There's a special spot at the base of the Gold Coast Hinterland, en route to the rainforest at Binna Burra, that offers a breathtaking view of Hinze Dam – the water source for the Gold Coast. It's a place that truly comes to life at the break of dawn. I often find myself driving past this spot in my Subaru WRX Sportswagon as I make my way to explore my favourite Gold Coast trails, particularly the scenic waterfall circuits in the hinterland. The reason I'm so particular about this location is that it never fails to put a smile on my face. It's a perfect fusion of pursuing something I'm passionate about and arriving there in a vehicle that is a blast to drive.
You see, the Subaru WRX Sportswagon, with its turbocharged performance and Boxer engine, offers the ideal combination for an exhilarating experience on winding mountain roads. Yet, it exudes confidence, thanks to Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. I may call it confidence, while Subaru may refer to it as safe and reliable. Regardless, it’s just as suited for family outings as it is for transporting my mountain bike to the trails.
Here's a fun fact: With the rear seats folded flat – a breeze thanks to a pair of handy release buttons in the boot – I can effortlessly secure my 29-inch mountain bike inside the car, both wheels intact. This is something I can't achieve even with a larger ute, where the front wheel invariably hangs over the tray.
As someone whose job mirrors that of a free surfer of outdoor endurance, my days often involve different activities in various locations. I navigate gravel and unsealed roads. I've camped out of the car, slept multiple times in the Sportswagon, and relied on my trusty Subaru WRX Sportswagon for a heap of adventures. But it's the feeling behind the wheel of the new Subaru Performance Transmission, with 8-speed manual mode that is the real winner. I've grown accustomed to the luxurious bells and whistles, and now, I can't imagine a car without the powered tailgate*The powered tailgate with hands-free badge sensor is only available on WRX Sportswagon AWD GT and WRX Sportswagon AWD tS. and hands-free locking when my keys are already stored securely in my backpack. The Apple CarPlay®*Compatible Apple® device required. on the massive 11.6" LCD touchscreen to find the podcast I'm listening to on the way to the trails. And before all that as I settle into the driver's seat, I now take for granted the automatic seat position adjustment, courtesy of face recognition technology*Auto driver seat adjustment only available on Subaru WRX AWD RS Sport Lineartronic®, WRX AWD tS Sport Lineartronic®, WRX Sportswagon AWD GT and WRX Sportswagon AWD tS. - just in case my wife has taken the Subaru WRX Sportswagon quickly to the shops changing seat positions.
Ultimately, this is a family-friendly sportswagon that seamlessly transitions from school pickups for my wife, to spontaneous adventures deep within the forest for me. It's more than just a car, it's a companion.
Courtney Atkinson
Subaru Ambassador
Paid Partnership
Check out the Subaru WRX Sportswagon detour across the Great Alpine Road in this episode of Subaru's Great Australian Detour.
