If you've returned from your Christmas break and are already thinking longingly about loading up the fourbie and heading off for the next great getaway, here’s a few ideas to get you booking some leave from the boss.

 

Beyond Hotham: March

Heading in to its eighth year, this well-organised event is the best way to get up close and personal with the spectacular Victorian high country. It will be held at Mt Hotham Alpine Resort as a weekend of day tours in the local area (March 14 and 15) followed by a six-day 4WD adventure encompassing north-eastern Victoria and southern NSW Snowy Mountains (Monday, March 16 to Saturday, March 21). Numbers are limited, see beyondhotham.com.au.

 

Tuff Truck: April

The Tough Dog Tuff Truck Challenge (TTC) is a three-day, hard-as-they-come 4WD competition event. The TTC is a gruelling endurance test for competitors as they push themselves and their vehicles to the absolute limit. Spectators are guaranteed plenty of thrills and spills as competitors tackle the biggest boulders, rock, mud, giant tyres, deep, deep holes and ruts from April 17-19 in the Hunter Valley, at Milbrodale. This is a major event and organisers cater for all attendees by including family-friendly camping zones and a kids activities area away from the diesel and dirt. See tufftruck.com.au.

 

Variety Club WA 4WD Challenge: April

The Variety Club once again invites you to enjoy five-star cuisine, five-million-star camping, luxury accommodation, picturesque scenery, awesome entertainment, fundraising and a 4WD experience you’ll never forget. This year the touring is through WA’s beautiful South West, starting in the Stirling Ranges just four hours south of Perth on Monday, April 20, and finishing in Bunker Bay a week later. Participants will satisfy all their senses with gourmet meals, beautiful southern ocean views, plenty of laughter, the tang of salt in the air and the helping hand of a full support crew. See variety.wa.org.au.

 

Team W4 Challenge: Sept/October

If you’re a determined one-eyed Land Rover fan, keep an eye on teamw4.com for details of their annual all-Landrover competition. The event just keeps on growing and is the perfect opportunity to see up to 65 years of Land Rover history competing in a neatly handicapped event that flattens the playground between current techno machines and historic mechanical beasts.

 

Gascoyne Dash: Oct/Nov

Keep an eye on gasdash.com for details of the 2015 Kickstarters Gascoyne Dash. WA’s fast-paced desert race is a proven crowd- pleaser that keeps going from strength to strength with more competitors and fast, furious action. Compete in a production 4WD or go all out in a competition racer. Or just enjoy the race and party atmosphere with days of fast-paced racing and nights of fun and entertainment.

 

THAT’S NOT ALL

If you like the idea of getting away in a group, consider joining a 4WD club. Many clubs have active trip committees who take the hard work out of planning a weekend, week or even month away by selecting the routes, organising the permits and mapping out an itinerary. Find a clubs at wa4wda.com.

 

© The West Australian

More Motoring news and information: westwheels.caradvice.com.au