Basic Recovery kit with:
Snatch strap, tree protector
rated shackles, gloves
block, carry bag.

Kangaroos are usually spotted at Bendethera

Lyrebirds are often heard
and occasionally seen.

4WD Trips has plans to
"Experience the Outback"
in 2009.

4WD Trips has plans to visit
the Victorian High Country
in 2009.

Here's looking at you kid

Last update: December 30 2008

Tell me more about what to expect for ALL trips

All 4WD / AWD tours will generally require some amount of driving on dirt roads, often single lane maintained fire trails or forest roads. Many of these roads will have uneven surfaces and on hills will often have erosion control drains (see later) which require a vehicle to have a reasonable high ground clearance and relatively short front and rear overhangs.

The different 4WD tours will be graded as “Easy”, “Medium” and “Hard” and requirements differ for each. Only book for 4WD tours that match your level of experience (and vehicle capabilities) - otherwise it may make the experience unpleasant for the other participants and lead to delays and frustrations.

Do I use my own vehicle - what are the basic requirements.

Yes - most trips are “tag along” in nature where you will be part of a small convoy (maximum of 6 vehicles) following behind a fully equipped lead vehicle. All vehicles must be properly registered and have valid third party insurance. You will be responsible for the safety of your vehicle and passengers.

There may be space in the lead vehicle for up to 4 passengers.

Come with ample fuel, tyres with ample tread, fully inflated spare and jack. Personal items including extra clothing and stout shoes, drinks and any medication (insects, sun etc). Mobile phone reception may not exist in some areas.
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I don't have a 4WD, or I don't want to take it "off-road".

There may be a limited number of seats available in the lead vehicle. For camping trips, this will most likely be the Land Rover Defender and at most there would be two seats.

For short half or full day trips there would be a maximum of four in the Defender or five in the Discovery. In both cases, three would be in the second row - so size (or lack of it) might matter. It would be important to confirm availability well beforehand.
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Is any previous off-road driving experience required.

Not for the "Easy" trips but remember you will be driving on dirt / gravel fire trails which may become slippery when wet so you must be prepared to adjust driving habits and speed according to the varying conditions encountered.

The lead vehicle will generally inform you of an unusual situation by CB radio. (Some small hand held radios are available for Easy/Medium graded trips but all vehicles for "Hard" or extended trips are expected to have this equipment).
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What about 4WD experience for the harder trips.

We do not offer recognized driver training as such and we also do not offer trips that demand a lot of experience and vehicles that have been modified for such extreme driving. The trips may be described as “touring”.

After one or two “Easy” trips, you will be able to tackle a “Medium” trip and later a “Hard” trip (depending on your vehicle). You may wish to be a passenger in the lead vehicle if space is available.
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What happens in a “convoy”.

A lead vehicle with knowledge of the area and roads goes first and communicates with other drivers via CB radio. (Some portable radios will be available). The convoy travels reasonably close together which assists following drivers to see how the vehicle ahead approaches “obstacles”. At all junctions of tracks, it is necessary for the vehicle ahead to physically wait until the following vehicle arrives at the junction and takes the same turn. Vehicles must keep their assigned positions within a convoy and a “tail end Charlie” reports back to the leader whenever the group has passed an obstacle or junction.

Safety for following vehicles is improved by warnings or instructions given by the lead vehicle (eg the sudden appearance of “trail bikes”, “oncoming car”, a “tree across the track”, “deep pothole on the left”, “rock on road around a left hand bend”).
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Am I likely to see any wildlife.

Maybe - I cannot guarantee that you will see much. Towards twilight, the chances of seeing kangaroos and wallabies is fairly high - and wombats are often seen after dark.

On about a third of my trips, I have seen lyrebirds crossing the trail ahead of the front vehicle - but they are usually gone too quickly to photograph, or be seen by following vehicles.

In places like Bendethera, I have managed to track lyrebirds and even captured two in the one picture!

On the plains of the Shoalhaven River, there are sheep, goats, alpacas and of course cattle. Wedge tail eagles have been sighted as well as nesting hawks halfway down "the Big Hole". A colony of bats lives in Bendethera cave. Echindas are reasonably common near the Big Hole and goannas have been seen alongside the Deua River.

Unfortunately foxes are on the increase and wild dogs are known to roam in the wilderness and National Parks.
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What should I bring (clothing etc).

You should bring some warm clothing especially in the autumn, winter and spring months. Several of the trips go over ridges up to about 1300 metres and often there is low damp cloud and fresh winds. Even in the Monga, with large areas of rainforest and shade it can get surprisingly cool and the temperature drops suddenly when the sun goes down. Frost has remained on the trails well into the late afternoon in places like the Badja.

Another reason for having some warm clothes is in the event of a delay (tyre problem, mechanical hiccup etc) you might end up in a situation where the weather / temperature turns bad. A layer of wind / water proof material is advised.

Don't forget to wear stout walking boots or shoes as many of the trails are rough underfoot (even the simple pleasure of getting out of a 4WD to take a picture needs caution on rough surfaces).

On the question of warmth - some gloves and a beanie would not go astray.

You are responsible for your own drinks and any medication (double check you have some extra in case of delays). Half day 4WD tours will start after breakfast or lunch and will have a tea break.
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What about toilet stops and the like.

GO BEFORE WE DEPART!!!!

Several of the trips incorporate a morning/afternoon tea break where there are toilet facilities - make sure you use them as the next "pit stop" might be a few hours into the future.

Picture opportunities are best when the leader stops deliberately for a quick picture opportunity. Have your cameras ready as it is quite surprisingly how much time disappears in a "10 second" stop - especially if someone wanders off the side of the trail to get a "better" picture.
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What about "Specialty Trips".

Special 4WD tours may be arranged with adequate notice. They might include a club or group of friends who want a preconceived itinary. Some examples might be:

• A number of different "day" trips but staying in comfortable hotels/ motels/ Bed & Breakfast on different nights and "eating out".
• A group of keen photographers who want to stop longer in order to take photographs (eg sunsets, a walk into Marble Arch and the Big Hole etc. [Taking photos in dark rainforests and streams or "panoramas" can consume more time than normal].
• "History Tours" ... I'm no expert, but I have some contacts. [Braidwood, Mongarlowe, Araluen and Majors Creek all were very much larger when gold was found in these locations].

Any longer 4WD tours planned?

No definite trips for the next 6-9 months as we are just getting established. There are quite a few good 4wd tours in the SW NSW area! I would like to run some 4wd tours to the high country in Victoria as well as to Tasmania and the Simpson desert in the future.

It took some doing to gain all the accreditations and special permits to operate in the Braidwood region so I am keen to establish a good reputation "locally" first.

I think there is a market / need for short trips as well as mid-week tours to suit the semi-retired or retired but active clients who now might have some time to see a bit of our marvellous country.

We are basically not about "extreme" driving or catering for very experienced drivers who want to push their toys hard. There are many clubs around in which a few members who want to tackle "tuff stuff" tend to gravitate together.
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Do you do driver training?

We are planning to commence our own off-road driving appreciation courses/program in December 2008. Essentially there will be formal sessions followed by out on the track exercises.

Our 4WD tours are "graded" and no previous experience is expected for our "Easy" 4WD tours. Obviously all trips will require driving on dirt / gravel forest roads (usually single lane) and a sensible approach is essential. A soft-roader with good tyres is adequate.

For "Medium" 4WD tours, some evidence of prior off road trips (preferably with 4WDTrips) is required and your vehicle needs to be suitable for the trip. You will need basic recovery gear and off road tyres and rated recovery points.

For "Hard" 4WD tours, more evidence of off road experience and/or driver training will be required. Your vehicle will be well kitted out with recovery gear, radios, off road tyres etc etc.
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