Drift About
Travels during 2026
Drift About 2026?
Welcome to DriftAbout 2026, where the Fortuner handles the chaos of Thailand, the 4WDAus truck handles the chaos of Australia, and we handle… well, whatever’s left over.
The year kicked off in Thailand, where the Fortuner once again proved it’s the only vehicle brave enough to take on Thai traffic with us behind the wheel. Between temple hopping, market grazing, and pretending we understand scooter etiquette, we settled back into the rhythm of a country that keeps pulling us in.
Alison also decided to start the year with a solo desert trek — because nothing says “holiday mode” like walking through sand dunes while the rest of us are thinking about iced coffee.
Meanwhile, the 4WDAus truck is sitting at home like a loyal cattle dog waiting for the ute keys to jingle. A winter Pilbara run is high on the wishlist — red dirt, big skies, and the kind of tracks that make you question your life choices in the best possible way. Whether the price of diesel lets us get there is another matter, but optimism is free, so we’re using plenty of it.
And because we’re creatures of habit (and good food), Thailand is already calling us back for November. The Fortuner doesn’t know it yet, but it’s going to earn its keep this year.
Two rigs. One big year. Zero idea how it’ll unfold. DriftAbout continues.
Smiles Steve and Alison
Adventures 2026
Where the Pinnacles Remember
Amid the haunting limestone spires of Nambung, we trace the echoes of explorers and loss — where the desert wind still whispers Frederick Smith’s story and the Pinnacles stand as timeless witnesses.
Solo in the Nambung District – May 2026
Twelve days of solo trekking through the Nambung District revealed a landscape still healing — from the loss of Bee Hive Point’s wild hives to the fall of a great Tuart finally claimed by fire. Among rediscovered pinnacles and fading Alf Passfield landmarks, this journey became a quiet record of change, memory, and endurance in Western Australia’s shifting sands.
Old Friends and Time to Say Goodbye
Catching up with old friends brings all the familiar warmth — shared stories, easy laughs and the comfort of people who’ve been part of the journey for years. But goodbyes always arrive too soon. This chapter captures the joy of reconnecting and the quiet ache of parting ways as the road calls us onward again.
Onwards to Chiang Mai
The road north leads us toward Chiang Mai once again — winding highways, mountain views and those small travel moments that make the journey as good as the destination. This chapter captures the shift in pace, the changing landscapes and the anticipation of rolling back into one of our favourite Thai cities.
Back to Pua – A Favourite
A return to one of our favourite places in Thailand — Pua. Foggy mornings, ridge‑top roads, salt wells, friendly faces and long walks through green fields. A calm stretch of days filled with simple meals, smoky sunsets and that familiar mountain magic we always love coming back to.
Best Cappuccino Found
Some discoveries deserve their own headline — and this cappuccino absolutely does. Smooth, rich and unexpectedly perfect, this little riverside café delivered the best cup of the entire journey. A simple stop turned into a standout moment, proving once again that travel magic often comes in a mug.
More Car Fun Underup 2026
UnderUp 2026 turns the volume and the visuals all the way up — wild wraps, glowing LEDs, speaker vans shaking the ground and builds that blur the line between art and machinery. This gallery dives deeper into the madness, colour and creativity that make Thailand’s car scene one of the most unforgettable in the world.
Rest Over – Lets Go Again
Rest time’s officially over and the wheels are turning again. With energy topped up and the road calling, this chapter kicks off the next run of adventure — new places, new stories and that familiar spark that comes from getting moving once more.