The mother of all nature experiences in Southern Queensland Country
These nature experiences are for everyone, whether you’re a keen hiker, total beginner, or just want somewhere scenic to lay down a picnic rug.
With hundreds of thousands of kilometres of rugged trails to uncover, campsites to pitch the tent along the way, and an endless list of activities provided by our popular parks – there’s no shortage of offroad adventures in our country.
Are you a diehard 4WD enthusiast? Or are you just ready to swap suburban streets and concrete surroundings for dirt tracks and fresh country landscapes?
With hundreds of thousands of kilometres of rugged trails to uncover, campsites to pitch the tent along the way, and an endless list of activities provided by our popular parks – there’s no shortage of offroad adventures in our country.
Whether you’ve got your own rig, want to hire one, or prefer a guided tour, it’s time to get your tyres dirty with these places to 4WD and stay the night in Southern Queensland Country.
Murphys Creek Escape, Lockyer Valley
If you want to make a trip out of your next off-road adventure, go bush with remote 4WD access-only sites at Murphys Creek Escape, just over an hour’s drive away from Brisbane.
Go for the tracks, stay for the endless list of family-friendly activities like ropes course, abseiling and giant swing at this campsite.
With remote sites only accessible via 4WD, you can kick back with your holiday group like you’re the only ones on earth.
Psst – not into being off the grid entirely? There’s also powered sites at this campground, which don’t require a 4WD to get there.
Lockyer National Park, Lockyer Valley
For an easy day trip from Brisbane, take a short 90-minute drive to the luscious Lockyer National Park.
Dip your tyre-toes off-road, driving through the eucalyptus forest and breathe in the fresh country air as you make your way across sandstone gorges and creeks.
If you’re keen to stay the night, give the suspension a rest and pitch the tent at Crows Nest National Park or Glen Rock State Forest nearby.
Want to make your four-wheel drive adventure progressive and stay the night? Learn how to do the Southern Queensland Country camping trail.
Springbrook Host Farm, South Burnett
If you’re chasing a wheelie good time, take your gear three hours northwest of Brisbane to the South Burnett.
Book into Springbrook Host Farm, a 500-hectare cattle property positioned upon open grazing land and blue gum ridges with all the room for action-packed activities.
While you’re there for the four wheel driving, make use of the additional tracks for mountain and motorbiking, set up camp in the bush or treat yourself to a night or a few at the charming country homestead on the property.
Sundown National Park, Southern Downs & Granite Belt
If you believe your 4WD has the highest ground clearance, make tracks for Sundown National Park, west of Girraween National Park, packed with adventurous trails with rugged ridges and steep-sided gorges.
It’s a nature lover’s paradise, with almost 11,000 hectares of rugged and remote wilderness to explore.
Take the roads up to the lookout at Red Rock Gorge and soak in the views of the red lichen-stained cliffs and rugged ranges before calling it a day and making yourself at home at the campgrounds.
If it rains, count yourself lucky as you’ll get to experience the Red Rock Falls running.
While you’re in the area, check out these 10 things to do in the Granite Belt.
Janowen Hills, Southern Downs & Granite Belt
Rev the rig at Janowen Hills, nestled in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, the Goomburra Valley, just two hours west from Brisbane.
Spanning over 1000 acres of hilly terrain and rocky gullies, the Janowen Hills 4WD park will give you the chance to put your tyres to the test.
Tackle the Gymkhana track with car wreckages, obstacles and trenches paving the way.
Make base at the campgrounds beside the flowing creek in the peaceful Australian bush before doing it all over again the next day.
The Springs 4x4 Adventure Park, Southern Downs & Granite Belt
Whether you want to take the path less travelled and experience the country scenes, or you want to put your skills to the test along windy and rocky tracks, The Springs 4x4 Adventure Park has over 700 acres of off road trails ripe for exploring.
Tucked away in bushland just south of Warwick on the New England Highway, you’ll find this 4WD off-roading paradise.
With an expansive range of tracks for four-wheel-drive enthusiasts to explore and conquer, this park tops it off with large campsites, plenty of amenities, plus a kiosk packed with icy cold drinks and bites to eat.
Manar Park, South Burnett
Swap the inner-city bitumen and high-rise views for the dirt tracks and 15,000 acres of bushland surroundings at Manar Park.
When you’re not taking the car off road along over 230kms of graded 4WD tracks, add fossicking, fishing, swimming, and biking to your holiday to-do list right now.
Bestbrook Mountain Resort, Southern Downs & Granite Belt
Just off the Cunningham Highway at Maryvale, an easy 90-minute drive from Brisbane’s CBD, you’ll find Bestbrook Mountain Resort.
After discovering the 4WD trails twisting through and around the 500-acre property, experience life on the farm and learn how to make your own damper, sip from a freshly boiled billy, and kick back and relax at your campsite.
Also check out: Gordon Country, Goomburra, Boondooma Dam, Boondooma Homestead and Bjelke-Petersen Dam.
And if you haven’t reached your adventure quota, make the most of our country playground with these action-packed experiences in Southern Queensland Country.
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