Episode 14 of The Outback Tracks and Trails Podcast is live!

We’re still in the Top End on The Big NT Run and this episode is packed with Darwin highlights, classic Territory pubs, and heading east along the Savannah Way.

We kick things off with a Darwin Harbour Cruise and some fishing by the sea, then soak up the atmosphere at Mindell Beach Markets and Zen Bar. There’s the big day at the Darwin Cup, a stop at the Stone House, and a proper feed at Tim’s Surf n Turf.

Heading out of Darwin we call into the Humpty Doo Hotel and the legendary Bark Hut Hotel before checking out the famous Cahills Crossing (croc central!). Further along the road we stop at the Pine Creek Hotel and Tool Shed, cool off at the Mataranka Thermal Pools, and push on along the Savannah Way.

Highlights include Butterfly Falls, the stunning Western Lost City, and some solid fishing action at Borroloola.

This one’s full of Top End colour, good food, iconic stops, and that classic Northern Territory road-trip vibe as we keep rolling east.

🔥 Drop a comment: Have you done the Savannah Way or fished around Borroloola? 👇

Episode 13 of The Outback Tracks and Trails Podcast is live!

We’re deep into the Top End on The Big NT Run and this episode is packed with waterfalls, fishing, sunsets and good times.

We kick things off at the Beach House at Dundee Beach with special hellos to Maria and Anni. From there we explore Litchfield National Park — termite mounds, Florence Falls, Buley Rockhole, Wangi Falls, Walker Creek swimming and some abandoned camp site finds. There’s even a bit of “Pud flying” action.

Back towards Darwin we hit the Darwin River Tavern, cool off at Berry Springs hot springs, catch the Pitch Black Air Show, and enjoy a top lunch at Loose Goose with Micky P.

We soak up sunsets and great food at Gun Beach, call into the Darwin Ski Club, and spend more time at the Dundee Beach House with loads of fishing action. There’s a classic moment with old mate “More Beers” falling asleep (wake up Jeff!), and we wrap it all up with an absolute cracker of a crab dinner on the last night — wow!

This one’s full of Top End scenery, mates, fishing, and that easy-going Northern Territory vibe.

🔥 Drop a comment: What’s your favourite spot in Litchfield or around Dundee Beach? 👇

Episode 12 of The Outback Tracks and Trails Podcast is live!

We’re wrapping up the final section of the Binns Track and continuing north on The Big NT Run.

This episode kicks off with a stop at Alice Springs Brewery for a Pale Ale and Super Crisp, followed by emotional farewells to Ryan, Nic and the kids. From there we head into the East MacDonnells, visiting John Hayes Rockhole, Trephina Gorge Nature Park with its striking Ghost Gums, Ross River and N’Dhala Gorge Nature Park, before calling into Arltunga Bush Pub & Eco Retreat.

We spend time at Ruby Gap, camping off the track in the grass, with views of Andrew working at camp and a stop at Police Waterhole. There’s a funny “Lost Pud” map moment, a classic photo of Pud’s car at the 91 fuel stop, and the always-impressive Devils Marbles.

Further north we roll through Dunmarra Roadhouse, into Judbarra / Gregory National Park and Top Humbert Campsite, reflecting on “The Investment in Time” and sharing some camper video. We grab beers at Timber Creek Hotel, spot cattle and donkeys along the way, and finish strong with a photo of Micky and AM before arriving at Litchfield National Park and Edith Falls.

This one’s packed with remote camps, beautiful gorges, classic outback characters, and that real on-the-road energy as The Big NT Run keeps rolling.

🔥 Drop a comment: What’s been your favourite section of the Binns Track so far? 👇

Episode 11 of The Outback Tracks and Trails Podcast is live!

We’re deep into The Big NT Run — taking on both the Oodnadatta Track and the legendary Binns Track on our way to Alice Springs!

In this episode we cover:
- Marree Pub (Molly), William Creek, and the Oodnadatta Track being open
- Pub flights and great chats with locals Trevor, Chris and Andy
- A relaxing soak at Dalhousie Springs
- Fuel at Mount Dare and a big thanks to the RFDS ($500)
- Stories from Molly Clark, Lambert Centre, Finke Town, Simpson Desert dunes & Arkaroola Range
- Arrival into Alice Springs via the Binns Track

We also share highlights from the Desert Park, Simpsons Gap, Emily Gap & Ellery Gap Big Hole, Henbury Meteorite Conservation Park, Yipirinya, the Todd River flowing, AFL footy in Alice, the Finke Race vibes, sunset & star photos, plus a special family catch-up with Nic, Ryan and Em at the airport.

This episode captures the real remote outback feel as we push north through two iconic tracks.

🔥 Drop a comment: Would you tackle the Oodnadatta Track and Binns Track? 👇

Episode 10 of The Outback Tracks and Trails Podcast is live from the stunning Flinders Ranges!

Mick, Tony and I recap our adventures as we explore one of Australia’s most beautiful regions. We share photos and stories from William Creek fuel stop (the iconic refuel point heading onto the Oodnadatta Track), Rawnsley Park Station, the historic Blinman Hotel, Beltana’s Royal Victoria Hotel, Miners Crib Bakery, Farian Bakery, and the legendary Prairie Hotel in Parachilna.

You’ll see drone footage of beautiful Bunyeroo Gorge, photos of the Oodnadatta Track, a very muddy ute after some washouts, and plenty of “work” photos from the road.

We also talk through some of the standout menu items we enjoyed — Green Olives, Baked Haloumi, Feral Antipasto, Nomad Roast Chicken, Panzanella Salad, and Hash Browns — classic outback feasting at its best.

This episode is full of scenery, good food, tough tracks, and real on-the-road vibes as The Big NT Run continues north.🔥

Drop a comment: What’s your favourite spot in the Flinders Ranges? 👇

Episode 09 of The Outback Tracks and Trails Podcast is live!

Mick, Tony and I sit down to talk all things about "The Big NT Run" as we prepare to head deep into the Flinders Ranges.

We cover essential safety gear — fire extinguishers, solid first aid kits, and our GME (Australian-made) Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). We also give the ute a proper once-over, checking every nut and bolt before the real remote stuff begins.

Plus we run through our menu and food prep plans, give a high-level itinerary, and send a big special shoutout to our mate Sid who is recovering from open heart surgery.

This episode is full of practical tips, laughs, and that pre-trip buzz you get before a big outback adventure.

🔥 Episode drops Sunday while we’re already in the Flinders Ranges!

Drop a comment: What’s the most important piece of safety gear you never leave home without on a big trip? 👇

Episode 8 of The Outback Tracks and Trails Podcast is a real yarn with one of my oldest mates!

Clayton — a lifelong friend of 38 years — jumps in to reminisce about the old days of rough camping and swags, and how “coming of age” now looks like enjoying the 5-star luxury of Micky Paydon’s caravan.

With his strong background in finance, Clayton breaks down the latest Federal Budget and what it actually means for Aussie campers, caravanners, and weekend warriors.

We also get a sneak peek at Clayton’s upcoming podcast Smoke and Barrels, where he’ll be mixing sharp business talk with fine whiskies and cigars. We even touch on some of his favourite classic sips and smokes.

This episode is packed with laughs, nostalgia, real talk, and plenty of wisdom from the road.

If you love genuine mate conversations, camping stories, or want to hear how the budget affects everyday Aussies who love the outdoors — this one’s for you.

🔥 Full episode is live now!

Let us know in the comments: What’s your go-to camping style — roughing it or luxury caravan life? 👇

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In the Podcast we touch on the 30 by 30 is a global biodiversity target (part of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework) aiming to protect and conserve 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030.

In Australia, the government has adopted this target. While the goal is to protect nature, many in the 4WD, camping, hunting, and prospecting communities are concerned that it’s being used to rapidly lock up large areas of state forests by turning them into national parks or stricter reserves. This often results in reduced or lost public access for recreational activities like dispersed camping, off-road driving, and fishing on tracks that have traditionally been open.

Groups like Save Our Summits are pushing back to ensure balanced outcomes that protect the environment without unnecessarily closing off public land access.

Our conversation ties in closely with the important work being done by Save Our Summits (https://www.saveoursummits.org/), who are actively advocating for fair public access to our summits, national parks, and state forests.

We highly recommend checking out the recent episode of The Outer Side Podcast with Marc Hendrickx (President of Save Our Summits) — they dive deep into the growing threats of closures and restrictions on public land access across Australia.

A big thank you to everyone fighting to keep our public lands open. These issues directly impact all of us who love camping, 4WD trips, and exploring state forests — the more voices we have pushing back, the better chance we have of keeping our outdoor spaces open for everyone.

Grab a cold one and settle in for a special yarn with lifelong mate Kenny on Outback Tracks and Trails.

Kenny, originally a Victorian and now living the good life in Burleigh Heads, QLD, joins us to talk about his upcoming journey to Utah in July. He’s taking on the Animas Quest — a powerful modern wilderness vision quest involving four days and nights of solo fasting in nature, deep soul work, ceremony, and seeking clarity on life purpose and meaning.

We chat about why he’s called to do this transformative experience, how it contrasts with our usual outback 4WD trips and High Country adventures, his love for the Queensland coastal lifestyle, and what he hopes to bring back from the Utah wilderness.

It’s a raw, honest, and inspiring conversation about personal growth, stepping out of your comfort zone, and the power of nature as a teacher. Whether you’re into big adventures, self-discovery, or just love a deep fireside chat with a good mate, this episode is one you won’t want to miss.

Pull up a chair and join the conversation — you’ll feel right at home.

Grab a cold one and settle in — this episode of Outback Tracks and Trails is all about the realities of hitting the tracks in 2026.

Andrew, Mick and Tony sit down to talk about the current fuel crisis and what skyrocketing prices mean for planning big trips into the Northern Territory. With city diesel sitting at $3.349 and outback prices hitting a painful $3.98 (compared to regular unleaded at $2.7090), we crunch the numbers and share how it’s affecting our route planning and trip budgets.

We also give you the full lowdown on our current rigs:

- Mick’s Toyota Landcruiser 200 Series V8 2020 Sahara — “Silver Fox”

- Tony’s VW Amarok Core V6 manual 2021 — “Ride Oh Knight Of Black Thunder”

- Andrew’s Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain 2024 — “Snow Flake”

Plus, we dive into the technology that’s changed the game for our travels — Starlink for staying connected in the middle of nowhere, Google Maps and Memory Maps, CB radios for track communication, and all the battery-powered tools (drills, chainsaws and more) that make life easier around camp.

It’s honest, practical chat mixed with the usual laughs and real-talk stories you expect from the crew. Whether you’re planning your own big outback adventure or just love hearing how mates are adapting to the current conditions, this episode is packed with useful insights and good yarns.

Pull up a swag, hit play, and join the conversation — you’ll feel right at home.

G’day mates — grab a cold drink (or a cold Asahi if you’re feeling thematic) and pull up a chair for something a bit different on Outback Tracks and Trails!

This episode, Tony joins us live from Japan where he and his wife Karen are halfway through a 16-day tour soaking up the sights, the food, and the culture. From bustling city streets to serene temples, incredible eats (think fresh sushi, steaming ramen, and all the street food you can handle), and those pinch-yourself moments only Japan can deliver — Tony gives us the full rundown on what it’s really like on the ground.

We chat about the highs (and any funny lows), how it compares to their usual outback 4WD trips, what’s surprised them most, and whether international adventures are sneaking onto the bucket list for the rest of the crew.

It’s relaxed fireside-style yarns with a Japanese twist — full of laughs, travel tips, and that same good-mates vibe you know and love. Whether you’re dreaming of your own overseas escape or just love hearing real travel stories told over a beer, this one’s for you.

Pull up a swag (or a tatami mat), hit play, and come along for the ride — you’ll feel right at home.