4 WD training courses

Hi Ania. If you have never even driven a 4WD vehicle before then I think you will need a bit more than a 1-2 day introductory course. I think you need to do a lot more research on driving conditions up that way. Good luck

What is the model car you are expecting to rent? There are different types of 4x4 and many novice drivers have unreal expectations about some of the softer types. A rental car more often than not will have highway tyres fairly unsuited to some of the rougher roads. You will also find it short on recovery gear. An introductory 4x4 course is better than nothing, but should be undertaken in the vehicle you will be travelling in to better understand its capabilities. Hopefully the instructor will be able to offer advice about the car model characteristics and your intended destinations. Please take the advice, your life may depend on it. Having said that, have a great time on your adventure.

Anna

You can BUY a book by an author called Vic Wildman called "Travelling the Outback" from Amazon which will provide a lot of the information you need. Google will find it for you.
In the Shop section of this website you will also find numerous books on travelling the Kimberly region.

IF you are sticking to the Gibb River Road and main tracks in the Kimberly Region you should be fine, a 4WD vehicle is required primarily for greater ground clearance and stronger suspension, in fact you possibly won't even need to use/ engage 4WD if you stay on the roads. It doesn't need to be as rugged as a Toyota Landcrusier as an example, though they are probably the best you can hire.
IF you are sticking to the main tracks you won't need low range, vehicles like a Honda CRV or Toyota RAV4 can cope if driven more slowly, though I would feel safer in a larger 4WD. Four wheel drive vehicles don't need to be driven much differently on the road to a car, they may not corner as well as a small car
I am assuming though you drive a car regularly, I know many Europeans don't drive cars often.
The biggest mistake most novices make in 4WDs is not reducing their speed, especially on corners as on a dirt road the ability to correct from a mistake is substantially reduced from a bitumen/ tar/ concrete road.

In the Shop section of this website you will also find numerous books on travelling the Kimberly region.
Yes learning to change a tyre is important and can be done at home. Just bear in mind a 4WD tyre is much heavier than a small car.
Most 4WD training courses assume you will be supplying your own vehicle and many training courses are designed for mine workers.

Mark

Enjoy your time in Australia and thanks for coming.

G'day Ania

Contact "Eureka4WD Training" ~ eureka4wd.com.au phone : (08) 9497 5655

They are a Perth based four wheel drive training operator, they run 1 and 2 day beginner and advanced courses.

Safe travels : Joe

Hi Anna,
I agree with what Mark has told you, and if you are doing a 4wd course you will be fine. The roads in that region are not difficult if you are sensible and the fact that you are seeking advice indicates that you are. I have met a number of Europeans in hired Toyota Troop carriers in that area and I assume all have survived. However, as Mark mentioned, they have got heavy wheels (say 35kg) and so changing them does require a bit of strength, but if you ask at the 4wd course they would be able to show you.
Enjoy your stay,
Graeme.

Hi, are you going to be travelling alone ?? Or with a friend or two ?

If you are alone, stick to the main tourist roads and tracks...don't go off down deserted looking tracks unless you have met someone who is doing the same...and have agreed to follow them.

Even if you learn how to change a tyre, don't be afraid to ask for help...the outback isn't like a city where everyone will pass you by !

Stopping for the night.....stop somewhere near other people...you never know, you might want to talk to others...best way to find information about the places you might want to see..

You'll have a great time !!

The best money I've spent on my 4WD was on courses. An intro course of half a day of theory and a day in the bush followed later by a 2.5 day course on sand driving.

Far and away the best written resource I've come across is Pepper, The 4WD Handbook. It's a model of clear technical writing.
http://www.exploroz.com/Shop/BoilingBilly+4WD_Handbook.aspx?s=Pepper

Good luck with your trip.

Hi Anna
As has already been stated if you stick to the main tracks such as the Gibb River Rd and do a training course you will be more prepared than most of the people who venture out that way.

About 5 years ago I encouraged my parents (in their early 70s) to hire a Toyota troopy camper and drive the Gibb River Rd. They had never done any four wheel driving before and I spent a weekend with my Dad showing him the basics and advising him of the common mistakes that are made that get people into trouble. They had a great time and had no trouble.

Main advice would be that just because you see cars and truck overtaking you at crazy speeds does not mean it is safe to drive at those speeds. Allow plenty of time and enjoy the scenery.
Do your research and enjoy. The fact that you have found this site is already a great start.
Cheers
Stephen


You will love the area it is beautiful.

Whilst the discussion is around four-wheel driving I might toss into the mix a basic understanding of first aid and some reading on remote area travel in Australia.

Enjoy, Baz – The Landy

Mark has covered it well.

If the vehicle does not have built in UHF, get a hand held UHf ("walkie talkie") and stay in touch with the traffic close to you on Channel 40.

Drive slowly. There are many accidents and near misses on the Gibb River Road from people driving to fast, lacking the experience in driving on unsealed roads, and driving to fast for unsealed roads. Allow plenty of time so you can take it easy.

The Gibb River Road and Purnululu make the Kimberley the best of the best to tour in Australia.