Whether you’re looking for a 4WD track close to Melbourne or keen to venture further afield, there are plenty of great options across Victoria.
This website features some excellent tracks worth checking out:
https://www.4wdingaustralia.com/travel-victoria/4wd-tracks-in-victoria
Closer to Melbourne, the Brisbane Ranges, Lerderderg State Forest, and Wombat State Forest offer accessible 4WD trails, ideal for a day trip or a quick weekend getaway.
For something more remote and adventurous, I highly recommend the Mt Terrible Track, Mt Margaret, and the stunning drive to Craigs Hut — all offering breathtaking views and more challenging terrain.
General Advice & Pre‑Trip Checklist
- Check track conditions just before heading out — rain, recent storms, fire bans or closures can change things quickly.
- Know the difficulty of the track and ensure your vehicle and skill level match. Don’t over‑commit.
- Let someone know your route and expected return time. In remote tracks especially, mobile coverage may be patchy.
- Carry recovery gear, spare tyres, tools, and enough supplies (food, water, fuel).
- Respect the environment: stay on designated tracks, avoid damaging vegetation, pack out everything, follow local rules.
- Weather can change fast, especially in high country: layers, warm gear, change of plans.
- Make sure you have an updated map / GPS / offline navigation in case of signal loss.
Books
- 4WD Treks Close to Melbourne by Robert and Muriel Pepper
- Make Trax 4WD Victoria Atlas
- Victoria High Country Atlas & Guide by Hema
- 4WD Touring South East New South Wales & East Gippsland by Craig Lewis and Cathy Savage
- 4WD Days out of Melbourne edited by Nick Underwood
- Mallee Tracks : a wanderer’s guide to the South Australian and Victorian Mallee by Jill Nickolls and Ann Angel
- Victoria: Off the Beaten Track : Sixty Plus Four Wheel Drive Adventures by Murray White & Anthony McLaren
- Bush Tracks of Victoria : 30 great 4WD adventures by Ron & Viv Moon
Useful Links
- Victoria’s Iconic 4WD Adventures: https://www.4wdvictoria.org.au/iconic4wd/index.php/homepage
- Australia’s National 4WD Track Database: https://tracks.4x4earth.com/
- Maptopia: https://www.maptopia.com.au/4wd-maps-guides-digital-explore/Four-wheel-driving-maps-folded-discover/4-wheel-driving-maps-VIC
- Meridian Maps: https://meridianmaps.com.au/
- Rooftop Maps: https://www.maptopia.com.au/recreations-maps-and-guides/bushwalking-maps-around-australia/rooftop-outdoor-recreation-map-topographic-guide-maps
- Rooftop Maps: https://abcmaps.com.au/rooftop_maps_1/
- The Best 4WD Tracks in Victoria: https://www.club4x4.com.au/blog/best-4wd-tracks-victoria/
- Best 4×4 tracks near Melbourne: https://www.4x4australia.com.au/explore/vic/best-4×4-tracks-near-melbourne-vic
- The ultimate guide to 4WD tracks in the Wimmera Mallee: https://visitwimmeramallee.com.au/guide-to-4wd-tracks-in-wimmera-mallee/
- Hema Maps: https://hemamaps.com/collections/victoria-maps-atlases-and-guides
- Maps and spatial: https://www.land.vic.gov.au/maps-and-spatial
- These 4WD tracks near Melbourne are too good to miss: https://unsealed4x4.com.au/4wd-tracks-melbourne-guide/
- Top 10 4WD Tracks near Melbourne: https://www.mitsubishi-motors.com.au/blog/Top-10-4WD-tracks-near-melbourne.html
- 9 Best 4WD Tracks Victoria: https://weareexplorers.co/best-4wd-tracks-victoria/
- Tackle the Best 4WD Tracks Near Melbourne: https://coxauto.com.au/tackle-the-best-4wd-tracks-near-melbourne/
If you know of any other great books or helpful websites, feel free to share them in the comments below!