Adventure Australia 1997-99

in 1997 we began a long-dreamed-of illustrated book project: Australia, Jackie's homeland. Our first trip took us to Sydney with a detour to Tasmania. After selling our publishing program to Stürtz-Verlag, we even signed a project contract with them. In the vastness of Australia, only a four-wheel drive vehicle could ensure that we could reach even the most remote corners of the continent. We opted for the all-wheel drive classic: a Toyota Landcruiser HZJ 75 with a 4.2 liter diesel, ex-rental, converted into a camper with a folding roof. We traveled the continent with it for over 6 months and ended up with over 60,000 km more on the clock. We searched for and found the everyday life and the authentic attitude to life of the Australians, whether in the outback, with Aborigines in Arnhem Land or in Sydney. However, this travel project was never published as an illustrated book. After Stürtz Verlag subsequently insisted on changes to the contract to our disadvantage, we pulled out - but were unable to find a new publisher at the time because they all already had illustrated books on Australia in their program. That's why this project remained unpublished - and we like to put it in the "quality of life" column - it was one of our most exciting trips.