We set off on a 3 week road trip with our test vehicle the Mitsubishi Pajero VRX .  We were expecting a wide variety of road conditions, including red dirt gravel, deep beach sand and highway cruising, and we weren't disappointed. 

Day 1 took us through the famous fruit producing region of Mildura on the Murray River - now surprisingly green and lush as the grape vines had all come into bloom.

We found a great little cafe and sit out under the vines at the Grand Hotel for lunch then motored on to our overnight stop at the iconic mining town of Broken Hill. 

School holidays were in full swing and accommodation was scarce.  We got the last room in town at the historic boutique hotel Astra and scored one of the best in-room spas we have ever seen.

Day 2 Broken Hill - Menindee - Wilcannia - Bourke

In the red dirt of the outback now we hit the rough un-made Darling River road and headed to Wilcannia via Menindee.

We stopped for a beer at a corrugated iron pub in a tiny place call Louth on the Darling River and got a rousing welcome from the local chooks.

Bourke and the Riverside Motel was our overnight stop.  Quirky and very old this motel is a must, if only for its magnificent gardens and antique furniture.

Downside was a Chinese meal at the Bourke Bowling Club which nearly bowled us over.

Day 3 Bourke - Lightning Ridge - Moree

Still in the outback we were in for a cultural and dining shock as we hit the opal mining town and their Bowling Club.

The Pajero was still going strong and took all road conditions in its stride.

On to Moree for an overnight stop at the Burke & Wills Motel and found one of the best steaks ever for dinner at the Moree Services Club.

Day 4 Moree - Tweed Heads

A night of luxury at the huge Twin Towns resort overlooking the ocean.

Day 5 Tweed Heads - Noosa Heads on the Sunshine Coast

At last, 5 days of luxury at 'Alkira' a penthouse with millionaire views and amenities.

Dining a high priority, we hit the restaurants and re-visited some old favourites, but struck it lucky at Ricky’s on the Noosa River.

Activities abound in Noosa - the romantics took a Gondola ride on the waterways, sipping on champagne and indulging in a fresh seafood platter.

The thrill seekers jumped aboard Noosa Thriller for an adrenaline pumped jet ride out through the Noosa entrance into the Pacific Ocean.

Day 8 Fraser Island

Then a day trip to Fraser Island and Lake MacKenzie tested not only the Pajero but our wallets too.

All the thrills and adrenaline rush of Indy didn't not prepare us for the sudden downturn in food quality and dining experiences.

Great views though, at Breakfree Paradise Centre, right in the heart of all the action, but the yobbo factor was all too evident.

Indy is a total sensual experience whether you like it or not.  As petrol heads we loved the noise of the cars and the F1 11’s.

Day 20 Homeward Bound via Goondiwindi and Narrandera

A quick trip home down the Newell highway with the Pajero going strong and almost a part of the family now.

Only 2 stops on the way home and we found a city smart restaurant at a pub in the wilds of Narrandera and a surprisingly good local red wine.