To ensure travellers gain the skills and confidence needed to fully enjoy their 4WD adventures, we have designed our comprehensive Bush, Sand & Recovery Training Weekend. This program combines and expands on key training elements, creating an all-in-one package that maximises both your practical, hands-on learning and real driving experience.
Over two full days, you will have the opportunity to develop your knowledge, sharpen your driving techniques, and build confidence while tackling a range of terrain—from mild challenges through to more extreme conditions.
As part of your enrolment, you will also receive access to our exclusive Online Course Information, providing additional resources to support and enhance your training journey.
Description
Join our 4WD Bush, Sand & Recovery Training Weekend for a hands-on, practical experience that goes far beyond excellence.
Over two days, you’ll build the confidence to drive your 4WD across challenging bush tracks and soft sand, while mastering essential techniques such as correct gear selection, use of high and low range, track negotiation, and safe recovery practices.
You’ll also gain practical knowledge of the essential 4WD equipment needed for safe remote travel, ensuring you’re fully prepared for adventures well beyond the bitumen.
With expert guidance, you’ll learn to use a wide range of recovery gear and develop the skills to travel further, safer, and with peace of mind.
Aim
The aim of this course is to empower you to get the most out of your 4WD vehicle.
You’ll discover its true capabilities and understand its limitations, while learning how to operate safely and responsibly in off-road environments.
By the end of the weekend, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to protect your passengers, your vehicle, and the environment — and to travel in remote areas with the right equipment and skills for every situation.
To drive a 4WD efficiently requires additional skill, knowledge and confidence. Poor driving habits in a 4WD vehicle can unknowingly increase your maintenance costs considerably, the repercussions of which can be expensive, and at worst life threatening.
Travelling Safely off road and/or around this extensive country enjoying its magical landscape requires some degree of knowledge and experience.
Course Content
DRIVE AND RECOVER A 4WD VEHICLE IN BUSH & SAND TERRAIN.
Although our Trainers can teach you how to use your 4WD vehicle off-road safely in one day, unfortunately the following essential skills and knowledge cannot be compressed into a single day;
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Understanding the legal requirements for your vehicle, its specifications, and vehicle dynamics.
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Conducting thorough vehicle inspections, performing maintenance, and preparing for trips.
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How a 4WD vehicle works and the differences between the four types of 4WD vehicles.
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Understanding 4 high and 4 low ranges and knowing when to use each.
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Knowing your vehicle’s capabilities, limitations, and key features such as HDC, 2nd start, ESP, differential lockers, turn assist, and crawl control.
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Awareness of vehicle blind spots, turning circles, and seating position for safe and effective driving.
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Correct off-road driving techniques, including proper wheel placement, gear selection, and maintaining momentum rather than speed.
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Techniques for sand driving.
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Preventing vehicles from getting stuck and avoiding incidents.
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Coordinating vehicle recovery safely to prevent injury, damage, or environmental impact, including:
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Risk assessment, eliminating recovery forces, and calculating TPR.
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Safe use of recovery equipment such as Maxtrax, tow straps, snatch straps, and vehicle-mounted winches (if fitted).
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Crash-free driving techniques and knowledge of essential off-road equipment.
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Environmental appreciation and responsible off-road practices.
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Understanding essential and emergency 4WD equipment.
Off-road driving requires a combination of knowledge, experience, and situational awareness — skills that develop over time and cannot be fully taught in a single day.
What to Bring
All you are required to bring is:
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Your 4WD Vehicle and driver’s license,
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Pen and notepad,
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Appropriate outdoor wear, including covered footwear, sunscreen and hat,
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Morning tea, a light lunch and plenty of drinking water,
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Folding chair,
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A tyre gauge, and
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Sand dish mats are recommended (to keep the mud, dirt and sand within the mats).
Permits
The commercial activity permit of Bespoke 4WD Education will allow you to undertake the course, without purchasing your own Vehicle Access permit for Bribie Island. You will be required to stay with the Bespoke 4WD Education group at all times, which includes leaving the beach at the conclusion of the course, unless you have and display your own vehicle access permit.
If you wish to access the beach prior to or after the course you will need to purchase your own permit. The fees are as follows for the purchase of your own permit for Bribie Island Recreation Area:
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1 week or less = $57.40
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more than 1 week (up to 1 year) = $179.20
How to Book your 2-days 4WD Bush, Sand and Recovery Course
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Once you’ve confirmed your interest in attending this course, please complete the attached booking form from your enquiry email.
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If you do not have the form, contact us and we’ll provide one.
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Once we receive your completed booking form, we will enrol you in the course and send you a confirmation of your booking.
This Confirmation Will Include:
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What to bring.
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Pre-course Assignment (all about your particular vehicle).
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Course timings and location.
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Directions to the location.
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Course invoice –
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Payments can be made via direct bank transfer or credit card over the phone.
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Payment is due 7 days prior to the course. No reminder will be sent.
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Course Costs
Our weekend course is competitively priced, and covers:
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Online Pre-Course Assignments.
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Both the bush and sand course.
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Both the primary driver and your direct partner, of whom are encouraged to take part in both the theory and practical sessions. Please note:
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a direct partner is (husband / wife / son / daughter, girlfriend, boyfriend / couples, as an example),
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if you chose to bring a mate along, an extra $200, is applicable to the above fee. This is due to the limited spaces available for each weekend course and extra costs for a beach access permit,
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Access to Bribie Island for the duration of the sand course.
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The issue of a Certificate of Attendance for the primary driver and partner upon successful completion.
Please Note
Our courses provide an excellent opportunity for all participants to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes required to drive a 4WD vehicle effectively and safely, in an educative and supportive environment.
Due to the educational nature of our courses and in order to allow all participants to give their full attention to the course and gain the maximum benefit from the course,
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we are limited to 2 people per vehicle (Primary Driver and Direct Partner).
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our driving courses are not suitable for children.
We Look Forward To Your Booking
Bespoke 4WD Bush, Sand & Recovery courses are scheduled, as follows:
