The Outback Car Trek for the Royal Flying Doctor Service is an annual charity event starring classic cars, but a modern Toyota FJ Cruiser stole the limelight this year when it came to the rescue of several vehicles.

Toyota Australia supplied photographers Tanya Du Toit and Allan Coker with an FJ Cruiser to document the annual 3,500 km Outback Car Trek from Yarrawonga, VIC to Townsville, QLD, but the pair and their FJ Cruiser went “above and beyond the call” when they acted as support crew for many entrants during the event.

Ms Du Toit said they were called into action to assist participating vehicles when they got bogged in heavy mud during sections of the 3,500km route.

"Some of those old cars didn't stand a chance of getting through unscathed, with huge distances to cover and tough conditions for long sections of the trek, so we stepped in where other support cars weren't able to," she said.

"We were blown away with the way the FJ dragged cars out of the mud - it didn't get bogged once in what were incredibly difficult conditions. We didn't even need to change a tyre, and it just handled everything we threw at it with ease."

Before the Ourtback Car Trek, Du Toit and Coker's FJ Cruiser was fitted with a suite of Toyota genuine accessories for driver convenience and vehicle protection, including a tow kit (which came in very handy!), roof racks, heavy-duty rocker rails, alloy nudge bar and water-resistant front seat covers.

Toyota Australia executive director sales and marketing Matthew Callachor said the performance of the FJ Cruiser on the Outback Car Trek had once again proven its status as a 'go anywhere, do anything' SUV.

"FJ Cruiser makes any trip or journey memorable thanks to its incredible off-road ability, versatility and spacious interior, all of which is topped off by funky, retro styling," he said.

Image: Toyota