4WD Adventures off the Beaten Track

Some of the best corners of this coast only open up if you've got a four-wheel drive and a bit of nerve. Air down the tyres, pack the day, and go find them.

Start easy at Joeys Nose, near Kilcarnup. You can drive straight onto the sand, and it's a gentle spot for the kids to spend a morning. Head south for Boranup Beach, a favourite for fishing and surfing, reached by a technical track that winds through the karri forest.

For the Confident

Keep pushing south around the coast and the country opens right up. Black Point rewards the drive with columns of dark basalt and clear water. Further on, Yeagarup Dunes hides the biggest sand-dune climb in WA, a proper test that leaves most people grinning at the top. It isn't one for a first-timer behind the wheel, so know your vehicle before you commit.

Between the headline spots, the forests around the region hold endless tracks to explore. Look after these places while you're out there: give the native plants and wildlife room, check the fire bans before you camp, and carry every bit of your rubbish home.