Seven of the Best Off-Road Australian Adventures

I have always thought that the best holiday experiences are sometimes the ones where you get off the beaten track a little and experience some of the natural wonders of our land. During my caravan trip around Australia in 2014, I discovered many hidden treasures just waiting to be explored. Mostly, they were situated down rough dirt tracks or involved hiking on foot.

It’s probably no surprise that five out of the seven best off-road Aussie adventures are located in the West. As far as wilderness areas, national parks and centuries old gorges go, West Australia provides some of the best.

However, from what I have heard and experienced, the Northern Territory, does have wilderness areas that are equally as splendid. Although I have visited the spectacular Litchfield National Park and Katherine Gorge in the Top End, I have much more to explore in this region.

1.  Bungle Bungles, The Kimberley, WA

Purnululu National Park and the wondrous Bungle Bungles can be reached from either Kununurra or Halls Creek along the Great Northern Highway in the East Kimberley.

The turn off to the park is two to three hours from Kununurra (about 250 kilometres) or one hour from Halls Creek (a good 100 kilometres). To access the Bungle Bungles you need a sturdy 4WD vehicle as it is 53 kilometres over very rough roads with creek crossings.

Unrivalled in their mass, grandeur and diversity from anywhere else in the world, are the Bungle Bungle Range’s extraordinary array of banded sandstone domes. Covering a whopping 45,000 hectares of the park, these dramatically sculptured natural formations are sometimes likened to black and orange striped ‘beehives’.

Walking tracks are the best way to explore the features of the Bungle Bungles. There are several trails available from easy one kilometre loops walks to more challenging two to seven day hikes.

• Echidna Chasm walk into a spectacular 200 metre chasm with its varying colour hues;
• Mini Palms walk features soaring cliffs, livistona palms, two viewing platforms and an amphitheatre far below;

• The Domeswalk loops around banded domes towering majestically around you;
• Cathedral Gorge walk through striped domes, rock pools, towering cliffs and honeycomb rocks that lead to an amphitheatre and swimming hole;
• Piccaninny Gorge walk a challenging two to seven day hike into a remote and magnificent gorge leading to a lookout and spinifex covered grasslands.

2.  El Questro Wilderness Park, The Kimberley, WA

Only a short drive out along the Gibb River Road, 58 Kilometres from Wyndham, is the El Questro Wilderness Park. The name El Questro conjures up images of a western town from an old western movie, with the rugged Cockburn Mountain Ranges forming the backdrop. All that is missing are the cowboys and Indians, and the cacti.

It is almost 1,000,000 acres in size with a diverse landscape of broad tidal flats and rugged sandstone ranges, to rainforest pockets, gorges and waterfalls. Animal and birdlife congregate at waterholes and the four river systems are home to all kinds of fish, including the mighty Barramundi.

Emma Gorge offers a resort with eco-tent style accommodation and a scenic trail into the gorge which takes you along a rocky creek bed with changing vegetation, to crystal clear pools and waterfalls. The gorge is characterized by massive scree slopes and cliff face escarpments reaching up to 120 metres on both sides of the trail. At the end of the trail you can enjoy a refreshing swim in the icy plunge pool of Emma Gorge Pool and Falls.

A further 11 kilometres along a sealed road is the turnoff to El Questro. Although, a dirt road, it is in fairly good condition. However, there are several creek and river crossings that you have to negotiate, so it is strictly 4WD only.

The drive through into the park is very scenic and there are various turnoffs into places of interest, such as:

• Zebedee Springs– a short walk through lush Livistona and Pandanus Palms to thermal springs and pools.
• El Questro Gorge– trek along a spring-fed creek through palms and fern-clad escarpments which brings you to a small swimming hole.

  

• Champagne Springs– a challenging walk that takes you along the Pentecost River to a series of clear pools and a spring-fed waterfall.
• Moonshine Gorge– a circuit trail walk with great views and leads into tall cliff faces and Livistona Palms on both sides with several waterholes to rest and swim in.

  

• Chamberlain Gorge– a leisurely boat cruise through spectacular river gorges.
• Explosion Gorge, Pigeon Hole and Saddleback Ridge– are all 4WD tracks that take you over rugged and challenging terrain to spectacular lookouts, waterholes and secret fishing spots.

3.  Kalbarri National Park, WA

Kalbarri is a coastal town located on the Murchison River in the mid-west region of West Australia, located 592 kilometres north of Perth. The spectacular scenery of Kalbarri National Park is the result of millions of years of geological formation. As the Murchison River carves it way to the sea, magnificent red and white banded gorges have been cut by the flow. These gorges meander 80 kilometres through the 186,000 hectare park.

A visit to this park of marvels is approximately 40 kilometres east of Kalbarri and is accessible by all types of vehicles even though some of the roads are unsealed.

Z-Bend Gorge, which is considered to offer the most breathtaking views of the park, is reached by a 1.4 kilometre return walk trail from the car park to a lookout. The gorge plunges 150 metres down to the river below where red river gums create a striking contrast against the earthy sandstone cliffs.

A short 11 kilometre drive away is one of the most iconic natural attractions – Nature’s Window.  This rock has a window which frames the river perfectly and is top on the list of photo opportunities. There is also a new attraction here called the Kalbarri Skywalk, that consists of two cantilevered platforms that protrude 100 metres above the deep gorge.

For the more adventurous and experienced walkers, starting and ending at Nature’s Window is the 8 kilometre loop track which takes you through moderate to challenging terrain and spectacular scenery. The trail takes you along the rim of the gorge and deep down into the river gorge onto the sandy white banks of the river fringed with lovely red river gums.

4.  Torndirrup National Park, Albany, WA

Torndirrup National Park, located 15 kilometres south of Albany on the Great Southern Ocean, is a rugged and spectacular peninsula made up of granite rock. There are plenty of hikes and opportuntiies to take in the breathtaking scenery within the park.

Torndirrup National Park covers almost 4,000 hectares and is home to the famous Gap and Natural Bridge rock formations as well as The Blowholes which have formed over thousands of years. The park’s wind-pruned coastal heathlands put on a colourful display of wildflowers in spring that are popular with photographers.

You can drive into and enjoy most of Torndirrup National Park’s dramatic coastal scenery without the need for a 4WD vehicle. Highlights including The Gap, Natural Bridge, Salmon Holes, Jimmy Newells Harbour and Sharp Point, These natural attractions can be seen from viewing platforms located short distances from car parking areas.

However there are two reasonably challenging hikes that you can experience that take you completely off the beaten track:

• Peak Hike 4.3 kilometre return walk to the peninsula’s southernmost peak can be reached via a rugged path that is steep in sections. Some rock scrambling is required to reach the summit.

  

• Bald Head Hike 12.5 kilometres return is a challenging walk, with outstanding views, that leads over Isthmus Hill to Flinders Peninsula and on to Limestone Head and Bald Head. The terrain is steep and difficult in sections.

5.  Cape Range National Park, Exmouth, WA

40 kilometres from Exmouth are spectacular rugged limestone ranges, breathtaking deep canyons and 50 kilometres of pristine beaches, known as the Cape Range National Park. Wildlife is abundant with a variety of birds, emus, euros and red kangaroos. There are also over 630 species of flowering plants that provide an amazing palette of colours in late winter when the wildflowers bloom.

There are several coastal camping areas within the park that are ideal as a base to explore the 50,581 hectares of the Cape Range Park. Possibly the highlight of the National Park are the beaches such as Turquoise Bay – boasting the most beautiful turquoise water; and Sandy Bay that has shallow clear waters ideal for swimming. You can also snorkel at Turquoise Bay – where there is a particularly good drift snorkel; Oyster Stacks – best accessed at high tide because of the sharp rocky oyster shelled areas; and Lakeside – a great snorkel spot for swimmers of average fitness and capability.

If you are into bird watching visit Mangrove Bay – a sanctuary zone including a bird hide overlooking a lagoon area. There are also several gorges in the park including Mandu Mandu Gorge, Yardie Creek, Shothole Canyon and Charles Knife Canyon. These razor-backed ridges of the Cape Range offer breathtaking downward views into stark multicoloured gorges. There are walking trails and lookout points at all of the gorges that provide great access into the gorges and fantastic photo opportunities.

At Yardie Creek there is a boat cruise that takes you on a very relaxing and scenic cruise along Yardie Creek, winding its way through the steep gorges. A great alternative to hiking as the temperatures can be extreme in the canyons.

6.  Point Labatt, Eyre Peninsula, SA

Point Labatt Conservation Park or Cape Labatt is approximately 51 kilometres south of Streaky Bay, on the West Eyre Peninsula. It is accessible by unsealed road via Calca or Sceale Bay. The road can be bumpy, with severe corrugation in places on the drive in, so you have to go slowly.

Once you arrive at the cape there is a purpose built viewing platform 50 metres above a sea lion colony. From here you can closely observe the only permanent colony on the Australian mainland of Australian sea lions. Upward of 50 sea lions and seals can be seen under the cliff face all year round as they frolic, laze, swim or fish on the shoreline.

The steep cliffs of the cape are spectacular as are the colour of the russet red flat rocks where the seals bask in the sun. I could easily wile away a few hours watching the playful sea lions darting in and out of the ocean.

7. Carnarvon Gorge, Queensland

Carnarvon Gorge is a remote and relatively unknown sandstone canyon located in Queensland’s central ranges. It is surrounded by Carnarvon National Park, and measures 30 kilometres in length and is 600 metres deep at the mouth.

Carnarvon Gorge is 720 kilometres by road north-west of Brisbane or 685 kilometres south-west of Gladstone. The road into Carnarvon Gorge via the town of Rolleston, is through large cattle stations (complete with horse-riding cowboys). The narrow sealed road crosses cattle grids, creeks and has a few curves and bends to negotiate.

Depending on your fitness level and time constraints, there are a wide variety of walking trails at Carnarvon Gorge. All walking trails are graded from 3 to 5, with 3 being the least difficult. They are all well signed and described in detail so that you know exactly where to go and what to expect.

The aboriginal rock art gallery is a must see, being an almost 11 kilometre round trip with plenty to see along the way. This 62 metre long rock face is covered in 2000 engravings (mainly of vaginas), ochre stencils and free-hand paintings of aboriginal artwork.

When it comes to rugged, untouched and untrodden terrain, Australia would have to offer some of the best wilderness locations in the world. However owning a 4WD vehicle and a good pair of hiking boots is mandatory for most of these places, as is a good sense of adventure and an open mind!

Where in the world have you travelled to that has been off the beaten track?

Check out my previous post Top 7 Australian Places: Remote and Remarkable