Five of Australia's rockiest roads
Gravel and stones are all part of the appeal of these bucket list off-road trailsAustralia may not have a truly rocky road like the boulder-strewn Rubicon Trail in the USA, but we have plenty of roads peppered with rocks and shale, some with soft-as-marshmallow bits in between.
Some are easy for a car to drive on, some near-impossible for even the best, kitted-out 4WD but all will make you salivating for more of Australia’s rocky roads.
There is no better time to highlight the best and most exhilarating rocky roads in the country than on Rocky Road Day (June 2)…
The origin of the tasty chocolate treat is somewhat debated but the earliest mention of it goes back to 1853 here in Australia.
Rocky Road was supposedly invented as a way to sell confectionery that had spoiled during its long boat trip from Europe, which was mixed with locally-grown nuts and cheap chocolate to disguise the off flavour. It is alleged that the name comes from the rocky road travellers took to reach the country's goldfields back in the day.
While there are so many actual rocky roads to choose from, here is our pick of five Aussie rocky roads to celebrate this year’s Rocky Road Day. So grab a block of your favourite rocky road and get off-road!
Climies Track, Tasmania
The challenging Climies Track is a 20km trail on Tasmania’s west coast that meanders through Mt Heemskirk Regional Reserve between Granville Harbour and Trial Harbour.
Huge boulders and wash-outs mark this track as one of Australia’s rockiest roads -- and one only for experienced four-wheel drivers with a suitably kitted out off-road vehicle.
You’ll have to be prepared to spend a full day out on the track with lots of vehicle recovery time to cover the extremely challenging 20km distance, but at least you’ll be able to take a breather with stunning views over the scrub bushland of the wild west Tasmanian coast.
Blue Rag Range Track, Victoria
The Blue Rag Range Track in the Victorian High Country, about five hours from Melbourne, is very much a low-range 4WD rocky road.
After climbing the incredibly steep sections of the Blue Rag Range Track you’ll reach the Blue Rag Trig, which offers stunning views over the High Country.
Thankfully the more difficult boulder-strewn and shale stone sections of the track are not on the steepest grades, because there are plenty of steep drop-offs on either side of the track. To make it more challenging, weather conditions can change quickly up here at any time of year, often making the track slippery and dangerous.
Monkey Gum Track, Yalwal, NSW
About two hours south of Sydney on the NSW South Coast is Monkey Gum Track, one of the best rock-littered 4WD roads you can find on the east coast.
To get to the Monkey Gum Track you head into Yalwal State Forest and join the track just off Wombat Flats.
This is a road that’ll get the 4WD’s axles well exercised as it crawls over the couple of tricky sections comprising big mounds of rock. The reward for climbing this technical track is great views over Yalwal.
Gibb River Road, Western Australia
This infamous 660km road in the stunning Kimberley region of WA stretches from Derby in the west to Kununurra in the east. Darwin is the closest capital, about nine hours from Kununurra.
While this road is more dirt than rock, it’s what surrounds it -- spell-binding rock formations like the 100 metre-high limestone Windjana Gorge, or breathtaking Mitchell Falls – that’s the real attraction for off-road adventurers.
While the Gibb River Road could be driven (slowly!) with a 2WD, a tough 4WD is a safer bet and even then only in the dry (winter) season.
Parachilna Gorge Road, Flinders Ranges, South Australia
In this barren yet beautiful part of South Australia, about five hours’ drive north of Adelaide, the Flinders Ranges is littered with rocky roads.
Within this area covered with ancient, 800 million year-old red-ochre rock escarpments, the Parachilna Gorge Road drops you in to a spectacular gorge dotted with red river gums and surrounded by massive rock outcrops.
The Gorge is a 20km drive from Blinman and if weather conditions are suitable, it can be handled in a 2WD, but a 4WD with tough tyres will more easily avoid tyre punctures from the road’s sharp stones.
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