4WD Australia - Steve Kruger and Alison Kruger

Frequently in my travels I am asked “If I had limited time in Australia, what should I see?” Australia is a large place covering an impressive 7,600,000 square kms with a coastline measuring 37,000 kms. To put that in perspective, if you spread the 22 million odd people who live here out across the nation, you would find less than 3 people in every square kilometre. From my point of view thank goodness the majority live on the east coast which leaves the rest to people like me that love the outdoors. So my Australian must do’s are highlited by your need to 4WD Australia – not just the quick and dirty tourism like Lone Pine Koala Sancuary or Australian Zoo offer.

Exmouth – Western Australia

Although you can drive to Exmouth via bitumen road – it’s not until you 4WD the coastal track to Coral Bay you see some incredible sites. Exmouth Lighthouse Ruins, the Norwegian Whaling Station and the pristine beaches. Combine that with the excellent snorkeling (blows the barrier reef from the list), the Whale Sharks and places like Yardie Creek, Shot Hole or Charles Knife Canyon and you have a must do.

The Eyre Peninsular – South Australia

4WDriving the coast of the Great Australia Bite is just incredible – It is isolated and exposed. The colours of the Australian Coastline against the Great Southern Ocean is stunning. Areas like Sceale and Baird Bay were stunning. My biggest disappointment was not seeing more of the this area like Coffin Bay and Lincoln National Parks.

Pilbara – Western Australia

The reputation of this area scares most people away. Places like Marble Bar that boast being the hottest town in Australia certainly does not help. But the gorges and pristine waterholes with their deep plunge pools are a wonderful surprise. Karijini National Park is the jewel of this area with its red rock, incredibly deep gorges. One of the last frontiers for 4WDers is the Canning Stock Route that crosses the East of this region. Petroglyphs (rock carvings) are littered across many locations in this area with hot spots like the Burrup Peninsula boasting some 700 history sites. Places like Broome are certainly places to visit – but these are more suited to the fly in / fly out tourist.

Uluru (Ayers Rock) – Northern Territory

Ok I know you don’t need a 4WD to visit this area, but it is a special part of my country which I believe every Australia should experience at least once. Although my ancestors may not have lived on this continent  for 1,000s of years – to me it represents the very heart of my Australia. Before Uluru was given back to the traditional owners, it was knows are Ayers Rock. I hope that the name Ayers Rock is not abandoned completely as I also have a heritage to protect. Other locations that are must does in this area include Mt Connor (another huge monolith), Kings Canyon, West MacDonnell Ranges and locations along the Finke River like Palm Valley. If you time your visit right and your are into outback motor racing – don’t forget the Finke Desert Race each June (2010 – June 11 to 14^th)

Fraser Island – Queensland

Considered to be the largest sand island in the world, this is one of the most incredible experiences you can get. Beach 4WDriving, rainforests that grow on sand and dunes that blow into the ocean are part of this unique experience. Be sure to visit wreck of the SS Maheno Wreck and Eli Creek. The Eastern beach of this island is 120km long and is sometimes used as a landing strip by aircraft, so keep an eye on the sky. There are more than 100 of the cleanest freshwater lakes here in the world.

I am sure this list will change with time and experience - thats one of the great things about travel. 

Cheers for now and safe travels

Alison