drivers as the North Coast, which is probably the way the locals like it. If you’re looking for a cheeky weekend escape, overnighter, or four-wheel driving day trip, put Yalwal into your GPS and start planning.

For the freshwater fish enthusiasts, Danjera Dam is stocked with bass and trout so don’t forget to pack the fishing rods. If you’re looking for four-wheel drive tracks though, Yalwal has you covered. In fact, Monkey Gum Trail and Six Stage Track are up there with some of the toughest you will find in NSW. If a more relaxed play is the name of the game, the Powerlines Track is an excellent place to hone your skills.

Camping options are aplenty, but if you need amenities and want a bit of space its hard to beat the camps around Danjera Dam. It can get pretty busy here however; so don’t be afraid to go exploring to find a spot to camp.

BEST DRIVE: Monkey Gum Fire Trail

BEST CAMP: Danjera Dam Campground

FIVE THINGS YOU NEED: Firewood, drinking water, recovery gear, a kayak or raft and a fishing rod.

ABERCROMBIE RIVER NATIONAL PARK

Stunning, picturesque, serene… close to home. These are all words that come to mind when thinking about the Abercrombie. Sure it’s a little bit further away from Sydney than the other journeys mentioned in this article, but the drive is absolutely worth it.

Steep climbing tracks, river crossings, swimming holes, historical landmarks and an abundance of flora and fauna is why we keep going back. Even the drive through the surrounding areas of Goulburn and Oberon will have you rubbing your eyes in disbelief at how scenic this part of the world is.

There are four main campgrounds (Bummaroo Ford, Silent Creek, The Beach and The Sink), all with something unique to offer. Even those with camper trailers are catered for too, as Bummaroo Ford Campsite has access for camper trailers and caravans. However it must be said that the tracks are steep and get slippery after rain. Travelling in a group is recommended, and leaving the trailer set-up at base camp is the best practise if you are keen to go exploring. Trust us… you will be!

BEST DRIVE: Bald Hill Track

BEST CAMP: The Beach Campground

FIVE THINGS YOU NEED: An air compressor and tyre gauge, all-terrain tyres, warm clothes if camping, all food and water (no shops close by), maps of the area

CENTRE OF SYDNEY

Parramatta (the suburb of Dundas to be precise) is the geographical centre of Sydney, not the city CBD as is often thought. So just how
far away from the actual centre
of town are these locations?

COLO RIVER = 57km

RYDAL = 131km

WATAGAN N.P. = 137km

YALWAL = 200km

ABERCROMBIE N.P. = 208KM

By Evan Spence