MainlandRover

12/04/2026

It is with sad regret that the Australian legend of 4WDing and Winch Challenges Mike Smith has passed away. Mike was a true gentleman competitor and his famous blue Range Rover was winner many times including the Outback Challenge in Australia and the tough Malaysian Rain Forest Challenge in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s often with son Wayne as co-driver.
Mike Smith along with Chris Hummer and Peter Taylor guided Ashley Lucas and NZ4WD through the running of the very first winch challenges in New Zealand. Mike was a true gentleman and pioneer of the sport of winch challenge and winch challenges wouldn’t exist without his vision and leadership.
He was considered the true father of winch challenges in Australia, not only as a competitor but a trailblazing leader who inspired generations of four wheelers into the sport.
Our condolences go out to Wayne and Mel and the Smith family.

07/04/2026

The New permit system has made it to national TV news on TV1.

https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/04/06/unique-permit-payment-to-preserve-gold-mine-ghost-town/?fbclid=IwdGRjcARCROtjbGNrBEJC7mV4dG4DYWVtAzEwMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR5_sDhTPAYptASqkGS57KX3DK0zCrPYtB8kKo8euk4meJiM6NnO7pIzYnXMyQ_aem_0RbTdNK6L0yXmCh99K2yQQ

Drivers heading into the remote gold‑mining settlement north of Arrowtown will now need a permit, as locals move to protect the fragile route for the future.

20/03/2026

'Workhorse' Land Rover fleet to be retired from Army after 70 years

The BBC News has reported that the British Army is to start retiring its Land Rover fleet after 70 years of service, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced.
Thousands of the iconic vehicles will start to be phased out over the coming months and the retirement will be managed in line with demand from the Army, the MoD said.
Plans are now under way to find its replacement, with the first new vehicles expected to be used by British soldiers by 2030.

The MoD said that over the decades, several bespoke Land Rover models were developed exclusively for military use, including:
• Series IIA Ambulance – Designed to carry four stretchers and a medic
• Series IIA Pink Panther – Designed for use in the desert by the SAS, it was used for special operation missions and long-distance reconnaissance
• Amphibious SIIA 109 – A prototype of a vehicle that could be used for sea landings
• V8 Centaur Multi-Role Half-Track – Created with a track taken from the Scorpion light tank, it represented an attempt to merge a road vehicle with a tank

Full article in link below.

A service was held in Dorset to mark the beginning of Land Rover vehicles being phased out by the Army by 2030.

21/02/2026

17th March 2026 - Macetown Road Permit Required 🔐

In one month a paid permit will be required to access Macetown Road. Check out the link for more information and FAQs...

https://permit.nzfwda.org.nz/

14/02/2026

13/02/2026

Is an early 1989 2-door 200tdi manual Discovery with only 55,400 miles and an asking price of UKP54,950 a good bargain?
If so I wonder what my own 1994, 4-door, 200tdi manual Discovery with 23,000 genuine miles on the clock is worth?
It does have a few factory fitted accessories, so let's see what you all think it's worth.

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19761508?fbclid=IwVERTSAP6h-FleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR7JD3-FvaWIjGiVVhmWK94UVHibqqHjnOoahYcj79YOFLb6P_36ClLVUGx0ag_aem_vnSI6VsWKl1pB_dOpFPKrA

Check out this Land Rover Discovery Turbo Diesel for sale on PistonHeads. Get in touch for more information or to take a test drive today!

12/02/2026

A early 1989 Discovery 1 2-door 200tdi manual up for sale in UK. Has only done 55,000 miles and asking UKP54,750.
Wonder what my own 1994 4 door Discovery which has only done 23,000 genuine miles would be worth?

https://www.facebook.com/share/1MeL9uGKJ6/

16/01/2026

Had this in the driveway today.
Unfortunately it had to be returned to the rental car company ....

24/12/2025

Where has the year gone? Christmas is upon us once again.
We now take a well deserved break and a moment or two to reflect on our successes over the past year and enjoy the company and good food with family and close friends.
Wishing all our friends and customers a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year for 2026.

We won't be far away over the holiday period if you should need anything.

10/12/2025

The Macetown Road Managed Access.

It has been in the planning for over a year, but now the gate is installed. Permits will be required in February and a fee will be charged to access.
Before you jump and say it's a public road and public land, it is not. It was either this or permanently closure for access.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AYHkwScN7/

The Macetown Road Managed Access Gateway has now been installed. 🚧

Spearheaded by the Shotover 4WD Club this is the culmination of over a year of work by a broad stakeholder group, including QEII National Trust, Soho Property Ltd, DOC, QLDC, AVA, Queenstown Trails Trust, Herenga ā Nuku | Outdoor Access Commission, New Zealand Four Wheel Drive Assoc. and the Arrowtown Charitable Trust.

As outlined at a public Meeting in July, the intent is to safeguard public assess into the future, raising funds for track maintenance and encouraging accountability for responsible usage.

- Currently the gate will remain open, while users get familiar with it's presence.
- Mid-January an online permit will be required to unlock the gate (no charge).
- In February the system will be fully operational with a paid online permit for access.
- $40 for 4WD/Motorcycle per use or $100 yearly permit for locals.
- Walkers and Horse riders are free.

02/12/2025

Breaking news: Autocar reports that JLR has sacked Gerry McGovern. The story is that he was escorted off the premises on Monday. JLR have apparently made no official comment yet, but have not denied the story, either.
This comes a week after the new CEO has taken up his role.