If you're anything like us, the smell of fuel, the whine of a winch, and the sight of a seven-slot grille are enough to get the pulse racing. From 2 to 5 October, Kendall Showground turned into off-road central for the Australian Jeep Jamboree 2026.
Hosted by the incredible crew at the Jeep Club of NSW, this year's gathering was a big one. I've been to my fair share of Jamborees over the years, and this one ranks right up there with the best of them.
Classic Jeeps and modern builds
One of the highlights of walking through the campsite and showground was seeing generations of Jeep history in one place. The variety of machinery on display was staggering, but the real showstoppers were the vintage rigs.
The line-up of classic Jeeps from the 1940s right through to the 1980s made you appreciate where our obsession started. The rugged WWII-era workhorses and pristine CJs that have survived decades of trail abuse are proof that proper engineering never goes out of style. Parked right alongside them were some of the most heavily customised modern builds in the country, with massive lifts, custom armour, and dialled-in suspension. The contrast between old and new was something else.
The gymkhana and skid pan
No Jamboree is complete without a bit of friendly competition, and the gymkhana area put on a great show. The atmosphere was fantastic, with everyone having a go at the reverse-steering CJ10. The obstacle course and the blindfolded navigation section were hysterical to watch, but nothing compared to the chaos and precision sliding on the skid pan. Watching drivers throw their rigs sideways, balancing momentum and throttle control while the crowd roared, pretty much summed up the weekend.
A ride with Emu
It was an absolute honour to ride shotgun with Emu in his authentic "Follow Me" military Jeep, straight out of World War II. Spinning the tyres and slinging mud in a genuine piece of history, with a legend like Emu at the wheel, is a memory that's going to stick with me for a long time. Sharing the passion and keeping the history alive is what this community is all about.
Thanks to the organisers
Events like this don't happen by magic. Organising a national gathering of this size takes a mountain of behind-the-scenes work and coordination. The committee did a phenomenal job keeping everything running smoothly, from the guided trail trips and campsite layout to the evening entertainment.
As we head home with tired rigs and plenty of memories, a massive thank you goes out to everyone who organised, volunteered, and attended. If this year's Jamboree is anything to go by, the Jeep community in Australia is in great shape and louder than ever. Till next time!
