Floor Mats vs Floor Liners

Floor Mats and Floor Liners are a term that can be used interchangeably in Australia. But should they be? Essentially they both do the same thing, right? It’s nice but not essential to have something kind of floor covering to protect the inside of your vehicle’s floor. Floor mats or liners will both do the job, so does it matter what you buy?

Understanding the difference between floor mats and floor liners may help you decide on a product that protects your long-term investment in your vehicle. That depends on several things like

the level of coverage you are after
how you use your vehicle and
the environment/s that your car is taken to.

You want a tailored fit & finish.

Floor Mats are traditionally a flat mat sold to cover up some of the carpet in your vehicle. While some OEM mats are designed for the car, many mats sold through high volume retailers are one size fits all. You may even need to trim them to fit your vehicle. Our engineers used the latest CAD technology to offer perfect fit and finish on every set of MaxPro Floor Liners.

You want floor coverings that stay in place.

Our product specialists design the full range of MaxPro Floor Liners to use your vehicle’s existing retention system. Using the retention system ensures your MaxPro Floor Liners don’t move around while driving or getting in and out of the vehicle, stopping any mishaps while driving and protecting your vehicle’s flooring better.

You want something easy to clean.

When most people think of floor mats, they picture the standard carpet may with a rubber backing. The carpet tends to pick up dirt and debris, which can be annoying and time-consuming to clean with a vacuum. One of the best things about the MaxPro range of Floor Liners is you can take them out, give them a spray with the hose, let them air dry, and get them back in without having to touch the vacuum.

You want something to stop dirt in its tracks.

From the job site to the campsite or even just down at the beach, your shoes collect sand, gravel, dirt, and other debris as you go about your day. On carpet mats, this debris can get rubbed in and ruin the fabric. Made from a high-quality semi-flexible material with ridges MaxPro Floor Liners are tough enough to withstand dampness, mud, or other dirty matter on the bottom of your shoes and live to drive another day.

In 2020 MaxPro Floor Liners were installed in over 500,000 vehicles globally. Available for Australia’s most popular utes, 4WD and SUV’s. We are so confident in the design and engineering of the MaxPro range we offer a lifetime warranty.

Building the ultimate getaway vehicle

With international borders closed, more and more Aussies are hopping into their off-roaders and heading off the beaten track.

Hilux to Prado, no matter what type of traveller you are, having a 4×4 set-up for your kind of travel can make your next adventure a lot more comfortable, effortless and fun. Whether you are buying or upgrading a 79 series or Ranger or anything in between, most likely, a stock standard 4WD or ute won’t be ideal.

But if you ask yourself (and your travel companions) a few questions, you will be well on your way to building your ultimate road trip vehicle.

What type of travelling are you planning on doing?

Short weekend trips or the big lap will depend on what type mods you make. If you are heading off on the big lap, a canopy set up with more permanent fixtures such as drawers and a fridge slide might float your boat. Doing weekend trips to the camping site and then heading back to the job site during the week? Our Maxboxes offer the ultimate in functional, flexible storage.

Where are you planning on sleeping?

Rooftop tent, swag, hotel rooms, or towing a van will all affect how you set up your rig. Rooftop tents are becoming more and more popular as accommodation options but if you aren’t using one getting a decent roof rack set up is the ultimate space saver inside your vehicle. Our team uses and recommends Rhino Rack.

Where are you headed?

If you stay in caravan parks, you can probably get away with an esky and some ice top-ups. Packing up and heading away from civilisation for more than a few days at a time? A fridge and kitchen set-up with a generator could be for you. Staying on the bitumen or heading down to the dunes? Chat to your local off-road tyre expert about what will suit your trip.

Where ever you head, MaxPro Floor Liners, with their lifetime warranty, protect the investment in the interior of your vehicle from sand, mud, and anything else your family can throw at them.

Now your perfect vehicle is built, check out our favourite 4WD Roadtrip Hidden Gems.

Pubs in Australia’s we love to visit

Pubs in Australia are like nowhere else in the world. Not only are we spoilt with picturesque vistas and the world’s best off-road adventures in Australia. Our abundance of land and lack of people means that some of our most iconic pubs lend themselves perfectly to a road trip. So, pack the ute and set off on exploring some of Australia’s best watering holes.

Pub with No Beer Hotel – NSW

No Aussie Country pub list is complete without the Pub with No Beer Hotel. Why: According to the history books, Slim Dusty heard the original The Pub with No Beer performed here and asked if he could record it. Where: About 40 mins inland from Nambucca Heads on the NSW Coast. Gear to take: If you are taking your 4×4 down to drive on the beach, make sure you have your MaxPro Floor Liners installed.

Nindigully Pub – QLD

If you want to visit country pubs, you can’t miss QLD’s oldest, the Nindigully Pub. Why: Not only will you have humble bragging rights, having been here, you can tackle the 1.2kg Road Train burgers, designed to serve four. Where: A touch under six hours from Brisbane. Gear to take: Camping here is free so have your Darche swag packed up and ready to go. The Maxliner team at our Epping fitting centre have years of experience in setting up your 4WD for camping

Humpty Doo Hotel – NT

The Territory’s Humpty Doo Hotel is another Slim Dusty classic song about a pub. Why: It’s the self-proclaimed most famous pub in the world, and where else can you try a trio of burgers with Barra, Buffalo, and Croc Burgers served up with chips and salad. Where: About 30 minutes out of Darwin on the Stuart Hwy. Gear to take: With the worlds, best barra fishing on its doorstep, packing your Maxboxes up with ice will keep your catch fresh

Prairie Hotel – SA

Want to pair your frothie with a Feral Mixed Grill? In Parachilna, first licensed in 1876, the Prairie Hotel is the perfect outback pub to do it in. Why: The Flinders Ranges region is some of Australia’s standout off-road driving. Where: About five hours north of Adelaide in the Flinders Ranges region Gear to take: The epic 4x4ing also lends its self to some secluded camping opportunities in Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. Book a 4WD only camping site in and load up your camping fridge in a Clearview Easy Slide for some self-sufficient camping

Tooborac Hotel – VIC

Tooborac Hotel has been around since 1857. With a working brewery on-site, it’s a pub with its own beer. Why: Pub, brewery, pie shop, and rooms to stay. What more could you want. Where: An easy 90-minute drive from Melbourne Gear to take: The local region is ideal for food, wine, and brewery touring in your ute. Keep your gear stored safe and sound while you do that with a Maxliner canopy or hard lid.

If fishing is your thing check out where our Maxliner Australia team drop a line

Image credit Prairie Hotel

Top it Off – Maxliner Canopies & Hard Lids

From the first Ford Australia Coupe Utility in 1934, Australian’s have had a love affair with the ute. And why wouldn’t we, whether you are purchasing a Hilux to get to your next holiday or a D-Max to get the job done, a suitable ute set up offers a vast amount of flexibility in using the most of your space.

Two of the most popular setups for buyers are a canopy or hard lid. Both options will help keep your gear dry and safe, but what you choose depends on how and what you use your vehicle for.

Canopies

Lightweight canopies made from ABS plastic or fibreglass are the most common tops fitted to utes in Australia. A huge benefit in fitting a canopy is that you have an all-weather protected area. This lets you personalise your fit-out with accessories such as drawers, tub liners or slides, and boxes that suit your lifestyle. Traveler, tradie or anything in between.

Maxliner has been making vehicle accessories for over twenty years. We design and engineer canopies for some of the world’s biggest vehicle manufacturers. Our ABS canopy shells are tried and tested in some of the world’s harshest environments and backed by a two-year Australia-wide warranty. They feature an internal metal frame construction for more durability and load capacity. And a non-drill clamp fit for easy installation and removal.

Our Commercial canopy with no windows and a white painted finish gets the job done for a secure yet straightforward option.

For a sleeker, more modern look, our Full Option canopy is painted with OE quality colour-coded paint and features lockable tinted windows available as lift up or sliding and a central locking to the rear door.

Hard Lids

If a canopy is not the look you are after, a hard tonneau cover offers a sporty styling option that still keeps your gear undercover and away from curious eyes. At Maxliner, we have both ABS & Alloy ute lids with weather-resistant seals to protect your gear.

Our ABS hard lids are manufactured from premium-grade ABS and feature an internal metal frame for increased load capacity and durability. Colour coded with OEM quality paint; the tonneaus are available in a traditional 45° opening mechanism or 180° two-step lift-up system for the ultimate access to your ute tray.

After an alloy lid, we stock matte black and polished aluminium for a wide range of utes. Features include a plug-and-play central locking system, quick release removal, and 130 KG carrying capacity. You can add a range of accessories for the ultimate flexibility, including rails, rollbars, and tiedown points.

Whether you use your ute for work or play or anything in between, getting your vehicle set up to suit your lifestyle can save you time and money down the track. The Maxliner Australia team is experts in designing ute setups to suit your lifestyle; contact them today on 1800 592 192 or sales@maxliner.com.au.

4WD Roadtrip Hidden Gems

With borders closed, more and more Aussies are hitting the road for local holidays. These are some of our hidden gems that may have flown under your radar on your next off-road adventure.

NSW – Tamworth

Plenty of people pack the ute and head to Australia’s home of country music during the region’s famous festival. But, while the festival vibe during the Country Music Festival is epic, there is plenty to do outside of that. We recommend heading to Nundle, where you can set up free camps at Ponderosa Park, Swamp Creek, or Chaffey Dam for a small fee.

Don’t Miss: Let someone else do the driving and head out to DAG Sheep Station to do a local tour on their OKA 4WD bus.

QLD – Carnarvon National Park

This national park is known for the world-famous Carnarvon Gorge, but we also love camping and exploring the park’s lesser-known parts. One of our favourites is the technical 4×4 tracks within the Mount Moffatt part of the park.

Don’t Miss: Seeing a different side of the gorge with The Carnarvon Gorge Night Safari.

SA – Mount Gambier

Travel from the Victorian coastline to the Limestone Coast for a dream 4WD and beach camping trip. Pre-book your campsite online and get ready to let those tyres down for some serious sand driving.

Don’t Miss: The Sinkholes. The region has over fifty sinkholes, and you can do everything from swim, snorkel, dive, and visit a garden in them.

NT – Arnhem Land

One of the last untouched slices of paradise in the world is right in our backyard. This bucket list adventure will expose you to one of the world’s remaining continuing indigenous cultures, and getting there is half the fun. Remember you must apply for a permit before you enter the land.

Don’t Miss: Putting your MaxPro Floor Liners to the test with a dry season drive from Darwin and some serious off the grid camping in Garig Gunak Barlu National Park.

WA – Kalgoorlie

The canopy is on, the drawers are in, and your gear is loaded. Just a 6-ish hour drive from Perth, you will discover one of Australia’s most exciting goldfields towns. There are also some decent unsealed roads and 4WD tracks to get you in and out if you are keen on more adventurous driving.

Don’t Miss: Pop into the Palace Hotel and drink at the same bar that 31st President Herbert Hoover drank at or learn to play Two-Up at Kalgoorlie School in an original corrugated iron shed and bush ring.

Image @rhisang_

Beach 4WD Driving 101

MaxPro floor mats are the perfect beach 4wding companion. The tailor-made design and spill saver lip fit perfectly to keeps your 4×4’s interior sand-free. And when you get home, take them out and give them spray to get them clean. Available for Australia’s most popular 4WD’s, ute and SUV’s buy them online here. Here are some other top tips for taking your off-roader onto the beach.

Permits

Know before you go. Check whether you need a permit and where you can get one before heading out. In some places you buy online at others you can buy them locally.

Tide

The key to any beach off-roading is knowing what the tide is going to do. The last thing you want to do is get trapped by a high tide. If you are unsure, ask a local or check online here.

Tyre Pressure

Getting your tyre pressure right is crucial for driving on sand. Somewhere between 16-20psi gets more rubber on the sand. But this does depend on conditions. The Clearview Tyre Spider lets you get the job done quickly.

Recovery Gear

Even the best driver can get stuck on the sand. Having a decent set of recovery tracks like Maxtrax is generally the Maxliner Australia team’s go-to item for beach recoveries, and you can never go past a shovel.

Sunglasses

Polarised sunglasses will help remove the glare you may get from the sun, the sand, and the water. Having a decent set of sunglasses can help you spot hazards such as ditches before you are on top of them and potentially save a recovery effort or your suspension.

Check out our recommendation on some of Australia’s best 4WD beaches.

Maxliner Launches New Mazda BT-50 Range

After the most significant change in its twenty-eight-year history, the 2020 Mazda BT-50 has arrived with increased fuel efficiency, safety, and reliability.

In support of this Maxliner Australia have launched a range of accessories to suit the 2020 Mazda BT-50.
Whether you are buying the ute to get the job done or take it on your next adventure, our gear is engineered to perform every time while looking great.

Maxliner has been manufacturing vehicle accessories for 20 years and holds OEM contracts with some of the
world’s biggest automotive companies. The full range of Maxliner Australia accessories developed for Mazda BT-50 by our R & D team delivers perfect fit and functionality. The range includes ute canopies, hard lids, tub protection and accessories such as floor mats and tail gate assist.

Benefits when you buy Maxliner gear include:

Full aftersales support from our Australian based team.
Vehicle specific R & D design process using CAD technology
Comprehensive warranty policy on all gear

Products Available:

MaxTop Leisure Canopy

MaxCover Alloy Cover – Matte Black or Polished
MaxCover 45 Degrees – Available for Pre-order
Maxliner Under Rail KD five piece bedliner
Maxliner Under Rail one piece bedliner
Maxliner Over Rail one piece bedliner
Maxliner Tailgate Over Rail Liner
Maxliner Tailgate Under Rail Liner
MaxPro Mats – First Row, Second Row or Full Set
MaxTail Gate Lift – Available for Pre-order

To purchase online or for more information please visit maxliner.com.au or contact the team on sales@maxliner.com.au or on 1800 592 192

Best 4WD Camping in Australia

Setting up your ute with a canopy not only makes it practical for your day to day drive. It allows you to customise the space to the way you want to use it. Free camping setups are becoming more and more popular with the fit-outs we do with our Maxliner range of ute canopies. Our Maxliner Australia team are avid campers, and these are their tips on where to head with your 4WD.

Queensland – Deepwater National Park

Stay: 200 metres from one of the most unspoiled beaches in this part of Queensland is the Middle Rock Camping area. Just off a 4WD track is this tiny secluded site. A real bush camping experience for tents or rooftop tents and the Wreck Bay Camping area has the closest facilities.

Play: If the beach fishing, birdwatching, or swimming don’t do it for you, head into Agnes Water & 1770 for a fishing or snorkelling charter.

Northern Territory – Mary River National Park

Stay: If you find yourself and your 4×4 in the Top End, we recommend Shady Camp. The camp in Mary River National Park 200kms from Darwin.

Play: The NT is croc country, and there is no better plan to see them in the wild than Shady Camp. Shady Camp has almost three times the average amount of crocs per km. The park is home to some of the world’s best barramundi fishing and also has four-wheel drive and bushwalking tracks, as well as spectacular birdwatching.

South Australia – Coffin Bay National Park

Stay: The National Park has six campgrounds to choose from, and you will need to buy a permit here before you go. All but Yangie Bay campground will require a high clearance 4WD to access.

Play: Stay in the National Park and experience both track and sand driving, explore the park by foot or head into town and enjoy fresh Coffin Bay Oysters at Oyster HQ

Victoria – Bluff’s Hut

Stay: Packing the Hilux and heading to the High Country is a right of passage for many off-roaders. Bluff’s Hut about two hours from Mansfield, the views are amazing and is not accessible June- November.

Play: Not only is the camping epic, the Alpine National Park has plenty of tracks to suit most 4×4’s and bushwalkers. Check track closures and conditions before you go at Parks Victoria.

Western Australia – Cape Leveque

Stay: The Kimberley is arguably the 4wd ultimate bucket list adventure. And Cape Leveque is the jewel in the crown. Camping on the clifftop at Kooljaman is excellent or for something super special, try the Beach Camping Shelter.

Play: With fishing, swimming, snorkelling, whale and bird watching, and bush BBQs available on-site at the 100% Indigenous Owned resort, you won’t need to leave.

If you haven’t got enough time to camp, check out our wrap up of the best place to take your ute fishing.

Image credit brookefuss

Australia’s Best Beach Fishing

From hauling your gear to the job site, campsite, and even your secret fishing spot, Maxliner Maxboxes are the perfect accessory to keep your gear stored safe and sound. Our storage boxes are the perfect way to bring your perfect catch home. Check out our pick of fishing beaches across the country.

NSW – Fingal Head

Not far from the glitz and glamour of the world-famous Surfers Paradise beaches is the village of Fingal Heads. The narrow piece of land sits between the Pacific Ocean and the Tweed River estuary. Tuna or bream can be caught by standing on the beach or headlands rock wall.

NT- Buffalo Creek

Australia’s smallest capital city, Darwin is known for its barramundi fishing. You can head out on a charter, but if you prefer to keep your feet on the dry land head to the Buffalo Creek boat ramp. Just a 25-minute drive from Darwin city set yourself up next to the boat ramp on a good tide and see what you can reel in.

QLD – Port Douglas

You have will have your pick of fishing spots when heading up to good old FNQ with the Cairns region leading the world for in-season Black Marlin fishing. Our pick of the bunch for land-based fishing Southern Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas

SA – Waitpinga Beach

Fish directly from the sand or the rocks at Waitpinga Beach and you may just find a salmon on your rod. Just a short drive from Victor Harbour, the picturesque scenery will give you something to look at while waiting for a nibble. if you need to take your gear down in your vehicle some car parks provide access to the beach through the dunes.

TAS – Strahan

As an island Tassie has no shortage of beaches making it the perfect destination for surf fishing. Try your hand at catching salmon or shark in the wild waters of the west coast. Base yourself in the coastal town of Strahan and you will never be far from some of the best beach and river fishing Downunder.

VIC – Ninety Mile Beach

The Gippsland area has over 500kms of coastlines and lots of fishers have their own sworn by spot. Whilst it can get busy in summer, some of the best catches reward the fishers willing to brave a cold winter night. You will most likely need a license for recreational fishing in Victoria. Buy one here

WA – Broome

With over twenty thousand kilometres of coastline it’s so hard to pick a favourite spot on the West Coast and with over 700,000 WA anglers fishing every year there is no shortage of anglers willing to help you find a spot. We are suckers for Broome. There are so many possible spots we recommend dropping into the local tackle store to ask for some advice on what’s biting, where.

Read up on our pick of the best 4WD beaches in Australia.

Best 4WD Beaches in Australia

There is nothing like taking your 4WD out for beach runs. But the sand that comes with is a whole other story. Our MaxPro floor liners are perfect to help protect your interior from sand and dirt where ever your adventure takes you.

NSW – Blacksmiths Beach

One of the softest sand beaches in Australia and just a two-hour drive from Sydney. It can get busy on long weekends but the size of the beach normally means there is still plenty of room to set up camp before exploring the sand dunes.

TIP – Lower your tyre pressure to 12-14 psi before you start driving and make sure you get a permit.

QLD – Cooloola Coast

With over fifty kilometres of beach driving the Cooloola Coast is the perfect place to get your fourby sandy and take in the epic views of the Coloured Sands sand cliffs. Not just a one-trick pony there are also inland off-road tracks in the recreation area.

TIP – To do it all you will need more than an all-wheel-drive vehicle. The soft and rough beaches are recommended for high clearance 4WD vehicles with low range capacity.

SA – Silver Sands

One for the soft-roaders from Mazda CX-5’s to Toyota Landcruisers Silver Sands beach on the Fleurieu Peninsula is a hot spot for Adelaide locals looking to get sand between their treads. Driving your kids gear down to the beach is a much better alternative than lugging it all down.

TIP – Most vehicles can access the sand between the high tide mark and the waterline. If the ramp is open and monitored an $8 access fee is payable.

TAS – Ocean Beach Road Track

World-renowned for its scenic bush tracks Tasmania doesn’t let you down in the off-road beach stakes either. The Ocean Beach Road track just out of Strahan is Tassie’s west offers everything from sand dunes, crashing waves, river fishing, and if you are really lucky a sneak peek at resting sea lions and seals.

TIP – If you are heading to Henty River for a spot of trout fishing be very careful of quicksand.

WA – Cable Beach

Arguably Australia’s favourite off-road beach, Cable Beach is the perfect place to watch the sunrise or journey up north and see the extraordinary Kimberley coastline.

TIP – you can enter the beach at Cable Beach Road West but in October – February there are restrictions due to turtles nesting.

Image credit no.ninetofive