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!

  1. Aug 6

    Binns Track Final Stretch: Ruby Gap, Devils Marbles & Onwards to Litchfield

    Episode 12 of The Outback Tracks and Trails Podcast is live! We’re wrapping up the final section of the Binns Track and continuing north on The Big NT Run. This episode kicks off with a stop at Alice Springs Brewery for a Pale Ale and Super Crisp, followed by emotional farewells to Ryan, Nic and the kids. From there we head into the East MacDonnells, visiting John Hayes Rockhole, Trephina Gorge Nature Park with its striking Ghost Gums, Ross River and N’Dhala Gorge Nature Park, before calling into Arltunga Bush Pub & Eco Retreat. We spend time at Ruby Gap, camping off the track in the grass, with views of Andrew working at camp and a stop at Police Waterhole. There’s a funny “Lost Pud” map moment, a classic photo of Pud’s car at the 91 fuel stop, and the always-impressive Devils Marbles. Further north we roll through Dunmarra Roadhouse, into Judbarra / Gregory National Park and Top Humbert Campsite, reflecting on “The Investment in Time” and sharing some camper video. We grab beers at Timber Creek Hotel, spot cattle and donkeys along the way, and finish strong with a photo of Micky and AM before arriving at Litchfield National Park and Edith Falls. This one’s packed with remote camps, beautiful gorges, classic outback characters, and that real on-the-road energy as The Big NT Run keeps rolling. 🔥 Drop a comment: What’s been your favourite section of the Binns Track so far? 👇

  2. 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.

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!