1. NSW
2. Events
3. 4WD Adventure

The name comes from two wonderful South Coast towns, Wollongong and Gerringong which are roughly half an hours drive from each other, but it will take us six (6) days to get there. We’d love to have you join us as we experience some wonderful 4WD country during our week away together.

On arrival at Wollongong you’ll book into your pre-paid accommodation and settle in before “Happy Hour” followed by our traditional “Meet and Greet” BBQ dinner.

Here’s the schedule;

Day 1. Wollongong to Goulburn. Following a wonderful breakfast alongside the Wollongong Lighthouse we head into the hinterland behind Wollongong and lunch at a sheep station near Marulan. A great night is planned at the old Goulburn Brewery. Designed by Francis Greenway and built in 1840 you’ll taste and tour this wonderful old facility before sitting down to a sumptuous meal and entertainment.

Day 2. Goulburn to Cooma. We have some nice properties to run through today as we make our way to Cooma and a vintage train ride to dinner tonight. So if you ever fancied being Casey Jones, this is the night for you!

Day 3. Cooma to Orbost. Another great day of driving which will take you across the border and into the Victorian “High Country” which is always a challenge and will excite all our Adventurers on this year’s event. Dinner will be at the motel and will be followed by our popular Trivia Night! So brush up on you Bushranger history I’d suggest!!!

Day 4. Orbost to Eden. Do you like water? You’ll love this day then as we work our way back into NSW and the deep south of the state and the fishing hamlet of Eden. Short day so we can get on board the Cat Balou catamaran for a spot of Whale Watching off Two Fold Bay! Then it’s back for a seafood extravaganza at a waterside restaurant.

Day 5. Eden to Mogo. Breakfast is back at the marina before we track into some testing tracks in the highlands behind the fishing villages of the South Coast. Lunch will be on the road at a property before heading down the hill and into Mogo, a quaint little village along the coast line with its busy little craft and souvenir shops! Dinner

Day 6. Mogo to Gerringong. A relaxed breakfast and a minute or two for craft shopping before we take on the hills again for the last time on this Adventure. Lunch will be at some great friends of Variety, Bashers Reg and Joan Webb’s Valeston property. We then head into Gerringong and a beer or two with a rugby league legend, Mick Cronin, at his hotel. Then it’s onto our final night digs, the Mecure Bellachara Boutique Hotel for our traditional Black Tie dinner and presentation night.

What is the Variety 4WD Charity Adventure?

The Variety 4WD Charity Adventure is a six day Turn Key adventure taking four wheel drive vehicles off the bitumen and onto bush tracks, sand dunes, fire trails and country dirt roads. Escape the nine–to–five routine with this premier, boutique event doing four wheel driving and accommodation in style. The emphasis is on good tracks, fabulous scenery, exceptional food, wine and of course, as with all Variety events, fun and entertainment – all while raising funds for Australia’s special needs children. Simply, all you need to do is turn the key and start your Adventure as everything has been organised for you.

Is this adventure for you?

The 4WD Charity Adventure is designed for 4WD enthusiasts and also those who have not had the opportunity of visiting the “off road” and who harbour a desire to find out exactly what their four wheel drive has been designed to do. This event is ideally suited to husband and wife teams, but mates with their mates are most welcome. You will meet people with similar interests as well as bush characters as you navigate your 4WD around the great tracks we have found for you. The 4WD Charity Adventure explores country not normally accessible to the general public. The trip combines all the elements of good four wheel driving, from creek beds to craggy mountain tracks and majestic ocean views.

Costs

A minimum figure of $6,850 (including a GST component) gets a vehicle and two people on the event. This amount is made up as follows:

Donations can be raised via sponsorship or fundraising and covers the first two (2) people in the vehicle. We encourage you to raise lots, lots more as there is a trophy for the Highest Fundraising Vehicle of the Adventure. So start “door knocking” to raise larger amounts than the minimum requirements.

Extra Crew

For additional crew members add $1,250 (donation) per person plus the provisions fee of $1,925 (Inc the GST) per person. Accommodation is on a twin share basis. A single room supplement will apply for an additional crew member.

Rewards

Rewards come in various ways, one is the self satisfaction of knowing you have helped our special needs children and there are various awards following the event, including fundraising awards. A Variety event is all about having fun, in fact we say, “we put the fun into FUNdraising!” Thousands of children benefit from funds raised through our events – please help us help our special needs children.

Where does the Money Go? 

Each year Variety receives many appeals from individuals, associations, institutions, hospitals and schools. These include appeals for Sunshine Coaches, special medical equipment, wheelchairs, standers (so children can be at eye-level with their family at meal and play times), vocal output speech devices, prosthetic limbs, playground equipment and, one of our largest areas of expenditure, vehicle modifications to name but a few. 

All appeals are carefully and thoughtfully considered by our volunteer committees and where appropriate by our honorary medical advisors. When a grant is approved, Variety makes payment directly to the supplier of the equipment or service.

In 2010/11, Variety granted 194 Appeals totalling $2,382,270; $1,941,270 under the Freedom Program, $275,000 under the Future Kids Program and $166,000 under the Caring for Kids Program.  The number of appeals applications grew 50%, and as many were for lower cost items, Variety was still able to grant around 95% of the Appeals, with equipment granted directly to 185 children.

The key reasons for the applications remained greater mobility and social interaction, reduced risk of injury and greater comfort in daily routines, however the Appeals are changing slightly.  The NSW government has started to grant a single item on each of its three categories to children with additional physical needs. This has meant that Variety is now being asked to support things like a second wheelchair for home, or walkers and human-hair wigs, thereby enhancing the quality of life for individual children in a complementary manner to the government support.

What's required

1. A suitable 4WD vehicle with a compulsory, UHF radio (can be a hand held model).
2. A Snatch Strap.
3. Your partner (or crew with maximum of four per car – visit our web site for additional crew cost details).
4. Your minimum entry fees and provisions fee.
5. A great week away from the office.
6. A sense of adventure (and humour) and enough smarts to persuade colleagues, clients and friends to support your fundraising efforts for Australia’s special needs children.

For more details contact:

Stuart Telfer
Motoring Events Manager
707 Darling Street
Rozelle NSW 2039
Email: stuart.telfer@varietynsw.org.au
Ph: (02) 9819 1009
M: 0425 277 673

Victor Sheil
Newcastle Regional Manager
6 Torpey Place
Broadmeadow NSW 2292
Email: victor.sheil@varietynsw.org.au
Ph: (02) 4965 4911
M: 0410 692 262