Brisbane is the vibrant capital city of Queensland. Although located at the far southern base of the huge state, reasonable transport systems connect it, the hub, to even the most remote areas by road, some rail, air postal and electronic means.

road, some rail, air postal and electronic means.

We took my Rocsta (with a lot of offroad mods) to the big,annual "Battle of the states" at Emu Creek,NSW to have some fun.Our son Paul was driving.Not used to offroading,it was a whole new adventure for him (he drove a V-8 "hatch" Holden Torana)

for him (he drove a V-8 "hatch" Holden Torana)

With 3 days of typical Queensland winter weather to enjoy (Mild & Sunny) we gathered in the hundreds to camp,watch,meet up with folks we have met on the trail and sip the odd "sherbert"Our three 4x4 rigs drove 300kms east along the Tropic of Capricorn (did'nt notice it)..What a great weekend with just a few drops of rain to lay the dust.

rigs drove 300kms east along the Tropic of Capricorn (did'nt notice it)..What a great weekend with just a few drops of rain to lay the dust.

Australian off-road adventure from remote Alice Springs up Tanami Track to the "Portman Hide-aways".Isolated,scenic spots in this rugged paradise known only to a handful of select Pro-4X4Tour leaders.No roads here mate.Real offroad on private property.We travel in a new Toyota Hilux diesel dual-cab with "real" axles and springs..Last model before IFS

leaders.No roads here mate.Real offroad on private property.We travel in a new Toyota Hilux diesel dual-cab with "real" axles and springs..Last model before IFS

Lofty Harris drives the little 4x2 1-ton Mitsubishi the 1160 klms to Birdvville to meet old army/skydiving mates for annual ANZAC day parade and service.
Makes somenew friends along the way

What an adventure..Our convoy of 4x4s stuck at the Wenlock River..Flooded..Ok
We build a "raft" of 44gallon fuel drums & load our 4x4s to be the first to the"Cape" after a 8mths "Wet" season..Lucky us !! Wow!!. I have added much higher quality JPEGs

"Wet" season..Lucky us !! Wow!!. I have added much higher quality JPEGs

As a remote member of the Sunshine Coast Jeep Club,I have to travel some 700+ kms to meet up with them.Good part.No traffic.Col,my 4x4 mate of 20 years brings his magic new 2.8 t/diesel Jeep KJ (towed my camper on highway still used almost no fuel) I towed it on Fraser

my camper on highway still used almost no fuel) I towed it on Fraser

After several years away from Victoria,I return for a mountain adventure with Jeff & Lisa Portman (Fossill also).We have been bush with them in the Kimberleys..I saw part of Victoria in my VW Beetle & later my MG-A sports car while with 1st Armoured Regiment at Puckapunyal near Seymour.

later my MG-A sports car while with 1st Armoured Regiment at Puckapunyal near Seymour.

Six great years in Australian Army..No,it was not always easy or comfortable..Great mates,adventures,achievements,training,photos,films.

Album is our Adventure with Duncans Offroad ( Eleven rigs on a fully catered tour )
Adventure to Gulf of Carpenteria,Far Nth Queensland,Australia. A very remote area,only reached in the "Dry Season"
May to Septmber each year.

Season"
May to Septmber each year.

Thanks Vic for saving me from a boring lifestyle I would have followed,never knowing what was on the 'other side'. Thanks also to his great circle of friends for having me (although I was a junior) on board. You guys sure did kick start my (drug/smoking free life)

board. You guys sure did kick start my (drug/smoking free life)

Yep!..I am indeed a Jeep fan..But then I like 4x4s in general,they take us to fun places,they are fun to work on,we meet other fun 4-wheelers.Get out there & go camping.Get good pix & action videos.I also like using PhotoShop™ CS2 Use Sony™F-55 & F-707.Canon F70.Also use Kodak™DCS ProSLR/n

also like using PhotoShop™ CS2 Use Sony™F-55 & F-707.Canon F70.Also use Kodak™DCS ProSLR/n

Murray C. came ,according to his 8mm films, from NZ to Australia, by ship. In Oz, he soon became involved with the fledgeling sport of 'parachuting'. The term of 'sky-diving' came later as techniques and equipment were improved. 'Stable' free fall was being developed by these pioneers.

and equipment were improved. 'Stable' free fall was being developed by these pioneers.

It is interesting to sit on the fence and watch a town grow..We had done our homework,before moving up here,so knew that the area would progress because of the diverse industrial and pastoral pursuits here.

here.

77,400 tons ! Crafted in Italy with amazing attention to the most minute detail. The Captain on our 12 day cruise was also Italian and he was in command of the most dedicated crew possible. Nothing was too much trouble. Great luxury or simple meals all in ticket cost. Pools.Spas.Super comfort cabins. Magic!

was too much trouble. Great luxury or simple meals all in ticket cost. Pools.Spas.Super comfort cabins. Magic!

Never start something you can't stop..Wise words..Been there & Done that..Started parachuting just to prove a point..The "club" life was so good good..I stayed

Most of my adventures really start out as a chance to get more photos with a difference..I just would love to be jumping now with the light-weight digital cameras with rapid fire features..Even audio!..My neck would be in better shape to,after some wild openings with heavy movie (8mm Canon) and still cameras on helmet.

audio!..My neck would be in better shape to,after some wild openings with heavy movie (8mm Canon) and still cameras on helmet.

When not out 4-wheelin' in our rigs,be they Jeeps,Landrovers,Toyotas,Nissans,Suz's etc,it's into the for workshop for fun and work..Servicing can be enjoyable with rite tools and attitude.Also,I just like tools.
I do have a good workshop.

like tools.
I do have a good workshop.

All kinds of older articles/equipment which I can only hope will be preserved for the younger generation to enjoy and ponder the life-style us 'oldies' * had to follow. *I remember as a child,I figured anyone over 30 was ancient history. Pushing boundries !

figured anyone over 30 was ancient history. Pushing boundries !

Ok ! So we are 'Hayseeds" Thanks! That's so kind and thanks for the compliment. May you harvest the crop you sow. Main thing is to have some fun. We are all just passing through so enjoy!

From Emerald in the states North West,my Jeep takes the old highway into Gatton and I wend my way ever south in the 10pm darkness,by my illuminated Silva™ dash compass.The Cibie™ spotties stab a bright trail in the black,showing the sharp corners on the agricultural type of blacktop,as it passes beneath.Excitement grows as I sence the nearness of Black Duck

bright trail in the black,showing the sharp corners on the agricultural type of blacktop,as it passes beneath.Excitement grows as I sence the nearness of Black Duck

We start the show (off) with some images of our new "Cobb™ " cooker and my very first attempt to cook a roast beef (we live in cattle country) with veges..I cooked with the cook book in one hand and f followed all instructions.Used beer for moat as I like a drop of red wine.

followed all instructions.Used beer for moat as I like a drop of red wine.

Col and Brian leave Emerald in Queensland at lunch time on Friday and drive their Jeeps the 700 kms south to Hervey Bay.Rolled out the swags at the waters edge,slept,magic open-air breakfast at the cafe (b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l coffee) then got our Island landing craft tickets & camping permits..Let the adventure begin..So glad our rigs are lifted,big tyres etc.Sand

cafe (b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l coffee) then got our Island landing craft tickets & camping permits..Let the adventure begin..So glad our rigs are lifted,big tyres etc.Sand

Lofty spent some four years working in the wool sheds on huge sheep stations (ranches) in outback Queensland Australia. As a wool presser,the work was hard as all pressure applied to the compressed wool was by a wire rope winch operated by a long wooden lever & ratchets.

wool was by a wire rope winch operated by a long wooden lever & ratchets.

April in Victoria is Autumm,a perfect time to go camping by 4x4 in the pristene High Country.We see the country recovering after bush-fires.

I have had several offroad adventures with "Smiley".. As he is well known to many cattle station(ranch) owners,he can get access where others can't..His love for the bush shows as soon as we leave the black-top.........Our group has great camps(casual) & outdoor fun.I prefer to take videos or pix and let him to lead the way

leave the black-top.........Our group has great camps(casual) & outdoor fun.I prefer to take videos or pix and let him to lead the way

We can learn a lot about mods on rigs before spending our dollars,by walking around the rig park at events checking out their mods.

My first ever camera was a Kodak 127 (Bakerlite body) roll film which took tiny B&W pix (contact prints I imagine) when I was about 15yrs. Next a Minolta 35mm,Pentax 35mm,Speed Graphic 4x5,Mamiya C-220,Nikon FG (28-85 magic lens) 2xFM-2's Nikon,Nikon FA,8mm Canon Movie,16mm Bolex etc

C-220,Nikon FG (28-85 magic lens) 2xFM-2's Nikon,Nikon FA,8mm Canon Movie,16mm Bolex etc

People go out in the wilderness to discover rare minerals,gems,relics etc. We have been lucky as we did not go looking for friends along life's pathway,but instead,just meeting so many interesting people and allowing our mutual interests to dictate the path our friendships follow,we have made lifelong friends.

people and allowing our mutual interests to dictate the path our friendships follow,we have made lifelong friends.

In the rapidly expanding state of Queensland,Australia,the railway system is being duplicated for faster turn-around.New coal mines equal,new rail lines..Exciting times!

My parents,being from the old school,considered motorcycles "lethal weapons" and we all know it is almost a fact..However,as all I could afford at 15yrs (legal 17yrs) was a CZ 125cc two stroke.Most of us country kids started with a s/h one of them.Simple,just carry a spare,clean plug.

us country kids started with a s/h one of them.Simple,just carry a spare,clean plug.

Just after I finished my six year contract in the army, I built a 14 foot bondwood ski boat. Have had a few boats and rafts. I wish I was more of a fisherman.. Have caught the odd unlucky fish. Yello-bellys mainly.. Beautiful eating. Lots small bones to beware of.

Yello-bellys mainly.. Beautiful eating. Lots small bones to beware of.

I have been involved in making a lot of items,buildings,machines over the years.Seems I should try to put most of them in this one folder for easy location.Will include things like the 5,000 concrete under-ground drinking water tank we made with heavy man hole lid.(So children could'nt lift it)

under-ground drinking water tank we made with heavy man hole lid.(So children could'nt lift it)

I love lots of different animal types,often from a distance,like,for instance,kangaroos. You would'nt want to hug a wild one of those as they are just so powerful..We always have at least one dog pet..Great friends.

pet..Great friends.

Great to see young people (older guys can do it too,just that they don't endure the crashes so well) have fun and make friends at the many skate parks throughout Australia. We enjoyed the company of the young guys we met and watched perform a Logan Village,Queensland

the young guys we met and watched perform a Logan Village,Queensland

As fossil fuel demand encroaches on the supply situation,a balance will be struck by default.Fuel efficiency will play a major role,together with decreasing weight and dimensions,whilst presenting a frontal approach affording better slip streaming effects

frontal approach affording better slip streaming effects

Got zero interest in which is best. Leave that for someone else to ponder. However, we run 10 PC's or so incl one laptop in out business, while I currently run four Macs (really one at home & one at work would do) so I get to work on both platforms. Many publishers run both as one.

work would do) so I get to work on both platforms. Many publishers run both as one.

I have made quite a few of our own DIY videos, but it is a challenge to get my work up to the high standard set by these mainly Australian presenters and producers. Still, we hang on in there and keep trying to 'lift our game' and enjoying the adventures and learning experience.

trying to 'lift our game' and enjoying the adventures and learning experience.

Emerald was once,just a quiet little country town,catering to the needs of a,mainly pastoral community. Times change. In a world,seemingly,rushing headlong into energy and pollution crisis, coal,gas and water have changed forever,the rural scene here dramaticaly.

and water have changed forever,the rural scene here dramaticaly.

I used to be the repair/modification guy at a major Brisbane new caravan yard (Franklin)..Liked the work but it could'nt support my little family..Since then I have bought & fitted out an aged,but solid 20' tandem Carapark van. Insulated the walls/roof with StyroFoam & did walls with white Melinite. My mobile multi-media/sound lounge.Drak outside.Magic inside.

solid 20' tandem Carapark van. Insulated the walls/roof with StyroFoam & did walls with white Melinite. My mobile multi-media/sound lounge.Drak outside.Magic inside.

Incl covers

Pix I took while in the Australlian Army & later when I became a "Civvy"again

Signs! How did the 'Cave Men' exist without them? Now they have the power to get us into serious trouble if we don't read certain ones. Can't read? No excuse old son. Some even need to get the ok from a 'Legal Beagle'. Speed signs replace with barcodes. Automatic

a 'Legal Beagle'. Speed signs replace with barcodes. Automatic