VINEYARDS, ART TRAILS AND FOREST WALKS ON THIS 4-DAY ROAD
TRIP
Going off-road
Are we following the rules of responsible four-wheel driving?
The rise of extreme weather
How it impacts everything from housing costs to food security
Staying safe around lightning
What to do
(and what not to do)
10:30am thursday. enjoying your favourites.
You’ve lived in different places around the world, yet somehow, you’ve ended up only a 10-minute drive from your favourite café. Greeted every morning by friendly faces who all know you by name, it feels like a second home. Your favourite order, a long black with a cup of ice and wedges, has been committed to memory and your coffee and cup of ice is ready as soon as you walk in the door. For your favourite treats and favourite smiles, there’s no place like Dôme.
Perth Metro, WA Regional: Albany, Bunbury, Busselton, Dunsborough, Esperance, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Katanning, Newman, Northam, Port Hedland, Rottnest
HORIZONS® Published by RAC WA
EDITOR Vanessa Pogorelic GRAPHIC DESIGNER Renee Smith
For deaf, hearing or speech impaired members: Emergency Roadside Assistance SMS number 0434 182 877 All queries accesshub.gov.au
See page 81 for more contact details
ON THE COVER
The Wellington Dam mural by Guido Van Helten PHOTOGRAPH BY Tall Stories instagram.com/tall.stories
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The opinions contained in this publication may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees. Advertisements in Horizons are the responsibility of the advertiser. No person should act or rely upon such opinions or advice and RAC accepts no liability for them. Any rewards or rights provided to a member cannot be transferred, assigned, sold or redeemed for cash. Inclusion of a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.
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You’re helping us drive for the better
As a member of RAC, we’d like to thank you.
Your membership helps us drive real change through advocating for safer roads, speeds, vehicles and drivers.
It also means we can deliver ground-breaking projects like the RAC Air Health Monitor, which helps our understanding of changes in air quality.
And every year, your membership helps us teach over 50,000 school children how to stay safe around roads. Together, we’re ensuring WA’s future drivers learn the importance of road safety.
Discover more about the ways your membership benefits WA.
RAC Better WA
President's message
RAC RESCUE HELPING SAVE LIVES ON WA ROADS
For as long as RAC has existed, we have been focused on keeping travellers safe on our roads.
It is this focus on safety that makes our 20year sponsorship of the State’s only 24/7 emergency rescue helicopters so important to our organisation and our members. For more than two decades, we’ve been honoured to support the work undertaken in the air and on the ground to save lives.
Funded by the State Government, managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) and sponsored by RAC, the RAC Rescue helicopters provide vital search and rescue and critical care aeromedical services to the WA community.
Based in Perth and Bunbury, the RAC Rescue helicopters can be on their way to a critical incident or life-saving search and rescue within 15 minutes. This year will see the introduction of new Leonardo AW139 rescue helicopters which can fly 45kmph faster and reach more people in WA than ever before.
Since 2003, the RAC Rescue helicopters have flown over 10,000 missions. Over seventy per cent of medical evacuations have been in response to road trauma.
There have been plenty of remarkable stories during this time and, for many, these helicopters have been the difference between life and death.
One such story is that of RAC member Alan Fisher, who was badly injured in a motorbike crash near Sawyers Valley in June 2023. Without phone reception, he activated his Personal Locator Beacon which connected him to the USA, then to Canberra and then to Perth. Shortly after, the RAC Rescue chopper was airborne and on route to Alan’s location.
Stories like this remind us how RAC Rescue goes above and beyond to reach real people in their time of need.
To the pilots, aircrew officers, critical care paramedics and many others at the front line of this crucial community service, we offer our deepest gratitude for the inspiring work you do to keep us safe.
I also want to thank our 1.3 million members. Our sponsorship of RAC Rescue would not be possible without your support.
Allan Blagaich RAC President
RAC Council
President
Allan Blagaich
Senior Vice President
John Driscoll
Vice President
Professor Donna Cross
Members of Council
Leanne Bishop
Jill Darby
Tony Evans
Roger Farley
Dalton Gooding
Kerry Harris
Kelly Hick
Sarah Kepert
Jody Nunn
Marie Redman
Jacqueline Ronchi
Jim Walker
Club news
OUR BIKE BASICS PROGRAM
To encourage more people to hop on a bike for transport and leisure, RAC offers free workshops as part of our Bike Basics program, run in partnership with the cycling education group, People on Bicycles.
There are four different workshops, including a Learn to Ride workshop for children, to help them ride with confidence, as well as a workshop for adults who have never learnt to ride.
The Bike Basics workshop is for those who haven’t ridden for some time and teaches safe riding habits, bike maintenance and also includes a 6km social ride.
There is also a dedicated Bike Maintenance workshop which will teach you how to keep your bicycle in excellent riding condition and how to trouble-shoot basic problems. Participants must have their own bicycle to bring to this workshop.
Since it was launched over a year ago, demand for the program has been high, with places filling fast.
If you’d like to find out more and to book a session, visit rac.com.au/bikebasics
RAC Rescue marks 10,000 missions
Earlier this year, the RAC Rescue helicopters marked a significant milestone when they flew their 10,000th mission.
Since the emergency service began in 2003, it has clocked up more than 23,000 hours in the air, coming to the aid of Western Australians across the largest emergency services jurisdiction in the southern hemisphere.
Here are more of the numbers on those 10,000 missions:
1042 search and rescues
2,122,544 kilometres travelled
6786 patients transported
5165 road crashes attended
The RAC Rescue helicopters are funded by the State Government, managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) and sponsored by
RAC Council election alert – use your vote
As a member organisation, The Royal Automobile Club of W.A. (Inc.) (RAC) is governed by a Council elected by eligible voting members.
Voting online
Eligible voting members can vote online, with voting instructions being sent by email where RAC has a valid email address.
Voting by post
Eligible voting members who do not have an email address registered with RAC may vote by postal ballot or choose to vote online. Voting instructions will be sent by post and contain details of the voting options.
Members who receive voting instructions to their email address but would prefer to vote by postal ballot may request a postal ballot by following the voting instructions provided.
Voting packs will be available from 30 September 2024, with the ballot opening on 4 October 2024.
Only those persons who are Honorary Life Members, Gold Life Members or Personal Members (being members with RAC Roadside Assistance or Wheels2go, and who have paid their subscriptions in full for the applicable period of membership), as at the date 28 days prior to the date of the Annual General Meeting, are eligible to vote.
Other members, including Red Card, Rewards, free2go, child and youth, fleet and national assistance program members are not eligible to vote.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The 119th Annual General Meeting of The Royal Automobile Club of W.A. (Incorporated) (RAC) will be held at: RAC Head Office 832 Wellington Street, West Perth, 7pm on Monday 25 November, 2024.
Business
1. To declare the 2024 Annual General Meeting open.
2. To table the Notice of Meeting.
3. To receive apologies.
4. To table the minutes of the 2023 Annual General Meeting.
5. To table the report of the President.
6. To present for consideration: (a) the financial report of the RAC for the year ended 30 June 2024; and (b) a copy of the auditor’s report on the financial report.
7. To disclose the nature and extent of any material personal interests of Councillors declared.
8. Declaration of election of President and Senior Vice President.
9. Declaration of election of four (4) members to the Council by the Returning Officer.
10. Questions.
11. Close of Meeting.
By order of the Council: R. Slocombe, RAC Group Chief Executive.
Snapshot
Beware of speed limits in SatNav systems
If you rely on the speed limit displayed by your SatNav system or mobile phone mapping app, be aware that they may not always show the correct limit.
A range of data sources are used by these devices to determine speed limits, but none of them are perfect. SatNav devices like the Garmin DriveSmart series rely on speed limit data published by government agencies such as Main Roads WA. However, both government speed limit data and SatNav map data are only updated periodically rather than in real-time.
Google Maps uses Artificial Intelligence to identify speed limit signs in imagery from sources such as Street View. Since not all road imagery is up-to-date, Google Maps monitors for potential speed limit changes by reviewing app user feedback and analysing traffic trends, but it can take time to identify discrepancies.
Neither SatNav nor Google Maps data reflect short-term speed limit changes such as road work zones and variable Smart Freeway speed limits.
Many newer cars have built-in cameras and sensors that can read speed limit signs on the roadside, including shortterm changes, but this technology is only effective on roads where speed limit signs are present and clearly visible. Modern technology in your vehicle, SatNav system and phone makes it easier to track the speed limit. But remember that this information isn’t always reliable, and drivers remain legally responsible for abiding by the speed limits physically displayed on the roadside.
DO WA DRIVERS NEED A RULES REFRESHER?
Almost half of WA drivers, who obtained their licence in WA, say they have not reviewed the state’s road rules since getting their licence, according to an RAC member survey.
For drivers under 45 years of age, 58 per cent said they hadn’t reviewed the rules, while for drivers over 65 years, that figure fell to 39 per cent.
Among those who obtained their licence interstate or overseas, 20 per cent said they had never reviewed the rules since moving to WA. Of all those surveyed, three in ten had obtained their first driver’s licence outside WA.
Although there was a high level of confidence in understanding WA’s current road rules, there was slightly less certainty about rules relating to driving around pedestrians and micromobility devices such as bicycles, e-bikes and e-scooters.
The survey was completed by more than 10,000 members, with the results being used to gauge if members were interested in improving their driving skills and the type of skills they would like to improve.
Get to know your bike again
WA Bike Month is back for 2024 with events throughout October, to inspire you about being on two wheels.
For a second year, RAC has contributed $25,000 towards grant funding for Bike Month events, to encourage more people to swap some car trips for a healthier way of travelling.
There are activities for all ages and abilities, including family rides, children’s bike rides and bike and rider education.
You can join special group rides and discover new cycle paths and tracks, find out about cycling clubs and groups and just enjoy getting out in the spring sunshine.
Ride to Work Day will be held on 16 October, so you can challenge yourself to leave the car at home and get to work under your own steam.
To find out more about what’s on, visit rac.com.au/bikemonth or scan the QR code.
WA Bike Month is a Department of Transport initiative, supported by RAC and managed by WA’s peak cycling body, WestCycle.
TURNING UP THE VOLUME ON EVS
New electric vehicles (EV) sold in Australia are about to become a bit noisier, all in the name of road safety.
With relatively noiseless motors, it can be difficult to hear when an EV is approaching, especially at lower speeds when there is little friction noise from the tyres and wind resistance.
From November 2025, all new EVs sold in Australia will need to be fitted with an Acoustic Vehicle
Alerting System (AVAS).
The new Australian Design Rule will also apply to hybrid, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
The AVAS device will emit a noise when the vehicle is travelling at speeds of up to 20km/h, such as in car parks, driveways and at intersections.
The sound, which will be no louder than the noise of a petrol or diesel vehicle, will help keep vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, safer along with those who are blind or have low vision.
TELL US WHICH WA ROADS YOU THINK ARE UNSAFE
If you drive, ride or walk on any WA roads that you believe pose a safety risk, we need you to let us know.
The RAC Risky Roads survey is now open, giving you the chance to call out some of the state’s riskiest roads. Any road or intersection can be nominated, from local streets to major highways.
Locations with the most nominations are used by RAC to advocate for more action on road safety.
RAC Risky Roads is the largest survey of its kind in WA and previous campaigns have led to improvements on some of the state’s most dangerous roads.
We’re after nominations from members across the state, including those in regional areas, where roads are often particularly dangerous.
To nominate a road, visit rac.com.au/riskyroads
If you’re unable to nominate online, call us on 9436 4379 during office hours and our team will process your nomination. Nominations close on 30 September.
DO YOU NEED TO INDICATE IN A LEFT OR RIGHT TURNING LANE?
Yes, you do. Even when you’re travelling in a lane that is marked with left or right turning arrows and there is no other option but to turn left or right, you must still indicate your turn.
This includes when turning left from a slip lane, where a left or right turning lane is separated by an island, and also when entering or exiting a freeway via the on and off ramps.
CANADA & ALASKA 2025
Rockies Odyssey & Alaska Cruise
22 Days Victoria to Vancouver
• GoldLeaf Service on the Rocky Mountaineer.
• At Whistler’s Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, learn about First Nations animal symbolism.
• Stay at iconic Fairmont properties in Banff, Jasper, Vancouver and Lake Louise.
• Guaranteed Verandah Stateroom on your Holland America Line cruise.
• Luxury dining with a total of 43 meals.
The Rockies and Alaska’s Natural Wonders
24 days Victoria to Anchorage
• GoldLeaf Service on the Rocky Mountaineer.
• Discover Alaska’s Indigenous cultures at the Alaska Native Heritage Center.
• Stay at iconic Fairmont properties in Banff, Jasper, Vancouver and Lake Louise.
• Experience a Denali Suite at the McKinley Chalet Resort in Alaska.
• Luxury dining with a total of 48 meals.
A bolt from the blue
WHAT YOU SHOULD AND SHOULDN’T DO WHEN THERE’S LIGHTNING NEARBY AND YOU’RE OUTDOORS OR DRIVING YOUR CAR.
On average, more than 100 people are victims of lightning strikes in Australia each year, and the frequency of lightning activity may increase as we experience a greater number of extreme weather events. In February this year, four people were struck by lightning in Sydney while sheltering under a tree in the Botanic Gardens. All four lost consciousness and were taken to hospital suffering burns - fortunately all survived.
By Vanessa Pogorelic
When a person sustains a direct hit from a lightning strike, their body literally becomes the conduit through which electrical current travels into the ground.
Lightning can also arc across from an object that is struck to a person standing nearby, or it can harm those standing on ground that electrical current from a lightning strike is travelling through.
As Dr Ashraf Dewan from Curtin University’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences explains, lightning will always seek out the tallest object in any given area.
“If you are outdoors and your height is greater than that of any surrounding object, you risk being struck. Lightning will always strike a taller object, whether it is a human, a tree or any another structure.”
If you are out in the open when lightning strikes, taking shelter under a tree is one of the most dangerous places you can be.
“If outdoors, you need to go as quickly as possible to a well-constructed building,” Dr Ashraf says.
When you can’t take shelter in a building, the next safest place to seek refuge is in a fully enclosed vehicle. Although this was almost not the case for Perth man Paul Williams.
WATCH VIDEO
To watch the video of the destruction caused by the lightning
Taking a direct hit
Paul’s car was hit by lightning during a thunderstorm last winter before bursting into flames shortly after.
“My car dashboard was like a computer game - the LCD screens were flashing at me, going crazy.”
He had parked at the Bunnings store in Balcatta during poor weather and had gone inside to buy products to fix a roof leak at home. On exiting the store, Paul was met by severely heavy rainfall but decided to run through it to his car.
“I got in my car and was crawling out of Bunnings’ car park when there was this loud bang and a flash of light. The car jumped and there was this massive noise - it was so loud. Then all of a sudden there was rubble all over the windscreen.
“My car dashboard was like a computer game - the LCD screens were flashing at me, going crazy.”
Paul’s car had taken a direct hit from a lightning strike, which had also burst a water pipe and split the surface of the car
park. The burst water pipe and cracked car park tarmac had sent rubble flying onto Paul’s windscreen. One of the car’s front wheels had also sunk due to subsidence caused by the gushing water.
“I thought maybe the engine and a tyre blew up at the same time. But I didn’t think that a bolt of lightning had hit me.
“I couldn’t turn the engine off, so I got out of the car. It was making this grinding noise and there was smoke coming from the car and I thought ‘right I better go and tell Bunnings’.”
By the time Paul came back outside with some staff members, his SUV was on fire.
It was at this point he began to realise that lightning had struck the car.
“I sort of pieced it all together. It was very surreal, that’s the only way I can describe it.”
A crew of firefighters from the Department of Fire and Emer-
gency Services (DFES) arrived soon after to extinguish the blaze and make the scene safe.
Once the fire was out, there was little left inside the engine bay of Paul’s vehicle, with the intense heat also penetrating the vehicle’s cabin.
Inspecting the scene following the fire clearly showed the path the lightning had taken.
The charge had coursed through the outer shell of Paul’s car, split the car park tarmac, burrowed under the roots of a tree in front of the car and then exited on the other side of the tree, leaving a small trench in its wake.
What happens when lightning strikes your car?
Despite the fire, the DFES crew on site assured Paul that being inside his car was far safer than being outside it at the moment when the lightning struck.
strike on Paul Williams’ car, scan the QR code.
The car’s metal frame had channelled the electrical current around the car, then through the tyres into the ground directly below it.
When lightning hits a vehicle, it often causes extensive damage to its electrical systems, and although rare, this can result in the vehicle catching fire. Tyres, paintwork, and plastic trim on a vehicle’s exterior can also be damaged by lightning and airbags may be deployed.
If you are driving when lightning strikes, you may lose control of the vehicle.
Where possible, you should avoid driving in a thunderstorm especially when there is lightning close by.
In the event that lightning does strikes your car while you’re driving, pull over somewhere safe as soon as possible, then avoid touching anything inside your car until it’s safe to
get out. If your car is struck while you’re outside it, do not touch any part of the car’s exterior.
Never drive through water flowing across roads during a thunderstorm.
What if you’re caught out in the open?
Dr Ashraf says when caught out in a thunderstorm, you should use what’s known as the 30/30 rule to assess your level of risk.
“When you see lightning, count the time until you hear the thunder. If it is 30 seconds or less, the lightning is close enough to be dangerous, so you need to seek shelter.”
To be safe, you should then wait at least 30 minutes after the lightning subsides to move away from the area.
If you’re caught outside in an exposed location during a
thunderstorm, as mentioned earlier, sheltering under a tree is extremely dangerous. If there is no solid building nearby in which you can shelter, crouch down low to the ground and keep both feet together until the worst of it has passed you. Do not lie on the ground.
You should also move to lower ground, down from hills or any high points.
Stay clear of any metal poles or other metal structures, including clotheslines and metal fences. If any of these are hit, you could be injured by the current running through the ground nearby or from a side flash.
Also, stay well away from any bodies of water. Being in the water when there is lightning is especially dangerous.
The general advice is that there is no safe place to be outdoors during a thunderstorm.
AUSTRALIAN WARNING SYSTEM
Bushfire, cyclone, flood, and storm warnings now all share the same three-level warning system using yellow, orange, and red colours and icons to represent the ‘Advice’, ‘Watch and Act’ and ‘Emergency Warning’ alert levels.
OPEN FOR ALL YOUR HEARING CARE NEEDS
Hearing My Grandchildren’s Laughter: A Gift from Brad Hutchinson Hearing
This morning was a revelation. As I listened to the birds chirping in my garden, a sound I hadn’t truly heard in years, I realised the full impact of my new hearing aids from Brad Hutchinson Hearing. But it’s not just the birds - it’s the clear, joyful laughter of my grandchildren that has truly transformed my world.
I recently upgraded my hearing aids, moving on from the set I’d relied on for the last ve years. The leap in technology has been nothing short of miraculous, allowing me to hear clearly in a variety of settings. But more than anything, it’s the moments with my family that have become richer and more meaningful. No longer do I have to ask my children or grandchildren to repeat themselves. Our conversations are e ortless, lled with the kind of connection and understanding
I had been missing out on. Watching TV together or simply chatting about their day has become enjoyable again, without the strain to hear every word.
For anyone hesitating about hearing aids, let me share this with you: the joy of hearing your grandchildren’s voices, their laughter, without barriers, is indescribable. The team at Brad Hutchinson Hearing has been instrumental in this journey, o ering not just their expertise but genuine care and support every step of the way.
I urge you to make the decision to hear better - it’s more than worth it. My experience with Brad Hutchinson Hearing has given me a part of my life back that I didn’t realise I was losing. Hearing my grandchildren’s laughter clearly is a gift for which I’ll always be grateful. Hermina Schutte
Register for a
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Let us show you how e ortless hearing should be - even in background noise - with a 2-week home hearing aid trial. No cost and no obligation when trialling hearing aids. Excludes free hearing aids available to eligible clients under the HSP* For further info, call 9228 9928 or email info@bhhearing.com.au
NORTH PERTH (08) 9228 9928
MIDLAND (08) 9250 2447
MELVILLE (08) 9317 7072
WOODLANDS (08) 9244 2259
DIANELLA (08) 9275 0078
info@bhhearing.com.au
Responsible four-wheel driving
By John Bormolini
Four-wheel drives remain a favourite form of transport for many WA motorists. But are we following the rules when it comes to off-roading?
The majority of four-wheel drive vehicles on our roads are multi-purpose but are still largely used for city duties. And whilst many rarely venture off-road, the emergence of COVID and lockdowns saw a significant increase in four-wheel drive owners venturing off the blacktop and exploring our national parks and remote areas inland.
The capacity of four-wheel drives to go off-road into sometimes difficult terrain raises many considerations, and drivers need to be well informed about their responsibilities, from environmental impacts to legal access, private property restrictions, cultural awareness, off-road safety, and even simple driver etiquette.
The rules and codes
For drivers looking to utilise their four-wheel drive through outback or off-road areas,
the most important thing to remember is that off-road does not mean off-track. Essentially, drivers must stay on designated tracks or trails and should not create their own. Drivers wishing to ‘explore’ need to respect the local and state laws in regard to access and private property.
Western Australian legislation covers the use of off-road vehicles under the Control of Vehicles (Off-road Areas) Act of 1978. It is well worth reviewing the Act as well as the constantly changing restricted zones. The Act prohibits the use of off-road vehicles in certain places as well as making provision for areas and conditions where they can be used.
Coastal access and driving on the beach are popular with WA four-wheel drive owners. Any driver considering this
off-road option needs to be aware of what applies in each local area, as it may change from year to year.
An excellent local guide for responsible off-road driving on WA beaches and coastal areas is the Code Off Road, put together by Track Care WA. The practical and specific advice contained within it highlights the vital ethic of “driving safely and lightly” in what can be a very fragile environment.
Respect the track
Travelling on unsealed roads will have a detrimental impact if we don’t respect the surrounding environment. Avoid driving off existing trails or tracks, especially if it impacts the vegetation. In many locations, the vegetation does not regenerate quickly, and its loss can destabilise dune structures or surface run-off. Drivers often go around small obstacles rather than over them, creating new or additional trails that are not necessary.
Some environmental impacts are not always visible. The longer-term effect on the ecology of the area can be harder to see but significant. The spread of phytophthora dieback throughout our South West is a good example.
Many of our unique plant species, including coastal heaths, are susceptible to dieback, caused by a microscopic soilborne water mould. The pathogen kills many coastal species and vegetation types and can be easily spread by mud and plant material being transported on a vehicle into unaffected areas.
Cultural and heritage awareness
Four-wheel drivers wishing to explore remote regions can easily be unaware of cultural sensitivities that may exist in an area. It’s important to know as much as possible about the historical and cultural significance of an area before charging through it, taking photographs, or collecting any items of interest that you may discover.
By law, visitors passing through Aboriginal Reserves require a permit. The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage provides an online mapping tool that allows drivers to plan their trip and identifies which land requires a permit.
In some mining areas permits also need to be obtained before driving on dirt ‘haul roads’ that are used to connect mining leases or follow rail lines for maintenance crews. They can be great access ways for remote inland camping and four-wheel driving, but official permission (and payment) needs to happen first.
Access across private property can also be contentious. Some of the more intrepid off-road
enthusiasts have a blatant disregard for the lands they’re crossing or exploring, cutting fences or breaking locked gates to gain access.
In other cases, station or property owners generously allow limited access as long as travellers close the gates behind them and respect the place.
Codes of ethics and driver etiquette
Over the last fifty years, a more refined sense of driver responsibility and off-road ethics has steadily emerged. All Australian states and territories now have similar well-developed codes of ethics, all connected to the hundreds of four-wheel drive clubs and larger statewide four-wheel drive associations.
There’s a great sense of advocacy through these organised four-wheel clubs and peak bodies to ensure that their members are spreading the word about responsible four-wheel driving. These clubs offer benefits such as the skills and knowledge of experienced members, club equipment, social events, group tagalong tours and the opportunity to contribute to track maintenance.
Responsible preparation
There is no doubt that acquiring the right driving skills and being aware of responsible four-wheel driving ethics are very important before any serious off-road ventures. Just as crucial is being carefully prepared and equipped. The safety of everyone in the vehicle is at stake if tackling really tough terrain or if the conditions become dangerous.
Never take on a very challenging off-road venture without adequate planning and preparation. Thorough navigation skills, vehicle recovery training, essential spares and equipment, and the ability to do basic repairs are all essential. Ideally, First Aid and some basic survival training should be in there, too.
Rule number one should be to not go it alone. Travelling in convoy, even if it’s just with one or two other vehicles, can be an enormous help.
Responsible planning and preparation includes knowing where to look for good, reliable advice. The Explore Parks WA website has information on travelling
in remote locations and driving off-road safely.
Three other useful resources include HEMA, the WA Four-Wheel Drive Association, and Track Care. HEMA’s comprehensive, long-established mapping platform, which is available in digital and app form, is a great planning tool. It also features an accurate GPS navigator program.
The WA Four-Wheel Drive Association is one of the main peak bodies for off-road driving in the state. It engages with the Department of Parks and Wildlife, Track Care WA and various organisations to maintain and expand areas for recreational use, encourage safe four-wheel driving and keep our environment clean.
As a volunteer organisation Track Care WA works as a conduit, representing four-wheel drivers to other stakeholders such as government. Each year the group engages in projects such as track maintenance, pollution clean-ups and restoration of historical points of interest. Their important work is well deserving of recognition.
Tasmanian Self-Drive Holidays
Wineglass Bay - Matt Donovan
Grey vehicle imports
HOW IT WORKS, WHO’S DOING IT AND WHY
By Byron Mathioudakis
ABOVE: Nissan Silvia; RIGHT: Toyota Supra.
Car manufacturers supply their new vehicles in one of two ways – either directly, meaning they undertake all the homologation and certification processes required before the sale, as well as the importation, distribution and any aftersale issues such as warranty claims; or via a third-party agent authorised by the manufacturer to carry out some or all of the above. Most commonly, the direct method is used by the higher sales volume brands such as Toyota and Hyundai. Smaller volume manufacturers like Subaru and Peugeot use the UK firm Inchcape to take care of all the importation and distribution requirements.
These vehicles are official imports that were compliant with our Australian Design Rules (ADR) that regulate vehicle safety and emissions
standards such as seatbelts, side-impact protection, lighting and emissions controls. These are vehicles designed for our conditions and fuels.
What is a grey vehicle import?
Also known as parallel imports, grey vehicle imports started life elsewhere as new cars, and so are second-hand when they arrive in Australia. They are usually from Japan, due to practicalities like steering-wheel location (righthand drive), Japan’s proximity to Australia, and the variety of vehicles in Japan. Japan’s vehicle taxation structure also makes cars increasingly expensive to own as they get older, prompting an ongoing supply of used vehicles.
The importers can be individuals or organisations, and what they have in common with each other is
generally no affiliation with the carmakers or their agents. In a nutshell, instead of scouring Australia’s cities, towns, and countryside for used cars, they buy internationally, usually via auction or through larger vehicle warehouses. However, they must obtain governmental approval before their grey vehicle imports can be sold in Australia. Failing to do so is a federal offence, with heavy fines and vehicles impounded at the importer’s expense by the Australian Border Force. Should they get through anyway, non-compliant vehicles cannot be registered or driven legally in any state or territory in Australia without import approval.
Now, if all that sounds like more trouble than it’s worth, there are important and even compelling reasons why Australians are buying grey vehicle imports in big numbers.
When did grey vehicle imports become ‘a thing’ in Australia?
Grey vehicle imports from Japan began to increase in Australia during the late 1990s. This came about after a groundswell of used, highperformance and/or specialist enthusiast models such as the Toyota Supra, Nissan Silvia, Mazda RX-7, Mitsubishi Galant and others hit the used-car market in Japan. They were plentiful and cheap since cars become prohibitively expensive to tax annually after a certain age.
This also coincided with skyrocketing demand for highperformance models brought on by the combined (and symbiotic) cultural phenomena of Playstation-style video games and World Rally Championship motorsport. In the late ‘90s, cars like
GREY VEHICLE IMPORTS FROM JAPAN BEGAN TO INCREASE IN AUSTRALIA DURING THE LATTER 1990S.
the Subaru Impreza WRX and Honda Integra Type R became international superstars.
Further fuelling the surge in imported Japanese cars was the arrival of the Fast and the Furious movies from 2001.
As many of these models were either not sold in Australia or were too expensive even as official imports, a small but lucrative cottage industry for cheaply acquired grey vehicle imports thus began in earnest.
How cultural shifts have shaped grey vehicle imports
Even with all the added expense and hassle of buying, storing, and shipping from overseas and then meeting ADRs, and endless sales preparations, grey vehicle imports can still be cheaper than alternatives originally sold new in Australia.
It gives consumers access to specific models and grades never offered here, and of varying vintages, meaning enthusiasts could get into earlier versions of famous cars like the Nissan Skyline, Honda Civic Type R or Toyota Supra for a fraction of the cost.
By the 2000s, with Australia still manufacturing mainly larger family vehicles like the Ford Territory, Holden Commodore, Toyota Camry and Ford Falcon, protecting these (and thus local jobs) against a wave of cheaper second-hand four-wheel drive wagon alternatives out of Japan, like the Toyota Surf, led to widespread government restrictions.
It greatly reduced the types of used grey vehicle imports that could arrive. But there
remained unrestricted models rejected as official imports by their manufacturers for Australia, that have since become popular anyway, addressing big gaps in the market.
The best examples are the proliferation of minivans and people movers, such as the Toyota Alphard, Nissan Elgrand and Mitsubishi Delica. These are fancy six-to-eightseater vans that have really stepped up in Australia as grey vehicle imports now that alternatives like the Toyota Tarago and Honda Odyssey have been discontinued.
Not only are they cheaper to buy in many cases, some are also hybrid-powered to help keep running costs down –something that the official van imports never were.
These and smaller wagons, like the Toyota Porte, Nissan Cube
and Honda Freed, can be had with factory-fitted or professionally-installed wheelchairaccess or swivel/out seats for mobility-impaired buyers.
Among enthusiasts, Japan’s famous Kei city cars and light trucks are having a moment, including the Suzuki Alto and Daihatsu Hijet.
Largely excluded from Australia in the past due to tiny outputs and narrow footprints, they’re seen as affordable alternatives to cars like a new Toyota Yaris, which cost $15,000 (before on-roads) in 2019 but is close to twice that now. Especially relevant amid the current cost-of-living crisis.
However, some grey imports may also bring with them some grey areas, as has happened this year when some Japanese Kei cars were reported to have been imported
without being fully compliant with the safety requirements that applied to them. This is highly unlikely to occur with new vehicle imports.
Disadvantages of grey vehicle imports
There are many pitfalls to look out for when buying a grey vehicle import, one being safety concerns with missed recalls.
The disastrous Takata airbag recall highlighted a loophole with some grey vehicle imports, where some manufacturers could not contact current owners of models fitted with the potentially lethal airbags.
Globally, around 10 million vehicles are recalled annually for myriad issues, many of which have the potential to be harmful or even lethal to occupants.
LEFT: Among enthusiasts, Japan’s light trucks like the Daihatsu Hijet are having a moment.
Also, be aware that driverassist systems, such as lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control, may not be tuned to Australian road conditions, resulting in ineffective or inconsistent operation. Do not rely solely on these when driving.
In addition to this, Japanese radio frequencies are incompatible with Australian frequencies, meaning this element of their audio/ multimedia systems may not work in this country either. The same applies to satellite navigation and voicecommand systems – which are likely not in English.
Check the particular year and model of your potential grey vehicle import to ascertain whether it is compatible with Australian fuel quality. In the past, the higher levels of sulfur allowed in Australian fuel have precluded many cars from being sold here or required manufacturers to tune their vehicles specifically for our fuels.
You’ll need to check if your vehicle’s Australian Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is valid with both the WA Department of Transport as well as the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAVS) website set up by the federal government.
When servicing or conducting repairs, some garages and body shops may reject or charge a premium when
attending to a rarer grey vehicle import, adding to the cost and frustration for owners. This can be especially challenging in regional areas. Be prepared that spare parts may not be easy to get. Also consider whether it may be prohibitively expensive to insure.
Most grey vehicle import dealers provide some sort of warranty on their used cars – 12 months from purchase
is common. This is typically not like a full manufacturer’s factory warranty, as in many cases there are too many exceptions and stipulations that preclude the cover you might need.
In other words, read the fine print and negotiate the coverage you require –in writing with the vendor’s signature.
TYPES OF GREY VEHICLE IMPORT SCHEMES
> The Personal Import Scheme allows immigrants or expats returning home to bring their vehicle with them.
> Vehicles more than 25 years old may be imported provided they are not modified from the original.
> The Registered Automotive Workshop Scheme (RAWS) allows importation of vehicles made after 1989 that qualify for a specialist and enthusiast vehicles (SEVs) permit. According to the federal government, these have “certain features such as high performance,
low emissions or accessibility features but are not otherwise provided to the Australian market.”
> Rally vehicles for motorsport and other non-public-road use only.
> Off-road or farm vehicles not for use on public roads.
> The Low Volume New Scheme for dealers wanting to import SEVs in specific quantities.
> Temporary Imports are mainly for temporary visitors wanting to use their vehicles in Australia.
ABOVE: Minivans and people movers, such as the Toyota Alphard, are popular due to big gaps in the Australian market; RIGHT: Smaller wagons, like the Toyota Porte, can be customised for mobility-impaired buyers.
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The rise and rise of extreme weather
By Ruth Callaghan
Extreme weather events aren’t just having a devastating impact on the communities in the firing line, they are also affecting everything from the cost of housing and construction to food security.
When a tornado touched down in Bunbury in May, it damaged 200 homes, destroyed nine, and sent asbestos flying across suburbs.
The tornado left a 60m-wide path of damage and debris, thanks to winds estimated to have reached 160km/h.
It was described as a freak event, but just three weeks later, the freak happened again.
On June 1, Bunbury was hit by a ‘downburst’, when two thunderstorm cells merged over the South West city. High winds left a 300m swathe of destruction, destroying two homes and eight businesses, and creating chaos for people still picking up the pieces from the earlier disaster.
Wild storms. Flash flooding. One-in-100year events. If it feels like the weather
is crazy, that is because it is, and it will only get crazier as climate change makes these events even more extreme.
The land of droughts and flooding rains is experiencing more severe bushfires, hotter and longer heatwaves, and rising sea levels that compound the risk of erosion and coastal inundation.
Across the north, cyclones are projected to intensify and spend longer over land, and — as Kalbarri can attest — increasingly wander into southern regions not built to withstand their fury.
Amid all this is the most destructive and widespread natural disaster — flooding.
Even as parts of Australia dry out, the intensity of rainfall events is increasing, and when coupled with climate cycles like La Niña, this can lead to above-average downpours across the country, and the floods that follow in their wake.
Everyone is affected by the extremes
The implications of these changes go beyond a few extra days a year of miserable weather.
The impact of extreme weather is felt by everyone, affecting the availability
and cost of housing, rising costs of construction, shortages of key materials, threats to food security, the challenges of inflation and rising insurance premiums.
“Climate change is exacerbating extreme events with things like flooding, but also chronic events like sea level rise and coastal inundation, which can affect anyone who lives near a coastline — that is to say, almost all of us,” says economist Nicki Hutley from the Climate Council.
“The science of climate change means we will have more of both extreme and chronic events, and we will start to get more frequent and greater levels of damage to properties.
“We have seen this on the East Coast where we have had four years of fire and flood, often in communities in the same area.
“Insurance companies price their policies on the basis of risk. When there are more extreme events, and your property is at risk of repeated events, building insurance premiums go up.”
Calculating the costs
The level of risk for property damage can be seen in the series of high-profile extreme events that have beset Australian communities in recent years, capped by the 2022 South-East Queensland and New South Wales floods.
The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) estimates that this one event cost $6 billion in insured losses, making it the costliest extreme weather event in Australia’s history in real terms.
The ICA classifies major disasters such as this as either significant events or insurance catastrophes, triggering arrangements with insurers that will see them expedite claims.
In its most recent annual Insurance Catastrophe Resilience Report, it says that just four extreme events in Australia in 2022 prompted more than 300,000 insurance claims, with the floods seven times as costly as the next biggest disaster that year, the severe storms that hit Victoria and South Australia.
Since then, there have been a dozen other declared insurance catastrophes and significant events, each triggering losses that run into the hundreds of millions of dollars. They include the 2023 Christmas and 2024 New Year’s Day storms that swept the eastern seaboard (nearly 100,00 claims worth $1.3 billion) and Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December (fewer than 10,000 claims but a value of $350 million).
Of course, Australia is not alone. Globally there have been floods, fires, and ferocious storms, which have disrupted the global reinsurance market.
Reinsurance is the approach insurance companies use to share and minimise exposure to risks by taking out their own insurance against claims.
The process allows Australian insurers to take on the risk of providing insurance to customers, and effectively lower prices by entering into an agreement in which the reinsurer might cover losses above a specific level or associated with a specific kind of event. Given the global trend towards climate-related disasters, however, some reinsurers are retreating.
They might be reducing their exposure to what are known as secondary peril events, such as hailstorms, floods, fires, and bushfires, while continuing to cover primary peril events, like cyclones and earthquakes.
Others have decided to set limits on what reinsurance they will provide, leaving Australian insurers more exposed and in turn pushing up the premiums that customers pay.
“The insurance companies have insurance of their own, and these global reinsurance companies are affected by events right around the world,” says Nicki Hutley.
“We know 2023 was the hottest year on record. There were wildfires burning right around the world, in Canada and South America, so the cost to reinsurers has gone up. That affects us every bit as much as the events in Australia.”
Rebuilding is becoming more expensive
Another factor to consider is the cost to rebuild, which is driven up by intense demand for construction materials and labour in the wake of a disaster, as well as by the higher standards usually required for the rebuilt property if it is to be more resilient against future floods or fire. These costs can have a flow-on effect to the price of insurance, as well as opening
a gap between what is covered and what those who need to replace goods have to pay. But there are other costs that are less easy to quantify, such as the social disruption of communities having to manage the aftermath of disasters or where people can no longer afford to rebuild.
Seven months after floods in Victoria in 2022, for example, it was estimated that 70 per cent of residents had still been unable to return home.
But even for those unaffected by disaster, there are costs associated with the adaptation of homes and businesses to hotter summers and colder winters, as well as the challenge of growing food in a country more prone to drought and floods.
“I think unless you’re a climate scientist or a climate economist, you probably don’t see it as clearly but there is an impact on food prices due to climate-related events, they have an impact on the economy and they impact on jobs,” Hutley says.
“If you’re in an area impacted by an extreme weather event, people, business and industry can be deeply affected. When jobs are lost, they can be lost for years.”
For Western Australia, the profile of extreme weather events looks somewhat different to that in the east, but we have our own challenges to face.
Bushfires and drought risks increasing in WA Our state might have escaped the worst of the flooding seen in Queensland and New South Wales, but it is becoming drier, which raises the risk of drought and bushfires, says Bureau of Meteorology Senior Climatologist Zhi-Weng Chua.
“Under the trend of global warming, there has been a shift towards drier conditions across south-west WA due to more highs and fewer lows and cold fronts that produce rainfall,” he says.
“Since 1970, April to October rainfall has seen a decline of around 15 per cent and May to July rainfall has seen the largest decrease, by around 19 per cent.”
At the same time, abrupt and violent rain showers are becoming more common in WA and in other parts of Australia. On the day of the Bunbury downburst in June, nearby Wokalup recorded nearly a month’s worth of rain in a single day, with 132mm falling. When ex-tropical Cyclone Ellie spent two weeks last year meandering around the Kimberley, similar downpours led to flooding in the Fitzroy River, which exceeded its previous record by almost two metres. Dimond Gorge on the
Gibb River recorded a weekly rainfall of 830mm.
“Short duration (hourly) extreme rainfall events are becoming more intense because global warming allows the atmosphere to hold more water vapour than cooler air can,” Chua says. “This consequently provides more humidity and energy for generating extreme rainfall events.”
Tropical cyclones, one of the most expensive risks related to climate, are harder to predict. Since 1982, when reliable satellite observations began, there has been a downward trend in the number of tropical cyclones, but it is very difficult to predict the intensity of an individual cyclone.
“Tropical cyclone activity in Australia’s cyclone region varies substantially from year to year, (including) from the influence of large-scale climate drivers. The number of cyclones in our region generally declines with El Nino and increases with La Nina.”
For both the Climate Council and the Insurance Council of Australia, the need for governments to act to reduce the impact of climate change
is urgent, with both groups calling for investment in community resilience, including measures to protect homes and properties from disasters.
There is also pressure for the costs of inaction on climate change to be made clearer, as well as for communities to be better informed about what extreme weather will look like into the future if we fail to act.
“We absolutely have to brace for this, because the idea we will go back to some sort of idyllic climate is just not true,” the Climate Council’s Nikki Hartley says.
“Australia’s already reached 1.5 degrees of warming, and the world is heading towards that level rapidly. The science is telling us it could be 2.5 degrees or 3 degrees or even 4 degrees, where we’re headed, perhaps not in our lifetime, but in the lifetimes of our children and grandchildren.
“But at the same time, we have to have hope.
“When humans get into the worst possible situations, we have managed to dig ourselves out. There are things we can do — and together they will make a difference.”
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WA travel brief
Esperance Hiking Festival
Over three days this September, hiking enthusiasts will be in their element when the inaugural Esperance Hiking Festival gets underway.
Five guided hiking tours crafted by adventure tour company
The Hike Collective have been specially themed around the elements of fire, water, space, earth, and air.
You can climb to the top of Frenchman Peak, walk the coastline from Rossiter Bay to Hellfire Bay, explore the Kepwari Wetlands, hike between Hellfire Bay and Le Grand Beach, or take the Great Ocean Walk to stunning Twilight Bay.
Additional hiking experiences are also available, as well as a degustation dining experience over two nights with Fervor.
Prices start from $30, with the five hikes covering various distances and degrees of difficulty, from beginner to advanced. Tickets are available online, with events on from 20 to 22 September 2024.
For more information about the Esperance Hiking Festival, visit australiasgoldenoutback.com/esperance-hiking-festival
QUOKKAS JOIN THE FOREST TRAIL
More than 90 sculptures make up the unique Understory Art and Nature Trail that winds through the forest in Northcliffe.
The sculptures dotted along a 1.2km walking trail have been created by local and international artists and have recently been joined by an interesting new installation.
WA artist Mikaela Castledine has created seven life-sized crocheted quokkas to highlight the region’s own quokka population, allowing you to get a quokka selfie with a forest backdrop.
Wildflowers will also be starting to bloom in late spring across the Great Southern region, making it a great time to visit the Understory trail.
You can take a self-guided tour or choose one of the organised tours. On the Understory website you can also download audio extras, including music created especially for the trail experience and a children’s audio story about the forest.
To find out more, visit understory.com.au
Sean Scott
THE ALL-NEW BUSSELTON CARAVAN & CAMPING SHOW
The South West is getting its own caravan and camping show, and RAC will have a stand on site for this inaugural event.
The Busselton Caravan & Camping Show will make its debut this September, showcasing a range of caravans, campers, and camper trailers, along with camping and caravanning accessories.
Industry experts will be on hand to provide specialist advice, with hands-on exhibits to also keep you busy.
At RAC’s Parks & Resorts stand, the team can answer all of your questions about staying at any of RAC’s nine properties across the state, including RAC Busselton Holiday Park. Plus, you’ll have the chance to go in the draw to win a $1000 Parks & Resorts voucher.
The Busselton Caravan & Camping Show is on September 21-22 at Churchill Park.
For more details and to buy tickets, visit caravanwa.com.au and click on ‘Events’.
TASTE THE CORAL COAST
WA’s Coral Coast is renowned for its coastal and marine attractions, from the soaring cliffs of Kalbarri to the underwater wonders of the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef.
What’s less known about this region is that it has a surprising range of dining options.
There are now three food trails that cover the Kalbarri, Geraldton, and Ningaloo regions.
Know where to go for craft breweries, cafes with ocean views, fine dining restaurants and rooftop bars. You’ll get to taste some of the best local seafood, freshly baked pastries, artisan ice creams, and treats made with locally grown fruit.
If you’re planning a trip to the region, download the free food and beverage trail guides from australiascoralcoast.com/plan/food-drink
PERTH’S BEST WILDFLOWER TRAILS
If you don’t have time to travel outside Perth this wildflower season, our metropolitan area is full of hotspots where you can view thousands of WA’s unique blooms.
At Bold Park in Floreat, take the Reabold Hill Summit Boardwalk for a wildflowerfilled walk up to the top, then be rewarded with views that take in everything from Rottnest Island to the city and beyond. Yanchep National Park has a number of trails ideal for wildflower viewing, including the Cockatoo Walk Trail and the Coastal Plain Walk.
For some of the Swan Valley’s best wildflower trails, visit Whiteman Park. At the Visitor Information Centre, you can also pick up a pocket guide to help you spot them.
The Perth Hills has an abundance of scenic wildflower trails, including the Eagles’ View walk in John Forrest National Park and the Mount Dale Walk Trail in Helena National Park.
For wildflower enthusiasts, Kings Park is a local hotspot not to be missed. Take the Botanic Garden Discovery Walk to see more than 3000 species.
For more trails around Perth, visit destinationperth.com.au and search for ‘Wildflowers.’
Jason Thomas
cjmaddock
Camping + caravanning
STICKYBEAK INSIDE THE JOHNSON’S CARAVAN
Casey and Zane Johnson take us on a stickybeak through their MDC Forbes 13 off-road hybrid caravan. The couple have been travelling up and down the WA coast since 2022, stopping for work along the way.
Since buying the caravan, Casey and Zane have installed sirocco fans, a diesel heater, and a larger inverter.
“Having an off-road caravan has enabled us to get to just about anywhere, while still giving us our creature comforts,” Casey says. “It’s handled some extremely corrugated, sandy and rocky tracks like a champ.”
To have a stickybeak through Casey and Zane’s caravan, watch the video walkthrough by scanning the QR code.
Like to share a stickybeak through your caravan? Contact us at horizons@rac.com.au
Do we need towing licences?
Debate over whether caravan owners should be required to have a towing licence has divided the industry in recent years, since the COVID-19 caravan boom saw large numbers of caravan novices taking to the roads.
No one disagrees that more education and awareness of safe towing practices is needed, especially given the considerable size and weight of many modern caravans.
But whether a mandatory licence would improve safety is something Australia’s Caravan Industry Association believes is unclear. They cite the relatively low level of fatalities in crashes involving caravans compared to other vehicle crashes and say there is little evidence that licences would improve safety.
The cost of implementing and administering a new driver licensing scheme would also be significant and may also become a barrier to entry.
RAC’s own caravan safety sessions, Tow Safe, are regularly booked out, which highlights that there is a real demand for training and education among caravan owners.
And it’s hard to dispute that allowing a driver with no towing experience or training to be responsible for hauling more than three tonnes behind their vehicle at high speed, is a road safety risk.
AGGREGATE TRAILER MASS
Working out how much you can tow
Whether you’re towing a box trailer or a three-tonne caravan, it’s critical to understand towing weights and how to calculate what you can legally and safely hitch up behind your tow vehicle. Here are some of the key towing weights you need to understand.
To calculate what you can legally tow with your own vehicle, watch our demonstration video by scanning the QR code.
PREVENTING CARAVAN THEFT
On average, around 500600 caravans are stolen across Australia each year, according to figures from Neighbourhood Watch, and the boom in caravan sales during the COVID pandemic has created even more opportunities for theft.
Fortunately, there are some simple security devices that
GVM (GROSS VEHICLE MASS)
The maximum allowable weight of your vehicle when fully loaded
TOW BALL MASS
The maximum allowable weight that can be applied to the tow bar
PAYLOAD
The total weight of all the cargo you place in your vehicle or caravan
ATM (AGGREGATE TRAILER MASS)
The maximum allowable weight of the fully loaded caravan/trailer when it is not connected to the vehicle (Tare + Payload)
can help protect your valuable recreational investment from disappearing without a trace.
Wheel clamps, which lock onto the caravan’s wheels to prevent it from being moved, are relatively inexpensive, as are coupling locks that are fitted to the caravan’s ball socket so it can’t be hitched up and driven away.
A combination of both can work well – just be sure that the locks have the highest
GTM (GROSS TRAILER MASS)
The weight of the fully loaded caravan/ trailer (ATM) when it is connected to the vehicle
level of security against being drilled or cut.
More sophisticated caravan security devices include GPS trackers and anti-tow systems for vehicles that have onboard electric brakes.
Anti-tow systems enable the brakes to be automatically applied if the caravan is moved while the system is armed. These are often coupled with an alarm that senses any initial movements.
TARE (TARE MASS)
The weight of your empty vehicle or caravan with its standard factory fittings and equipment
GCM (GROSS COMBINATION MASS)
The total allowable weight of your fully loaded car and caravan combined
While a GPS device won’t prevent theft, it will enable you to track the location of your caravan in the event that your other anti-theft devices are compromised.
Just as important is being mindful of where and how it’s parked. If you can’t store it in a garage or yard, consider a sensor light and keep it close to the front of your home, and not in a position where it can be easily hitched and towed.
TOW BALL MASS
CARAVAN AXLE
FRONT AXLE
GROSS COMBINATION MASS
GROSS VEHICLE MASS
WATCH VIDEO
REAR AXLE
Spring fling in the Ferguson Valley
GO ROAD TRIPPING TO SOME OF THE STATE’S GREENEST ROLLING HILLS, FRIENDLIEST FAMILY-RUN WINERIES, AND PRETTIEST WILDFLOWER WALKS AS YOU EXPLORE THIS LUSH REGION ONLY TWO HOURS’ DRIVE FROM PERTH.
By Fleur Bainger
The rolling hills of the Ferguson Valley transform each spring. Rows of leafy grapevines flutter in shades of lush green, while dense native forests release the unmistakable scent of eucalyptus, and vibrant wildflowers draw the eye.
The signs of early spring, or Djilba in the Noongar language, awaken the senses and make for a compelling reason to explore this often-overlooked region. Flanked by towns that each bear their own distinct identity, you can travel between Collie, Donnybrook, Boyanup and Dardanup in a loop.
Explore the many art studios, independently-owned shops and small-batch wineries. Look and linger at curiosities such as Gnomesville and the enormous Wellington Dam mural. Most of all, embrace the many natural wonders, from hiking paths along flowing rivers to mountain bike trails winding through jarrah and marri trees, spotting native blooms as you go. Let this four-day itinerary guide you on an adventure you never expected.
Day one:
Perth to Collie 2hr 15min (185km)
Leaving Perth, travel south on the South Western Highway, passing through the riverside, rural community of Pinjarra and the dairy and orchard fields of Harvey until you reach Collie.
The latter town has replaced its reputation as a coal mining centre with one that’s more art and nature focused.
In April this year, Collie was named an official Trails Town, recognising the 400km of ribboning mountain bike trails through its surrounding forest. Some $10 million has been invested in the Collie Adventure Trails initiative, delivering world-class adventure routes to the area. For a full overview,
LEFT: The vineyards at Willow Bridge Estate; BELOW: A walkway stretching over the Wellington Dam mega mural opened in 2023.
Tourism Western AustraliaJarrad Seng
download the Wambenger Trails app; the trails in Wellington National Park are tipped as particular highlights.
Mountain bikes can be hired from Crank‘n Cycles, and e-bike tours are run by Adventure Connections. Millions have also been pumped into infrastructure for parks and forests in and around Collie. In 2023, a new walkway stretching over the Wellington Dam mega mural opened. Not only does it grant elevated views across the 367-metre-wide dam wall, it also allows hikers to complete the 87-kilometre Wiilman Bilya trail around Collie’s huge reservoir.
Collie has a number of idyllic waterways connected to campgrounds, from Honeymoon Pool and Potters Gorge to the former open-cut coalmines of Black Diamond Lake, Stockton Lake and Lake Kepwari. The latter recently had new boating facilities, campsites and picnic sites added, making it
ideal for long spring days filled with water skiing and swimming.
In town, numerous large-scale murals create an art-led treasure hunt. Go it alone or join a walking tour with Forest Explorers, a company that also leads wildflower tours. Outdoorsy activity tends to stoke appetites. Top up with energy drinks at Whisk Nutrition Studio, have a hot meal at Barn-Zee’s Burger & Barista or grab a healthy takeaway option such as a salad or grazing board from Tailored Grazing. Or dine differently on an Adventure Connections e-bike ride to Hackersley Estate for a set menu dining experience, or horse ride to Harris River Estate for a picnic and plenty of wildflower spotting with Outback Horse Trails. Accommodation ranges from the Estate’s winery chalets to swish new hiker, biker and backpacker hub, the Crown Hotel. There are also B&Bs, holiday cabins, hotels, motels, and oodles of campsites.
TOP: Lake Kepwari, Collie; ABOVE: Gnomesville; RIGHT: Apple Fun Park, Donnybrook; BELOW: The café at Rustic French Living, Boyanup.
Zac and Tay
Shire Donnybrook Balingup DCBA
Australia’s South West
Day two:
Collie to Donnybrook 70min (88km)
Rather than taking the direct route to Donnybrook, choose Mungalup Road and drive through the trees of Wellington State Forest, stopping in at the 36-metretall King Jarrah Tree – believed to be up to 500 years old.
Fit in a wine tasting at nearby Talisman Wines and head to quirky Gnomesville. Wander through more than 10,000 characterful gnomes (and consider adding your own), finding them along paddock edges, down gullies and up in trees. From there, drive towards Lowden until you hit the Donnybrook-Boyup Brook T-junction and turn west for the heart of apple growing country.
Noticeable from the moment you drive in, thanks to large green and red apples high on lamp posts, the former timber milling town is also home to the Apple Fun Park, Australia’s largest free-entry playground.
Let the kids loose on the corkscrew slide, mini trampolines and suspended rope corridors while parents sneak off to the Goods Shed for a coffee.
If you’re in a hurry, The Orchard Café has a drive-through service, but their country pot pies, and home-made slices may lure you inside. It’s attached to the Fruit Barn, where you can shop for local produce and get maps for surrounding orchards offering apple picking. Pickyour-own adventures need to be planned for March to May, while springtime signals the season for nature walks.
In town, follow the 3.1km Donnybrook Forest Wildflower Walk, with the loop starting at the end of Tea Tree Drive. Meanwhile, the 4.7km Sandhills Walk Trail passes clusters of fragrant yellow wattle. Out of town towards Capel, the Ironstone Gully Falls are dotted with wildflowers, creating a beautiful setting for the rapids, which gush over a nine-metre ledge after winter rains.
Donnybrook is also flanked by numerous wineries with cellar doors, including Barrecas (who also make their own olive oil), Oakway Estate, and Thompson Brook Wines. For overnight stays, Donnybrook has country cottages, lodges, cabins, a hotel, shed stay, farm stay, B&B, backpackers, and transit park for camping.
Day three:
Donnybrook to Boyanup 13min (16km)
Return to the South Western Highway to reach the farm-encircled town of Boyanup, where you’ll spot dairy cows and fruit orchards before rolling into the main street. Park the car and wander slowly between shops, where you’ll likely lose track of time.
French curios and antiques can be found with a fossick at Rustic French Living. There are ceramics, glassware, trunks, and clocks sourced from the French countryside, as well as clothing and a café serving pastries and coffee. If craft supplies are your thing – think crochet, wool spinning, or chalk painting – pop into the Craggy Pear (formerly The Felting Pot Studio). Found inside a former church, the shelves are also stacked with unique homewares and gifts. For more vintage finds, venture into The Den, where you’ll be surprised by the relics of days gone by.
Plan a meal at the Boyanup Tavern, which has recently undergone a significant refurbishment, making it particularly family friendly thanks to a new playground. Kids will also love the Gingerbread House, although they may have trouble choosing from the many varieties of lollies for sale.
On the last Sunday of the month, make a beeline for the Boyanup Farmers Market, which has been running since 2002. Local producers converge to sell everything from local goat meat to artisan ice cream. There’s no shortage of nature in the area. Nearly 10km out of Boyanup, Crooked Brook Forest is a great spot for wildflower spotting in spring – follow the 3km Wildflower Walk and picnic by the billabong. Nearby, the 9.5km
TOP: Market day at the Lost and Found Festival; ABOVE: Rapids at Ironstone Gully Falls. Lost and Found
Marri Walk Trail may also lead you to tiny blooms winking from the forest floor. Expect to find pink myrtle, blue leschenaultia, and yellow candles. In town, the Preston River Ramble starts in Lions Park and winds along the riverbank. Rest your head at a farmstay, B&B, winery, or resort-style accommodation.
Day four: Boyanup to Dardanup 8min (11km)
Take the Boyanup-Picton Road to reach your next destination. Dardanup is in the heart of the bucolic Ferguson Valley wine region, with cellar doors and restaurants dotting Pile Road and Henty Road. Wind your way past rolling, grassy hills and stop in for lunch at Ferguson Falls Wines & Café or Green Door Wines. With your designated driver in tow, enjoy tastings at Henty View Wines and Willow Bridge Estate. You’ll also find unfiltered beers and ciders at the Bush Shack Brewery or join the convivial atmosphere at Wild Bull Brewery.
Keep an eye out for the new public artwork on Pile Road – the large, circular sculpture made of steel rings is the first piece in what is hoped will become a 15-piece art trail. The piece acts to reflect the area’s beauty and symbolises the many artists who work in the valley. A number of them, such as Diana Neggo,
FIND OUT MORE
Don’t have four days? Check out our Ferguson Valley daytrip itinerary at rac.com.au/ FergieValleyDayTrip or scan the QR code.
Bev Mountford and Bob Turner, welcome visitors and host exhibitions during the Dardanup Art Spectacular each April.
In town, the Dardanup Baker and Dardy Tavern are popular spots and great for a feed; the Heritage Park is also worth a visit for fans of historic machinery such as tractors and a steam sawmill held across 20 sheds.
October is a particularly busy time in the area. The free-to-attend Dardanup Bull and Barrel Festival brings together 150 market stalls, a ‘local flavours’ marquee, farm animals and a spectacular burning effigy of a giant bull head on 5 October. The ticketed Lost and Found Festival enlivens the Bunbury-Geographe region, celebrating its food, wine, farming, music, and art from 10 to 13 October.
At Wine in the Vines, the owners of St. Aidan Wines will lead guests through the vineyard, sharing secrets about the art of winemaking while you savour their drops with canapes. At Wildflower Wander and Paint, a scenic walk leads to an artist-guided paint and sip session at Harris River Estate. There’s also high tea, a park festival and more.
Accommodation is diverse, from tiny cabins by Hidden Cabins to the apartments at Evedon Lakeside Retreat and the B&B rooms at Hope Springs Farm. There are also lodges, retreats, farmstays and camping.
SAVE ON SOUTH WEST STAYS
If you’re continuing on to the South West, remember RAC members enjoy exclusive rates and special offers at RAC’s Parks and Resorts in Busselton, Margaret River and Karri Valley. Visit racparksandresorts.com.au
ABOVE: Savour one of St. Aidan Wines drops with canapes; BELOW: Green Door Wines east of Dardanup.
life for a moment
Go from mundane to magic and book your next getaway at one of our Parks & Resorts. RAC members enjoy exclusive rates all year round*
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Spring festival fever
By Myke Bartlett
As Western Australia’s extraordinarily diverse wildflowers begin to spread from north to south, take a weekend, a week or even more to check out the many festivals celebrating spring and some of the colourful flora you’ll find nowhere else on earth.
In WA, we’re blessed with an unusually long wildflower season, beginning around June in the north and winding up around November at the southernmost fringes.
With the southern region of WA one of Australia’s two globally recognised hotspots for biodiversity, a number of spring festivals are about to get underway from Perth to the far south, each highlighting the treasures unique to their region and celebrating the local landscape and culture.
Starting in Perth and heading south, here are five wildflower and spring festivals to do on a day trip or a longer road trip.
Everlasting
Kings Park Festival 13-29 September 2024
Few cities are gifted with such an impressive expanse of parkland as Perth. King Park’s proximity to the CBD is certainly one of the unique features of this wildflower festival, along with an unrivalled breadth of species, with an estimated 3,000 endemic plants on display.
Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, the Everlasting Kings Park Festival is centred around the Western Australian Botanic Garden, one of the most visited and well-regarded botanic gardens in the
world. Essentially, the program works as a showcase for the Kings Park Nursery, which produces all the plants on show from seed.
While the festival itself runs for a fortnight, an army of skilled horticulturalists and volunteers will have been working on getting things ready over the past year, with some of the garden planning and plant seeding happening up to three years in advance.
The festival affords visitors a welcome behind-the-scenes look at the running of the world-famous park and its gardens, as well as a range of free events and activities.
Highlights include the everlastings bed on Lovekin Drive featuring a colourful mix of rhodanthe and schoenia species, the Conservation Garden featuring rare and threatened WA flora, and the famous plant sale beloved by collectors and plant enthusiasts wanting treasures not available from commercial nurseries. bgpa.wa.gov.au/everlasting-kings-park-festival
Chittering Spring Fest
31 August-15 September 2024
The first half of September is a celebration of all things spring in Chittering. What was once only a wildflower festival
has become a vivid and wide-ranging welcome to the warmer weather.
Find out where to head for the best displays of endemic wildflowers, enjoy local food, wine and seasonal produce, and discover local arts and crafts, with artists inviting visitors to their studios.
At Westways Wildflower Farm, where wildflowers are preserved for export, you can sample sandalwood nut. The nut itself is said to be an acquired taste, but it’s made far more enjoyable served wrapped in chocolate or as sandalwood brittle.
The area is also great for walking trails,
with guided tours taking visitors through some key sites of local history, including some of Moondyne Joe’s hideouts.
Within an hour’s drive of the Perth CBD, Chittering is ideal for day-trippers and is also a gateway to the wildflower country of the Wheatbelt.
chitteringspringfest.com.au
Bloom Festival
21 September-20 October 2024
Although wildflowers are only one part of this festival, there can be no doubt Bloom is the state’s largest and longest celebration of spring.
Everlasting Kings Park Festival
Chittering Spring Fest
Bloom Festival
Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show & Festival Esperance Wildflower Festival
Albany Wildflower Show
LEFT: Wildflowers in bloom at Kings Park; BELOW: The flora and fauna of Ravensthorpe; BOTTOM: Waxflower in Chittering.
The month-long program features events from rural and regional townships across eight shires in WA’s south. According to the team responsible, a month is barely long enough to capture all the treats this region has to offer.
Visitors are encouraged to come for a few days at a time, set up camp in a town such as Katanning, and travel out from there to the Stirling Range, Frankland River or the Porongurup Range, taking in a host of events along the way. Choose from art and craft displays, terrarium or flower arranging workshops, Nyungar cultural events, market stalls, live music or wine and dine evenings.
Floral highlights include Bloom in Bremer Bay – a morning of craft, followed by lunch and a guided wildflower walk around town. Keep an eye out for the colourful Queen of Sheba orchid. One of the rarest flowers on Earth, it’s been enticing international botanists, photographers and wildflower enthusiasts to Bremer Bay for years.
The species only flowers for a short period, which (as it happens) overlaps neatly with Bloom Festival.
greatsoutherntreasures.com.au/bloom
Esperance
Wildflower Festival
17-21 September 2024
Held at the Esperance Civic Centre, this festival is the most south-easterly of its kind, but close enough to Ravensthorpe to attract wildflower hunters and grey nomads alike (the festivals deliberately overlap). It’s also the only festival of its kind to be led by a First Nations community, with the Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation taking over coordination of the show from this year. The theme for 2024 is ‘Granite: A Treasury of Plants and Culture’, reflecting the nature of the landscape and its cultural corridors. Granite outcrops have been culturally significant to the
Wudjari Nyungar people for many thousands of years, acting as landmarks to determine the boundaries between traditional lands.
Cultural discovery will play a large part in this year’s program, with visitors learning about plants with cultural significance for the area’s Traditional Custodians, the Wudjari Nyungar community. Also on offer are arts encounters, where festivalgoers can participate in community sculpture workshops with visiting Nyungar artist Sharyn Egan and local artist Naomi Stanitzki. There will also be the usual displays of wildflowers unique to the region and talks about plants and the environment from high profile guest speakers Professor Tim Flannery and Professor Stephen Hopper. Visitors can also take part in guided tours and workshops with local and visiting botanists.
TOP LEFT: Hakea in bloom; LEFT: Wildflower specimens on display, Ravensthorpe; ABOVE: Banksia speciosa; RIGHT: A wildflower walk on the coast near Ravensthorpe.
FIND OUT MORE
For some of the best wildflower drives in and around Perth, visit rac.com.au/ WildflowerDayTrips or scan the QR code.
Beyond the organised program, the area features a number of wildflower trails to explore solo, including the Kepwari Walk Trail, where you’ll find the path lined with spider orchids, cowslips, banksias, wattle and kangaroo paws. esperancewildflowerfestival.com
Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show & Festival
9-21 September 2024
As flower shows go, this is the biggest bloom. Surrounded by the wide expanse of the Fitzgerald River National Park, the Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show & Festival has a fantastic breadth of native flowers on show. No wonder it’s considered one of the biggest of its kind.
Across its two-week program, 41 pickers will choose from thousands of species, with the park thought to contain around a third of the state’s wildflowers, some still undocumented.
Local specialities include the hakea Victoria (also called the royal hakea), known for having an unusual and spectacular range of colour on the same bush, and the qualup bell pimelea physodes, an iconic plant famed for its large, pendant flowers.
The Ravensthorpe shire is also dubbed the eucalyptus centre of the universe, containing more gum trees than anywhere else on the planet, including a few hundred endemic, rare and threatened species. Perhaps most famous is the eucalyptus sepulcralis, a spectacularly weeping gum tree said by the festival organisers to be “better than any weeping willow.”
It isn’t all about the flowers, of course. As with many wildflower festivals, the Ravensthorpe show (now in its 43rd year) celebrates a wide selection of the area’s attractions. This year’s theme is ‘art in nature’, with the program encouraging visitors to explore, discover and learn.
Sessions include workshops making visual and written art inspired by the local flora, as well as excursions to sample native foods. wildflowersravensthorpe.org.au
Albany Wildflower Show
18-21 September 2024
Albany’s wildflower festival is on during the Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show and makes a great stop off on the way to or from Ravensthorpe. Organised by a passionate team of wildflower experts and enthusiasts, the Albany Wildflower Show will feature hundreds of botanically curated wildflowers collected from around Walpole to Bremer Bay and up to Broomehill, including the Stirling Range. There will also be a special exhibit of local trees to help you identify different species. The show will be held in St John’s Hall, on York Street in Albany.
Search for the Albany Wildflower Show under ‘Events’ at wildflowersocietywa.org.au
& Inclusions
• Arrival flight from Cairns to Nhulunbuy and departure flight from Seven Spirit Bay to Darwin
• All accommodation, meals and beverages for the duration of the tour
• Travel aboard a custom 4WD Mercedes-Benz with a Tour Driver/Guide
• Enjoy a special Welcome to Country in Nhulunbuy
• Experience authentic cultural activities with Indigenous guides
• Discover the vast and sacred Arafura Swamp by boat and open-back 4WD
• Explore the pristine waters of Cobourg Marine Park Sanctuary
& Inclusions
• All accommodation, meals and beverages for the duration of the tour
• Travel aboard a custom 4WD Mercedes-Benz with a 2-person crew
• One way airfare from Horn Island to Cairns
• Journey to Pajinka, the northernmost tip of the Australian mainland
• Experience the ancient Daintree Rainforest along the Bloomfield Track
• Exclusive 45-minute scenic heli-flight over Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park
• Take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of Fruit Bat Falls
• Explore the Torres Strait including Thursday Island and Horn Island
Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park, QLD
AUSTRALIA by Train
DISCOVER ADELAIDE & DARWIN
All-inclusive rail journey plus city stays | 9 Days
PERTH TO SYDNEY
All-inclusive
• 3 nights’ accommodation in Adelaide, including breakfast daily
• Northern Barossa Valley Voyager tour, including lunch
• Discover the history of the Barossa Valley
• Enjoy cellar door tastings and a restaurant lunch
• 2 nights aboard The Ghan, Adelaide to Darwin, including all meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences in Marla, Alice Springs and Katherine
• Explore the outback town of Alice Springs
• Cruise ancient Nitmiluk Gorge in Katherine
• 3 nights’ accommodation in Darwin, including breakfast daily
• Darwin Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise
• ALL NEW 5 DAY ITINERARY IN 2025 – 4 nights aboard the Indian Pacific from Perth to Sydney featuring a new itinerary in 2025
• All-inclusive meals, fine wines, and beverages throughout your journey
• Off Train Experiences in Kalgoorlie, Cook, the Barossa Valley, Broken Hill and the Blue Mountains
• Visit Kalgoorlie, a gold rush-era town on the outskirts of the Nullarbor
• Stargaze by a bonfire at the remote town of Cook
• Enjoy an exclusive dining experience in the Barossa Valley at Seppeltsfield Estate
• Visit Australia’s first heritage listed-city, Broken Hill
• Explore the spectacular Blue Mountains
Taste of New Zealand Norfolk Island & Bay of Islands
• Engage in a tour of the Historic Waitangi Treaty Ground and Maori Culture
• Discover Norfolk Island’s historic sites
• Visit Puketi Garden, a 360-hectare rainforest
• Sail on an authentic 1935 English Lifeboat to the Sugar Loaf Islands
Highlights And Inclusions
The World’s First Discovery yachtsTM
Truly All-Inclusive Ultra-Luxury
Up to 10 Award-Winning Dining Experiences
Discovery Yacht Experience - Discover the benefits of Ultra-luxury cruising cruising
• Navigate to coastal havens such as Palamós, Mahón, Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza.
• Admire the carmine-coloured cliffs rising out of blue waters off the Vermilion Coast.
• Savour a bold-flavoured local cheese in Mahón, or freshly caught prawns in Palamós.
• In Ibiza, soak up the vibrant party-luxe lifestyle and the raw beauty of this famous island.
Highlights And Inclusions
EmeraldPLUS and EmeraldACTIVE experiences
20 meals included with complimentary wine, beer, soft drinks and selected cocktails
The service of an Emerald Cruises Shore Excursion Manager Includes a Welcome and Farewell Reception and Dinner
Future moves
ROBOTIC CANINE HELPER
You might expect maintenance jobs at car factories to be done by people. However, BMW has employed the services of a dog for that job at its Hams Hall plant in the UK. It’s an autonomous robotic dog called “SpOTTO”, which according to BMW can autonomously scan the plant, support maintenance, and ensure production processes are running smoothly. SpOTTO is equipped with visual, thermal, and acoustic sensors, allowing it to monitor the temperature of manufacturing equipment, identify leaks in compressed air lines, and collect operational data. Originally named Spot, it was renamed SpOTTO to acknowledge one of BMW’s founders, Gustav Otto, who was also the son of Nicolaus Otto, inventor of the four-stroke petrol engine.
MORE GREEN, BETTER HEALTH
An overseas study has highlighted the role of green trees in urban streets in contributing to reductions of 1520 per cent in obesity and diabetes rates. The study by the University of Maryland used Google Street View to examine neighbourhood walkability and aesthetic data, and combined that with health information to explore how different neighbourhood types affected people’s health. Key features were green streets, footpaths, and crosswalks, which encouraged more physical activity.
TOYOTA’S HYBRID FOCUS
In one of the most telling moves we’ve seen from a major car maker, Toyota has decided to stop producing all petrol-only versions of its models line-ups where a hybrid version is available. With prior announcements of the CH-R, Camry, Corolla, and Yaris going hybrid only, it wasn’t a huge surprise that more model ranges would follow, including the RAV4 and Kluger. Sporty GR versions of the Corolla and Yaris won’t be affected as they weren’t available as hybrids. The move should partly address criticism Toyota has received in recent years about the internal combustion engine focus of its line-up.
Test drive
SMALL HYBRID SUVS GO BACK-TO-BACK
We compare the Toyota CH-R with the Nissan Qashqai E-Power
By Alex Forrest
With most small SUVs being used in urban areas, it follows that more are getting some form of electrification added.
TOP: The Nissan Qashqai e-Power hybrid is new, but its interior (ABOVE) is familiar; LEFT: The whole of the Toyota CH-R range is now hybrid-only.
Electric cars and hybrids are at their best doing short trips in cities, where they can take advantage of regenerative braking to feed energy back into the battery, and drivers can enjoy peppy acceleration with minimal petrol use.
The Toyota CH-R and Nissan Qashqai E-Power are among the latest hybrid small SUVs to enter the Australian market, with both having arrived in March 2024. But these two do their hybrid-ing quite differently. The Toyota CH-R is a conventional hybrid, in which the electric motor and petrol engine are linked directly to the wheels and work together to power them.
In the Qashqai E-Power, the petrol engine isn’t connected to the wheels mechanically. Instead, the petrol engine is connected to a generator which then sends energy directly to the electric motor, or to the 2.1kWh battery for use later.
Value for money
Where electrification is involved, you can expect higher purchase prices. The trade-off is a better driving vehicle thanks to the electric assistance, and less frequent refuelling.
Own them for long enough, and by the end of the vehicle’s life, its extra cost will eventually be offset by the savings you make on petrol.
The Qashqai’s e-Power hybrid system is only available on the top-of-the-range Ti variant, which has a drive away price of $57,435. The Toyota CH-R is only available with a hybrid drivetrain, with the entry-level model starting at $48,170.
The range-topping CH-R GR Sport hybrid costs $62,040, but it comes with all-wheel drive, unlike the front-wheel drive-only Qashqai hybrid. Either way, both the Qashqai e-Power and the CH-R Hybrid are not the cheapest small SUVs, but they are among the most economical and best equipped.
On the road
The Nissan Qashqai e-Power drives more like an electric vehicle than most hybrids. It has EV-like acceleration, and the engine noise doesn’t rise with acceleration in the way of a solely petrol-powered vehicle, thanks to its main job being to charge the battery. This increased number of energy processes in the Qashqai – rather than just using the engine to drive the wheels – may not add up from a physics point of view but it is smooth, quiet, and spirited to drive.
The CH-R is a more conventional hybrid that uses both the electric motor and petrol engine to power the wheels but is still responsive and refined in the daily traffic grind. Power in the CH-R GR Sport is slightly up on the Qashqai, and the GR Sport is a little nimbler partly thanks to its all-wheel drive and weighing 150kg less.
Safety and practicality
Both the Qashqai and the CH-R have 5-star ANCAP safety ratings, although the CH-R was rated in 2024, while the Qashqai’s rating dates from 2021, when protocols were less stringent.
There’s no doubt that the CH-R’s styling is more raked, and overall it’s slightly smaller. One concession to the CH-R’s dramatic styling is its small cargo capacity (362 litres) when compared to the Qashqai (452 litres). There’s also more head and leg room for the rear-seat passengers in the Qashqai when compared to the CH-R.
Neither of these baby hybrid SUVs get a spare tyre of any kind – only tyre repair kits are supplied.
Verdict
With its wheels driven only by the electric motor, the Qashqai E-Power is among the smoothest-driving hybrids out there. The Qashqai is only available in the range-topping Ti variant, and it’s $9000 cheaper than its direct Toyota CH-R GR Sport rival. The Toyota is more economical, however its stylish but slightly less practical design and higher price mean it’s the Qashqai by a nose. Still, if you don’t need as much room in the back, the CH-R remains a striking style statement with strong retained value.
ENGINE 1.8-litre petrol/electric hybrid
146kW
TORQUE 188Nm CLAIMED FUEL ECONOMY 4.1L/100km
PRICE $62,040 drive away* ANCAP SAFETY RATING
Sport
ENGINE 1.5-litre turbo petrol/electric hybrid
140kW
FUEL ECONOMY 5.2L/100km
$57,435 drive away*
SAFETY RATING
e-Power
ABOVE: The Toyota CH-R’s high quality cabin has plenty of storage and excellent seat support.
Nissan Qashqai
Toyota CH-R
For a more in-depth video review, scan the
FIAT 500E
Leave your sensible shoes at home, put aside those pesky thoughts of practicality, and get ready to grin.
Few new cars available today generate as much delight, frivolity, and nostalgia as the Fiat 500e.
Pragmatically, the 500e makes little sense as a new car purchase, but that’s also why it’s so highly compelling – it has few direct competitors.
The slightly bigger BYD Dolphin with a 410km range, costs $16,500 less than the Fiat’s $58,290 asking price. But the BYD won’t have the same charisma, such as those anthropomorphic ‘eyebrows’ over the headlights and the references to the classic Italian style of the original Fiat 500.
The 500e’s closest rival is the Mini Cooper E, which is close on price at $61,040 as well as for electric driving range (305km against the Fiat’s 311km in the WLTP test).
Released in late 2023, the 500e is much more than a collection of intangible, historic references.
Unlike some other EVs in this price range, the Fiat 500e’s build and finish is better than we expected, but not up to European luxury levels. The doors have a pleasing, slightly retro feel to their movement.
Driving a vehicle this small in urban areas was a reminder of how much easier cars this size are to handle in tight car parks and streets.
People over six feet tall are clearly not the 500e’s target market, with head and leg room being at a premium. Rolling the sunroof back will make lankier steerers feel even more giraffe-like. All drivers are likely to find space for the left foot to be particularly limited.
Though the 500e’s electric range is less than many other cheaper EVs, including the MG4, it’s not a deal breaker. A bigger battery would push the price even higher, and the 500e’s respectable electric efficiency (144Wh/km) means it needs less energy than other EVs to go a given distance.
QR code to see Alex Forrest take the Fiat 500e for a test drive through Mosman Park.
WATCH VIDEO
MITSUBISHI TRITON
The almost all-new Mitsubishi Triton has more power, a higher rated towing capacity, more space inside and much-improved safety technology. The downside? It’s also had a price increase.
Making that a little easier to stomach is that it’s still cheaper than the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux. And it’s newer.
Mitsubishi has clearly positioned the new Triton to be a more serious competitor against the market leaders and has edged away in price from the cheaper ute offerings.
That said, the increased engine outputs of 150kW and 470Nm (up from the previous model’s 133kW and 430Nm) are still not up to those of top-selling utes. The total length of the new Triton is up by 15mm, and the wheelbase (length between the centres of the front and rear wheels) is up by a whopping 130mm. This has contributed to a shorter rear overhang and improved proportions.
The Triton’s body is also 50mm wider, and this has translated to muchimproved shoulder room in the cabin when compared to the previous model. The tray is also longer by 35mm.
There have also been improvements to the suspension, including new, bigger-diameter front and rear shock absorbers. The rear suspension has a reduced number of leaves in each of the leaf springs, but with each one now made of thicker, high-tensile steel. This is intended to make it a better riding and more robust system than before.
We tested the new Triton on some challenging uphill rocky driving as well as on corrugated dirt roads. Clearly, the Triton’s biggest improvement is in the more refined and civilised manner it can now cover this tough terrain.
The mid-spec GLS is the value buy in the range. It gets Mitsubishi’s excellent Super Select 4WD-II system without the largely cosmetic extras that you get with the GSR costing an extra $5000.
For a more in-depth video review, scan the QR code to see Alex Forrest take the Mitsubishi Triton for a test drive through City Beach and surrounds.
WATCH VIDEO
OCTOBER 2024 Scan for ticket and event info
From hands-on masterclasses and indulgent high teas to lazy long lunches and delectable dinners, get excited as the region’s artisans, chefs and beverage producers prepare to showcase the best the Swan Valley has to offer this spring!
Find your happy place at St Ives with 8 villages across WA. With decades of experience and a range of lifestyle options, we know it’s not just about finding you a village. It’s about going above and beyond to find your ‘happy place’. It’s a home that feels like yours where you can pursue your hobbies, stay social, and keep healthy. More so, it’s about finding opportunities to share in those moments with like-minded neighbours, all of whom are embracing their own version of a ‘happy retirement’ at St Ives.
Explore our revamped website at stivesgroup.com.au and discover more about St Ives!
Car doctor
Q I plan to drive to Karijini in my 13-year-old Ford Kuga. I will take a month to do the round trip from Bunbury. At what point before the trip should I get the car serviced? Too close to leaving might not be enough time for repairs if needed, although I’ve never had problems with my car and it’s serviced every year. Janet, South Bunbury
A As your vehicle is getting on in years, it will be important to address any critical maintenance issues which may arise on the trip. We would recommend having your vehicle serviced and thoroughly checked approximately one month before embarking on this journey. That would allow you to tick ‘car servicing’ off the list early.
QI drive a 2021 Isuzu MU-X that occasionally seems to lag a little when accelerating across traffic. I have been reading that a throttle controller will give instant acceleration. Is this correct and will this create any other safety issues?
Eric, Connolly
A A throttle controller can make a difference to how your MU-X responds to the accelerator from standstill. However, it may affect the vehicle’s reliability given that it hasn’t been designed to run with this equipment installed. This may become a safety issue if the vehicle breaks down while you’re in a remote area. A modification like this could also void the vehicle’s warranty.
QI have a 2004 Toyota Hilux with 160,000km on the clock. Since having its timing chain changed, it’s losing about 300ml of oil per 100km. Prior to that, it didn’t lose any oil. There are no visible leaks and it doesn’t blow smoke. Should I keep topping up the oil or is it time to get rid of it?
Callan, Roleystone
A It sounds like your Hilux’s oil consumption is associated with the timing chain work. Continuing to top up the oil isn’t an ideal long-term solution, so we would recommend returning the vehicle to the workshop that carried out the timing chain work and asking them to rectify the problem.
RAC members can take advantage of our Auto Advice Line. If you have a motoring question, call 6150 6199 Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 5pm to speak to one of our experts.
WIN FREE FUEL
Send us your question for the Car Doctor and if it’s published, you’ll receive a $50 fuel voucher to use at any Puma and Caltex locations Australia-wide, thanks to RAC Member Benefits.
Send your questions to editor@rac.com.au or post to The Car Doctor, Horizons, GPO Box C140, Perth WA 6839
Please include your full name, address and daytime telephone number with your question.
If your question is chosen for publication, please allow up to eight weeks for delivery. See page 81 for terms and conditions of entry.
Greg Snell / Tourism Western Australia
Member lounge
Pets still living it up in WA households
This year’s PerthNow Pet Census, sponsored by RAC Pet Insurance, has once again revealed just how much West Aussies love their animal companions.
More than half of all survey respondents reported owning a dog (56%), while around one-third (34%) were cat owners. The number who said they had adopted their pets was up from 41 per cent in 2023 to 43 per cent this year.
When it came to the cost of keeping their pets, 34 per cent of owners spent between $100 and $200 per month, with 28 per cent spending from $50 to $100.
The five most popular dog breeds were the Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Labrador, Australian kelpie, and border collie. And if you’re surprised a poodle cross didn’t make the cut, the cavoodle slipped out of the top five this year, coming in at number six.
The top five cat breeds were the domestic short hair, domestic medium hair, tabby, domestic long hair and ragdoll.
In the last 12 months, 40 per cent of pet owners reported spending less than $500 on vet bills, 25 per cent spent $500$1000, 17 per cent had outlaid $1000-
$3000 and 10 per cent had been hit with vet bills that totalled more than $3000.
Couples without kids slightly outnumbered family groups for dog and cat ownership, with singles the third biggest group of dog and cat owners.
Some of the less conventional pets that survey respondents reported owning included a hermit crab, a highland steer, a camel, and a silkie chicken.
PRE-PURCHASE CAR INSPECTIONS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
As modern cars continue to become increasingly complex, it’s more important than ever to ensure the used vehicle you’re planning on buying is in sound condition. Before you commit to anything, consider an RAC Vehicle Inspection.
Our auto technicians will assess the vehicle’s general condition and provide a full safety check. Also included is a car history report valued at $38.95, which will show whether the vehicle has previously been stolen, written off, seriously damaged, or has money owing on it.
Uncovering big problems now or small issues that may turn into more expensive problems down the track could save you from making the wrong decision. It could also give you more bargaining power with the seller. Vehicle inspections are available for all vehicle types, including EVs, with inspections available at all 10 of RAC’s Auto Services centres or we can send one of our mobile servicing vans. Plus, RAC members save 10 per cent.
To book, visit rac.com.au/ vehicleinspections
ALARM MONITORING: HOW DOES IT WORK?
When your alarm is professionally monitored, your alarm panel is connected via a wireless network to a monitoring centre, which is staffed by security experts 24/7.
So, if your alarm is activated, the monitoring centre will be notified of a potential issue immediately and they can take action to contact either you or your emergency contacts.
If you’re going to be away from home, or maybe you just
can’t be contacted, you don’t have to rely on neighbours to act when your alarm is sounding, and you’ll be notified of an event at the time when it happens, not when you get home.
RAC alarms are monitored by a secure, Grade A1 monitoring centre located in Perth.
To find out more about professional alarm monitoring, give one of our home security consultants a call on 1300 132 735.
The owner/keyholder is contacted and the appropriate action taken
TOUR THE WORLD’S MOST RENOWNED GARDEN FESTIVALS
WA’s gardening enthusiasts have a lot to look forward to each spring as the state’s unique blooms begin to spread from north to south.
If you have a passion for gardens and flowers, talk to RAC’s travel team about the many specialist tours on offer, where you can meet like-minded people and experience some of the world’s most breathtaking garden and flower festivals.
The Chelsea Flower Show in the UK is among the world’s most famous, with tours also taking in significant gardens around England and Wales.
Floriade in the Netherlands is only held once every 10 years, making it an extra special event for garden lovers.
On the island of Madeira, the annual Madeira Flower Festival sees every corner of the capital awash in vibrant colours, with parades, traditional music, and flower-filled events.
At the Singapore Garden Festival, you can immerse yourself in lush gardens filled with tropical floral displays.
Closer to home, take a guided multi-day tour in one of WA’s wildflower regions, or head east to Floriade in Canberra on a tour, which also includes a trip to the Snowy Mountains.
To find out more about our garden-themed tours, visit rac.com.au/flowershows or scan the QR code.
An event occurs at home Your alarm sounds
Alarm signal is sent to monitoring centre
Certified operator receives the alarm signal
Make the most of the great everyday savings you get as an RAC member. Whether it’s discounts on travel, fuel, gas for your home, pharmacy, groceries, entertainment, dining or RAC products and services – RAC members save every day.
Plus, see the latest movies on the big screen for less. Page 64 & 65 SAVE UP TO 5% ON OUR EGIFT CARD RANGE ONLINE
Show your RAC member card and start saving today
MEMBER BENEFITS
Whether you’re hitting the road on your next adventure, or working on your DIY project, you’ll find everything you need at Repco.
As an RAC member, you have access to offers at Repco, with better promotional discounts and more frequent sales on your favourite products. You can also enjoy member competitions and exclusive promotions, as well as an everyday 5% discount on almost everything*. Plus, we are driving your dollar further with lower prices on over 20,000 products we stock including oil filters, brake pads, oil and car care.
Plantation Shutters for comfort and style
•
• Aust Standard triple locking system
• Replace old flyscreens & doors
RAC Members save 10%. Plus claim the $400 Safety and Security Rebate^ ^Visit seniorscard.wa.gov.au for details
’ve all experienced that dreadful feeling of getting in your car only to find out your battery is flat. Luckily, the iTechworld JS80 portable jump starter will get you back on your way within seconds.
The iTechworld JS80 is an essential device for all vehicle owners that can bring your vehicle’s battery back to life . Designed to easily jump start any vehicle with a flat battery, the JS80 will jump start your car, boat or motorbike at the press of a button. With a powerful 3000 cranking amps it can jump start any petrol vehicles and diesels up to 8L, and it can provide up to 40 jumpstarts from a single charge. Australian designed and developed, the iTechworld JS80 is built tough, ready to take on the rough and tumble of the Aussie outdoors with its IP65 waterproof and dustproof rating. With seven inbuilt safety features, jump starting is safer than ever before. With the JS80, you no longer have to rely on clumsy jumper cables or other vehicles, allowing you to explore further with peace of mind. On top of it’s sturdy casing, the JS80 also comes with an optional heavy duty storage case which is perfect for throwing under the seat or in the boot, so you can store with ease. Holding it’s charge for up to 6 months, you can rest assured when that
moment finally happens when you are stranded in the middle of nowhere with a flat battery, the JS80 can bring your dead battery back to life without having to ask every passing stranger for jumper cables. Doubling as a power bank, the iTechworld JS80 can keep mobile phones charged via its Quick charge USB ports, provide lighting via its tactical grade torch and provides regulated power to 12v appliances such as a travel fridge or heated blanket. To make jump starting in the dark easier, the JS80 comes equipped with a tactical grade 500 lumen torch. Even on a dark stormy night you will be able to get your engine back up and running in no time. Compact, yet powerful, the iTechworld JS80 lithium jump starter comes ready to go out of the box with all of the included battery clamps, USB-C and 12v cables. As Australia’s best rated jump starter, it’s the perfect device for any car, boat, ute, 4WD, or camper van owner. With the JS80, you will never worry about being stranded with a dead battery again!
As a proud Western Australian company, iTechworld are offering RAC Horizons subscribers with an exclusive discount code to use across their entire range of power solutions. Simply use the code ‘RAC5’ at checkout online, in-store or over the phone to claim your 5% discount.
Enjoy your life with improved hearing! You will be able to hear your family, your friends, the TV & telephone and in group settings much more clearly with this new 2024 hearing aid technology.
No one will know that you are wearing a hearing aid
Introducing our brand-new 2024 hearing aid technology that was designed in Europe and is made for your exact ear size and hearing loss. It’s so small it can fit deep inside your ear canal, it begins where other hearing aids end. This makes it virtually invisible to anyone else.
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With our new 2024 voice clarifying hearing aids, you will absolutely hear the difference!
Not sure if you require a hearing aid or which one is right for you? Want to know how they look and feel? Why not request an appointment for a FREE hearing test and hearing aid consultation with an in-clinic demonstration? You will instantly be able to hear clearly. This New Invisible Hearing Aid is virtually undetectable!
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Entrants may submit more than one entry. Up to three entrants (winners) will be awarded only one prize as follows: one $50 fuel voucher to use in one transaction at any Puma/ Caltex location Australia-wide. The prize is not transferable or redeemable for cash. Entries that do not, in the absolute discretion of the panel of judges, comply with these requirements are invalid. The winner will be notified by email, telephone or letter. When the winner is notified of their prize, they will also be provided details as to the collection of their prize.
Entrants published in SeptemberNovember 2024 Horizons must claim their prize by 17 October 2024. In the event that no contact details are supplied, or RAC cannot make contact with the winner, the prize may be withdrawn at the absolute discretion of Horizons magazine. Prizes will only be awarded following winner validation and verification. This competition is subject to the promoter’s privacy and security statement and group privacy policy.
Full terms+conditions for competitions available at rac.com.au/competitions
Cracked Walls & Sinking Floors?
Ten best
HIKES IN WA
Bald Head
Walk Trail
Torndirrup
National Park
Perched high above the Southern Ocean, this popular Albany walk is breathtaking in more ways than one. The trail follows the narrow ridge of the Flinders Peninsula and offers spectacular views of the surrounding coast and bushland. At 12.5km return with steep climbs and descents, it’s best to allocate 6 to 8 hours to complete this challenging walk.
Mount Bruce
Karijini National Park
A visit to Karijini isn’t complete without a climb up WA’s secondhighest peak—Mount Bruce. While the 9km return hike starts out easy enough, the rest requires some serious grit. The trail to the peak includes a near vertical climb and a tiptoe across a narrow ledge, with the help of a chain attached to the rockface.
Summit Trail
Mount Augustus
Mount Augustus in the Pilbara region is a 715m-high ‘mountain island’ that’s best experienced at dawn and dusk when it reflects
the pink, purple, and orange hues of the sky. This is a difficult climb best suited for fit and experienced bushwalkers. Hikers attempting the 12.5km return trek should start before 7am, as the trail is steep and unformed, with plenty of rock scrambling.
Bluff Knoll
Stirling Range
National Park
This is one of WA’s most popular hikes with good reason. At 1,098m above sea level, it’s a great fitness challenge and rewards hikers with 360-degree views of the Stirling Range. Visit in spring for a spectacular show of wildflowers. Just don’t underestimate this mountain—it’s a steep 6.8km return hike, so a decent level of fitness is required.
Nancy Peak
Porongurup
National Park
While not as well-known as its neighbouring peaks in the Stirling Range, Porongurup National Park has plenty of scenic walks and climbs. Nancy Peak is among the best. The 5.5km loop trail winds through karri forest before opening on to
granite outcrops with expansive views of the Stirling Range.
Bigurda Trail
Kalbarri National Park
Located just south of Kalbarri, this gentle trail hugs an 8km stretch of coastal cliffs. Along the route, hikers can enjoy unusual rock formations, multi-coloured layers of sandstone and limestone, and endless ocean views. Visit between July and November and you might even spot some migrating whales.
Piccaninny
Gorge Entrance
Bungle Bungle Range
This hike is an adventure through the heart of the Bungle Bungle Range along the path of Piccaninny Creek. The trail is unmarked, so whether you choose to do the 20km return walk to the entry of the gorge, or the full 40km multi-day trek, make sure to register your arrival and bring a satellite phone or Personal Locator Beacon.
Eagle View Trail
John Forrest National Park
For a scenic walk near Perth, head to the Eagle View Trail in John Forest National Park. This 15km return hike is a journey through serene jarrah and wandoo woodlands, with views of the Swan Coastal Plain to the Perth CBD. Highlights on the trail include waterfalls and, when visiting in spring, a spectacular display of wildflowers.
Mount Cooke Loop
Monadnocks National Park
Mount Cooke Loop trail is a moderately challenging hike near Perth that covers part of the Bibbulmun Track. It’s best to do this 9km loop anti-clockwise, starting with a steep ascent to the summit for sweeping views of the Darling Range. The descent is a gentle walk through marri forest, with a carpet of wildflowers dotting the trail in spring.
Frenchman Peak Trail
Cape Le Grand National Park
The Frenchman Peak Trail is a challenging 3km return hike that rewards those who brave it with epic views of Cape Le Grand National Park east of Esperance. The trail is rough and steep, involving rock hopping and scrambling. On the way to the summit, hikers can explore caves and tunnels formed when the peak was under water some 40 million years ago.
Scan for video previews of each trail and more information on each hike.
WATCH VIDEO
ABOVE: Frenchman Peak, Cape Le Grand National Park.
