Story by Greg Bush
Australian Country Music Annual
Photos courtesy Lee Kernaghan

Lee introduces us to his new best mate – a  diesel–powered Toyota series 78 ute

There’s nothing Lee Kernaghan likes better than getting off the beaten track and heading out into the bush in his four-wheel-drive vehicle.  Not any 4WD, mind you.  For a start, it has to be a Toyota.

Lee has been a connoisseur of Toyota 4WD vehicles for many years, and drives them with a passion.  His radio work alongside Colin Buchanan on the Toyota Outback Club has given him behind-the-wheel access to much of the Toyota range.  As well, the pair wrote the Landcruiser theme for Toyota.

“It’s great being associated with a company that makes the best 4WDs,” Lee said.  “We’ve been in the privileged situation of having test-driven pretty well the whole product range.”

He’s particularly impressed with the latest 100 Series Landcruiser, which he says is an ideal touring vehicle, and fuel capacity is a major plus.

“With the sub tank, you can do over 1000kms before you have to fill up,” he said.  “The economy’s really good, and it’s definitely an all terrain vehicle.

The vehicle is so comfortable, I can drive 1000kms in a day and still feel fresh for the show that night.”

While the 100 Series may be the lead vehicle in the touring party, there’s always a fleet of Toyota Taragos not far behind, carrying the all-important band members and equipment.

“Taragos are pretty well standard equipment for all touring bands in Australia,” Lee explained.  “They’re probably the greatest touring vehicle for bands that you could ever hope to find.  Heaps of room, and you can make a mile.”

While Lee may be singing the praises of those Toyota vehicles, that admiration pales in comparison when the conversation centres on his new best mate – a Toyota 78 Series Landcruiser Ute.

If it was a woman, I’d marry it – I’m actually in love with this vehicle,” he said, unashamedly as he eagerly described the vehicle’s features.

A mate of mine, George Knight from Landcruiser Park, built the custom tray, and it has a 60-litre stainless steel water tank and matching toolbox.

“The roll bar is built into the tray, and it’s got a 39 litre Engel fridge in a custom box – you can fit a couple of slabs in the easy,” he grinned.  Lee’s enthusiasm doesn’t stop with the vehicle’s exterior.  He’s added a few extras inside the cab as well.

I’ve got a terrific in-car sound system, and I’ve installed a Garmin Emap GPS, which is fantastic when you’re out in the bush and you want to know where the nearest fuel is.

It tells you how far you’ve got to go, and how to get there.”

During a recent trip to Landcruiser Park, at Jimna via Kilcoy in south-east Queensland, the ute was given the acid test, tackling terrain that he never believed possible.  But then, the boys at Landcruiser Park gave him little alternative.

I was with fellas who are in 75 Series Landcruisers, and another bloke in a 78, and they really know what their vehicles can do.

“Some of the places these boys went were just plain scary.  But the ‘Cruiser …. when you drop into low range 4WD, the torque of the diesel engine comes into its own.  It almost turns into a Sherman tank – it becomes unstoppable.”

During a more sedate outing, Lee ventured onto Forty Mile Beach, just north of Tewantin.  Letting the tyres down for the sand trip posed no problem – he also carries a compressor for pumping them back up again.

We camped up near the lighthouse on Double Island Point, lit a fire, sang a few songs – and I heard some great yarns – then got up early and did all the beach stuff.

“I’ve been doing things that I just haven’t had the opportunity to do in the last few years.  When you’re on the road, you’re always passing through.”

With a new album on the horizon, and the knowledge of what his 78 Series ute can do, Lee and his record producer, Garth Porter, were ready for another songwriting excursion through the outback.

This time the trip would take them from Brisbane across the South Australian border – straight through the centre, via Innamincka and Birdsville.  Not a problem for Lee and his Landcruiser, who relishes the opportunity to hit the dirt, as well as spending some quality time with his new set of wheels.