The 2026 Essential 4x4 Accessories List for Australian Touring

Australia is one of the most demanding environments on Earth for a 4WD and its driver. Distances are vast, tracks can be brutally remote, and conditions change rapidly. Whether you are planning your first extended trip down the Gibb River Road or you are a seasoned Grey Nomad heading back out for another season, having the right gear can make the difference between an unforgettable adventure and a genuine emergency.

This guide covers the essential 4x4 accessories for Australian touring in 2026: what to carry, why it matters, and how to prioritise your build.

Recovery Gear: Get Yourself Out of Trouble

Getting bogged is a rite of passage in Australian four-wheel driving. Getting yourself out efficiently and safely is a skill, and it requires the right equipment.

Recovery Boards (Maxtrax / Tred Boards)

Recovery boards are the single most useful piece of recovery gear for Australian conditions. They provide traction under spinning wheels in sand, mud, and snow, and can be used as a bridging aid over small obstacles.

Maxtrax is the original Australian recovery board brand, invented here, tested here, trusted by serious tourers globally. They are more expensive than generic alternatives but are significantly stronger and more durable, with a 2-year warranty and proven performance in extreme conditions. A set of Maxtrax MKII retails around $400 to $450.

Tred boards offer a more budget-conscious alternative with solid performance. Also Australian, with similar tread patterns and mounting options. A set of Tred PRO boards retails around $200 to $280.

Either way, carry a set. You will use them more than you expect, and you will be the most popular person on the track when someone else gets stuck.

Snatch Strap

A kinetic energy recovery rope (snatch strap) is essential for vehicle-to-vehicle recovery. The stretch in the strap builds kinetic energy, allowing a tow vehicle to snatch a bogged vehicle free without the shock loads of a solid tow rope. Always use a quality strap rated for at least the combined weight of both vehicles. Straps rated at 8,000kg and 11,000kg are common.

Buy from reputable brands such as MSA, ARB, Ironman 4x4, or Bushranger. Cheap, unrated straps can fail catastrophically under load, and a failed snatch strap is a genuine projectile hazard. Inspect your strap before every trip and retire it if it is frayed or UV-degraded.

Recovery Shovel

A full-size recovery shovel (not a folding camping spade) is invaluable for digging out buried wheels, clearing mud from wheel arches, and creating escape ramps in sand. The Gerber E-Tool and Fiskars options are popular, and ARB also offers a quality recovery shovel that doubles as a mud scraper.

Hi-Lift Jack

A Hi-Lift (farm) jack is one of the most versatile recovery tools available. It can lift a bogged vehicle high enough to pack in recovery boards underneath, spread apart dented body panels, and even winch a vehicle when used with the right accessories. However, Hi-Lift jacks are dangerous if used without proper technique. They require a firm base (use a base plate in soft ground) and should never be used under a vehicle with someone underneath.

A Hi-Lift base plate and Hi-Lift Off-Road kit (for use with bull bars and roof racks) are worthwhile additions. The standard 48" Hi-Lift is the most popular size for Australian 4WDs.

Additional Recovery Items

• Tree trunk protector: Essential for winch recovery, protects trees and gives your winch anchor a proper base
• Bow shackles (rated): Two minimum, always rated and always properly done up with the pin moused
• Recovery damper: A weighted bag thrown over the middle of a snatch strap to reduce the projectile risk if the strap or shackle fails
• Tow points: Ensure your vehicle has proper rated recovery points front and rear, as factory tow eyes are often not rated for recovery forces

Lighting: See and Be Seen

Driving Lights

Factory headlights on Australian-spec vehicles are designed for sealed road compliance, not remote outback touring. A quality set of aftermarket LED driving lights can more than double your effective visibility at night, which is critical for wildlife avoidance on remote roads.

Look for a combination of a pencil/spot beam (long-range) and a flood beam (wide, for slower off-road work). Popular brands include Stedi, Lightforce, Hardkorr, and Baja Designs. Mount on your bull bar, A-pillars, or roof rack depending on your setup.

Rock Lights / Underbody Lighting

Rock lights are small, sealed LED lights mounted under the vehicle to illuminate the ground around the tyres when negotiating obstacles at night or in low-light conditions. They are hugely practical for technical off-road work and also add a great visual aesthetic. Stedi, Hardkorr, and Quake LED all offer quality rock light kits.

Look for IP67+ rated units with aluminium housings and a warranty. Cheap rock lights fail quickly in the conditions where you need them most.

Power and Electrics: Keep the Fridge Cold and the Lights On

Modern touring setups rely heavily on auxiliary power, including fridges, lighting, charging devices, and communication gear. A proper dual battery and solar setup is a fundamental part of any serious touring build.

Dual Battery System

A dual battery system separates your starting battery from your auxiliary (house) battery, ensuring your engine will always start even if your house battery is deeply discharged. The core components are:

• Auxiliary battery: A deep-cycle battery (AGM or lithium) dedicated to running accessories
• DC-DC charger (MPPT): Charges the auxiliary battery from the alternator and solar, and is more efficient than a VSR
• Anderson plug wiring: Connects solar panels and external power sources

Redarc is the benchmark brand for dual battery management in Australia. Their BCDC (DC-DC charger) range is widely considered the best available, offering intelligent, MPPT-enabled chargers that maximise charge efficiency from both your alternator and solar panels. The BCDC1225D (25A) and BCDC1240D (40A) are the most popular models for touring rigs.

Solar Panels

Portable or fixed solar panels dramatically extend your autonomy in camp. A 200W folding solar panel (Hardkorr or Redarc) combined with a Redarc BCDC charger will maintain your battery through most stationary camp scenarios.

For permanent roof-mounted solar, 200W to 300W of fixed panels is adequate for a standard touring setup. Rigid panels (monocrystalline) generally deliver better long-term performance, while flexible panels are great for curved roof rack surfaces.

12V Fridge

A 12V fridge (ARB, Engel, Waeco) is now considered essential rather than luxury for Australian touring. Running your fridge from a properly sized auxiliary battery via a DC-DC charger like the Redarc BCDC ensures your food and medications stay cold without risking your starting battery.

The ARB Zero fridge range and Engel 40L are benchmark products with exceptional reliability. Size your auxiliary battery to handle at least 48 hours of fridge run time without solar input, which typically means 100Ah lithium or 120Ah AGM minimum for a 40L fridge.

Storage: Organise Your Gear

Roof Rack

A quality roof rack is the foundation of most touring storage setups. It provides a platform for solar panels, roof tents, recovery boards, water containers, and spare tyres. Rhino-Rack, Yakima, ARB, and Ironman 4x4 all offer quality roof rack solutions. Look for a rack rated for at least 100kg dynamic load and fitted to your specific vehicle.

Drawer System

A dual-lock drawer system in the tub or boot keeps your gear organised, secure, and accessible without unpacking everything to find one item at the bottom. Popular brands include MSA 4x4, ARB, Decked, and Outback Solutions. A good drawer system transforms your 4WD's usability on tour.

Canopy

For ute owners, a quality aluminium canopy provides secure, weatherproof storage and a platform for your roof rack. Popular brands include MSA 4x4, Ironman 4x4, Ute Lid Co, and custom aluminium canopy fabricators. A canopy significantly increases what you can carry and protects gear from the elements.

Cargo Barriers

In the event of an accident or sudden stop, unsecured gear in a wagon or 4WD cabin becomes a dangerous projectile. A properly rated cargo barrier is a critical safety item, not just an organiser. ARB, Hayman Reese, and Safetyline all manufacture ADR-compliant barriers for popular 4WD models.

Communication: Stay Connected Where Mobile Does Not Reach

UHF CB Radio

A UHF CB radio is essential for convoy communication and road safety on remote Australian tracks. Channel 40 is the national road channel for 4WD use. A quality in-dash unit or a quality handheld is non-negotiable for remote touring. GME makes Australian-designed UHF CBs that are widely regarded as the best in the market. Their TX3520S and TX3500S are popular choices.

Satellite Communicator

In areas beyond mobile coverage, which is most of remote Australia, a satellite communicator is your lifeline. The Garmin inReach Mini 2 is the most popular choice, providing two-way messaging, tracking, and SOS capability via the Iridium satellite network. An active subscription is required (roughly $50 to $100 per month for touring, less for occasional use).

For groups and extended remote travel, the Zoleo is a popular alternative with strong Australian user support.

Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)

A PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) is a one-way emergency device that sends your GPS coordinates to Australian Search and Rescue via satellite. No subscription is required, and registration is free through AMSA. A PLB is not a communication device (it is SOS only), but it is the last line of defence in a genuine life-threatening emergency. Carry one per person in remote country. GME MT410G is the gold standard Australian PLB.

Tyres and Tyre Management

Tyre Deflators

Airing down tyres significantly improves traction and ride quality on soft surfaces like sand and rough corrugated tracks. Quality tyre deflators (ARB, Staun, or Xcessories4x4) allow you to deflate all four tyres quickly and to a precise PSI setting. Without deflators, you will be using a key or manual valve, which is slow, imprecise, and inconvenient.

ARB Compressor

After airing down for the track, you will need to air back up for the highway. The ARB Twin Air Compressor is the benchmark product, powerful, reliable, and fast enough to inflate four 35" tyres in reasonable time. It is an investment ($400 to $600), but it is a product that will last years with proper maintenance. Portable units like the Bushranger Enforcer or Ironman 4x4 compressors are popular budget alternatives.

Tyre Repair Kit

Tyre plugs, a reamer, and a portable repair kit are essential when you are 200km from the nearest tyre shop. A Slime Heavy-Duty Truck and SUV kit or an ARB tyre repair kit covers most puncture scenarios. Combined with a full-size spare tyre, this gives you a fighting chance of fixing a puncture in the field rather than waiting for assistance.

Carry a spare valve core tool and valve cores. They are tiny, light, and have saved many touring trips.

The Complete 2026 Touring Accessories Checklist

Shop 4x4 Touring Accessories at 4x4 Mods Australia

Build your touring rig with gear you can rely on. Browse our full accessory range from Australia's leading 4WD brands:

• 4x4 Mods Australia
• ARB 4x4 Accessories
• Maxtrax Recovery Boards
• Redarc Power Management
• Stedi Lighting

Not sure where to start? Our team builds and tours in these vehicles. We will help you prioritise your build for your budget and touring style.