Top-7 off-road destinations in Australia

With a lifetime of experiences visiting the most far flung and spectacular spots Down Under, Allan Whiting has chosen the areas of Australia serious off-roaders and campers should visit at least once in their lifetime.

The 'bucket list' are not for the week-end warrior, requiring dedicated planning before heading off and plenty of time away from the office, but all are well worth the effort.

All the regions included (see the Features section on this site for the full stories) require a 4WD with high ground clearance and the right accessories and preparation.

Some, like the legendary Simpson Desert crossing, are so extreme they’re not recommended for camper trailers. And although carrying extra water and fuel is recommended with a shortage of both en-route, travellers have to weigh this against the necessity of travelling as light as possible to prevent sinking into the soft sand.

Other areas, like the far north’s Cape York, have severe grog restrictions which travellers need to be aware of. Whiting warns you’ll also need to rely on teamwork at some of the trickier crossings like Cypress Creek bridge that’s likely to need rebuilding before you make your way across.

For the Oodnadatta Track, Whiting recommends a slow-paced tour so you can stop and ‘smell the flowers’ (when in bloom). Other highlights in this region include Anna Creek Station, the largest grazing property in the world, and Halligan Bay, the lowest point in Australia, at 15.2 metres below sea level, situated in Lake Eyre National Park.

The notorious Canning Stock Route also makes the list, although Whiting warns this trip is not for the faint-hearted: “This is the 1800km Big One that requires experience gained from less demanding remote area trips. The Canning is best tackled in an organised convoy, preferably headed by someone who’s done the trek before.”

Then there’s the MacDonnell Ranges, which offer “a feast of 4WD touring” around Alice Springs and is a top contender for the destination with the most outstanding sites in relatively close proximity to each other.

Australia’s tallest mountain ranges, the expansive Victorian High Country region, also get a guernsey, with literally hundreds of tracks and spectacular alpine region scenery to explore.

Rounding out the list is the Kimberley, the vast area of northern western Australia that Whiting admits he’s only touched the surface despite a number of visits. Spectacular sites include the Bungle Bungle Ranges, Windjana Gorge and Mitchell Falls with its Aboriginal rock art.