High Country 4x4 Camping — The Ultimate Guide to Victoria's Best Off-Road Adventure
By Elevation 4x4 | June 2026
If you've been looking for a reason to finally get out and explore the Victorian High Country, this is it. We just got back from a full trip through some of the best tracks in the country, and we're still thinking about it.
The High Country has everything — alpine scenery, challenging tracks, crystal-clear rivers, and the kind of campsites that make you forget your phone exists. Whether you're a seasoned tourer or planning your first multi-day 4x4 trip, this guide covers everything you need to know.
Why the Victorian High Country Is Australia's Best 4x4 Destination
There's a reason the High Country keeps bringing people back. Unlike the outback — which rewards the committed — the High Country is accessible enough for a long weekend but wild enough to feel like you've genuinely escaped. You're two to three hours from Melbourne, but you might as well be a world away.
The tracks range from easy gravel roads through to serious technical climbs with creek crossings, steep descents, and tight switchbacks that'll test your rig and your driver. Spring and autumn are the sweet spots — wildflowers in the high plains, golden leaves on the way out, and enough daylight to make the most of every day.
The Best Tracks in the Victorian High Country
Mount Hotham to Dinner Plain
One of the most scenic drives in Australia, full stop. The road winds through alpine ash forests and opens out onto sweeping views of the high plains. Not a technical track but absolutely worth it as a base for the harder stuff nearby.
Razorback Track
This is the one everyone talks about — and for good reason. A high-clearance 4x4 is essential, and it's best tackled in dry conditions. The views from the ridge are genuinely unreal. Take your time, don't rush the descents, and stop at the top for lunch.
Devils Hollow
Aptly named. One of the more challenging tracks in the High Country, with steep climbs, loose rock, and tight lines that demand concentration. Not recommended for first-timers, but if you've got the experience and the rig, it's one of the most rewarding tracks you'll do.
The Dargo High Plains Road
A classic. Accessible in most conditions, brilliant scenery, and connects you to a heap of side tracks worth exploring. Great for a first High Country trip or a relaxed touring day between harder stints.
Staircase Track
Technical, narrow, and absolutely worth it. Tree-lined switchbacks climbing through the forest — one of those tracks where you need to trust your rig and concentrate on every metre.
Where to Camp in the High Country
The High Country is loaded with free dispersed camping — one of the things that makes it so good for 4x4 tourers. A few standouts:
Howqua Hills Historic Area — riverside camping with a genuine sense of history. The old cattlemen's huts nearby are worth exploring on foot.
Bluff Hut — a classic High Country hut with camping nearby. Exposed and alpine — brilliant in good weather, brutal in bad.
Dinner Plain — more of a base camp option. Good facilities, close to trails, and an easy launch point for longer days.
Selwyn Creek — remote, creek-side, and quiet. The kind of spot where you wake up and don't hear a single car.
One important note: campfires are seasonal and subject to Total Fire Ban days. Always check the CFA and Parks Victoria before you go.
What to Bring — The High Country Kit List
The High Country will punish an underprepared setup. It gets cold fast at elevation — even in summer — and conditions can change without warning.
Recovery gear:
- Snatch strap and bow shackles
- Hi-lift jack and base board
- Traction boards (MaxTrax or equivalent)
- Air compressor and tyre deflators
Camp setup:
- Rooftop tent — sleeping on the ground in the High Country is a cold, damp experience. A hardshell rooftop tent keeps you off the ground, insulated, and set up in minutes even when you're pulling into camp in the dark.
- Awning — afternoon shade in summer, protection from sudden showers. A 270° awning gives you a full outdoor room attached to your rig.
- Sleeping bag rated to at least -5°C — it gets cold up there
- Portable power setup (solar panel + battery) — you'll be off-grid for days at a time
Navigation:
- Hema Explorer or equivalent offline maps — phone signal is patchy to non-existent on most tracks
- Physical map as backup
- UHF CB radio (channel 40 for road use)
Water and food:
- 20L+ water storage — some stretches have no reliable water sources
- Camp stove with enough fuel for the full trip
- Food for an extra day beyond your plan — conditions can change
High Country in Different Seasons
Spring (Sept–Nov): The best wildflower displays in the country. Snow may still be around at altitude in September. Tracks are generally dry but can be boggy in lower sections after rain.
Summer (Dec–Feb): Long days and warm temps make this peak season. Expect more traffic on popular tracks. Fire restrictions apply — check before you go.
Autumn (Mar–May): Arguably the most beautiful time to visit. The deciduous plantations around Bright turn gold and red. Cooler temps, fewer crowds, and excellent track conditions.
Winter (Jun–Aug): Snow closes many high tracks. Some of the best photography of the year if you're prepared, but this is for experienced winter tourers only with appropriate gear.
Tips From Our Trip
After spending 10 days in the High Country, a few things stand out:
Start early. The best campsites go fast on weekends, and starting tracks early means you've got daylight to deal with anything unexpected.
Air down before you leave the bitumen. 20–25 PSI depending on your load and tyre size. You'll thank yourself on the first corrugated stretch.
Tell someone your plan. Mobile coverage drops to nothing on most of the good tracks. Let someone know your route and expected return time.
Take more water than you think you need. We went through more than expected — cooking, washing, drinking — especially on warmer days.
Don't rush the descents. Slow in, slow out. Low range, second gear, let the engine do the braking. The High Country has claimed a few rigs that were taken too fast downhill.
Our Setup for This Trip
We ran the full Elevation 4x4 kit on this one — rooftop tent on the roof and the 270° awning on the side. A few things we noticed after a week on the tracks:
The 145mm profile made a genuine difference on tight tree-lined tracks where you're conscious of height. Set up at camp takes about 60 seconds once you've done it a couple of times, which matters when you're pulling in tired after a big day.
The awning was worth its weight every single day — shade for lunch stops, protection during an unexpected afternoon shower at Selwyn Creek, and an outdoor living space at camp each night.
If you're heading to the High Country and still sleeping in a tent on the ground, it's time to upgrade.
Plan Your High Country Trip
The Victorian High Country is best explored with Parks Victoria's track notes and a Hema map loaded on your device. Check conditions at parks.vic.gov.au and always register your trip with someone at home.
Getting there: The High Country is accessible from Melbourne via the Hume Freeway (turn off at Wangaratta or Harrietville) or via the Princes Highway through Bairnsdale for the eastern entry points.
Permits: No permit required for most dispersed camping areas. Some hut areas have specific rules — check Parks Victoria.
Ready to Gear Up?
If this has you planning your next trip, check out the full Elevation 4x4 range — rooftop tents, awnings, and solar panels built for exactly this kind of adventure.
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Elevation 4x4 is based in Bayswater, Victoria. We ship Australia-wide and offer local pickup from our Melbourne showroom. Afterpay and Zip available.
