On (And Off) The Road Driving the New England Highway? Check Out These Off Road Diversions!

Four wheel driving is heaps of fun, with access to places most people will never get to see – and this wide brown land is rich in destinations to explore. As Australia’s vastness stretches before you, it’s easy to wonder, What mysteries do the hills conceal? What adventures lie ahead?

But as your wheels eat the bitumen and the kilometres fly by, even the most dedicated road tripper can lose sight of the spirit of exploration. Towns become targets on a map, and enticing side roads are bypassed. In the quest to make good time, countless epic sights remain forever unseen. The real magic lies in planning to divert from the plan!

Now, if you’re planning on forgoing the coast and taking the inland route between Sydney and Brisbane, you may think there’s less opportunity to see unforgettable sights. But the truth is, the New England highway is just as full of worthy pitstops. You only have to slow down and take time to get to know it.

Learn the secrets of the New England Highway by getting off the beaten track and getting your wheels muddy. Here are our top four wheel driving routes to check out while you’re in the area.

Four Wheel Driving Near New England Highway

Four Wheel Driving Warwick – The Springs 4×4 Park

Break up your journey with a few nights camping and playing in your four-wheel drive at The Springs 4×4 Park.

With tracks for all experience levels, from beginners to experienced four-wheel drivers wanting to hone their skills on extreme hill climbs, you’ll be able to choose your own adventure.

The park offers vehicle recovery in case you find yourself in a sticky situation. And best of all, the road to the campground is suitable for caravans – so no need to leave your JAWA off road camper behind!

Four Wheel Driving Tenterfield – Billyrimba and Rocky (Timbarra) River

An adventure to the edge, you’ll find your wheels straddling the ominously named Demon Fault on this foray from Tenterfield. Enjoy manoeuvring your way through a patch of giant boulders while you contemplate the area’s gold-rich history.

Finally, the road will spit you out at the Lunatic Hotel in Drake, where it’s rumoured that nobody is actually insane. Can’t be too careful, though, can you?

Four Wheel Driving Armidale – George’s Junction

If the idea of majestic views from narrow dirt tracks bounded on either side by towering cliffs and heart-stopping sheer drops is your idea of a good weekend, George’s Junction is a must.

As you wend your way along this four-wheel-drive-only track, you’ll be making your way towards a series of campgrounds and side tracks near Oxley Wild Rivers National Park. Stop off for a few nights to play in the river – you’ll be wanting your kayaks for this.

And as you’ll be camping on a NSW Travelling Stock Route, you never know, cattle or horses may surprise you by passing through the camp.

Four Wheel Driving Newcastle – Stockton Beach

Despite bypassing the Gold Coast, there’s no need to miss out on the beach action entirely on your New England road trip. Stockton Beach’s Recreational Vehicle Area offers 350ha to explore, including over 19km of gorgeous sandy beachfront begging to be tamed.

You’ll need to display a Worimi Conservation Lands beach vehicle permit, so plan ahead if you’d like to visit this beach beauty.

Four Wheel Driving Bathurst – The Bridle Track

With a name harking back to the 1800s gold fever, the Bridle Track is steeped in history. At its narrowest points, hopeful prospectors would have to lead their horses by the bridle to navigate the steep terrain.

While the track was widened to accommodate tourists in the 1900s, this is still a narrow 4WD-only track. 13 campsites bejewel the isolated landscape, but this is a journey campervans and camper trailers are advised not to take.

Recent rock falls closed the track, but repairs have been made, and the adventure continues.

How To Prepare for Four Wheel Driving

Proper preparation can help you make the most of your time in Australia’s magnificent but sometimes harsh and unforgiving landscape.

Here’s how to ensure you have a safe trip:

• Map your route and know your alternative routes. You may not have access to mapping apps out there, so a good old paper map is necessary for forays off the main roads.
• Do your research before you go and ensure that your skill level matches the route you choose.
• Stock up on everything you might need in an emergency. It’s better to have something and not need it than to need something and not have it.
• Ensure that your vehicle and camper specs match the road conditions you’re likely to face. If it’s not a good fit, don’t even go there. Plenty of other hidden gems await!
• Set yourself up with a rugged off road camper that can take what the road dishes out and offers a comfy place to rest your head.
• Conditions change quickly in the wilderness, so seek up-to-date information about track conditions, campgrounds and closures.

Need your trusty JAWA off road camper serviced before you hit the road? Get in touch!