In readiness for my epic 2018 adventure, I upgraded my suspension with Ironman 4×4 Foam Cell Pro shock absorbers Performance coil springs before installing a MCC 4×4 Accessories steel rear bar with dual wheel carrier. The added weight caused the rear of my Prado to sag and the nose to rise, making the vehicle unsafe on the road due to the headlights being too high. I needed a solution that would be simple to install, have the strength to handle the conditions than I planned to cover, enhance the ride, provide the ability to lower the rear if I removed the wheel carriers and raise the rear when I was packed for a trip.
What an amazing year 2018 has been for me with over thirty thousand kilometres driven, at least ten thousand photographs captured and more than twenty five articles published.
I have explored the best 4WD locations around Melbourne, tackled tracks in the High Country with the legendary Ron Moon and taught a few 4WD newbies a thing or two about how their work vehicles cope in the High Country. I borrowed my father’s campervan and followed the Silo Art Trail in Western Victoria before exploring the Food Trail in the Sun Country along the Murray River. A run along the flowing Darling River was followed by a visit to Sturt National Park and Mutawintji National Park in north-western NSW.
After that, I had little time to prepare my Prado for my epic four-month solo adventure from May to September. I covered over 20,000km through stunning sections of the Northern Territory and Western Australia, some so remote I felt truly alone, others so populated I felt overwhelmed. Deserts, gorges, National Parks, Australia’s Coral Coast, the Pilbara and the Kimberley were all extensively explored, and I was blown away by the beauty of it all. This trip ended with a crossing of the Simpson Desert via the Madigan Line with a great friend of mine and I will always remember the experience we shared covering some of the most outstanding country I have ever driven.
So out of all this, I have come up with my Top 5 Destinations that I visited during 2018. If you haven’t been to any of these places, I suggest you add them to your bucket list for 2019 and beyond. Read More
There are many fantastic freedom campsites available to us all, varying from those offering serenity and solitude to those popular with other travellers. The freedom enjoyed without having to resort to paying to stay in caravan parks is something many of us enjoy.
However, there are times when the campsite you’ve chosen to stay at may be unsafe, or you find that just as you prepare for happy hour, you’re interrupted by a rowdy newcomer who arrives with music blaring, kicking up dust and creating a disturbance.
Don’t worry too much though as in my travels I have learnt some tips to consistently find safe campsites to enjoy each night. This advice will help you to plan your next trip, or when setting off on the next stage of your adventure, to feel confident that you too will find safe campsites every night from now on. Read More
Photo Credit Shaana McNaught/Tourism NT
The New York Times ranked Darwin 12 out of “52 Places to Go in 2018”, I reckon it should be ranked higher and here’s why.
The tropical city of Darwin is the multicultural capital of the Northern Territory and with so much to see and do, you’ll need time to enjoy the entire experience that is Darwin and its surrounds. The best bit is you don’t need to plan much as Darwin is an extremely laid-back city where time moves nice and slow. Read More
Glenn Marshall Travel Writer 