That aside, it was time to don the helmet, gloves and goggles needed to negotiate the challenging scrub and dunes associated with North Stradbrook Island. I chose a Can-Am model – but without the just-announced power steering facility.

A MAX variant, this two-up model means it is configured to accept a passenger – a format that has burgeoning appeal in farming scenarios since it is able to transport an employee to a tractor or header, possibly left overnight in some far-away paddock, with the minimum of fuss.

Incidentally, to get a feel for the back-seat ride, I also hitched a lift behind Darrel Knight, alias 'Bullet', who represents Can-Am at various ATV sporting venues, entrusting my humble off-road skills to his professional riding capabilities.

As we approached a twisting sand track at near eye-watering speed, two points are worth making. Can-Am’s designers have ensured grab handles were located at just the right position to anchor my frame to the seat and, just as importantly, have come up with seat back that neatly lined up with the small of my frame to give a feeling of added security.

Then it was time to switch to a Can-Am equipped with what the company calls its DPS (power steering) variant. Equipped with two modes labelled 'minimum' and 'maximum', the idea is to progressively feed in the amount of power assist needed on the day.

There’s no doubt that ATVs have got heavier over the years as manufacturers beef them up to tackle the toughest of terrain.

But there has been a downside, notably in the need for a near-rippling set of muscles to navigate round obstructions.

So I can give a thumbs-up to either of Can-Am’s Outlander and Renegade models equipped with its dual-mode power steering system – especially in rural situations when the steering gets heavier at lower turning speeds. In my book, any technical advance that makes life a little easier after a long day in the paddock is worthy of consideration.

While Can-Am offers a choice of 800cc, 650cc, 500cc and 400cc models supplied from its Rotax engine plant in Austria, most farmers opt for its smaller capacity units.

The thinking here is that towing and carrying capacity, rather than speed, are the watchwords when a new ATV is on the cards.

So a useful front and rear rack capacity of 45kg and 90kg (100lb and 200lb) respectively is matched with a towing capability that rises from 500kg (1,100lb) to 590kg (1,300lb), depending on model.

The 2010 Outlanders also come with a more modern-looking facia, a new centre-skid plate, plus an updated version of Visco-Lok which, according to the company, is the only fully-locking front differential that doesn’t have any speed-limiting drawbacks.

A quick look around any Can-Am showroom quickly will reveal its red-painted base models while its higher spec machines sport its now familiar yellow livery scheme.

Meanwhile, soon-to-be-released limited edition models will be equipped with its air-controlled suspension system which will allow air to be added to the shock absorbers when carrying more weight at the rear.

Accessories are becoming an increasingly important part of any sales package as users customise their machines to suit individual circumstance. In this context I liked the look of Can-Am’s powerful front-mounted 1,361kg (3,000lb) winch.

I also could see the appeal of a handy-looking rear-mounted tray on show at the Tangalooma launch – especially since it is overlayed in a material that allow a dog’s paws to obtain greater grip.

Naturally, the platform lends itself to carrying a range of farm tools, also fencing equipment.