Home

Trips

Newcastle and Districts Four Wheel Drive Club Inc. takes all reasonable care and precautions to reduce risks to persons, property and the environment during Club activities. Members and visitors participate by their own choice, and act on their own behalf, at their own risk. The Club, its Office Bearers, Trip Leaders and Members can accept no responsibility for any mishaps.
'Advice' given by Trip Leaders or others indicates what they would do in the same situation. The decision to follow such 'advice' is the choice of the recipient.

Club Trip Grades
A Extremely difficult. Participants have to be experienced at travelling over difficult terrain. Winching or towing will be required.
B Moderate to difficult. Winching or towing will almost certainly be required.
C Moderate. Sections will require cautious driving. Some towing may be required.
D Relatively easy. Formed forest roads, loose surfaces. Maybe suitable for All Wheel Drive vehicles - trip leader to advise.
E Very easy with little or no 4wd. Usually on sealed or formed roads. Usually suitable for All Wheel Drive vehicles - trip leader to advise.
F Generally a social day out and will be suitable for all classes of vehicles.

Whenever possible, trip leaders reconnoitre their trips during the weeks leading up to the scheduled date.

Bookings should be made by contacting the trip leader no less than 48 hours before the start of the trip.
The trip leader will inform you of meeting place, time and other details you might need to know.
If a trip is cancelled due to weather or track conditions it may be run on the following week. Ensure the trip leader has your contact details in case you need to be informed of any late changes.
If unsure, discuss the suitability of your vehicle and recovery equipment etc. when you book in.

Changing weather conditions can adversely affect any trip. So be prepared.
Obtain sufficient fuel (with reserves) and food etc. before arriving at the designated meeting place.

Vehicle Registration and Insurance must be current. As well as CTP insurance for registration, the vehicle shall have appropriate comprehensive or third party insurance.

Compulsory equipment: except for F Grade trips all vehicles shall have appropriate front and rear Recovery Points (tie-down points are not suitable), two ‘Dee’ or ‘Bow’ shackles rated at 3.25T or 4.75T WLL, one 8000 kg snatch strap, one air brake or strap damper; one pair of leather gloves and one First Aid Kit.
Recommended equipment: long handled shovel; rated winch extension or tow strap, power or hand winch, rated tree protector, high lift jack and jacking plate, tool kit and spares to suit vehicle.

The trip leader shall not permit vehicles deemed unsuitable to attend the particular trip.

Club Events Calendar:

January February March April May June
July August September October November December
Bulahdelah Area
10th Jan C Grade 100 km Contact: Gary 4966 2009
The trip will involve plenty of ups and downs in some of the NPs and SFs in the Bulahdelah area.
Gloucester Tops
23-26th Jan (LWE) E Grade 250 km Contact: Gerry 4945 8963
Located at a private camp site beside the Gloucester river, this is a good spot for swimming if the weather is hot, also on the site are some C grade 4wd tracks. There is also a general store which stocks basic items. Day trippers are welcome
Ourimbah SF Area
14th Feb B Grade 150 km Contact: Steve 4930 8308
This trip is west of Wyong in the southern Watagans. The trip may involve ruts, ledges and off camber sections, there may be by-passes on some sections. It is some time since a B grade trip has been run, come along and see how your vehicle performs.
Social Outing to Murrays Brewery
28th Feb F Grade 100 km Contact: Deirdre 4945 8963
The brewery is located at 3443 Nelsons Bay Road, Bobs Farm. Lunch will be from 12:00 noon onwards with live music from 11:30 to 3:30 pm. There will be a brewery tour at 2:00 pm costing $5 per head. RSVP 17.02.10
Barrington Tops and Surrounds
13, 14th Mar D Grade 400 km Contact: John 4971 2687
Day one of the trip will cross Barrington Tops using the Gloucester - Scone road stopping at points of interest.
Overnight stay at Moonan Flat, with dinner and social evening at the Victoria Hotel. Accommodation available is: rooms in the hotel, rooms in a bunkhouse at the hotel or camping at a camp ground beside Moonan Brook, which has amenities and a swimming hole.
Day two is a nice drive through forest with minor creek crossings to Rouchal Brook then open country to finish near Lake St Clair.
This trip is suitable for all wheel drive vehicles. Participants can come for one or two days.
Driver Awareness Day
20, 21st Mar Variable Grade 80 km Contact: Steve 4958 8879
This level is aimed at newer members, but all are welcome to attend. The course will cover: environmental awareness, vehicle familiarity, basic recovery, ascents, descents, driving on rocky, muddy and uneven terrain, throttle control and stall start recovery. All wheel drive vehicles are welcome. Stay overnight at a local caravan park (cabins available), dinner will be at the local hotel.
Easter Tour of Northern Rivers and Forests
2 to 5th Apr D Grade 1200 km Contact: John 4971 2687
This trip is suitable for all wheel drive vehicles. The trip will wind through the mountain ranges visiting numerous forests and north coast rivers which include the Mann, Guy Fawks, Chandler and Macleay.
Social Outing to Koolang Astronomical Observatory
tba Apr F Grade 100 km Contact: Deirdre 4945 8963
Located south of Wollombi at Bucketty. A firm date for April will be set when phases of the moon are available. At this stage tea will be at Ourimbah Park. A fee will be charged at the Observatory
Community Trip with Camp Quality Children
2nd May E Grade 40 km Contact: John 4971 2687
This is the annual trip where the clubs of the Hunter region take Camp Quality children and their carers to Stockton beach. Once there they are treated to a bbq, sand dune rides and NP talks and displays. Meet with children and carers at Wallsend Plaza.
Trip to Wallingat NP
16th May C Grade 250 km Contact: Gary 4966 2009
Located near Seal Rocks this park offers one of the best natural viewing platforms on the central coast at Whoota lookout. Also visited will be the largest tree in NSW named the GRANDIS, and a Devonian era shell site. The trails in this Park are under imminent closure, hopefully they will be open for the trip.
Social Event - Soup and Damper Night
29th May F Grade Contact: Deirdre 4945 8963
Details to be advised later.
LWE Trip to Nundle
12, 13, 14th June C Grade 400 km Contact: Gary 4966 2009
We will be doing some 4wd in Nundle SF. For those interested there are many craft shops to visit. Return trip will be via Barry station to Moonan Flat.
We already have the motel booked out, there are some rooms in the hotel available, and a guest house in town, those wishing to attend should contact Gary ASAP.
8th Australian 4x4 Gathering Pomona Queensland
11 - 15th June 2010 D Grade Contact: Gerry 4945 8963
A trip to Pomona Queensland to coincide with the 8th Australian 4x4 gathering over the June long weekend in 2010 (11th -15th June). Pomona is located in the hinterland behind the Sunshine Coast.
A fee will be charged but is very reasonable and includes breakfasts and dinners plus camping, showers toilets etc. (Last years gathering cost $150 for 3 breakfasts, dinners and camping). Proceeds from the gathering will benefit the RFDS.
Trips will be organised by the hosts who will be the Mitsubishi 4WD Owners Club of Queensland.
This is a great opportunity to mix with like minded 4WD owners and travellers from across Australia.
Gerry has not planned any specific route to and from the gathering but plans on being away about a fortnight for the return journey. Please talk to Gerry if you have any questions or might be interested in this trip.
Binns Track - Extended Trip
July 2010 D Grade Contact: John 4971 2687
This leisurely trip open to offroad trailers can be adjusted to suit members that only have the school holidays.
Binns Track starts at Mt Dare and options (depending upon preference of members) to reach there include:
1. Meet at Coober Pedy, travel through the Painted Desert to Oodnadatta, and on to Mt Dare.
2. Meet at Leigh Creek Caravan Park, take Oodnadatta track, visiting points of interest on way to Mt Dare.
3. Meet at Mt Dare.
The 2200km Binns Track ends at Timber Creek (290km S-W of Katherine) and will take 10 to 12 days.
Mt Dare to Alice Springs via Old Andado, Rodinga Range and Santa Teresa. 421 km.
Alice Springs to Ruby Gap, taking in points of interest in the East Macdonnell Ranges. 237 km.
Ruby Gap via Arltunga to Gemtree. 133 km.
Gemtree via Derry Downs and Murray Downs, into the southern Barkly region with trips to explore the Davenport Ranges area. 442 km.
Davenport Ranges via Epenarra, to the Devils Marbles. ~200 km.
Devils Marbels to Tennant Creek. 90 km.
Tennant Creek to Dunmarra. 358 km.
Dunmarra to Humbert River Track. ~350 km.
Humbert River Track to Bullita Homestead. 48 km.
Bullita Homestead to finish at Timber Creek.
Members can join and leave at convenient points and those with more time can continue to other places of their choice.
Chichester State Forest
1, 11th Jul D Grade Contact: Gary 4966 2009
Located north of Dungog this mountainous area has plenty of hills to put the lever into 4wd. There are some nice stands of rain forest in the area and we will be taking a short walk to Dundungra falls.
Mirannie Mtn Wilderness Park
8th Aug C Grade 60 km Contact: Wayne 0438 183 726
This trip is on private property north of Branxton. We are given a copy of the trails on the property and there is a small fee per vehicle.
Driver Awareness Day
28, 29th Aug Variable Grade 60 km Contact: Steve 4958 8879
There will be no overnight camp on this outing, the course will be run over two separate days, one day will cover bush and the other will cover sand driving techniques. Come for one day or both, attend whichever course suits you.
This level is aimed at newer members BUT all are welcome to attend. The course will cover: environmental awareness, vehicle familiarity, basic recovery, ascents, descents, driving on rocky, muddy and uneven terrain, sand and ascent and descent of sand dunes, throttle control and stall start recovery.
Social outing - Mystery Fun and Food
18th Sept Contact: Deirdre 4945 8963
This social event will be held in Newcastle, starting at 3pm.
Knorrit Flat
2, 3, 4th Oct (LWE) E Grade 400 km Contact: Gary 4966 2009
Located beside the Nowendoc River north of Gloucester, this private camp ground has all amenities except power - fees apply. Things to do can be nothing, fishing and a C Grade trip on the Sunday.
To confirm our site, bookings must be given to the Gary one month in advance.
Myall River State Forest
24th Oct C Grade 250 km Contact: David 4984 9996
This is a new area for the club, east of Stroud. The trip will include plenty of ups and downs and a visit to Stroud Mountain and the underground silos built by convict labour in 1841 to store the AA Company's grain.
Caneens Gap
14th Nov C Grade 300 km Contact: John 4971 2687
There is a nice drive through open country to get to the Gap which is located west of the village of Stewarts Brook. Some of the trail network is at the base of Barrington Tops N.P. The trail network in this area involves several creek crossings with some brushy sections.
Breakfast on Mount Sugarloaf
21st Nov E Grade 30 km Contact: Mervyn 4954 9424
The club will provide a free breakfast for members ($5 for visitors) starting around 8.30am. For catering purposes give Merv plenty of notice (1 week) if attending. Bring your own eating utensils and any extra beverages.
Christmas Function
27th Nov Contact: Deirdre 4945 8963
Venue and cost and other details to be advised later.
Booking is essential by Oct 13th meeting.
Lostock Christmas Camp
4, 5th Dec E Grade 250 km Contact: Ray 4966 2305
Come along to our traditional Christmas Camp for a relaxing weekend, or just one day. The campsite is near a good swimming hole in the Patterson River. It has all amenities except power. A small camping fee is charged.
Mt Cabre Bald
9th Jan C Grade 250 km Contact: Gary 4966 2009
This trip will involve a crossing of the Paterson river then the long slow ascent to the crest of the mountain where the largest Grass trees in NSW can be seen.
Poley's Place
24 to 27th Jan D Grade 350 km Contact: Gerry 4945 8963
The camp will be set up on a private camp site with amenities, on the banks of the Barrington river just past the town of Barrington. There is good swimming in the river and a trip may be taken to Barrington tops.
Cape York - Extended Trip
July - Aug 2011 C Grade Contact: Gary 4966 2009
To do the full program participants would need approx 6-7 weeks home to home. Any person with time constraints can leave the trip at any time. Even by Cape York standards we will be visiting some extremely isolated areas. Visit: Thursday Isle, deserted gold towns, aboriginal art sites, remote beaches historical sites and much more. Numbers are limited.