Start packing: The Brisbane Truck Show’s blinged-up beasts are calling!

If you think you’ve seen a shiny truck in South Africa, think again. You may have caught a glint of chrome at a local show or admired a well-polished rig rolling down the N1 – but you haven’t truly experienced truck bling until you’ve been to the Brisbane Truck Show. Australia, it turns out, doesn’t just do trucks. It adores them, worships them, polishes them until the sun needs sunglasses, and celebrates them like rock stars.

Charleen Clarke

21 Apr 2025 · 08:00Transportation News

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Nowhere is this better illustrated than at the Brisbane Truck Show, which we attended two years ago. It will be more of the same this year, as the exhibition is playing host to the Silverback Show ‘N’ Shine National Championship – a glitzy, chrome-heavy showdown of 28 of the coolest customised trucks in the country. These aren’t just trucks. These are rolling works of art, each one the pride and joy of an owner who’s poured countless hours and, quite frankly, a staggering amount of polish (and Australian dollars) into making their rig gleam.

Bling, pride and prime movers

Set on the vibrant Little Stanley Street, right at the edge of Brisbane’s picturesque South Bank Parklands, this event promises to be the crown jewel of an already world-class event. Think of it as a red carpet for rigs – a celebration of chrome, colour, craftsmanship and good old-fashioned Aussie pride.

A shiny black semi-truck parked on a paved road surrounded by lush green trees. The truck features bold, angular yellow and orange stripes along its side, tall chrome exhaust stacks, large polished chrome wheels, and a reflective chrome bumper. The license plate reads "TRUCKED." The setting is natural, with dense vegetation and sunlight filtering through the trees.

And no, this isn’t some backyard gathering of enthusiasts. Each of the 28 trucks has earned its place in this elite club by winning top honours at regional show ‘n’ shine events across Australia – from the Mack Muster in Western Australia to Matty Hillcoat’s Truckies Day Out in Queensland. This is the grand final of trucking bling, and the competition will be fierce.

A highly customized semi-truck is parked on a grassy field near a reflective water body at sunset. The truck features a gold and black design with intricate decals, chrome accents, and large exhaust pipes. The front grille is prominent with "Mack" branding, celebrating "100 Years" with visible decals and emblems. The backdrop includes a tree, open farmland, and a pastel-colored sky.

Curated by truck show veteran and custom truck obsessive Warren Aitken, the lineup features a who’s who of heavy-duty heroes: Kenworths, Macks, Peterbilts, a Volvo or two, even a vintage 1991 Ford LLT 9000. Whether you like your trucks mean, green and muscle-bound (like Bandana Earthmoving’s Hulk T904) or sleek and stylish with pinstriping and polished stacks, there’s something here to make your jaw drop.

Why South Africans should care

Here’s the thing: you won’t see anything like this at home. South Africa has plenty of working trucks and a fair bit of truck passion. But, when it comes to bling, the Aussies are in another league entirely. These trucks aren’t just functional. They’re fantasies on wheels. They’re painted, plated, lit up and loved. Many are more immaculate than your average wedding car.

A polished and well-maintained white Mack truck with orange and red stripes parked on grassy terrain, with tall chrome exhaust stacks and a chrome bull bar on the front. The truck is surrounded by a natural setting with large eucalyptus trees in the background under an overcast sky. The name "DJ & G.L. Dredhman, Little River, Vic." is visible on the side.

So, if you’re a South African truck enthusiast – or even just a curious fan of engineering, paintwork, or human dedication – you owe it to yourself to hop on a plane and see this for yourself. Because this isn’t just a show, it’s a spectacle.

A large, polished Mack truck with a shiny chrome finish is prominently displayed on a highway at sunset, towing an oversized load on a multi-axle trailer. The trailer is carrying large industrial equipment. The vibrant sky features shades of orange, pink, and blue, with hills and greenery visible in the background. The truck has "Oversize" plates and detailed branding, adding to the striking visual appeal.

And it’s not just the trucks that shine. The entire Brisbane Truck Show is a hub of conversation, camaraderie and connection. Strike up a chat with a local (we bumped into lots of ex-South Africans there two years ago) and you’ll find yourself deep in discussion over a beer at the Detroit Plaza Terrace before you can say “triple road train”.

A celebration of the industry’s heart

But beneath all the chrome and polish lies a deeper message. As HVIA* CEO Todd Hacking puts it, these trucks – and their passionate owners – are ambassadors for an industry that keeps the wheels of society turning.

A polished blue Kenworth semi-truck with silver accents and tall exhaust stacks parked on a grassy field. The truck has a rectangular grille, rounded headlights, and chrome finishes throughout, reflecting the sunlight. The license plate reads "OLSCOOL." In the background, there are trees, a small building, and a clear blue sky.

“These amazing, award-winning trucks are a visual reminder of the hard work that is put in for our community to have access to fresh produce, shelter, schools and universities, access to first-grade medical equipment and other necessities of life,” he notes.

And that’s what makes this show truly special. It’s not just about what these trucks look like – it’s about what they represent. Pride. Community. Grit. Excellence. And yes, a serious obsession with keeping things shiny.

a cloudy landscape on its side, illuminated with bright orange and blue LED lights. The truck is parked inside an industrial garage with metallic walls and large closed roller shutters in the background. The lighting reflects on the polished floor, emphasizing the truck’s sleek and modern design.

So, what are you waiting for? If you’re into trucks, this is your Super Bowl. Your World Cup. Your once-in-a-lifetime chance to see what happens when pride meets polish at full throttle.

The Brisbane Truck Show rolls into town from 15 to 18 May 2025 – and with it, the most blinged-up rigs on the planet. Better start packing!

A vibrant green Kenworth semi-truck with a custom airbrushed design of the Hulk on the side of the cab. The truck features chrome accents, large exhaust stacks, and polished wheels. It is parked on a rural road with dry grasslands and trees in the background, under a clear blue sky streaked with light clouds.

* Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) is the national industry association representing Australia's heavy vehicle sector, encompassing manufacturers and suppliers of trucks, trailers, components, equipment, and technology. HVIA is the organiser of the Brisbane Truck Show, a biennial event that has become the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

Written by Charleen Clarke

Charleen Clarke is editorial director of FOCUS on Transport & Logistics, South Africa’s leading commercial vehicle magazine. She is an associate jury member on the International Truck of the Year jury and she also judges the annual Truck Innovation Award. She has been writing about commercial vehicles for more decades than she cares to admit. Read more