some where to go

Yeah mate,
Try Yengo national park or Wollemi national park. There are some 'fun' tracks just off the main roads that aren't too scary. There's no mobile service for Telstra though.

MQ swb,
If you decide to go off road for the first time it's good to go with someone who's done it before, maybe have a look at a local club they usually accommodate visitors and first timers our club does but it would take you a few days to get here and the father-in-law may arc up if you decide to "whizz" over to WA for a Sunday outing. Good luck and enjoy the fun a lot of us are already having, and the costs, oh yeah make sure your insurance covers what you want to do, you never know.... Keep the shiny side up

mg

Hi, suggest you look at the "Trek" section on this page, go to the "Trip Planning" button above and check the drop down menu. I have done both the Yengo and the Woollemi treks and both are easy, safe and you will more thn likely see plenty of others on the same trek should you get into probs.

Mq
how old are your kids ,why dont you take them with you ,there nothing like a day in the bush, my kids love it, i agree with the others if its your first time try &find somebody to go with you
Regards Bruce

Thats what i was thinking, the wife wants (expects ) to spend time with you.
Im sure she will enjoy it too even if she dosn't know it yet.........give her time and she will come around !

My thoughts anyway.

First thing. Do you have ANY recovery gear?

I'll agree with the others. Get her involved with the car. Then you are spending time with her also.

Join a club like the Patrol club in Sydney, they are VERY good. Also let HER do the drivers training too, and you will be suprised the suggestions that come out like, she needs a better seat, or suspension is rough, or tires suck get better ones.. APPROVAL f rom her is better.

As for where to go, your best bet is to go WITH someone who has been.
You could try the Sydney Internet Groupthat Roly runs, they would bound to have someone going out this weekend... If not suggest it they might also be interestexd..

Thanks to everyone who responded for the advice. Truckster i only have a few bits and pieces of recovery gear: hand winch, towing ropes, spade and all sorts of different tools. Just a quick one to clear a few things up I only have 1 daughter at the moment and she is 2, my wife is 7 months pregnant so off road driving is sort of out of the question for a little while with her,
so once again many thanks for all of the advice