Starlink – Friend, or Foe?
When you go four-wheel driving, you do it for recreation. And as much as I struggle to say this, I do it for work. Although many of my mates chip…
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Magazine
83 posts
The Tragic, Beautiful Madness of the Burke and Wills Expedition
There’s something about the outback that stirs the soul, or mine at least. Kilometres of endless, red-hued nothingness, interrupted only by raw and utterly jaw-dropping beauty, or a homicidal kangaroo…
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Everything You Need To Know About Defibrillators
There are a few things imperative to know and safety devices to gather before you venture into challenging and remote adventures. Tracks such as the Canning Stock Route are bucket…
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How Far Can Ya Go? Touring Ranges with The Long Ranger
Australia’s vast and rugged landscapes beckon adventurers from all over the world. From sun-scorched deserts to lush rainforests, the continent offers a myriad of remote destinations that are a dream…
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Things I’ve Learned In The Dirt
When I first began camping there was a wave of shock that went over my family, with my mum exclaiming “who is this and what have you done with the…
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Opinion: Tow Ratings Are Rubbish
In the world of 4X4s, numbers are everything. Manufacturers love to throw around figures like 3,500kg towing capacity, trying to convince you that their mid-size Utes can pull anything you…
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How to Cross the Continent: Tips and Tricks for the Ultimate Aussie Adventure
There’s something seriously magnetic about crossing Australia. The sheer size of the country beckons almost every red-blooded wheeler. For me, it’s not just about getting from one spot to another;…
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Sydney To Melbourne On The Dirt
I struggle to think of a drive that bores me more than going from Sydney to Melbourne on the Hume Highway, it’s about as interesting to me as doing my…
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HOW TO BUY THE BEST ROOF TOP TENT FOR YOUR BUDGET
From bush tracks to beach camps its undeniable the roof top tent has taken over as the sleeping arrangement of choice for 4X4ers. There’s second hand $200 offerings ratchet strapped…
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Reach For The Sky – Mastering Steep Terrain
You’d be hard-pressed to spend your 4X4 career on level ground, and why would you want to? Some of the most fun you can have behind the wheel is in…
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How It Works – Adjustable Shocks
When it comes to off-roading, one of the most critical yet often overlooked components in a 4X4 is the shock absorber. While many enthusiasts focus on adding accessories like winches,…
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HOW TO BUY A ROOF TOP TENT
From bush tracks to beach camps its undeniable the roof top tent has taken over as the sleeping arrangement of choice for 4X4ers. There’s second hand $200 offerings ratchet strapped…
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The First Summit of Kosciuszko, and the unlikely link with the outback
I think it’s a safe assumption that most Australians look up to the early explorers and all that they achieved. In what can easily be called a sedentary lifestyle that…
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The Big Bush Burger
When the wilderness calls and the campfire roars, there’s no better way to feed your adventurous spirit than with a hearty, flavour-packed burger. This isn’t just any burger; it’s a…
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Aussies Are Buying the Wrong Utes
Us Aussies have a deep-seated love affair with our utes. They’re part of our national identity, a cultural icon that’s been around for over 90 years. These vehicles have shaped…
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Australia’s Best Alpine Tracks
When we think of camping in Australia, we usually imagine turquoise beaches, sunny weather, and the vast Outback. However, one type of camping often gets overlooked—alpine wheeling. Despite our love…
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From Coolers to Currents – An inside scoop with Engel
Dan Everett: Right. Ben, could you start by telling us a bit about who you are and what your role is at Engel? Ben Ranford: Sure, I’m currently the sales…
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Tenterfield To Coffs On The Dirt
Patski said it right, everything is better on a dirt road. Especially when that dirt road isn’t surrounded by fire, like they had been at the start of this insane…
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Get More From Your Drawers: The Ultimate Packing Guide
There are a few hit list items that it seems like just about every 4X4 needs to have whether they’re gearing up for the Canning, or a summer of beach…
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The Ultimate Steak Sanga
When you’re out in the great outdoors, there’s nothing quite like enjoying a hearty meal by the campfire. After a day of exploring and adventure, you need something satisfying and…
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The Big Lap Bible: A Guide to Touring Australia
Touring Australia is one of the most rewarding, and at times, challenging holidays you’ll ever have the pleasure of doing. It offers the chance to explore the vast and varied…
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The Outback Is A Drug
I was listening to a crime podcast the other day. This bloke was out robbing banks in America, trying to scrounge up cash to buy enough heroin to give him…
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HOW IT WORKS – HYBRID 4X4S
For the last 100 years or so the powertrains motoring us down the tracks haven’t changed a great deal. Sure, they’ve gotten more complex, but the same basic things are…
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CARAVAN V CAMPER V CANOPY – WHAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU?
Ahhh the great outdoors. Home to some of the most spectacular sights you’ll ever lay eyes on. Stunning outback sunsets. Epic mountain vistas. Sub-tropical rain forests straight out of the…
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From Pat’s Desk – Fresh Tracks
I recently attended the New York Auto Show. And in case you were wondering, this trip was personally funded (i.e. NOT paid for by any manufacturer). Here are some of…
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Spotlight on Len Beadell
In the vast landscapes of Australia, few names resonate with the spirit of exploration as profoundly as Len Beadell. Often dubbed the “last true Australian explorer,” Len’s contributions to mapping…
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The Ultimate Off-Road Pad Thai
Let’s be real for a minute here, the tracks we travel throughout this great country are only part of the appeal of touring. It’s the stunning landscapes, the time with…
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From truly isolated to tourist destination, how the Old Tele’ Track came to be
The Old Telegraph Track in Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia, holds a rich history that dates back to the early days in the region. This iconic track, formerly known as…
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Brisbane to Sydney via the dirt, the Tenterfield leg
In my mind, only three things are certain in life: death, taxes and that bitumen roads are bloody boring. So, tackling a trip like Brisbane to Sydney using as many dirt…
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Dead Reckoning – The Lost Art of Map Reading
In an age dominated by digital navigation, the art of reading a paper map may seem like a relic of the past. Yet, for 4X4ers mastering this skill is not…
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The only 4X4 accessory you’ll pass down to your grandkids
There’s no shortage of odds and ends, doo dad’s and what’s its we fit to our rigs, all with their own unique story and purpose. But some bits of 4X4…
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Dune Dynamics – How to Conquer the Sand
I’m going to hazard a guess and say that at least 90% of people who’ve wheeled in the sand are willing to admit they’ve also been bogged in it at…
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The Story Behind Project Thirst Responder – Our F-150 with Attitude
For over two decades, Pat Callinan has built himself a reputation as a no-nonsense outback tourer. His shows, websites, magazines, and 4X4s have all been about exploring the Australian landscape…
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The Dark Arts of Towing Off-Road
Venturing off-road with your caravan or camper trailer opens up a world of adventure, granting access to Australia’s diverse and beautiful landscapes. However, it’s a journey that requires skill, knowledge,…
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Plan The Ultimate Desert Adventure
To most Aussie 4X4’ers touring Australia’s remote outback is a rite of passage. The rugged terrain tests the mettle of even the most seasoned travellers and their rigs, but the…
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Two Years on The Tracks – How the Everest held up
After two years on the road, the Everest beach tourer has not only proven its mettle across Australia’s varied landscapes but has proven that despite the huge popularity of 4X4…
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Pat shows us how to turn a Ford Everest into the ultimate touring 4×4
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First jump: Next Gen Ford Ranger Raptor
400HP AND DESERT RACE SUSPENSION. WE PUT FORD’S NEW DO-IT-ALL OFF-ROAD WEAPON TO THE TEST 400hp in a ute. Bonkers, right? And it is bonkers, but in a good way.…
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5 quick and easy tips to make you the master of river crossings
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Bio-fuels – coming to a bowser near you
Australia’s move to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 means EVs are coming whether we like it or not. Could bio-fuels allow us to keep our current 4WDs for just a…
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Big mods for the Big Lap
As we travel around this great country, we get the opportunity to meet other fellow travellers living on the road or doing the big lap. Almost all of them are…
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Spotlight on: Pat’s FX4 Max
How Pat turned something special, into something amazing While it’d be hard to find a downside with Pat’s line of work, it’s certainly easy to find more than a few…
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Pat’s thoughts on the Next-Gen Ranger
In a world seemingly screaming for new electric vehicles, the new Ford Ranger is an unusual rockstar. Powered purely by diesel engines, it has attracted popularity hitherto unseen in this…
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