Five Australian 4WD training courses to check out
Do you have the gear but no idea? Then a 4x4 off-road instruction course could be what you need.Australians love their four-wheel-drive utes and SUVs. And while many are used for their intended purpose, truth be told plenty also get no further than towing a caravan or doing the school and shopping run. But if you’re dreaming of getting down and getting dirty in your off-roader – which is probably far more capable than imaginable – but aren’t sure how there are plenty of off-road instruction courses that cover the basics and quite a bit more. Here are five to get you started.
METEC Driver Training, Melbourne, Victoria
METEC is a not-for-profit driver-training organization that’s been going for more than 50 years so they have the bases covered. Its 4WD driver training course includes OH&S certification but for the recreational novice it’s a top place to start learning the ins and outs of off-roading. The dedicated facility in Bayswater has slopes, ruts and water crossings (quite a bit less scary than the real world) but for practising off-road techniques close to Melbourne there are few better places or people.
Otto Tours, Perth, Western Australia
Well, here’s something refreshingly different. Otto Tours treats the Outback as its classroom and instead of regimented group training, it’s just you, an optional passenger, your vehicle and an instructor – probably Otto Schaechtele himself. The 4WD Safety Training Course runs for either one or two days, covers driving techniques and recovery theory and then there’s the driving component. Otto likes to meet at Lancelin (with its famed sand dunes) but other venues are up for discussion. Prices are similar to or lower than other group-fests making this more an achievable and attractive off-roading holiday than a classroom.
Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW
Don’t be fooled by the venue: although the race circuit at Sydney Motor Sport Park is New South Wales’ premier permanent race track, the off-road course is a challenging and lumpy classroom for 4WD lessons run by Driving Solutions. You’ll learn braking techniques, how to tackle various surfaces such as sand and mud, what hill descent control is all about and much more, all in Sydney’s Western Suburbs.
SA 4WD Training, Adelaide, South Australia
The only problem with SA 4WD Training’s day-long off-road instruction course is it sounds like too much fun to be serious tuition. But despite the entertaining program in the outer environs of Adelaide – including beach driving at Goolwa, some wet work at Coleman’s Crossing and even a pub lunch in Ashbourne – this is serious business. The training track offers ample and safe opportunities for learning all aspects of off-roading and the instructors are keen to help.
Driven Training, Yatala, Queensland
The guys from Driven Training in Yatala (about halfway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast) spend most of their time instructing miners and construction workers how to handle their 4WDs so when it comes to Joe Public they have all the bases covered. Their half-day Recreational 4WD Training Course combines theory with hands and tyres-on tuition, delivered one-on-one in the vehicle at their dedicated facility out of town.
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