3 vehicle types for every Australian adventure

Words Julija Zivanovic and Hema Maps Editorial Pics Matt Williams and Supplied

Want to purchase the perfect touring rig but have no idea where to even begin? Stress no more, we have created a definitive guide to help you choose the adventure vehicle of your dreams.

The Hema Map Patrol vehicles are specially modified performance vehicles (Credit: Matt Williams)

Now, before we get into the complicated realm of offroad adventure rigs, we must first establish that there is no such thing as the ‘best’ option. The ‘best’ type of vehicle is what works best for you.

Whether you’re travelling to Litchfield National Park in the Northern Territory, the Kimberley in Western Australia, the Blue Mountains in New South Wales or the Flinders Ranges in South Australia, there will be a rig that’s right for you and your specific needs.

When it comes to picking the right adventure vehicle, it’s about a lot more than performance. Depending on the amount of time you intend to spend on the road, your adventure vehicle could end up being like a second home, and that requires careful choosing.

Now, there are a lot of options out there, and social media can be both inspiring and daunting with dreamy setups such as decked-out Unimogs crossing remote desert dunes — but that same 16T beast with a 4-metre roof height would be more of a headache than a help in the overgrown, muddy tracks of the hinterland.

But here’s the good news: you don’t need to be overwhelmed by options. Building your perfect rig is easier when you know what you need. Whether you’re after a quick weekend escape, a full week in the bush or gearing up for the lap of a lifetime, there’s a rig for that.

Keep reading as we break down the three levels of adventure rigs: The Weekender, The Week-Away and The Big Lapper, to help you get the most out of your time away. We’ll also provide some helpful tips wherever we can.

The Weekender: Your multipurpose vehicle for short getaways

If your perfect idea of the outdoor lifestyle is a few weekends away here and there, the great news is that your rig doesn’t need to be too complicated.

Versatility is the key here as chances are your adventure rig is also going to be the ‘drive to work and get the groceries rig’ too. Think good fuel economy, easy to drive and easy to park. Sure, you won’t be bounding up rock ledges and knee deep in mud while the winch is screaming its head off, but if your idea of adventure is exploring back roads or camped up in improved campgrounds in national parks, you’ll be living for the weekend with this setup.

The rig

For this kind of adventure, you don’t need a heavy-duty four-wheel drive vehicle, in fact, the negatives of something larger and heavier here far outweigh the positives. Think car-based wagons with AWD capability, such as the Subaru Forester or Toyota RAV4. Later models will have decent offroad-focused traction control, and they’re surprisingly capable when paired with a decent set of All-Terrain tyres. Their low roof height means even if you do fit a mild lift kit and roof rack, you’ll still be able to duck into most shopping centre car parks on a weekday and explore campgrounds and fire trails on the weekends.

What you’ll need

Since it’s only a weekend, keep your packing light and simple. Here are a few suggestions for your kit for spending the night at your local campground.

All-Terrain tyres: Even if you’re driving a Hyundai Getz, consider All-Terrain tyres; they’ll offer more control on fire trails and be far more resistant to punctures.

Downloaded maps/apps: You mightn’t be crossing the Gibson Desert, but you will lose reception. Having good offline maps is a must — we recommend the Hema 4WD Maps app on your phone paired with local paper maps.

Handheld radio: Forget the $20 special, it’s worth buying a decent 5W unit so if you need to call for help your signal will reach more than 100m away. You can never put a price on safety.

Icebox: An icebox (Esky is technically a brand) will weigh less and fit more food and drink for the space than a 12V fridge — get a decent one with your food pre-chilled and you’ll easily get a long weekend out of it.

Portable cooking gear: A small butane stove, your favourite cast iron pan and some simple recipes is more than enough for a weekend.

Somewhere to sleep: No need for an elaborate and expensive setup for a quick weekend away. The humble swag has been keeping Aussies dry for more than 100 years so should suffice for a weekend getaway. They’re not the most compact of things but they’ll keep you far warmer in winter than a tent.

Potential setbacks

Capability: An AWD will get you most places, but it won’t get you to all places. If you think you’ll be off the beaten track, a dedicated offroader would be a good idea.

Icebox v fridge: If you’re sticking to a weekend, an icebox will do. But be mindful — ice melts … and room-temperature fish is never fun.

Space: A couple or solo traveller in a RAV4 with a simple camping setup can have some amazing outback adventures, but if you’re planning to take the kids, the dog and a bunch of push bikes, you’ll run out of room quickly. Clever packing and a roof rack or roof rails can help.

The Week-Away: Substantial setups for extended trips

If you plan to be away for a solid week or two, your build needs to take a step up. A week-long trip calls for more than just convenience — this is where some real offroad gear starts coming into play. You need a vehicle that can handle those more remote tracks, has more capability for sticky situations and is a bit more self-sufficient for more time off-grid. This is where you can start to think about surrendering your daily car for an offroad machine.

The rig

This is where we step things up into the more traditional four-wheel drives that people commonly associate with vehicle-based touring. But we’re not there yet. Think comfortable, capable wagons … the Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Toyota LandCruiser Prado are great options.

If you’ve got deeper pockets the LandCruiser 300 Series and Nissan Patrol (Y62) are both exceptional choices. These will not only be more capable offroad than the ‘soft roaders’ we mentioned before, they’ll also be far more upgradeable and handle accessories a lot easier too. Utes are another option here — a Ford Ranger, for example — but they will ride rougher and have less weatherproof storage space than their wagon counterparts.

What you’ll need

Bar work: You don’t need to kit your daily driver out with a five-poster and head to Deni , but you’ll at least want some sort of protection up front. It’ll give you a place to mount driving lights, a winch if required and protect your vehicle’s cooling system so you’re not stranded after an animal strike.

Built-in comms: Now’s the time to step up to a vehicle-mounted UHF such as the XTRAK 80. It’ll allow reliable comms in convoy with your mates, and if you do need to call for help will both broadcast and receive over larger distances.

Fridge: It’s time to ditch the icebox/Esky and upgrade to a 12V fridge for reliably cold food and drinks for more than a few days. Remember to consider your power needs if you choose this.

More power: Even a small 12V setup can make a difference when you’re running fridges and charging devices.

Roof Top Tent (RTT): When you’re out for more than a few nights, sleeping on the ground can get old, fast. A roof top tent offers convenience and better protection from the elements — and you’ll get a far better night’s sleep too.

Shade: A simple but effective addition to give you a bit of shade or cover during downpours or the belting sun — both of which can come unexpectedly in Australia. Step up to a free-standing wrap-around if the budget permits, but even a simple roll-out awning will get the job done.

Storage: Leave the cheap plastic tubs for home use and step up to a decent storage solution. Drawers are always a solid choice, but if your wagon still serves daily duties, something removable such as a flat pack storage box work well too.

Suspension lift: If you’re just touring and never leave high range, skip this step, but if you want to engage low range, it’s worth getting a slight lift. It’ll give a little ground clearance, handle weight a bit better and make room for a slightly larger tyre.

Potential setbacks

Fuel and range: While you’re still somewhat near civilisation, you’ll need to carefully plan fuel stops, especially with heavier vehicles. No one wants to be caught short out in the middle of nowhere.

Height: Your 4WD vehicle will be far more capable on the tracks and at the campsites than a weekend warrior but you’ll definitely notice the difference around town — navigating an underground car park will now be harder than navigating a desert.

Weight: Adding things such as RTTs, camping gear and bar work all add up in weight. Make sure you’re not eating too much into your GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) when adding these touring components.

The Big Lapper: Built to conquer long distances

Here’s where we hit the big leagues — the lap-ready rig. When you’re preparing to spend months on the road doing the almighty Big Lap of Australia, there’s no room for shortcuts. This rig is a home on wheels, designed to be fully self-sufficient and capable of handling anything from outback dirt roads to long stretches of coastal highway.

The rig

Forget the wagons, it’s time to look at something with maximum space with maximum comfort. Think a dual-cab ute, US light trucks such as the RAM 2500 or Ford F-150, or even something like a 4x4 truck if wanting to make a statement. Unless you’re looking to tow a caravan or offroad camper, then utes with decked-out canopies are what you should be looking at. Think rigs with serious power, payload capacity and offroad capability to give you the confidence to explore any track and park up at any camp.

What you’ll need

Built-in cooking: No more tinkering with small camp stoves. An induction cooker built into your storage drawers or canopy setup will allow you to cook reliably without needing to lug around a gas bottle. There are plenty of options to explore.

Extensive 12V setup: With a vehicle of — or similar to — this size, you’re running multiple electronics — fridges, lights, cooking gear, comms. A full power setup with a lithium battery, solar panels and an inverter is what you’ll need.

Extra fuel: Long-distance driving means long distances between fuel stops, especially in remote areas. Having auxiliary or long-range fuel tanks — or topped jerry cans — is essential.

Onboard water storage: Whether it’s in the form of a built-in tank or jerry cans, having fresh water on tap for drinking, washing and cooking is crucial.

Remote communications: Staying connected is more of a necessity than a luxury these days, and satphones have been a popular choice for years. Our favourite is the ZOLEO Global Satellite Communicator for remote locations. Also, a Starlink will give you reliable internet no matter where you go, or the latest iPhones can send emergency SMS over satellite networks too.

Suspension upgrade: This one is an absolute non-negotiable for off-grid, extended touring. The suspension your rig came with as standard is going to last two minutes on outback corrugations, and that’s if it can even handle the load anyway.

Toolkits and redundancies: Ensuring you have spare parts, tools and recovery gear on board is non-negotiable. You need to be ready for breakdowns or emergencies and that means having the parts, the tools to fit them and the knowledge to do so.

Potential setbacks

Cost: The lap rig is an expensive build. Everything from the vehicle to the gear you load into it comes with a hefty price tag. But for long-term travel, you can’t really skimp — it’ll cost you your comfort and could turn you off touring indefinitely.

Size: Big rigs such as a Toyota LandCruiser or an American pickup truck are less manoeuvrable, making tight tracks or smaller campsites tricky. And forget about doing a Uey on a narrow street.

Weight: Even with a GVM upgrade, weight management is a real challenge — especially if you have a family or heavy loads on board. A rig this size will be slower and heavier, and it’ll suck down the fuel.

The right rig for you ...

No matter where your adventures take you, the right rig makes a world of difference (Credit: Matt Williams)

The right rig for you depends on many factors that really comes down to your personal circumstances and touring goals. A weekender keeps things light and flexible, while a week-away setup gives you the freedom to explore more rough terrain. For those tackling the famous Big Lap of Australia, you’re looking at serious money, effort and gear, but the payoff is living your dream on the road without worrying about limitations.

No matter which level you’re at, it’s important to remember that every addition to your rig has a purpose, but it also has a trade-off. Weight, power and space are the three factors you’ll juggle at every level. Get them right, and your trip will be smooth sailing. Get them wrong, and you might end up with a trip you’ll want to forget.

Whether you’re tackling the Grampians on a weekend away, K’gari (Fraser Island) for a week-long trip or doing a trans-Australia tour over several months, there’s a rig and gear combo that’s perfect for you and your adventures.

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