A Love Letter to My 4WD

Explorer Ally pays homage to one of the most under-appreciated pieces of adventure gear – her 4WD.

To my Jeep Wrangler,

I was never a ‘car girl’ until I met you. Every car I owned before you was out of convenience, not out of choice.

My first car – a Toyota Corolla Seca – was white, beaten and bruised. But it was cheap and it got me where I needed to go (albeit slowly). 

My second car – a pink Suzuki Alto – was nimble and cute, and allowed me to parallel park without too much crying. 

My third car – a silver Mazda 2 – was a generous gift from my Papa who could no longer drive it. 

But you… you’re the first car I chose based on what it could do and where it could take me.

The day I brought you home (well, to my parent’s house because I couldn’t figure out how to park you in Newtown)

Growing up, I never paid much attention to what cars looked like or their features – until one day, I spotted a Jeep.

It was so boxy and effortlessly cool, standing out amongst all the other 2WD cars on the road. It made me think of an epic safari car (which as we know, Jeeps are commonly used for). 

And I thought, ’That’s my perfect car’. 

Remember when we went to Lake Lyell together?

This feeling truly came out of nowhere, but it became an undeniable itch I just had to scratch. And after much scrolling through carsales.com.au, I finally found you. 

My perfect adventure car – a gorgeous yellow Jeep Wrangler. 

Did I know how to drive a 4WD? No. Had I ever been 4WDing? Once … in an Indian jungle. Was I gonna buy you anyway? You bloody betcha. 

With a lot of trepidation, I drove you home. You were a much bigger car than I was used to. 

At the time, I was living in Newtown. And if anyone knows the streets of Newtown, they know how disgustingly narrow they are. Did I have a minor panic attack trying to manoeuvre you through the streets of Newtown? Yes. Yes, I did. 

But once I’d safely parked you, I leapt onto my laptop and started researching all the incredible places we could go together – places most other cars could only dream of accessing…

Mungo National Park with its ancient, otherworldly landscapes, perfect for a 4WD adventure. Or K’gari, where I could drive through lush rainforests, swim in crystal-clear freshwater lakes, and cruise along the famous 75 Mile Beach. And let’s not forget Alice Springs, the gateway to the Outback. With you, I could explore the heart of the Simpson Desert, navigate rugged tracks, and marvel at the striking red dunes. 

These places were no longer just daydreams – they were real adventures waiting for us to take them on.  

Oooo and remember our first big trip to Tasmania?

Since you’ve been in my life, we’ve run amok on Bruny Island and traversed the east and west coasts of Tasmania. We’ve driven across countless stretches of sand, from Smoky Beach in South West Rocks to Ocean Beach in Strahan. 

We’ve bush-bashed through Victoria’s High Country and explored countless NSW forests – visiting nooks and crannies only a 4WD could reach.

Off the beaten track and into the bush we go!

Now, we’re all set for an upcoming trip to Mungo National Park. We’ve barely scratched the surface, but my gosh, I’m excited to see where we head next.

But first… there’s something I need to confess… 

At one point, I was thinking about selling you. The cost of living crisis, and all that. But every time I thought about no longer seeing your beautiful yellow body parked in the street, I felt physically sick.

You’re now a part of me, in a way I never imagined a car could be. Despite all of your creaks and grunts and “Uh, oh, what was that sound?” moments, our adventures together are some of my favourite memories. 

I couldn’t let you go, and I’m so glad I didn’t.

Just look at this smile! This is how happy you make me!

You’re more than just a car. You’re my gateway to some of the best and most special places in Australia – places reserved for the most daring of Explorers. 

So, dear Jeep, though you cannot read this love letter, I just want to say: I fucking love you. And thank you for the memories. 

Love,

Your redhead in a Jeep