We've just wrapped up another epic weekend getaway, and if you're looking for a quick escape from Sydney that's free, dog-friendly, and packed with trails, this one's for you. Laura, Connor, Amber, our pup Nugget, and I headed to the stunning base of the Coxes River near Lidsdale State Forest – all under two hours from the city with prime camping near Sydney. No fancy bookings needed; just Crown Land vibes, endless off-road fun with 4WD action, and a whole lot of hoping for fish that never showed up. If you caught the episode, you know it was equal parts adventure and chaos. If not, here's the lowdown – spoilers ahead!
Day 1: Late Starts, Steep Tracks, and That Smell of Burning Clutch
We kicked things off after Connor wrapped up work around 5 PM on Friday. Originally eyeing some Crown Land near a caravan park, we switched plans thanks to a tip from our mate Jim about this hidden gem spot near Lidsdale State Forest. It's just 10 minutes further, down a well-maintained dirt road – no airing down required at first, but boy, did we need it later for the 4WD trails.
Woke up Saturday to the sound of the Cox's River and tossed in a few lines (spoiler: zero bites, so dinner was looking dicey). But the real action was hitting the trails in Lidsdale State Forest. We aired down the tires and scoped out the tracks – some ruts looked gnarly, and one path had us noping out quick due to mud. The map didn't do justice to how steep things got. Connor's Hilux was having clutch issues post-tune (note to self: upgrade to heavy-duty next time), and the smell of burning clutch became our unofficial trip scent.
There's a ton of hill climbs with off-camber sections that had us walking it first. I made it up without breaking a CV (phew, got a spare anyway), and Connor followed suit after some wise words from me (shocking, I know). No gear changes, just first gear slow and steady. His clutch was slipping bad, but we pushed through without major drama. Toyotas never break, right? (Cue eye roll).A bit of a reminder about vehicle maintenance.
Lunch at the top was sausage sandwiches with killer views. But disaster struck: I left my GoPro at the morning camp! Laura and I raced back the fast way, snagged it (over the moon), and on the detour, stumbled on this lush backup spot with green grass, a babbling stream, and zero crowds. Perfect Plan B if things went south with our camping plans.
Pushing on, we hit more scenic drives – water flowing through rocky sections, unreal vistas. Ran into Jason Andrews from All 4 Adventure in a BYD Shark of all things. Fan-girl moment achieved. But then came a rutted downhill that had Connor bailing due to his clutch and lack of sliders. Wise Connor prevailed over "send it" Connor. We reversed course and settled at that gorgeous creek spot we'd scouted. Firewood everywhere, green grass for Nugget, and a peaceful vibe. Set up camp, lit a massive fire to fend off the chill, and cracked into...
Mystery Beers: Gluten-Free Wins and Hoppy Misses
You know the drill – blind tastings around the campfire while camping near Sydney. This time, we had three contenders:
- O'Brien's Pale Ale (Rebellion Brewing, Wendouree, VIC): 4.5%, gluten-free, made with ancient Australian grains. 1.3 standards. Super fruity and sweet – not overpowering, just a happy medium. Easy-drinking winner for the "real beer" category. We'd all grab another.
- Range Sunshine XPA (Brisbane, QLD): 4.5%, 1.2 standards, 330ml can. Clean and crisp? Nah, it was a hop bomb – rich, full-bodied, and tasted like sanitizer to some. Notes of stone fruit and pine? We called bullshit. Kangaroo punch to the face. Not our fave.
- The Big Orange Kettle Sour (Woolshed Brewery, Murtho, SA): 4.1%, 1.2 standards. Orange-flavored soda water meets beer – like Fanta but not quite enough fizz. Weird, but Laura nailed it with a tip: add lemon. It grew on us (Amber even took two sips voluntarily). Best for non-beer lovers.
Overall? O'Brien's took the crown for drinkability, Big Orange for fun curveball. Range? Pass if you're not into intense hops. Cheers to mystery beers keeping camp lively!
Day 2: River Crossings, Paddleboard Fishing Fails, and Homeward Bound
Slept like logs despite the cold – full night's rest, no rain, and those morning sun rays through the trees were magic. The creek campsite near the Cox's River was a highlight: peaceful, lush, with water flowing and trees everywhere. Nugget approved, making it dog friendly.
Packed up and hit the river for some fishing action. Inflated the King's paddleboard, paddled out hoping for trout or redfin – got nibbles, but nada. Still, floating in the sun was bliss. Then came the river crossing: deepest one yet, water up high, rocks galore. I took it slow in the Amarok – no water ingress, but sweaty palms all around. Connor eyed it skeptically (clutch woes), but we all made it without drama in our 4WD setups.
Reflections from the crew:
- Favourite parts: Campfire chats, that scenic water crossing, lush campsites.
- Unexpected: Bumping into Jase, the clutch surviving obstacles it shouldn't have.
- Bummers: No fish, lost GoPro detour, occupied prime camping spots.
It was eventful – obstacles, driving, laughs – but that's the beauty of these escapes. We didn't hit our primary site, but the backups were gems in Lidsdale State Forest.
Why You Should Do This Trip?
The Coxes River area in Lidsdale State Forest is gold: free camping, dog-friendly trails, 4WD off-road challenges without going too extreme. Pack fishing gear (and backup food), check your clutch, and explore off the beaten path for those unique spots. Under two hours from Sydney – perfect weekend reset.
Off-Roading 4WD Essentials for Lidsdale State Forest & The Surrounding Lake Lyell area
Off-roading on Lidsdale can vary greatly, It's really important to suss out trails before committing however here’s what you need to Lidsdale State Forest & this section of the Cox's River:
- Vehicle: A 4x4 vehicle is non-negotiable. I have a heavily modified Amarok. However most near-stock 4WD's shouldn't have an issue on the main trails, There's some pretty gnarly trails like Fire Truck Hill that you probably want to steer clear of unless you're heavily modified and experienced. Breakages here are common.
- Tyres: Good quality off-road tires are crucial. An all terrain tyre or heavier duty is preferable. You will need to drop some pressure as the hill climbs are shaley and can become slippery when wet, Rocks can be sharp and will easily puncture and tyre at 40psi.
- Snorkel/Breathers: While they're generally not required, the extended river crossing can be quite deep at times, Diff breathers are always recommended when going near water..
- Winch & Straps: While we didn't need any recovery gear, I have in the past when tackling a track we committed too a little prematurely. A winch is great for the hills, otherwise if you steer clear of any bog holes you should be ok.
- Navigation: This place is an endless maze of trails. There's little patchy reception on the top of most hills, and part of the Cox's River. It's a pretty busy area, you can always ask for directions or help.
- Communications: It goes without saying, however you should ALWAYS be carrying a 5w UHF. Again, if you're stuck you may find yourself hunting for help.
If you enjoyed the episode, hit like, subscribe, and share with a mate – it means the world. Got questions on the tracks, beers, or setups? Drop 'em below. Until next adventure, stay dirty out there! 🖖