DEPENDING on where you live within Australia – Tasmanians and Victorians look away now – you’re guaranteed to get plenty of sun, most of the time.

So why not harness this free energy to use at camp by investing in a solar panel? Getting a system that works for you could save you plenty of coin in the long run.

We laid five solar panels under the sun – Projecta 120-Watt Bi-Fold, Projecta 120-Watt Multi-Fold, Redarc 115-Watt Sunpower Black Blanket, Redarc 112-Watt Red Blanket and a Projecta 80-Watt Bi-Fold – and put them through a rigorous testing process to find out which one provided the best power.

Multiple weather scenarios were tested, including full sun, partial shade, half sun, indirect sun and cloudy conditions, to realistically represent Australian conditions.

All five solar panels were set up at the same time and in the same conditions, and all charged a single battery which was powering four fridges. Four fridges were used due to the high input power of the panels.

Mark Allen assessed each panel’s ability in the differing weather conditions, as well as the practicalities of the different designs – what are the pros and cons of a blanket panel compared to a fixed frame panel? Does size matter?

The read our complete solar panel comparison and to see all of the stats and figures, pick up a copy of 4X4 Australia’s January 2017 issue, in stores December 8.

WHENEVER you head off on a big outback adventure, it’s inevitable that something will go wrong. On some trips that might be as insignificant as a chipped windscreen, but on others the list of failures can be long, so it always pays to be prepared. But how prepared do you really have to be?

12 years ago I embarked on a 5000km outback pub-crawl with a few mates. It was a great idea because (all in the name of a good story) we managed to do the whole trip on the company’s budget. Four of us in two vehicles met up at the Silverton Hotel in NSW one evening in February and raised our first schooners to the upcoming adventure. Yes, it was going to be hot (think 48°C) but the beers would be icy cold.

Our loop would see us ‘testing’ beers at 11 pubs, all in one amazing week: Silverton Hotel; Packsaddle Roadhouse; Albert Hotel, Milparinka; Tibooburra Hotel; Family Hotel, Tibooburra; Corner Store, Cameron Corner; Innamincka Hotel; Mungerannie Hotel; Copley Hotel; Marree Hotel; and the Prairie Hotel, Parachilna. On the way home we stopped at the Blinman Hotel and Great Western Hotel just for good measure.

Our steeds were the two long-term test vehicles on the 4X4 Australia fleet at the time: a Nissan D22 Navara V6 and a Land Rover Freelander Td4. Of course, we packed a heap of spares for the Freelander, thinking that the thing would be lucky to go the distance, especially in the extreme temperatures we would face. And, of course, the only mechanical problem we had all trip was a busted fan belt on the Navara. Luckily it happened just out of Copley and we managed to roll into town and have a new belt fitted at the local garage.

The following year on a Madigan Line Crossing we managed to bust a couple of shock absorbers on the back of a Land Rover Defender 130 Crew Cab. We weren’t carrying spares but we did have a welder, so we were able to effect a decent repair on a red claypan. We were all set to go first thing in the morning without any negative impact on our schedule. Again, we had packed plenty of spares and tools for all three vehicles on that trip, so we were confident of our self-sufficiency.

This year I joined ARB on the recent Off Road Icons adventure across the Simpson Desert. We were well prepared, with plenty of spares, plenty of tools and several very able and mechanically minded blokes who could fix stuff if it failed. And fail it did!

Our tucker trailer copped a busted leaf-spring pack (replaced trackside), a busted hitch (welded back on trackside), a bent axle (fixed at Birdsville Auto) and the wheel fell off (reattached trackside and properly repaired at Birdsville Auto). The FJ40 LandCruiser didn’t like water and it had a minor electrical fault, so it had to be towed more than 200km across the desert.

The GQ Patrol’s alternator packed it in from all the mud we encountered (rebuilt in camp at Mungerannie, but still not sorted). A sway-bar link on the Ford Ranger ‘photo-car’ failed, putting a hole in the CV boot, so the sway bar was removed altogether (fixed trackside on Willow Springs). The alternator failed on the 79 Series LandCruiser (fixed at Birdsville Auto), and later, the studs failed on a rear wheel, which came off (towed to Copley for repairs).

The Land Rover Defender copped an alternator full of mud but it came good once washed out with a jerry-can full of water (fixed in the middle of the night about three dunes shy of Big Red), and the engine started stalling at Willow Springs (drained fuel/water separator which fixed it promptly).

Despite all the challenges, and thanks to good preparation and a bit of good luck, all of the ARB Off Road Icons and support vehicles eventually made it to the end of the trip under their own steam, which wasn’t a bad effort considering the age of some of the vehicles – and the particular challenges we faced on the trip.

So how prepared do you have to be to tackle Australia’s remote inland? Well, very. And even then you might encounter problems that are simply unfixable, in which case you’re going to be bloody glad you’re carrying a sat-phone with you and you’ve told people where you’re travelling and when you expect to arrive at your destination.

Sometimes the ‘she’ll be right’ approach just doesn’t cut it.

THE Toyota Hilux has regained top spot on the 4×4 sales charts, after shifting 2905 units in November.

However, the evergreen Hilux is still nipping at the heels of the Ford Ranger on the year-to-date charts (27,851 versus 28,009). With a difference of 158 units, the Hilux may have left its charge to the top of the charts too late.

Nissan’s Navara (1577 units), Holden’s Colorado (1242) and Mitsubishi’s Triton (1205) round out the top five.

Not only do the Hilux and Ranger lead the 4×4 sales charts, when you add 4×2 variants to the mix they are the best-selling vehicles on the overall market.

The Hilux (4×4 and 4×2 variants) sits atop the overall tree with 3839 units finding new homes in November. The Ranger is a close second with 3410 (4×4 and 4×2) units, while the ever-popular Corolla retains the bronze medal with 3245 units sold.

This is indicative of a growing trend toward Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs). In November, 2016, private sales of LCVs rose 10 per cent compared to the same time last year.

“Private buyers are increasingly using these as a weekday workhorse and a weekend recreational vehicle,” Mr Weber said.

“The growing sophistication of these vehicles with their passenger car comfort and equipment levels, family-sized cabins and strong towing capacity positions them as an alternative to the traditional passenger car. More entrants to this light truck market are on the way in coming years so we can only expect this segment to grow.”

4×4 pick-up and cab-chassis light rigs hold a 12.9 percent share of the total market.

IT’S already December, and that means it’s time to start filling those Christmas stockings.

So here’s some new gear on the market that could be the perfect gift for that lucky someone.

Keep the tools neatly stored with an MSA 4×4 Tool Roll; sharpen up throttle response with an iDrive tuner; keep in contact when off-road with Uniden’s range of UHF CB radios; install a second battery on a Projecta battery tray; keep your 4×4’s carpet clean with Husky WeatherBeater floor liners; never get lost again with Hema’s new HX-1 Navigator; or get unstuck with a Thunder 12V 9500lb winch.

BACK-UP BATTERY TRAY ANY remote-area tourer should have a second battery. Some 4x4s are designed to cater for one; others need a bit of tweaking. Projecta has launched of a range of custom-built heavy-duty battery trays designed to fit conveniently into specific vehicles without any modifications. The trays are constructed with 2mm heavy duty rust and corrosion resistant passivated zinc-coated steel. Jump online to see the range of vehicles the trays are designed for. RRP: $249 Website: www.projecta.com.au

THROTTLE TUNE-UP THE simple-to-install iDrive Throttle Tuner sharpens a 4×4’s throttle response by eliminating any delay caused by a modern vehicle’s fly-by-wire throttle technology. The tuner utilises inbuilt settings to ensure a driver can find a setting that suits their driving style. The result is the smoothest aftermarket control module on the market. iDrive offer a money-back guarantee if buyers aren’t satisfied with the product – but we’re confident that’ll never happen. RRP: $299 Website: www.idriveaustralia.com.au

ROLL-UP KEEPING your tools neatly packed away is important when heading on any off-road expedition. Plus it’s even better if they don’t take up much room and they’re not in a big metal box. MSA 4X4 has unrolled a large Tool Roll that’s built tough. The roll features heavy-duty double-layered 12oz canvas; separate top flap and elastics to keep everything in place; 18 pockets of various sizes; and a heavy-moulded rubber carry handle. At 1220cm x 420cm when open, it allows for easy and safe storage. The MSA roll also works well for storing your camp cutlery RRP: $108 Website: www.msa4x4.com.au

ROGER THAT UNIDEN has expanded its range of UHF CB radios. The new five-watt models include the flagship UH9080 UHF CB radio and scanner in one, and the UH9060 and UH9000 UHF CB radios. The new releases are ideal for weekend adventurers and 4WD enthusiasts. Key features across the range include: access to 80 UHF CB channels; dual speaker in the speaker, microphone and base; Smart Mic technology; Master Scan technology; and an instant replay function. Check the web for a full list of features for each radio. Website: www.uniden.com.au

WEATHER OR NOT IF YOU’VE ever spent time off-roading you’d know it’s impossible to keep a rig’s carpets completely clean. Enter the rugged WeatherBeater floor liners. The USA-made floor liners are precisely measured to perfectly conform to a vehicle’s measurements. Other features include: a FormFit Edge, a raised ridge that runs along the door jamb; StayPut Cleats that stop the liner from shifting around underfoot; and rear-seat protection. The liners are easy to install and just as easy to clean, and they come with a lifetime guarantee. Website: www.huskyliners.com

STAY ON TRACK NEVER get lost again, because Hema’s new HX-1 Navigator is on its way. The all-new Hema has more than 45,000 campsites, caravan parks and points of interest stored. Plus it comes with street mapping, precise turn-by-turn guidance, and alerts for speed cameras, red-light cameras and school zones. With its new in-built camera you can record and save your journeys on map with photos and video and then share them on the Hema Explorer Cloud. The seven-inch multi-touchscreen is a vital addition to any 4×4 enthusiast’s repertoire. RRP: $699 Website: www.hemamaps.com

THUNDERSTRUCK IF YOU’RE in the market for a new winch, then check out the Thunder 12V 9500lb winch. The high-powered winch features a waterproof planetary gearbox, genuine Dyneema rope (available in 11mm x 24m and 9.5mm x 26m to suit different sized winches), and a wireless remote. A full range of recovery accessories are also available. This winch would look a treat on any bullbar. RRP: $1250 Website: www.thunderauto.com.au

MERCEDES-Benz knocked up an annual record recently, when the 20,000th G-Class rolled off the Magna Steyr production line in Graz, Austria.

It’s the first time in the G-Wagen’s 37-year production run – the first was produced in 1979 – that Mercedes-Benz has passed the 20,000 mark in a single calendar year.

To celebrate the landmark occasion, a special edition white Mercedes-AMG G63 with ‘designo manufaktur’ features was the lucky 20,000th vehicle to leave the production line.

Dr. Gunnar Güthenke, head of the off-road product group at Mercedes-Benz, said: “The production of 20,000 G-Classes in one year confirms the high demand for the ‘G’ and likewise the quality of our vehicles, something that is highly appreciated by our customers. I am very pleased and also proud that some of our employees have been on board since production started around 37 years ago.”

Since the G-Class was launched, more than 250,000 vehicles have been sold.

Dr. Güthenke added: “The individualisation and continuous technical optimisation of the G-Class contribute to the great success of the original off-road icon which still makes no compromises when it comes to off-road.”

The first ‘Professional W461’ model from the latest G-Class range to be offered in Australia will be the cab-chassis variant, while a five-door wagon will be available in Q2 of 2017.

We drove Merc’s W461 G300 CDI cab-chassis last week. Keep an eye on 4X4 Australia later this week for a complete road test review.

FOR the tenth instalment of Readers’ Rigs we’ve assembled a couple of Mitsubishis and LandCruisers, a killer Patrol and a wild JKU Wrangler.

Check out more Readers’ Rigs here.

To feature your 4×4 here, snap your 4×4 when it’s off on an adventure and then post it on our Facebook page. Your rig might even get published in the mag one day and, if we really like it, perhaps you’ll even see it on the cover of 4X4 Australia!

2008 MITSUBISHI NS PAJERO – CAMILLO LATHAM

WHAT IT’S GOT: My 2008 NS Pajero (ex-police) Paj has been in the family for the past six years and it has many mods. The engine has a chip, custom three-inch exhaust and accelerator module. The body has a two-inch lift. It’s also got 32-inch Mickey Thompsons; full underbody protection; custom drawers; tilt-down fridge slide; SmartBar with Warn winch; LED light bar and driving lights; roof rack with three awnings; a jerry can; and gas cylinder holders. I have also fitted a lock-up kit to the tranny and in-dash off-road navigation. She has been to Fraser with a Jayco camper in tow and, most recently, up the Victorian High Country. My favourite spot is Stockton Beach – she loves the sand.

2008 JEEP JKU WRANGLER – MATT BOM

TELL US ABOUT IT: I bought the Jeep in March this year. The best places I have been so far are the Scenic Rim, The Springs 4×4 Park, Glass House Mountains (this would have to be one of the best) and Bribie Island – all in Queensland.

2010 SERIES 6 ST-L NISSAN PATROL 4.8L AUTO – RYAN JANTZEN

WHAT IT’S GOT: I’ve owned it for three years and built it from scratch. I won’t go into detail with a mod list as it will be stupidly long, but in a nutshell it has been locked and geared, and it features fancy suspension from Superior Engineering as well as loads of custom bits. It has been set up for a family of six. It gets around Southeast Queensland and Northern NSW, towing a camper when we’re touring.

1992 80 SERIES LANDCRUISER GXL – BRYAN AND CHANELLE SWAN

WHAT IT’S GOT: 1HZ diesel with turbo, two-inch lift, 35-inch tyres, KUT snake flares, rock sliders, dual batteries, a roof rack, side and rear awnings, a light bar, UHF radio, and a drawer set-up in the rear. We’ve had the Cruiser for about six years. Best place we’ve taken it to would be up and around the Victorian High Country.

1976 TOYOTA LANDCRUISER FJ45 – HARRY WLD

WHAT IT’S GOT: This ute is my pride and joy. It’s still got a lot of work to get it how I want it. I’ve had it around a year now and am yet to get it stuck. It absolutely loves the mud and makes my old D4D Hilux look like a toy. It’s got a worked 350 Chev; custom stainless 4-1 extractors; dual three-inch exhaust dumped at cab; 60 series diffs, gearbox and power steering; four-inch West Coast lift and shocks; 35-inch muddies on Sun Rims; Big Fuel pump; custom tank; and nine-inch HID spotties.

2014 MITSUBISHI MN TRITON – IAN PARR

WHAT IT’S GOT: I’ve had it since new. It’s pretty much stock with Tough Dog suspension, BFGoodrich KOs, a bullbar, and Lightforce 240 Blitz driving lights. It’s done 80,000km – half of that has been off-road. The best place I’ve taken it is to The Gulf of Carpentaria via Lorella Springs. I have also taken it on the Gibb River Road twice, up to Mitchell Plateau once, and up the Nathan River Road twice. It’s also been to Cameron Corner, and it’s done a trip up the Strzelecki to Innamincka, then on to Haddon Corner and Birdsville. I’m currently parked on Cape York Peninsula, where the terrain and roads are very unforgiving. I’ve done the Bloomfield, CREB and Telegraph Track, and I still have around 8000km to drive before I return to Perth. This is a well-travelled Triton and I love it. Named it Destiny, because wherever I go it’s my Destiny.

THE route the Oodnadatta Track follows through South Australia’s sparse north reveals an important chunk of modern Australian heritage, and it’s the ideal excuse for an outback trek.

It’s a relatively easy one, too. In good weather it’s even capable of being driven in a Commodore or Kombi, so it’s not too ambitious for travellers new to remote-area travel.

Arriving from the south the O’ Track begins at Marree, but chances are your adventure would have begun near Port Augusta.

From here it follows the southern section of the Old Ghan Railway Heritage Trail along the bitumen through Leigh Creek, Lyndhurst and Farina, a relic town that – surprise, surprise – has a pop-up bakery.

The Birdsville Track branches out from Marree, too, as does the Strzelecki Track at Lyndhurst. The fantastic Flinders Ranges aren’t too far away, so doing the Oodnadatta can be spliced into a longer outback adventure.

The Great Northern Railway supplied cargo to Marree and its surrounds from the 1880s; the return journey took livestock bred in the area to market in Adelaide. Marree was the rail-head for a time, but eventually the railway was extended to William Creek, Oodnadatta, Alice Springs and beyond.

In use for around a century, the old (and now the new) railway is known as The Ghan, a colloquial nod to the Afghan cameleers who did so much to open up Australia’s interior in the 19th century.

Several old Commonwealth of Australia locomotives remain at Marree, reminders of the town’s railway era, which ended in the early 1980s. As is the case for many outback towns these days, tourism keeps the dollars coming in. There’s a railway museum, too (closed when we visited), and the pub has a display room dedicated to the legendary Tom Kruse, the Birdsville mailman. One of Tom’s old 4×4 Blitz trucks also stands in Marree.

You’ll find roadside sculptures made from junk – old aircraft, water tanks and car engine parts – about half an hours’ drive north of Marree. The Oodnadatta Track closely follows the route of the old railway, and the many culverts and bridges you’ll see beside the track during this trek are testament to the efforts of the workers who built and maintained the railway – keep in mind the lines were laid with major manpower and minimal mechanised equipment.

Beside one of these bridges is an ideal campsite, as it was for us on our first night under the stars down the road from the Lake Eyre South lookout.

Hardly noticeable in the flat light under uncharacteristically grey skies, there was just a shimmer of water on the hard-baked salt when we stopped for a look the next morning. Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre (and Lake Eyre South) fills once every decade or so within the lake’s catchment that stretches into NT and Western Queensland’s channel country – it’s worth the trek to see this normally arid region burst into life.

Our time on the Oodnadatta Track came just days after it was re-opened to 4WD traffic following recent rains. A particularly wet and cool year meant there was plenty of water in the creeks to keep the wildlife happy.

Remnants of the Great Northern Railway’s century-long operation are scattered along The Old Ghan Heritage Trail. One of the larger historic sites is Curdimurka Siding, where the workers’ accommodation – a grand, old stone-and-timber building with a corrugated iron roof – remains in good condition. However, we were annoyed when we discovered a fire was still burning in one of the fireplaces; potentially devastating for this fragile, wooden-framed building.

Coward Springs is another railway siding site on this vast expanse of Australian outback. These days it’s a privately run campground with several tidy sites tucked between the trees. We happily paid the day entry fee ($2pp, or camping is $12.50) for a loll around in the springs’ warm, pump-boosted spa bath. There was once a pub here, but it was demolished in the 1960s. We couldn’t stay, but this great little spot is on the list for next time.

William Creek was an important stop for the train, and it remains so – fuel is out front, beer is in the fridge, and tucker is out back. Adjacent to the roadhouse are basic campsites, but there’s also more salubrious accommodation if you’ve been dusty for a week or more and feel like a reprieve from the track. An airstrip with charter flights is available for flights over the region, including, of course, Lake Eyre.

Our camp for the evening was further north at another great bush camp by Edwards Creek. We rolled out our swags on the grass next to an old windmill, and with some flood-washed wood collected from the dry creek bed we made a modest campfire. After a few bevvies, rain cut our night short. Yes, it does rain out here!

We were obviously spared heavier rain that night, as there were large puddles of water lying across the surrounding hard, stony country as we got underway the next morning. Our two vehicles moved around a little on the track, and we were mindful of sharp edges in some washaways, as we continued following the line of The Ghan toward Oodnadatta through country that became more rolling and varied.

Building the bridges and culverts through this country would have been an enormous challenge for railway workers 130 years ago. The most grand of these structures is the Algebuckina Bridge across the Neales River. There’s plenty of space for camping here and there was a multitude of birdlife playing above the ponds when we went through. However, the sun-baked girders and frames of this staunch, old bridge evoke images of a totally different scene when summer temperatures out here reach more than 40°C.

After a quick top-up at the Pink Roadhouse in Oodnadatta we ventured on, turning north off the Oodnadatta Track (it continues, eventually joining the Stuart Highway’s bitumen at Marla) and heading toward Finke and Alice Springs. Like us, you should easily find a suitable place to roll out the swags and witness a sensational sunset.

We’d crossed plenty of dry creek beds on the trek so far but Stevenson’s Creek, which we happened upon the next day, was probably the largest of the trek. It wasn’t flowing, but piles of sand bulldozed to the side of the ford testified to recent flooding. Several remaining lagoons were keeping the budgies twittering, and it looked like a terrific place for a night – or three – of relaxed camping.

The remainder of our day’s driving was across the ever-changing terrain of rocky plains and rolling hills. Yep, the mud meant one or two diversions from the main track, and by the time we’d wandered past the Lambert geographical centre of Australia and the community of Aputula (Finke), the views were of distant hills and low scrub. The track, by now, had become a sandy grid of suspension-pounding corrugations – easily the worst of the trek.

Keen to be within easy striking distance of Alice Springs for the next morning’s drive, our last camp was in the shadow of sand dunes adjacent to the Finke Desert Race track, around 100km south of Alice.

1

TRAVEL PLANNER

WHERE The Old Ghan Heritage Trail covers more than 1300km between Quorn, SA, and Alice Springs, NT. North of Marree, the trek is dirt.CAMPING Bush camping is possible along most of this trek. There are campsites with some facilities at Marree, Coward Springs, William Creek and Oodnadatta.

SUPPLIES AND FACILITIES The Old Ghan Heritage Trail traverses a remote area and you are advised to be 100 per cent self-sufficient for food and water. Summer temperatures can soar beyond 40°C, so it’s best to visit between April and October. Fuel and limited supplies are available at Marree, William Creek and Oodnadatta.

TRIP STANDARD Conventional sedans can visit the Quorn-Marree and Oodnadatta Track sections of this trek in good conditions, but durable high-clearance 4WDs are required between Oodnadatta and Alice Springs via Finke. Roads in this area are subject to severe weather conditions, and they can be incredibly corrugated due to the sandy base and traffic to and from the Simpson.

FURTHER INFO: www.marreehotel.com.au; www.cowardsprings.com.au; www.williamcreekhotel.com; www.pinkroadhouse.com.au

MSA 4×4 Accessories are the experts at providing storage solution for 4x4s.

The Gold Coast-based company designs, makes and wholesales canvas seat covers, drop-slide fridge carriers, cargo barriers, drawers and generator bags (among some 50 products).

Here the storage pros have decked out the 4X4OTY-winning Ford Everest with products to showcase its range of high quality storage gear.

The subtle, black Ford Everest is MSA 4×4’s first attempt at an SUV-like 4WD – a vehicle capable of getting the family further into the bush, yet not up to the task of tackling the toughest tracks.

MSA GEAR FITTED TO THE FORD EVEREST: MSA 4X4 explorer aluminium storage drawer system: RRP $2549 MSA 4X4 canvas seat covers with cotton lining and integrated lumbar supports: RRP $933 (complete set, front and rear) MSA 4X4 seat organisers: RRP $108 (each) MSA 4X4 tourer pack: RRP $438

In addition to all of the MSA 4×4 gear, a factory Ford nudge bar has been installed and features a GME radio aerial and an 18-inch Great Whites LED light bar.

The 3.2-litre diesel has been remapped by ChipTorque to lift maximum torque to 480Nm.

Other additions include: a Redarc battery management SBI12 and Tow Pro Elite Brake Controller; Waeco CoolPower battery pack to power the Waeco CFX40 fridge/freezer; Tough Dog suspension for a 40mm lift; 265/70 R17 Cooper Discoverers; and a Rhino roof rack.

All MSA 4×4 products come with a lifetime guarantee.

Check out the video to watch the stealthy Everest in action, and read the full feature in 4X4 Australia’s 2017 Gear Guide – in stores NOW!

They say timing is everything, and when you go to watch wildlife there is never a truer phrase spoken.

Earlier this year we were wandering the west coast of South Australia, savouring the idyllic camping, the great beaches, and the spectacular cliffs and headlands. It’s an area we’ve been lucky enough to have explored since we were young blokes, searching for a wave or a rocky reef to spearfish.

This latest trip saw us head to Port Lincoln for a planned shark cage-dive with Calypso Star Charters – no previous diving or snorkeling experience was required. The weather was clear and calm as we headed out of the marina on the Calypso Star, with the sun rising as we cruised past Cape Donington then turned south, passing the historic Memory Cove. We then slipped by Thistle Island into the more open waters of the Southern Ocean for the final leg to the Neptune Islands.

The Neptunes are a known great white haunt; the sharks are attracted to these remote rocks because of a large New Zealand fur seal colony and a smaller Australian sea lion colony that sees around 5000 pups born each year.

These islands and the surrounding waters are protected in the Neptune Islands Group Marine Park, and it’s the only place in Australia where you can cage-dive to experience a close and safe encounter with a great white.

The success of the venture is entirely up to the wildlife itself, and sometimes they don’t make an appearance. Such was the case when we went out. I was in the first group to enter the cage and, while the water was pretty clear and there were a heap of fish swarming around, no shark made an appearance. That became the norm for the day. A good-sized mako shark came and thrilled the group, as well as a smaller bronze whaler, but that was all. No great white!

We were unlucky, being in the middle of a fortnight-long lull in sightings. Rather surprisingly, Calypso Star lets people know when prolonged intervals go without a great white encounter and they give you the opportunity to postpone your dive. If you do go out and don’t see a white pointer, then you get a good discount on another trip – that’s just about as good a deal as you’ll get anywhere when it comes to the vagaries of wildlife watching.

While the great whites are around the Neptune Islands all year ’round, there are peak times for seeing these sharks. The best months are around seal pupping time, late in the year (October to January), so if you want to see a great white in its natural habitat then book your trip for these months quickly. Having a look at the comprehensive records Calypso Star keeps, over those months they see white pointers on nearly every outing with a success rate of well over 90 per cent.

We’ll be going back when the chances of seeing one of these predators is almost guaranteed. Maybe we’ll see you in Port Lincoln over the next few months.

THERE’S a new player in the heavy-duty off-road cab-chassis market, yet it’s one of the oldest 4×4 vehicles around.

Mercedes-Benz has finally seen fit to offer its ‘Professional W461’ models from the G-Class range here. The first in the range is this cab-chassis truck, while a five-door wagon will come in the second quarter of 2017.

The Professional part of the G-Pro range is that these vehicles are civilian versions of military vehicles used by the ADF. The Professional is built on the same W461 platform as the mil-spec trucks and differs from the W460 G350 and G63AMG models in that they lack any form of luxury equipment and feature heavier duty chassis and componentry. These are purpose-built workhorses with none of the plush attributes you might expect behind the three-pointed star.

The G-Wagen has been made in Austria for 37 years and, despite many upgrades in that time, it hasn’t changed all that much. It is still the rugged body-on-frame truck that it has always been, with unrivalled off-road ability.

The G has been offered in Australia a number of times over the last three decades with limited success, but it was most recently reintroduced back in 2011 with the two luxury W460 models. This was on the back of the contract with the ADF to replace its ageing fleet of Land Rovers with W461 G-Wagens. The G-Professional has never been made freely available to the public in Australia, although a number of government departments have purchased them for specific fleet use.

We first drove a G-Professional cab-chassis on the Canning Stock Route five years ago and there was talk of making it available in Australia then. However, the introduction was held up while MB Australia pushed the head office to have electronic stability control fitted in order to get five-star safety rating – an essential box to tick if you want to tender for government fleets.

What we’ve finally ended up with is a truck with an impressive set of figures. The G-Pro has a 4490kg GVM, giving it a 2085kg payload – that’s nearly twice that of a Toyota LC79 single cab that has a 1235kg payload. More significant is the G’s long wheelbase of 3428mm (LC79 Single Cab: 3180mm) which puts the rear axle way back under the chassis and the load area, reducing the amount of load that would hang behind the axle. The W461 could be the perfect platform on which to mount a camper for off-road expeditions.

The drivetrain starts with a detuned version of Benz’s venerable 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine. In this trim it makes just 135kW at 3800rpm and 400Nm at 1600 from 2600rpm, a far cry from the 600Nm it makes in other Mercedes-Benz vehicles. It is tuned this way so that it can cope with the poor quality fuel found in many countries.

G-spotters might also notice the extra bump in the bonnet of 461s as opposed to 460s. This is to clear an air pump that is part of the emissions gear on these detuned engines.

Behind the V6 is a five-speed auto and full-time 4WD with the G’s signature triple diff locks. Each lock can be activated individually and the vehicle can be driven in low range with the centre diff unlocked.

All locked up and with an approach angle of 38°, departure angle of 35°, a ramp-over angle of 22° and 245mm of ground clearance, the G should be unstoppable.

Not all the numbers are great, though. The towing capacity is just 2210kg for a 6700kg GCM, and here’s the killer: the price is $119,900 plus a tray and on-road costs. Before you go and dismiss the G-Pro on cost alone, consider the equipment it has over and above a $65K LC79 Single Cab, including the auto transmission, standard diff locks, much higher payload and more usable long wheelbase.

Also not so good is the cabin equipment. It’s a bare-bones workhorse with wind-up windows, a basic aftermarket-style audio unit that has only been fitted to meet the Bluetooth requirements of many fleet vehicle buyers, and no carpet or sound deadening.

We’ll have a full road test of the G –Professional cab-chassis next week.

SPECS: MERCEDES-BENZ G300 CDI CAB CHASSIS Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel Maximum power: 135kW @ 3800rpm Maximum torque: 400Nm @ 1600-2600rpm Gearbox: five-speed automatic 4×4 system: dual-range full-time Crawl ratio: 41.0:1 Tyre spec: 265/75R16 Kerb weight: 2410kg GVM: 4490kg GCM: 6700kg Payload: 2080kg Towing capacity: 2210kg Fuel tank capacity: 97 litres ADR fuel claim: NA