Joshua Caalim

8 Amazing 4WD Tracks Wentworth Falls Has That You Should Try Out When you happen to live in New South Wales, there is a boatload of options that you can choose from when it comes to 4WD tracks. So, people living in Wentworth Falls are very lucky as they are living in an idyllic town, they live near Sydney, and there are tons of destinations that they can go to in when they decide to go on a trip. There is also an equally diverse range of options when it comes to accommodations in the area. Before you go to the tracks on this list, you should remember some things. You need to plan your route carefully and tell someone about your itinerary and expected time of return, drive carefully, pay attention to the road signs, and stay within the limits of your skills and vehicle. Some tracks even warrant visitors to travel in a convoy as it will be easier to recover a stuck vehicle. You should also take a break for at least 15 minutes every 2 hours to stretch your legs and check if your vehicle is still in a good shape for the journey. Most importantly, some entries in this list like distances, seasonal or permanent closures, road conditions, and etc. can change without prior notice, so you must do more thorough research about your desired destination. So, we have decided to make a list of some of the best 4WD tracks that are within easy driving distance from Wentworth Falls. These tracks range in difficulty, terrain, and length. So, if you’re planning for your next trip, this compilation is perfect for you! 1. Kurrajong Discovery Trail Location: 57.1 km northwest of Wentworth Falls Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Track Length: 81 km (round trip) Track Time: 2-3 hours (round trip) Terrain: Highway, sealed roads, dirt, gravel Kurrajong is located just off Bells Line of Road (and very close to the Greater Blue Mountains Drive and The Botanists Way) but it is well worth the side trip because of its cafés and art galleries. We recommend that you head to the west side of the town along Bells Line of Road and onto Bellbird Hill. When you reach the area, make sure to not miss the spectacular view of Hawkesbury from Bellbird Lookout. After taking in the scenery, turn left at Kurrajong Heights and take Warks Rd. Continue driving on the road and turn left again when you reach Burralow Rd. By taking this road, you will have a breathtaking view of the ridge top and the valley below. From here, you will pass by a 4WD trail that will take you to the Blue Mountains National Park and it will descend onto the Burralow Valley by cutting through the lush forest. When you reach the intersection at Burralow Valley, turn right as that will take you to a campground/picnic area situated on a massive mudflat. There is also a walking track that starts from the area and it will take you to a ferny grotto that is worth exploring. However, if you decide not to take this diversion, you should cross the Burralow Creek and ascend out of the valley. The road will take you to Paterson Range and it follows along the edge of the Grose Wilderness. At the end of the road, you will be back onto Bells Line of Road again. From here, turn left towards Bilpin and then right onto the paved streets of the Mountain Lagoon Road. Mountain Lagoon is a small lake that is quite peculiar because of the geological tilting of the plateau that it is located in. You can also explore the isolated community here and learn more about the area’s rich soil. If you want to have another side trip, take Sams Way near the lagoon and head onto T3 Trail and you will be rewarded with the magnificent views of the Colo River Gorge and Wollemi Wildnerness which you can observe at T3 Lookout. However, if you want to continue on the track, there is a 4WD trail that measures 11.5 km and it will take you east on a steep climb to connect to Comleroy Road. From here, turn right and head down to Wheeny Creek Camp or picnic area where you will be nestled around massive Sydney blue gums and grass flats. The road will continue climbing up the opposite side of the Wheeny Creek Valley and then take you south back onto Bells Line of Road at Kurrajong. 2. Barrington Tops National Park Location: 366 km northeast of Wentworth Falls Difficulty: Easy Track Length: 179 km Track Time: 2 days Terrain: Dirt, mud Barrington Tops can be considered a perfect destination for a quick weekend trip or a longer vacation. Once you have seen and experienced the vibe of this charming sub-alpine terrain, you will realise that a short trip just won’t cut it as you’ll want to explore every inch of it. Due to its beauty, the forests of the park are part of the World Heritage-listed site of Gondwana Rainforests. Aside from the scenery, you will also be thrilled by the tracks in the park. The Barrington Tops Trail is one of the most iconic 4WD tracks in the area and it will take you up to the Tomalla road crossing from the lower Barrington. The track was once a walking trail, but it was recently converted into a full-on 4WD. While driving through it, you will encounter the oldest trees in Australia and witness spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Before you head out to the park, make sure to take hold of navigation devices like maps and topos as these will guide you on your journey through the area. But you won’t need to worry as there are plenty of maps available at the park itself. You should also consider the weather before you take on the track, especially when it just poured, as the track can be fairly challenging. The park also prohibits access on the tracks during winter, but you can still head to Gummi Falls Camp by taking the Bullock Brush Rd (if you need a place to stay). The best time to go to Barrington Tops is from October to May as most tracks are closed from June to September. In addition, you should also check park closure information before starting a trip as it’ll be such a waste of effort if you come there while it’s closed. 3. Wombeyan Caves Location: 188 km northeast of Wentworth Falls Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Track Length: 83 km Track Time: 1 day Terrain: Dirt, mud The area is located just 188 km away from Wentworth Falls, so it is very accessible and perfect for a short trip away from home. To reach the area, you’ll need to drive to Mittagong or Berrima and head to Nattai and Blue Mountains National Park. From here, the road is well-maintained, and you can make your way to Wombeyan Caves Rd with ease. However, you shouldn’t miss the amazing view of the Burragorang Valley along the way. You will also pass by the historic Bullio Tunnel which measures 25 metres long and was constructed by hand in the 1890s. After the town of Berrima, just by the southern edge of the Blue Mountains National Park, is the Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve where you can also explore and set up camp. When you reach the caves, there are five sites to explore: Kooringa, Fig Tree, Wollondilly, Junction, and Mulwaree. However, you can also opt to not stay near the caves and set up camp at Wollondilly River Station Camp where you’ll be spoiled by the great views, pet-friendly rules, and great amenities. There are also a lot of things to do like driving through off-road tracks and exploring the 200 caverns dotted throughout the area. This adds to the appeal of the Wombeyan Caves as among the best get-away destinations near Wentworth Falls. In addition, you can stay for the night at a camp by the river. However, you will need to book ahead of time if you want to stay at the camp as it observes a first-come-first-serve rule. 4. Stockton Beach Location: 238 km northeast of Wentworth Falls Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Track Length: 53 km Track Time: 1 day Terrain: Sand Stockton Beach is undoubtedly the best 4WD beach track in New South Wales, so you will probably find several people recommend it to anyone they know. When you reach the area, you will immediately see the massive sand dunes and several shipwrecks (MV Synga and several tank traps from World War II) along the coastline which greatly adds to the beach’s charm. Arguably one of the factors which make it very popular among 4WD enthusiasts is it can be accessed almost all year round, especially around the summer. Heading to Stockton during the summer is great as you can get out of the vehicle and take a dip in the cool waters and you can also take the challenge of driving through the sand dunes. Aside from the beach itself, you can also find more things to do and stock up on supplies at Newcastle, Williamtown, and Anna Bay. Still, nothing beats the feeling of freedom whenever you drive your vehicle on the beach, so you’ll probably find the beach to be more than interesting. You also have the option to camp out at the designated camping areas that are located in the southwestern part of Tin City. The camp is nestled among the sand dunes, so you will have a backdrop of the starry skies at night and you can also climb at the top to view the majestic sunrise/sunset. However, you will need to secure a permit for your vehicle before you head out to Stockton Beach. You should also stay only on the defined routes and use WCL-designated vehicle entry points (which is either through Gan Gan Rd or Lavis Lane). In addition, check the tide times in the area before you go beach driving as it can be very risky for you and your vehicle. 5. Yengo National Park Location: 130 km northeast of Wentworth Falls Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Track Length: 135 km Track Time: 1 day Terrain: Sealed road, dirt, rocks Yengo National Park is so close to Wentworth Falls that we bet that you’ve already been there! This may also be the reason why so many people favour this area compared to other places where they can go off-road driving. In addition, once you reach the Lower Hunter region, you will feel that the city is light years away because of the rural ambiance. The park is a part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area which spans up to 154,328 hectares. This massive expanse of land covers craggy gorges, wide grasslands, and lush bushland. So, there is a lot of potential attractions that you can go to and kick-off your adventure. Some of the activities and attractions inside the park are Aboriginal cultural areas, mountain biking trails, bushwalking trails, 4WD touring, horseback riding, and birdwatching. However, before you head out to Yengo National Park secure a permit to access the Big Yango Loop trail. The said track can only be accessed by 4WD vehicles and there is a locked gate at the beginning of the trail. There are also a few options for accommodations if you plan to stay for the night. You can head to either Mountain Arms Campgrounds or Big Yango Homestead. Most of the park’s tracks can be accessed by AWD vehicles as they are made of gravel and dirt. You can even reach popular attractions using AWDs. However, if you want to take on the Loop or other 4WD-only tracks, then bring along a 4WD vehicle with you. In addition, you should also check the weather bulletin before heading to the park and refrain from driving on Mount Yengo Loop Trail after a recent rain as it deteriorates significantly due to the moisture. The track must also be driven in one direction and in an anti-clockwise direction. 6. Abercrombie River National Park Location: 144 km southwest of Wentworth Falls Difficulty: Moderate Track Length: 30 km Track Time: 2 days Terrain: Dirt, mud, and sealed roads The Abercrombie River National Park was declared as a protected area in 1995 to preserve the dwindling area of mountain woodland forests in the south-western Tablelands. It was also formed to maintain the unspoiled quality of the Abercrombie River watershed area. Today, the area is filled with lush forests and crystal-clear waters. The main highlight of the trip to the park is the drive through the areas of Goulburn and Oberon. From here, you will be gobsmacked with the views that you will witness. To put it in another way, there are just three words to express the feeling that you’ll get while driving: peaceful, striking, and scenic. When you reach the park, you can head to the sharply ascending tracks, river crossings, swimming holes, and historic landmarks. All of that is set in the backdrop of lush forests and many wildflowers. You can enter the park through two entrances, and you can tackle them regardless of your 4WD skill level or your vehicle’s capacity (both are very easy to access). You can also head to Bummaroo Ford, Silent Creek, The Beach, and The Sink if you plan to have an overnight trip in the area. If you have a camper trailer or caravan, the Bummaroo Ford Campsite can handle them, so you won’t have to worry if you don’t want to camp outside. If you want to experience the thrill, you should have a 4WD vehicle with low range gears and high ground clearance as there are extremely steep parts along the track. These difficult parks can be accessed from the eastern entrance of the park near the Felled Timber Rd. However, if you are towing a caravan or driving an RV, you should use the easier entrance located at Arkenstone which found on the western side of the park. 7. Blacksmiths Beach Location: 201 km northeast of Wentworth Falls Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Track Length: 30 km Track Time: 2-3 hours Terrain: Sandy The main reason why a lot of individuals love returning to this beach is because of the tranquil environment. In addition, you can easily set up camp away from other visitors even during summer! You can also test your vehicle's suspension in the area as the shoreline has probably the softest sand among all beaches in Australia. So, before you start driving, lower down your tyre pressure to about 12-14 psi. If you’re tired of driving, you can also swim, fish, explore the sand dunes, have a picnic, and take in the surrounding view when you get drained from exploring. You should also wait for the sunrise/sunset and climbing up the tops of the sand dunes. The pet-friendly rules on the beach are also a bonus especially for people who love taking their dog outdoors. Your dogs can run free without a leash up until the Redhead Beach. There are also other secluded areas that you can take your dogs to like the tidal ponds or even let them swim on the beach. During the summer, a lot of people bring their dogs along with them so your dog can meet new friends there! However, before you start your journey to the beach, you should secure a permit as you will be charged with a $220 fine. These can be purchased from stores close to the shoreline (Caltex Star Mart Swansea, Blacksmith's Home Hardware, etc.) and they can last from a couple of days to one year. 8. Pebbly Beach Location: 341 km south of Wentworth Falls Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Track Length: 2.5 km Track Time: 1 hour Terrain: Sandy Many people may not know this beach but that can be a good thing! That means that the area has fewer visitors than the other entries in this list, so you will have a more serene environment while you are exploring. It also has some breathtaking views of the sea and the lush forests of Yuraygir National Park. You can also do activities like fishing, swimming, walking along the shoreline, or waiting for the sunrise/sunset, so you’ll surely be thrilled during the whole trip. It may not be well-known among normal people, but it is quite popular among 4WD enthusiasts, so you’ll likely meet new friends if you want to visit Pebbly Beach during long weekends and holidays. However, you should check the tide times before you start beach driving as parts of the track is not accessible during high tide (usually at the intersection just before Station Creek). At Station Creek, the track will become more challenging. So, you’ll need to lower your tyre pressure before tacking the soft sand which leads to the beach. One thing to remember is that you’ll need to step out of the vehicle before continuing as you need to find the route with the shallowest waters by walking through it first. This is due to the tides changing them constantly and it is better to be safe than sorry. But if that seems like a bit of a hassle for you, just follow the signs spread across the tracks that will lead you to the campground safely.