4WD Adventure, NORTHERN TERRITORY
Airing Date: Nov 29th, 2004
So you've bought a 4WD and you're keen to tackle the great outdoors, but you're a bit nervous about driving in the outback. Here's an off-road course designed specifically for city slickers who want to learn the ropes before hitting the off-road.
The course is conducted by Gary Pendlebury from Skilled Motor Vehicle and Rider Training, who have been teaching four wheel drivers since 1993. There are three key lessons to learn before heading out for the first time: getting up and down rocky hills, how not to hit animals on the road and how to get out of a bog.
The first challenge is getting up those rocky hills. Gary takes you to a really steep hill that will test your car's endurance. He recommends that the tougher the terrain, the lower the gear. When you're driving down a very steep hill, you must use low first and keep your foot off the accelerator. Let the engine do the work for you so you can concentrate on steering.
The second challenge is emergency braking. One of the biggest dangers of driving in the bush is animals on the road, and anything from kangaroos to emus and stray cattle could cause you a serious accident. Also, most Northern Territory road are unfenced. Dawn and dusk are dangerous times for wandering animals, so when you see an animal in the way, lock the brakes in a straight line and then back off and pump the brakes steadily. After completely slowing down, you can swerve.
The third challenge is getting out of a bog. This is a vital skill to learn before hitting the roads in the Northern Territory, particularly in the wet season from November to April. Not all the roads are sealed and you could easily find yourself getting stuck.
There are two ways to get out of a bog; you can either winch the car out, or use a snatch trap, which is like a big rubber band. The snatch trap is attached to another vehicle and that vehicle then drives off, stretching the band until the car is eventually pulled free of the mud. Situations like this require two cars, so it's important to remember you should never 4WD alone.
After you've learnt the basics in this course, you can enjoy your outback holiday with much more confidence.
The facts:
4WD training costs from $198 for one day, $374 for two days and $561 for three days.
Skilled Motor Vehicle and Rider Training
Tel: 08 8983 2724
You can rent a 4WD from $150 a day. This offer is valid from November until the end of March 2005.
Four Wheel Drive Hire Service
Tel: 07 3857 9777
Rooms at the Darwin Central Hotel cost from $99, including breakfast.
Darwin Central Hotel
Tel: 08 8944 9000
Suggested reading material: Lonely Planet
Prices correct at 29/11/04
