128th EDITION
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SEE YOUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER
GOLDEN QUEST DISCOVERY TRAIL YORKE PENINSULA KENNEDY RANGE KARIJINI
Print Post Approved 602669/00784
Visit your local Toyota Dealer or go to toyota.com.au/HiLux
WESTERN 4W DRIVER
Introducing our most performance-focused diesel HiLux to ever hit Australia. Inspired by Dakar DNA, the GR Sport delivers an increase in power andtorque thanks to its 2.8L turbo engine. Sporting 17” alloy wheels and high-performance front rear suspension – it’s tuned to take on more. Amplify your adrenaline and your adventure with off-road features including heavy-duty rock rails, skid plate and aluminium sports pedals. Experience the First-Ever Hilux GR Sport for yourself.
Summer 2023/2024
128th EDITION Summer 2023/2024
GR HILUX ROAD TEST DEEP DIVE INTO FULL-TIME 4WD
TRANS ACCESS ROAD THE RUGGED SOUTH WEST PHOTO ESSAY
S T N E T N CO ADVENTURES
Edition 128 Summer 2023/2024
Traversing the TAR
Grant and Linda Hanan share their experience travelling the Trans Access Road ..................................... 6
The Big Boot
Ron and Viv Moon travel down the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia ................................................................ 26
Wilderness Camping in Warren National Park
Tori Wilson trials a camping experience in a towering karri forest ................................................................................... 42
A Quest Rich with Reward
Colin Kerr explores the Golden Quest Discovery Trail ............................................................................................................................. 54
The Awe-inspiring Kennedy Loop Track
Chad van Heemst delves into culture and country in the Kennedy Range .................................................... 74
Discovering Karijini - Land of Gorges & Waterfalls
Matt Clarke explores Karijini National Park with RedTrack Eco Adventure Tours .................................. 90
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FEATURES GR Hilux - Ready for the Roads Less Travelled
Ray Cully road tests the Toyota GR Hilux ................. 18
The Rugged South West
Photo Essay by Salty Davenport .............................................. 36
Back to Basics — Deep Dive into Full-Time 4WD David Wilson explains the ins and outs
of your full-time 4WD ................................................................................ 46
REGULARS The Front Matter ................................................................................. 4 Bush Mechanics ......................................................................... 103 What's in a Name? ............................................................. 106 The Things You See! ........................................................ 112 Country Stargazing ......................................................... 114 The People We Meet ..................................................... 116 Outback Survival .................................................................... 123 Fishy Business ................................................................................ 127
An Alternative Tool for Hunting Treasure
Gear to Go Camping ...................................................... 133
Luke Clatworthy looks at
Clewed Up ................................................................................................. 136
Nokta Metal Detectors ............................................................................. 70
No Service? No Worries! Smartphones step up their game with
emergency SOS satellite technology ............................. 87
4WD Club Focus ........................................................................ 138 Capture the Moment ................................................... 142 Smart Photography ........................................................ 144 Now We're TAWKing! .................................................. 148
Kick Back with Convenience
Product Review .................................................................................................... 98
The Trusty Toolbox ............................................................ 152 Crossword Puzzle ................................................................. 154
Perth Caravan and Camping Show .............................................................................. 100
Subscriptions .................................................................................... 158 Supplier Directory .............................................................. 159 Silly Snaps ................................................................................................. 160
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The Rugged
SOUTH WEST Photo Essay IMAGES BY SALTY DAVENPORT
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P
erth-based photographer Salty Davenport roams Western Australia in search of telling stories, documenting the journey along the way. It's all about seeking the places less travelled, the roads that somewhat lead to nowhere or everywhere depending on your outlook. When the seasons change and the temperature begins to warm up, his focus shifts from the desert to the sea. He begins to look at maps of where he can drive to and then how he can go further through the bush and beach by car, foot or boat. He looks at places he’s yet to go, if and how he can source food there and what his camping options are. Are there islands and can he get to them?
These photos are a compilation of a few trips that are fresh in the mind for Salty. If your field of view is as broad as Walpole to Bremer, then you can easily identify all of these places. From steep rocky declines down to an ultra-soft sand beach with waves lapping on the tyres, to thick overgrown bull banksia reminding you of the width of your car for hours on end — all tracks taking you somewhere very picturesque down there.
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Salty chooses not to mark locations on photos, however, with a little bit of landscape and vegetation knowledge, these photos will reveal their own locations.
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The South West is forever changing with the seasons along with the tides and swells. There's always a new surprise at locations you've been to before, each time you revisit. Places are always evolving. When exploring the South West throughout the year, you're greeted with a change in the colour, shape and temperature of the landscape and bushlife. As a photographer, for Salty, it's a dream to explore. Nights camped up along the coast with no wind, big seas and no moon, with the stars out is the ultimate reward.
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In the South West, you’ll find breathtaking beauty met with the unforgiving nature of the ocean as it crashes upon its coastline. Visit saltydavenport.com @saltydavenport
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THE PEOPLE WE MEET by TORI WILSON
Sophie Xiang From complete wildflower and photography novice to a highly respected member of the Wildflower Society and smartphone photography pro, Sophie Xiang is a vibrant burst of energy and a testament to the power of pursuing your passion. Sophie Xiang at Yeagarup Dunes with Pemberton Discovery Tours.
I
t was mid-October when I joined Pemberton Discovery Tours on their Beach and Forest Eco Adventure 4WD tour, venturing the majestic Yeagarup Dunes. The great expanse of landlocked dunes surrounded by towering karri forest was a surreal sight to reckon with, but what was equally surprising was the delicate, dainty blue wildflower flashing its face from within a cluster of shrubs atop the sand. This was the Blue Sun Orchid (Thelymitra canaliculate) and, according to Sophie Xiang, it was so rare, particularly for so early in the season (ahem… climate change), she barely believed it to be true — later cross-referencing it with one of her knowledgeable Wildflower Society friends, to be sure.
Photo: Pemberton Discovery Tours
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capabilities — consuming countless YouTube videos and articles online, honing her skills over time. Fast forward and, today, Sophie has blossomed into a smartphone photography pro and microinfluencer, with a following of over 10,000 across her Facebook and Instragram pages Sophie Xiang Wildflower Phone Photography. She’s often invited to host wildflower photography workshops by some of the state’s leading wildflower shows, including Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show and Outback Bloom in Mullewa. Thelymitra canaliculate (Blue Sun Orchid) captured on a sunny day at Yeagarup Dunes. Photo: Sophie Xiang
Having moved to Western Australia from Beijing 33 years ago, Sophie was a total novice when it came to wildflowers and photography, unfamiliar with what it meant for a flower to be native to the state. Developing a thirst for the outdoors, about five years ago she joined a local hiking group to get out to various parts of bushland and take in the sights of the unfamiliar flora. One day, says Sophie, while at Noble Falls in Gidgegannup midspring, a fellow hiker pointed out some petite orchids in bloom. “I just knew, I’d never seen anything like that before. I was just hooked on that moment,” Sophie shared. With a newfound zest for wildflowers, a natural inclination to capture their beauty followed, prompting Sophie to experiment fervently with her phone’s photography
“People often say you don’t find your passion sitting at home doing nothing. You find your passion going out and trying things,” Sophie explained. “I never visualised myself being a photographer, let alone a wildflower photographer, but once you’re finding your passion, you’re also consumed learning. You keep doing things to fuel the passion.” Upon joining the Wildflower Society of WA about four years ago, Sophie spent months improving her knowledge of wildflower names, visiting a different branch of the society each week to be mentored by some of the most knowledgeable people in the state until she could identify a vast collection of wildflowers — not just by the common names, but the scientific names, too.
Banksia captured at Kevin Collins’ Banksia Farm. Photo: Sophie Xiang
“I was so crazy about the banksia, I even went to the banksia farms and stayed there for a few days. In Mount Barker, I stayed for four days on the Banksia Farm of Kevin Collins. He went all around Australia, collected all the seeds
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and now his is the only place with all the banksia varieties in one spot. He’s closed the tour side but they still have accommodation.” Sophie is an avid explorer of Western Australia and says there aren’t many places you can point to on a map she hasn’t been, usually in search of wildflowers. “Just last week, I spent nine hours driving to my friend’s farm,” Sophie tells me. “They have this rare sun orchid, the Ongerup Sun Orchid (Thelymitra sp. ‘Ongerup’), not far from Porongurup, Twin Creeks (Conservation) Reserve.”
petals as she captured it on just the right angle, made it evident this was her passion. Less fortunately, the lighting wasn’t quite right, said Sophie. Ironically, the sun needed to coax open the orchid also meant our photos that day were a bit overexposed to be ideal. “Too much exposure is never good,” Sophie advised when asking for advice on how to capture the best shot. “The colours of flowers are so delicate, so overexposure washes them out. Overcast days can be perfect; or work around the light, bring around some shade. If you’re in a studio you’d use something to diffuse a harsh light. “I’m not a professional photographer, but I’ve figured out the golden hours. I just go out to the bushland for sunset and what I discover is magical. Lighting will really make you or break you. “Also, the weather, if it’s too windy, don’t bother. Don’t fight nature, work with it.”
Thelymitra sp.'Ongerup' (Orange Sun Orchid) captured in Porongurup. Photo: Sophie Xiang
Sophie explains the life of an orchid is fleeting, lasting just four weeks; and the sun orchid in full bloom is even more elusive — only open if the weather is just right, with the sun shining and the air warm. “It was a sunny day, so I said ‘I’m coming!’ I do this every now and then. You just do it because you love it.” We were incredibly fortunate to catch the blue sun orchid in bloom that day at Yeagarup Dunes and the fascination with which Sophie pored over its delicate
Another tip from Sophie — angles are your best friend. Sophie says shooting upward is a nice option when it means contrasting the colours of the flower against the beautiful blue, Australian sky. Bird’s eye is a great way to capture the cylindrical symmetry of many Australian banksias, while a shot from the side is another favourite of hers. “About a quarter turn is the best angle when taking photos of the face of people, think of a flower like a beautiful woman. You can also shoot up to make them appear tall and thin. Capture their gracefulness. Get close, get detail. The details tell the story.” Also keep it simple, Sophie says. Minimise background clutter to avoid overwhelming the viewer with information and let your subject, the flower, shine. Rather than trying to zoom, get close to capture the details, avoiding a loss of quality.
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A talented creative, Sophie also produces art prints out of her photography. Sophie exhibits at markets occasionally and her work is also available online at redbubble. com/people/SophieXiang/shop
A bird’s eye angle capturing the details and perfect symmetry of the Banksia coccinea. Photo: Sophie Xiang
Sophie’s top tip? Research and experiment. Get to know your phone, or camera, features. All in all, I learned a lot from meeting Sophie, but what stuck with me most was her infectious passion. She’s proof that at any moment in life you may stumble across something that captivates you far more than expected, and with the right attitude and a willingness to learn, it may just bloom into something exceptional.
Thysanotus multiflorus. Photo: Sophie Xiang
Sophie’s first ever sold photo print, featuring Eucalyptus rhodantha. Photo: Sophie Xiang
Eucalyptus macrocarpa in buds stages. Photo: Sophie Xiang
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Sophie’s Top Phone Photography Tips 1. Get to know your phone features and settings. Decide what settings to make default — voice commands, grid lines, and video stabilisation are examples to consider.
7. Don't be afraid to explore different perspectives. Photos from different angles like worm’s eye view, bird’s eye view and side views can give greater detail.
2. Your camera’s 4:3 is the best option for a quality photo.
8. Composition is what will make you stand out from the crowd. Use grid lines to help you apply the rule of thirds to your image and aim for simplicity, balance and grace. The easiest way to know if you’ve achieved quality composition is to determine if you’d be happy to hang this picture on your wall before taking the shot!
3. Hold your camera with two hands when taking a photo, press the shutter button gently. Using voice command is ideal for sharp photos as it avoids time delay and allows you to maintain a firm grip with both hands. 4. Get close to your subject and don't overdo the zoom. 5. Tap the screen where you would like to focus on — in autofocus mode (AF). 6. Control exposure by tapping your phone then holding your finger on the screen and dragging the sunshine bar up and down to change autoexposure (AE).
9. Become a naturalist and observer. Follow the life cycle of plants. Take photos of different stages of its life and showcase the character that grabs your attention. Invite in birds, insects, raindrops. They are part of nature and add so much to the story of your photos. 10. Enjoy your creative journey. Follow your own path. Enjoy your travels and meet other people along the way. Let your friendships blossom. If you find your passion you are very lucky. Keep learning; creating; challenging yourself to keep your passion going.
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w i 2 Caladenia exilis (Moora Spider Orchid).
Hakea laurina.
Photo: Sophie Xiang
Photo: Sophie Xiang
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BEFORE YOU GO BUSH GO TO Over 30 Years Family Owned and Operated
08 9335 4803
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