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:

• $57,000 (private buyers, Arctic White)
• $55,000 (ABN holders, Arctic White)

Positioning:

• Between Ranger XL: ($51,130) and Ranger XLS ($57,880)
• Below XLT Bi-Turbo: ($63,890)

Engine & Drivetrain:

• 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel (154kW/500Nm)
• 10-speed automatic
• Dual-cab pick-up, 4×4

Unique Black Edition Features:

• Black long-legged sports bar
• 17-inch Asphalt Black alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres
• Black side steps
• Asphalt Black mesh grille with Bolder Grey inserts
• Carpeted flooring with driver’s mat
• Drop-in bedliner
• Cargo Management System

Options:

• Tow pack – $1950 (MLP)
• Prestige paint – $750

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

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.

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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

• 3.0-litre twin-turbo Hurricane six-cylinder petrol (313kW/635Nm)
• Eight-speed automatic transmission
• Five drive modes (Auto, Sport, Tow, Snow, Off-road)
• ‘Selec-Speed’ off-road crawl function
• E-locker rear differential
• 98-litre fuel tank

Off-road package

• One-inch suspension lift with Bilstein off-road suspension
• Falken Wildpeak 32-inch all-terrain tyres (275/65R18)
• Unique 18-inch wheel design
• Underbody skid plates (cross-member, transfer case, fuel tank)
• Approach angle 20.9°, departure angle 22.2°, ramp-over 19.2°

Towing & load

• 4.5-tonne towing capacity (70mm ball)
• 3.5-tonne towing capacity (50mm ball)
• 893kg payload
• Full-size tub (no RamBox)
• Spray-in bed liner and cargo tie-down slider rails
• Power-operated tailgate (up, down and one-touch close)

Exterior

• Black powder-coated steel bumpers (front and rear)
• Rebel grille, bumper and two-tone body treatment
• Fender flares
• ‘Power bulge’ Sports Hood
• Rebel decals and badging
• Black mirror caps, door handles and badges
• LED headlights
• Three colour options: Bright White, Flame Red, Hydro Blue

Interior & technology

• Panoramic sunroof
• 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
• Heated front and outer rear seats
• Unique red-and-black trim with Rebel stitching
• 12-inch digital instrument cluster
• 14.4-inch infotainment screen
• 10.25-inch front passenger screen with privacy film
• Dual wireless phone charging
• Wireless and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Rear-view camera, front and rear parking sensors
• Cruise control and adaptive cruise control
• Power rear window

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.

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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.

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.

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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.”

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

KGM Australia has revealed its revised Musso line-up for 2026, renaming its mid-tier model and adding a suite of features across the range.

The Korean brand – which only recently rebranded from SsangYong to KGM Australia – has rebadged its mid-spec Musso from Adventure to Advance, which continues to sit between the entry-level ELX and top-spec Ultimate variants.

The ELX, Advance and Ultimate models are all available in both standard and XLV guise – the latter a $1500 premium that extends the wheelbase and overall length, giving the ute a larger tub and greater payload capacity.

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The ELX picks up only minor upgrades for MY26, with KGM adding electric power steering, Lane Keep Assist and HID headlights to the standard model (not XLV).

The mid-spec Advance gains a suite of new kit including 18-inch black alloy wheels, a black front grille, HID headlights, dual-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, and privacy rear door glass. Driver assistance upgrades include Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Rear Cross Traffic Warning (RCTW), Lane Change Collision Warning (LCW), and Safety Exit Warning (SEW).

The top-spec Ultimate now incorporates equipment previously reserved for the Luxury grade, including a powered sunroof, eight-way powered front seats and a 360-degree camera. Also new for MY26 are LED headlights, sequential front indicators, powered driver lumbar support, heated rear outer seats and a revised black front bumper and grille. All grades now feature roof rails as standard.

The Musso continues to be powered by a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, producing 133kW and 400Nm (420Nm for XLV). All models include a locking rear differential and a part-time 4WD system.

The range remains covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with five years of roadside assistance.

Key features across the range include:

KGM Musso ELX

• 2.2L 4-cylinder turbo diesel
• 6-speed automatic transmission
• Automatic locking rear differential
• Part-time 4×4 with 4H / 4L range and automatic-locking rear differential
• 3.5 Tonne braked towing capacity
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Multi-link, coil spring rear suspension with 790kg payload, leaf spring rear suspension with 1010kg payload for XLV
• Electric power steering (Hydraulic PAS for XLV) (NEW)
• Reach adjustable steering wheel (NEW)
• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) (NA for XLV) (NEW)
• HID headlights (Projector for XLV) (NEW)
• AEB with Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
• Trailer Sway Assist (TSA)
• Hill Start Assist (HSA)
• Hill Descent Control (HDC)
• 12.3-inch digital LCD instrument cluster
• 12.3-inch touch screen audio
• Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™
• Leather steering wheel with height and reach adjustment
• LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
• Cruise control
• Front fog lights
• Reverse camera
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Heated and power adjustable door mirrors in body colour and LED indicators
• Assisted tailgate operation
• Silver roof rails (NEW)

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KGM Musso Advance (in addition to ELX)

• 18-inch black alloy wheels (NEW)
• Black front grille (NEW)
• HID headlights (NEW)
• Black roof rails
• Multi-link, coil spring rear suspension with 790kg payload, 880kg for XLV
• LED vertical design front fog lights
• Dual zone automatic climate control (NEW)
• Blind Spot Warning (BSW) (NEW)
• Rear Cross Traffic Warning (RCTW) (NEW)
• Lane Change-collision Warning (LCW) (NEW)
• Safety Exit Warning (SEW) (NEW)
• Heated steering wheel (NEW)
• Leather look seats
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• Privacy rear door glass (NEW)

KGM Musso Ultimate (in addition to Advance)

• Special design black front bumper and grille (NEW)
• Black interior highlights (A/C panel, steering wheel bezel, facia trim) (NEW)
• 3D 360° camera
• Powered sunroof (NEW)
• LED headlights (NEW)
• Sequential front indicators (NEW)
• 8-way powered front seats (NEW)
• Powered driver lumbar support (NEW)
• Heated rear outer seats (NEW)
• Walk-up welcome system
• Touch-sensing front door locks with walk-away auto-door locking

If you’re the type who’s got a screw loose and lives for a wild adventure – first of all, hi, and welcome to Lunatics Anonymous. Secondly, you’re probably just the sort of person who’d be tempted to try snow camping.

But before you go chasing sub-zero thrills, it’s worth knowing what you’re getting into. Four-wheel driving and camping in snow isn’t your average weekend away – it’s next-level stuff. And if you get it wrong, it can go bad fast.

So here are eight things you need to know before heading into the white stuff – because fun should never come at the cost of being unprepared.

JUMP AHEAD

• Prep your 4×4 for cold weather
• Traction tips: Snow and ice
• Managing cold and wind chill
• Snow camping hack: Use an umbrella
• Avoid falling trees and branches
• Keep gear dry in wet conditions
• Protect your feet from snow
• Dealing with heavy snow loads

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Prep your 4×4 for cold weather

Planning a night out in sub-zero temps? It’s not just you that needs to be ready – your 4×4 needs to be prepped for cold weather, too.

If you’re running a diesel, you’ve probably heard of alpine diesel – it’s treated with anti-gel additives to stop it waxing up in freezing conditions. You won’t find it at your local servo, so fill up in the alpine towns before heading up. Also for diesel owners: check your glow plugs. If they’re already sluggish on cold mornings, they’ll struggle even more when it’s below zero.

For both petrol and diesel rigs, battery health is critical. A tired battery can leave you stranded come morning, and keep in mind that lithium batteries don’t like charging below freezing either.

And don’t forget your cooling system. It sounds odd, but if your coolant mix isn’t right, it could freeze. A faulty thermostat can also stop the engine reaching operating temp – and if that happens, your heater is not going to work. That’s a dealbreaker in snow country.

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Traction tips: Snow and ice

Yeah, it’s obvious – snow is wet and slippery. But what might catch you out is just how slippery it can get, especially once a few vehicles have been through and compacted the surface. That’s when snow turns to ice – and ice makes clay look grippy.

Even basic tracks can get sketchy, and if the trail drops away on one side, sliding sideways becomes a very real possibility. Air down lower than you normally would for dirt driving – you’ll need every bit of traction you can get. If you’ve got a bit of maniac in you and feel like tackling something steeper, remember: snow doesn’t run off like rain. It sits, seeps and soaks. Tracks that are just a bit slick in the wet can turn into proper winch-fests in snow.

Personally, spending a day buried up to the knees in snow, hanging off a winch rope to drive a track that’s normally easy? Not high on the list – unless it leads to a snow camp with a view. But hey, if your winch is begging for punishment, knock yourself out.

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Managing cold and wind chill

Yep, another obvious one – but cold in the snow isn’t just about the temperature reading. If you’re chasing snow, you’re also chasing altitude, and with elevation comes more wind.

In fact, snow camps can sometimes be warmer than clear-sky winter camps at the same time of year, thanks to cloud cover. But – and it’s a big but – wind chill can be brutal. Some nights I’ve had to bail from exposed ridgelines and drop into lower gullies just to get out of the breeze.

When you’re checking the weather, don’t just glance at the min/max. Look at the forecast snow level. If snow is predicted to fall to 1,000m, chances are you’ll get a light dusting at best. But climb another 100–200m and you could be pitching your tent in fresh powder instead of wet mud. Elevation matters.

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Snow camping hack: Use an umbrella

This one was a happy accident – but it’s now one of our favourite snow camping hacks.

As much as we love snow, sometimes it’s nice to get out of the wet, especially when you’re parked around the big fire you’ll need to stay warm.

A simple umbrella will keep snow off your shoulders and your camp chair, but the real bonus? It traps heat rising from the fire and reflects it back down toward you. It’s like a mini heat dome. Don’t bring your best umbrella, though – wayward sparks will likely leave a few pinholes. Grab a cheapie from your local sausage sandwich hardware store.

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Avoid falling trees and branches

This one gets a bit hairy – especially when you’re zipped into your swag at 2am and hear the crash of a tree giving way.

Gum trees already have a reputation for dropping limbs without warning. Add a heavy snow load and wet ground, and now they’ve got a reason. Expect trees to come down regularly – and randomly – during and after snowfall.

Be smart about where you camp and park. Avoid standing dead timber and overloaded branches. And don’t hit the snow without a chainsaw and spare fuel or batteries (depending on how high-tech you’ve gone). Chances are good you’ll need to clear at least one tree off the track.

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Keep gear dry in wet conditions

Firewood? Wet. The ground? Wet. Your clothes, boots, and swag? Probably wet too.

Collecting firewood in the snow is a pain – most of it is soaked through and nothing dries in sub-zero temps. If you can, bring a stash of dry wood from home. If not, a battery-powered blower is a brilliant tool to coax damp timber into burning.

Unless you’ve got top-end snow gear, your clothes will get damp one way or another, so bring spares. And be prepared to pack up a wet awning, wet swag, and wet tent – because in the high country, nothing dries out during the day. We recommend packing a couple of old towels to wipe gear down, and maybe a tarp or two to wrap up wet kit.

And if you’re happy to ‘cheat’, a 12V electric blanket is worth its weight in gold – because there’s nothing worse than crawling into a soggy swag at the end of a freezing day.

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Protect your feet from snow

This deserves its own mention – because once your feet are wet, you’re miserable.

A few inches of snow might not seem like much, but after a full day trudging around camp, your regular work boots will soak through. Even proper snow boots can let water in over the top if the snow’s deep enough. Gumboots? They’ll keep you dry, but they’re not warm.

If you don’t have waterproof snow boots, the best solution is simple: bring extra socks and a spare pair of shoes. After each day, dry your wet gear around the fire and rotate your footwear. It’s not glamorous, but warm, dry feet make snow camping a whole lot more enjoyable.

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Dealing with heavy snow loads

Unlike rain, snow doesn’t run off shallow angles – it accumulates. Fast. And once it starts piling up on your awning, tent or rooftop setup, the weight adds up quickly.

Poles bend. Canvas stretches. Last camp my hard shell roof top tent started to close on me under the weight of snow. You have a couple of options to get around this here:

• Get up through the night and brush the snow off – a broom works a treat.
• Pitch your awning at a steep angle – we’re talking near vertical here – to stop it collecting. This is not possible with the 270° A-frame awnings that are popular these days.
• Or go the old swag on the ground or on a stretcher out in the open. You can throw a tarp over the top to keep dry but snow will still accumulate, so give it a couple of whacks throughout the night to knock the snow off.

Snow camping isn’t something we get to do often in Australia, but when conditions line up, it’s an unforgettable experience. It’s wet, it’s cold and it’s incredibly rewarding. Driving bush tracks through fresh powder is a rare privilege and with a bit of preparation, something that can be done relatively safely.