Macan Miles: From Dubbo to Sydney with Werner Bronkhorst

18/01/2026

Australian artist Werner Bronkhorst and his family hit the road in the Porsche Macan to explore the abundance of colour and wildlife in – and just a few hours from – the city of Sydney.

Fast art

Werner Bronkhorst knows the effect of a single brush stroke. A contemporary visual artist famed for the impact of his colour-rich paintings, his oeuvre comprises two original styles, one of which is characterised by exquisitely detailed figures on small but proportionally large backgrounds. But it’s his other eye-catching series, titled ‘911 WHAT’S YOUR EMERGENCY?’, that propelled him into the orbit of Porsche. This collection of captivating works capture and express the energy and dynamism of the world’s most famous sports cars. Emblazoned across the front of each is a high-impact, graffiti-like message in thick crusty paint which immediately seizes the viewer’s attention. It’s a powerful contrast to the intricate artistic detail of the cars they partly obscure.

“Art consumes me,” he says, helping his wife Charli pack the family’s bags into the Macan before leaving Dubbo for a memorable family road trip. “I just love telling a story about something I know a lot about, and I just so happen to know a lot about Porsches. I also know how I feel when I look at a Porsche and when I make a drawing of a Porsche.”

Australia’s wild colours

Werner and his family have arrived at Dubbo Regional Airport, about 300 kilometres north-west of Sydney. Their two kids fizz with excitement as the last of their bags are packed away in the back of their Papaya Metallic Macan, which sits fully charged and ready for the wide open roads ahead.

Despite the coarse road surfaces the cabin is as quiet as the endless landscape outside.

“The country out here is beautiful,” says Werner, pointing to a range of hills in the distance below the vast sky, a shade of light blue so bright it’s like an inverted ocean. “Charli and I love introducing our kids to natures endless wonders.”

Their first nature stop is Taronga Western Pains Zoo, Dubbo’s most famous attraction. Werner, Charli and the kids marvel at the grace of the giraffes and the majesty of the elephants in surroundings that at times resemble Werner’s native South Africa more than the vastness of rural Australia.

Werner and Charli surprised their kids with Taronga’s Zoofari Experience, which allows guests to spend one night’s accommodation in a safari-style canvas lodge with exclusive guided tours and the special experience of waking up in the wild.

“It was a fun way to add an extra layer of adventure,” he says.

Open road power

Late next morning Werner points the Macan towards the centre of Dubbo before veering left along Dunedoo Road and towards Ballimore. Then it’s a right turn at Muronbung Road and more of Australia’s tan-coloured grassy expanses.

Despite the coarse road surfaces the cabin is as quiet as the endless landscape outside. The kids break the silence with, “Look at that!” and “Mum, Dad! An emu!” at odd intervals.

Lunch is at the Lowe Family Wine Co in Mudgee. This popular destination is based around a certified organic and biodynamic farm, vineyard and winery. The Zin House Restaurant offers the best of home-grown and local-grown produce.

The Macan shows why its 563 Nm of torque and sports car handling are equally at home.

Sustainability sits at the heart of this winery, which uses regenerative agriculture and renewable energy to power its facilities, which includes electric vehicle (EV) rechargers.

Werner and Charli put the Macan’s more-than 650-kilometre single-charge driving range to good use in the afternoon when their family road trip continues, this time through Aarons Pass and Ilford and on to Turon Gates Eco Retreat for their second overnight stop. This 6000-acre oasis of a slice of off-grid tranquillity nestled near the Blue Mountains, offering close encounters with local wild life and the comfort of solar-powered accommodation. It also offers and array of fun activities, including horse riding, bushwalking and canoeing. It’s also a mountain biker’s paradise.

“It’s encouraging to see so many venues becoming eco-considerate,” Werner says. “It’s almost an echo of art, which often expresses and reflects our environment.”

Back on the road the next morning the Macan is city-bound towards Sydney. Seen from above, it looks like an orange brush stroke gliding through the Blue Mountains’ green landscapes. Its Porsche DNA shines in the switchbacks and climbs that slice through Bilpin and Kurrajong Heights and then towards Richmond. You can find plenty of Porsche 911s along here most weekend mornings and the Macan shows why its peak torque of 563 Nm and sports car handling are equally at home. They makes the climbs and twists so effortless.

“Is that the city?” comes a gentle voice from the back seat. Sydney is in sight and soon enough the famous Harbour Bridge pops into view. The Macan joins the traffic on Military Road and silently winds down to Sydney’s Taronga Zoo at Bradley’s Head, a memorable family road trip bookended by two zoo visits and the country’s ever-changing visual contrasts.

“Australia is like a gallery of natural colours,” Werner says, “and you can see it all in less than a single day of driving.

“This road trip in the Macan has only deepened the joy of time with family and the experience of making new discoveries together. Of all the art I get to create nothing surpasses creating memories like this with Charli and our kids.”