An east coast low saw me held up in Mackay Queensland for a few days until it passed further north and out to sea. I’ve never explored the Mackay region before and until now it was only to pass through heading to the Cape. It’s a busy place where industry meets the tourism sector and with a near-perfect climate, the Mackay region is growing fast.

My turn for the Starke River track was just up the road from my overnight camp along Isabella McIvor River road for 30km to Mount Webb station.  It’s from here that the Starke Track starts. Rated as a medium track on maps and online, it was honestly just a nice drive through several Aboriginal land trust areas, where the cattle were serious fat and the area was severely green from a late wet season.

Georgetown in the gulf of Carpenteria is a quiet town these days with tourists passing through in the cooler months and large cattle stations surrounding the town, but it was once the site of a gold rush and played an important part with an overland telegraph station that provided crucial information to Cape York especially during critical times like WW11. I’ve stayed in Georgetown a few times and found it a great base to setup and explore the surrounding area.

I can’t believe its taken us over 30 years to actually get to K’gari Island to discover its inner beauty and explore the islands amazing history and stunning scenery. Realistically, I think I’ve been avoiding the island because I thought there would be massive crowds and a lot of sand recoveries across the island, but boy was I wrong.

Tambo in central Queensland is one of those places where most people zip through giving no thought on past history or local attractions.

Unveiling the Hidden Gems of Borroloola and Seven Emu Station on the Savannah Way

It was to the south of Mount Surprise that copper and gold was found way back in 1866. Many people flocked to the area to seek their fortune here and in the Gilbert River region to the west. By 1908 a single line railway reached the outstation and it became a hub for the western section of the tablelands with a telegraph station, several hotels, schools and police station.

When I was planning this trip I knew I’d have to fuel up along the way, and my target was the Aboriginal community of Ampilatwatja, nearly 500km from Camooweal. Ampilatwatja ( pronounced um blood a-watch ), is a community of around 500 people that welcome visitors to their community to fuel up and shop at the general store.

My 80 series is constantly off-road in some of the harshest conditions that our country can dish up. Quite often I’ll be away in dirty and dusty conditions for weeks at on end. But I find with the right products my 34-year-old Landcruiser 80 comes up a treat time and time again. Now while I’m happy to use self-serve car washes for soak and pre-wash while I’m on the road, I totally refuse to use those scratchy brushes they offer to avoid any more paint damage.

One of my favourite areas to explore is 90mins west of Coffs Harbour on the NSW north coast which is known for its dramatic gorges, waterfalls & landscapes with granite outcrops. My starting point was the little hamlet of Ebor which is surrounded by world heritage areas, multiple National parks, walking trails and some of the best waterfalls you’ll find.

But for 4wders it’s given us the perfect playground to explore in so many different areas depending on your preference. Do your research before hitting Coffs as the tracks are like a giant maize criss crossing through the forest areas. It can be as hard or as easy as you make it.