Looking for some of the best 4WD day trips Brisbane? With so many incredible and diverse landscapes at our doorstep, you can take your pick from tropical rainforests, creek crossings, sand dunes, and even beach tracks when planning your next trip. Check out some of our favourite 4WD day trips from Brisbane below.
Stradbroke Island
Stunningly beautiful, with wide open beach tracks and some of the most famous 4WD dune driving you can do in the country, North Stradbroke Island is popular because of the variety of trails it has to offer keen enthusiasts. With varying lengths that can suit different skill levels, it’s easy to pack in a full day of 4WDing fun with the whole family here. What’s more, the island is a treasure trove of family-friendly activities, with incredible surf beaches, water sports, lakes, trails, walks and much more to explore along the way.
Distance from Brisbane: 50 minute drive + 45 minute ferry ride
Length of Track/s: Varies
Skill Level: Numerous tracks for varying skill levels
Track Highlights: Beach driving, sand dunes, lookouts
Rainforest Way
One of the most spectacular 4WD day trips you can do from Brisbane involves exploring the 14 World Heritage National Parks as you traverse up to 650km of scenic drives. The Rainforest Way, which starts just 65km from Brisbane, stretches from southern Queensland to northern NSW. Heading south from Brisbane, there are several entry points to the primary route of The Rainforest Way, including the Tamborine Circuit through Queensland’s hinterlands, along with Lions Road, which criss-crosses several creeks.
Distance from Brisbane: 65km from Brisbane
Length of Track/s: Varies
Skill Level: Numerous tracks for varying skill levels
Track Highlights: 14 World Heritage National Parks, rainforests, waterfalls
Moreton Island
When it comes to pristine beach 4WD day trips from Brisbane, we can’t go past the paradise that is Moreton Island. In fact, the only way to get around the island freely is via 4WD and so it is good to make sure yours is fully equipped with any safety tools and supplies you may need. Aside from the spectacular white sand beach drives, there are also 38km of island tracks to explore, suitable for a range of skill levels. Make sure you enjoy all that the island has to offer while on your day trip, including swimming, fishing, and checking out the local heritage sites too.
Distance from Brisbane: 1.5 hours from the mainland to Moreton Island on Micat Ferry
Length of Track/s: 38km
Skill Level: Numerous tracks for varying skill levels
Track Highlights: Beach driving, sand dunes, whale watching
Lamington National Park
Running from the top of Lamington National Park down to Kerry Road on the Beaudesert side of the mountains, the Duck Creek Trail is only 15km long and a lovely, easy 4WD track for families to explore. The road is unsealed and quite steep at times, but, as it is well-maintained by Council, it is quite easy navigate with your vehicle. Taking you through farmland and the picturesque scenic rim, the national park also offers some incredible hikes and walks if you want to get out and stretch your legs along the way.
Distance from Brisbane: 70km drive from Brisbane
Length of Track/s: Duck Creek Trail – 15km
Skill Level: Easy to moderate
Track Highlights: Farmlands, Scenic Rim, rainforest, waterfalls
Mt Mee Forest Drive
Most keen 4WD enthusiasts have Mt Mee firmly on the top of their to-do list. Located only an hour’s drive from Brisbane in the breathtaking D’Aguilar National Park‘s northern section, the mountain is known for its 4WD treks and spectacular scenery. There are numerous forest drives worth venturing on, all of which you can access unless signage says otherwise. If you are lucky enough to visit after rain, there are a number of crystal clear streams up in the mountains to swim in. On the drive you can enjoy beautiful vistas, lookouts, wildlife spotting, creeks and more. While on this day trip it might also be a lovely idea to stop in to Dayboro, a country town well worth visiting.
Distance from Brisbane: 57km from Brisbane
Length of Track/s: 59km from Lacey’s Creek to Archer Camping Area
Skill Level: Easy – moderate depending on track
Track Highlights: Lookouts, swimming holes, rainforest, creeks
Janowen Hills 4WD Park
Photo Credit: Janowen Hills 4WD Park
For a small $30 access fee, you can enjoy everything off-road driving has to offer at the Janowen Hills 4WD Park. Located 160km south-west of Brisbane, this is an easy trip to do in a day, with the off-road playground destination well worth the drive there and back. Featuring over 80 different tracks to play on, with varying degrees of skill level required (beginner to expert), you can test out your 4WD skills driving through creeks and on different terrain types. If you just can’t get enough while you are there, you can turn your day trip into a full weekend of fun by camping at their onsite campground.
Distance from Brisbane: 160km south of Brisbane
Length of Track/s: Varies
Skill Level: Beginner to expert level
Track Highlights: 80 tracks to explore, campgrounds, creeks, hill terrain
Bellthorpe National Park
Image Credit: Visit Moreton Bay
Boasting the best 4WD tracks in the Moreton Bay region, Bellthorpe National Park offers some of the best dry-weather challenges for drivers. Not for the feint-hearted, these tracks have some pretty tricky (but spectacular) terrain to navigate. Ranging from 6km to 20km in length, the tracks pass through creeks, rock pools, forest, and cascades, and are signposted with difficulty ratings that are worth taking note of before starting. Either way, it is a stunning way to spend a 4WD day trip in natural surrounds.
Distance from Brisbane: 90 minutes from Brisbane
Length: 6km to 20km various tracks
Skill Level: Moderate to hard
Track Highlights: Creeks, rock pools, forest, wildlife spotting, cascades, hills
For more day trip ideas, you might also enjoy:
12 Short Day Trips From Brisbane
Join the conversation