Paul Toole, NSW Minister and the local member for Bathurst, recently announced that work has commenced to repair the historic convict-built Bridle Track between Bathurst and Hill End, NSW.

A rockfall along the Bridle Track at Monaghans Bluff occurred in 2010, causing significant damage and making the track impassable.

A detour along the Root Hog Fire Trail was implemented but this was blocked on several occasions as it ran through private property. In a recent interview, Paul Toole told Prime 7 that three properties have been acquired to allow the corridor to be reopened.

As reported on mr4x4.com.au in 2018, Paul Toole announced that the NSW State Government would support the Bathurst Regional Council in reopening the Bridle Track with a $2 million investment and now, almost 11 years after the rockfall first occurred, works have finally commenced to effect those repairs. The works will see a 2km detour around the top of the escarpment near the damaged section of track.

With plenty of great camping spots beside the Macquarie River, the reopening of the Bridle Track will be great news for four-wheel drivers, anglers, riders campers and adventurers, as well as the residents and business owners in the historic gold-mining town of Hill End.

It is expected that the works will be completed to repair the Bridle Track in around 12 months.

As always, we’ll keep you posted on any updates and when the new repaired part of the track has been opened.

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Coming off the back of their announcement late last year that they were pressing hard into releasing accessories for the new Mazda BT-50, TJM has just launched its new Outback bull bar, Rear Step Tow Bar and modular sidebars. The Outback bull bar has been long awaited for the new BT-50 which shares the same platform as the all-new Isuzu D-MAX that was launched recently.

The new bar features 63mm tubing, rolled cato straps, and a multi-fold channel that’s been strategically pressed and folded to maximise the new bars impact strength. The new bar is made entirely from steel and has been built to be winch compatible. The winch frame for the bar also includes a pair of 8000kg rated recovery points as well, for use recovering a mate.

The new TJM Rear Step Tow Bars, which are scheduled to go on sale in early March 2021, adds protection to the sides and sills of the BT-50, carrying over the same 63mm steel tube. This has been mated with alloy treadplate and includes T-slots for recovery jack points, and meets Heavy Duty Class 4 tow bar standards so you can tow heavier trailers, such as campers and caravans without issue.

TJM has also gone on to indicate that even more options will be available for the new Mazda BT-50 offering more products for those who have purchased the new Mazda BT-50.

The current range for the new Mazda BT-50 available to order in-store now includes:

• TJM Outback bull bar
• TJM Side Bars and TJM Side Steps
• TJM Underbody Guards
• TJM Rear Step Tow Bar (arriving early March)
• XGS Suspension
• Aeroklas Stylish Canopy
• Aeroklas Ute Bed Liner
• Aeroklas Roof Racks
• Aeroklas Drawers

For more information, see www.tjm.com.au

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Words & photos: Glenn Marshall

Mr4x4 freelancer Gary Tischer reckons Brisbane is ‘the best place to live if your passion is heading bush in your 4WD’. Well, I beg to differ. In fact, I believe that Melbourne is the mecca for the best four-wheel driving tracks, so here are the Top 5 4X4 Trips less than 100km from the metropolis they call Melbourne, where the bureaucrats sip their lattés and close our tracks with their poison pens. We have tracks that are scarily steep, covered in sticky black mud, slippery red clay and diff-cracking rocks, and water crossings that can turn your fan blades into radiator-slashing weapons. If you haven’t discovered what’s in your own backyard, it’s time you did before all the tracks are closed.

MOUNT DISAPPOINTMENT (@ 54km as the crow flies)

When Hume and Hovell arrived at Mount Disappointment, they expected to see Port Phillip Bay. They couldn’t (due to tall trees), so they named the landmark after how they felt. The State Forest is disappointing in name only and is home to some great off-road driving on numerous 4X4 and forest tracks. The best access is from Heathcote Junction via the Hume Freeway – get off at the Wandong-Kilmore exit (C279). North Mountain Road will take you into the heart of the State Park.

Mount Disappointment is ideal for a day trip, or even better, a weekend getaway. The best tracks are seasonally closed and good rains improve the look of Strath Creek Falls. There’s still plenty of evidence of the 2009 Black Saturday fires (especially along Board Road, where old growth trees have faded grey, killed by the heat of the fire). It’s a challenging drive up the rocky Phone Track from the junction with Phosphate Track; and Quarry Road isn’t for the faint-hearted.

There are a couple of campsites – Regular Camp and No.1 Camp (with pit toilets and tables) – but No.1 Camp is better suited to groups, caravans and camper trailers. Whilst you can’t drive to the summit, you can tackle the 3.5km return walk from the Blairs Hut picnic area.

YARRA STATE FOREST (@ 76km as the crow flies)

I learnt the demands of driving a 4X4 on the tracks of the Yarra State Forest near Warburton. A lot has changed since then, but there are still some awesome tracks just waiting to test you. The area is still used to harvest Mountain Ash, so be aware that you may meet log trucks along any of the forest roads and they have right-of-way.

To get there, take the Warburton Highway to Yarra Junction and then continue to Warburton or take a right and visit the old timber settlement of Powelltown. From here you can take several tracks back to Warburton. From this side you may also chance upon logging equipment from days gone by, and view the Ada Tree – a giant Mountain Ash estimated to be over 300-years old.

The challenge is to tackle Mississippi Track – an extremely steep track that leads from Starling Gap down to Big Pats Creek in East Warburton. In the dry it is a great drive. In the wet, the clay becomes slippery and dangerous. Having driven it in the wet, I can confirm it is a real butt-clencher. But the biggest danger would have to be the Drop Bears! I guarantee you, they are here!

WOMBAT STATE FOREST/LERDERDERG STATE PARK (@ 70km as the crow flies)

Gold lured people into the region before logging took over, with Blackwood a favourite for furniture makers. Now, Wombat State Forest and Lerderderg State Park are popular with four-wheel drivers. The tracks rate from easy to downright ludicrous. When it’s wet, the stakes are raised even higher.

There are several access points to Wombat – either via the Calder Highway to Woodend or the Western Highway to Blackwood. A lot of the tracks are old forest tracks from the logging days but what may start as a gravel road could turn into a tyre-spinning goat track.

A track that offers an amazing challenge is Ratcliffe Track that climbs from Firth Road up to Blue Gum Track. You will be tested, but then the reward is the magnificent views. Blue Gum Track is my favourite ‘finishing’ track, recommended to be driven north to south although you will come across vehicles heading in the opposite direction. Again, it’s the views that will take your breath away as you drive the ridgeline.

O’Briens Crossing has bugger-all camping, but Firth Park is larger and more suitable for camper trailers. Base yourself here and explore the region over a weekend. This’ll give you heaps of time to challenge your 4X4 skills. It will also give you time to enjoy a picnic at O’Briens or a top lunch at the Cosmopolitan in nearby Trentham.

TOOLANGI STATE FOREST (@ 65km as the crow flies)

Another of my old stomping grounds, Toolangi is close to being my favourite 4X4 region. With towering Mountain Ash, bog holes big enough to swallow your fourby and steep, off-camber tracks that will make your nose bleed, there is something for everyone at Toolangi.

The best jump-off point is off the Melba Highway 23km from Yarra Glen. You can turn right onto Rocky Track and drop your tyre pressures as you decide which line to take in climbing this epic route. Or the second option is to turn right onto Marginal Road 50m further along. The number of tracks that lead either from or to Marginal Road is more than I can count, so it is a good place to start.

Murrindini Reserve has a number of campgrounds ($7 per vehicle) and is a great place to base yourself. The weather can change quickly, so make sure you have recovery gear; you will need it.

BUNYIP STATE PARK (@ 66km as the crow flies)

Haven’t I had some fun at Bunyip State Park over the years? It has the stickiest orange clay, the deepest black mud and some places to really have some fun. This is my Number 1 4X4 destination close to Melbourne. Aboriginals believe that the ‘buneep’ or bunyip spirit lives in the waterways in the park, hence many Aboriginals and white settlers have avoided the area. Unfortunately, it hasn’t kept the poison pens away!

Access to Bunyip is from Gembrook in the east or Tynong North in the south. Once there, head to Black Snake Creek Road and find a track north to the powerlines. You can have hours of fun along some of the clay and rock sections here. Anderson Track will push you in the wet and Gentle Annie, Western and Bullock Link Tracks will have you reaching for the diff-locker switch.

While all 4X4 tracks are closed between mid-June and November, it still leaves heaps of time to really test out your vehicle, your driving skills and your recovery techniques.

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For those who don’t want fancy stuff like carpet in their 4X4 ute, the new Ford Ranger Tradie is based on the vinyl-floored Ranger XL 4X4 Double Cab Pick-Up, powered by Ford’s 3.2L five-cylinder turbo-diesel engine mated to a six-speed auto with part-time 4X4 system, two-speed transfer case and standard locking rear diff.

“Our 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel is proven in the marketplace and customers love the engine’s refinement, combined with its durable, workhorse nature,” Andrew Birkic, President and CEO, Ford Australia and New Zealand said., adding that Ranger had proved itself to be the right mix of capability, quality and value for many Australian customers.

In addition to the features found on the Ranger XL, the Tradie comes standard with extra gear including a genuine Ford black nudge bar, a Lumen 20.5-inch slimline LED light bar, unique 16-inch black alloy wheels, black side steps, a drop-in bed liner and a tow bar.

Other standard equipment on the Ranger Tradie includes Ford’s SYNC 3 with 8.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, bluetooth phone connectivity, FordPass Connect (for remote vehicle locking/unlocking/start via a smartphone) and autonomous emergency braking.

The Ranger Tradie is available in Arctic White or True Red, or for an additional $650 it’s available in the prestige colours Meteor Grey, Aluminium Silver, Blue Lightning or Shadow Black.

Like all Rangers, the Tradie is covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and it has long service intervals of  15,000km/12-months. A and B logbook services for the first four years/60,000km are set at a maximum of $299 per service.

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The vehicles being recalled include 242 Nissan D23 Navara models, that were built between June and July 2020.

According to the Safety Recall notice: “The steering knuckle bolts may not be sufficiently tightened, which can cause the steering knuckle, hub and the bearing assemblies to become detached. If the front knuckle bolts gradually loosen, vehicle occupants may experience noise and vibration. If the vehicle is driven in this condition, the four knuckle bolts may completely loosen, resulting in wheel detachment.”

The notice goes on to further point out the fairly obvious hazard that if the wheel detaches, “there is an increased risk of an accident that may result in injury or death of vehicle occupants and/or other road users”.

The vehicles in question were sold in Australia between 21 July 2020, and 11 December 2020. A full list of the affected VINs and further details can be found on the Product Safety Australia website here.

Owners of the impacted vehicles will be contacted by Nissan, however owners are able to contact Nissan Customer Service on 1800 035 035 between 8:30am and 6pm AEST Monday to Friday. Nissan has confirmed that replacement nuckle, hub and bearing assemblies are available for those vehicles impacted by the recall.

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According to the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, three people were injured and the much loved Two Storey Tibooburra Hotel at Tibooburra in the far north-west of New South Wales, in Corner Country, has been destroyed in an overnight fire. At the time of writing, emergency services were still on the scene, with hopefully more information to come soon.

The fire appears to have broken out at around 11:30 pm last night (Wednesday 10 February 2021), with reports that the hotel was well alight. Fire crews from the New South Wales Rural Fire Service attended (and remain on scene at 10:30 am this morning) however it is now being reported by the Barrier Police District that the hotel has been completely destroyed.

Two men, aged 27 and 51, have been lost to Adelaide by the Royal Flying Doctor Service in a serious but stable condition with burns to their face, body and hands. A third man, aged 74 has been flown to Broken Hill Hospital for treatment to serious lacerations and burns – he remains in a serious condition. Police officers from the Barrier Police District have attended the scene and established a crime scene with a Post Blast Investigator set to examine the scene later today. At this stage, the fire is not being treated as suspicious.

The hotel, which rests on the Silver City Highway between Broken Hill and Queensland has been a stop-off point for many a weary traveller over the past decades, offering a feed, refreshment and a warm bed if needed. Our thoughts are with Tracey and Craig, the staff and their families, and of course, the entire community.

As this is a developing story, we’ll bring more information to this article as more information comes to hand – Stay tuned.

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The closure of vehicular access to McBrides Beach is effective as of today, 9 February 2021, and involves the construction of a walking trail that has been in place since December 2020.

Initially, the McBrides Beach access track was ‘temporarily’ closed to vehicular traffic by the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) in November of 2020. This was done under the guise of work needing to be done to the track for safety reasons. At the time, many four-wheel drivers who had visited and enjoyed the area questioned the reasoning behind the track closure, and whether it would become a permanent closure, despite NPWS advising that this was only going to be a temporary closure, and that the access to McBrides Beach would be reopened as soon as possible.

In fact, the 4WD Association of NSW and ACT has confirmed that vehicular/four-wheel drive access was in the Plan of Management and as far as it was aware, access to the beach by four-wheel drives was to be maintained. It has now emerged, however, that the temporary-closure claims made by the NSW NPWS were false.

The attached screen grabs (above) outline the NSW NPWS plan for the area, and it now appears to us that vehicular access to McBrides Beach was never a part of that plan, even as far back as when the access track was first closed in November 2020.

Hit this link for an article on Environment NSW’s website where Kylie Yeend (the NSW NPWS Hunter Central Coast Director) stated as far back as 5 November 2020, “The new 560-metre walking track will maximise accessibility to McBrides Beach for day visitors wishing to swim, fish or picnic at this gorgeous spot.”  This statement suggests that, despite claiming to be in consultation with various four-wheel drive groups regarding maintaining vehicular access to the beach, the decision to close that access was made well before the consultation period.

For those wishing to have their voices heard regarding yet another stunning area being closed off to four-wheel drivers, feel free to get in contact with the NPWS here:

NPWS Manning Great Lakes office on (02) 6591 0300.

We reckon a phone call and a conversation as to why McBrides Beach has been closed off to four-wheel drivers would be a good start. Especially as the NPWS claims to be making the area more accessible and more inclusive for everyone; except, it seems, for those who are genuinely not able to walk the 560-metres down to the beach (think anyone who is not a fit bushwalker with a backpack). Bureaucracy at its finest!

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Despite plenty of misinformation and downright clickbait articles being published over the last year or more, these photos clearly show a heavily disguised 300 Series LandCruiser (LC300), which we’ve been told is due to be revealed to Toyota dealers in the next month or so, and should be on sale before the end of the year.

Appearing on www.autospot.ru the images of the 300 Series LandCruiser reveal some interesting gear including an updated interior with a large infotainment screen, new climate control switchgear and a suite of new buttons and configurations. The new Cruiser appears to maintain its current high- and low-range functionality, with DAC (Downhill Assist Control), CRAWL mode, as well as different mode-selection buttons to suit different terrain types. It also has a centre differential lock and Turn Assist, which assists cornering performance in accordance with steering operation when driving through a tight corner.

There are no visible switches for front or rear differential locks, and on the vehicle photographed there’s a large blank panel beneath the CD slot. The JBL logo next to the CD player suggests that this particular vehicle is a high-grade example, such as a VX or Sahara. Also of note is the Qi logo to the right of the shifter assembly, which shows that the vehicle will come standard with wireless charging capability for mobile devices.

Autospot.ru added that the vehicle was equipped with a driver’s fingerprint identification system for vehicle lock/unlock functions, starting and to remember vehicle settings like seat position and HVAC setting. The vehicle is also fitted with an electronic park brake.

Exterior styling is still somewhat of a mystery as the vehicle was completely covered with opaque fabric, nevertheless, new LED optics are visible for the headlights and there’s an obviously large radiator grille.

The Russian website said the vehicle photographed was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 with twin-turbocharging. Other than that, we refer you to the story we published on Unsealed 4X4 yesterday on the LC300; we’re just going to have to wait a bit longer for concrete details.

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Dual-cab ute owners wanting ARB BASE Rack Cab Racks for their vehicles will be happy to know there are now options available to suit the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-MAX and Mazda BT-50.

The ARB BASE Rack features a fully welded extruded aluminium design with beams that run the width of the vehicle. ARB claims the design of the aluminium BASE Rack provides the strength of steel racks at a fraction of the weight. In addition, due to the strength in the cross beams, ARB says there is no requirement for a sub-frame, which allows the rack to be mounted as low as possible to the roof of the vehicle, providing a sleek and integrated appearance that suits the vehicle.

The BASE Rack features a clever dovetail accessory mounting system; this is essentially a groove that can be found on both sides of each lateral cross beam, as well around the external perimeter beams, and it accommodates a wide range of clamp mounts designed specifically to attach to the dovetail for easy fitment of various accessories.

The dovetail system allows for quick and easy attachment of the clamp mounts without having to relocate other cargo that might already be mounted to the BASE Rack. The side mounting profile also provides full use of the beams’ top surface and allows the beams to support cargo without worrying about protruding tie-down points.

ARB adds that its wide range of accessories makes fitting cargo to the BASE Rack more efficient, saving time and effort during the packing process, as each accessory can be placed wherever you need in the moment. Accessories include awning brackets, light bar, wind deflector, Hi-Lift jack holder, recovery board holder, roller kit, jerry can holders, tie-downs, T-slot adaptors and more.

The BASE Rack Cab Racks measure 1255mm long x 1255mm wide and they weigh approximately 14.3kg. The new mounting kits are available to suit HiLux (2005-2015 and 2015+); Ranger (2011+); D-MAX (2020+); and BT-50 (2020+).

The BASE Rack can now also be fitted to the ARB Sportlid V (see below). Check out the ARB website for more details.

RRP: From $1125

Website: ARB BASE Rack

Photos: ARB

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General Motors (GM) has become the first big U.S. vehicle manufacturer to effectively scrap fossil-fuelled vehicles such as the Silverado 1500, confirming earlier in the week that it is making the move to electric vehicles only, in its car, SUV and truck (light-duty) markets. According to a report in the Washington Post, GM has confirmed this will happen before 2035, making the company the next major auto manufacturer to join the likes of Toyota with a carbon-neutral standpoint by putting an end to fossil-fuelled vehicles by that year.

A GM executive, who asked for anonymity to describe details of the GM shift, said that the company would spend $US27 billion on electric vehicles and associated products between 2020 and 2025, outstripping spending on conventional gasoline and diesel cars. That figure includes refurbishing factories and investing in battery production in conjunction with LG Chem, a South Korean battery maker.

It’s worth noting, at this stage there hasn’t been an official statement surrounding GM’s larger ‘trucks’, such as the Silverado HD, however with the setting of its ‘carbon neutral’ target of 2040, it will be interesting to see how GM manages that target. It should be noted that GM has allowed itself some ‘wiggle room’ in continuing with internal combustion engines (especially its diesel ‘heavy-duty’ options such as the Silverado HD), as the company has not ruled out using carbon offsets or credits “if absolutely necessary” to reach its carbon-neutral goal. What this means is that GM could invest in tree planting and the like, and still sell diesel and petrol-powered vehicles while remaining carbon neutral.

As this is a developing story, we will continue to keep it updated as more information comes to hand. We can, however, confirm that the Silverado (Light-Duty) will no longer be petrol- or diesel-powered beyond 2035, with an electric-only version set to replace it in coming years.

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