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Check out the 2012 route here!
What is the 4WD Challenge?
The 4WD Challenge is Variety SA's second highest fundraiser behind our flagship event, the Variety Bash, raising $3.44 million net for special children since its inception. It is a seven day outback adventure taking 4WD vehicles and their owners off the bitumen and into the outback, but doing it in style. The emphasis is on experiencing our magnificent outback environment, fabulous scenery, good tracks, great food and wine and of course, fun and entertainment.
As with all Variety events, safety is a major consideration. Our experienced outback team includes a medical team, mechanics, 4WD experts, a fully set up radio communications vehicle, satellite phones and an aircraft. The Challenge caters for both the experienced and inexperienced four wheel drive enthusiasts with options to take an easier track on the more difficult terrain. If you are looking for a seven day outback adventure with all the excitement of serious 4WD driving, with a group of fun loving like-minded people then consider Variety’s 4WD Challenge. The event is ideally suited to husband and wife teams, but mates with their mates (male or female of course, most welcome.)
The 2012 Variety 4WD Challenge
The 2012 event will depart Adelaide on Friday 23 March with the official start a few hundred kilometres north of Adelaide on Saturday 24th March.
The proposed route for the 2012 event begins in the Northern Flinders Ranges and travel to the Lake Eyre Basin. A very special part of Australia that covers one sixth of the continent and holds some of the rarest, least exploited ecosystems on the planet. The Basin is also the cradle of much Indigenous and non-Indigenous culture and history. On a global scale, the Lake Eyre Basin is one of the largest internal draining systems; has the fifth largest terminal lake; is an arid and semi-arid part of the driest inhabited continent; and is drained by the most variable, major river systems, the Georgina, Diamantina and Cooper. For every summer in living memory, Lake Eyre’s water level has been extremely low, if not empty. But now the giant lake in South Australia’s usually dry outback is slowly filling to capacity - potentially reaching the equivalent of up to 60 Sydney Harbours.
From Lake Eyre we will travel north to the Warburton Crossing and on to a night in the desert at Poeppels Corner, where three State borders meet, South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory. From there we will head east over Big Red, the most famous of the 1113 sand dunes in the Simpson Desert, to Birdsville where we will spend the night. Birdsville is a small outback town situated on the banks of the Diamantina River between the sands of the Simpson Desert and the gibbers of Sturts Stony Desert. The area is steeped in history, from Aboriginal meeting places to European settlement in the late 1870’s and beyond. Birdsville began life as ‘Diamantina Crossing’ in 1881 and was given its present name in 1885. It is probably best known for the annual Birdsville Races.From here we will head south east to the iconic town of Innamincka and the famous Burke & Wills Dig Tree and across to Tibooburra located 340 kilometres north of Broken Hill, our final night destination. Tibooburra is the essence of an outback town, established at the height of the gold rush with many of the early buildings still remaining.
The desolate landscape surrounding Broken Hill is like driving towards a painting of soft mauve and sage hues, perhaps the reason the city has become known as a mecca for artists. It is here that the magnificent clear blue skies and the magic light are also much loved by film makers. From Mad Max 2 to Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, where big red roos run two hundred kilometres in a night chasing a thunderstorm and the unique Sturt Desert Peas bloom in dark red soils.
The 2011 Variety 4WD Challenge
From the Alpine slopes of the Victorian High Country in 2010 to the white sand and massive sand dunes of Googs Track, Davenport Creek and surrounds, 49 vehicles and 106 crew swapped anoraks for bathers and reveled in the 2011 Variety 4WD Challenge that departed Adelaide on Friday 25 March.
Highlights of the seven day trip included a formal 'op shop' dinner party on the top of Mt Finke and a Beach Party extravaganza on the awe inspiring shores of Davenport Creek.
From crayfish, oysters, whiting and other gourmet meals created by our talented Chef, Steve Cooling to stunning Tim Adams Wines served with amazing cheeses, tempura prawns and filo tarts of beef and horseradish cream at the nightly sunset parties, it was a gastronomic trek as well as an outstanding 4wd Challenge raising an amazing half a million dollars net for children in need in SA.
At the final night dinner a huge tribute, including the presentation of the coveted Tom Matters Award, was paid to Chair of the event for the past three years Scott Limbert and his wife Wendy for their total commitment to the 4WD Challenge over the past ten years.
The 2010 SA Variety 4WD Challenge
The sixteenth 4WD Challenge departed Sale on March 20 2010 and spent the next seven days in the spectacular Victorian High Country, renowned for it's breathtaking alpine scenery, mountain huts, picturesque townships and gorgeous panoramic views over the fertile river valleys.
The contingent of 110 people declared it was arguably the most white knucle drive in the event's history. The entrants enjoyed amazing meals, great entertainment and award winning wines at thenightly sunset parties, which allcontributed to the success of the event.
The 2010 SA Variety 4WD Challenge raised just under $450,000 for children in need in South Australia and we are hopeful to raise even more on the 2011 event.
To view images from the 2010 event view the gallery in the left menu bar.