Footloose - Easy 4WD Tracks? (July 2007)

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It’s been something that’s been bugging me for ages; many of our iconic 4WD tracks are becoming easier!

Last year we travelled the full length of the Canning Stock Route, something I hadn’t done for about 10 years even though we had travelled sections of and crossed the Canning on numerous occasions during that time. At the end of the latest trip I realised I had never backed up once on any of the dunes. That got me thinking about if the route is easier than it was 10 years ago.

The turnoff to the Aboriginal community of Kunawarritji

You certainly need to carry less fuel and water. The fuel dumps at Well 23 and the Aboriginal communities of Kunawarritji and Billiluna have changed all that. Water too is easier; 20 years ago there were only a couple of wells that could be relied upon. Now there are at least six refurbished wells along the stock route meaning you need to carry less water than before.

The grading of the track and the dunes to beyond Well 15 a couple of years ago has also made the southern section of the route easier.

Over on Cape York a similar situation exists. More fuel outlets, a diversion road that circumvents the old Overland Telegraph Line Track as well as a ferry across the Jardine River and a bridge across the Wenlock River means the OTL has lost much of its challenge. All in the last 25 years!

Much the same can be said about the tracks and routes in the Simpson Desert, the Kimberley and the Gulf Country.

In our mountain country close to the cities of Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, it’s not necessarily that the tracks are getting easier but more so that many, including most of the hard ones, are getting closed off by the land managers.

In Victoria the state 4WD association has set up a Track Classification scheme, in an endeavour to not only let people know what they are in for when traveling a certain route but also to educate land managers that different classes of tracks must have different maintenance levels to protect the experience.

I well remember the Davis High Plain track from the Murray River crossing during the early 1970s. It was a doozie of a climb and to get to these remote high plains in a shorty Cruiser or the old Series 11 Landy we were driving back then, was indeed a challenge! Now it is a doddle in all except wet weather!

The Codes are:

Easy: (Green circle) - All wheel drive. High range and road tyres. Suitable for novice 4wdrivers.

Medium: (Blue square) - Mainly high range but low range required and road tyres. Some 4WD experience recommended.

Difficult: (Black diamond) - Significant low range. Standard 4WD ground clearance. All terrain tyres and the driver should have appropriate driver training.

Very Difficult: (Double Black diamond) - Low range and high ground clearance. Mud terrain tyres. Winch/ recovery equipment. Experienced driver.

This was similar to a scheme I first heard about from the Parks people in the Northern Territory a few years ago. In a major win, the Track Classification Scheme in Victoria has now been adopted by the State government.

4WD Victoria do have the support of NT Parks to a national scheme but so far the idea hasn’t got much further. But it needs to! It is important to have a national scheme that is internationally recognized by its symbols.

First up the other state 4WD organizations should implement it and the National 4WD Council should take it under their wing and push it – hard! From there governments should be lobbied to adopt it.

For all it’s a win win situation.

Not all roads are well maintained!
Tracks are only maintained when they need to be, meaning our land managers save money. People know what they the tracks are like so they are less likely to get into danger and need rescue, while there’s less damage to vehicles and the tracks themselves. And, in the process, we keep the tracks at a level that remain open for four wheelers to enjoy!

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