Australia’s biggest 4x4 Outdoors Show rolls into Melbourne

Written by: Editorial Team

Published on August 11, 2023

Time to read 5 min

Calling all outdoor adventure lovers! Australia’s premier outdoor lifestyle event, The National 4x4 Outdoors Show, is back at the Melbourne Showgrounds for three big days this month. From Friday, 18 August, to Sunday, 20 August, the grounds come to life with everything you could possibly need for your next outdoor adventure.

With each year, the 4x4 Show continues to grow and evolve, informing and educating outdoor enthusiasts from all over the country. It’s a massive three days where people join in their love of the great outdoors and 4WD touring, and this year’s Show is shaping up to be no exception.

Combining the top products from the 4x4 aftermarket to the latest in campers, caravans and accessories, outdoor adventure, tourism and apparel, the Show will also feature live entertainment, informative presentations and interactive displays. Plus, you can go into the draw to win a Toyzuki 39.5, a one-of-a-kind chopped Suzuki Jimny custom-built with Australia’s leading 4WD brands. Entries can be lodged for free online with the winner drawn live during the Show.

“A great family day out, The National 4x4 Outdoors Show has become the largest local gathering of the industry. Every year the show continues to grow, and this year will be no different with a host of new, improved and exciting features set to appear at this year’s show,” Event Director, Jon Perry said. “In addition to the wide range of tips, advice and insider hacks, a host of show-only specials and bargains will be available, together with the usual complement of interactive displays, reinforcing the event’s reputation as a must-attend.”

Performances and demonstrations galore

While you’re at the Show, you must visit the Outback Stage, where a dynamic line-up of some of the funniest outdoor personalities Australia has seen will be performing, including Aussie Arvos, Jesse & Jocko, Sam Eyles, Sam Young, Aaron (Az) and Ty Fenwick. You can also find Cassie from Girls Day Out on the stage, running sessions and activities designed to help women get outdoors and learn about four-wheel driving in a safe and empowering space.

If you’re out for adrenaline-fuelled excitement, then make your way to the BMX Stunt Show at the Outside Hall 1 (near Main Arena). It promises to have you on the edge of your seat. And you can’t miss the Isuzu D-Max Iron Summit — where you can be suspended two stories into the air up a steep 45-degree custom-built hydraulic ramp. This is all to show the gravity-defying capabilities of the Isuzu D-MAX and MU-X models. It’s definitely not for the faint-hearted.

Have you always wanted to learn about the correct driving techniques for your offroad 4WD? The Show has you covered. Join MadMatt over at Mount Maxxis and experience driving demonstrations that will give you the skills and confidence to get out there and go to those previously feared places. Mount Maxxis will run across five different session times each day over the weekend.

For an unforgettable wildlife experience, join the team from SSSAFE and Black Snake Productions, who will be on hand to give show visitors the opportunity of a close encounter with Australia’s special native animals.

There’s so much to see and do we can’t possibly cover it all here, so for a full guide to the Show, visit the official 4x4 Show website.

Hema Maps Stand

A familiar face at The National 4x4 Outdoors Show, Hema Maps will be returning with a massive stand dedicated to touring, outdoor accessories and all the atlases and guides — and maps, of course — you could ever need. There’ll be a range of ‘Show specials’ — including some of Hema’s best-selling navigators — only available to purchase directly from the stand for the three days at The National 4x4 Outdoors Show. Head over to Stand G143 in the Grand Hall Pavilion 7 to meet the team and pick up some bargains.

And of course, you can’t miss Hema Maps Tracks n Trips: Traversing the Simpson Desert presentation at 11am on each day of the Show at the Town Square Pavilion. Join Justin Gill, Hema Maps National Retail Sales Manager, as he takes you on a recent 3000km trip through the Simpson Desert. He’ll answer those important questions on vehicle setup, communication, fuel usage, water, permits and all the dos and don’ts to safely navigate this journey.

Camper Trailer of the Year Awards presentation is back again

Partnering with the National 4x4 Outdoors Show, Camper Trailer Australia’s ‘Camper Trailer of the Year’ (CTOTY) Awards will be presented at the Show. The competition has grown to become the most respected camper trailer competition in the country, which we are incredibly proud of.

Celebrating the very best campers in Australia, come and join our judges as they present our winning manufacturers with this highly sought-after award. The award winner will be announced on Saturday 19 August at 2pm. And while you’re there, come and interact with the Camper team as they answer questions on why these campers smashed it out of the park and some valuable advice to help you choose your next camper.

New MY23 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 range will be at the Show

And the excitement continues. General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) and the new MY23 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 range will be on display at this year’s Show. The full-size pickup trucks will have Jase Andrews from All 4 Adventure alongside them, who will be on hand to meet showgoers over the course of the event.

“The boys are going to be putting the Chevy Silverado 1500 through some of Australia's toughest and extreme terrain, I’m sure the new ZR2 will be up for the challenge and it’s going to make for some awesome TV,” said Director of GMSV Australia and New Zealand, Greg Rowe.

Jase Andrews, host of Australia’s number one 4WD and adventure show, can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the new model, saying, “I can’t wait to experience the performance of the powerful 6.2L EcoTech3 V8 engine, it sounds like it will be an absolute beast!”

While the Melbourne 4x4 Show is taking place, the new MY24 Heavy Duty will be undergoing local certification and testing in the Northern Territory. “The HD takes living big to the next level and is the truck to have when you need to get a job done,” said Greg Rowe. More details about the new HD model will be released by GMSV in the coming months.

Securing your tickets

Tickets for The National 4x4 Outdoors Show are only available online. If you purchase your tickets prior to the event start date (18 August), you can get a 15% discount with the code HEMA.

Two- and three-day passes are also available by pre-registration and children under 16 years are admitted free. There’s also a group special where a group of 10 can buy a collective ticket for $230. For ticket sales, visit the Show’s official website.