HIGH COUNTRY HAVEN

ISUZU UTE'S MULTIDAY I-VENTURE TRIPS ARE BACK IN A BIG WAY, KICKING OFF WITH A THREE-DAY ADVENTURE THROUGH VICTORIA'S STUNNING HIGH COUNTRY

- COBEY BARTELS

DESPITE a mix of weather conditions, from dusty to damp, a fleet of stock and mildly modified Isuzu D-MAX and MU-X models tackled the best of what the Victorian High Country has to offer on a drive with the Isuzu UTE I-Venture drive program.

Isuzu put multi-day I-Venture trips on hold during COVID-19 for obvious reasons, but the popular customer drive program is now back with a bang and the sense of elation could be felt throughout the eager group of punters.

This trip was one filled with countless triumphs, very few tribulations, and looking through the photos it's hard to find one that isn't filled with smiles - which sums up this I-Venture outing.

I-Venture, for the uninitiated, is Isuzu UTE's off-road customer training program offering single- and multiday trips aimed at showing people how to get out and use their 4x4s to their full potential. The program kicked off in 2015 and since then more than 5000 owners have learned how to wheel their vehicles in a safe, encouraging environment across 246 trips hosted so far.

This particular multi-day trip costs owners a subsidised $2000, and that includes meals, instruction, and all the permits and planning duties taken care of by the Isuzu team. Turn up and drive, essentially.

It seems Isuzu is aware of how many concrete cowboys never leave the blacktop, making it their mission to change that. Of course, these trips are also about offering lifelong memories and, realistically, establishing lifelong customers.

High Country veteran Steve Cooney, who runs Brisbane Hinterlands 4WD Training, juxtaposed the never-ending banter with solid, no-bullshit instruction and honest encouragement.