4x4 activities in January, 2018: Travel Bulletin

Pen these upcoming events into your diary for Summer

APPLE ISLE ADVENTURES (TAS)

Summer is here and it’s time to look to the far south – Tasmania, to be exact – for some on- and off-road adventures. The Apple Isle offers a mix of destinations and tracks in its NPs and forests. Accommodation ranges from mountain resort ‘glam’ to pristine bush campgrounds. Taking the ferry from Melbourne to Devonport means it’s easy to bring your rig, so there’s no excuse not to visit our island state. See or discovertasmania. com.au

SILVERTON SUNSETS MUSIC FESTIVAL (NSW)

We’ve been pushing this event a bit, but with bloody good reason: how much better can it get than a weekend of top-notch music at one of our most famous outback pubs? Saturday, February 24, is the date, with the event featuring some of the best of Aussie country music. The gig is hosted by country music stars Catherine Britt and James Beverley, in combo with Silverton Hotel owners Peter and Patsy Price. Artists include John Williamson, Adam Harvey and The Sunny Cowgirls. Camp at Penrose Park or at Broken Hill and catch the free bus to the festival.

Visit silvertonsunsetsmusicfestival.com for more info.

ARB ELDEE EASTER FESTIVAL (NSW)

Held over Easter at Eldee Station, north of Broken Hill, NSW, this event is a must-do for off-roaders and their families. The event kicks off on Friday March 30 and is a cracking four days in a beautiful location and packs in the perfect mix of off-road driving (both comp and leisure), with family-friendly activities, including a bouncy castle and colouring-in comp for the kids.

For more see eldeestation.com

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VICTORIAN CARAVAN, CAMPING & TOURING SUPERSHOW (VIC)

Clocking up 60 years, this huge event is like heaven on earth for off-road tourers. Running from February 21 to 26 and located at the Melbourne Showgrounds, expect to see all the latest – and greatest – gear from a number of caravan, camper trailer, camping and touring suppliers and retailers. It’s a family-friendly event, too: the Caravanning Explorers’ Club is aimed at kids, and the Adrenalin Zone will keep the little ones busy while you check out all the gear. For adults, there’s the Walkabout Stage, with live music, cooking demos and information sessions.

For ticket prices and all information, click on caravanshow.com.au

BRIGHT ADVENTURE TRAVEL FILM FESTIVAL (VIC)

If you’re looking for inspiration for an outdoor adventure, head to Vic’s alpine village of Bright for the annual adventure travel film festival, from February 9 to 11. Expect some great films, plus talks from Aussie and international adventurers like Alienor le Gouvello, an Australian-based French lady who has worked with indigenous youth while fitting in a horse-borne traverse of Mongolia and Australia’s Bicentennial Trail. Heather Ellis, author of Ubuntu: One Woman’s Motorcycle Odyssey Across Africa, will talk about that and her Silk Road motorcycle trip.

See adventuretravelfilmfestival.com for all information.

TOUGH DOG TUFF TRUCK CHALLENGE (NSW)

The Tough Dog Tuff Truck Challenge is on again, from Friday April 13 to Sunday April 15 at Milbrodale. Drivers and navigators have to negotiate 10 different stages to overcome everything from vehicle-sized boulders to near-90-degree vertical climbs. There is camping on-site and all the event stages are easily accessed for viewing. Kids are kept busy with the Tuff Trampoline, the Tuff Tower (an 8m rock-climbing wall) and face painting. There are fireworks and you can even jump on-board the Challenge Helicopter for a chopper ride above the event arena.

See tufftruck.com.au for info.

LAND ROVER 70TH ANNIVERSARY COOMA (NSW)

It’s only fitting that Cooma, the Snowy Scheme ‘capital’, is the base for this birthday bash, which will take place over the Easter Long Weekend. As well as the Grand Parade of Land Rovers through town, there will be guided tagalong tours in the surrounding areas, as well as the Land Rover Experience Terrapods, a swap meet, navigation trials, a Grand Display and a gala dinner and awards night, with a final farewell brekky on Easter Monday.

See www.landrover70thcooma.com