Our trip from Sydney to Cape York in the Land Rover Defender

We rented the Land Rover Defender from USQUAM Campers for 2-weeks, and it was one of the best camper experiences of our lives. Driving from Sydney to Cape York wasn’t just a road trip — it felt like a real expedition. Here’s how our trip went, how the Defender performed, and why we’d choose it again.

Why we went with the Defender

From the moment we saw the Defender on USQUAM’s Camplify profile, we knew it was right for us. It’s rigged for real adventure. From the fit-out and storage, to the kitchen setup and rooftop tent – it had everything we needed to get off-road and off-grid.

Having all of this built in meant we weren’t just living out of a Defender — we were living in the adventure. And that freedom made every kilometer count.

Rolling out of Sydney

The pick-up process with USQUAM was super easy – Rob was very helpful. We picked up the Defender early, loaded in our gear, and hit the road. As we drove north, the cityscape gave way to farmland, then bush. The more remote it got, the more excited we were.

Even before we hit full dirt tracks, you could feel the trip shifting — this wasn’t about convenience. It was about leaving it all behind and trusting the Defender (and USQUAM) to get us where we needed to go.

Into the red dust

Once we hit Cape York-style terrain, it was deep red dirt, corrugated roads, and that vast, wild vibe you only get in far-north Queensland. We stopped off by Bathurst Heads and Lockhart River. The Defender was already covered in dust, the sky was big, and everything felt free.

There were stretches of road that weren’t as easy – especially for some of the off-road exploration moments (see our video below) – but the Defender handled it like a champ. The tyres, the suspension, the power — we never felt like we were pushing too hard and we always felt in control.

Camping by the coast

When we hit the coastline, the payoff was everything we hoped for. We found a quiet, remote beach with an incredible view just in time for sunset. We pulled up, set up the rooftop tent, and made dinner while watching the sun go down and listening to mother nature around us.

Because of the Defender’s power setup, we had lights, a run on the battery, and no stress about being far from civilization. It felt incredibly freeing — no generator, no crowds, just nature and our camp.

At night, we watched the stars from our tent, and in the morning, we made coffee with the sea in front of us. It was exactly the kind of slow, spacious, far-from-everything trip we wanted. Friends and family bonding without technology – just like when we were kids.

Why USQUAM Campers made the difference

• Reliability: Everything worked. Power, water, tent — no surprises.
• Built-in gear: Rather than packing dozens of things ourselves, USQUAM’s setup meant we just showed up and went.
• True off-grid capability: We weren’t tied to powered campsites. We picked truly remote spots and felt safe doing it.
• 4WD performance: The Defender wasn’t just for highway cruising — it tackled rough tracks, creek crossings, and loose surfaces with ease.

Standing at the top of Australia, we looked back on every kilometer, every camp, every moment. It was worth it.

All in all, it was an incredible experience. I highly recommend USQUAM for your camper van or trailer vacation – for both off-road and off-grid camping. We will definitely hire a camper from USQUAM again… we are already planning our next trip for somewhere in New South Wales.