For four years, a 2017 MQ Triton served as the foundation for Cassie’s off-road adventures.

The vehicle proved its reliability across a range of terrains – including the Simpson Desert, K’gari (Fraser Island), and the Finke Desert – with minimal issues and impressive consistency. 

“I owned a 2017 MQ Triton for four years and loved it,” Cassie said. “I took it to Finke, on the Simpson Desert, up to Fraser and took it on so many trips all around home and never had a problem!”

Despite being a modest build, the Triton was well thought-out. With help from her father and partner, Cassie removed the rear seats and installed a functional plywood storage system. The layout formed a simple but efficient touring setup that supported numerous long-distance trips.

Eventually, the desire for greater space, payload and capability led her and her partner Alex to upgrade to a Toyota LandCruiser TroopCarrier. Known for its durability and popularity among remote travellers, the Troopy offered the potential for a complete touring platform – and it has since become the backbone of a long-term lap around Australia.

Prior to departing for a lap of the map, Cassie used the Troopy for local camping trips and one major run to the 2023 Finke Desert Race, returning via the Oodnadatta Track. “I haven’t done many big trips in the Troopy before going on our lap except for one mid last year,” she explained. “We went to watch Finke and did the Oodnadatta Track on the way back home.”

Now two months into the national journey, the vehicle is performing as expected and has already covered a broad range of conditions. Among the highlights so far has been the Victorian High Country. “We loved the Blue Rag Track,” she said. “It had amazing views of the mountains, which is something we don’t get to see at home.”

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The build includes an Alu-Cab roof conversion, offering a comfortable sleeping setup, and a comprehensive rear interior fitout designed for full-time travel. Cassie notes that the vehicle tows extremely well – a key factor, given the trailer in tow – and says it handles the weight with ease. “We barely notice the trailer is there (except going up hills),” she laughed. 

Future modifications will include a replacement rear bar, performance tune and exhaust, and a rear interior redesign to accommodate a crate for her dog. Cassie also wants to reorganise the rear fitout so that she can have a crate fit in for her dog.

The camper trailer was constructed in-house over a two-month period leading up to the trip. It features a leaf-over axle conversion, significantly increasing ground clearance and making it better suited to rugged tracks. “Our favourite thing about it is that it has heaps of clearance with the leaf over conversion so that we can take it on every track with us,” Cassie explained. 

The build focused on maximising every bit of usable space, with careful attention paid to accessibility and storage layout. “The biggest challenge when building it was making sure that everything was easily accessible but that there was no wasted space. We really made sure that we used every inch of the trailer.”

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Cassie’s connection to the off-road community also extends into competitive motorsport. In 2023, her father and brother raced a 76 Series LandCruiser in Class 7 of the Finke Desert Race and the broader Australian Off Road Championship. 

She also supports mental health initiatives in the 4×4 space through her work with Saving True Blues. She was approached in early 2024 to act as an ambassador for the organisation, which focuses on building a community of support within the off-road industry. 

“Lucy (the owner of Saving True Blues) contacted me about becoming an ambassador at the start of 2024 and I loved what she had created so I said yes!” Cassie said. “So many people struggle with having a positive mental health, so Saving True Blues are working on creating a community where anyone can speak up and feel supported.”

Saving True Blue hosts camps and events around the country and uses sales from merchandise to fund their mental health outreach. “I’ve gone to the camps that STB have hosted and met some amazing, like-minded people that are into four wheel drives! Anyone can attend their camps that they host and purchase any of their clothing items.”

With thousands of kilometres still to cover, the combination of a capable vehicle, a well-planned trailer, and a strong support network gives Cassie everything she needs to complete the journey.

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