Three Favrourite Offroading Adventures

Three Offroading Adventures South East Queensland, Northern New South Wales. Australia

I was flicking through some old photos the other day, and couldn’t help but feel so thankful for the many 4WD destinations we can pack up and head out to in this incredible country. We truly do have world class beaches and national parks, and owning a 4WD means you can access the best spots that Australia has to offer. Being able to access so many truly amazing places in a 4WD is a privilege. The more we travel this stunning country the longer the list grows, but I have a number of places that I absolutely love, and would highly recommend. We can’t put these in any particular order; they are all truly special, but here are 3. We don't want give away too many secrets.

Burrum Coast

Enjoy a relaxing beach-side holiday along the Burrum Coast, home to a number of small fishing villages, and the place to enjoy unspoiled beaches, great fishing, swimming, bird watching and wildlife encounters. If you’re searching for a quiet coastal escape with some 4WD’ing fun thrown in and you don’t mind a bit of a drive to get there, then the unspoiled Burrum Coast National Park south of Bundaberg may well fit the bill. 

The park protects just over 23 000 hectares of coastal lowland wilderness made up of sandy beaches, tea tree swamps, estuaries, wallum heaths, livistona palm groves. The National Park consists of three sections Kinduna, Woodgate and Burrum River, and the first two have plenty to entice the 4wd adventurer including 14 kilometres of vehicle-accessible beach, secluded campsites with uninterrupted ocean views, a tranquil wilderness atmosphere with birds, marine and wildlife in abundance and total peace and quiet

Bundjalung

If you enjoy holidaying on the water, you’ll love Bundjalung’s combination of river, beach and freshwater lagoons. This north coast park stretches north from Iluka to Evans Head with the Pacific Ocean as its eastern boundary. This drive will guide you along a wonderful stretch of the Northern Coast of New South Wales from Ballina to Black Rocks. You’ll cruise along the coast of the 4225 hectares Broadwater National Park which protects an amazingly diverse range of plants and animals, to peaceful Evans Heads then beautiful Bundjalung National Park. Bundjalung, names after the land’s traditional owners, protects over 20 000 hectares of pristine coastal habitat that includes almost 40 kilometres of unspoilted beaches, impressive coastal headland, numerous freshwater lagoons, cypress pine swamps, mangrove mudflats, and even a patch of rare littoral rainforest. 

Ten Mile Beach is accessible by 4wd from Woody Head and offers great swimming, surfing and fishing. Throughout the park many shell middens and campsites provide evidence of the Bundjalung people who occupied the area for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans. To the north of Black Rocks, the beach is used by the Air Force as a practice bombing range. At the southern end of Ten Mile Beach, Woody Head features rare coastal rainforests, and excellent campground and five picinic area including Huka Bluff which is a great whale-watching lookout.

Glasshouse Mountains

The Glass House Mountains are an awe-inspiring landscape. Let the magic wash over you as you take a leisurely drive through the Glass House Mountains National Park, stopping at picturesque lookouts along the way, or get the blood pumping with some hiking, rock climbing or abseiling. 

This interesting historical adventure heads north out of Caboolture along Old Gympie Road following the route of the Cobb & Co coaches that ran between Brisbane and the Gympie goldfields in the late 100’s. You’ll travel along forestry roads and tracks throughout the plantations of the Beerburrum State Forest and catch glimpses and views of the spectacular eroded volcanic peaks known as the Glass House. Tunbubudla (Thw Twins) are passed at close range before you pass Glasshouse Mountain Lookout.  This Is an ideal spot for morning tea of lunch as you take in the magnificent panoramic views. Heading off the road once more you will pass around the base of the largest of the Glass Houses, Beerwah and the imposing spine of Coonowrin, also known as Crookneck. 

Next are the historic Bankfoot House and then the Teamsters Way Stop, interesting diversions o the way to Tibrogargan and Tibberoowuccum. Further on is a monument to Mathew Flinders, an ancient Aboriginal bore and the site of the town Campbellville, before your trip ends at a delighted Camping and Day use.