Crooked River Track

River crossings and remote Victorian bushland make the Crooked River Track a rewarding adventure for 4WD drivers seeking a medium-difficulty challenge without the commitment of a full-day expedition. You'll navigate just 1.3 km of scenic terrain near Wongungarra, completing the route in approximately 15 minutes—perfect for testing your vehicle's water-fording capabilities or breaking in new 4WD modifications. The track's gentle grades mean you can focus on line selection and water crossing technique rather than wrestling steep ascents.

What you'll experience is classic southeastern Australian bush driving: the track winds through native vegetation before dropping into the Crooked River itself. The water crossings are the main drawcard here, offering that genuine off-road thrill without excessive technical difficulty. Over 200 previous drivers have successfully tackled this route, making it an ideal confidence-builder for intermediate enthusiasts. You'll want to scout water depths before committing, especially after recent rainfall, and ensure your vehicle has adequate ground clearance for the river entry and exit points.

The surrounding landscape rewards your effort with typical Victorian bushland scenery—eucalypts and understory vegetation framing your approach to the water. Being relatively short, this track works well as part of a larger day's exploration in the region, or as a standalone challenge when time is limited. The Newtracs app can help you locate the trailhead and track your progress with GPS accuracy.