News Archives - Pat Callinan's 4X4 Adventures

In a move that could change the way Aussies stay safe and connected in the bush, Telstra has just launched Australia’s first direct-to-satellite text messaging service, and while it’s a…

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New Fines, Lower Limits: What You Need to Know

Australia’s about to tighten the screws on motorists, and if you’re someone who tows a van, punches out big kilometres between states, or just spends a lot of time behind…

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Have Your Say: Maria Island National Park

The Tasmanian Government has released a draft update to the Maria Island National Park and Ile des Phoques Nature Reserve Management Plan, and it’s calling on 4X4ers, adventurers, and anyone with…

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Calls for Common Sense on Emissions Targets

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has thrown its support behind Queensland’s new vehicle emissions strategy, calling it a “balanced and realistic” take on a complex issue. With a…

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Jayco in Hot Water Over ‘Off-Road’ Claims: ACCC Takes Legal Action

Jayco, Australia’s biggest RV manufacturer is under fire for allegedly misleading buyers about just how off-road their ‘off-road’ vans really are. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has launched…

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Three-Peat in the Red Centre: Ranger Raptor Wins Finke Again

In a result that’s starting to feel a bit like tradition, the Ford Ranger Raptor has stormed home to take the win in the Production 4WD class at the 2025…

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Track Trailer Is Back – And Tougher Than Ever

If you’ve been around the campfire a few times, you’ve probably heard the name Track Trailer dropped more than once — usually in the same breath as “bulletproof,” “off-grid weapon,”…

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Sydney, Get Ready: The National 4X4 Outdoors Show Is Back

If you’re the sort of person who plans their holidays around the next great track, reckons a good set of recovery boards should be in the family will, or just…

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Mount Beerwah Stays Open… For Now

Mount Beerwah, the tallest of Queensland’s Glass House Mountains, recently found itself at the centre of a heated debate. Government documents revealed internal discussions about potentially closing public access to…

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Gunlom Set to Reopen, But Who’s Really in Control of Kakadu?

After nearly six years behind locked gates, one of the most iconic swimming holes in Kakadu is set to reopen. But with it comes fresh debate about who controls access…

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ARB Turns 50: Half a Century In The Bush

ARB, the most iconic Australian 4X4 accessory manufacturer, has hit a significant milestone, celebrating its 50th anniversary. From humble beginnings in a Melbourne driveway, the company has grown into a…

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Is It Time for Towns to Get Serious About 4X4 Tourism?

There’s a small town on the New South Wales South Coast that’s about to hit the world stage, and not because they uncovered a new mineral or became the next…

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WA’s New Coastal 4X4 Plan

In Western Australia’s Midwest, the tracks are being laid — both literally and politically. The coastal councils of Coorow, Dandaragan and Gingin have come together to draft a master plan…

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Bushwakka Opens the Doors to New Adventure HQ

When a brand like Bushwakka says they’re “stepping things up,” they don’t muck around. After years of relentless growth and a fanbase that stretches from Outback touring diehards to hardcore…

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Big Shake-Up Coming for Camping in NSW National Parks

If you’ve spent a night under the stars in one of NSW’s national parks lately, you’re not alone. With 1.8 million overnight stays and over 50 million visits a year,…

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Catch Pat at the Rosehill Caravan and Camping Supershow!

Calling all 4X4ers, campers, and caravanners. It’s that time of year again! Sydney’s about to get seriously adventurous, and if you’re anywhere within striking distance of Rosehill, you’re going to…

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Bogged, Stranded, Lucky to Live

Picture this: a young couple, 21 and 19, stuck for three long days in the heart of Far North Queensland’s Cape Melville Track, over 200 kays north of Cooktown and…

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Flooded and Cut Off: What You Need to Know About Outback QLD Right Now

If you’re planning a trip through Outback Queensland in the coming weeks, pump the brakes. While the sun’s back out and skies are finally clear, large parts of the region…

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Ford Celebrates 100 Years Down Under

A century ago, Ford planted its flag on Aussie soil, and not in some corporate office in the CBD either. They chose Geelong, a town known more for wool bales…

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NSW’s Average Speed Cameras Now Targeting Everyone

If you’re loading up the 4X4 for a weekend of camping, fishing, or just getting off-grid, here’s a heads-up before you hit the highway, average speed cameras are now watching…

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Stranded in the Simpson: Rain Turns Desert Tracks into Mud Traps

You can prep all you want for a Simpson Desert crossing, but when 350mm of rain dumps on the track in just three days, you’re not driving anywhere. A South Australian…

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Is a Kids’ Camping Ban on K’gari the Right Move?

There’s no doubt K’gari – formerly Fraser Island – is one of the most stunning, remote, and wild places on the Aussie camping map. But it’s also home to one…

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4X4 Access to K’gari: Storm Recovery Underway

The recent deluge that hammered Hervey Bay and K’gari (Fraser Island) has significantly impacted 4X4 access to one of Australia’s most iconic off-road destinations. Following record rainfall, sections of the…

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The Battle for Fair 4X4 Modification Laws:

If you’ve ever lifted your 4X4, fitted bigger tyres, or even just tweaked your camping setup for better usability, you’ve probably had that little thought in the back of your…

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Brisbane 4X4 Show to Go Ahead After Cyclone Alfred

4X4 and outdoor enthusiasts, get ready – the National 4X4 Outdoors Show is still rolling into Brisbane from March 14-16, 2025, at the Brisbane Showgrounds! Despite concerns surrounding Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, organisers have confirmed…

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What Labor’s Satellite Comms Plan Means for 4X4ers

For anyone who’s done a serious “past the black stump” kind of trip, the phrase “No Service” on your phone screen is as familiar as red dust on your… well,…

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Gear Up, Brisbane! The 2025 National 4×4 Outdoors Show is Coming!

Mark your calendars 4X4 and outdoor enthusiasts, the National 4X4 Outdoors Show is rolling back into Brisbane from March 14-16, 2025, at the Brisbane Showgrounds! This is Australia’s biggest and…

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Government Bans Access to Lake Eyre

In yet another example of creeping government restrictions keeping everyday Australians out of their own backyard, recreational access to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre has been banned under a new management plan.…

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A Luxury Resort in the Bungle Bungles?

A proposed eco-resort in Purnululu National Park, home to the iconic Bungle Bungles, has sparked a fresh round of debate. The West Australian government has given the green light for…

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Wildtrak X Returns, But Is It A Winner?

The Ranger Wildtrak X is back for 2025, bringing enhanced off-road capability, unique styling, and practical features designed to make life easier both on and off the beaten track. With only 750…

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The 20 Year Plan to Hand Over 10% of NSW

Big changes are coming to National Parks across NSW, with the state government looking to transfer ownership of every single park, 10% of NSW to traditional landowners over the next…

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ARB Newcastle Grand Opening

If you’re serious about tough 4X4ing, touring, or just getting your 4X4 dialled in for adventure, then ARB Newcastle’s Grand Opening is where you need to be. Mark your calendar,…

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Are Salties Moving South?

If you’ve ever taken your 4X4 for a run up the beach at Inskip, Fraser Island (K’gari), or any of Queensland’s sand islands, you probably haven’t spent too much time…

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Live the Outback Dream: Manage the Birdsville Tourist Park

Ever fancied swapping city lights for the starry skies of the Australian Outback? Here’s your golden ticket. The Diamantina Shire Council is on the lookout for a dynamic individual or…

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Pressure Grows to Hold National Parks Accountable

Do you remember the 4X4 tracks you grew up on—the ones where you learned how to pick a line, navigate ruts, and conquer that first nerve-wracking river crossing? For a…

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SA Government Bans Camping on Wauraltee Beach

The South Australian government has announced new restrictions for Wauraltee Beach on the Yorke Peninsula, banning overnight camping and large camping vehicles starting February 3, 2025. These measures, part of…

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Ranger Raptor North Edition: The Everyday Sleigh For Santa

In a move equal parts mischievous and merry, Ford has teased out concept sketches of what could be described as the world’s first “everyday sleigh.” Dubbed the Ranger Raptor North…

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From Desert to Coastline: Pat Reaches the Pilbara

On the next episode of Pat Callinan’s 4×4 Adventures Pat and the crew finish their epic desert crossing and finally lay eyes on the pristine waters of WA. This week’s…

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Amazon Enters the Outback Internet Fight with Starlink Rivalry

Amazon is gearing up to shake things up in the world of satellite internet, announcing that Australia will be one of the first countries to access its ambitious Project Kuiper.…

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Could 4X4s Be Next Under South Australia’s New Licensing Laws?

Drivers in South Australia are now required to obtain a special U-Class license to operate ultra high-powered vehicles (UHPVs). It’s a move that has stirred discussions among motoring enthusiasts. While…

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Pat takes on the most remote 4X4 track in the world

If you tuned into last week’s Pat Callinan’s 4×4 Adventures, you already know Season 17 started with an absolute ripper. The crew tackled the iconic Oodnadatta Track, with Pat, Jess, Leanna, and…

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The Internet Is Terrified Of Swimming… Is It For Good Reason?

A recent photo of a warning sign about amoebic meningitis has exploded on Reddit, leaving thousands rattled about this lesser-known yet potentially deadly danger lurking in some of Australia’s waterholes.…

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Billy Goat Bluff Gets Graded: What You Need to Know

Billy Goat Bluff Track is one of the High Country’s most iconic 4X4 challenges, and for good reason. With its punishing 27% gradient and a relentless 1200-metre climb over just…

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Government Red Tape Stops 4X4ers Getting Trained Up

Beach driving – it’s what every 4X4er dreams of, right? But if you’re a newbie keen to learn how to do it properly without getting bogged or worse, good luck.…

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WA’s Speed Limit Shake-Up: What It Means for Outback Travel

If you’re planning your next big 4×4 adventure in Western Australia, there’s a potential shake-up on the horizon that could impact your travel plans. A proposal is on the table…

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Pat Callinan’s 4×4 Adventures Season 17 Trailer Drops!

Hold onto your hats, folks—Season 17 of Pat Callinan’s 4×4 Adventures is on the horizon, and this is shaping up to be one of the biggest seasons ever. We’re talking coastlines, deserts,…

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What the end of the 3G Network Means for 4X4ers

As of last week, Australia’s major telecommunications companies have officially retired their 3G networks. The shutdown is part of a planned shift to focus on 4G and 5G technologies, offering…

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Pat’s F-150 – Project Thirst Responder hits the outback

Everyone has that one vehicle they’ve always dreamed of owning, but for Pat Callinan, it’s been more than just a fantasy. Ever since he was a kid playing with a…

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Come and say G’day at the Canberra Caravan Show

If you’re a 4X4er or just love the thrill of exploring Australia’s stunning landscapes, mark your calendars for the 2024 Canberra Caravan Camping Lifestyle Expo this weekend. It’s all going…

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