The Magazine for Australian Travellers

October 2005

GREAT PLACES TO GO

Cutta Cutta Caves

The Northern Territory town of Katherine has a secret treasure deep underground.

Great walking on Fraser Island

Melanie Ball heads away from Fraser’s coast to focus on the middle of the world’s largest sand island.

Campsite reports

Our campsite reporters find the best places to camp, this month in Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia.

CARAVANS & MOTORHOMES

Waltzing with Matilda

New owner, new factory and new model motorhomes.

GOOD GEAR & GADGETS

Walkabout

Go on the greatest bushwalk, live the Snowy River legend and travel with a greener outlook – find out how in Walkabout this month.

How to photograph Australia

A new book by Steve Parish can help us to make our holiday pictures much better.

CAMPERS’ TALES

Cruising Australia

Aussies are planning for a life of leisure in their retirement – and, apparently, we’re very good at it.

The good life at McLaren Vale

This area in South Australia is truly gorgeous.

Hit the Spot

A seafood feast awaits at Airlie Beach.

The hazards of helping out

Adrian Ryan has some tales of woe to tell – he’s helping out a friend.

Dismal Swamp

This place in Tasmania is anything but dismal.

Outback wings and
stockmen’s things

Jim Foster takes us for a tour around two Australian icons.

Campfire cooking

Derek “The Camp Oven Cook” Bullock doesn’t need a campfire to make a camp oven feast.

JUST FOR READERS

My Favorite Place

The tantilising glitter of garnets has won for a reader a pair of great daypacks from Snowgum.

GETAWAY VEHICLE

Facelifted Forester

Subaru’s popular soft-roader Forester has increased its appeal.

CATCH A FEED

Snapping happy

This month, Paul B. Kidd offers some tips on getting better fishy photos.

REGULAR FEATURES

Readers’ Letters

Advice on locating a doctor wherever you travel is discussed this issue.

Aussie Cross Quiz

XS level Forester includes self-levelling rear suspension.

in Australia’s great

outdoors

Easy living

Subaru’s facelifted Forester is
looking forward to travelling an endless dirt road

To say Subaru’s Forester has been a solid sales performer is something of an understatement given its consistent success in an ever-crowding market. The diminutive “soft-roader” wagon has been a strong seller since arriving in Australia in 1997, and that’s despite a raft of new contenders and updated models to help foul its path.

But now it’s Subaru’s turn to increase the appeal of what is one of its volume-selling models, with a facelift to this second-generation version.

Mildly revised styling gives a fresher look, but there’s really nothing substantial visually for what is a clean and simple design. But the new nose, with its new headlights and grille, give a more mature look, while the tail lights add some visual flair to the rear. And the indicators in the larger, more useful side mirrors deliver an air of sophistication.

Inside, too, there are notable improvements, including a centre console that doubles as an arm rest or an extra pair of cupholders. Subaru is also talking of the choice of beige or black interior trim colours available across the range, which is all designed to offer greater customer choice and provide a more upmarket environment, depending on your preference.

But there’s still no reach adjustment to the steering wheel and taller drivers may find themselves searching for an extra inch or so of legroom.

In fact it’s space that lets the Forester down somewhat. Even in the small four-wheel-drive category it competes in, it’s one of the smallest in the field, with a compact cabin and relatively low stance. That hasn’t changed one iota for the facelifted model – which shares its basic dimensions and body panels with the outgoing model – although little extras such as the longer rear seat cushion provide a bit more in the way of support.