BEYOND THE BITUMEN – ONE TYRE, THOUSANDS OF KILOMETRES AND COUNTLESS ADVENTURES
There comes a point on any long journey where you stop thinking about the kilometres and start measuring time by sunrises, campfires and the tracks you've conquered. Since setting off to explore Australia, the odometer on my Isuzu D-MAX has steadily climbed as I've travelled 10,000km through some of the country's most spectacular and remote landscapes. From the ancient lunette formations of Mungo National Park to the corrugations of the Gibb River Road and the steep, rocky climbs of El Questro, one thing has remained constant: the Kumho Road Venture RTs beneath me.
When people ask about the best modification I've made to the D-MAX, they often expect me to mention the suspension, canopy or electrical system. The reality is much simpler. Tyres are the only part of the vehicle that actually touch the ground, and after thousands of kilometres over almost every surface Australia can throw at them, the Kumho RTs have quietly become one piece of equipment I simply don't have to think about.
That confidence started on the highway.
Comfortable on the Blacktop
Long-distance touring means spending just as much time on sealed roads as dirt, so on-road manners are just as important as off-road capability. Thanks to the D-MAX's factory Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, I can constantly monitor both tyre pressures and temperatures while travelling, making it easy to fine-tune pressures for the load I carry.
With a constant touring setup on board, I run 33 psi in the front tyres and 43 psi in the rear tyres. Even during long highway days in warm conditions, the pressures typically rise by no more than 4 psi, confirming that the cold pressures are well-suited to both the vehicle and the load.
Having previously run Kumho MT51s and AT52s, I feel the Road Venture RT strikes the ideal balance for touring. The ride is more settled and comfortable on sealed roads while still offering the off-road capability needed for remote travel. Road noise is well controlled, making long days behind the wheel noticeably more enjoyable.
When the Bitumen Ends
Of course, Australia's best destinations rarely sit beside a highway.
The Darling River Run introduced endless stretches of gravel and remote campsites. Bladensburg National Park delivered rocky station tracks through Queensland's rugged outback. Lawn Hill National Park combined long outback drives with one of Australia's most spectacular gorges, while Keep River National Park rewarded those willing to venture beyond the highway with towering sandstone formations and peaceful bush camps.
Each destination demanded something different from both the vehicle and the tyres.
On roads like the Gibb River Road, tyre pressures become just as important as tyre choice. I lower the fronts to 25 psi and the rears to 27 psi, allowing the tyres to absorb corrugations far more effectively while rolling over the notorious tyre-eating rocks rather than crashing into them.
The RT's triple-ply sidewall provides valuable protection in these conditions, while the aggressive side biters add another level of confidence. Halfway along the Gibb River Road, I carried out a thorough inspection of all four tyres, fully expecting to find some evidence of the punishment they'd endured. Instead, there wasn't a single sign of chipping.
Before heading west into the Kimberley, I also made a point of stopping at Tyrepower Darwin to have all four tyres rotated and balanced. It's easy to overlook routine maintenance when you're caught up in the adventure, but it's one of the simplest ways to maximise tyre life on a heavily loaded touring vehicle. The inspection showed even wear across all four tyres, giving me confidence that both the tyre pressures and the RTs themselves were performing exactly as they should.
For anyone who's driven the Gibb, that's impressive.
The steep, rocky tracks around El Questro presented a different challenge altogether. Loose climbs, dusty surfaces and uneven terrain tested both the tyres and driver, yet traction remained predictable throughout. At no stage did I lose confidence in the tyres, even on the more technical climbs.
Around Mount Elizabeth Station, the rocky tracks again demonstrated the value of lowering tyre pressures. With the tyres able to mould themselves around rocks rather than fight against them, the side biters came into their own, providing additional protection and helping to keep the sidewalls away from sharp edges that can quickly ruin a trip.
Even deep sand wasn't a problem. The track into Sandy Gorge on Ellenbrae Station included several soft sections where momentum and flotation become critical. After lowering pressures, the RTs floated through comfortably, requiring no recovery and making what could have been a difficult drive feel surprisingly straightforward.
The Places I'll Remember
While tyres make the journey possible, it's the places that stay with you long after the dust has been washed off the vehicle.
Watching sunrise illuminate the Walls of China in Mungo National Park remains one of those unforgettable moments where the landscape seems almost otherworldly. Camping beside the Darling River, listening to nothing but birds and the gentle flow of water, reminded me that some of Australia's best campsites don't require a booking months in advance.
Lawn Hill National Park completely exceeded my expectations. Paddling through the emerald waters of Lawn Hill Gorge beneath towering sandstone cliffs felt like discovering another world hidden within Queensland's Gulf Country.
Then came the Kimberley.
Few roads carry the reputation of the Gibb River Road, and after driving it, it's easy to understand why. Corrugations stretch to the horizon, creek crossings punctuate the journey, and every day brings another breathtaking gorge, lookout or remote station.
Camping beneath the Cockburn Ranges at Home Valley Station, watching the colours change as the sun disappeared behind the escarpment, was one of those evenings that needed no words.
Keep River National Park proved to be another highlight. Overshadowed by many travellers rushing towards the Kimberley, it offers magnificent sandstone formations, quiet walking tracks and campsites where you can genuinely feel like you have the park to yourself.
And then there was El Questro. From the peaceful morning soak at Zebedee Springs to the spectacular Chamberlain Gorge cruise and the countless river crossings connecting one adventure to the next, it's easy to understand why so many travellers return time and again.
Equipment That Earned Its Place
Every long journey teaches you what matters and what doesn't.
The Kumho Road Venture RTs have certainly earned their place, but they've been supported by equipment that has made life on the road easier.
The air compressor that comes with my Polyair Wireless Air system and the InDeflate have become two of the most frequently used pieces of equipment. Adjusting tyre pressures between highways, corrugations, rocky tracks and sand is simply part of touring Australia properly.
Reliable myCOOLMAN refrigeration, the Projecta Compact 100 power system, the AMPTRON BlueEdge 400Ah LiFePO4 lithium battery, and the Starlink mini have all made remote travel more comfortable without taking away the sense of adventure.
For documenting the journey, my Canon R5 Mark II and DJI drone have allowed me to capture the landscapes and stories that make travelling Australia so rewarding.
The Journey Continues
One of the greatest lessons I've learnt is that successful remote touring isn't about driving the most heavily modified vehicle or owning the most expensive gear. It's about preparation, slowing down when conditions demand it and trusting the equipment you've chosen.
The Kumho Road Venture RTs have now carried me across highways, gravel roads, corrugations, rocky climbs, creek crossings and deep sand without complaint. They've quietly gone about their job while allowing me to focus on what really matters: discovering the incredible places that make Australia one of the world's greatest touring destinations.
The odometer continues to climb, with plenty more adventures still ahead. If the journey so far is any indication, the Road Venture RTs will continue to do exactly what they've done since day one: getting me there and bringing me home again.