A great idea Gazza and worth considering. As Discomatt said, 4x4 Earth run a annual gathering at various locations, including O'Tooles, Talbotville or Skipworth with members coming from Aust wide. They run excellent events but are very structured, in that you need to register to attend, sign idemnity forms etc etc; in other words they 'dot all the i's and cross all the t's'. Nothing wrong with that, but I am not sure that this site would need to follow similar procedures as in all reality it would just be another trip and the organiser would just 'Post a Trip'.
If you want to take it further, I am willing to help you if you would like, but a couple of things would need to be arranged prior to putting trip up.
1. DATE.
As mentioned earlier does not want to be on a long weekend or in school hollies. Perfect time is either side of a long weekend/Easter/ School hollies etc when all tracks are still open and the weather is not freezing cold. Maybe early April or late November.
2. LOCATION.
Will always be a contentious issue, but probably the 3 better locations would be O'Tooles, Talbotville or Skipworth. If I maybe so bold, my 'pros and cons' of each.
O'Tooles. - Many love it, big area, it has some great tracks in the area, but other than the gazebo nothing to write home about. River access is crap and only has one or two pit dunnies. Also if people need fuel or supplies, it is a long bloody drive.
Talbotville. - Great camping area, right on the river, fantastic tracks BUT , a long drive to get there, fuel/supplies a fair hike to Dargo. Also only 2 pit dunnies. Too far for just a normal weekend.
Skipworth. - Just 7 klms from Jamieson where you get supplies/fuel. A couple of pubs to choose from if you want a counter meal. Brand new pit dunnies (4), right on the Goulburn River, sealed road to camping area so no problem for caravans/camper trailers, fire pits and picnic tables. Arguably not as good 4wd driving as the above 2, but still plenty around heading towards Woods Point or heading up to Mt Terrible or Craigs Hut etc etc.
As you may have gathered, Skipworth would be my preferred location for this 1st trip. Cheryl & I took the camper up there last week for 3 days; ah the 'serenity'.
3. TRIP DURATION.
You could make it just a weekend, but that would rule out Talbotville straight away; too bloody far. Could do either Skipworth or O'Tooles but no gaurantee how many spots available. For example, our trip last week to Skipworth we arrived Thursday lunchtime and only one other camper. By Friday afternoon there was another 6 there. So to make it worthwhile and to ensure people got a decent spot I think you would want to be able to head up Thursday arvo at the latest; whether that be O'Tooles or Skipworth but especially Skipworth.
4. VEHICLE NUMBERS.
Whilst some may say make it 'unlimited' but, for the 1st one I would keep it to a maximum of 20 vehicles. Make it somewhat intimate, easier for everyone to get to know each other and more importantly possibly make it more attractive for members to bring their partners/children etc. Plus nobody wants to be camping on top of each other.
Anyway Gazza, great idea of yours and again, if you want to take it further I am willing to help you if you want.
Cheers
Reply