Whether you’re looking to off-road on a budget or have a budget to bust when funding your overlanding adventures, going off the beaten track is no doubt an exhilarating experience that brings tons of benefits. You can find out more about the many, many benefits of overlanding here.
For those just starting out, the journey overland promises not just thrills, but a connection with a particularly rich and vibrant history. From its humble beginnings as a means of survival to its current status as a global adventure movement, overlanding has been a favourite pastime for many for as long as we can remember, and over the years it has come a long way.
In this blog post, we explore its origins and how overlanding has changed through the eras.
The dawn of the overland adventure
The very first overlanding adventures can be traced back to the late 19th century. Back then, overlanding was a necessity rather than a fun recreational activity.
The endless and untamed landscapes of Australia were a fitting starting point. The Australian cattlemen of the late 1800s were responsible for driving a country synonymous with slow progress forward into economic expansion as Britannica details:
“Progress remained slow until 1879, when the explorer Alexander Forrest reported good pastoral country in the Kimberley district. His report stimulated investment from Melbourne and Sydney and brought several parties of overlanding cattlemen 2,000 miles (3,200 km) from Queensland (1883–85). A government railway was opened in 1879, followed by a number of schemes for private land-grant railways…”
The long distance journeys taken by Australian cattlemen became known as ‘overlanding’, and were used to move livestock across the length and breadth of the country. These expeditions often spanned hundreds of miles, and laid the groundwork for the overlanding spirit of endurance and self-reliance.
And so the 4×4 was born…
While the very first four-wheel-drive vehicle was the Burstall and Hill Steam Coach, completed in 1824, it wasn’t until the turn of the next century that the first 4WD car made its debut. The real breakthrough for modern overlanding however came even later with the invention of the 4×4 vehicle during World War II.
The need for robust, versatile and reliable vehicles saw the development of the Jeep. For the first time ever, a vehicle could take on the most diverse and challenging terrains, and win!
Word of the durability and off-road capabilities of the 4×4 quickly spread, and post-war surplus military Jeeps were sold publicly, sparking a love for recreational off-roading and a growing interest in overlanding adventure.
The rise of recreational off-roading
It wasn’t until the 1950s and 1960s that a real surge was experienced in the recreational off-roading market. Needless to say, vehicle manufacturers quickly recognised the trend and adjusted their production priorities accordingly.
Civilian versions of military 4x4s were now being produced in bulk, with the 1948 Land Rover Series I and 1951 Toyota Land Cruiser just two of the 4WD makes and models grabbing the attention of the public.
Upgrades and accessories were also propping up the bludgeoning overlanding market, with enthusiasts eager to use modifications to keep them on the road for longer. Roof racks, additional fuel tanks and camping equipment were among the most popular improvements even back then.
The sense of community that still surrounds overlanding was also growing quickly, with off-road clubs and other organisations providing the perfect places for like-minded adventurers to thrive.
Overland exploration goes global
Fast forward three decades and the advancement of 4×4 vehicles continued, with innovations such as electronic traction control, advanced suspension systems and improved engine performance enhancing the capabilities of the era’s favourite off-roaders, including the Toyota 4Runner, Mitsubishi Pajero and Land Rover Defender.
Overlanding was now on the global stage, with books, magazines, and later internet forums and social media, helping overlanders plan the most epic trips yet, document their adventures and inspire others.
Today, overlanding remains a thriving subculture. As an activity, it blends tradition and technology with ease to give modern overlanders the means to explore the wildest and most rugged destinations worldwide on four wheels.
