What Is Overlanding?
Overlanding is more than just off-roading. It’s self-reliant, long-distance travel to remote destinations where the journey is as important as the destination. It merges four-wheel driving with camping, exploration, and a deep appreciation for the outdoors. What sets overlanding apart is its emphasis on self-sufficiency, remote access, and long-term travel, often beyond the reach of paved roads or mobile reception.
While the term "overlanding" has gained global traction in recent years, few know that the movement traces its origins back to Australia — and Aussies still lead the way in both innovation and adventure.
The Birthplace of Overlanding: Australia’s Harsh Beauty
Australia’s vast outback and rugged terrain didn’t just inspire overlanding — they demanded it. Early overland journeys were made by cattle drovers, explorers, and settlers navigating harsh, remote landscapes in primitive vehicles long before GPS and air-conditioned cabins.
Key factors that shaped Australian overlanding:
- Vast, isolated landmasses with minimal infrastructure
- Challenging terrain requiring robust vehicle setups
- Bush survival culture, blending practicality with grit
For many Aussies, traversing thousands of kilometers across red deserts, river crossings, and rocky mountain passes wasn’t recreation — it was necessity.
By the mid-to-late 20th century, Australians had begun adapting their vehicles with bull bars, winches, long-range tanks, fridge slides, and other modifications we now consider standard in overlanding.
Brands like ARB, TJM, Redarc, and Ironman 4x4 evolved to meet these challenges
— and would eventually influence global 4WD culture.
Australia’s Dominance in the Overlanding World
Even today, Australia continues to set the bar for what overlanding vehicles and gear should be capable of. From fully-kitted 70 Series Land Cruisers to off-road camper trailers and dual-battery solar systems, Aussie ingenuity dominates both the gear and the lifestyle.
Why Australia continues to lead:
- World-class 4WD culture, events, and destinations (Cape York, Simpson Desert, Fraser Island)
- Brand innovation focused on extreme reliability and function
- DIY culture — Australians build, modify, and test their own rigs in the real world
McCormacks 4WD is proud to be part of that tradition, helping build some of the toughest touring vehicles in the country — many of which inspire builds overseas.
The Global Rise: Overlanding in the USA
Overlanding is now booming in the United States. While American off-roading has long focused on rock crawling, trails, and weekend camping, the concept of multi-day, off-grid travel in fully- equipped vehicles is relatively new — and heavily influenced by Australian practices.
What Sparked the Surge in the US?
Aussie YouTubers and influencers showing off gear setups and extended trips
Australian brands entering the US market, like MAXTRAX, ARB, and Offroad Animal
Post-pandemic travel shifts, with more people seeking self-contained, off-grid escapes
Social media-fueled FOMO, inspiring Americans to replicate Aussie-style builds
American enthusiasts have increasingly adopted:
- Rooftop tents
- Dual-battery systems
- Drawer setups and built-in fridges
- Modular 4WD accessories — many originating in Australia
How McCormacks 4WD Supports the Global Overlanding Movement
From our Brisbane base, we’ve seen firsthand how Australian overlanding culture has influenced the world. At McCormacks 4WD, we work with adventurers across the country and consult with clients internationally who want to replicate the Aussie touring style. Whether it’s a GVM upgrade for the Simpson or a Predator bar for a Tacoma in California, we’ve become part of the global overlanding DNA.
Conclusion: Born in the Outback, Now a Global Force
Overlanding might be exploding worldwide but make no mistake — it was born in Australia. And as more people embrace the overlanding lifestyle, they’re turning to Aussie-built solutions and Aussie-grown knowledge to get it right.
At McCormacks 4WD, we don’t just sell parts — we build purpose-driven, expedition-ready vehicles that honour the heritage of overlanding and push the boundaries of what’s possible off the beaten track.