4X4 Australia

If you’re serious about your 4×4 and where you point it, choosing the right tyre is more than just a safety decision – it defines how your vehicle performs on-road, off-road and everywhere in between. 

The next-generation Falken Wildpeak AT4W is a premium all-terrain tyre built to handle it all, offering a rare combination of daily driving comfort, rugged off-road capability, and true all-season versatility. Commuting through the city, towing a trailer, tackling weekend dirt tracks or navigating winter roads? The Wildpeak AT4W is engineered to deliver reliable traction, long-lasting durability and confidence in any condition. 

Key features of the Falken Wildpeak AT4W

The Wildpeak AT4W stands out in the busy all-terrain market thanks to a suite of practical features designed for real-world performance:

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Advanced tyre technology

Falken has engineered the Wildpeak AT4W with several key innovations to maximise performance:

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Comfortable ride for an all-terrain design
  • True all-season and snow-ready performance
  • Wide range of sizes

Cons

  • Slightly lower fuel efficiency and higher road noise compared to highway-focused tyres
  • Less extreme off-road capability than dedicated mud-terrain tyres
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How it compares to competitors

The AT4W shines when stacked against other all-terrain tyres.

The trade-off is aesthetics – the Wildpeak AT4W’s design is more restrained compared to aggressive, mud-terrain-style competitors. However, for drivers prioritising versatility and longevity, it’s a practical choice.

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Why choose the Falken Wildpeak AT4W?

What sets the Wildpeak AT4W apart is its true versatility.

It is equally at home on daily commutes, long-distance touring, towing and weekend off-road adventures. Upgraded from the AT3W, it offers improved durability, traction and ride comfort, making it one of Falken’s standout options in the global Wildpeak line-up.

Ideal for:

Final word

The Falken Wildpeak AT4W is a next-generation all-terrain tyre that combines rugged capability with everyday usability. It’s a smart choice for drivers who want confidence in all seasons, reliable towing performance, and long-lasting durability – all without sacrificing ride comfort. 

From city streets to rugged trails, the Wildpeak AT4W delivers reliable, efficient performance every kilometre of the journey.

Read more at Falken

There is something timeless about rolling into Eulo after a long run across Queensland’s vast open country. 

The bitumen stretches endlessly between Cunnamulla and Thargomindah, fringed with mulga scrub and red dirt, until suddenly the small township of Eulo appears – a green patch beside the Paroo River and home to one of the most character-filled pubs in the outback, the Eulo Queen Hotel.

If you’re coming from Hungerford in the south, you’ll earn your 4×4 stripes on the unsealed stretches that make for an adventurous run. But from every direction this is a place worth the drive – a genuine slice of outback life where history, hospitality and humour come together in perfect balance.

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Eulo Queen Hotel history

The Eulo Queen Hotel is steeped in legend, much of it thanks to one remarkable woman, Isabel Gray – better known as the Eulo Queen.

In the late 1800s, Isabel and her husband ran a general store, a hotel and an opal-buying business here. Draped in silk and lace while dealing with dusty miners, Isabel was as famous for her glamour as she was for her business sense. She hosted grand dinners, gambled freely and became known as the Queen of Eulo for her confidence, style and generosity.

Her story eventually turned scandalous, with accusations of immoral conduct, debts and courtroom drama splashed across newspapers from Brisbane to Melbourne, but her spirit has never faded. The Eulo Queen Hotel carries her name with pride, her portrait still watching over the bar – a reminder of a wild time when fortunes were won and lost on opals and grit.

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Restored outback pub and beer garden

Fast forward to today and the Eulo Queen Hotel has been given a new lease on life.

The current owners have scrubbed, painted and polished her back to her best. The timber bar has been restored, the dining area feels fresh yet familiar, and out the back a fantastic covered beer garden now provides a shady escape from the outback sun.

It has become the new social hub of town – a place where locals and travellers mingle easily, kids play in the dust, and the scent of a sizzling steak drifts through the air. As the sun sinks low the stories start flowing, and it’s easy to see why many visitors plan to stop for one night and end up staying for three.

Inside, the walls are lined with old photos and relics that tell the story of Eulo, from drovers and opal miners to station hands and travellers who have pulled up for a cold one over the years. The pub’s character shines through in every creaky floorboard and faded photo frame.

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Kenny the Diprotodon and mud baths

Step outside and you’ll spot Kenny, the town’s beloved Diprotodon statue, standing proudly across the road.

This life-sized model of Australia’s largest-ever marsupial – an ancient relative of the wombat – is a tribute to the megafauna fossils found in the region. He’s become a bit of a local celebrity, with travellers stopping to snap a selfie before heading to the pub for a drink.

A short stroll down the road you’ll find another of Eulo’s unique attractions: the Eulo Artesian Mud Baths. Run by locals, this little oasis is the perfect place to unwind after a long day on the road. You can soak in warm artesian mud rich in minerals, surrounded by the sounds of the bush as the last light fades over the Paroo. It’s rustic, natural and utterly relaxing – a one-of-a-kind outback spa experience.

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Camping and cabins at Eulo Queen

The Eulo Queen is not just a pub – it’s a place to rest your head and recharge.

Out the back, camping is available for $20 a night, with clean ablutions, shady spots and easy access to the bar for a nightcap. There are also cabins for those who prefer a proper bed and a bit more comfort after a long haul. Everything about it feels honest and uncomplicated, just how outback hospitality should be. Pull in, set up camp, have a yarn with whoever is sitting nearest and by the end of the evening you’ll feel like part of the family.

Eulo attractions and Paroo River activities

Eulo may be small, but it’s packed with personality.

The locals take great pride in their craft and their country. From handmade leather goods and beeswax products to the opal workshop and the gallery of local artist Lynda George, there’s plenty to explore on foot between beers.

The Paroo River, just a short drive or walk away, is perfect for fishing, yabbying or swimming. There’s even a secluded billabong nearby – ideal for rolling out the swag and watching the Milky Way rise. It’s these quiet, simple moments – sitting by the fire, listening to the breeze in the trees or soaking in the mud baths – that make Eulo unforgettable.

Verdict

What makes the Eulo Queen Hotel special is how seamlessly it blends its colourful past with the warmth of modern outback hospitality. The new owners have done an incredible job of restoring pride in this old pub, keeping its history alive while making it inviting for a new generation of travellers.

When the sun sets and the beer garden fills with the easy chatter of locals and visitors, it’s easy to imagine Isabel Gray herself smiling down on it all. The laughter, the stories, the sense of connection – it’s precisely what the outback has always been about.

So if your 4×4 adventures take you through south-west Queensland via the Adventure Way or Hungerford, make sure to pull up at the Eulo Queen Hotel. Whether you’re chasing the legend of the Eulo Queen, keen for a soak in the mud baths or just after a cold beer and good company, this is the place to stop. It’s more than a pub – it’s a living, breathing part of outback history, still writing new stories beside the Paroo River.

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Eulo Queen Hotel: Essential information

Beers on tap

Food highlights

MORE Info about the Eulo Queen Hotel!

When you have a business called Rugged USA Imports, importing and selling top-end American-made gear and accessories to take American pick-up trucks to the next level, it pays to have a shop truck that truly showcases your wares.

That’s exactly what Chris Roach and the team at Rugged USA Imports have created with this 2025 Silverado 2500. It’s a truck that stops traffic and has people taking photos of it whenever it’s out and about and, most importantly, onlookers want to know where they can get one just like it. Rugged USA Imports has the answers and the equipment to make their US pick-up dreams a reality.

Chevrolet’s Silverado 2500 HD truck received a facelift and significant upgrades for the 2025 model year and has become a popular choice for anyone wanting to tow large vans or other trailers over long distances and across varied terrain. With a stonking 6.6-litre ‘Duramax’ V8 diesel engine under that huge bonnet, backed by a 10-speed transmission, the Silverado has the hardware to make hauling easy.

MORE This Tundra by Rugged USA Imports is built for Aussie touring
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It’s Rugged’s job to tailor the trucks to what individual owners need and want and, of course, make them stand out in any crowd.

To do this, Chris and his team draw on years of experience building trucks like this, along with the enormous US aftermarket industry that supplies everything you could want, no matter how you use your truck or what you can dream up. Rugged USA Imports works with leading US brands to source the best equipment for Australian truck owners. The company imports the gear and keeps it in stock at its Queensland HQ, allowing customers to get the parts they want without having to import them themselves, saving time and money.

On top of that, Rugged is also manufacturing its own bullbars for US trucks, built to suit Australian touring conditions. The bars are made in Australia and feature a removable top hoop, winch mount, a pair of recovery points, a 5mm steel bash plate and a textured black powdercoat finish. On the Chev, the bar conceals a Carbon Tank 20,000lb winch, a mount for the GME radio antennas, and enough KC lights to light up the MCG.

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Of course, their own Chev runs a Rugged bar up front, but it’s only a small part of the build – in fact, it’s dwarfed by the sheer stature of this Silverado. From the ground up, this Chev is big. So let’s start at ground level to see what makes it so impressive. Those tyres are monster 42-inch BFG Krawlers, beadlocked to a set of KMC Grenade Crawl machined alloys, and they make a stunning first impression.

If those massive BFGs didn’t lift the Chevy enough on their own, the McGaughys suspension kit raises the heavy-duty chassis by another nine inches, using the complete kit as imported by Rugged.

The McGaughys kit includes everything needed to get the Chev up into the clouds while maintaining drivability and proper road manners. It comprises replacement front spindles, rear lift blocks and hardware, replacement front and rear crossmembers, a front diff drop kit, torsion bar drop mounts, skid plates, swaybar links, struts, spacers, hardware and M84 remote-reservoir shocks – everything required to achieve such dizzying heights in a pick-up truck.

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McGaughys specialises in lifting American trucks this way, which is why Rugged is happy to recommend and sell its kits in Australia. To take things a step further, Chris ordered this kit with billet face plates as an optional extra, adding some visual punch to the undercarriage, as the ride height means the suspension is fully on display.

“McGaughy’s Suspension combines over 40 years of USA-made suspension engineering experience with a commitment to quality and real-world performance,” said Rugged’s Chris Roach. “They deliver durable, bolt-on lift and lowering kits that outperform stock parts in ride comfort, handling and reliability. Their parts are all built in-house in a state-of-the-art facility, right down to their own shocks. So they don’t just match industry standards, they set them.”

With towing in mind, Rugged added a Loqic AIR IQ rear airbag system to the rear suspension, complete with an on-board air compressor and tank. The auto-levelling system can be adjusted on the run via an app, with pre-set airbag settings for height and pressure depending on load and road conditions.

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With the combination of 42-inch tyres and a nine-inch suspension lift, it’s no surprise that a pair of PowerStep drop-down side steps run along the sills on each side to aid entry and egress.

Another Rugged USA Imports brand is KC HiLites, so of course the Chev wears the iconic lighting brand throughout. Up front, the bullbar carries a quartet of Gravity Titan dual-colour lights, with a pair of Flex Era 4 lamps straddling the number plate and Flex Era 3 units tucked into the outer wings of the bar. Underneath, additional KC HiLites rock and glow lights complete the package.

Up on the A-pillars are KC Flex Era 4s serving as ditch lights, while tucked into the rear bar are more Flex Era 3s for reversing duties. All of the lighting and other electrical accessories are controlled via a Switch-Pros panel inside the Chev’s cab.

At the rear of the Chev you’ll also find a GEN-Y towing hitch. In case you were wondering what the signwriting is all about, the Gen-Y Hitch fitted here is a 7000kg adjustable Torsion Drop Hitch with a 900kg tongue weight rating. When you consider the Silverado 2500HD is rated to tow up to 4500kg in Australia, it more than covers what’s legal here, and the adjustability makes life easier for lifted trucks like this Chev.

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Gen-Y claims the “Torsion Drop Hitch is the best hitch for ultimate control and safety while towing,” and given the heavy-duty construction on show, who are we to argue?

Out of sight behind the tow hitch is a water tank mounted where the standard spare wheel originally sat. A 42-inch tyre is never going to fit under there, so to make use of the space a 52L tank from Trail’d is plumbed in with an electric pump for easy access.

Trail’d is another American brand stocked by Rugged USA Imports. Other brands it carries – though not fitted to this Chev – include Fox, BDS, Camburg, King Shocks, Trailbreaker and Diode Dynamics, among others. Years of travelling to the US, working with these brands and being involved with off-road racing over there have given Chris the contacts and know-how to assemble a strong range for Australian truck owners.

Take a look at the Rugged USA Imports website and get in touch with them when planning your full-size truck build.

Essential information: Rugged USA Imports

MORE This Tundra by Rugged USA Imports is built for Aussie touring

There’s something about the bush that strips people back to who they really are. Maybe it’s the lack of phone reception. Maybe it’s the dust, the firelight, or the quiet hum of a diesel idling after a long day on the tracks. Or maybe it’s just that, out there, the masks come off.

For many in the four-wheel-drive and camping community, the bush isn’t just a playground. It’s a reset button – a place to clear your head, slow down, and escape the noise of everyday life. But it’s also where the cracks start to show, where thoughts you’ve been burying finally get some airtime.

That’s exactly where Saving True Blues (STB) comes in. Not in a clinical way. Not with pamphlets or lectures. But around a campfire, in a place where people already feel safe enough to be themselves.

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What is Saving True Blues?

STB is a grassroots mental health and suicide prevention organisation built on one simple idea: Meet people where they already are. Not in an office. Not in a waiting room. But in the bush – on trips, at camps, in convoys – the same spaces where Aussies already open up, whether they realise it or not.

STB works within the camping, touring and 4×4 community to create environments where conversations happen naturally. No pressure. No judgment. No forced vulnerability. Just space: Space to talk, listen, or even just to sit quietly.

Founded on lived experience rather than theory, STB doesn’t pretend the bush fixes everything – but it recognises that, for a lot of people, it’s the only place they feel comfortable enough to start the conversation.

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The story behind the mission

Lucinda Harvey didn’t set out to start a charity. She didn’t wake up with a business plan or a five-year strategy. What she had was grief – deep, personal, life-altering grief.

Lucinda lost a close friend to suicide. Like so many left behind, she was hit with questions that never really go away: Why didn’t I see it? What could I have done differently? How many others are carrying this quietly? That grief sharpened her view of the world. She noticed the gaps – places where people fall through unnoticed. Particularly strong, capable, outwardly “together” people in outdoors and adventure communities who were struggling quietly. People who could organise a trip across the Simpson but couldn’t bring themselves to say they were not okay.

She realised something important: These weren’t people avoiding help – they just didn’t feel like traditional help was built for them.

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Why the 4×4 and camping community?

The camping and four-wheel-drive scene is full of good people – but it’s also full of unspoken rules:

Most of the time, that mindset works. It gets you through breakdowns, bad weather, long days and tough tracks. But when life throws something heavier – loss, isolation, stress, depression – that same mindset can become a wall.

Lucinda saw that the bush already did half the work. Out there, people talk differently; slower and more honestly. Conversations drift from tyres and tracks into work, family, relationships – and eventually, if the space is right, into the stuff people don’t usually say out loud.

STB doesn’t force those moments. It protects them. Sometimes it’s a long chat by the fire. Sometimes it’s a quiet walk away from camp. Sometimes it’s just knowing you’re not the only one carrying something.

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“You don’t have to be broken to belong here”

One of the most important things about STB is that it isn’t only for people in crisis. You don’t have to be at rock bottom. You don’t even have to talk.

STB exists just as much for mates, partners and families who want to understand how to support someone else. Prevention doesn’t start when someone is drowning – it starts when people feel connected, before things reach that point.

That’s why STB events look less like therapy sessions and more like good camping trips with good people, fun tracks, tasty food and honest conversations when they happen.

The role of the bush in mental health

There’s a reason so many head bush when life gets heavy. Out there, the noise drops away. Screens, deadlines and expectations fade into the background. Problems don’t disappear – but they feel more manageable.

The bush provides perspective. A bad week feels smaller under a wide sky. A hard conversation feels easier when you’re not boxed in by walls. Silence stops being awkward and starts being helpful. STB doesn’t claim the bush is a cure, but it understands its value. You can talk while walking, driving, cooking, or just staring into the fire. That freedom matters more than people realise.

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Breaking the stigma without breaking people

STB doesn’t attack stigma head-on. It doesn’t shame people for not talking. It doesn’t label silence as failure. Instead, it changes the environment.

Vulnerability becomes normal, not spotlighted. Strength is redefined as honesty instead of toughness. Conversations happen naturally and quietly shift the culture. Lucinda leads by example, speaking openly about grief, loss and the messy reality of mental health. That authenticity sets the tone for everything STB does.

This matters because suicide remains one of the leading causes of death in Australia, especially among men in regional and rural areas – the very people who love the bush, work with their hands, and pride themselves on self-reliance.

STB doesn’t replace professional help. It works alongside it, creating bridges to support people who might otherwise never access help. Sometimes the first step isn’t calling a hotline – it’s sitting by a fire and quietly admitting things aren’t great. That step can save a life.

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A community that’s more than a charity

At its core, STB is about belonging. About reminding people they’re not alone. That struggling doesn’t make them weak. That asking for help doesn’t cancel out strength, grit or resilience.

For the 4×4 and camping community, this message lands differently because it’s delivered from within. Lucinda didn’t create STB to fix people – she created it to stand beside them. Saving True Blues continues to grow – not through flashy campaigns, but through word of mouth, shared experiences and genuine connection. One conversation at a time. One trip at a time. One person feeling seen when they thought they weren’t.

In a world that moves fast, STB reminds us of something simple and powerful: Sometimes the most important journeys aren’t about where you’re going – but who you’re willing to sit beside along the way.

MORE Find out more at Saving True Blues!

If you drive in Adelaide and feel like traffic has become more painful, you’re not imagining it. 

According to the 2025 TomTom Traffic Index, Adelaide is now officially Australia’s most congested city, topping the national list ahead of Melbourne and Sydney. With a congestion level of 55.1%, journeys that would normally take 20 minutes can stretch to more than 30 minutes during peak hours, adding over 100 hours of travel time per year for the average driver.

Melbourne follows closely with a congestion level of 52.9%, while the Gold Coast records 48.6%, placing it third nationally. Congestion in these cities is most pronounced on major arterial routes and commuter corridors during morning and evening peaks, driven by growing populations and urban development. Sydney, long seen as Australia’s traffic benchmark, now ranks fourth, with a congestion level of 43.7%.

Adelaide’s congestion is moderate when compared with the global traffic leaders. The three most congested cities worldwide in 2025 were Mexico City (75.9%), Bengaluru (74.4%) and Dublin (72.9%). While Adelaide leads Australia, these international examples show that urban traffic congestion can be substantially higher in other parts of the world.

At the lower end of Australia’s spectrum, cities such as Darwin (27.5%), Wollongong (31.8%), and Canberra (33.6%) experience far lighter delays during peak periods. Smaller populations and less pressure on key road networks contribute to smoother traffic flow in these locations.

The TomTom Traffic Index calculates congestion by analysing anonymised GPS data from vehicles and devices. It compares actual travel times during peak periods with ideal “free-flow” conditions to produce a congestion percentage, allowing direct comparisons both nationally and globally.

Aggregating data over a full calendar year ensures a consistent benchmark for evaluating traffic performance across cities.

Traffic congestion levels for Australian cities in 2025

MORE All the data at TomTom

It’s interesting to note how the manufacturers of our two best-selling 4×4 utes – Ford and Toyota – each go about the job of maintaining sales differently.

Ford has been the best-seller for a few years now and has maintained that lead with a barrage of limited editions, model updates and now the introduction of the new Super Duty. The Blue Oval won’t be able to lift its foot off the pedal in 2026, with the loss of the bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine from Ranger sure to hurt, and the P703 starting to show its age in line with newer competition. A major mid-life refresh of Ranger can’t be too far away, and possibly arriving this year.

The heavily revised new HiLux is one of those newer competitors, despite retaining much of its engineering and powertrain. HiLux’s new interior is a huge step up for the enduring model, bringing it up to modern standards, while the new exterior treatment is very much a love-it-or-hate-it affair.

The ‘new’ HiLux delivers what we would normally expect of a mid-life model refresh rather than an all-new model but, for me, that is the best thing about it. Toyota hasn’t messed with the essentials of what is a solid and winning formula.

The chassis and powertrain remain best in class for a midsize, one-tonne 4×4 ute, and the 1GD-FTV 2.8-litre engine should have the wood over Ford’s single-turbocharged 405Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder. It’s easy to see why Ford Australia has expanded the availability of the 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine.

Despite all the new and updated utes coming to the market in 2026, I can’t see the top sellers changing at all; it will only be a matter of which of the two stays ahead. It still promises to be an interesting race and can only bring better products to the market for buyers.

Close behind the Ranger and HiLux in the recent 4×4 Ute of the Year test was the Kia Tasman, and it recently dawned on me that the new competitor has a feature neither Ford nor Toyota offer, and it’s one I value highly. The fuel filler in the Tasman easily accepts a high-flow diesel pump nozzle, with none of the restrictions most other new diesel-fuelled vehicles have for no apparent reason.

That’s time saved at the pump for more important things. 

MORE HiLux news and reviews!

The Utemaster MK4 Cantilever Roof Rack is the latest evolution of a design refined over nearly ten years. 

The MK4 Cantilever Rack combines the strength of a cantilever design with the versatility of a roof tray, resulting in a rack that works as well on the worksite as it does on the track or out in the bush. It is built to handle serious loads, with a 600kg static rating and a 200kg dynamic rating; and its cantilever mounting reduces stress on the canopy and cab, allowing you to carry long and/or heavy gear safely.

The design also keeps a load stable, so you don’t have to worry about gear shifting or putting unnecessary strain on mounting points.

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Modular and adaptable

Designed to work with the Centurion Canopy, this rack is fully modular.

Cross bars are adjustable forward, back, up or down, letting you set the rack up to suit your load. Integrated T-tracks provide secure mounting points for kayaks, rod holders, recovery tracks, solar panels, awnings, and more, while removable rubber inserts keep gear from sliding and protect what you’re carrying.

A wide range of accessories is also available including awning mounts, conduit carriers, outriggers, load stops, rollers and ratchets. The MK4 Cantilever can also carry roof tents and awnings at the same time, giving you a flexible solution for work, adventure, or a combination of both.

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Unlike standard roof racks, the MK4 Cantilever handles cab and canopy flex without stressing mounting points or exceeding roof-load limits. Its design spreads weight effectively, making it practical for ladders, 1200 mm sheets, conduit, or other long items, while still accommodating accessories.

Custom-designed for each vehicle, the MK4 Cantilever features smooth corners and hidden rivets for a clean, precise finish. Manufactured in New Zealand and thoroughly tested, it comes with a five-year warranty for peace of mind.

MORE Build your dream canopy at Utemaster!

Hyundai and Kia may be exploring ideas similar to the Jeep Gladiator, with the brands reportedly filing a patent for a pickup truck featuring a removable roof.

The filing, published in US and German patent databases, suggests the concept could potentially be used across both brands under the Hyundai Motor Group umbrella, even though the diagrams don’t reference the Tasman as a base. If applied to the Tasman line, such a feature would suit its lifestyle-focused ethos.

The patent covers the mechanism for attaching and sealing a large removable roof panel, and also mentions removable doors, allowing for a fully open-air cabin experience. While the filing doesn’t confirm Hyundai or Kia are building a production vehicle with this setup, it shows the companies are exploring future possibilities.

The Gladiator’s modular system is designed for frequent removal, letting owners switch between an enclosed cab and fully open-air setup in around 20 minutes without permanent modifications.

Hyundai is expected to launch a proper dual‑cab ute in Australia by late 2028, aimed at rivals like the Ford Ranger, all-new Toyota Hilux and Kia Tasman. Unlike the Santa Cruz, this will be a body‑on‑frame design and won’t share the Tasman platform.

Engine and drivetrain details are yet to be confirmed, though hybrid or advanced tech options are possible.

MORE Tasman news and reviews!

Ford Australia is currently running a range of discounts on its Ranger line-up, with $3000 off selected MY26 and earlier diesel and hybrid models.

Diesel variants include Wildtrak Bi-Turbo, Sport, XLT and XLS, while the same $3000 reduction applies to hybrid Stormtrak, Wildtrak, Sport and XLT grades.

The MY26 Everest Trend 4×4 (and earlier variants) also have a $3000 discount; while Ford’s F-150 is currently attracting larger savings, with MY23 F-150 XLT and MY23 F-150 Lariat SWB and LWB variants all discounted by $8000. These offers are valid until remaining stock is exhausted and are subject to dealer participation. Ford Australia says the offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer and it may vary them at any time.

The Ford Ranger V6 Sport was recently crowned our 2025 4×4 Ute of the Year. Its 184kW/600Nm 3.0‑litre V6 diesel made towing and highway driving effortless, while a near‑tonne payload, 3500kg maximum tow, integrated brake controller and Tow/Haul Mode handled heavy loads with ease. The Sport trim balanced comfort and durability, with a well‑laid-out cabin suited to long drives and bush touring.

With strong V6 torque, full-time 4×4 with dual-range gearing, and a practical, comfortable interior, the Ranger V6 Sport performed equally well on and off the road to secure the title.

MY 2026 Ford Ranger standard pricing

Hybrid dual-cab pick-up

Diesel dual-cab pick-up

MORE Ranger news and reviews!

The NSW Government is inviting the public to have their say on recreational opportunities in the proposed Great Koala National Park on the Mid North Coast.

The park – a key election promise from the Minns Labor Government – will protect more than 100 threatened species, including more than 12,000 koalas and 36,000 greater gliders, while enhancing visitor experiences and supporting local economies. The park will also safeguard 66 other threatened animals and 37 rare plant species, including southern and yellow-bellied gliders, glossy black cockatoos, and unique orchids.

The government is particularly keen to hear from 4WD clubs about how the area is used and what access and recreational opportunities are important to them. Feedback is also being sought from hiking and trail-running groups, mountain bikers, horse riders, shooting and archery clubs, sporting car clubs, local councils, Aboriginal communities, and environment groups.

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“The Great Koala National Park is an election commitment, and we want the community right at the centre of shaping what it becomes. Locals know this landscape best, and their ideas will help create a park people feel real ownership of and want to use,” said Janelle Saffin, Minister for the North Coast. “Done well, this park will also be a major tourism drawcard – supporting local businesses, creating jobs and delivering long-term economic benefits for communities right across the North Coast.”

Steve Whan, Acting Minister for the Environment, added: “The Great Koala National Park will protect more than 100 threatened species, but it’s not just about conservation. The park will be a recreational hotspot for locals and visitors alike. We want to hear from people who use and relax in the footprint of the forests and surrounding landscapes that make up the park.”

An online survey on the NSW Have Your Say website is now open for anyone who currently uses the area’s State forests and reserves, as well as those who may visit in the future.

The Great Koala National Park will include multiple reserves, each with rules for what activities are allowed. Covering more than 475,000 hectares from Kempsey to Grafton and inland to Ebor, it will combine existing reserves with 176,000 hectares of new protected land to create connected, high-quality habitat.

The NSW Government has committed $80 million in the 2023-24 State Budget to develop the park, with an additional $60 million provided to the National Parks and Wildlife Service to support its establishment.

MORE Read the proposal here