Discovery is all about taking a step into the unknown. If you’re curious to see what it feels like to leave the bitumen behind but don’t know where to start, this guide is for you.
FleetCrew’s guide to five incredible 4wd brisbane tracks in South East Queensland highlights drives ranging from easy to medium difficulty. Because they are all in close proximity to the city, they are ideal for anyone searching for the perfect Brisbane 4WD adventure.
The top five 4WD tracks near Brisbane:
Read on for detailed information, maps, and insider tips for our favorite 4wd brisbane tracks.
If you are looking to test your vehicle’s capabilities closer to the city, finding high-quality 4×4 tracks Brisbane locals swear by is the perfect place to start. Whether you own a built rig or are looking to hire a fully equipped vehicle, these locations offer the perfect mix of technical terrain and breathtaking scenery.
| Distance from Brisbane | 50-minute drive to ferry + 45-minute ferry ride |
| Skill Level | Easy to Moderate (varying sand tracks across the island) |
This popular destination is one of the three famous sand dune islands off the coast of Queensland. North Stradbroke is a favourite Aussie destination because it has great beach fishing, camping and four-wheel driving all set against a magnificent backdrop. From views of migrating whales on the headlands to lush forests and endless powdery beaches, North Stradbroke is a total stunner.
The island can be reached by driving your 4WD onto a Stradbroke Ferry from Cleveland. Cleveland is a quiet bay-side city that’s 50 minutes from Brisbane. Remember to purchase a Vehicle Access Permit before you do any four-wheel driving on Stradbroke.
Flinders Beach and Main Beach are the best spots for beach driving. There are good fishing spots along both beaches, which is great for anglers who wish to wet the lines and try some beach fishing. Many campsites are scattered around the island.
If school holidays are on, be sure to book in advance because they do sell out.
If you would like to go camping on a remote beach, preparation is key. You will not have the luxury of amenities, fires, or toilets. However, it’s going to be a rare opportunity to camp where it is truly remote, quiet, and peaceful and it will make it all worthwhile. Camping and permits of the Minjerrabah recreation area is managed by Straddie Camping. You can find a map of amenities, treks, and roads on North Stradbroke Island here.
Want to try 4WDing on a tropical island that looks like paradise? Read our article, “Top 10 things to do on Stradbroke Island” to learn more about everything there is to see and do on Straddie!
As beach driving is different than road driving, it is best to know a few tips before you embark on your journey. For a quick rundown on the essentials of beach driving, check out our guide on safe beach driving.
| Distance from Brisbane | 57 km (entering via Laceys Creek) |
| Trek Distance | 59.7 km (Laceys Creek to Archer Camping Area via Somerset Lookout) |
| Skill Level | Easy (in dry conditions on main tracks); Moderate to Difficult on smaller off-road side tracks |
Boiling Billy’s 4WD guide, ‘4WD Treks Close to Brisbane’, says D’Aguilar National Park is “one of the best bush four-wheel drives close to Brisbane.” This trek is close enough to the city to be a day trip, but is well worth staying for the weekend. The park’s Forest Drives are easy when dry and will take you to waterfalls, pools, gorges, rainforests, historical landmarks, and spectacular views.
The park starts behind Mount-Cootha, with the closest sections of the park only 13 km from the Brisbane CBD. The park consists of two areas: South D’Aguilar and Mount Mee. Mount Mee is where the four-wheel driving treks can be found, and is an hour’s drive from Brisbane. You can access all forest drives of Mount Mee, unless signage says otherwise. Bonus: you do not need a vehicle permit for this track.
Use a map of the area and the Department of National Parks, Sports and Racing driving guide of D’Aguilar National Park to plan your route. A trek that is recommended is heading to Dayboro via (45 min from Brisbane) and entering D’Aguilar National Park through Laceys Creek Road and exiting the track through Rasmussen Road at the Archer camping area.
If there has been heavy rain, double check to see if roads are closed by looking up park alerts. This will inform you of up-to-date information about park access, closures and road conditions. For more information about the D’Aguilar Range, take a look at this Park Guide.
Because of its clay tracks and rocky ridges, Mount Mee is widely considered one of the best standard 4×4 tracks Brisbane has to offer for a quick weekend escape. It gives drivers a true bush-bashing experience without requiring a massive road trip to get there.
With fun driving tracks for all skill sets, camping, beautiful scenery, and lots of fun activities, Mount Mee D’Aguilar National Park is an ideal place to go and explore for the day or the weekend.
| Distance from Brisbane | 40 km offshore |
| Trek Distance | 38 km main beach track |
| Skill Level | Moderate (strictly sand driving) |
Check @Guillaumecornetfilms & @emmaceolin on their Morteton Island Adventure with FleetCrew. Sun baking, turtle spotting, snorkeling and of course off-road driving on the rugged sand tracks!
The exposed side of Moreton Island spans 38 km from North to South and is a haven of 4WD only tracks. Located approximately 40 km from Brisbane, the island is great for a wide range of day trips, family excursions or adrenaline-filled adventures.
Getting to Moreton Island with your 4WD is as simple as driving onto a ferry such as the MICAT. It’s about a 20 minute drive from Brisbane. Once aboard, many 4WD drivers find it helpful to lower their tyre pressure to suit the conditions expected on the island. Moreton is entirely made up of sand and is particularly well-known for its bare sand areas.
If you are keen on camping, plenty of sites are located on the beach and have water views and shade. Ranging from surf beach to calm water, there is an ideal camping spot no matter what your needs are!
Moreton Island, originally called Mulgumpin meaning the “place of sand hills,” is the Indigenous name for this island. The island itself is 95% National Park and holds a rich history of cultural heritage, beautiful scenery and a variety of wildlife. Whether you are watching the whales pass by, heading out to soak in the natural tea tree oil in the Blue Lagoon or taking a dive to look at a sunken ship, there is much to choose from when exploring this diverse area!
As this island is 4WD only, it is important to consider bringing along a few safety and vehicle supplies such as a shovel, a towrope and a tyre compressor. If you want a vehicle that comes already prepared for your 4WD getaway, check out our range of recreational 4WD hire vehicles.
| Distance from Brisbane | 85.7 km to Boonah |
| Trek Distance | ~85 km total |
| Skill Level | Medium (requires confident water crossings) |
Looking to step up your game and challenge your vehicle with some classic river crossings? This is the track for you. The Condamine River Track is incredibly popular among local four-wheel drivers because it follows an old bullock wagon route that crosses the Condamine River a whopping 14 times!
As you wind through the spectacular valleys, you will pass plenty of swimming holes, grassy picnic spots, and ancient rainforests. The most famous landmark along the route is Queen Mary Falls, where you can watch water plummet 40 meters down a sheer cliff face. Daggs Falls, Dolly on the Rock, and Paddy’s Knob are also well worth a stop.
The track runs between Boonah and Killarney and can be tackled from either end. To start from Boonah, head south on Boonah-Rathdowney Road, then use the following navigation:
3.4 km: Turn right onto Mount Alford Rd
13.4 km: Turn left onto Dwyers Rd
21.2 km: Turn right onto Carneys Creek Rd
28.2 km: Turn right onto The Head Rd
46.4 km: Turn right onto Condamine River Rd
Flash Flood Warning: The Condamine River Track can close rapidly during rainy weather. Heavy rainfall in the catchment area can cause water levels to rise from a few inches to well over the bonnet of a 4WD in a matter of hours. Never attempt to cross flooded rivers.
| Distance from Brisbane | 158 km |
| Trek Distance | 200 km of dedicated trails |
| Skill Level | Easy to Extreme |
LandCruiser Mountain Park (LMP) is a massive 10,000-acre wilderness property specifically designed for camping and 4WD enthusiasts. Conveniently located near Jimna, it features over 200 km of purpose-built 4wd brisbane tracks, ranging from simple water crossings to steep, deep gullies designed to test seasoned pros.
LMP is a working cattle property and Queensland’s very first private wilderness park. One of its biggest draws is that you can camp almost anywhere on the property. With plenty of quiet, shaded, and grassy areas to set up camp, it is consistently rated as one of the top ten camping spots in South East Queensland.
What sets this park apart from other rugged 4×4 tracks near Brisbane is its sheer variety. You can test your low-range limits on steep hill climbs or simply enjoy a leisurely cruise through the valley flats, making it an excellent testing ground for drivers of all experience levels.
Because it is a natural wilderness area, the camping facilities are basic and unpowered. Whenever you visit, ensure you are fully self-sufficient and carrying a first aid kit, shovel, and recovery gear. Alongside world-class off-road tracks, you’ll enjoy freshwater fishing, swimming, bushwalking, mountain climbing, and an abundance of local wildlife.
In short, South East Queensland offers an endless outdoor playground to explore, from pristine sand beaches to rushing waterfalls and mountaintop vistas.
You don’t need to tackle the toughest 4×4 tracks Brisbane has on offer alone. Navigating river crossings, soft coastal sand, and steep mountain inclines is much easier when you have the right setup.
If you want to see why so many Australians love the off-road lifestyle but don’t own a vehicle, hiring an adventure-ready vehicle is the perfect solution. Not sure which of these 4wd brisbane tracks is right for your experience level? Ask the expert team at FleetCrew. Our Brisbane branch is conveniently situated close to all of these iconic tracks, and we are always happy to match the perfect vehicle to your off-road goals.
Let the adventure begin!
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