4X4 Australia

The Anne Beadell Highway is a legendary outback road, first established by Len Beadell and his Gunbarrel Road Construction Party.

To travel the highway’s full length, permits from several Aboriginal groups and government departments are required. The first and arguably most important is the one from the Maralinga Tjarutja Traditional Owners, based in Ceduna, South Australia. On the Western Australian side of the border, a couple of permits are also required, which can be applied for online and are issued by the Ngaanyatjarra Warburton Council.

In South Australia, access to the Woomera Prohibited Area–specifically Defence Area 2–requires a permit, as the zone can be restricted for military or other purposes.

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National Parks SA also requires a transit permit for the Tallaringa Conservation Park. While some may question the need for a permit to travel a road that existed before the park was established, it is part of the process. Camping in Tallaringa or the Mamungari Conservation Park requires a camping permit from the relevant authority.

The Anne Beadell Highway serves as an extreme example of the bureaucracy surrounding access to many areas of Australia.

Many regions require permits to travel particular roads or access areas within Aboriginal land or national park territory. Some areas within these lands have been permanently closed, highlighting the challenges of accessing remote locations. In some cases, the concept of permits–or multiple permits–appears increasingly unnecessary.

The Great Central Road, which crosses the vast Australian Outback from north of Kalgoorlie in WA to Mt Isa in western Queensland, still requires permits despite being a major link in the national network. While permits can be applied for online, the necessity of such requirements for major roads raises questions in the modern age of travel.

Comparisons with other countries illustrate the contrast. In the USA, travellers can pass through large Indian Reservations such as the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Montana without permits. In Canada’s Inuit regions, no permits are required to travel through vast areas.

Similarly, in Africa, Zulu tribal lands in South Africa and Maasai lands in Kenya and Tanzania do not require permits for entry. In Australia, however, residents face restrictions that are not typically applied to visitors elsewhere.

The requirement for multiple permits in remote areas raises questions about whether such regulations are still appropriate in the modern age of travel and tourism.

MORE 10 of the best 4×4 tracks in Australia

Mazda Australia has given its BT-50 a mid-life makeover for 2025, and we liked it so much on the launch drive, we’ve now added one to the 4×4 shed.

JUMP AHEAD

Part 1: BT-50 GT joins our long-term garage

The BT-50 we have is actually one of the cars used for the launch, where we were impressed by the range of quality accessories now offered by Mazda – so we opted for one that has been suitably accessorised for our uses.

Our car is the GT-spec BT-50 that has a RRP of $66,170. The team at Mazda has then added almost $16K worth of factory-backed accessories, some of which are from known and respected 4×4 aftermarket brands. 

While the single-hoop steel front bumper is a product developed in Australia for Mazda, the driving lights mounted on it come from well-known brand, Lightforce. In fact, they are Lightforce’s premium ‘Beast’ LED lights that offer multiple beam patterns and exceptional performance.

MORE 4x4s we’d buy, and how we’d modify them: Mazda BT-50
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Similarly, the colour-matched canopy is unbranded for Mazda; the slide-out drawer system comes from US-brand Decked; and the seal-kit to keep dust out of the tray and drawers was developed locally. 

The BT-50 GT comes very well-equipped with standard equipment including but not limited to black leather seats; eight-way power adjustment on the driver’s seat; heating on both front seats; a blacked-out interior; nine-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless and USB); rear seat air-con; remote engine start; front parking sensors; reversing camera and sensors; adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go; Emergency Lane Keeping with road edge detection; Rear Cross Traffic Brake; LED headlights, sat-nav; TPMS; and 18-inch alloys. It’s a fully loaded package befitting the model that sits second on the model line-up.

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The powertrain is the familiar Isuzu 3.0-litre diesel backed by a Aisin six-speed auto and part-time/dual-range 4×4 with a rear diff lock and Rough Terrain mode button. It’s well proven and, while it might not be at the pointy end of performance, it gets the job done without messing around.

Initial impressions tell us we’ll appreciate the luxury features and spec of the GT model, as well as the added functionality and security that the accessories add to the car. We’re hitting the highway for an interstate road trip with the Mazda over the Easter and Anzac Day break, so there are a few adventures planned to break up the day-to-day workload the BT will be helping us out with. 

Factory-backed accessories

Part 2: Quick camping getaway

With an unusually long dry Victorian summer, It was an opportunity, making the quick decision to grab a night away in the Mazda before life returns to more indoors activities.

Searching for a location a few hours from Melbourne that’s dog friendly and scenic I found a campground that looked the perfect fit, in Loch Valley, Gippsland. Whilst solo camping is okay, having a buddy for Cleo and I would be more fun. Karen, who often minds Cleo enthusiastically accepted, bringing Piper, for furry buddy adventures. 

Camping regardless of the amount of time away requires “Stuff”, and with the BT-50’s  Canopy and large Decked draw, it’s a throw it all in affair. Tent, sleeping mats, chairs, water, tables, large esky and dog paraphernalia. With all this the canopy was fairly full but not Tetris level and the draws still empty.  If the Mazda was a permanent car I’d kit out the draw set up with all my standard camping requirements, pantry, kitchen utensils, jet boil and the like. I love the side lockable windows, being able to access things towards the back of the canopy without having to repack has huge benefits. 

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Of course, the weather decided to turn for the worse belting down rain overnight prompting some additional gear to be packed, Morning rises and still drizzling I duck around the corner collecting the fellow travellers. With dogs on board the DOOG Car seat cover was essential for keeping the rear clean of dogs wet feet and hair.  Immediately after climbing in Karen notes I can’t charge my phone, it’s the wrong plug type. There’s no standard USB fitted nor a charge pad, its plug in Carplay only in the BT-50. The technology is changing quicker than the weather, resulting in turning back home to collect usb-c cords. 

Finally heading down the M1 towards Druin, hitting the adaptive cruise, it sets easily with a touch of a couple buttons. The lane assist is active, it’s noticeable in the Mazda’s but not annoying and with a simple one touch, it can be deactivated. 

With pooches in the rear seat who love hanging out sniffing the air, one definitely needs a front window open to avoid the thumping noise that most new cars create. 

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After an easy run we turn off heading into the hills towards Noojee, the BT-50 handles well on the twisting roads, it feels confident with all the terrains gripping the wet black top, unfortunately there’ll be no real off-roading on this trip. The leather steering wheel feels nice to grip and the seats are really comfortable, which I’m sure will be great on longer trips. 

We roll into Noojee village hoping to grab some firewood, but there’s no servo, opps should’ve planned a bit better, we’ll have to hustle to find dry wood, but we’re starving so head straight to the recommended lunch stop, Toolshed Bar & Bistro. 

Chowing down on a towering Steak Sanga and huge country sized Parma we get chatting to local farmer Baz and his pooch Tex, conveniently he happens to be the local wood chopper/collector. Minutes later he kindly offers us free DRY firewood, even drops it at the BT-50 on his way out. Loading it in the only remaining space,  the draw, the large logs fit easily in its deep well. The only thing I wonder is how do you keep the draw from sliding closed?  Must work that out at somestage. 

It’s late arvo and we head to camp. The Poplars campground has tall towering gums, a meandering creek, large grassy camp areas, fire pits and drop toilets makes for a great quick weekend away.  I set up tents while Karen, a self proclaimed fire manic,collects kindling and cranks an awesome fire. 

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The drizzle has stopped but both pooches are suitably wet and we huddle in close for a quiet night around the flames, snacks and a glass of red or two.

The morning brings fog, lifting late as we’re in the valley this  means a slow start, fending off the pooches while cooking the bacon is a laughing affair.  Finally packed up we head for some sight seeing at the speccy Toorrongo Falls, after the loop walk we decide to head home, stopping off at a winery for a tapas lunch as the sun shines all afternoon.

Whilst this was a short stint behind the wheel, thus far the BT-50’s so user friendly and certainly comfortable to drive and live with, bar one gripe. I like auto locking systems as I mentioned with the previous long termer I tend to carry too much at once and the auto lock/unlock helps but in this case with the key in hand it autolocks way too soon.. Getting out, walking away you’re not even a metre away from the vehicle. Just walking round the back the Mazda auto-locks and before my passenger or pooches can get out. 

This aside, enjoying the ride the BT-50 is heading north for a long road trip stay tuned. 

Part 3: Road trippin’

There’s nothing like a longer-than-usual road trip to break the routine, so we did just that. We decided to chase the sun with a road trip to Northern New South Wales.

This was never going to be an off-road adventure, but with the canopy fitted to our BT-50 we deemed it to be the perfect vehicle in which to load up and hit the highway, and like any good east coast road trip, we stopped at all the ‘Big’ roadside icons along the way. With my stuff and photographer Ellen Dewar’s gear securely loaded into the back of the BT – making good use of the Decked drawer fitted in the tray – we hit the Hume and headed north. 

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Our BT-50 GT is only one step down from the top of the range and is very nicely equipped for comfortable long-distance touring. Heated leather seats, a thick leather-wrapped steering wheel and a decent head unit with Apple CarPlay meant the hours behind the wheel went by in comfort, with fresh tunes all the way. We were headed for the Bluesfest music festival in Byron Bay and were able to find many of the artists that would be performing at the event and check out their music on the road trip. This was a great way to while away the hours and plan which acts we wanted to see at the festival. 

The BT-50’s Isuzu-sourced 4JJ 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine made light work of highway travel and was fairly economical over the return journey, logging just less than 11L/100km for the trip. It has adequate power but can be a bit harsh and noisy when you put your foot down to overtake, or when you want to maintain speed on long hills, but it gets the job done with minimal fuss.

I’ve said before when driving the Mazda and Isuzu utes equipped with the Aisin six-speed automatic transmission that the calibration is too aggressive, resulting in iot downshifting too early when decelerating. I resorted to tapping the gear shifter across to the manual gate every time it did this and tapping it back up a cog or two, but really, you shouldn’t need to do this. This is a working 4×4 ute, not a sports car where you might want such an aggressive shift protocol.

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The only other complaint we have with the Mazda is the sensitivity of the parking and proximity sensors, which again prompted us to disable them to shut them up. While driving in the left lane the rear sensors go off whenever a car approaches to overtake on the right, and the front sensors go off randomly when stopped at traffic signals, even when there is no movement of the BT-50 or other vehicles around it. At one point we drove through a heavy rain shower and the front sensors went off constantly. I think this might have something to do with the calibration of the sensors in the steel bumper and we will get them checked at the next scheduled service. 

There aren’t many places on Highway 1 where you can use driving lights but when driving on the unlit backroads of the Byron Hinterland at night, the Lightforce BEAST LED spotties were a godsend, lighting up the otherwise dark and winding back roads ahead of us. 

Having the Mazda-backed accessories like the driving lights, steel bumper, canopy and storage drawer made using the BT-50 for an extended road trip much more practical and safer on both the highway and back roads.

We did get the Mazda off road for a quick beach run in Coffs Harbour where we found that using the Rugged Terrain button sharpens up the ETC nicely for better performance in the soft sand, but this was the only time we got it into 4×4 on this trip. We’ll have to rectify that for next month’s update.

Part 4: Woods Point

When one thinks of an average work day, many brace for the inevitable peak-hour traffic, hoping it’s not bumper to bumper and that we make it to the office on time. But the 4X4 Australia office can be anywhere, with some day commutes best described as epic adventures. 

A couple of months in and the BT-50 had really put on the kays. On this particular day the work commute started at 6.30am for a short 1.5 hour jaunt to meet Wheels feature writer Andy Enright at Warburton at 8am.

We grabbed a quick coffee and headed east following the Yarra up the endless wriggly blacktop of Reefton Spur, slowly twisting upwards with the rattle of the diesel cutting into the music from the sound system. Engine noise was not excessive, just noticeable when slowing then accelerating from bend to bend that seemed to go on and on.

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We stopped along the way to capture some action imagery, with mist hovering amongst the trees. The BT-50’s side panels proved flat enough to accommodate the suction cups required to mount the camera to capture rolling imagery solo.

When we arrived at Cumberland Junction, the road turned to dirt, and darkened into wilderness before we hit Matlock. Having off-road capability allowed us to duck up a little dirt side track to look for visually pleasing options. Here the track was quite overgrown and the front parking sensors beeped furiously and activated the AEB – note to self: “I really need to figure out how to deactivate that through the settings menu”. 

As we continued, so did the gloomy vibe, with fog rolling in and the gravel road issuing more and more potholes and gnarly corrugations, likely caused by the timber jinkers that come through here in place of the gold-mining carts of days gone by. Even with 30psi in the rtyres the BT-50 handled the conditions well, with the stability control kicking in nicely when necessary. Not only was dodging potholes along here, but also the lyrebirds darting in and out of the scrub.

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The rear left side of the canopy door didn’t latch fully when I was loading up earlier that morning and it let a fair amount of dust into the tub, something to note if you’re planning a lap of Oz. The latch is easily adjustable and if I had more time I would have sorted it properly before setting off. 

The day was quickly disappearing as we rolled into Woods Point, just as the local copper was grabbing a quick snack from the General Store before shutting shop. With sunset earlier this time of year, I grabbed my last few photos. “Just one more…” as the saying goes.

We started our descent with a dark run home ahead of us. We were eight hours into a long day but the BT-50 led the way with its spotties at the ready. Driving and photographing on the way up I didn’t pay much attention to the number of bends in the road – there are literally hundreds of them. On the descent I noticed the BT-50 likes to downshift gears early on, which normally I find a little unnecessary, but in this instance meant less braking was required ensuring smoother approaches to the dizzying bends. 

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I had the headlights set to Auto at first and they would dip, turn on and off, off and on, causing a lot of confusion and loss of vision. After going a little stir crazy, I switched the lights to full beam rather than Auto, which quickly sorted that out. On this twisty dark road the spotties came into their own; very bright with a good throw and spread of light.

Also bright, however, was the reflection of the infotainment screen on the rear glass of the canopy, shining back at me in the rear view mirror. You need to tone down the brightness as much as possible or it feels like someone is hovering over your shoulder. 

I was grateful for the comfy heated seats on the long drive home and finally rolled into the driveway at about 8.30pm. I unload the BT-50 feeling both pleased and relieved; it performed its duties superbly in challenging conditions.

Park 5: Tough Mudder

When winter hits Victoria, many of the mountain tracks stay wet for months on end.

That’s why much of the High Country shuts down for the season – but not all of it. A handful of tracks remain open, offering the chance to explore the backcountry and maybe even score some snow driving while you’re at it.

The standard tyres on the BT-50 have handled highway and formed-road duties without issue, but winter brings a different challenge. With muddy conditions and the risk of getting bogged increasing once you’re off the beaten track, it was time to step up to a more aggressive tread pattern better suited to the season.

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We asked the team at Mazda if they had a suitable tyre option for tackling the tougher stuff, and they came back with a set of Cooper Rugged Trek all-terrains – fitted up on a neat-looking set of 17-inch black alloy wheels as a bonus. The LT265/65R17s offer a taller sidewall than the standard 18s, and their Light Truck (LT) construction makes them tougher and more durable than the factory highway rubber.

Cooper reckons the Rugged Trek is the best 4×4 tyre it’s ever made – a bold claim given the brand’s long history and extensive off-road range. It’s an aggressive all-terrain that sits between a traditional A/T and a mud-terrain, promising the off-road grip of an M/T without the usual downsides like road noise and higher fuel use.

As with any move from highway tyres to something more off-road focused, there are always trade-offs – so it’s worth weighing up your needs. In the case of the BT-50, there’s a slight increase in road noise with the Rugged Treks, but it’s only noticeable at highway speeds and barely worth complaining about.

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The chunkier tread and heavier construction will likely have some impact on fuel consumption, so we’ll be keeping an eye on that over time. But for us, the main thing is having confidence in the tyres when we get off track in muddy conditions.

We put the new rubber to the test on a recent trip into the hills for some gear testing. Fresh snowfalls and school holiday traffic had turned the tracks into a soggy mess, but even at road pressures the Coopers felt planted in the slop – delivering the kind of surefootedness you want when heading off the blacktop.

When the BT-50 went back to Mazda to have the wheels and tyres fitted, we also asked them to check the front parking and ADAS sensors. They seem to be overly sensitive – often beeping while stopped in traffic with nothing in front of the vehicle. I’ve had more AEB warnings in this ute than any other I’ve driven, and it can be alarming. I figured the optional front bumper might have been interfering with the sensors, but Mazda assured us everything is within spec and operating as it should.

The current BT-50 shares much of its underpinnings with the Isuzu D-MAX – and unfortunately, that includes the overly sensitive ADAS setup. It’s long been a gripe with the Isuzu, and it’s clearly carried over to the Mazda as well.

MORE 2025 Mazda BT-50: Midlife makeover put to the test

The Ranger Black Edition has returned to Ford dealerships, with the limited-run MY26 model now available to order from $55,990 (MLP).

Ford is offering recommended driveaway pricing from $57,000 for private buyers and $55,000 for ABN holders – when finished in Arctic White. This places the Black Edition between the Ranger XL it’s based on ($51,130) and the Ranger XLS ($57,880). By comparison, the 2.0-litre bi-turbo XLT is $63,890.

The Ranger Black Edition proved a sell-out success in 2024, when 1500 units were offered locally. Like last year’s model, the MY26 Black Edition is based on the 2.0-litre bi-turbo XL dual-cab pick-up 4×4.

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What sets it apart from the XL is a suite of black-themed enhancements, including a long-legged sports bar in black; unique 17-inch Asphalt Black alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres; black side steps; and an Asphalt Black mesh grille with Bolder Grey inserts.

Additional features include carpet flooring with a driver’s floor mat, a drop-in bedliner, and a Cargo Management System. Options include a towing pack at $1950 (MLP) and Prestige Paint at $750.

“The Ranger Black Edition is back by popular demand, offering a fantastic blend of style, capability, and value,” said Andrew Birkic, President and CEO, Ford Australia. “We understand that our customers, whether for personal use or small business needs, are looking for a truck that not only performs but also stands out. The Ranger Black Edition delivers on all fronts, with its striking styling and practical features.”

The announcement follows the earlier release of the Everest Black Edition, limited to 750 units at $69,000 driveaway. Based on the Everest Trend, it features the 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel (154kW/500Nm) with a 10-speed auto, full-time 4WD and locking rear diff, along with unique black styling touches, 18-inch black alloys with all-terrain tyres, and matching trim inside and out.

Production of the Ranger Black Edition is scheduled to run from September to October, with first showroom arrivals due in October.

Key details

Price (MLP): From $55,990

Driveaway pricing:

Positioning:

Engine & Drivetrain:

Unique Black Edition Features:

Options:

Production run: September-October 2025
Showroom arrival: October 2025

MORE Ranger news and reviews!

Ram is expanding its 1500 range in Australia with the arrival of the Rebel, an off-road-focused model set to hit local showrooms from September this year.

Priced from $141,950 plus on-road costs, the Rebel is expected to become a permanent addition to the line-up. It’s the first time the Rebel has been offered here, and as with other MY25 models, the Australian-spec version is well equipped, with features that are optional extras in the US fitted as standard.

Power comes from Ram’s new 3.0-litre twin-turbo Hurricane six-cylinder petrol engine, producing 313kW and 635Nm. The Rebel runs Bilstein off-road suspension with a one-inch lift, Falken Wildpeak 32-inch all-terrain tyres, underbody skid plates and an electronic locking rear differential. Drivers also get five selectable modes plus a “Selec-Speed” crawl function. Payload is rated at 893kg, while towing is up to 4500kg with a 70mm ball or 3500kg with a 50mm.

Instead of the RamBox system, the Rebel uses a full-size tub for maximum load space, fitted with a spray-in liner, tie-down rails and a power-operated tailgate. Inside, buyers get a panoramic sunroof and a 19-speaker audio. It also comes with a 10.25-inch display for the front passenger, allowing phone connection for music, video streaming via cable, and full co-pilot navigation functions. The screen is fitted with a privacy film so it can’t be seen from the driver’s seat.

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“We know modern ute buyers love the tough-truck look and prefer lots of black rather than lashings of chrome,” said Jeff Barber, Ram Trucks Australia General Manager. “But with the new Ram 1500 Rebel, buyers also get extra capability with an impressive payload, more ground clearance, and off-road suspension and tyres.

“In addition to that, we have opted to include top-tier luxury items that are optional in the US, such as the panoramic sunroof, 19-speaker audio, 14.4-inch infotainment screen, 12-inch digital instrument cluster, heated and cooled seats, the list goes on. We have identified a niche within the US pick-up segment in Australia that leans into the off-road market and weekend getaways.

“For example, we have intentionally included the full-size ute tub on this model – rather than the RamBox – so customers can fit more camping gear, or even put a dirt bike in the back and be able to close the tailgate. While we won’t share volume expectations today, we do believe the Ram 1500 Rebel has the potential to become one of our biggest selling models, especially as it is designed to appeal to younger buyers,” said Barber.

MORE 2025 RAM 1500 review: Does the Hurricane turbo-six leave the old HEMI V8 for dead?
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Ram has been Australia’s best-selling US pick-up for seven years in a row, and the Rebel adds a dedicated off-road choice to the range – sitting below the hardcore TRX but offering more capability than the mainstream 1500 models.

Ram Trucks Australia is the only factory-backed distributor of Ram trucks in Australia. Vehicles are imported from the USA in left-hand drive before being remanufactured to right-hand drive in Melbourne to factory standards, using up to 500 locally engineered parts along with key components from original US suppliers. 

Key features: MY25 Ram 1500 Rebel (Australia)

Engine & drivetrain

Off-road package

Towing & load

Exterior

Interior & technology

MORE Ram 1500 news and reviews!

It’s encouraging to see tyre-pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) becoming standard on an increasing number of new vehicles.

In fact, I think a TPMS is one of the most important safety features you can have on any car, and they really should be mandatory in all new vehicles. Think about it for a minute. The tyres on your car are your only contact with the road. They determine how well your car turns, stops, accelerates, avoids pedestrians, negotiates a bend, and every aspect of how the car drives. On top of that, they also play a big part in how comfortable the ride is.

New-car manufacturers and the authorities that test and rate vehicle safety are big on fitting the latest autonomous emergency braking (AEB), electronic stability control (ESC), ABS brakes and so on – but none of these electronic or hydraulic systems will work properly if the tyres don’t have the right grip on the road. And proper grip starts with correct tyre pressure.

2020 SsangYong Musso XLV Ultimate mud
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I’ve been a big fan of the TPMS on the KGM Musso. It not only allows you to check the pressure in each tyre and warns you if it gets too low or too high, it also randomly brings this information up on the dash screen to remind you. It keeps tyre pressures on your mind, whereas most drivers never give them a second thought.

I used the Musso’s TPMS to manage a slow leak in one tyre for as long as I could before I had to change it. When that time came, the system let me know instantly, reducing the risk of lessened performance that could have led to a loss of control or an accident, and it helped save the tyre from further damage.

I also spent some time in a LandCruiser Sahara. While standing beside it as the camera operator reset his gear, I noticed the slightest hiss coming from the offside rear tyre. Closer inspection revealed a screw had punctured the tread, letting air out. The LandCruiser is a $125,000 vehicle, yet it didn’t have this essential safety equipment standard, whereas our $43K Musso did. Hopefully, Toyota will rectify this in future models.

Because the leak was slow and I caught it early, we were able to drive out of the forest to a service station, top up the air, and get home. I didn’t want to change the tyre on a wet, muddy track, so topping it up on the way home made it easy to replace the tyre safely in my driveway the next morning using a trolley jack. If I hadn’t heard that hiss, and with no TPMS to warn me, the tyre could have dropped low enough to destroy itself – or worse, caused a loss of control.

If you drive an older car or any vehicle without a factory-fitted TPMS, aftermarket systems are available. They can be some of the best insurance you can buy. They might save you the cost of a tyre – or even your life.

MORE 4WD tyre pressure guide

The Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash has officially sold out, with close to 15,000 people heading into far-west NSW this week for Australia’s biggest outback music festival.

Running 21–23 August on Belmont Station, the event has become an annual pilgrimage for travellers, many making the trip in 4WDs, caravans and camper trailers.

“We’re officially at full capacity – with nearly 15,000 people from all walks of life already making their way to the Mundi Mundi Plains ready to rock the Outback later this week,” said Festival Director Greg Donovan.

MORE NSW-SA-QLD: Broken Hill to Cameron Corner
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This year’s line-up leans on Aussie favourites, with Missy Higgins, Hoodoo Gurus, The Cat Empire, Birds of Tokyo, The Angels, Kasey Chambers, Kate Ceberano and Leo Sayer leading the bill. They’re joined by more than two dozen other acts, including Rose Tattoo, Shannon Noll, Dragon, Thirsty Merc, Chocolate Starfish and a Bowie tribute featuring Iota, Jeff Duff and Steve Balbi.

Now in its fourth year, the Bash is known for more than just the music. Regular highlights include the Nutbush world record dance-off, the fundraising Mundi Undie Run, plus a mix of outback experiences – from camel and helicopter rides to outdoor cinema and even dunny door painting.

“We have an awesome line-up, but in many ways, the incredible landscape is the real headliner,” Donovan said. “When you pair that with our iconic Aussie artists and give people the chance to camp under stars in the middle of nowhere – that’s where the magic happens.”

MORE An artist’s dream: Silverton, NSW
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With Mad Max: Furiosa filmed on the site, this year also adds themed activities celebrating the region’s movie heritage. The festival is BYO, dog-friendly and open to all ages, attracting families, retirees and long-haul road-trippers. For the first time, travellers can reach the site entirely on sealed road, after the NSW Government completed the last 2.5 km into Belmont Station – a welcome change for dusty 4×4 journeys.

The sell-out confirms the Mundi Mundi Bash as the largest ticketed event ever staged in outback Australia – and one that has firmly earned its place on the touring calendar for 4×4 adventurers and festival-goers alike.

What2025 Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash
WhereBelmont Station, on the Mundi Mundi Plains; 9km north of Silverton and 35km north of Broken Hill
WhenAugust 21-23, 2025
MORE 2022 Mundi Mundi Bash stuns Broken Hill

MG Motor Australia has confirmed its upcoming MGU9 dual-cab ute will feature a multi-link rear suspension system developed specifically for Australian conditions. 

The ute is set to launch in mid-September 2025, with MG currently taking pre-orders. Official pricing and further specifications will be revealed in the coming weeks.

MG says the multi-link setup – benchmarked with local engineering teams and unique to Australian-delivered variants – will provide a smoother ride over rough surfaces, better traction on uneven ground, and improved stability when cornering or carrying a load. It will also reduces road noise and vibration while keeping the rear end composed.

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“We researched the Australian market significantly for our MGU9 product, and we share Australia’s love for the outdoor, sport and adventure lifestyle, but often the utes they drive just don’t offer the comfort they want or deserve,” said Peter Ciao, CEO of MG Motor Australia and New Zealand.

“I wanted to offer a ute with no compromise on driving comfort or capability. And we’ve done this by engineering our multi-link rear suspension platform specifically for the demands of our local drivers,” added Ciao.

MG has previously confirmed the U9 will be powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine producing 160kW and 520Nm, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and automatic all-wheel drive. It is expected to measure 5500mm long, 1997mm wide and 1860mm tall, riding on a 3300mm wheelbase. Ground clearance of 220mm and wheel options from 18 to 20 inches add to its off-road-ready appeal.

On the tech front, the U9 is expected to include the MG Pilot safety suite, offering 360-degree cameras, sensors, and advanced driver-assist features. It will also feature MG’s iSMART app for remote access, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. A hidden rear foldable step adds a practical touch.

The MGU9 will arrive in Australian showrooms shortly after the September launch, where its price tag is expected to undercut its immediate competition.

MORE 2025 MG U9 ute embarks on outback torture test, ahead of local launch

GWM has passed a major milestone in Australia, with more than 200,000 vehicles sold since the brand arrived locally in 2009.

Sixteen years on from its debut on local soil, GWM now finds itself entrenched inside the top 10 brands by sales, ranked seventh on the year-to-date charts in the latest VFACTS report.

This growth comes off the back of a broadening line-up. Buyers can now choose from the Haval SUV range, the Cannon and Cannon Alpha utes, and the Tank off-roaders, along with the fully electric Ora. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid models are starting to appear alongside traditional petrol options, giving the brand coverage across most buyer needs.

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For 4×4 owners, it’s the Cannon and Tank ranges that have pushed GWM into sight. The Cannon ute has built a following among value-conscious buyers, while the Tank 300 and 500 have quickly gained attention as well-priced alternatives to established off-roaders.

“Australia is becoming a significant cornerstone of our global operations,” said Steve Maciver, Head of Marketing and Communications at GWM Australia. “Our local success will only accelerate as we continue to invest here – demonstrated by the recent announcement of product localisation with Rob Trubiani and our residency at the Lang Lang Proving Ground. 

“We are proud to have handed over our 200,000th vehicle in Australia and sincerely thank every GWM customer for the trust they have placed in our brand,” added Maciver.

For now, GWM says the focus will stay on expanding its range and keeping competitive with sharp pricing and long warranties – a formula that’s helped it carve out a solid spot in the Australian market.

MORE GWM news and reviews!

KGM Australia has revised its seven-seat Rexton range for 2026, with a name change and minor changes cast throughout the line-up.

The brand formerly known as SsangYong also revealed its updated Musso range this week, with a suite of changes ushered into the budget-friendly ute’s arsenal.

As per changes to the Musso, KGM has also changed the name of the mid-tier Rexton model from Adventure to Advance, with the model sitting between the entry-level ELX and Ultimate variants – a Sport Pack sits atop the model line-up. Recommended drive-away pricing starts at $52,000 for the ELX and extends to $64,200 for the Sport Pack – a slight rise across the board.

GradeRDAP (private buyers)
Rexton ELX$52,000
Rexton Advance$57,500
Rexton Ultimate$61,500
Rexton Sport Pack$64,200 (includes metallic paint)
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For 2026, all Rexton models now come with electric power steering, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) as standard. All models also include LED headlights with a new DRL design and sequential indicators.

Other additions across the range include leather-look seating for the ELX; rear door pull-up sun blinds for the mid-tier Advance; and a wireless phone charger for the Ultimate. The top-spec Sport Pack gets aesthetic changes in the form of black leather and suede seats, suede door trims and dash trim, and a gloss black steering wheel bezel.

The Rexton remains powered by a 149kW/441Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. All variants come with a rear diff lock as standard, as well as a towing capacity of 3500kg.

Mirroring the Musso, the Rexton range is covered by a seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, including five years of roadside assistance.

MORE Rexton news and reviews!

Australian engineering firm Premcar has done a stellar job of refining and improving Nissan 4x4s to create the Warrior variants of the popular Patrol and Navara models.

Suspension, wheel, tyre and trim tweaks to the Nissans improve the ride and off-road performance of the Warriors, making them better on and off road than the vehicles they are based on. The Nissan Australia/Premcar partnership has proved to be a huge success story and one that is set to expand.

Now it appears that part of that expansion will extend to the USA, where the Premcar badge was spotted on a pair of Infiniti QX80 show vehicles at the exclusive Quail event at Pebble Beach in California.

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The QX80 is the Infiniti version of the Nissan Patrol sold in the USA, and the Y63 platform is used for the current model there. The Y63 Patrol will replace the current Y62 in Australia in 2026, and the Infiniti show cars suggest that Premcar already has a package to improve the popular off-roader.

Infiniti displayed a pair of QX80 show cars at Pebble Beach: a Track-spec version for on-road performance, and a Terrain-Spec with off-road improvements. It’s the Terrain-Spec that caught our eye, especially when we spotted the Premcar badging on it.

Australian Warrior owners would recognise the side-exit exhaust on the QX80 concepts from the Australian Patrol Warrior, but here it vents from the turbocharged V6 petrol engine that powers the Y63, in lieu of the Y62’s stonking V8.

Other tweaks to the QX80 Terrain include an increased ride height, off-road wheels and all-terrain tyres, wheel-arch flares, branch deflectors, a roof rack-mounted light bar and tent, and some front underbody protective covers.

The Track model benefits from a quad exhaust system and tuning of the twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6, including a new turbocharger system and exhaust. It is claimed to develop upwards of 650hp and 750lb-ft of torque – some 50 per cent up on standard.

While there’s no official statement from Nissan Australia on the Y63 specials as yet, Bernie Quinn, Premcar CEO, told 4X4 Australia: “The Premcar team is proud to have worked with Infiniti USA to create the QX80 Terrain Spec concept.”

We think the Premcar badging on the Infiniti show cars points to an exciting time ahead for when the Y63 is launched here in 2026.

MORE 2025 Infiniti QX80 previews next-gen Patrol