Meet your local 4X4 owner
Bush-bashers, compensation machines..offroad touring 4X4 owners have heard it all.
MANY PEOPLE don’t like 4X4s. Too big, too heavy, too…everything and they fall back on tired old insults which have no basis in reality. Like most prejuidices, this attitude is borne of ignorance.
Those that explore Australia are a cross-section of society, nothing more or less, people just like you and your neighbours. We asked some readers of the 4WD Handbook Facebook page one question so you can see for yourself, and see if you can spot the common theme to the answers.
The question is:
Why are you into 4X4 touring?
And the answers are…
Richard – Mitsubishi MN Triton GLX/R.
“Greatest way to get the family out to see the very best that this country has to offer in a cost effective, exciting way and make lifelong memories with our boys.”
Brett – Toyota Hilux Dual Cab
“Often it’s the only way to get to see parts of Australia that would be impossible otherwise. Nothing better than to escape the rat race and get away from it all than on an offroad tour.”
Craig aka LUBO – 80 series landcruiser.
“To show my kids what this great country of our has to show. And to get to places other people cant get to. And if they can then they are there for the same reason we are.”
Blake – BJ40 Landcruiser
“I love to get out and explore our beautiful country and getting back to basics, the less technology the better, silk black skies, open fires and a trusty faithful old girl to get me, my wife and dogs to the bush and back is all I need, no pansy A/C, power steering or stereo is perfect.”
Neil – 2006 Ford Escape
“Too much out there i haven’t seen yet.”
Joe – Isuzu NPS300
“I really do it for my work, I travel into a lot of remote areas, some that not many would travel.”
Tim – Ford Ranger PX
“It’s inexpensive adventure travel for the whole family. You can see so many things and many places, it’s cheap, flexible, everyone can get involved.”
Paul – 2002 Toyota Hilux
“I love visiting new places with family and friends and enjoying a good laugh around a camp fire.”
Brian and Donna – Nissan Patrol GU
“Because Australia has so many wonderful places you can access in your foúrby. We love just hooking up our off-road van and just go to some place uninhabited and just chill for a few days, take out what you take in have some respect for this great land and we will have it to explore.”
Rebecca – Land Rover Discovery 3 TDV6
“We bought our 4wd because we were planning to tour Australia with our kids and there are so many amazing places you need a 4wd to get to. We spent 9 months this year touring round WA and plan to head off to the top end again next year. We love camping in rekote campsites where we can spend time as a family exploring, appreciating the natural environment and taking in the awesome night skies.”
Mike – GU Patrol
“I’m into off-touring because it’s a cheap limitless way to see parts of an awesome country. My whole family is involved, with five 4wds in the family, two 80 series Landcruisers, a BJ73 landcruiser, and my Patrol. And a Pajero for my brother in law. With now getting my niece and nephew involved in the outdoors, it’s a great way to teach kids to respect this land at the same time as showing them the correct way to drive, so as not to harm the places we visit. And a fun fact, my niece had her first 4wding experience at less than 6 months old. She loved it.”
Mark – Ford PX ranger
“I just love being in the bush and to see the best parts of the vic high country you need a well built vehicle capable of reaching those hard to get places.”
Glenn – 2010 Nissan Pathfinder Ti
“family fun, getting to places many Others can’t, makes towing my van all around our great land more comfortable.”
Daz – GU Patrol
“I tow our camp trailer to let my kids experience camping in remote places.”
Jon – Holden Jackaroo
“I’m into off-road touring: It’s inexpensive. It’s something that I am doing for my mother, who has a terminal illness. It’s something that I can interest my children in and teach properly the way to respect the land. I can learn more about the Australian landscape and the history.”
David – Grand Cherokee 2004 diesel
“Was a bit of a bush venture vehicle then we took a couple of long trip and it turn out to be a great thing to do, so much more to explore right here in Aus outback.”
Matt – 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
“Why I’m into 4wding is purely to be able to see our beautiful country to its extent.”
Jason – Jeep Grand Cherokee
“It’s inexpensive adventure. To be able to explore areas where very few go. To sit around a camp fire with friends and family. To see the spectacular views.”
Dan – Holden Rodeo
“I become involved with off-roading by accident really. After many years of v8 Commodores the only time I was slow was going over speed bumps. My first 4wd showed me so much, crawling up and over things to get to that camp site or technically dropping doing onto a valley to find a hidden treasure and challenge your truck’s ability to get back home again. The amount of appreciation I now have for the Aussie bush is 10 folds more than I had as a kid. Respect the bush, our land and leave it so our kids can get the same appreciation. Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, Kill nothing but time.”
Kye – MN Triton
“To unwind, explore many places that would otherwise be unreachable, enjoy the sights, see our history. The list goes on and on.”
Craig – GQ Patrol
“Getting to see what I on the other side of that hill,getting out and about seeing this beaut country, fresh air and getting away from it all.”
Jodie – 1995 XJ Jeep Sport.
“I love driving through the bushland and to see what new places we can go to. We plan on using it as a off-roader only and being a photographer I plan on going to places I’ve always wanted to go for the ultimate photo.”
Ann-Marie – Triton
“Why I’m into off-road touring: I joined a 4WD club after a divorce to get out, see some amazing places that Australia has to offer and meet some new friends. I have been to places I never knew existed, I’ve driven across the Simpson Desert and love sitting around a campfire with great people.”
Prue – GU Patrol cab with Trayon
“Why I am into off road touring: Bushwalking on wheels. To explore our forests, deserts and coast, to appreciate the flora and fauna, learn about the European and Aboriginal history of this land, to travel with and meet interesting people, to wonder at nature. To introduce others to the bush and history. To continually learn and wonder what is along that track. To try and protect our forests before they are no more.”
Derek –1986 Nissan MK Patrol,
“After a hectic week of slaving for “the man”, nothing beats getting together with a couple of mates throwing the dogs in and hitting the beach,couple of cold cans, a fire,and heap of laughs,blowing off some steam,and enjoying our awesome coastline.”
Aaron -1998 105 Cruiser (extensive mods) 2016 Fortuner (family tourer)
“Because black top is boring 😉 Touring with a self sufficient caravan is a great way of seeing things without restrictions of towns for accommodation etc. I also compete in 4wd navigation challenges and also competing in Cliffhanger in May.”
Blake – BJ40 Landcruiser
“I love to get out and explore our beautiful country and getting back to basics, the less technology the better, silk black sky’s, open fires and a trusty faithful old girl to get me, my wife and dogs to the bush and back is all I need, no pansy A/C, power steering or stereo is perfect.”
Rebecca – 2006 Land Rover Discovery 3 TDV6
“Why I’m into offroad touring: We bought our 4wd because we were planning to tour Australia with our kids and there are so many amazing places you need a 4wd to get to. We spent 9 months this year touring round WA and plan to head off to the top end again next year. We love camping in rekote campsites where we can spend time as a family exploring, appreciating the natural environment and taking in the awesome night skies.”
Jason – Jeep Grand Cherokee
“Why I’m into offroad touring: It’s inexpensive adventure. To be able to explore areas where very few go. To sit around a camp fire with friends and family. To see the spectacular views.”
Robbie – Toyota Landcruiser 79 Series
“I grew up in Gippsland exploring the Victorian High Country with my father who was a geologist, enjoying the fresh mountain streams and the natural environment. Through these experiences I grew to love the natural world and went on to study environmental science at university where I gained and education on the place I loved and went on to work as an ecologist. I now have my own children and look forward to sharing the beauty of the natural world, and educating them about everything it has to offer.”
Brian – Land Rover Discovery 4
“Why I am into offroad touring: I get to see places you simply can’t get to with a conventional vehicle. I get to enjoy time in remote and scenic locations with my family and friends, and to meet new friends who share similar interests. I get to escape the rat race and the boring, everyday people who simply don’t know what they are missing out on.”
Andrew – Ford Ranger
“Why I’m into touring: exploring places not too many others have been, teaching my kids there is more to life than iPads and indoorsy stuff!”
David – HJ47 Cruiser
“Fun responsible outings. Being a transplant, it came in with a solid bunch people that are like minded and fun to be around.”
Frank – Ford Ranger PX MkII XLT
“Why I’m into offroad touring: It’s a way of life for me; whether its an opportunity to spend time with family, a trip with the boys to “reset the parameters” or an opportunity explore new places. It’s also about reflecting on past trips, talking about the stories around the camp fire and meeting new people.”
Richard – Toyota Hilux
“Why im into 4 wheel driving: i enjoy pushing the limits of my vehicle and myself in challenging tracks and obstacles, and sitting around the camp fire with like minded people. I also use my vehicle to acess difficult and remote areas for pest animal management and emergency support for bush walkers and hikers.”
Aid – Discoverys
“If it was easy everyone would be doing it, as it’s not always simple those who don’t simply don’t “get it” and seem to find it alien or easy to bag those that do in my experience – however, to explore our wonderfull country and step out of the rat race for just one day with family and friends we take or meet along the way is a joy beyond words I can write…
What I love most is meeting a young family in a totally stock 4WD / AWD car such as say a xtrail, Rav or Freelander at an accessible spot in Bunyip, Talbotville or say O’Tools… it’s not about “go hard or go home” its about just getting out there to take the kids off the screens and unplug for just a few hours or a weekend… As time goes on taught properly these kids go on to join club and clear tracks and build huts – like we do.
A further description.. get up at 5 am and walk to work in any town or city – 99% of people you pass will pause, smile or acknowledge and say hi or wish you a good day… within an hour or so later everyone walks past expressionless…. …So try this…drive out for and hour or two to the tracks… all day long people you pass will pause smile and say “ha ya gah’in mate” its wonderfull for the soul.”
Richard – Mitsubishi MN Triton GLX/R.
“Why I’m into offroad touring: Greatest way to get the family out to see the very best that this country has to offer in a cost effective, exciting way and make lifelong memories with our boys.”
Troy – Navara D22
“Because off roading is a much healthier way to spend a childhood than down loading.”
Annie and Andrew – Landcruiser 79 series with Trayon camper
“Absolutely the best way to see our magnificent country visiting places others just dream about.”
David and Meghan Boyd – 1980 HJ45 Land Cruiser
“I was raised on a farm owned my first 4wd when I was 17 always loved the bush. Spend as much time as I can camping even my last year in the army with norforce was spent out in the bush. My cruiser has done 1.25million km and I guarantee 70% of that was exploring Australian most remote beautiful parts of the country from Wepia to the Bight, Simmo and the Kimberly and all points in between. I proposed to my wife when we were in the middle of never never camping wouldn’t have it any other way. Beats computer games concrete jungles hands down Tread lightly take nothing but photos leave nothing but foot prints.”
David – Grand Cherokee 2004 diesel
“Was a bit of a Bush venture vehicle then we took a couple of long trip and it turn out to be a great thing to do, so much more to explore right here in Aus outback.”
Richard -LandCruiser HJ47
“To get away from people as the peace and quiet is what is relaxing but at the same time meet new like minded people.”
Darren – Triton ML
“Australia is a wonderland of sights, sounds and adventures, but most of them can’t be found next to a bitumen road. I love my country and aim to experience as much of it as I can before I leave it.”
Tony – HJ47 Cruiser
“I love being out in nature camping, touring, being away from daily life, and generally exploring Australian bush and historical locations.”
Brendon – Discovery 3 TDV6
“Exploring with family and mates, spending time around camp fires. And getting away from the rat race of everyday life.”
Daniel Martin – Holden RG Colorado7
“Why I’m into offroad touring: Its cheap adenture for the whole family and I enjoy teaching my children things about this country they wont learn in schools and they enjoy learning because they arent stuck in a classroom.”
Lynette – Isuzu D-Max
“It’s in my blood, I love travelling our beautiful country & the experiences that are on offer for myself & my family.”
Carl – BT-50
“it’s in my blood, love being able to experience the best Australia has to offer with my family.””
Mark – Land Rover Discovery 4
“It gave me the chance to show my children some of the most amazing untouched parts of this country as they grew up – letting them live history and develop a real appreciation for the outback, our forests and our remote coastlines. I also enjoy the skill learned and needed to explore some of this diverse terrain – none of which involves “Bush Bashing”. Lastly, it allows me to escape the technology rate race I work in and takes me to fascinating places to pursue my other passion photography.”
Chris – PX Ranger
“Love taking my family to our own little part of paradise, away from the daily grind, and phone reception. Brings us closer together, makes lasting memories!”
John – Jeep Wrangler
“It’s an inexpensive family adventure hoilday. Explore and experience real Ozzie history. To share and teach my kids to survive, preserve and maintain our beautiful country. Life’s to short to sit on facebook, snap chat etc… Our children of Australia need the bush, camping and family time to make them better socially before they lose themselves to media.”
Robert – Suzuki Jimny
“Love getting away to remote places don’t leave a big footprint , usually pick up other peeps rubbish , been 4x4ing since the 60s Wasn’t to many out there in the 70s but now every one has got one and yes there is some idiots just the way of the world !”
Colin – PX2 Ranger
“Why I’m in to off road touring: there is so much to see in this great country that is only accessible by a 4wd. Nothing beats sitting round a fire at night relaxin with mates and it’s good for the kids to be out learning in nature. I can go on holiday at the drop of a hat. Pack the car and just drive.”
Brad – Jeep Grand Cherokee
“The best way to become passionate about helping the environment is to get out and see what beauty is a stake if it’s lost. Touring some 4wd tracks opens your eyes to just how amazing the Australian bush is, and reminds that we really are the lucky country, something that is easy to forget during the daily grind.”
Sam Rowe – LandRover D2a
“Love: exploring our great country on touring trips with the family, and spending time in remote places in Victoria with like minded responsible people. Usually find the messiest camp sites (which we always leave clean) are those with 2WD access.”
Karl – 2006 Outback
“Just a great way to see the sites normally missed by the standard highways.”
Ross – Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
“Why I’m into offroad touring: To take my family away from the city & their screens and have adventures in the peace and simplicity of the bush. I like being able to get away from the crowds and visit places that most people never go to see, and it’s a great way of meeting like-minded people.”
Frank – Mitsubishi Pajero NW
“Why I’m into offroad touring: A great way to see, meet, experience and learn about the real Australia with like minded environmentally aware friends. Some of which band together to raise much needed funds for charity.”
Meighan – 99 Nissan Patrol
“Why: because of the beautiful country we live in. It’s the only way to truly see it all.”
Travis – 08 Holden Colorado
“Love getting away from consumerism that plagues everyday society and taking the family on adventures that we can all enjoy together.”
