Four-Wheel Driving
Strap yourself in for an adventurous ride through Victoria’s most rugged scenery. Four wheel driving can take you through rain forests, sand dunes and alpine streams.
There’s nothing quite like heading off that the beaten track to explore hidden waterfalls or to pause in pristine spots that are rarely visited. Splash through a creek or pull up at an old mountain hut. You can carefully traverse rocky terrain and discover stunning vantage points to admire our amazing world.
Four wheel driving requires skill and careful planning. Just like the Scout motto says, you must Be Prepared. Our team helps you prepare yourself and your vehicle for all those scenarios when things don’t go quite to plan.
The State Four Wheel Driving Team
This is a four wheel drive club for any member of the Scout Association. Members enjoy off-road trips with each other, using their vehicles and skills for a wide range of adventures.
Talks and trips can be arranged for any Section. We can also provide assessors for the award schemes.
The team can help out with communications equipment, 4WD vehicles and competent drivers. We’ve been involved with Rover Moots, Scout hikes, Armstrong 500, Mudbash, and Hoadley Hides.
Meetings
3rd Monday of the month, 8:00 pm, Scout Hall, Ivanhoe Grove Chadstone.
Training courses
The Unit conducts several training courses, including free clinics for drivers (2WD or 4WD) who travel in difficult conditions on Scout activities.
There are two courses available:
- Activity Leader Basic 4x4 Level 1, that covers skills required to drive a four-wheel drive vehicle safely.
- Activity Leader Advanced 4x4 Level 2, that covers advanced driving and recovery techniques.
The cost is $165 for Venturers (includes meals and accommodation for Venturer and accompanying driver) and $195 for Adults in Scouting (including meals and accommodation).
Other Course Dates: Additional part time and weekend courses for groups of 6-10 people can be arranged.
Course Applications: Lodge the completed Online Training Form.
Training enquiries: training.4wd@scoutsvictoria.com.au
Achievement Pathway - Special Interest Area
Four wheel driving can fit into your Achievement Pathway as a Special Interest Areas (SIA). You will need to select the SIA area that fits your own Achievement Pathway, but we believe four wheel driving best fits into “Adventure & Sport” or “Growth & Development”.
Venturer
Pre-Requisites:
- Learner’s Permit and access to a four-wheel drive vehicle
- 20+ hours driving experience
- Basic driving skills
14 hour SIA suggested activity:
- Participate in an Activity Leader Basic 4x4 Level 1 course (with accompanying driver)
- Participate in an easy/medium day trip (with accompanying driver)
Rovers
Pre-Requisites:
- Provisional or Open driver’s licence
- Access to a four-wheel drive vehicle
18 hour SIA suggested Activity:
- Participate in an Activity Leader Basic 4x4 Level 1 course
- Participate in an easy/medium day trip
- Participate in or co-lead an easy/medium weekend trip in unfamiliar terrain; Prepare pre-trip notes and maps; Report on track conditions; and Report to 4x4 Service Unit on trip
or
- Participate in an Activity Leader Basic 4x4 Level 1 course
- Participate in an easy/medium day trip
- Participate in 2 or more 4x4 Service unit activities
Checklist for Group Leaders
All four wheel drive activities involving youth members must adhere to the guidelines contained in “Adventure Activity Standard – Four Wheel Driving”. This is a government sponsored series of guidelines, available from Outdoors Victoria: www.outdoorsvictoria.org.au
Contact
State Leader – Four Wheel Driving Team
Duncan White, state.4wd@scoutsvictoria.com.au