Outback Tracks and Trails

Andrew Newey

Outback Tracks and Trails – where three mates (that's me, Tony, and Mick) spill the beans on every sunburnt, dust-choked adventure we've dragged ourselves through. Think off-grid camps under a million stars, busted utes, and the kind of shortcuts only locals know. We talk real—where to park without getting bogged, what gear actually survives the heat, and why you should never trust a map that says 'easy access'. Sometimes we drag in a guest—some bloke who's crossed the Simpson or camped on a ghost station—just to hear how they didn't die. No polished scripts, no fancy edits. Just us, laughing and having fun. So grab yourself a cold one and settle in. Enjoy!

Episodes

  1. Jun 6

    Old Mates, Luxury Camping & The Federal Budget: Fireside with Clayton

    Episode 8 of The Outback Tracks and Trails Podcast is a real yarn with one of my oldest mates! Clayton — a lifelong friend of 38 years — jumps in to reminisce about the old days of rough camping and swags, and how “coming of age” now looks like enjoying the 5-star luxury of Micky Paydon’s caravan. With his strong background in finance, Clayton breaks down the latest Federal Budget and what it actually means for Aussie campers, caravanners, and weekend warriors. We also get a sneak peek at Clayton’s upcoming podcast Smoke and Barrels, where he’ll be mixing sharp business talk with fine whiskies and cigars. We even touch on some of his favourite classic sips and smokes. This episode is packed with laughs, nostalgia, real talk, and plenty of wisdom from the road. If you love genuine mate conversations, camping stories, or want to hear how the budget affects everyday Aussies who love the outdoors — this one’s for you. 🔥 Full episode is live now! Let us know in the comments: What’s your go-to camping style — roughing it or luxury caravan life? 👇 --- In the Podcast we touch on the 30 by 30 is a global biodiversity target (part of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework) aiming to protect and conserve 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030. In Australia, the government has adopted this target. While the goal is to protect nature, many in the 4WD, camping, hunting, and prospecting communities are concerned that it’s being used to rapidly lock up large areas of state forests by turning them into national parks or stricter reserves. This often results in reduced or lost public access for recreational activities like dispersed camping, off-road driving, and fishing on tracks that have traditionally been open. Groups like Save Our Summits are pushing back to ensure balanced outcomes that protect the environment without unnecessarily closing off public land access. Our conversation ties in closely with the important work being done by Save Our Summits (https://www.saveoursummits.org/), who are actively advocating for fair public access to our summits, national parks, and state forests. We highly recommend checking out the recent episode of The Outer Side Podcast with Marc Hendrickx (President of Save Our Summits) — they dive deep into the growing threats of closures and restrictions on public land access across Australia. A big thank you to everyone fighting to keep our public lands open. These issues directly impact all of us who love camping, 4WD trips, and exploring state forests — the more voices we have pushing back, the better chance we have of keeping our outdoor spaces open for everyone.

    43 min

  2. May 23

    From Burleigh Heads to Utah: Kenny’s Animas Quest Adventure

    Grab a cold one and settle in for a special yarn with lifelong mate Kenny on Outback Tracks and Trails. Kenny, originally a Victorian and now living the good life in Burleigh Heads, QLD, joins us to talk about his upcoming journey to Utah in July. He’s taking on the Animas Quest — a powerful modern wilderness vision quest involving four days and nights of solo fasting in nature, deep soul work, ceremony, and seeking clarity on life purpose and meaning. We chat about why he’s called to do this transformative experience, how it contrasts with our usual outback 4WD trips and High Country adventures, his love for the Queensland coastal lifestyle, and what he hopes to bring back from the Utah wilderness. It’s a raw, honest, and inspiring conversation about personal growth, stepping out of your comfort zone, and the power of nature as a teacher. Whether you’re into big adventures, self-discovery, or just love a deep fireside chat with a good mate, this episode is one you won’t want to miss. Pull up a chair and join the conversation — you’ll feel right at home.

    22 min

  3. May 9

    Fuel Crisis, Rig Talk & Tech Essentials for Outback Travel

    Grab a cold one and settle in — this episode of Outback Tracks and Trails is all about the realities of hitting the tracks in 2026. Andrew, Mick and Tony sit down to talk about the current fuel crisis and what skyrocketing prices mean for planning big trips into the Northern Territory. With city diesel sitting at $3.349 and outback prices hitting a painful $3.98 (compared to regular unleaded at $2.7090), we crunch the numbers and share how it’s affecting our route planning and trip budgets. We also give you the full lowdown on our current rigs: - Mick’s Toyota Landcruiser 200 Series V8 2020 Sahara — “Silver Fox” - Tony’s VW Amarok Core V6 manual 2021 — “Ride Oh Knight Of Black Thunder” - Andrew’s Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain 2024 — “Snow Flake” Plus, we dive into the technology that’s changed the game for our travels — Starlink for staying connected in the middle of nowhere, Google Maps and Memory Maps, CB radios for track communication, and all the battery-powered tools (drills, chainsaws and more) that make life easier around camp. It’s honest, practical chat mixed with the usual laughs and real-talk stories you expect from the crew. Whether you’re planning your own big outback adventure or just love hearing how mates are adapting to the current conditions, this episode is packed with useful insights and good yarns. Pull up a swag, hit play, and join the conversation — you’ll feel right at home.

    52 min

  4. Apr 25

    Live from Japan – Tony’s Food, Sights & Adventure Tour with Karen

    G’day mates — grab a cold drink (or a cold Asahi if you’re feeling thematic) and pull up a chair for something a bit different on Outback Tracks and Trails! This episode, Tony joins us live from Japan where he and his wife Karen are halfway through a 16-day tour soaking up the sights, the food, and the culture. From bustling city streets to serene temples, incredible eats (think fresh sushi, steaming ramen, and all the street food you can handle), and those pinch-yourself moments only Japan can deliver — Tony gives us the full rundown on what it’s really like on the ground. We chat about the highs (and any funny lows), how it compares to their usual outback 4WD trips, what’s surprised them most, and whether international adventures are sneaking onto the bucket list for the rest of the crew. It’s relaxed fireside-style yarns with a Japanese twist — full of laughs, travel tips, and that same good-mates vibe you know and love. Whether you’re dreaming of your own overseas escape or just love hearing real travel stories told over a beer, this one’s for you. Pull up a swag (or a tatami mat), hit play, and come along for the ride — you’ll feel right at home.

    39 min

  5. Apr 11

    Victorian High Country with Greg Cotton – From Dargo to the Snowy River

    Grab a cold one, pull up a camp chair and join Andrew, Tony, Mick and special guest Greg Cotton as he rolls up in his new Ford Ranger for a proper Victorian High Country adventure. We head deep into the legendary High Country, kicking things off at the iconic Dargo Hotel before tackling rugged tracks and stunning spots like Dogs Grave (Ada Hut), Little River Junction campsite, the engineering marvel of McKillops Bridge over the beautiful Snowy River, and the absolute cracker of a pub at Bendoc Hotel. From there it’s more remote gems — Dalegate Hotel, Wilson Hut, Yalmy Track, Murder Spur Track, Woods Point Campground, Bruthen Hotel, Buchan Hotel and the scenic Forest Creek Track. It’s full of laughs, epic scenery, classic outback (and High Country) yarns, and that unbeatable feeling of hitting the tracks with good mates. Whether you’re a seasoned 4WDer dreaming of your next trip or just love hearing real stories from the dirt, this one’s for you. Pull up a swag, hit play, and come along for the ride — you’ll feel right at home.

    43 min

  6. Mar 28

    The Best Adventures with Your Best Mates – Our Top Three

    Grab a cold drink and pull up a camp chair — this one's all about the good times! In Episode 3 of Outback Tracks and Trails, Andrew, Tony and Mick sit down for a relaxed yarn about their all-time favourite adventures over the years. From 4WD trips and remote camping in the Victorian High Country around Merrijig, to the breathtaking colours of the Painted Desert and Flinders Ranges in South Australia, plus stops at Mount Barry, Chandler Sidings and more — these are the trips that still make them smile. We talk epic campsites, stunning outback landscapes in the NT and SA, a few overseas stories, and the simple truth that your favourite place is usually wherever your favourite people are. No big plans, just three mates chatting about what makes a trip unforgettable. Perfect fireside listening whether you're planning your next escape or just dreaming about the outback. If you love real 4WD adventures, remote camping, and genuine travel stories told over a beer, this one's for you! Shout out to Ross and Dave - Be sure to check out their podcast on Spotify - Rosco and Dave

    42 min

  7. Mar 28

    From Lake Eyre to Uluru: Micky J’s Big Outback Escape

    Join Andrew, Mick and Tony with their special guest Micky J, to hear Micks four‑week “trip of a lifetime” through the heart of the Australian outback. From the rugged Flinders Ranges and vast station country to the salt plains of Lake Eyre, Coober Pedy’s underground streets and the iconic red rock of Uluru, this episode is packed with stories, laughs and hard‑earned lessons from the road. You’ll hear how Starlink and GPS changed the game in remote areas, what really happens on long night drives, and why chatting with locals in tiny pubs and outback stations can become the best memories of all. If you’re dreaming of your own big outback escape—or just love red dirt yarns—this one’s for you.

    1h 10m

  8. Mar 28

    The Joy of Travel and Connections

    Grab a cold one and join us for a cracking yarn on the very first episode of Outback Tracks and Trails! We kick things off with deciding to start a podcast—because why not turn our love for the open road and good mates into something you can listen to? We swap stories about our very first camping trips (think dodgy tents, burnt sausages, and dads who thought they knew every shortcut), right through to epic father-son adventures and how our camping game has levelled up over the years—fancier gear, but the same old terrible jokes. We also dive into some wild overseas travels, the big career switches we've pulled off, and what’s next on the bucket list. Spoiler: there are a few ridiculous dream trips in there that’ll probably never happen… but we can dream, right? It’s full of laughs, a bit of nostalgia, and plenty of real talk about why hitting the tracks with your mates is just bloody good for the soul. So pull up a swag, hit play, and come along for the ride—we reckon you’ll feel right at home..

    26 min
  • 8 Episodes

About

Outback Tracks and Trails – where three mates (that's me, Tony, and Mick) spill the beans on every sunburnt, dust-choked adventure we've dragged ourselves through. Think off-grid camps under a million stars, busted utes, and the kind of shortcuts only locals know. We talk real—where to park without getting bogged, what gear actually survives the heat, and why you should never trust a map that says 'easy access'. Sometimes we drag in a guest—some bloke who's crossed the Simpson or camped on a ghost station—just to hear how they didn't die. No polished scripts, no fancy edits. Just us, laughing and having fun. So grab yourself a cold one and settle in. Enjoy!

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