How challenging is the Old Andado Track?

How challenging is the Old Andado Track?

Australia, oceania

Length

N/A

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're in the Northern Territory of Australia, itching for an adventure. Forget the main highway, because the Old Andado Track is calling your name! This outback dirt track slices through the edge of the Simpson Desert, the world's biggest parallel sand dune desert – some dunes stretch for almost 200km!

Now, don't get me wrong, this isn't a Sunday drive. Expect soft, wet sections, especially after rain. This track isn’t exactly pampered with maintenance, so brace yourself for corrugations and dust galore. Seriously, a 4WD is a must, and be prepared for unstable, shifting surfaces. Watch out for flash flooding, even in the dry season.

It's about 240km of pure, raw Aussie outback, part of the larger Binns Track tourist route. "Remote" doesn't even begin to describe it! But if you crave solitude and want to disconnect, this is your road. Just come prepared: stock up on water, fuel, and communication gear (no phone service here!), and maybe brush up on your tire-changing skills, because those rocks are no joke. It’s a true remote-area experience!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Australia
Continent
oceania
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in oceania

Duck Creek Road is closed due to heavy rainfall and floodinghard

Duck Creek Road is closed due to heavy rainfall and flooding

🇦🇺 Australia

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Duck Creek Road, straddling the Queensland/New South Wales border in the heart of Lamington National Park, is calling your name... well, eventually. Word is, this beauty is currently closed, but let's dream a little, shall we? This isn't your grandma's Sunday drive. We're talking a 15.6km (9.69 miles) unpaved track that links Kerry Road to Lamington National Park Road. A 4WD is a must! It's known to get seriously narrow and incredibly steep in sections. Think a climb from a mere 143 meters above sea level to a lofty 875 meters! That's a whopping 732-meter elevation gain, making for an average gradient of 4.69%. Built back in 1980, Duck Creek Road took a beating from Cyclone Debbie back in 2017. The road suffered some major damage making it impassable. Let's hope they fix her up soon, because once it reopens, this promises to be one epic, scenic adventure!

Conquer Oolloo Road: A Scenic Drive Through Crocodile Territorymoderate

Conquer Oolloo Road: A Scenic Drive Through Crocodile Territory

🇦🇺 Australia

Okay, buckle up for an Aussie adventure! Oolloo Road slices right through the Northern Territory's stunning heartland. Clocking in at around 70 km (43 miles), this north-south route kicks off from State Route 23 (Dorat Road) and leads you towards the Oolloo Crossing Conservation Area. Heads up – it's smooth sailing on pavement until Douglas-Daly, then you're hitting the dirt. Rainy season? Watch out! Flash floods can be a real buzzkill, turning the road into a temporary river or playing havoc with bridges. But hey, during the dry season, a 2WD will do just fine! Word to the wise: when you hit the Daly River at the road's end, resist the urge to take your car for a swim. Seriously, those waters are croc-infested (saltwater crocs, no less!). And don't forget your bug spray, those mozzies are relentless!

Can you drive the Old Telegraph Track?hard

Can you drive the Old Telegraph Track?

🇦🇺 Australia

Craving an epic Aussie adventure? Cape York's Old Telegraph Track (OTT) is calling! This 350 km (217 mile) off-road mecca is strictly 4WD territory, only open during the dry season in tropical North Queensland. Picture this: you're snaking through stunning landscapes, tackling everything from dirt and sand to rocky slopes, mud, and washouts. This track is narrow, with plenty of places to pull over for oncoming traffic, and you can still spot remnants of the original telegraph line. But don't get complacent! This isn't your average Sunday drive. The OTT throws a ton of challenges your way, like countless creek crossings (keep your eyes peeled for crocs!), steep, slippery riverbanks, and stretches of energy-sapping deep sand. There are plenty of bush camps around the creeks for a well deserved rest! The OTT runs from Bramwell Junction to Bamaga Road (southern section) and then from Bamaga Road to Jardine River Ferry (northern section). Plan on spending 1-2 days conquering the OTT. Most adventurers head north via the track and return on the bypass roads. Famous obstacles like Gunshot Creek (seriously, detour if you're towing!), Palm Creek, Canal Creek, and the infamous Nolan’s Brook are waiting to test your skills. Be sure to check conditions before your trip. This track may only get 1/3 of your average daily mileage! After that it is sandy to the Jardine River, which is not advisable to cross due to soft sand, deep water, and crocodiles. Get ready for a truly unforgettable outback escapade!

The road to Mount Barrow is worth the white-knuckle driveextreme

The road to Mount Barrow is worth the white-knuckle drive

🌍 Tasmania

# Mount Barrow: Tasmania's Ultimate High-Altitude Adventure Ready for a thrilling mountain drive that'll get your heart pumping? Mount Barrow, sitting pretty at 1,359m (4,458ft) in northeastern Tasmania near Launceston, is calling your name—but fair warning: this isn't for the faint of heart or anyone queasy around hairpin turns on dirt roads. Welcome to one of the world's most breathtaking drives. The journey starts innocuously enough on the paved A3, then transitions to Mount Barrow Road (C404), an entirely unpaved route that's narrow, winding, and absolutely spectacular. The first 10km cruises along a well-maintained gravel surface through rolling farmland and forests—pretty chill, actually. But here's where things get spicy. Once you hit the Mount Barrow State Reserve boundary (complete with parking and picnic areas), the real adventure begins. Beyond this point, the road officially welcomes only 4WD vehicles, and honestly, you'll see why. Think intense switchbacks rivaling the famous Jacobs Ladder nearby, with gradients hitting 16% and a total elevation gain of 1,027 meters over 16.1km. That's an average gradient of 6.37% for those keeping score. You're looking at 45-60 minutes of white-knuckle driving, depending on how many photo stops you take. The final 1.5km breaks the tree line around 1,000m elevation, revealing the most stunning panoramic vistas of the Tamar Valley and eastern mountains you'll ever see. Heads up though: winter's no joke here. The road closes periodically due to snow (which hits around 1,100m), and road conditions can deteriorate significantly. This is Tasmania's closest regular snowfall location to Launceston, so 4WD is genuinely essential during colder months. At the summit, you'll find transmission facilities powering northeast Tasmania's TV and radio signals—plus those truly epic views. Absolutely worth the drive.