While we were bombing around in the sand dunes, the main takeaway is that my chunky mud tyres look great, but are just not practical for the sand. Who knew?

With the help of our awesome new tour guide who is significantly more experienced than me, we explored all through the dunes, onto the beach looking across to Whakaari and Moutohora islands, and conquered a couple of hill climbs.

It’s one thing knowing that yes, the Jeep is literally designed for this stuff, but it’s another to see it absolutely eat everything you throw at it without breaking a sweat. Whether it’s sliding around on the soft sand, dragging itself up hills or just bouncing along up and down the dunes, it’s just so capable.