Ellenbrae Station on the Gibb River Road in the Kimberley is a beauty…

“This photo was shared with us by Allan. He and his family were travelling in the Kimberley in 1986 when their back axle broke near the Gibb River Road. When it happened they sat down, had a cup of tea and came up with the plan you see in the photo. They drove the 110km like this from the corner of the Kalumburu Road all the way back to Derby, even passing a tourist bus to get a reaction. This is certainly thinking outside of the box to get off the Gibb River Road!”

Here are a few more great bush mechanic’s and Ingenious Australians; and you never know, some of these may help you out one day… and if you have one to share on social media please tag it #ingeniousaustralians or add it to the thread on the RFTTE FB Group or send yours to RFTTE via email

In this video are the Top 5 bush mechanic moments from the 1998-2001 classic ABC series ‘Bush Mechanics’… starring Warlpiri people and filmed in and around Yuendumu, a town a few hundred kilometres north west of Alice Springs, NT.

The series follows the exploits of Aboriginal characters as they travel through the desert, using indigenous humour and bush ingenuity to solve multiple car problems. Each episode presents a new adventure or challenge, often involving inventive repairs and the need to roll with whatever the outback throws at them. The first episode features a memorable chase scene and introduces viewers to iconic characters like Jack Jakamarra. The original Bush Mechanics documentary established the series and highlighted its cultural significance. David Batty and Francis Jupurrurla Kelly served as directors, shaping the unique style and storytelling of the show. The series also touches on themes of law, community justice, and the interactions between Aboriginal communities and white people.

“Got flooded in one year at Nicholson Station and had a tinny but no outboard to get across the river to meet the mail plane with our supplies, so had to knock one up out of scrap steel, an old firefighter motor and a kubota belt, and some pulleys off the old power hacksaw. Got across the river, just, as it was flowing pretty fast, and walked the three kms to meet the plane then lug all the gear back and splutter back across the river. Still got the old contraption lying around… “ c/o Joe Grace via RFTTE.com

‘Carnage on the Track’ | Gibb River Road - hopefully it got them home! C/o @i4WDClub via Instagram… sound on for Slim Dusty Soundtrack!

“Grass-stuffed tyre to get home with a ripper of a flat after using all the spares on that particular trip” | Posted by Sasha Busch

Rob Justin Giumelli Blakeney sent this one in which happened whilst I was writing the blog (Oct 2021)…

“This was yesterday to Travel 384kms back to Weipa from Elliot Falls on dirt and corrugations. Exhaust dump pipe snapped off at the turbo flange.”

This excellent series, ‘BLACK AS’ came out after the BUSH MECHANICS episodes, but yet again it has plenty of clever ideas from some Ingenious Indigenous Australians!!

From the wreckers to laps down the main in no time!

“A mate had his gear shifter snap on his bike in the bush. We found the broken piece with enough metal on it to get a foot under, so we slipped the piece over the shifter and cable tied it backwards all the way back to the spline and rode the whole day like that!” posted Max Putland-Ferry.

Cable tie’s (or zip tie’s as we sometimes call it here in Australia) or ‘Ty-Rap’ being it’s brand name in the US, was invented by Maurus C. Logan in the mid 1950s. He worked for Thomas & Betts, an electrical company, and finished his career with the company as VP of Research and Development. Logan died on 12 November 2007, at the age of 86.

The idea of the cable tie came to Logan while touring a Boeing aircraft manufacturing facility in 1956. Aircraft wiring was a cumbersome and detailed undertaking, involving thousands of feet of wire organized on sheets of 50-foot-long plywood and held in place with knotted, waxcoated, braided nylon cord. Each knot had to be pulled tight by wrapping the cord around one’s finger, which sometimes cut the operator’s fingers until they developed thick calluses or “hamburger hands.” Logan was convinced there had to be an easier, more forgiving, way to accomplish this critical task.

For the next couple of years, Logan experimented with various tools and materials. On June 24, 1958, a patent for the Ty-Rap cable tie was submitted. Source: Wikipedia

CABLE TIE BUSH MECHANICS:

The first 2 images come from ‘Fastcar Eugene’ on Twitter: “This is how my multi-national corporate employer fixed a split guard on a Ford Ranger Ute!!”

“Took a U bolt out on the Nullarbor”, says Julia Lockwood, always carry zip ties, see 3rd pic.

Zip Ties, never go bush without them! John Connor posted the first pic below: “This got us 150km’s home after the u bolt broke…” (4th pic)

This is from Terry aka @theshadyfarmer on Instagram - Another Ingenious Australian near Broken Hill, NSW with his ‘bikeboat’ …

Some more bush plumbing and ingenuity…” Made this bush shower/dunny for the stock camp at Birrindudu Station about 15 years ago. The upright donkey was a grader rim, a truck rim, a Toyota rim, and a gas bottle all welded together with a bore casing flue up the guts and some fittings and a pressure relief valve welded on. Just ran a poly line from the turkey nest and a fire under the donkey, and all the girls in the camp were happy little Vegemites, even had a mirror. | Joe Grace via RFTTE.com

This is an ABC Conversations podcast with Lach McClymont. Lach learnt the ropes by working as a ringer everywhere from the Kimberley to Cape York, to Victoria, always looking to learn from older hands, and with his eyes on a very big prize.

We love how Lach goes up in a chopper so he can get reception on his phone, then he can look up YouTube videos on how to fix stuff in his camp!

This bush mechanic fix happened in the USA… Tom Jj writes on the Bush Flyers Down Under FB Page:

“Super Cub in Alaska got attacked by a bear, no worries, just get a box or 2 of duct tape and a new wheel dropped off and all good to go. That will teach you not to leave your lunch in the plane in bear country!

BTW, it was originally called duct tape because of its water repellent properties. Invented in WWII, it was used to keep ammunition boxes water-tight, as well as being easy to remove in the field. After the war, it was sold in hardware stores and used to repair air ducts in homes. (Trevor Morgan).

He’s a Holden Man when it comes to bush mechanics…

Hardwood brake pad used from Innamincka SA to Wentworth NSW, September 2023 | From RFTTE member Paul McKinnon

Online Availability and Streaming

If you’ve been inspired by the wild ingenuity and outback adventures of Bush Mechanics, you’ll be thrilled to know that the entire off-beat series is now just a click away! The popular ABC television series, produced by the Warlpiri Media Association and directed by David Batty and Francis Jupurrula Kelly, is available to stream online in Australia through the Australian Broadcasting Corporation - ABC iView. Fans can relive all four episodes, following the exploits of the engaging Aboriginal characters as they travel through Central Australia, tackling multiple car problems with a distinctive brand of humour, creativity, and traditional Aboriginal culture.

The series stands out for its energetic and upbeat tone, combining adventure, magic, and realism to offer broader insights into the life and culture of the Warlpiri people. Viewers are treated to a unique blend of contemporary and traditional culture, as the characters use whatever’s at hand—spare parts, bush know-how, and a good dose of laughter—to keep their cars rolling across the red sand. It’s a celebration of community, ingenuity, and the spirit of the bush, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in Australian culture, history, and media.

For those who want to dive even deeper, the National Motor Museum in South Australia, in partnership with the History Trust of South Australia, has developed a travelling exhibition based on the series. This interactive display has toured across Australia, including a stop at the National Museum in Canberra, and features original cars, artwork, and hands-on activities that bring the world of Bush Mechanics to life. The exhibition offers visitors a chance to experience the magical mechanical moments up close, while exploring the broader cultural and historical context of the series.

Bush Mechanics has also been preserved for future generations by the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, and is available on DVD. The project has received support from the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia program, recognising its importance in promoting the rich tapestry of Australian identity and culture. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer, the series’ online availability means you can join the adventure, laugh along with the characters, and gain a new appreciation for the resourcefulness and humour that define life in the Australian bush.