ALONG the Stuart Highway south of Alice Springs, roadside rest areas quickly fill with travellers during the peak touring season. The throng starts assembling at mid-afternoon and, though the outlook might not be the most inspiring, the cost is free and the company guaranteed.

A handful of savvy travellers know where to nip off the bitumen, to a little-known free camp that has some clear benefits over the highway stops. At Redbank Waterhole, in Owen Springs Reserve, there’s not much in the way of traffic noise and there’s plenty of room to move.

A dirt track leaves the highway 66km south of Alice, heading west just 6km through the reserve to Redbank Waterhole. The track is marked 4WD-only and, though dusty and corrugated, is hardly a challenge for any vehicle with a bit of clearance.

There are no facilities at Redbank; only the tracks and old campfires of previous campers define individual sites. Most sites overlook the bed of the Hugh River, one of the Territory’s great ephemeral rivers and a main tributary of the mighty Finke. Naturally, some of the tracks around camp are fairly sandy, as are the sites. Another advantage of Redbank is that it’s one of the few reserves in the Territory where dogs are allowed.

This section of the reserve isn’t that far off the main road, so there can be a drift of noise from road trains rumbling along the highway. The sound isn’t intrusive, though, and it’s the local corellas and red-tailed black cockatoos that cause the most commotion.

Quiet campers have a fair chance of seeing more wildlife at Redbank. Along with the corellas and cockatoos, the waterhole attracts flocks of budgerigars, different pigeons and even hawks that harass fish attempting to hide in the diminishing pools.

Water levels will depend on how recently the Hugh River has seen a flow, and in a good season there’ll be enough water for a refreshing warm-weather swim. It’s an attractive place, lined with river gums and surrounded with a variety of grasses and shrubs.

However, Redbank is just a small section of Owen Springs Reserve, and travellers looking for something more than just a convenient overnight stop won’t be disappointed.

From the Redbank Waterhole access track, a self-drive route leads roughly north towards the Waterhouse Range. This track is definitely for four-wheel drive vehicles only, as it picks up the bed of the Hugh River to traverse deep sand as well as rocks and dust. Despite that, it’s not a terribly tough track and the camping opportunities are pretty good. Unfortunately, pets are not allowed in this section of the Owen Springs Reserve.

The self-drive route is only 50km long, ending on Larapinta Drive about 50km west of Alice Springs.

A brochure detailing historical and natural points of interest along the way is usually available at the entrance to the reserve. An information sheet can also be downloaded from the Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife’s website.

The going is pretty slow along this self-drive route, which is a good thing, as it allows travellers to enjoy the changing sceneries. With the ranges still in the distance, the track winds through grasslands and over a few low red dunes where spinifex is interspersed with a diversity of shrubs and herbage. On occasion, parts of the track can be eroded by heavy rainfall, but it seems the park’s staff keeps signage up-to-date to provide adequate warning of any damage.

The landscape gradually transforms to undulating hills, which in turn morph into the Waterhouse Range. From here, the track follows the course of the Hugh River as its cuts its way along Lawrence Gorge and through the range. Lower tyre pressures are necessary for the deep sand in this part of the reserve, though there’s a fair share of narrow, rock-studded sections as well.

This is a pretty part of the world. Low rock forms of different shapes and colours have a definite ‘Central Australian’ ambience, and gnarled river gums show their age with wide girths and contorted branches. In the gorge, signs mark a 5.6km stretch where campers can set up.

There are no designated sites within that distance, though a few rough tracks lead to clear areas or massive sandbanks pushed up when the Hugh is in flood. It’s a matter of camping wherever you like!

With such a massive choice of camps, it’d be rare to be crowded in this part of Owen Springs, so it’s a good opportunity to sit back and enjoy a remote experience. The chances of spotting wildlife are also good, though sightings of elusive black-footed wallabies or euros aren’t guaranteed. Campers are more likely to hear the howl of dingos echo through the range.

The Waterhouse Range is said to hide evidence that Aboriginal people have lived in and roamed this area for countless lifetimes. NT Parks asks that travellers respect the wishes of Aboriginal custodians and not climb these hills.

More recent history, from when Owen Springs was a cattle station, is much easier to recognise, especially at Haunted Tree Bore and the historic homestead ruins. The old homestead is among the first to be built in the Northern Territory and, though much of the complex has disappeared, restorations have put a bit of life back into the main building.

Owen Springs’ history is entwined with explorations of the Overland Telegraph Line, and John McDouall Stuart was the first white man to visit the area. Interestingly, the waterhole named as Owen Springs isn’t permanent, but another ephemeral waterhole of the Hugh.

Between the highway-handy camp at Redbank and the strung-out bush camps at Lawrence Gorge, Owen Springs is a great place to explore.

The reserve offers the chance to see a different part of Central Australia, and a part that it seems the multitudes are yet to discover.

Travel Planner

OWEN Springs Reserve is south-west of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. Access is from the Stuart Highway, 66km south of Alice; or from Larapinta Drive, 55km west of Alice.

4WD vehicles are recommended, especially for the self-drive route along the Hugh River. Access tracks to the reserve are likely to be closed after rain.

Pets are allowed at the Redbank Waterhole section of the reserve, but not along the self-drive route.

Camping is at Redbank Waterhole and along a 5.6km stretch at Lawrence Gorge. Camping is free at both locations.

There are no facilities at Owen Springs Reserve. Travellers should be self-sufficient and take all rubbish away with them.

For more info, visit: www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au or contact: (08) 8956 7300. Territory Parks Alive programs sometimes operate at Owen Springs Reserve.

The August issue of 4X4 Australia is on sale July 7.

Smack-bang on the front of this month’s banging issue is another LowRange DVD – sure to satisfy the ever-growing Roothy fan base.

Also in this issue, you’ll find a Toyota LC79 tweaked to perfection by the pros at Marks 4WD, the well-thought-out build of an LC200 Cruiser and a history lesson on the Nissan Patrol. Plus, we head overseas for the first drive of Volkswagen’s Amarok Aventura.

Grab the latest copy of 4X4 Australia from newsagents, or get it before everyone else by subscribing to 4X4 Australia in electronic or print format.

What’s inside:

LOFTY AMBITIONS Marks 4WD corrects the LandCruiser 79’s factory shortcomings to create one stunning off-road beast.

TORQUE KING Our first bash with Volkswagen’s all-new 165kW/550Nm V6 TDI Amarok Aventura.

4X4 BEST BUYS We give you the run-down on the 12 best 4×4 vehicles currently on the market – from the $22,990 Suzuki Jimny to the $145,310 Range Rover Sport SDV8.

PLANNED TO PERFECTION Sometimes it’s best to steer clear of elaborate, crazy modifications and opt for a clean, meticulously planned build – like this LC200.

ON PATROL Since its birth in 1951, the Nissan Patrol has given us a family of beauties: 4W Series, 60 Series, MQ, GQ, Y61 and Y62.

COMPREHENSIVE BULLBAR GUIDE Do all bullbars do the same thing? Which one will fit my rig? Should I get steel, alloy or plastic? All your questions are answered here.

DOWN AND DIRTY If you’re not afraid of getting bogged in a quagmire of mud, then hit the sloppy slopes at Levuka 4WD Park in NSW.

READY, SET, GO We load up a Disco with Sunday’s finest and head to the Birdsville Races – the race that stops the ‘outback’ nation.

DUSTBOWL DANCE If a remote, desolate and harsh location is your idea of a holiday destination, then Sturt NP is right up your alley.

IRISH ADVENTURE Sometimes 4×4 tracks outside of Australia are too good to ignore. The Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland is one such adventure.

CAMP IN COMFORT Some of us like to sleep under the stars, while some prefer a swag. There are also those that like to camp in luxury. Enter the Mountain Trail EDX Touring Edition.

THE REST Ron Moon’s two cents on how to deal with crocs, Dean Mellor reminisces a time before GPS, Roothy encounters a few issues when sprucing up Milo and Fraser Stronach explains the benefits of diesel fuel. Plus we test a heap of new gear that’ll help you on your next adventure. Happy reading!

THE Ford Ranger has topped the June 4×4 sales charts, shifting 3477 units nationwide (VFACTS).

Despite selling more rigs than last month, Toyota’s Hilux slipped to second place with 3385 units finding new owners.

This puts the Ranger (15,266) just behind the Hilux (15,484) on year-to-date sales.

However, the biggest mover of the month came from Mitsubishi’s garage. The Triton 4×4 sold 2533 units to move it into third spot on the monthly 4×4 sales charts, leapfrogging Holden’s Colorado (2302) and Nissan’s Navara (1319).

The June result tops off a stellar first half of the year for Mitsubishi, with the Japanese manufacturer crushing its all-time SUV and LCV sales record.

MMA’s executive director of marketing Tony Principe said: “The LCV and SUV market continues to perform above the total market average and we’re pleased to see Mitsubishi achieve record sales in these areas.”

Mazda’s BT-50, Isuzu’s D-Max, Toyota’s Prado and Volkswagen’s Amarok all saw healthy sales growth, while the Nissan Navara and Toyota LandCruiser wagon were the only vehicles in the top 10 that fared worse than last month.

Things are also looking tip-top in the overall market, with sales of LCVs – particularly 4×4 pick-ups and cab-chassis variants – increasing 5.9 per cent on June 2015. SUVs continue to drive out the door, with an 8.9 per cent year-on-year sales jump.

It appears more and more people are realising there’s plenty of fun to be had in a 4×4!

SOUTH African company Eezi-Awn has developed a true expedition-strength, flat-deck roof rack that delivers superior carrying capacity, as well as low wind noise and minimal drag.

From the moment I slid the K9 Rak from its cardboard packaging, I was relieved at not having to bolt, pop-rivet or screw the whole rack together. Yep, this complete flat rack is fully welded and coated in a matte-black finish. All that’s required is the fitting of the leg kit to the rack and my Toyota LandCruiser, which is ridiculously easy.

There are no plastic parts, except a finishing cover on the corners, which means the whole rack is a solid, lightweight unit.

While many racks settle for three pairs of feet (to connect the rack to the roof), the K9 shares the load via 10 separate feet. These extra feet ensure no damage is done to the vehicle, and they also allow for vertical adjustment of the flat deck. This allows the low-profile extrusions to be fitted snug with the roof line, which results in lower drag, lower centre of gravity and increased overhead clearance.

An optional table and table slide is mounted under the rack – a great storage solution that means valuable space isn’t taken up inside the vehicle or on top of the rack. Instead, the stainless-steel table slides in from the rear and locks into position via a flip-up attachment, which has the option to fit a padlock. I don’t get why some tables are fitted to a vehicle – who wants to sit and eat staring at the side of a 4×4? The only downside is that the rack legs need to be set higher to accommodate the table.

The axe, shovel and high-lift mounting kits are similarly spot-on. Being able to carry these oft-used tools without them taking up valuable space is ideal, and I can see these three tools taking up residence on the rack permanently given they can all be padlocked into position.

The K9 kit also keeps dust out of your high-lift jack, as it comes complete with a protective bag – top marks again!

The dual jerry-can holder and spare wheel mount can quickly be attached to the slots within the slats. Obviously we wouldn’t be carrying these two options all the time, but they are quick and easy to install – just keep an eye on their weight and distribution.

It seems everyone has a side awning fitted to their rig these days, and the K9 makes it very easy to add one to either side of the rack via a simple bolt-on attachment. And, not that I have an Eezi-Awn rooftop tent (or other fold-in-half-style tent), but there is also a tent mounting kit that easily slots into the top slats.

All up, the K9 is the most versatile, practical and rugged rack I’ve ever seen or used. It’s not noisy (other than a slight thrum of the table over rough roads) and it’s easy to tie down gear or slot accessories into the track system.

It’s hard to pick a fault with the K9 and I’d give it a 99/100 score.

The Eezi-Awn K9 Rak is suitable for a wide range of vehicles and is supported within Australia by Dolium. For more details and pricing (size-dependent), visit the dolium website.

RATED Available from: www.dolium.com.au RRP: From $880 We say: Versatile; practical; rugged.

The fastest single-turbo VDJ76 Cruiser in Australia is transporting four osteopaths through rural Queensland, as part of an outreach program to provide drought-affected farmers free osteopathic treatment.

The V8 Toyota LandCruiser, aptly named ‘Black Knight’, departed from Brisbane on July 1 loaded with massage tables, foam rollers and enough therapeutic tape to cater for a football team.

It is widely recognised that rural farmers do it tough, and in May this year it was confirmed that 83.9 per cent of Queensland is currently in drought.

Anthony Collins, the owner of the LandCruiser and the instigator of the program, believes the program might help to ease the stress put upon these farmers.

“I travel west of the divide frequently and locals always tell me, ‘we could do with one of you blokes out this way. Nearly everyone out here has a sore back’,” he said.

“If our treatment can give them one less problem to deal with, then I’d consider the trip a success.”

Working on a farm often takes its toll on one’s body, and osteopathy can treat sore backs, sore necks, headaches, whiplash, postural problems and arthritis (to name a few). The osteos will educate farmers on how to treat their injuries and how to proactively prevent future ailments.

The program will also donate rehab tools to farmers.

Black Knight arrived at the Kahmoo property near Cunnamulla on July 2, where it set up a mobile clinic. The next stop was the Eulo Queen Hotel to the west.

4X4 Australia has plans to feature this stunning Cruiser in the mag when the Toyota returns from its duties in rural Queensland. Keep an eye out for it!

The simple things in life are often the best. These good-old jaffle iron toasties are proof of that.

A Man’s jaffle

Ingredients For each jaffle you’ll need:

• 2 slices of bread
• A little butter
• 1 slice of cheese
• 1 to 2 tbs baked beans – drained (whatever flavour you want)
• 1 slice of ham

Step 1: Preheat your jaffle. Lightly spread each bread slice with a little butter. Step 2: Place the bread buttered-side down into the jaffle iron. Spoon in the baked beans and spread out evenly, but don’t go all the way to the sides! Add the ham and cheese. Step 3: Top with the remaining bread slice, butter-side up. Step 4: Cook for a few minutes on each side until golden brown. Step 5: While the jaffles are still in the irons, cut off any burnt edges. Step 6: Cool slightly before eating so you don’t burn the inside of your mouth.

Best to drain the baked beans if the mixture has a lot of liquid.

Apple jaffle

Ingredients *Quantities are just a guide; you may like to use more or less

• 2 slices of bread
• A little butter
• 1 to 2 tsps of cream cheese (amount depends on how thick you want it on the bread)
• Apple slices cut thinly – you’ll need about a 1/3 of a medium apple for each jaffle (or use canned apple slices)
• A pinch of ground cinnamon (optional) – if you use it sparingly it adds a lovely flavour to the apple
• 1 tsp of maple syrup (more or less to taste)
• 1 tbs of dried cranberries
• ½ to 1 tbs of roasted chopped walnuts/pecans or toasted slivered almonds

Cooking time: 3 to 5 minutes for each side (timing will depend on the heat from your coals). Step 1: Preheat your jaffle. Lightly spread each bread slice with a little butter. Step 2: Place the bread buttered-side down into the jaffle iron. Spread the bread with a little cream cheese, then add the apple slices and spread out evenly, but don’t go all the way to the sides! Step 3: Sprinkle a little ground cinnamon over the apple slices and then pour over a little maple syrup. Finish with a sprinkling of dried cranberries and nuts. Step 4: Top with the remaining bread slice, butter-side up. Cook for a few minutes on each side until golden brown. Step 5: While the jaffles are still in the irons, cut off any burnt edges. Step 6: Cool slightly before eating so you don’t burn the inside of your mouth.

Viv’s hints You need to cut the apple slices thinly or they won’t soften quickly enough in the short cooking time. Also try using fruit loaf slices instead of white or brown bread. Use sultanas instead of dried cranberries. Use honey instead of maple syrup. You can also serve them with a dollop of vanilla yoghurt or cream on the side.

A few Jaffle iron tips Let the fire burn down to coals. Pre-heat jaffle iron. Flip it regularly.

THERE has been a spate of vehicle recalls recently.

Within just two days last week, Mitsubishi and Fiat Chrysler Australia both issued recalls.

Mitsubishi Triton (ML/MN) and Pajero (NS/NT/NW/NX) models were recalled due to turn signal and lighting switch connector terminals becoming worn. This issue could result in an accumulation of oxidised dust on connector terminals, which can act as an insulator and affect proper terminal conductivity.

This could cause head lamps, turn signal lamps, parking lamps, front/rear fog lamps, tail lamps, number plate lamps and cabin lamps to malfunction.

The FCA recall is significantly more serious as it could affect the airbag deployment in 2007-2010 JK Jeep Wranglers.

FCA has advised that the clock spring may ingest dust if the vehicle is subjected to dusty environments – highly likely for 4×4 enthusiasts.

This accumulation of dust could compromise airbag circuits and cause the non-deployment of the driver airbag during a crash.

What impact will the recalls have on owners?

There is very little impact for Pajero and Triton drivers, other than the hassle of taking it to a Mitsubishi dealer for a 30-minute tweak.

The issue is more serious for Jeep owners, considering the increased risk of injury the fault can cause.

Punters shouldn’t have to fork out a cent for the fix, and owners of affected models will be contacted by the respective manufacturers as soon as possible.

If you don’t hear anything soon, or you’re unsure whether your vehicle is affected, give Mitsubishi or FCA a buzz.

AN 800Nm Cummins 6BT engine, 40-inch tyres and nine inches of lift… just let that sink in for a minute. While we normally focus on touring 4x4s rather than comp trucks, this one had us scratching our heads.

If you run through the spec sheet, it reads like an over-the-top, competition-bred 4×4, and when you consider this Patrol isn’t even from Australia, it’d almost automatically get looked over. But it is in Australia, and right about now it’ll be parked up at Nolan’s Brook, with its owners Kim and Heidi sitting next to it enjoying a few ice-cold beers.

This Patrol has spent the past three years parked in a Danish workshop, where Kim and Heidi meticulously modified and upgraded every single component. This was done with the intention of shipping it to Australia to travel up and down the east coast and through the heart of the country for the better part of three months.

It started life as an early-series Nissan GU Patrol, with a clapped-out ZD30 sitting between the chassis rails; sills and quarter panels that resembled swiss cheese; and 31-inch All Terrain tyres. Hardly the awe-inspiring do-it-all 4×4 it is today.

The plan was simple. Kim’s then-current 4×4, a SWB GU Patrol on 37-inch tyres, wasn’t big enough for the deep mud-holes throughout the Danish countryside, and it definitely wasn’t comfortable enough for a lap around Australia. Something had to be done about it, and that something wasn’t going to involve cutting corners.

Starting with the belly of the beast, Kim dumped the ZD30 in the nearest skip bin. In its place would proudly sit a 5.9-litre inline-six turbo-diesel from a 1998 Dodge Ram, more commonly known as a Cummins 12V 6BT. The diesel donk now punches out 800Nm, a 25 per cent increase from stock, thanks to a re-ground fuel plate in the injection pump.

Now here’s the interesting part: that 800Nm is funnelled through a custom clutch and flywheel from Australian company, Western Clutch Service, before sending power to all four wheels through the standard Nissan five-speed manual gearbox. Bolting the factory ’box to the Cummins engine required a 10mm CNC-cut steel adaptor plate and, with some custom engine mounts, it became part of the landscape in the engine bay. The sump also required extensive massaging, while an Optima Yellowtop fires the whole lot into life.

While the gearbox may be stock, there’s now a second transfer case slotted in behind it for what’s known as a dual transfer case set-up. This gives Kim the option to run high-high, high-low, or low-low, for an impressive 15 forward gear ratios and three reverse. Fitment of the longer gearbox assembly required some careful notching of the factory crossmembers.

Follow the custom-length driveshafts in both directions and you’ll eventually find front and rear factory GU axles – not as over-the-top as the rest of the vehicle! Inside both diffs are 3.9:1 diff gears from Nitro Gear & Axle and a pair of TJM Pro Lockers. The 3.9:1 ratio works perfectly to keep the 6BT in the sweet spot for power and economy.

In the front, the stock radius arms have been replaced with custom-made units with the addition of a second bush to help minimise the binding issue that stops most Patrols from articulating. There’s also a custom-built, high-steer arrangement and a raised and adjustable Panhard to help maintain some semblance of road handling at the new altitude. The rear is also more flexible, with the standard five-link arrangement being replaced by a triangulated four-link with adjustable uppers.

While the Patrol was a bare chassis, the upper coil mounts were cut off and lowered to give the Patrol an extra 50mm of ride height. Coil buckets were fitted with dislocation cones to keep the springs seated under articulation, and Profender four-inch hydraulic bump stops were installed up front to improve the ride. Combined with the six-inch Dobinsons lift kit and one-inch body lift, Kim’s Patrol sits nine inches higher than stock.

Despite the monster-truck-inspired lift, the 40-inch Maxxis Trepadors still required the rear wheelarches and rear axle to be pushed back 40mm from its stock location. The tyres are bead-locked to 17-inch ATX alloy wheels to allow Kim to drop to single-digit pressures, while 50mm wheel spacers help increase the track width to regain stability.

Rather than re-fit the rusty body, Kim and Heidi picked up a GU-IV with front-end damage and some trick leather interior. A new radiator support and some dent-free new panels gave the Patrol an updated look. The body and chassis received a full respray before coming together, with custom-made flares covering the rig’s massively increased width.

The couple has decked out the interior with all the required gear for serious outback travel. There’s a cargo barrier installed behind the front seats, a set of timber storage drawers, a pair of Waeco fridges, and three months’ worth of camping equipment.

The final piece of the puzzle before the long haul to Australia was a full set of custom-built bar-work. The front was painstakingly pieced together from flat plate, and it houses no less than six LED driving lights, a 12V winch wrapped in 12mm wire cable, and the UHF aerials.

While Kim was fabricating the rock sliders on either side, Heidi’s father fired up the welder to build a rear bar that was tight enough to get through narrow tracks and strong enough to hold up to the abuse of extended travel. Plus, it supports a 40-inch Trepador spare.

Kim and Heidi’s Patrol is a do-it-all kind of 4×4. Some well-thought-out modifications, the right know-how, and a little cost saving where appropriate have built a 4×4 that won’t only drive over whatever they point it at, but it’ll do it on any continent they ship it to.

THOSE TYRES AIN’T LEGAL!

YOU may be wondering how Kim and Heidi are able to legally drive on Australian roads with 40-inch tyres, nine-inches of lift and wheel spacers. Australia offers a few different methods for international travellers bringing their own vehicles to our tracks. The first and most obvious is a temporary import permit. However, the most commonly used method is a Carnet de Passage en Douane (CPD), which essentially functions as a passport for your vehicle.

To be eligible, the vehicle needs to pass a basic safety test in Australia and be insured with third-party property damage at a minimum. International travellers are also required to bring with them registration papers from their home country. Once here, the vehicle can only be driven by nominated drivers and must be exported before expiration of the CPD. The best part is, we can use the same system to take our vehicles overseas.

RENAULT has entered the uber-competitive one-tonne ute market with the launch of the Alaskan.

France’s first foray into the one-tonne ute segment was documented in September last year when it revealed the Alaskan concept. Now a slightly subdued production version has landed.

Based on the Nissan Navara, the Alaskan will feature Renault’s 2.3-litre four-cylinder, twin-turbo diesel dCi engine, available with 120kW or 142kW.

Depending on markets, two other powertrains may be available: a 2.5-litre petrol and a 2.5-litre diesel.

2WD and 4WD (4LO and 4H) capabilities, as well as a choice between six-speed manual and seven-speed automatic transmissions, will also be available.

The Alaskan comes equipped with electronic limited slip diff (eLSD) and a rear-locking diff. Other driving aids include hill-start assist (HSA) and hill descent control (HDC).

Road handling of the double-cab version will be greatly enhanced due to a five-link rear suspension, a la Navara.

Other notable credentials include a ground clearance of 230mm and a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes.

The UV-resistant heavy-duty tray will feature a mounted 12-volt power supply, C-channels and four quick-fit hooks. Short or long trays will be available, depending on the market.

Ashwani Hupta, vice president of Renault’s Light Commercial Vehicles division, said: “This stunning pick-up will fulfil the needs of professional users and individual customers around the world.”

Groupe Renault unveiled the Alaskan in Colombia, and South America will be the first continent to start rolling them out of showrooms.

The Alaskan is expected to arrive locally early in 2017. Price is yet to be confirmed.

CAST a line and hook a juicy fish at your riverside campsite… or in Roothy’s case, take a shortcut and just buy some not-as-fresh fish from the nearest supermarket.

Either way, you’re having fish for dinner.

Last week Roothy took our taste buds to Mexico with the delectable Chook Amigo. This week he’s united oil and beer batter once again for a unique seafood culinary creation. And no, it’s not beer-battered fish and chips.

It’s beer-battered fish with a twist. In this case, that twist is coconut.

Packets of shredded coconut are available from supermarkets for dirt-cheap prices, so it’s a great idea to keep some in storage for a rainy day.

But, first things first: combine an egg, beer, self-raising flour, half a teaspoon of sugar and salt to make the beer batter. To give the batter some tropical flair, add a dash of lime juice.

Cut the fish (or prawns) into strips, lather them with the batter, and then roll the strips around in a bed of shredded coconut. Finally, whack it in a pot of boiling oil until they’re a crispy golden brown colour.

Roothy reckons the secret weapon to make this dish even better is sweet chilli sauce – can’t argue with that logic.

The fish works beautifully with a side of rice and a couple of tinnies