4×4 and outback travel news
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New Nissan Patrol Y63 locked in for 2027 arrival
Nissan Australia has confirmed orders for the all-new Y63 Patrol will open later this month, with first customer deliveries due in the first quarter of 2027. It’s the seventh generation of a nameplate that landed here in 1961 and has spent the past 65 years earning...
Toyota working on 250-Series Prado fixes to address load space
Toyota has confirmed an update is imminent to address the rear load floor issue that has frustrated owners – and would-be buyers - of the latest 250-Series Prado models since the large SUV's local launch late in 2024. The problem relates to the load area, where the...
Why the Chevrolet Silverado’s V8 still rules when rivals have gone six-cylinder
Chevrolet is capitalising on the Aussie love of V8 engines with its Silverado pick-up truck that is proving a popular beast. While the rival Ram 1500, Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra have all moved to turbocharged six-cylinder engines, General Motors Specialty Vehicles...
Kia Tasman diesel here for the long haul, hybrid still years away
Kia has committed to its struggling Tasman ute, reaffirming that diesel will play a key role – even with revised sales targets.
Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series gets AdBlue as part of 2026 update
Toyota’s legendary LandCruiser 70-Series is the latest off-roader to adopt AdBlue as part of its artillery to clean exhaust gases. While nobody who orders a LandCruiser 70-Series has ever put AdBlue on their wishlist, Toyota has finally added the fuel additive that...
Hybrid hysteria: Battery myths creating real-world problems in the bush
Misinformation on social media, combined with official guidance, is fuelling confusion over whether hybrid and electric vehicles can use Australian vehicle ferries, potentially creating unnecessary delays as sales continue to grow. The K’gari island car ferry that...
Latest 4×4 reviews
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New emissions laws bring Australia up to date
Australia’s new National Vehicle Emissions Standard (NVES) has been vilified by some self-interested parties, but it doesn’t no more than bring Australia kicking and screaming, into the 21st century. Russia is now the only country in the world without a vehicle emissions standard.
Ute payloads aren’t what they seem
Every ute maker claims at least a nominal one-tonne payload figure and more than three tonnes trailer towing capacity for several 4WD utes in its range, but you need to check spec sheets and real-world tare weights for the true position.
Politics and Product Tests
We sometimes get asked how we can justify promoting the sales of imported 4x4s and other products, by testing stuff that comes from countries that mightn’t share our Australian values. Our answer is simple: we’re in the product testing business, not the political business.
Lexus LX700h review
The LX700h brings the Tundra-sourced twin-turbo V6 hybrid to Australia ahead of the diesel LandCruiser 300 getting the same tech. So… what’s it like, and does it make sense over an oil-burner?
Range Rover Autobiography review
The 2025 Range Rover Autobiography blends first-class luxury with serious off-road credentials. With a twin-turbo V8 under the bonnet, limousine-level ride quality and cutting-edge tech, it’s as comfortable crossing the Nullarbor...
Ineos Grenadier
It’s no secret that the 2020 Defender was new bodywork and interior on a Range Rover/Land Rover chassis. The Ineos Grenadier aimed to be a true Defender replacement and was previewed Down Under in September 2022. We gave up asking for a road test vehicle in late 2023.
Kia Tasman: Full details
The Kia Tasman is taking on the big guns of the ute segment, but does it have what it takes to shake up the dominance of the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger?
JAC Hunter PHEV review
The JAC Hunter PHEV arrives as Australia's most affordable plug-in hybrid ute, with a sub-$50,000 price tag, 3.5-tonne tow rating and 100km of electric range. We drove early development cars to find out if it can back up the numbers where it counts.
Ford Ranger Super Duty
The Ford Ranger Super Duty adds heavy duty load carrying and rock crushing off-road ability to an already capable package. But there’s a lot more to the ute that wants to steal sales from the Toyota LandCruiser 70-Series.
‘New’ Toyota Hilux now on sale
Toyota has unveiled its long anticipated new Hilux – except a lot of it is not that new. Yes, the 2026 Hilux has a fresh face – with TOYOTA spelled out across its grille – and there’s more tech and gear. But the chassis, much of the body and
Ford Ranger and Raptor
The Ranger Mk II model was released in August 2015 and updated every year since. The 2023 model was released in mid-2022, upgraded in early 2024 and a PHEV was released in mid-2025. A 2026 Super Duty model is planned.
Volkswagen Amarok
The first Amarok was designed by VW, using a unique design, but the 2023 replacement shared the 2022 Ford Ranger powertrain, chassis and running gear.
Destinations
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Gawler Ranges
South Australia’s Gawler Ranges is a place where history, pastoralism, conservation and Aboriginal culture come together.
Earthcruisers do a Simpson double cross
When you buy a new or used Earthcruiser 4×4 motorhome you get bonus membership of a tight-knit group of fellow-minded bush travellers. Just how supportive that group can be was evident on a double crossing of the Simpson Desert.
Cape York Adventure
Cape York can be tackled in a variety of ways, from full-on, extreme 4WD tracks to the corrugated main road. This suggested itinerary takes in some demanding off-roading, but not hard-core tracks like the one through Gunshot Creek.
Adelong
Adelong’s verandah-lined main street is classified by the National Trust (NSW) and some buildings date back to the goldrush era of the 1800s. The nearby Heritage Listed Industrial Site, Adelong Falls Gold Mill Ruins, boasts a remarkable collection of stone ruins and the remains of the Reefer quartz crushing mill.
Blackall
The phrase ‘beyond the black stump’ has connections with the town of Blackall, though it is not the only Australian town that lays claim to the coining of the phrase. The original stump at Blackall was used as a reference point when the area was surveyed in 1887.
Broken Hill Heritage Listing
On January 20th, 2017, Broken Hill became Australia’s first National Heritage city. That sounds impressive, but you could be forgiven for asking: “What does that really mean?”
Camping
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Different camper trailer suspensions on test
In the fleet of six camper trailers we evaluated during a Camper Trailer Torture Test we had a selection of independent and leaf sprung designs that gave us an excellent opportunity for comparison under all operating conditions.
ZF electric trailer axle
We might have known that transmission specialist ZF wouldn’t leave the electric axle market to other European manufacturers. Its eTrailer system has been tested during 2021 and is now being implemented by RV maker, Thor Industries.
Camping mattress choices
It’s vital to have quality sleep when you’re camping and the key to that is selecting the right mattress. We’ve checked out several types over the years to help your purchase decision.
BlendJet II
There was a time when you had to forget the niceties of town life if you went bush – including smoothies for breakfast. Now, thanks to BlendJet’s portable blender, you can spin away.
National Luna distribution change
Now part of the Brown and Watson International (BWI) Australian stable, which includes reputable brands Narva, Projecta, KT Cables, KT Solar and BOAB, National Luna fridges have been manufactured in South Africa for more than 30 years.
Off Track Wines
Off Track Wines is a new wine brand and the first in Australia to be created specifically with outdoor adventurers in mind. We checked out the new range and found it very much to our taste.
4WD SUV news and reviews
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Lexus LX700h review
The LX700h brings the Tundra-sourced twin-turbo V6 hybrid to Australia ahead of the diesel LandCruiser 300 getting the same tech. So… what’s it like, and does it make sense over an oil-burner?
Range Rover Autobiography review
The 2025 Range Rover Autobiography blends first-class luxury with serious off-road credentials. With a twin-turbo V8 under the bonnet, limousine-level ride quality and cutting-edge tech, it’s as comfortable crossing the Nullarbor...
Ineos Grenadier
It’s no secret that the 2020 Defender was new bodywork and interior on a Range Rover/Land Rover chassis. The Ineos Grenadier aimed to be a true Defender replacement and was previewed Down Under in September 2022. We gave up asking for a road test vehicle in late 2023.
Range Rover Sport
The Range Rover Sport was significantly upgraded for 2023, with the offering of an extended-range Electric Hybrid from launch, with 375kW (510bhp) and pure-electric driving range of up to 125km.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Post-2023, petrol-only Jeep Grand Cherokee models were available in three trim configurations and a plug-in hybrid powertrain was offered in late-2023. However, sales were poor and the Grand Cherokee was ditched in early 2025.
Isuzu MU-X
Isuzu Ute Australia released the anticipated seven-seat wagon version of its D-Max ute range in late 2013. The third-generation MU-X was launched in July 2021 and updated in late 2022, early 2024 and early 2025.
4×4 ute news and reviews
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Kia Tasman: Full details
The Kia Tasman is taking on the big guns of the ute segment, but does it have what it takes to shake up the dominance of the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger?
JAC Hunter PHEV review
The JAC Hunter PHEV arrives as Australia’s most affordable plug-in hybrid ute, with a sub-$50,000 price tag, 3.5-tonne tow rating and 100km of electric range. We drove early development cars to find out if it can back up the numbers where it counts.
Ford Ranger Super Duty
The Ford Ranger Super Duty adds heavy duty load carrying and rock crushing off-road ability to an already capable package. But there’s a lot more to the ute that wants to steal sales from the Toyota LandCruiser 70-Series.
GMSV Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD LTZ Premium was upgraded for 2024 and 2025, with a refreshed look and even more grunt from its Duramax V8 turbo-diesel engine.
RAM 2500
The Ram has been Cummins-powered since 1989. It’s taken nearly 30 years to make it Down Under as RHD-converted ute, but the wait has been worth it. The latest model was released in September 2021.
Electric LandCruisers
Many industries are interested in zero-pollution electric vehicles – particularly underground mining – and the ubiquitous LandCruiser ute is an obvious candidate for electrification.
Featured 4WD videos
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ABOUT US
Outback Travel Australia
Outback Travel Australia was established in 2009 by Allan Whiting and his team. His knowledge, enthusiasm and countless outback kilometres created a treasure trove of content unrivalled in depth and passion.
In 2025, Toby Hagon took the wheel with a vision to expand it further. While honouring Allan’s legacy, he plans to add new voices, fresh stories, and insights that reflect the ever-changing outback travel experience. The goal is to keep Outback Travel Australia the most trusted companion for anyone exploring the bush, the desert, and beyond.
