Replacement tyres

Tyre car is far more important than tyre brand as long as you don't go to a really budget tyre.

I use Mickey Thompson 4 lug ATZ's which give me reasonable wear while providing mud tyre like grip. A typical year for me includes but is not limited to -

Townsville to Alice Springs via Donahue and Plenty
Alice Springs to Birdsville via the Old Ghan and Simpson Desert
Birdsville to Jervois via Hay River
Jervois to Boulia to Winton via Plenty, Donahue and Old Cork and Jundah roads.
Winton to Alice Springs via Donahue and Plenty
Alice to Erldunda
Erldunda to Wiluna via Gun barrel
Wiluna to Halls Creek via Canning Stock Route
Halls to Alice via Tanami road
Alice to Halls Ck again. Halls Creek to Kununurra, Kununurra to Mitchell Falls to all of Gibb River Road and then back to Tennent Creek, Then to Townsvile and then Cape York and back.

Whatever tyre you get, get the Light Truck Version. They will ride a bit harsher but are more durable.

Ive got 10,000k on Mickey Thompson STZ and they are looking pretty good. Road noise is minimal and they are pretty much all but bullet proof on rough roads (eg Victorain Alps off road tracks). They have the added advantage of giving me and extra 30mm ground clearance. That coupled with a suspension kit gives me an extra 140mm which is really important off road.

My previous tyres were Cooper ATZ and I was not impressed with the mileage I got or the punctures. The STZ have a tougher sidewall and a deeper tread pattern and a squarer shoulder. So far no punctures.

That being said, If you are doing lots of bush driving in the top end it may pay to get a more readily available tyre like the road track majors that are sold in just about every roadside stop and even at Aboriginal community coops. There are many people who have waited weeks at some remote spot for a special tyre to come from 'down south'. I don't care what the tyre is nothing will stand up to hitting a 6 inch ant hill on the edge of the road. They are like cast iron spikes.

pete