Apollo Overlander

This LandCruiser 70 Series-based camper will get your family into most Outback destinations

Getting a taste of the rugged Australian Outback is becoming increasingly easier, with more of the country opening up to travellers thanks to more bitumen access roads and facilities in far-flung places.

But you still require a good four-wheel-drive vehicle to get into many desirable off-road destinations, and that’s why rental companies like Apollo are meeting demand with an increasing number of 4WD campers on their fleet.

One of the newest options is the Overlander, which has the distinction of being the only Apollo 4WD camper built on the trusty Toyota 70 series, five-seat Landcruiser Workmate wagon.

It’s also the company’s only off-road option suitable for families, with a roof-top tent with annexe that can sleep an extra two people downstairs and provide a solid but basic platform for bush camping adventures.

We recently gave the Overlander a decent workout during a three-week family trip in West Australia’s Kimberley, where we discovered its good points far outweighed any bad.

BORN TO BE WILD

Apollo says the Overlander is designed for “families who want a 4WD adventure with the basics”, and it’s fair to say it offers the bare minimum for those who want to spend a few days or weeks in rugged and remote locations.

Bolted onto an ARB roof rack, the 23Zero roof-top tent is the popular, flip-over type that when opened up on the driver’s side, provides a spacious, canvas-covered bed upstairs.You climb up the drop-down, aluminium ladder permanently attached to the base to get to the 2.3m x 1.25m mattress, which is made of thin foam but reasonably comfortable and offers plenty of stretch-out room. There’s also enough headroom to sit up and change, if needed.Like the annexe downstairs, there are large, screened windows on all sides, with roll-up flaps to let in the light and breeze. External ‘verandah’ flaps held up by flexible metal rods, also allow ventilation on hot, sticky nights without getting wet when it rains. There’s also storage pockets on both sides to keep track of car keys, mobile phones, etc.

The lightweight annexe with built-in floor goes on pretty smoothly at the tent base, although like the vinyl travel cover, long legs and arms are useful to reach the zips.

After pegging down and securing with guy ropes, the enclosed annexe provides just enough room on either side of the ladder for the two, plush, self-inflatable mattresses. To save time the annexe can be left off if you’re travelling as a couple, or decide to sleep one or two smaller kids upstairs with the grown-ups.

The only issues with the annexe were a couple of small gaps left at either side closest to the vehicle, which allowed pesky mosquitoes to venture in at night.The polyester material used for the annexe also doesn’t breathe as well as the thicker cotton canvas used up top, making it more steamy downstairs on hot days as well as sticky nights.As well as needing long arms to reach everything on the roof (Apollo does provide a portable step that hooks over a tyre for an added boost) setting and packing up the camper requires a fair degree of physical effort, which might not suit everyone.However, once we got the routine down pat, it took around 45 minutes to set up or pack down the camper, depending how many breaks we needed in the heat.

LIMITED STORAGE

Travelling light is the name of the game with the Overlander. Apart from the roof-mounted storage box that held sleeping bags and self-inflatable mattresses, pretty much everything else had to be jammed into the back of the 70 Series wagon, around the 45 litre Camec slide-out fridge that ran off a second, under-bonnet battery (or 240V if staying in a caravan park), four camp chairs and table, 15-litre freshwater tank and portable gas stove.

Helping keep everything in its place was a cargo barrier and some shelving for the fridge and water bottle, two plastic containers holding the eating and cooking utensils, and the pillows, bed sheets and bath and teatowels supplied with the vehicle.

That left two tall but narrow spaces on either side for the ARB camp light, which plugged into one of two 12V sockets at the rear, tent pegs, hammer, shovel and our clothing, which was in three large duffel bags that we could squash into whatever remaining space was available.

We also squeezed in behind the LandCruiser’s two rear ‘barn’ doors a couple of extra 10 litre water bottles, plus a bucket for washing dishes, 'bush' showers, etc. Apollo also supplied a portable solar shower unit but due to the hot weather and lack of space, we left it behind.

The small fridge kept its cool throughout, and had just enough space to carry vegies, meat and dairy requirements for a week, or at least until we got to another roadhouse or supermarket. We used a couple of plastic containers to carry non-perishable food.

While one of the cheaper camp cooking options, the Coleman two-burner stove didn’t let us down, handling everything from stir fries to plunger coffees, although we did go through four, half-litre propane canisters (two were supplied with the vehicle). A single, larger 2kg gas bottle that would last the whole trip might have been a better option.

The Overlander also came with a Darche pull-out awning mounted on the passenger side, which was super-easy to set up and came with a couple of guy ropes to support the fold-out legs. It provided plenty of shade during roadside lunch-stops, as well as the campgrounds we stayed more than one night.

Having all the gear in or on the vehicle proved both a blessing and a curse during the trip: the former as items were always close at hand, even if we did sometimes have to pull everything out of the back to get to them.The main disadvantage was unlike other campers with their separate tents or trailers, we had to pack up the lot every time we wanted to drive to a new gorge, waterfall or sunset lookout.ON THE ROAD

Being the entry-level Workmate model, there are few creature comforts in the truck-like LandCruiser, which has basic features like single-key manual locking, wind-up windows and vinyl seats and lacks cruise control, which can make highway cruising a chore.

Loaded up close to three tonnes, perched high on tall, skinny truck tyres and with vague, ball and nut steering, it tended to wander around on the highway, particularly in crosswinds. It also over-revved in top gear at highway speeds, helping to drain the long-range 130-litre tank faster than it should.

However hit the dirt and it was almost unstoppable, thanks to the gutsy, 4.5-litre V8 turbo-diesel engine, five-speed manual transmission with dual-range transfer case, rugged ladder frame underpinnings, factory fitted snorkel and 235mm road clearance.

It was also surprisingly comfortable on longer drives, with a powerful air-conditioner and nicely cushioned ride over the corrugations. The high seating position and large windows also afforded an excellent view of the surroundings for all occupants.

Apart from a tyre blowout any problems experienced were relatively minor, such as the tent peg hammer breaking, 12V work light stopped working, a clasp breaking on the storage box and the zip in the tent cover going off the rails.

HOW MUCH?

Apollo quotes daily hire fees for the Overlander from $133, but in reality it’s going to cost you around twice that amount or more, once you add up all the necessary extras.

Travelling in peak season from Broome, the daily fee was closer to $300 a day, plus a Broome ‘surcharge’ of $1000 was added. We also chose the $49 a day extra fee to reduce the standard ‘excess’ cost in case of an accident, from $8000 to $500.

We also took out the optional 4WD cover for another $199, which was a smart move as it covered a $370 wheel/tyre replacement, not to mention a stone chip in the windscreen.

Apollo also charges a small extra fee for items like camp chairs, fold-up tables and baby seats. You can also hire a GPS unit or satellite phone from $10-$20 a day. An EPIRB unit comes standard.

If you want to travel more adventurous routes, like the Gibb River Road, you’ll need special permission from Apollo, but in our case it was just another form to sign at the pick-up. However, you won’t ever be allowed to take the Overlander on the Old Telegraph Track or Canning Stock Route, even if you ask nicely…

VERDICT

The Apollo Overlander is a terrific option for families who want to fly in and be independent when travelling through some of Australia’s most remote, Outback regions. It’s also an option for those with on-road vehicles, who want to get off the beaten track for a few days.

As long as you’re prepared to rough it a bit, carry minimal supplies and flex the muscles when setting up camp, you’ll have a ball like we did.

APOLLO OVERLANDER

Base vehicle: Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series Workmate wagon

Engine: 4.5-litre V8 turbo-diesel

Power/torque: 151kW/430Nm

Transmission: Five-speed manual, part-time 4WD system, dual-range transfer case

Tare weight: 2600kg (approx.)

GVM: 3060kg

Wheels/tyres: 16 x 5.5in steel, LT

Fuel tank: 130L

Fresh water: 25L

Battery: Extra 12V battery under bonnet