max*d Issue 19

ISUZU UTE AUSTRALIA | Issue 19

BACK TO THE

FUTURE

Classic lines meet modern muscle in the Watagans National Park

KAKADU

Your go-there guide

DINNER WITH THE STARS

Ultimate Outback drives

FARM HEROES Meet the Egans

THE NEW-LOOK

PUMPED-UP ISUZU D-MAX & MU-X

GO YOUR OWN WAY IN THE 3-LITRE, MORE TORQUE, 6-SPEED ISUZU D-MAX & MU-X The new-look, pumped-up Isuzu D-MAX and MU-X are stand out performers on or off-road. With the legendary Isuzu 3-litre turbo diesel engine, a beefed up 430Nm of torque and an intuitive 6-speed transmission across the range. Coupled with a Terrain Command 4WD system and outstanding towing capacity, the D-MAX and MU-X have everything you need to pump up any adventure. GO YOUR OWN WAY! Discover the pumped-up Isuzu D-MAX & MU-X at your Isuzu UTE Dealer or isuzuute.com.au

5-star ANCAP safety rating on all MU-X models and 4x4 D-MAX Crew Cab models built from November 2013 onwards and 4x2 D-MAX Crew Cab High Ride models built from November 2014 onwards. ^5 years/130,000km whichever occurs first, for eligible customers. Excludes trays and accessories. >The Capped Price Servicing Program (“CPS Program�) applies to Eligible Vehicles with a Warranty Start Date on or after 1/1/15 at Participating Isuzu UTE Dealers only. The 5 years Capped Price Servicing covers the first 5 Scheduled Services for 16.5MY and later vehicle models for up to 5 years/50,000km (whichever occurs first). CPS Program is subject to change. For full terms & conditions and current pricing visit isuzuute.com.au/service-plus.

Contents ISSUE 19

18

18 COVER STORY A 100th Year Limited Edition D-MAX X-RUNNER swaps tales with a classic 1965 Isuzu Wasp

REGULARS 04 READERS’ RIDES You’ve gone your own way—and bought the t-shirt. Now tell us about it

06 NEWS The 2017 Rugby League World Cup, 100,000 sales and … satisfaction!

09 WISHLIST A comfortable camp chair is a godsend. Park your assets here

10 TECH HEAD Stuck in the mud or out in the dust, good 4WD citizenship is essential

14 INSIDE LINE

FEATURES 23 OUT OF THE BOX

Introducing the new 3.0-litre Euro 5 engine—made just for Australia

Meet Birdsville policeman, Senior Constable Stephen Pursell, whose 240,000 square kilometre-beat is slightly larger than Great Britain

The max*d guide to Australia’s most soul-stirring Outback drives

34 THE LIST

26 TRAVELLER

38 HOOK, LINE ’N’ SINKER

Australia’s largest national park, Kakadu, is a paradise just waiting to be discovered—and explored—behind the wheel of your D-MAX or MU-X

Andrew and Nick chase their nemesis in New England: the mighty Murray cod

40 REFUEL MasterChef alumnus Ben Milbourne whips up fast lamb and slow pork

32 UNSUNG HEROES Brian and Nerida Egan lost their farm to drought. Now they run Aussie Helpers, a charity that comes to the rescue in the bush’s darkest hours

24

43 FLASHBACK Born in the ’60s, the classic Wasp was the first utility ever produced by Isuzu

Issue 19 |

max*d 1

Feel the excitement of life through the world of fishing

Welcome

to our latest issue of max*d magazine!

W

ell it is a very exciting time for us here at Isuzu UTE with the recent launch of our new-look, ‘pumped-up’ D-MAX and MU-X. We have worked hard to continuously improve our products and the latest developments such as our new Euro5 engine with increased torque and fuel economy, new six-speed transmissions and newly designed interior in the MU-X herald a new and energising future for Isuzu UTE products.

It is always our intention to make our products fit for the purpose of your needs and expectations, and thanks to your feedback, we now have vehicles that have significant features—both in design and engineering—unique to the Australian market. In addition, we have also upgraded our aftersales experience, with Service Plus 555 now including five years' Capped Price Servicing along with our five-year warranty and five years' roadside assistance. We hope you enjoy our new offerings.

As a testament to the reliability, durability and strength of our products, I am also proud to announce the achievement of our 100,000th vehicle sale here in Australia. Six years ago, when I first came to Australia, we celebrated 10,000 sales since the commencement of our brand here in 2008. At around that time we were selling only approximately 5,000 vehicles a year. Fast forward to now, and we are on target to sell 25,000 vehicles a year! Our stellar performance has also made Australia the number one Isuzu export market from Thailand for Isuzu Light

Commercial Vehicles (D-MAX and MU-X). Phenomenal growth and success that I can only attribute to you, our customers, and the great staff both here at Isuzu UTE Australia (IUA) and in our dealerships.

Since launch, our products have been endorsed with awards both here and internationally leaving no doubt they are capable performers—and this is backed by the positive feedback we receive from you who put our vehicles to the test in some very extreme conditions day-in, day-out.

Our exceptional customer satisfaction results reflect our philosophy to deliver you honest, reliable products that are not only fit for purpose, but exceed your expectations. I believe that if we can continue to deliver on our promises and respect your trust, our brand and service to you will continue to go from strength to strength.

Finally—and sadly—I would like to take this opportunity to say farewell and announce a change of Managing

Director here at IUA. After six years at the helm, I have received a new assignment back in Tokyo. My successor, Mr. Hironobu (Hiro) Kuramoto, has vast experience in every facet of the automotive business so I am confident you will be in good hands. Thank you for all of your support during my time here in this wonderful country.

I hope you enjoy this issue of max*d Magazine and wish you all safe and happy adventures!

Yasu Takeuchi Managing Director & CEO Isuzu UTE Australia

Issue 19 |

max*d 3

ON THE GO!

READERS’ RIDES

D-MAX and MU-X owners tend to get around. Tell us where you’ve been, and win!

CHRIS, SHANNON AND SAMSON SCHAPEL Lives: Enfield, SA Drives: 2016 MU-X 4x4 LS-T “In the first three months we had her, we gave our new MU-X a real workout, towing our camper trailer around South Australia to places like Lake Eyre and the Flinders Ranges.

Then, over New Year’s, we visited the Victorian High Country and tackled some really gnarly trails like the Blue Rag Range Track. In fact, this picture was taken at Blue Rag Trig, 1750m above sea level. We love how the MU-X doesn’t flaunt an array of buttons to turn stuff on and off, it just does what it needs to do, when you need it to do it. Later this year we’ll be crossing the Simpson Desert, as well as travelling to Tasmania and the Eyre Peninsula. We can’t wait!”

PETER MORRISON Lives: Wodonga, VIC Drives: 2016 Isuzu D-MAX 4x4 LS-M

“When the gearbox bearings gave way in the old ute, the time had come for a new work truck. I test drove every brand under the sun, eventually deciding on the Isuzu D-MAX. It was the best decision we have ever made! It’s a work vehicle, so it’s required to get all around the farm, which means going into, out of and over places that are hilly and rocky, in all conditions, as well as pulling out of tight spots in low gear. It manages to do all of that and more without a fuss—the downhill control works a treat, too. It’s also comfortable enough to take to town. So comfortable in fact, that it quickly became the preferred vehicle for every trip and our other car now stays in the carport permanently. We couldn’t be happier and I’d thoroughly recommend D-MAX to anyone!”

4 max*d

| Issue 19

DEBRA FAULKNER Lives: Marlo, VIC / Drives: 2016 Izusu D-MAX 4x4 SX “I bought my D-MAX at the end of August and have been learning to drive off-road in the Cape Conran Coastal Park and the Snowy River National Park under the instruction of my partner. I like off-roading because it’s a bit different. It makes you think about speed and when to brake and not to brake and when to be in high- or low-range. I love the challenge. My partner has thrown around the idea of going up to Cape York and he’s shown me a lot of videos of people getting stuck in waterholes, haha! He needs to teach me a lot more first!”

STEPHEN RONDINELLI

Lives: Reservoir, VIC Drives: 2015 D-MAX 4x4 LS-M “From the dunes of Western Australia to the rolling hills of the Victorian high country, my D-MAX has been there and done that! I lived in Perth for a few months and enjoyed beach driving on sand dunes, like at Lancelin. Since moving back to Melbourne, I’ve taken trips to the high country to hunt and camp. I love getting to places where other people can’t; getting out and seeing parts of Australia that you don’t normally see. I’m planning a week-long trip to Tasmania this winter. With a year of ownership under her belt, my D-MAX is looking promising for many more reliable years of service on the front line of mud, sand and boat ramps!”

GARY AND MARILYN THORNTON Lives: Langwarrin, VIC Drives: Isuzu D-MAX 4x4 LS-T

“‘Like a bloody dream, mate!’ That’s our response to the question we’re asked whenever we sit down for drinks in the afternoon: ‘How does she tow?’.

No sooner had we married up the D-MAX to our dream 23-foot caravan then we’d hit the road, and nothing by halves for the maiden voyage, either.

We embarked on a lazy two-month trip from our base near Frankston, in Victoria, all the way up to Port Douglas in Far North Queensland, confident in the knowledge that with ESC, ABS and other features, including Sat-Nav, our mighty Maxie was up for any challenge!

WANT TO SCORE A $50 CALTEX FUEL CARD? Send a high-resolution image with your VIN, name, contact details, town and model of your D-MAX or MU-X, plus a 100-word blurb, to maxd@iua.net.au. Disclaimer: Non-genuine aftermarket accessories and modifications are not recommended or endorsed by Isuzu UTE Australia. For detailed info on ‘what is’ and ‘what is not’ covered by the Manufacturer’s Warranty please refer to the Warranty and Service Booklet.

Issue 19 |

max*d 5

PUBLISHER Isuzu UTE Australia Pty Ltd ISUZU UTE AUSTRALIA MANAGING EDITORS Dave Harding, Cody Harland EDITOR Ben Smithurst ben.smithurst@edge.agency HEAD OF CONTENT Nick Snelling SUB-EDITOR Michael Ryan ART DIRECTOR Guy Pendlebury ACCOUNT MANAGER Emma Rogers ADVERTISING SALES Chris Waite chris.waite@edge.agency MANAGING PARTNERS Fergus Stoddart, Richard Parker

max*d is published on behalf of Isuzu UTE Australia Pty Ltd by

Isuzu UTE ‘Pumps Up’ its I-VENTURE Club program Launched two years ago, the I-VENTURE Club has now delivered expert 4x4 training and knowledge to 1179 customers at 67 events across the country. The program spans some of the most exciting and challenging off-road destinations in Australia, such as Queensland’s Moreton Island, South Australia’s Flinders Ranges and the Lancelin Sand Dunes in Western Australia. It’s even hosted a couple of marriage proposals along the way!

Several of IUA’s dealers are now also conducting their own I-VENTURE Club days to help meet growing demand, with IUA planning to see almost 1000 new customers attend events in 2017.

The majority of I-VENTURE Club events are conducted over the course of a day, with several longer 3–4 day excursions planned in 2017 to iconic locations such as Queensland’s Fraser Island and Western Australia’s Margaret River region.

At the heart of the I-VENTURE Club is our dedicated website which has received over 60,000 visitors in the past year. It’s your go-to portal to find and register for upcoming events, and also features a library of 4x4 video tips, travel and feature articles from Isuzu UTE Australia and our partners, plus extensive galleries of images from past events.

Equipped for the 2017 journey is a new fleet of I-VENTURE Club vehicles based on our new 17MY models—both D-MAX & MU-X—all kitted out with a range of genuine Isuzu UTE accessories.

We’d love you to join us! ventureclub.com.au

Level 4, 10–14 Waterloo Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010 Phone: +61 2 8962 2600 edge.agency

Disclaimer: The information included in this magazine is intended for interest only. The opinions and views expressed in this magazine are provided in the writers’ personal capacities and are their sole responsibility. Their publication does not imply that they represent the views or opinions of Isuzu UTE Australia or Edge and must neither be regarded as constituting advice on any matter nor be interpreted as such. The reproduction of advertisements in this publication does not in any way imply endorsement by Isuzu UTE Australia or Edge of products or services referred to therein. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. A selection of the images featured in this publication has been sourced from Getty Images and Thinkstock Images. Business Essentials trading as Edge ABN 22 062 493 869.

max*d magazine is proudly printed in Australia using renewable resources.

Hanno Gloss is an FSC Mixed Sources Certified paper, which ensures that all virgin pulp is derived from well-managed forests and controlled sources. It contains elemental chlorine-free bleached pulp and is manufactured by an ISO 14001 certified mill.

SGS-COC-003898

6 max*d

| Issue 19

Celebrating 100,000 local sales As Isuzu celebrated its 100th anniversary from the brand’s international base in Japan, Isuzu UTE Australia (IUA) was recognising its own major milestone in April.

The Brisbane-based distributor has experienced phenomenal growth in its short tenure, and has just posted 100,000 cumulative unit sales of its one-tonne D-MAX ute and seven-seat MU-X SUV since arriving in the country in 2008.

As an illustration of IUA’s exponentially rapid rise, it took two-and-a-half years for the first 10,000 Isuzu UTE vehicles to be sold following that Australian debut in the late Noughties, but less than six months to post the most recent 10,000 sales. IUA has now posted double-digit local sales growth for an incredible eight consecutive years.

In unison with its sales success, IUA’s dealership network has also expanded—from an original 39 dealers in 2008 to a group of over 130 outlets across the country today.

NEWS

Rugby League World Cup 2017 unveils Isuzu UTE as major partner The ultimate international rugby league event, the 2017 Rugby League World Cup (RLWC2017), is delighted to announce Isuzu UTE Australia as the Official Automotive Partner. This year’s tournament will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, with three pool matches in Papua New Guinea, from 27 October–2 December 2017.

As the Official Automotive Partner of the RLWC2017, Isuzu UTE Australia will receive brand integration through virtual on-field, LED and in-stadium branding during all matches played in locally and across the ditch.

The popular Isuzu UTE Iron Summit activation, currently seen at major shows, field days and trade fairs, will appear at both the RLWC2017 semi-final and final at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, giving fans the opportunity to experience the sensation of seeing a stock Isuzu D-MAX conquer the steepest 4WD testing ramp in the world.

At the end of the tournament, one lucky fan will drive away in a new Isuzu D-MAX, having entered the RLWC2017 and Isuzu D-MAX Memorable Moments competition.

Supporters will be encouraged to vote for their favourite Rugby League World Cup moment at the RLWC2017 website (rlwc2017.com) and via various digital activities and community activations held throughout the event.

The RLWC2017 will feature 14 teams, contesting 28 games, in 13 cities over five weeks.

The tournament will be the biggest event in the region during 2017, with an estimated event record of 450,000 fans expected to attend.

The Offroad Adventure Show back in 2017!

Currently on the road—and more importantly, off it—the crew at The Offroad Adventure Show is gearing up for another big season, capturing footage in some of Australia’s most amazing locations in their trusty MU-X. For three years now, the knockabout team of Rick, Starlo and Jamie have been ‘going their own way’ in their all-access Isuzu 4WD and sharing tips, tricks and trivia to help you make the most of your next adventure away from the blacktop. They’re living proof that if you’re a good bloke with even better advice, you needn’t be a male model to carve out a TV career!

Joining the team this year is a second D-MAX—an all-new camera car—fully kitted-out to take the intrepid trio to places the competition can only imagine visiting! The Offroad Adventure Show will return to Channel Ten in October.

Satisfaction guaranteed (again) Isuzu UTE Australia (IUA) has once again had its excellent product reliability and after-sales service claims recognised by the Roy Morgan Customer Satisfaction Awards, placing second behind eventual winner Lexus as Car Manufacturer of the Year. This is the second year running that IUA has been runner-up in one of the industry’s most sought-after gongs.

Roy Morgan Research, Australia’s largest independent research company, and one of the world’s most respected, has been measuring Customer Satisfaction for many years. Its ratings are generated from ongoing Single Source surveys that compile feedback from over 50,000 consumers.

In what became a two-horse race, IUA and Lexus were the only manufacturers to score individual monthly wins in the highly coveted awards.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM

If you want to keep up with all things Isuzu UTE, make sure you’re following us on our social pages! facebook.com/isuzuute Instagram: @isuzuute_aus

Issue 19 |

max*d 7

NEWS

THE REVIEWS

ARE IN! THE NEW 17MY D-MAX and MU-X have finally landed—and are already attracting some great reviews from the country’s automotive media. Launched earlier this year at separate events, the new 2017 models herald the introduction of our new Euro5 compliant powerplant (see Inside Line on page 14 for more info on this), new six-speed transmissions, and some very suave interior and exterior styling updates. But don’t take our word for it—here’s what some of Australia’s motoring experts are saying about our new D-MAX and MU-X …

New-look, ‘PumpedUp’ D-MAX and MU-X excite Australia’s motoring press “We’re glad Isuzu has stuck with the highercapacity diesel engine, as this means more effortless power off-boost and better realworld fuel economy since the engine doesn’t struggle as much as some of the rivals.

Off-road the MU-X shows its prowess with low-range gearing teaming up very well with the engine’s new-found torque.”

—PerformanceDrive.com.au

“Like the D-MAX, the 3.0L turbo diesel engine has been updated, torque now comes on sooner and harder with 430Nm available from 1,700–3500rpm. We had the opportunity to tow a 3-tonne caravan, and you can absolutely notice the difference in power delivery over the previous MU-X.”—Unsealed 4X4

“You have to admire any brand that dives head-first into a crowded, established market. That’s what Isuzu UTE did here with its D-MAX in 2008 and MU-X in 2013. In the years since it’s steadily built a growing army of loyal customers—people devoted to a vehicle that’s quickly built a reputation for performance, dependability, and value.

These new models build on that solid platform, and this update represents a solid and worthy step forward for the brand.”—Carsales.com.au

“From behind the wheel the punchy turbo diesel engine hits the spot with its excellent pulling power from way down in the revs. Add in the mass of full cabin or a trailer on the tow bar, and it barely notices.

Away from the rough stuff and back on the highway, the upgraded engine impresses, with a feeling of more power across its rev range compared to the previous engine.”

—The Motor Report

“A heavy duty new engine developed for Australian conditions, plus tried and tested underpinnings, make it a smart pick.

A practical, comfortable piece of equipment.”

—CarsGuide.com.au

8 max*d

| Issue 19

“Underneath the D-MAX it’s all business and it remains the tough and capable off-roader that we’ve grown to admire.

That 4JJ1 turbo-diesel has plenty of character. It pulls strongly from standstill with little to none of the turbo-lag experienced when driving some of the smaller capacity competitors and when you need it there is plenty in reserve.”

—Loaded4x4.com.au

WISHLIST

by Michael Benn

KING OF THE CAMP SEATS

From the mightiest Pharaoh to the lowliest peasant, who doesn’t enjoy a good sit?

1

ARB

Air Locker Camp Chair

2

ARB was founded to produce Aussie 4WD accessories in 1975, but it wasn’t until 2009 that they decided to create camp chairs to suit their tough-as ethos. This bush throne is rated to 150kg, with durable nylon Oxford weave fabric, aluminium arm rests, and a robust steel alloy frame— useful if you’re caught up in a surprise Jerry Springerstyle chair fight. There are also handy pockets, including a drink holder, and a bag to tote its 4.5kg to and from the campsite.

Sturdy and comfortable.

RRP $65, arb.com.au

OZTRAIL

Sun Lounge Classic

3

From fully upright to fully reclined, Oztrail’s clever camp sling chair has a polyester fabric seat that is suspended from the frame by high-tension elastic cord.

What seems like a gimmick turns out to be a godsend, especially for those who like to doze beside a campfire in winter—or, at least, until you wake up at 4am, embers cold, with 4000 mosquito bites on your face. Beware if you’re carrying it any distance, though, or up and down hills—at a healthy 11kg, hefting its 19mm steel frame gets old, fast.

RRP $149.95, oztrail.com.au

EXPLORE PLANET EARTH Lava Heated Chair

4

Sadly not powered by actual lava, Explore Planet Earth’s buttock-nestler must be charged in order to provide warmth—but its USB-powered back-heating pad offers up to eight hours of kidney-grilling hotness.

With three USB ports, you can charge it as you go, while simultaneously topping up other items, such as your phone or torch. It tips the scales in almost 5kg, with a polyester seat and powder-coated steel frame, and is rated to 150kg.

RRP $139, Raysoutdoors.com.au

HELINOX Chair One

With a packed weight of just 960 grams—and a capacity of 145kg­—Helinox’s high-tech seat (pictured here without its optional $65 seat warmer accessory that slips over the top) is both slim and strong, like a UFC flyweight. It disassembles into a bunch of alloy poles, which are spring-loaded, with a central cord, like a collapsible tent pole. If you can forego such bells and whistles as drink holders and magazine pouches, the Chair One is hard to beat.

Just make sure it doesn’t blow over in the wind.

RRP $124, helinox.com.au

4

3

1 2

TECH HEAD

by David Wilson

Getting

unstuck

… and being a good 4WD citizen

10 max*d

| Issue 19

Last time we spoke we investigated a number of different self-retrieval methods for getting yourself out of a pickle. Just in case you’d forgotten, the number one preventative measure is always tyre pressure reduction. Do this and much of the potential drama you’ll encounter will likely be less significant and what I’m about to tell you might not even be part of your future exploits.

So with tyre pressure reduced you’re sailing along a beach nicely and you come across a less fortunate soul who has done a pretty good job of digging themselves in. It’s time to help out.

If you have no gear and all you can employ is cunning, get the tyre pressure gauge out first and make the necessary adjustments. Head straight for 15psi/100kPa or lower and ask them to get their steering straight.

Beware enthusiastic amateurs Sometimes you’ll have another bunch of Good Samaritans on hand who’ll offer assistance in the form of a push. Nice thought, but it should be declined on two counts: 1) it’s unlikely to be successful because the grip the earth has on the vehicle will be greater than the force of a thousand able bodies, and 2) it’s dangerous!

In the heat of a retrieval safety considerations will be the first casualty.

People just get caught up in the moment and do stupid stuff. A back injury as you’re straining against the weight of the vehicle is nothing—in a worse case, someone pushing from the side can disappear under a spinning wheel! Don’t do it.

Instead, clear all the spectators out of the way and get stuck into coaching the driver about using LOW range in either first or reverse (or both in rapid

As the freshwater from inland pushes out across the beach it’ll carve a cleft in the sands. These ravines can be deep!

succession) and working with the gradient if there is one. With a gentle application of accelerator and maybe some rapid 45° leftright swings on the steering once there’s a hint of movement, the vehicle might just jump out of the hole (don’t forget to turn traction-control off).

Beach water crossings Staying with the beach theme, in places around the country where creeks make their way out to sea from an inland soak there’s another potential for disaster.

As the freshwater from inland pushes out across the beach it’ll carve a cleft in the sands. These ravines can be deep! A serious watercourse however will likely leave its channel all the way to the ocean in various degrees of depth and width.

Predicting when trouble is likely will be naturally linked to recent rainfall, a big dump hits the dune-fields, the moisture percolates through the sand into the aquifer beneath and hydraulics force it to the surface at a lower point or through a fissure in the bedrock. So if you’re venturing into a location for the first time, do some research on the internet and see if the location has this form of

Issue 19 |

max*d 11

TECH HEAD

Is there anywhere better to park than a washout where a creek meets the ocean? Answer: yes.

hazard and then you’re primed, ready for the challenge.

If the crossing has already had some action on it you can be reasonably secure in the knowledge it’s do-able, check the tracks in and out and maybe get out of the car and have a walk through if the water is approaching knee deep. What you’re looking for is a solid base and a flow that’s not knocking you off your feet.

Use of LOW range in situations like this might be advisable to bring control (a slower speed) and more torque to the table if things start getting a bit sluggish.

I’m a second gear guy for work like this, not too low a gear to induce wheelspin, yet good enough to get going at a desirable pace if required.

If you’re the first to this crossing you may have noticed the edges of the stream have formed a gutter-like step in the trail.

Once you’ve found where you’re going to cross you’ll be knocking the edge off that step and you want to know if you’ve

12 max*d

| Issue 19

got the clearance to do it. Remember the ramp-over angle (that’s the one measured between front and rear wheels to the lowest point in the middle of the vehicle) on utes isn’t as good as wagons, so if the deficit is too great you might end up stranded on your belly.

Think on your feet I came across a bloke once on Kangaroo Island who’d come undone exiting an inland camping site via a trail that crossed an innocent-looking puddle. I don’t think it helped that his tyre pressures were still mid-20s, but down she went, with the rear half of the vehicle resting on the chassis, stranded in super-hydrated sand quagmire that a number of vehicles had forded during the day without drama.

He’d made a start with his retrieval by unloading the camping gear from the tray and making the truck lighter.

I encouraged him to dump more tyre pressure as that always helps and

“If you are on the receiving end of some 4WD-kindness be gracious, and in the case of a serious event don’t forget the old bush law of offering something for their troubles. ” 12psi/85kPa I deemed to be the go.

Now here’s the interesting part. As I was watching his attempt to drive out more and more moisture was coming to the surface, liquefying the sand and holding him hostage to the situation.

The solution was nearby.

A colleague and I got to work on the shovels, digging out as much of the sloppy stuff ahead of the rear wheels as we could manage, before shovelling heaps of dry sand in its place. The

dry sand absorbed the immediate moisture. Our rear wheels just turning over at idle speed found the purchase necessary on our improvised ‘kittylitter’ to get some engagement and drive the vehicle out.

Sometimes lending a hand to a fellow traveller makes all the difference just because you can see from the outside. From the driver’s seat you can see where you want to go, but not necessarily the problem.

FOUR RULES TO LIVE BY Keep these tips in mind when heading out on your next adventure.

These may seem obvious, but it’s surprising how many people disregard one element of what most of us would think of as common courtesy—if not all four.

1

If you are on the receiving end of some 4WD-kindness be gracious and in the case of a serious event don’t forget the old bush law of offering something for their troubles. If you’ve got to rely on someone else and perhaps their gear too, it’s likely just cost you a carton—a pretty cheap get-out, really!

2

At day’s end and you’ve successfully negotiated the trail and found a nice campsite and there’s a few other travellers scattered about, don’t make yourself a fool and park on top of one of them. There’s a reason they are spread out, so they can feel their own bit of serenity and get away from the hubbub of suburbia.

I’ve had the ambience of brilliant campsites destroyed by interlopers overlapping my accommodation to the point where our guy-ropes are touching.

There might be safety in numbers, but most of us need our space.

3

If you’re planning on partying until the wee-small hours of the morning, get as far away from other campers as possible—and if it’s not possible, consider truncating your revelry. Boozy fireside 3am Khe Sahn singalongs can make enemies of even the hardiest Barnesy fan. Have some consideration for others.

4

For most people, getting bogged is irritating. Dave likes to do it on purpose.

Four-wheel-driving is all about the experience, getting to that unique location and from time to time you’ll come across others doing the same thing. You’d like to think that if you lent someone a hand, they’d repay that debt if someone else was in trouble.

Always set a good example so others learn from that behaviour.

Issue 19 |

max*d 13

INSIDE LINE

by Dave Harding

THE ROAD TO

EURO 5

Unique to Australia, the new 3.0-litre Euro 5 powerplant that drives our new ‘Pumped-Up’ D-MAX and MU-X is the result of years of research and development. This is how it was done …

F

aced with the challenge of meeting the Australian government’s strict new Euro 5 emissions policy without downsizing the much-loved 3.0-litre engine capacity, Isuzu’s engineers drew on the wealth of knowledge and development already undertaken by the company some years earlier.

Isuzu first introduced a Euro 5-compliant engine for Isuzu Trucks (Australia) in 2010. Then, in 2012, the 2.5-litre 4JK1 engine was released, having been engineered to comply with Euro 5 emission standards in Europe. Based on these experiences, Isuzu had the knowledge and experience to develop a clean and fuel-efficient engine with ‘high-flat torque performance’ that would bring practical ‘real world’ benefits to our customers.

With the Australian market being the largest export market for Isuzu and considering the very vocal request from Australian customers to maintain a larger capacity engine—rather than downsize, as some of our competitors have done— Isuzu started the project to develop the best possible drivetrain for D-MAX and

14 max*d

| Issue 19

MU-X to comply with Australian Euro 5 emissions standards.

The resulting Euro 5-compliant 3.0L 4JJ1 engine has been uniquely tailored to local demands and is a world first for Isuzu —it’s an engine developed purely for the Australian market.

To achieve this, Isuzu engineers studied the ‘real-world’ usage of Australian D-MAX and MU-X owners. This research group included both private and fleet customers who used their vehicles for a variety of different purposes, in varying conditions, across the country. As well as interviewing these customers to survey their opinions on their vehicle’s performance, the engineers also collected Driving Record Module (DRM) data to analyse their usage patterns to assist in the development of the new drivetrain.

After two years and more than 100,000km of extensive and exhaustive testing in real-world conditions, the new 3.0-litre drivetrain was delivered —along with a brand new family of six-speed transmissions.

While the maximum power of the Euro 5 emission-compliant 4JJ1-TC Hi engine

remains at 130kW, it produces more power at lower engine RPM than the current model engine.

Maximum torque has been increased to 430Nm—up a considerable 50Nm— with 380Nm of torque now available between 1700 and 3,500RPM. That’s 100RPM earlier that the outgoing engine, and continues until 700RPM further.

Essentially, Isuzu has increased the availability of useable torque, creating better engine and driving performance.

Earlier power delivery essentially means that the same engine RPM now provides more power, while the same torque can be generated at lower engine RPM. By producing more power, and more torque, at lower engine RPM, the new engine is both more fuel efficient and more frugal in terms of exhaust emissions. It’s a clever design that saves fuel, money, and the environment.

A new variable geometry turbocharger with intercooler and ultra-high pressure common-rail fuel injection, ensures precise and efficient fuel delivery, while a newly designed differential has also been introduced to handle the increase in

engine torque. With a new Aisin AWR6B45 6-Speed Automatic Transmission with ‘lock-up’ torque converter, drivers of the new D-MAX and MU-X are provided the most efficient gear selection to suit a wide variety of driving conditions, further improving fuel efficiency and lowering CO2 emissions.

That Aisin AWR6B45 6-Speed Automatic Transmission also incorporates the Slip Control System Lock-up Clutch (Lock-up Torque Converter), which raises transmission efficiency from the second to sixth gears—all gears except first and reverse—when a certain speed is reached, and improves fuel efficiency.

The lock-up clutch will be released when the accelerator pedal is pressed forcefully. This system provides increased transmission efficiency and fuel economy and automatically operates to reduce torque converter slip loss during moderate acceleration at low speed. At the same time, it increases the efficiency effects of engine fuel-cut while coasting.

Also on offer is a new six-speed manual transmission designed exclusively by Isuzu. It features ‘close ratio’ gears and ‘triple cone’ synchronizers to provide easier gear selection and extended

service life. The new six-speed manual transmission is also linked to a new Gear-Shift Indicator on the driver’s instrument panel which intelligently displays the recommended gear position for optimum fuel efficiency.

So, there you have it. A little insight into how our new ‘Pumped Up’ engine came to be and the new tech it employs to ensure Isuzu’s legendary durability and reliability lives on!

Yours to enjoy—wherever you drive across the Sunburnt Country.

Issue 19 |

max*d 15

COVER STORY

by Ben Smithurst

HIGHLY

EVOLVED Few utes are as rare— or have aged as well— as the 1960s Isuzu Wasp.

We took the brilliant Limited Edition D-MAX X-RUNNER to meet its ancestor in the Watagans National Park

16 max*d

| Issue 19

W

arren Gore’s tyre dealership sits among the big-block concrete, slab-sided shopping barns of the Lake Haven Centre on the NSW Central Coast—an honest and unromantic spot next to a Subway, a Centrelink and a Domino’s. It’s untroubled by architectural prissiness, which makes the gorgeous 1965 Isuzu Wasp in Warren’s forecourt stand out even more. Lovingly restored and glowing faintly with hundreds of hours of painstaking care, the tiny one-tonne utility—the first ute model in Isuzu’s history—looks even smaller crouched beside the hulking

magnificence of our 100th Year Limited Edition D-MAX X-RUNNER. The D-MAX is predictably tough, but the Wasp is, well, surprisingly beautiful.

Warren is an Isuzu guy, born into the brand—literally. His parents were fans of the rear-wheel-drive, subcompact Bellett sedan that debuted in 1963, starting the Isuzu Bellett Car Club in 1968. (They wrote to Japan for official permission; that club has since morphed into the Isuzu Car Club of Australia.) Baby Wazza was brought home from Nepean Hospital in a 1970 Isuzu Florian four-door sedan.

If anything, Warren’s passion has grown over the decades. His own 2014 D-MAX is

at home; as we roll in, the tyre man is very taken with the X-RUNNER’s red badging, gunmetal grey grille and special alloys. But it’s his Wasp we’ve come to see.

We want to see if we can identify any strands of Isuzu DNA that might link the two models: the trayback Wasp, with its 1500cc Bellett motor, quartet of drum brakes, bench seat and silky lines; and the tough, 430Nm, 3.0-litre turbodiesel X-RUNNER, with its creature comforts and its 4x4 Terrain Command system just begging you to leave the bitumen behind.

Wasps are extremely rare. Despite the worldwide export success of the Bellett, with over 170,000 made, only 122 Wasps

reached Australian shores. Most are now gone—in 2010, a search could account for just 22 remaining Wasps, not all of them roadworthy. By contrast, 600 100th Year Limited Edition D-MAX X-RUNNERS were released this year, almost all of which sold within a couple of months.

Warren is used to people gawping. Both his D-MAX and Wasp are working utes; the former for gruntier work, the latter for collecting the occasional load of tyres.

“There’s always someone driving up beside me, trying to take photos with his phone, or winding down the window at the lights to ask what it is,” he grins.

Fans have even jetted in from overseas.

“One guy came out from Japan,” says Warren. “He’d organised to see as many old Isuzus as he could when he was in Australia, because he owns a ’68 Bellett GT back home. He’d never even seen a Wasp in the metal. So he got out at the dealership and saw my brother’s 1965 Bellett sedan, and he was really happy with that—he thought that was why they’d brought him!

But then he saw the Wasp and he was just beside himself. He said, ‘Oh. OH! A WASP!” Apart from the odd tyre run, these days Warren’s Wasp mostly visits car shows and in recent years has spent about as much time off-roading as the Kardashians. But we’ve spent the morning plying the

Issue 19 |

max*d 17

COVER STORY X-RUNNER in the nearby Watagans National Park. It’s a varied wilderness criss-crossed by graded dirt and rugged fire trails; skyscraper stands of red cedar shading walkers on their way to the splendid Gap Creek Falls. D-MAX country.

The X-RUNNER has been in its element.

Ours is Silky Pearl White, one of two colour options (along with Cosmic Black), standing out boldly against the Watagans’ greenery after a month of rain. Its newlydeveloped Aisin six-speed automatic gearbox is effortlessly pliable, reversing camera and sensors alert to any obstacle in tight spots. Climate control cocoons us from the rising humidity as we squabble over iPod selections via the touchscreen display audio. It’s all very modern.

18 max*d

| Issue 19

The D-MAX has never been an ostentatiously ‘look-at-me’ proposition—it gives a sensibly wide berth to overly fussy exterior details or chavish styling.

It remains an unapologetically tough, no-nonsense ute, despite its modern conveniences—firmly sprung leaf springs enabling 3.5-tonne towing and a truly capable attitude once dubbed Isuzu’s ‘Spirit of Truck’. And so it’s gratifying that the X-RUNNER’s more youthful skew is deftly done—its signature side decals, subtle anniversary badges, black sports bar and exclusive gunmetal grey running boards display confidence without slipping towards pretention.

Those manners carry over to the inside.

Our Pearl White ride is quieter inside

the cabin than the previous generation, the intrusiveness of any diesel engine note diminished despite its go-anywhere avalanche of torque.

The Wasp is a different proposition, with its elegant restoration, burnt orange shine and estimated sub-800kg weight (it was last weighed with a heavier trayback fitted; Warren shows how he can shift its rear axle by hefting the trayback with both hands, “and I’m no gym junkie!”).

On the road, the vintage car is invigorating, providing punchy poke from an engine that’s half a century old, albeit issuing challenges—unfamiliar to modern cars—that its drum brakes struggle to meet under heavy anchors.

History intrudes elsewhere, too.

The 100th Year Limited Edition D-MAX X-RUNNER remains an unapologetically tough, no-nonsense ute, despite its modern conveniences.

Issue 19 |

max*d 19

Legends of the Outback MT35FP

Digital Platinum Series CHEST FRIDGE/FREEZER

• • • • • • • •

32L size (equivalent of 44 cans) User friendly digital controls World renowned Sawafuji Swing Motor Built in battery monitor Rugged steel casing, lid and handles Solid construction Auto-switching 240V AC/ 12-24V DC DC Power Consumption variable from 0.5 to 2.6 Amps max

For more information or your nearest stockist, visit www.engelaustralia.com.au or email info@engelaustralia.com.au

/EngelAustralia

/EngelAustralia

Below: Watagans—like many of our great National Parks—offers easy, graded access to most points. What better way to sniff about for something more challenging?

“You can do anything in the D-MAX, and want for nothing— and then there are the creature comforts!”

The reconditioned cabin is cramped, its jauntily-sprung bench seat dismissive of the concept of lateral support. Its steering is heavy in a way that the X-RUNNER is entirely alien to—even with the satisfying utilitarian heft of its brilliant, chunky steering wheel. Yet it’s a riot, breathing regular life into Warren’s childhood memories. (“My brother and I went to the race meets at Amaroo Park and Oran Park watching the guys race the Belletts around well before we even got our licenses!” he says. “It was good fun times back then!”)

Offroad is no longer the Wasp’s element and nor, it follows, is Watagans. Warren suggested the location, but on the gravel and around the mud, the Wasp inches along, each clank or rattle of a stone on the undercarriage prompting a reduction in pressure on the right pedal.

The X-RUNNER’s five-star ANCAP was a distant dream in the Wasp’s prime, a longgone age where crumple zones hadn’t even been invented yet by Comalco’s ‘Cash-forcans’, and steering columns were deadly.

“I’d like to say that I can feel some shared DNA between the two,” says Warren, “but they are chalk and cheese!

You can’t really compare the modern vehicle with its 53-year-old predecessor.

They’re worlds apart! You can do anything in the D-MAX, and want for nothing—and then there are the creature comforts!”

Warren’s right. Isuzu’s first ute and its 100th Year Limited Edition D-MAX X-RUNNER are poles apart. But even so, certain similarities remain.

Both are landmark models. Both do what all great designs do, putting function before form, then building in character.

Each has a fanbase built on those credentials, generating a cult following even among a popular, larger range—the Bellett and the D-MAX— that built, or is

building, greater success with each year.

And both inspire the sort of loyalty that is the envy of their rivals.

Ultimately, you needn’t be born into the brand to relish the Wasp’s lines, sculpted in an era before wind tunnels and ANCAP ratings. Nor must you experience the full offroad capabilities of the ultra-resilient X-RUNNER to appreciate its attitude.

Do you prefer the classic style of the Wasp, we ask Warren, as the sun dips below the treeline and paints both utes golden. “Oh, no,” he says. “I wouldn’t say that. I think they’re both beautiful.”

Issue 19 |

max*d 21

OUT OF THE BOX

by Stephen Corby

THE WORLD’S

BIGGEST BEAT Birdsville police officer Stephen Pursell is the only cop in an area larger than Britain

A

s a cop, being sent to see over a town with a population of just 115 souls sounds like a walk in the park, and a half-empty park at that. But when that town is Birdsville, your beat extends just a little beyond the handful of local streets. In fact, you’re responsible for a beat roughly the same size as the United Kingdom: 240,000 square kilometres.

Throw in the fact that the area is now visited by more than 50,000 tourists a year— not including the 10,000 who pile in for the weekend of madness that is the Birdsville Races—and it’s a big job for one cop.

Despite that, and a climate so hot you don’t need a stove to fry eggs, or your brain, Senior Constable Stephen Pursell, 52, jumped at the chance to take up the posting after the last incumbent, Neale McShane, packed it in after 10 years, and one book about his adventures: Outback Cop—The Colourful Life and Times of the Birdsville Policeman.

Big shoes to fill, then.

Why would anyway want to take on the most remote, and most exhausting, beat in Australia?

I started my career in Victoria, in some very busy stations like Dandenong, in Melbourne, with 100-plus officers. My last job before here was at the Sunshine Plaza on the Sunshine Coast. This was a chance to do something completely different.

Birdsville is just one of those iconic spots you just have to have a go at. Fortunately, my wife was willing as well.

What do you like about central Australia?

I fell in love with the Outback, just that nothingness. I love the sky out here, the colours in the morning and at night, the

brightness of the stars in all that absolute blackness. And to live out here, and get paid to look at that stuff, it’s pretty amazing. We really are the lucky country, and people forget that. Honestly, everyone should come out here and see it.

Is that why the tourist numbers are rising so rapidly?

I think the whole four-wheel-drive ute thing has really just taken off over the last five to 10 years particularly. There are more average punters, willing to get out here and have a go. It’s a good thing, because more people are around, but it’s also a bad thing, because there are more people than ever getting into trouble.

“I fell in love with the Outback, just that nothingness. I love the sky out here, the colours in the morning and at night”

Issue 19 |

max*d 23

OUT OF THE BOX

The previous Birdsville cop said that most of his job was rescuing idiots who’d put their lives in danger by driving off into an environment they didn’t understand. What is it that catches people out?

The two major things I do out there are road accidents and assisting people who break down and get stuck, and need to be recovered before things go badly. Mainly it’s just people not being prepared and a lack of knowledge.

People don’t understand the distances involved, and what is out here, which is nothing. There’s just nothing between places, and they don’t understand the heat.

We had 16 days in a row here recently over 40, and it doesn’t even cool down at night; it can be 38 degrees at midnight, you open your door and it’s like sticking your head in an oven. We actually fried an egg on the bonnet one day when it was nearly 50 degrees [the video went viral, clocking up 8.5 million hits on YouTube].

You need to be prepared.

People think ,‘”It’s only 300km to our next stop, that’s easy!” But out here you’re crossing up to 1000 sand dunes in that distance, you’re getting bogged, it’s hot.

24 max*d

Things go wrong when people don’t take enough water, or enough parts for their car if something goes wrong, and if you do get it wrong, you’ll die.

We have 50,000 people between April and September, so in that time you’ll probably see someone else within 24 hours, but at the start and end of the season you could be out there for a week and not see a single soul. A week of 50plus temperatures with no assistance, no lifeline and no water—that’s death.

Basically, if you haven’t got a satellite phone or an EPIRB, we’re going to struggle to find you. Fortunately, most people do have those these days, which is why my job is a lot easier, and less dangerous, than it was for the guy before me.

Do you ever get lonely?

The one piece of advice that [my predecessor] Neale McShane gave me was that you have to be independent, you have to be like Switzerland, the person anyone can approach, because if you’re seen to be favouring some people over others then it’s going to be a political nightmare before you know it.

“Basically, if you haven’t got a satellite phone or an EPIRB, we’re going to struggle to find you” How do you manage that?

You don’t make a lot of close friends, but you have to be friendly with everyone.

And the town has been very welcoming.

People come and go, though. They come out here, and I could have been no different, but you come out here for the romance and find yourself lonely and isolated—that happens a lot. And then you have the station owners and station hands, they’re just an amazing breed.

They’re living out there, 300km from the nearest neighbour, totally isolated and dealing with all sorts of issues on their own. It really takes a special person to make a go of it up here.

| Issue 19

Club

are you under-insured?

For too long, 4X4 enthusiasts have been forced to accept ridiculous valuations for their fourbys.

No one understands your enthusiasm for off-road touring like Club 4X4; and no one will cover your investment the way we do.

Bullbars, UHF radios, lift kits, rooftop tents, awnings and performance upgrades.

We get it, because we live it!

So don’t risk finding out the hard way, give us a call on 1800 CLUB 4X4 or get a quote online at www.club4x4.com.au

could you afford to rebuild your touring rig if it were to be total-lossed?

Visit CLUB4X4.COM.AU or call 1800 CLUB 4X4 for a quote

Insurance for 4X4 enthusiasts

Club 4x4 Pty Ltd is an Authorised Representative of the Insurer, The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd, AFSL 241436, AR No. 1235616. Any advice provided is general only and insurance coverage is subject to the policy terms and conditions. Standard underwriting criteria apply. Consider the PDS at www.club4x4.com.au to decide if this product suits your needs.

Club 4x4 UnderIndured PRINT SP BAUER-ADJ.indd 1

PROUD MEMBER OF

21/4/17 1:55 pm

TRAVELLER

by Marcus Craft

KAKA D

HOW TO DO:

Australia’s largest national park is one of the world’s greatest places—especially in a D-MAX or MU-X.

“I

t’s the one you don’t see that’ll get you,” the old bloke said with a wry, knowing smirk.

I wasn’t impressed. We were in Kakadu National Park’s Garnamarr campground and this gnarled Territorian was talking about crocs, but over the years, I’d heard variations of this warning uttered in various places about other threats: Zimbabwe (about lions), New Zealand (blind-side flankers) and Victoria (elaborately hidden speed cameras). The crusty old codger looked like a twisted leather strap that had been chewed up and spat out by a crocodile—probably because he tasted like he looked.

No, I wasn’t concerned about crocs.

There might be more than 10,000 of the toothy buggers in Kakadu, but surely if you use some common sense, listen to the locals and guides, obey the ‘Crocodile

26 max*d

| Issue 19

Safety’ signs and steer clear of trouble spots, you should be right. Surely.

Besides, there’s too much great stuff to see and do in Kakadu that you can’t let the risk of a 5m-long, 500kg, indestructible carnivorous dinosaur mistaking you for an afternoon snack ruin your trip.

Here’s our real-world guide to having a 4WD adventure in Kakadu.

WHEN TO GO Kakadu’s traditional Aboriginal owners actually observe six seasons up here, each identifiable by subtle changes in weather, fauna and flora, but for the purposes of 4WD tourers, simply keep these two in mind: the Dry and the Wet. Visitors can give Kakadu a nudge any time of year, but the Dry (April to October) is generally regarded as the

best time to visit. Most visitor sites are open and it’s easy to get around. The Wet (November to March) might cause you some problems as there are storms, flooding, and, at the very least, there can be a lot of tropical summer rain—falls of 1.5 metres in three months are not unheard of, hence the Wet moniker.

WHAT TO EXPECT Kakadu National Park is about 20,000 square kilometres of Top End adventure, where ancient escarpments and stone

Far Left: Looking down from Ubirr rock onto the Nadab floodplains; This image: Jim Jim Falls

A DU country melt into riverine and coastal floodplains.

It’s World Heritage listed for its cultural and natural importance, its jaw-dropping scenery, amazing wildlife and back-toyour-roots bushland. There are also Aboriginal paintings here that are up to 20,000 years old. In fact, Kakadu’s rock art constitutes “one of the longest historical records of any group of people in the world”, according to Parks Australia.

A trip here can be as cruisy or as hardcore as a visitor desires. Sure, there

are bitumen roads into the park—from the east, west and southwest—and many popular Kakadu spots can be accessed in a 2WD vehicle, but a 4WD offers visitors the best chance to see and experience most of everything here.

FOR THOSE SEEKING ADVENTURE Okay, we’re assuming you’ll be in a 4WD and driving into Kakadu from the west, from Darwin, about 133km away. Firstly, get off the bitumen as soon as possible.

Take a right off Arnhem Highway, just before the National Park proper, onto Old Jim Jim Road. This track is 4WD only and a nice start to any Kakadu trip. Bonus: there’s a campsite called Giya-mongkurr (Black Jungle Springs) about 60km along the track. There’s not much in the way of facilities there, but plenty of good oldschool camping to be enjoyed.

The track was in pretty good nick when we drove it, but remember to take vehicle-recovery gear (at the absolute least, a set of recovery tracks, such as

Issue 19 |

max*d 27

TRAVELLER

MaxTrax) and spares for everything. You just never know when you might need it.

Also, remember to look around, mate.

Kakadu has 60 types of native mammals, more than 280 different types of birds, more than 2000 different types of plants, thousands of insect species and, as we mentioned, more than 10,000 crocs.

There’s plenty of barra in Kakadu as well.

Further along, cross South Alligator River (early explorers got their Crocodilian species wrong) and get onto Kakadu Highway for a brief stretch, then take a right onto the 4WD-only track heading to Barrk Marlam (Jim Jim Falls) and Gungkurdal (Twin Falls).

This is a 60km unsealed stretch of track which is often very corrugated, depending on weather, the volume of traffic and whether it’s recently been graded or not. It was tough going when we were last there; the corrugations were punishing. “Impossible in [the] Wet,” Parks Australia tells us.

Good news is: this track leads to Garnamarr campground, a top spot with showers, toilets, and drinking water, and it also marks the start of a nice little 4WD track. This sandy, single-vehicle-only trail includes deep ruts, water crossings and

Remember vehicle-recovery gear, including a set of recovery tracks, such as MaxTrax.

28 max*d

| Issue 19

Above: Twin Falls, located about 10km from Garnamarr campground; Below right: Keep your eye out for unique flora and fauna; Kakadu abounds in many species that can’t be seen elsewhere.

vehicle-swallowing chasms. (Not really, but the holes get pretty big.) It is 10km of slow, off-road fun. Remember to drop tyre pressure if needed. (I was lazy and didn’t bother—strife ensued.)

After that, it’s a short walk to the incredible Jim Jim Falls. Take a breather, snap a photo and have a swim (although Parks Australia has this sobering advice: “You should always be aware of the risk of a saltwater crocodile attack in all Top End waterways. It is never 100% safe to enter the water. Your personal safety is your responsibility.”)

Twin Falls is 10km from Garnamarr campground, along another sandy 4WD-only track. There’s a water crossing along the way that has been tackled when the wet stuff was between 500mm and 600mm deep. The water was about 300mm deep when we crossed, so we didn’t have any trouble, but it’s a good idea to have a snorkel on your 4WD. Swimming is not allowed at Twin Falls,

Above, and previous spread: the Specketer family D-MAX takes on Kakadu.

ER’S READ S #1 E L A T

CAN’T STOP GOING THERE

With Darwin D-MAX owner Alan Specketer

“Our family travels to Kakadu so often they should charge us rent!

For us, it’s the quintessential Australian experience, with varied country and so much to see and do. Without a shadow of a doubt, our favourite part is Gunlom Falls, in the southern end of the park.

Imagine pulling up at a car park and looking up at the top of the escarpment. There’s a small walking trail leading off through a campground nestled at the base of it. You walk up the trail, which takes about 45 minutes—and it’s quite a challenging trek because it’s very steep—but when you get to the top, there’s a creek that feeds the waterfall and a series of plunge pools. The pool at the very edge is just… if you can imagine being hot and sweaty (it’s Darwin, so everyone is), and you step into the waters of this pool, which has an edge like an infinity pool, and you look out from the top of the escarpment country, across the rolling hills beyond, and drink it all in.

It’s just an absolutely breathtaking spot, absolutely gorgeous. You really struggle to describe it. You must go to Kakadu!”

Issue 19 |

max*d 29

TRAVELLER

REA DER ’S TAL ES # 2

WHY WE LOVE KAKADU Stunning examples of ancient Aboriginal art can be found in Kakadu, such as this fish in Ubirr.

but visitors can take a boat tour. Those with more energy can slog their way to the top of the falls to have a muchappreciated dip in the pools up there.

Elsewhere in Kakadu, there are plenty of 4WD tracks splitting off from main sealed routes throughout the park, including to the 4WD-only Gunlom in the park’s south, but this Jim Jim Falls/Twin Falls trip offers good bang-for-your-buck fun and doesn’t take ages.

FOR THOSE SEEKING ANCIENT ART & CULTURE

Those who prefer to burn a few more calories can hike to the escarpment edge and savour awesome views of Arnhem Land to the east and the stunning expanse of wetlands to the north.

Nourlangie is a good 1.5km walking loop taking in beautiful art, caves, and Gunwarddehwardde Lookout. From here, Arnhem Land stretches away to the horizon, in all its glory.

FOR THOSE SEEKING CROCS

Head for Cahills Crossing on the East Alligator River, at Kakadu NP’s eastern Your best bets are Ubirr, in the Kakadu’s edge, to see crocs chasing fish—and northeast, and Nourlangie, just to watch people do idiotic things like southwest of it. The fantastic and fully a) drive across when the water’s deep equipped Bowali Visitor Centre, the park’s and get washed off; b) stand at the HQ, is almost equidistant from both water’s edge or, worse still; c) go for an these spots, along sealed road. ill-advised dip. Last year, park rangers Ubirr’s art is peppered along a relaxed counted 120 crocs in a six-kilometre 1km walking path that loops back on itself. stretch south of the crossing.

With D-MAX owners David and Jennifer Antcliff “When you’re travelling around Australia with a family of five—including three kids under 11!—places need to have something special to keep them interested and Kakadu certainly had that. The waterholes, walks and the thousands of years of history and culture made it somewhere we’ll never forget.

For the kids, though, it was all about waterholes! Maguk Gorge was amazingly clear, with thousands of fish, jump rocks and a waterfall to swim under—not a bad reward for the bushwalk trek through real Mick Dundee country! Jim Jim Falls was not for the faint-hearted and was one of the more challenging walks over lots of rocky country, but with a spectacular finale where you swim directly under a waterfall that is about 180m high, and wow is that water cold! You know you are in the Territory when you see croc traps along the walking trail. Our fouryear-old still asks if there are crocs in the water before she gets in when we are back home in Newcastle, NSW.”

All Kakadu visitors need park passes and permits. Visit parksaustralia.gov.au for maps, apps and info, as well as suggested itineraries and a stack of other useful stuff.

30 max*d

| Issue 19

Max-D

MAXTRAX.COM.AU Max-D #02.indd 1

12/4/17 3:51 pm

UNSUNG HEROES

by James Jennings

EGAN BRIAN & NERIDA

Drought claimed their farm in the late ’90s, but this central Queensland couple bounced back to create Aussie Helpers.

Now when hard times hit the bush, Brian and Nerida follow.

“I

was in the Navy for several years after I left school and did active service in the Indonesian confrontation in Borneo and the Singapore peninsula, and then later in the Vietnam war. I had to get out of the Navy because my father was dying and there was no-one to look after him, so I came home and did a variety of jobs. Eventually, I bought a farm near Dalby in Queensland and did that for 15 years, but we went broke because it didn’t rain for three years. Unfortunately, we were breeding cattle and if you don’t have water you can’t do anything.

“We walked away from that with nothing.

That was 1999. I got very, very sick with depression and that’s part of the reason we lost the farm, because nobody could run it. I wound up in hospital for 12 months with post-traumatic stress from the war years, combined with depression, all at once. It knocked me around a bit. I was in

32 max*d

| Issue 19

Greenslopes Hospital in Brisbane and they sort of wrote me off in there.

“After six months, I started coming good again, and it’s because of the words a psychologist said to me one day. He said: ‘Brian, I don’t think any of these drugs they’re pumping into you are going to have any effect’—and they weren’t. They were giving me more side effects than anything else. He then said the words that I’ve never forgotten: ‘I think you should go out and find somebody else worse off than you are, and help them’. Those were the words that started it all. I just laughed at him and said, ‘who could I help? I haven’t got two bob.

I’m 55. I’m a pauper now’.

“Two years later, our farming charity, Aussie Helpers, was started with a whole $20 and a lot of dreams. In May, we’ll have been doing this for 15 years and we’ve never had any government support or funding. We got our audit back last week and we’re now

worth $8 million dollars and have raised over $14 million for farmers and their families in need. We’ve got about 25 vehicles on the road and five or six properties. The public got behind it, as well as companies—Dick Smith even gave us a million bucks last year—and everyone who works for us, including me, is a volunteer. It just seems to work.

“A couple of years ago I was driving 30,000km a week visiting farmers, but my right knee’s worn out from arthritis now so I fly more than I drive these days. But we’re still on the road seven days a week. It’s crazy, I know, but there’s enough people calling for help to keep us on the road that much. Since we’ve started, we’ve visited about 10,000

Since they started Brian & Nerida have visited about 10,000 farms and cattle and sheep stations all over Australia.

farms and cattle and sheep stations, and have worked all over Australia and wherever there’s been a disaster. During the last drought in Queensland, we gave away 300 road-train loads of stock feed. It’s hard to get your head around some of the figures.

“Everything we do is face-to-face and we do our best to find out what people need, whether it be stock feed or school fees or psychological counselling. We probably give away about a million dollars worth of aid each year, and it’s all from the public. We supply the labour and the public have just kept this thing going.

“My wife, Nerida has been there from the word go. Nerida and my mother,

“He said words that I’ve never forgotten: ‘I think you should go out and find somebody else worse off than you are and help them’”

who passed away a couple of weeks ago, were really the only people who stuck by me when I was really crook with posttraumatic stress and depression; they saved me. Nerida is always there and takes calls for Aussie Helpers all day and all hours of the night—she’s a tower of strength.

“We’re still flat out. Floods and cyclones, and working with the dairy farmers down in Victoria—we’re all over Australia at the moment. It’s a lot of work but I don’t mind because I call this my ‘medicine’ anyway—it keeps me alive. I get so much reward from just helping people. Mother Teresa used to say ‘giving is receiving’, and it really works.”

Aussiehelpers.org.au

Issue 19 |

max*d 33

THE LIST

by Gregor Stronach

Aussie Outback Tracks We’re blessed with some of the world’s best remote offroad drives. How far will you go to go your own way?

34 max*d

| Issue 19

T

he Great Southern Land is home to all manner of terrain perfect for exploring in a 4WD vehicle, but nowhere is better for truly getting away than the vast, arid centre. Midnight Oil might have called it ‘The Dead Heart’, but the truth is, few environments can make you feel more alive. It’s a grand, gnarled landscape, where the Milky Way presses softly against the earth, and lonely campfires have borne witness to dodgy fireside yarns for over 40,000 years. A vast, unpretentious kind of paradise.

A paradise you owe it to yourself to visit.

Early explorers and pioneers cut tracks through the Outback more than 100 years ago, and those roads have turned into some of the most iconic remote-area drives in the world. They range from the very easy to the near impossible, but they’re all worth exploring as soon as you get the chance.

The Gibb River Road

1

Where: Kununurra to Derby (WA) Length: 660km Minimum drive time: 3–4 days Season: May to September Best for: Shaking the fillings out of your teeth

The Gibb River Road meanders through the far northwestern Kimberley region and is about as unforgiving as a road can be. You’ll see pretty much everything the Kimberley region has to offer in terms of landscape and local characters. A word of warning, though… there are miles-long stretches in places where the corrugations are so bad it feels like a constant cattle grid.

Cape York Track

Where: Cooktown to Seisia (QLD) Length: 848km Minimum drive time: 6–7 days Season: May to October Best For: Paying close attention to the crocodile warning signs

2

Once a staple of the “I’ve been everywhere” 4WDing crowd, the Cape York Track is, sadly, something that’s becoming easier and easier as the QLD government continues to seal large chunks of the road heading north. But the good news is that there is still plenty of rough ’n’ tumble 4WDing to be done along the way, especially on the numerous sidetracks heading out to the unspoilt gems this track offers to experienced off-roaders. A word of warning, though—the saltwater crocodile population has boomed in the past few years, and they’re always up for a feed. Be sensible.

Issue 19 |

max*d 35

THE LIST SA is criss-crossed by Outback tracks begging to be explored.

Canning Stock Route

3

Where: Wiluna to Halls Creek (WA) Length: 1800km Minimum drive time: 10–12 days Season: May to August Best For: Being as far away from people as possible

This one’s a bruiser and not to be tackled on a whim.

Driving the Canning Stock Route takes a lot of preparation, research and driving skill. It’s amongst the most remote roads on the planet and offers by far one of the most significant challenges for any would-be Outback explorer. The joy of driving through some of the best desert landscape in the world runs a very close second to the joy of simply surviving the trip.

Birdsville Track

Where: Marree (SA) to Birdsville (QLD) Length: 534km Minimum drive time: 2–4 days Season: April to October Best For: Getting bogged on Big Red

4

A relative sprint compared to some of the longer Outback drives, the Birdsville Track is perfect for anyone who wants to have a proper Aussie Outback adventure, but can’t be away from work for more than a week. You’ll have a choice to make when you set out: you can take the original ‘Inside Track’, which follows the historical stock route, or the safer ‘Outside Track’, which skirts the edges of the Diamantina floodplain.

This track has the added bonus of being home to Big Red—the famous sand dune of mind-boggling proportions, which has seen many a weekend warrior heading back to camp with their tail between their legs.

It’s a monster of a dune and when the conditions aren’t right, making your way to the top is like trying to paddle a kayak up a waterslide. With chopsticks.

36 max*d

| Issue 19

Anne Beadell Highway

5

Where: Coober Pedy (SA) to Laverton (WA) Length: 1,325km Minimum drive time: 4–7 days Season: April to October Best For: Cracking glow-in-the-dark jokes

Legendary desert surveyor Len Beadell named this track after his wife, and the fact that it’s a long and difficult road to travel raises some doubts as to how old Len actually felt about his better half. It’s solid, rocky and literally in the middle of nowhere, but you will get to see the site where Britain tested its atomic bombs at Emu Claypan, and visit what is probably the world’s most isolated roadhouse at Ilkurlka.

Gunbarrel Highway

6

Where: Yulara (NT) to Wiluna (WA) Length: 1420km Minimum drive time: 4–7 days Season: April to October Best For: Ticking Uluru off your bucket list

Another of the great Len Beadell’s roads, this one runs from out near Uluru and onward through some truly gnarly terrain. The track itself is a mix of washaways and heavy corrugations, along with more tyre-puncturing rocks and stones than you could possibly imagine. It ends in Wiluna, a once-bustling gold rush town that has seen better days. But it’s got a pub and the beers are cold … and perfect at the end of a long, difficult, satisfying drive.

Big Red, the famous sand dune of mind-boggling proportions, has seen many a weekend warrior heading back to camp with their tail between their legs.

The Oodnadatta Track

8

Where: Marree to Marla (SA) Length: 620km Minimum drive time: 2–3 days Season: April to October Best For: Popping your ‘Outback trek’ cherry

The Oodnadatta Track is arguably the finest beginnerlevel drive in the entire Australian Outback and the perfect way to introduce yourself to remote area driving and camping. It’s a very easy drive—provided the track’s dry—and you’ll most likely be sharing it with a number of folks hauling caravans and the like. Things to do along the way include swimming in the artesian hot springs and exploring the remnants of the original Ghan railway from Adelaide to Alice Springs.

Tanami Track

7

Where: Alice Springs (NT) to Halls Creek (WA) Length: 1,035km Minimum drive time: 4–7 days Season: April to October Best For: Filling every orifice with bulldust

The Tanami Track runs from just outside Alice Springs, heading northwest into the desert to meet up with the Canning Stock Route, somewhere near Halls Creek. It’s renowned for being a difficult track to drive, thanks to the extremely poor condition of the road and the vast patches of ultra-fine bulldust, which you’ll be finding in your 4WD (and your hair) for at least a month after you’ve made it home.

The Strzelecki Track

9

Where: Innamincka to Lyndhurst (SA) Length: 460km Minimum drive time: 1–2 days Season: April to October Best For: Making it further than Burke and Wills

The Strzelecki Track is a fun, short adventure drive through some of the most historically rich Outback terrain in the country. The track was originally used by renowned cattle thief Harry Redford before inland explorers Burke and Wills conveniently put the region on the map by dying on their way back from the Top End. Seeing the famous Dig Tree, where the last of their supplies were buried, is a highlight of the drive.

The Corner Country Track

10

Where: Broken Hill (NSW) to Cameron Corner (QLD) Length: 469km Minimum drive time: 1–2 days Season: March to October Best For: Pretending you’re Mad Max

The Oodnadatta Track, a fine beginner-level Outback drive.

The track from Broken Hill out to Cameron Corner—the junction of the Queensland, New South Wales and South Australian borders—is an absolute corker of a drive. It’s relatively easy on both driver and vehicle, allowing you to explore the remote northwest of New South Wales. From time to time, when the rains come through, the desert wildflowers bloom in massive numbers—a sight well worth seeing if you can time it right.

Issue 19 |

max*d 37

HOOK, LINE ‘N’ SINKER

by Nick Duigan

With 43 0Nm on tap, the notice th boys did e bright n’t even green ti nny on the bac k.

COD botherers Could the boys beat their long, frustrating Murray cod curse?

Nick Duigan and Andrew Hart take a shot at redemption.

W

hen making a fishing show for TV, it’s important you actually catch a fish. But sometimes, for one reason or another, that’s not the way it goes.

We’ve been hampered many times over the years by weather, technical failure or plain bad luck; it just goes with the territory. Usually we still manage to cobble a show together and drag something scaly from the depths to show

38 max*d

| Issue 18

for our efforts. Usually but not always, particularly when it comes to the one species that always seemed to have the wood on us—one of Australia’s iconic fish, the legendary Murray cod.

The big Australian native has a territory that stretches from Queensland to South Australia and has slipped our clutches on the show on more than one occasion. The final straw was last year, when we spent three full days (it felt like a week!) on the Murray River in an Outback town in SA without attracting a single nibble. After that, we made a pledge to give up trying to film a Murray cod forever.

Life is too short.

But thanks to one place—Copeton Dam, about 90km east of Moree in the New England region of NSW—that all changed.

We kept seeing photos of huge cod coming out of the waterway. Then when a mate,

Boothy from Wilson Tackle (our tackle sponsor) sent us shots of him pulling his cod-of-a-lifetime—a 125cm beast—from Copeton’s waters, we figured we might give the cod one more chance.

With Boothy’s help, ably assisted by a local cod guru by the name of Josh Usher, we planned to hit Copeton for two-andhalf-days at the start of winter. We even plotted dates around a new moon, which apparently would increase our chances of at least getting a bite.

Copeton cod weren’t the only drawcard.

The mission was also our first opportunity to do a long-range trip in the all new, ‘pumped-up’ D-MAX—in which two things became immediately apparent. Rolling down the motorway south of Brisbane, the tacho showed that the 110km/h speed limit was being achieved with the engine barely turning over at 1700RPM. That’s

NEW OF H SERIES OO AND SINK K, LINE ER ON 7 MAT STARTS E FR OM CHE .

CK Y LOC AL G OUR UID ES.

JULY

30

This image: the author at work, while opposite, Andrew cradles a fishy Holy Grail.

thanks to the new six-speed auto, which gives the D-MAX outstanding cruising ability. The second improvement is a little less subtle, and comes when you put your foot down. With that extra ratio in the gearbox and the three-litre turbo diesel now delivering 430Nm of torque, the new D-MAX is very willing.

The drive to Copeton Dam takes you up and over the Great Dividing Range and, even with a reasonably sized boat in tow, mountains come and go without much fuss. It’s not just uphill where the new ute is more capable, however; going the other way—in tricky, rutted, muddy offroad sections—the hill descent control function made getting into even the slipperiest cod holes a breeze.

Our first session on Copeton Dam was an evening attempt. We launched the boat at about 5pm and spent the

last remaining hour of light casting and retrieving big, funny looking cod lures.

After about 45 minutes, we remarked that it was all going much as expected—and as our sorry experience suggested: very slowly. Then, all of a sudden, Andrew started swearing and carrying on. Turns out he actually had a bite and missed the fish. Even though we didn’t catch a cod that night, that one glimmer of hope would see us back the next morning with our enthusiasm renewed.

And so, at 4.30 the next morning, we were on the lake again in the pitch black.

We were told the best time to fish Copeton is in the 45 minutes of dawn. Just as it gets light, you throw huge surface lures about in the hope that a hungry cod mistakes one for a duck, a rat or a big, injured fish. As usual, we caught nothing.

And it was freezing cold. There was frost.

And our spirits were even grimmer. Again, cod fishing was living up to everything we’d come to hate about it. Murray cod was the impossible fish.

We kept fishing, shifting a few times, and feeling despondent when—all of a sudden—the unimaginable happened.

Andrew caught a cod—a fat and fit 80cm beauty. Our cod curse was broken!

We managed to haul in five more Murray cod over the next day and a bit.

The highlight was a 92cm fish caught in a secret river location, almost matched by another 80cm catch taken off the surface the next morning in low light.

For us, Copeton Dam had lived up to its reputation as an angler’s arena. We even managed to catch a cod on film, as well as on the line. Now we just need to get one over the magical metre in length.

We’ll be back next year.

Issue 18 |

max*d 39

REFUEL

TWO-SPEED

GASTRONOMY

Lamb in 10 minutes—or pork in five hours. A pair of brilliant winter options from master chef Ben Milbourne

“C

ooking with friends is always better,” says Tasmanian super foodie Ben Milbourne. “It’s always been the way I open up.

If Mum, Dad or my brothers and sister ever wanted to have a deep and meaningful chat, they would get me in the kitchen.”

If Milbourne truly opens up while slaving over a hot stove, he must have few secrets left.

Five years after he graduated from the gastronomic popculture phenomenon that is MasterChef, and the critical glare of Preston, Mehigan and Calombaris, he has barely been off the television.

From cooking for The Offroad Adventure Show, where Milbourne’s passion for four-wheel driving (in his Isuzu MU-X, no less) came to the fore, to his eponymous series, Ben’s Menu, Milbourne has clocked up plenty of screen time. Since then, he’s teamed up with pal Andy Allen, winner of MasterChef series 4, to be broadcast across the nation in Andy and Ben Eat Australia (the title is not literal). He’s also signed up for his own show,

40 max*d

| Issue 19

Food Lab, on Channel 10.

Food Lab combines two of the hottest trends in modern TV—food and science—to make you a better cook, simply by revealing the molecular secrets behind what you eat.

Throughout it all, Milbourne has made his home in the place he loves most: Tasmania.

“I am extremely lucky to live where I live,” says the Apple Isle’s most vigorous chef. Few other regions of the world, let alone islands, can match Tasmania’s bounty, so it makes sense that Milbourne and wife Sally are staying put. Australia’s coldest and southernmost state boasts produce much of the country would kill for. As such, the Apple Isle is particularly suited to Milbourne’s ethos of ‘simple food done well’.

For this edition of max*d, Milbourne has tailored two meals to your circumstances: a fast and delicious bite of lamb, or a slow and tender, lovingly prepared feed of pulled pork.

Choose your favourite—or go for both. Either way, you’re sure to please all the family, whether your kitchen is at home or a fireside camp in the bush.

LAMB LOLLIPOPS WITH PINK PEPPERCORN MAYO Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 25 minutes Serves: 2

INGREDIENTS 1 small rack of lamb (5 chops) 4 white anchovies, minced ½ lemon, juiced ¼ cup mayonnaise 1 Tbsp chives, finely chopped 1 pinch of pink peppercorns, crushed

METHOD Step 1: Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over high heat and add lamb fat side down. Sear lamb on all sides until golden, then place into an 180°C oven for 8 minutes. Remove lamb and rest for 5 minutes. While lamb is resting make the dressing.

Step 2: To make mayo combine anchovies, lemon and salt in a bowl. Stir in mayonnaise, chives and peppercorns.

Season to taste.

To serve: Cut the chops from rack, arrange on a serving plate and spoon over dressing.

FIND OUT MORE Visit benmilbourne.com.au for more recipes and cookbooks, as well as links to Ben’s food tours, degustation dinners and cooking school.

PULLED PORK BURGERS Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 4-5 hours Serves: 2

INGREDIENTS 1 Tbsp smoked paprika ¼ cup brown sugar 1 Tbsp carne asada (a dry rub mixture available at Mexican retailers) 1 Tbsp mustard powder 1kg pork shoulder 2 ancho chillis, whole, flesh only 2 brown onions, diced 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1½ cups tomatillo salsa (or diced, under-ripe tomatoes with a squeeze of lime) 2 x 410g crushed tomatoes Pinch salt 1 cup of currants 1 cup kidney beans 1 Tbsp oil To serve; Burger rolls Coleslaw Apple slices

METHOD Preheat oven 130°C. Step 1: Make a dry rub by mixing paprika, sugar, carne asada and mustard powder. Cut pork in half, place into a bowl with rub mix and toss to coat on all sides.

Step 2: Cook ancho chilli on high heat until soft and pliable. Plunge chilli into a bowl of cold water. In the same pan add pork and cook on all sides until colour has formed. Remove from pan.

Step 3: Cook onions for 5 minutes or until soft. Add apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, tomatillo, tomatoes and salt, stir and season.

Add kidney beans and currants.

Step 4: Remove all seeds and veins from the ancho chilli, adding only the flesh to the dish. Return pork to pan, cover and cook for 4-5 hours. Check pan during cooking to make sure there is still moisture in the pan—if the pan appears dry, add a small amount of water. Sit back and wait for the magic.

To serve: Remove ancho chillies. Shred the pork and place meat into a roll with coleslaw and apple slices.

Issue 19 |

max*d 41

FLASHBACK

1963 ISUZU

WASP Debuting in 1963, the groundbreaking Isuzu Wasp holds a special place in Isuzu’s history as the first ute ever created by the brand.

It was a sweetly styled one-tonne commercial variant of the incredibly popular, rear-wheel-drive Isuzu Bellett subcompact sedan—one of Japan’s most successful global vehicle exports of the time—notable for its appearance on the cover of Wheels magazine in 1964. The punchy, lightweight Wasp offered a choice of two engines—a 1.3L petrol version, generating a then-healthy 43kW, or a 1.8L diesel, producing 37kW—with a third, 1500cc motor powering all of the 122 Wasps that were exported to Australia.

With a zealous following even among the Bellett’s wider cult fanbase, surviving trayback Wasps are few, with pickup, or ‘styleside’, shapes rarer still. The Wasp was produced until 1972, when it was replaced by the curiously named Isuzu Faster— the immediate precursor to the D-MAX.

Issue 19 |

max*d 43

ISUZU UTE DEALER LIST NSW Albury Wodonga Blacklocks Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 6049 5500 Armidale Grant McCarroll Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 6772 1566 Arncliffe Suttons Arncliffe Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 9335 9080 Ballina Trevan Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 6681 4499 Batemans Bay Clyde Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 4472 4746 Bathurst Bathurst Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 6339 9444 Blacktown Gilbert & Roach Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 8825 1000 Bowral Harrigan Moss Vale Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 4868 3580

Illawarra Harrigan Illawarra Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 4230 8888

Young McAlister Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 6382 3033

Morayfield ASO Northstar Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 3480 8600

Essendon Essendon Isuzu UTE Phone: 03 9937 7688

Loxton Chris Sinko Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 8582 2933

Midland Midland Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 9273 0030

Lansvale Lansvale Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 9726 1111

QLD

Mount Gravatt Keema Mt Gravatt Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 3426 1500

Ferntree Gully Ferntree Gully Isuzu UTE Phone: 03 9758 0000

Maitland ASO Peninsula Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 8832 2725

Northam Avon Valley Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 9621 1311

Geelong Winter & Taylor Isuzu UTE Phone: 03 5247 8988

Mount Gambier OGR Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 8725 7999

Osborne Park Regents Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 9273 2000

Horsham Horsham City Isuzu UTE Phone: 03 5382 4677

Murray Bridge Murray Bridge Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 8531 0044

Rockingham Bergmans Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 9527 8883

Lilydale ASO Genesis Motors Isuzu UTE Phone: 03 9879 7776

Port Augusta Emanuele Bros Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 8643 6233

Wagin ASO South West Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 9861 1144

Lismore ASO Trevan Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 6627 7999 Maitland Hunter Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 4035 9300 Moree Hill Fitzsimmons Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 6752 1777 Mudgee Mudgee Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 6372 1766 Muswellbrook ASF Wideland Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 6543 3066 Narellan Narellan Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 4622 2552 Newcastle Newcastle Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 4980 0660

Broken Hill Far West Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 8087 2311

Nowra Shoalhaven Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 4421 0122

Brookvale Suttons Brookvale Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 9936 7999

Orange Orange Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 6362 8100

Cardiff Cardiff Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 4904 6777 Chullora Heartland Isuzu UTE Phone: 13 10 88 Coffs Harbour Coffs Coast Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 6648 3566 Dubbo Sainsbury Dubbo Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 6884 6444 Eden Ron Doyle Motors Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 6496 1420 Gosford Central Coast Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 4320 0900 Goulburn Goulburn Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 4822 2888 Griffith Griffith Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 6969 5080 Gunnedah Wideland Gunnedah Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 6743 0700

44 max*d

Ayr Burdekin Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 4783 7077 Bundaberg Bundaberg Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 4131 8211 Cairns Trinity Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 4081 5000 Caloundra Caloundra Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 5438 4888 Cleveland Keema Cleveland Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 3479 9888 Dalby Black Dalby Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 4669 8988 Eagle Farm Brisbane Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 3866 2200 Emerald Emerald Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 4980 7930 Gladstone Reef City Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 4971 4000

Mt Isa Mt Isa Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 4743 0347 Nundah Nundah Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 3635 5100 Redcliffe Northstar Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 3480 8600 Rockhampton Tropical Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 4931 9333 Roma ASO Black Goondiwindi Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 4624 4800 Southport Gold Coast Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 5583 9320 Springwood Keema Springwood Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 3884 8300 Toowoomba Black Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 4631 4200 Townsville Townsville Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 4750 0300

Parramatta Denlo Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 8892 8150

Goondiwindi Black Goondiwindi Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 4671 3512

Pennant Hills Pennant Hills Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 9479 9555

Gympie Gympie Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 5480 5200

Penrith Sinclair Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 4721 9143

Hervey Bay Bay City Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 4124 0000

Port Macquarie John Patrick Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 6584 1800

Indooroopilly Westpoint Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 3878 0440

Scone Wideland Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 6545 9117

Ipswich Blue Ribbon Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 3288 6600

Sutherland Sutherland Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 9524 6111

Kingaroy Ken Mills Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 4164 9285

Tamworth Woodleys Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 6763 1500

Mackay Mackay Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 4961 8000

Taree Mid Coast Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 6592 6300

Maroochydore Pacific Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 5430 1555

Tweed Heads Tweed Coast Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 5589 7788

Maryborough ASO Bay City Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 4123 0000

Dandenong Patterson Cheney Isuzu UTE Phone: 03 9215 2300

Wagga Wagga Wagga Motors Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 6933 0100

Moorooka Moorooka Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 3373 0777

Echuca Morley Isuzu UTE Phone: 03 5483 0444

| Issue 19 13

Warwick Warwick Automotive Isuzu UTE Phone: 07 4660 2000

Melton Harrison Isuzu UTE Phone: 03 8746 0399 Mildura Autosynergy Isuzu UTE Phone: 03 5022 0927 Mornington Mornington Isuzu UTE Phone: 03 5975 5188 Pakenham Pakenham Isuzu UTE Phone: 03 5922 4111 Ringwood Genesis Motors Isuzu UTE Phone: 03 9879 7776 Shepparton Ken Muston Isuzu UTE Phone: 03 5821 6688 Swan Hill Holts Isuzu UTE Phone: 03 5032 1064 Traralgon Gippsland Isuzu UTE Phone: 03 5175 8060

VIC

Warrnambool Warrnambool Isuzu UTE Phone: 03 5564 0333

Bairnsdale Peter Dullard Isuzu UTE Phone: 03 5152 0100

Werribee Werribee Isuzu UTE Phone: 03 8734 4850

Ballarat Ballarat Isuzu UTE Phone: 03 5335 3600

SA

Bendigo Central Victorian Isuzu UTE Phone: 03 5449 4500 Brighton Bayside Isuzu UTE Phone: 03 8530 6100 Bundoora Northern Isuzu UTE Phone: 03 9466 5855

Bordertown Wise Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 8752 0633 Burton North East Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 8280 9899 Christies Beach Wayne Phillis Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 8384 8066 Hampstead Gardens ASO North East Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 8261 6006 Kadina Peninsula Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 8821 1022

Port Lincoln Mike Raleigh Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 8683 1211 Tanunda Jarvis Isuzu UTE Phone: 1800 155 588 Victor Harbor Victor Harbor Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 8552 7033 Wayville Australian Motors Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 8179 3666

WA Albany Albany Autos Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 9842 5522 Bibra Lake Major Motors Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 9331 9331 Broome Broome Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 9192 7357 Bunbury South West Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 9724 8444 Burswood Burswood Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 6164 1040 Esperance ASO Albany Autos Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 9071 1060 Geraldton Geraldton Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 9964 2323 Kalgoorlie GTP Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 9021 4800 Maddington DVG Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 9492 0000 Mandurah Mandurah Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 9587 9999 Merredin ASO Avon Valley Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 9621 1311

Wanneroo Wanneroo Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 9403 9403

TAS Burnie ASO Gowans Isuzu UTE Phone: 03 6431 5677 Derwent Park Jackson Hobart Isuzu UTE Phone: 03 6277 6600 Devonport Gowans Isuzu UTE Phone: 03 6424 5177 Launceston Jackson Launceston Isuzu UTE Phone: 03 6323 7000

ACT Belconnen National Capital Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 6229 3700 Queanbeyan John McGrath Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 6166 1111 Woden ASO John McGrath Isuzu UTE Phone: 02 6122 2222

NT Alice Springs Territory Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 8952 5155 Darwin Darwin NT Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 8924 8600 Katherine ASO Darwin NT Isuzu UTE Phone: 08 8974 0000

ASO = Authorised Satellite Outlet ASF = Authorised Service Facility

Effective as of 01/06/2017. Please visit our website http://www.isuzuute.com.au/find-a-dealer.aspx for the latest dealer contact details.

15726 LIGHTBAR AD MAX*D 210x275_OL.indd 1

7/12/2016 4:19 PM