A New Generation 79 Series on Western Australia’s Coral Coast
A New Generation 79 Series on Western Australia’s Coral Coast
There’s something special about heading out on a major road trip with a brand-new build — especially when that build represents a new chapter in how you tour, work and live remotely.
My latest journey along Western Australia’s Coral Coast was the perfect proving ground for my new 79 Series LandCruiser 4-cylinder automatic, paired with a Norweld 79 Series Canopy and Ute tray set up, designed for serious off-grid travel. From the red dirt tracks ofBullara Station, to the wild coastline of Quobba, and a full week living remotely on Dirk Hartog Island, this trip delivered everything I love about WA touring — and really put the new setup to the test.
A Smarter, Lighter Touring Platform
The new 4-cylinder auto 79 Series has been a game changer. It’s smoother on long stretches, easier to manage in technical terrain and far more comfortable day-to-day — especially when paired with a lightweight, well-engineered canopy.
The Norweld Ute Canopies strike the perfect balance between strength and weight. It gave me the confidence to carry camera gear, food, water and power systems without compromising drivability or capability. Whether cruising coastal highways or crawling along corrugated station tracks, the whole setup felt planted, predictable and purpose-built.
Dust-Free Touring on the Coral Coast
Dust is just part of travelling in Western Australia — particularly when you’re pushing into remote areas like Quobba or heading off-island to Dirk Hartog.
What stood out immediately was how well the canopy handled it.
With sealed doors, considered design and Norweld’s pressurising vent system, dust simply wasn’t an issue. My camera gear, chargers and electronics stayed clean and protected the entire trip, which meant I could work quickly and confidently whenever the conditions lined up.
When the light turns on out here, there’s no time to mess around — everything needs to be ready to go.
Living Out of the Canopy on Dirk Hartog Island
Dirk Hartog Island was where this setup truly earned its stripes.
I spent a full week on the island with no caravan, relying entirely on the 79 Series and Norweld Compact Canopy as my base. Once you cross over to Dirk Hartog, you’re fully committed — no quick resupply, no easy exit and no room for gear that doesn’t work.
Every day revolved around the canopy.
It was my storage system, workspace, power station and home. Camera gear, drones, food, water and recovery equipment were all easily accessible and perfectly organised. Despite constant wind, sand and salt air, everything stayed clean, dry and protected.
The pressurised, dust-resistant design made a huge difference. Fine sand is everywhere on Dirk Hartog, and being able to open the canopy without worrying about contamination meant I could work efficiently and stay focused on the light and conditions.
Power was another standout. Between fridges, laptops, camera batteries and drones, the off-grid setup handled daily demands with ease. Even after long days exploring the island’s remote tracks, everything stayed charged and ready to go again the next morning.
What really stood out was the freedom. If the light was building, I stayed. If a storm rolled through or a sunset started shaping up, I could wait it out. I wasn’t tied to a fixed camp or forced to move on — the canopy gave me the confidence to live completely off the vehicle.
That week on Dirk Hartog reinforced why a properly designed canopy matters. When your vehicle becomes your home, workspace and power supply all in one, reliability isn’t a luxury — it’s essential.
Reliable Off-Grid Power Wherever I Pulled Up
From early morning shoots to late-night image backups, power is critical on every trip I do.
Across Bullara, Quobba and Dirk Hartog, the canopy power system never missed a beat. Running fridges, charging multiple camera and drone batteries, laptops and even stopping for the occasional coffee, I never once had to ration power or think about what I could or couldn’t run.
That level of self-sufficiency changes the way you travel — and the way you work.
Built for Remote WA Conditions
Remote Western Australia is tough on gear. Corrugations, sand, salt air and long days on the tracks quickly expose weak points in any setup.
Norweld’s attention to detail really stood out on this trip. Storage systems stayed secure, the fridge mounting handled rough tracks with ease, and nothing shifted or rattled — even in the harshest conditions.
When you’re hundreds of kilometres from help, knowing your setup is rock solid gives you confidence to keep pushing further.
Why This Setup Works
This new 79 Series build, combined with the Norweld Compact Canopy and Ute tray, feels like the ideal touring platform for the way I travel now. It’s lighter, smarter, more efficient — and capable of supporting extended remote travel without compromise.
The Coral Coast was the perfect testing ground, and Dirk Hartog Island was the ultimate proof point.
When the road disappears and the landscape opens up, having a canopy system designed and built for Australian conditions makes all the difference.
