11 Best 4WD Tracks in South Australia

South Australians are spoilt for choice when it comes to where they live.

Just minutes from Adelaide, you have beautiful coastlines and beaches, mountains, rugged bushland and the outback ready to be explored. For anyone who is itching to get out of the city and explore all the amazing countryside at their fingertips, 4WDing is the perfect go-to.

With such a variety of natural environments available, there really is something for everyone when it comes to off-roading. Take a look at our top 11 4WD tracks in South Australia and start planning your escape from the city.

1. Little Dip Conservation Park

Little Dip Conservation Park is a great weekend trip for anyone looking to get away for a couple of days. The track is a great option for everyone from 4WD newbies to the more experienced among us.

With its stunning views, Little Dip also offers the chance to go fishing, explore the lagoons or kick back next to a bonfire. Little Dip is a great way to spend a few days driving over terrain that ranges from sandy to rocky. Be sure to time your driving with the tides or you risk getting caught out by the high tide.

2. Flinders Ranges National Park

The Flinders Ranges offers stunning views, great camping spots, and of course, spectacular 4WDing tracks. Flinders boasts a huge range of different driving tracks.

You can spend the day driving along the beautiful beaches of the park. Or drive in another direction and head off towards the Outback. The Park has a substantial population of wild animals so keep an eye out while you’re driving. You will more than likely encounter kangaroos, emus, lizards and eagles to name a few.

3. The Simpson Desert

Located in the Northern end of South Australia, The Simpson Desert is every off-road enthusiast’s dream. Picture kilometres of rolling sand dunes and sand tracks with plenty of wild camels to see along the way.

It’s easy to see why this is one of the most popular tracks in South Australia. Due to the advanced nature of the track, this is one we recommend for the more experienced drivers.

Be sure to plan your trip ahead of time and ensure that you have a high clearance 4WD due to the remote desert of the track. You will need a Desert Parks Pass from National Parks SA to access this track. So be sure to organise this in advance.

4. Eyre Peninsula

The tracks along Eyre Peninsula offer some of the best scenic coastal views that the country has to offer. Home to the Memory Cove Wilderness Area which is fantastic for 4WDing, Eyre Peninsula also offers some gorgeous camping spots along the Lincoln National Park.

Get off the beaten track and explore the rocky ranges, dirt roads and coastal tracks that make up the Eyre Peninsula. Googs Track is especially inviting for anyone who loves the challenge and excitement of sand dunes.

Be sure to take along plenty of water and a satellite phone as this is a real off-road experience; you don’t want to get bogged in the hotter summer months.

5. Jakem Farm 4WD Tracks

Just a 45-minute drive from Adelaide and an hour and a half from Fleurieu Peninsula. Jakem Farm is a huge purpose-built 4WD paradise.

With over 700-acres of tracks, Jakem Farm offers a variety of different tracks, suitable for drivers of every skill level. From rolling hills to steep, unforgiving tracks, heaps of camping spots and picnic areas, Jakem Farm is a dream for anyone who wants to head out for a day or two of driving.

6. Ngarkat National Park

Just 34-kilometres south of Pinnaroo you’ll find Ngarkat National Park. It boasts more than 270,000ha of colourful sand dunes and bushland.

Drive the legendary Border Track that takes you along the South Australian and Victorian border. You can also explore some of the other tracks that take you through the park itself. We recommend planning your trip for the cooler months due to the intense heat that envelops the park during the summer months.

7. Alpana Station

For anyone looking for a true Outback 4WDing adventure, Alpana Station ticks all of the boxes. Choose from a number of tracks that range from beginner-friendly to very challenging.

You’ll also have access to a huge array of accommodation and campgrounds available for anyone who wants to take an extended trip. Alpana Station offers a unique Outback experience for the adventurous.

Located approximately a five-hour drive from Adelaide, the challenging terrain of Alpana Station rewards you with stunning views and an exciting day or two of driving.

8. Canunda National Park

Nestled into the Limestone Coast, Canunda National Park is one of South Australia’s best-kept secrets. Here you’ll find a good mix of challenging and straightforward, beginner-friendly coastal tracks to explore.

You can head out on the soft sand at Geltwood Beach or explore some of the inland coastal tracks if driving on soft sand isn’t your thing. As always, be sure to check tidal times before taking to the beach to avoid any unwanted surprises.

9. Coorong National Park

The Southern Coastal region of the Coorong National Park is a fantastic drive for anyone with a bit of 4WD experience behind them.

Considered a mid-level track, The Coorong is an exciting drive for off-roaders who like a bit of wild weather thrown into the mix. Camping spots are also plentiful in the area. So be sure to plan a weekend away if you have the time.

10. Deep Creek Conservation Park

For the 4WD enthusiasts that are looking for an easy track to tackle, Deep Creek Conservation Park is your perfect option. Deep Creek is a beautiful coastal drive. And it’s a great way to spend a day with friends or family as most of the park can be accessed within a day.

There is on-site accommodation if you were thinking of spending a day or two. So you can also visit the beautiful beach that is a short walk from the car park.

For those who are looking for more of a challenging drive, there are a few tracks that will present more of a challenge located within the park as well.

11. Saunders Gorge Sanctuary

Saunders Gorge Sanctuary is the perfect spot to spend a weekend away. A great spot to learn how to take on rocky and grassy slopes of varying degrees. The track isn’t too difficult and is great for beginner adventure enthusiasts.

Boasting scenic walking trails and bird-watching spots alongside some fantastic campgrounds, Saunders Gorge is an excellent choice for anyone thinking of a family weekend away.

South Australia is packed full of amazing 4WD tracks near Adelaide that will suit all levels of drivers. Offering everything from beautiful coastal tracks to dirt roads and sand dunes, you’re sure to have an exciting drive and an unforgettable experience. South Australia is the perfect spot to go off-road and put your 4WD truck through its paces