From the Grampians in the west to the New South Wales state border in the east. The Great Dividing Range within Victoria has a multitude of 4WD trails suitable for all levels of experience.
Some of them are even a short drive from Melbourne, making a day trip a real possibility for beginners and experienced 4×4 adventurers alike.
Toolangi State Forest
The Toolangi State Forest is popular because it’s just beyond Healesville in the Yarra Valley. About an hour’s drive from the centre of Melbourne – and offers incredibly scenic views. Suited to beginners and intermediate drivers, the state forest has a great campground on the banks of the Yea River. With no camping or booking fees and full toilet facilities.
Here you’ll find tracks for all 4WDing skill levels based on rocks, sand and some skill-testing clay. Keep an eye out if there’s been recent wet weather as some of the tracks can become quite slippery.
Tallarook State Forest
Directly north of Melbourne, approximately 100km from the city centre and just south of Seymour is the town of Tallarook. Adjacent to the town is the relatively large Tallarook state forest that offers multiple tracks for beginners and intermediate 4WD adventurers. Pack your swag/tent because there are multiple free campsites throughout, and more intermediate adventurers will enjoy the multiple hill climbing tracks in the park.
Alpine National Park
For those who want the high life – literally – the Alpine National Park should be on your list of places to experience. The national park is enormous with many different areas to explore (and different ways to get there) including the roads less travelled up to the alpine villages of Mount Buller and Mouth Hotham.
For the more experienced 4WD enthusiasts, there are water crossings, steep inclines and descents and narrow passages to navigate. If you’re intending to cross the entire park, you’ll need more than just a weekend. Book in a couple more days of annual leave and make an extra-long weekend out of it!
Grampians National Park
Finally, the Grampians National Park. Officially the start of the Great Dividing Range, the National Park in Victoria’s west is a 2-3 hour drive from metropolitan Melbourne. Hall’s Gap is about a 30-minute drive from Stawell where you get off the Western Highway. This is the perfect spot to base yourself for a Grampians off-roading adventure. There are multiple beginner-friendly 4WD tracks and if you also want to get out and stretch your legs there are some truly phenomenal walks. These walks boast some of the most spectacular views in Australia within easy reach of the many car parks.
There are plenty of online resources with pre-determined 4WD tracks for you to follow along the Great Dividing Range. But make sure you travel in a group as the trails of the Grampians are built for experienced off-roading travellers.
Always be mindful of any warnings when planning your next adventure. Take the time to check if the tracks you want to explore are open. Snow in elevated areas is common in Victoria and many tracks close over the winter period.
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