4WD Trails in Northern Territory
360 trails in Northern Territory, Australia.
About Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is the heartland of Australian outback driving. The Mereenie Loop, the Old Andado Track, the Finke Desert run, the Tanami, and the Plenty Highway connect the iconic central Australian landscapes.
Closer to Darwin, Kakadu and Litchfield deliver tropical creek crossings and waterfall tracks. Heading south, the West MacDonnells and the Larapinta corridor open into red-centre 4WD terrain.
Aboriginal land permits are required for the Tanami, parts of Mereenie, and several access roads. The wet season from December through April closes most outback routes; check Department of Infrastructure road reports before any north-of-Alice trip.
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Popular trails in Northern Territory
Showing 1–24 of 360 trails
Reynolds River Track
Reynolds River 4wd Track
K1 Line
Hay River Track
Hay River Track
Old Andado Track (Binns Track)
Old Andado Track
Palm Valley Track
Palm Valley Track
Old Andado Track (Binns Track)
Suprise Creek Access Track
Reynolds River Track (4wd)
Palm Valley Track
Palm Valley Track
Old Andado Track
Palm Valley Track
Palm Valley Track
Palm Valley Track
Palm Valley Track
Palm Valley Track
Lamberts Centre Track
Old Andado - Mac Clark Conservation Reserve
Palm Valley Track
Palm Valley Track
Recently updated trails
- Easy
Chambers Pillar Road
Titjikala, Northern Territory5.0 km--- vehicles - Easy
Old Ghan Heritage Trail
Ghan, Northern Territory19 km--- vehicles - Unrated
Old Ghan Railway
Ghan, Northern Territory5.8 km--- vehicles - Unrated
Old Ghan Track
Hugh, Northern Territory0.1 km--- vehicles - Medium
Finke Desert Race
Ghan, Northern Territory93 km--- vehicles
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an Aboriginal land permit to drive the Tanami Road?
The Tanami Road itself is a public access corridor and doesn't require a permit for through-travel. Leaving the road corridor, camping off it, or accessing side tracks across Aboriginal land requires a permit from the Central Land Council (CLC). Permits are free but take 10–15 business days. The Canning Stock Route crossing through Tanami land also requires CLC permits for the extended sections.
Is the Mereenie Loop suitable for standard 4WDs?
Yes. The Mereenie Loop (300 km from Glen Helen to Kings Canyon via Hermannsburg) is achievable in a capable high-clearance 4WD with no modifications. A Mereenie Loop Pass is required — available at Alice Springs visitor centres and roadhouses at the permit boundaries. The road corrugates in places but isn't technically demanding. Fuel at Kings Canyon or Hermannsburg depending on direction; carry a minimum of 80 litres extra.
When is the best time for NT outback driving?
May through August is ideal — cool days, minimal rain, stable track surfaces. April and September are acceptable shoulder months. October heats up rapidly. The build-up from November through December makes outback driving inadvisable. January through March is wet season — Kakadu and Arnhem Land tracks are completely impassable, and Kakadu is partly or fully closed.
How much fuel range do I need for the West MacDonnell Ranges tracks?
The West MacDonnells tracks are within comfortable range of Alice Springs with standard tanks — most loops are 200–350 km. For the Larapinta corridor tracks and Ormiston Gorge, plan for 250–300 km total return from Alice with rough track driving that lifts fuel consumption 20–30% over highway. Long-range setups are recommended but not essential for the central ranges. The Finke Desert Race track (Old Andado direction) is a different story — carry fuel for 500+ km.