REPORT - 2023 National 4x4 Outdoors Show Brisbane
Words: Mike Ryan
Photos: Tymon Blizzard
After a big 2022 show, the National 4x4 Outdoors Show returned to Brisbane in 2023, allowing Queenslanders to see, try and buy the best gear available for enjoying Australia’s great outdoors, with a lot more to experience and enjoy, too.
Held from 17 to 19 March, this year’s Brisbane event was an off-roader’s paradise, with all the big names exhibiting, like Ford, Isuzu, GMSV and Ineos on the manufacturer front; the latter debuting their Grenadier 4x4 to the Australian public.
The aftermarket was represented by the likes of ARB, Maxtrax, Hamer, Yakima, TJM (happy 50th guys!), Ironman 4x4, Piranha Off Road, Rhino Rack, Unifilter, Pedders, Method Wheels, East Coast Bullbars, PWR, Mickey Thompson, Dobinsons Suspension, Hema, Big Red Gear, Kaymar, Opposite Lock, Maxxis, Bilstein, Fulcrum Suspension, Bendix, Rola, Hayman Reese, EC Offroad, Cooper, McCormack, Narva, CAOS Gear, and Raw 4x4, to name just a few.
In terms of eye-catching and unmissable displays, there was plenty to choose from, with big set-ups from TJM and ARB, but few could top JAX Tyre & Auto, who had the world’s largest production passenger car tyre on their stand in the form of a Mickey Thompson Baja Pro XS that was a whopping 58 inches. JAX also presented new rubber from Hankook and BF Goodrich, in the form of the Dynapro XT and HD-Terrain T/A KT, respectively.
Discounts and special offers from JAX were reflected in other stallholders and exhibitors, too. If you were after a bargain, the National 4x4 Outdoors Show Brisbane was the place to be, with an abundance of show-only specials.
If you were looking for accommodation to add to or tow behind your 4x4, then Patriot Campers, Caravan HQ, Ezytrail Campers, Signature, Hardkorr, Austrack, Star Vision, On the Move, Van Cruiser, Bonetti, Opus, Network RV, Royal Flair and others had you covered. In fact, this year's Brisbane show had the biggest caravan display in the event's history.
Newcomers in this space included My Dream RV, who made the journey from Melbourne to be a part of this year’s Brisbane show.
In total, there were more than 150 exhibitors this year, including clubs, tour operators, training providers, offroad/outdoors content creators and industry bodies.
“We are really proud to have once again drawn together all of the top companies that are focussed on the outdoors, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive with many expressing interest in returning next year,” said Event Director, Jon Perry.
NOT JUST A SHOP
Of course, the National 4x4 Outdoors Show isn’t just a place to try and buy the latest off-road kit; it’s also a place where you can learn, listen and be entertained.
“Whilst the focus of the show is on grabbing a bargain and education and information sharing, there was a range of interactive demonstrations that kept adults and kids entertained," Perry added.
An extraordinary wildlife experience was provided by the team at Black Snake Productions, who allowed showgoers to get up close and personal with Australia’s unique native animals, taking selfies and learning tips and tricks that could one day prove lifesaving.
In the interactive and informative space, a new addition at Brisbane this year was Girls Day Out, whose all-girl crew hosted two workshop demos across the weekend – one for the beach and the other for the bush. As part of their "4WD Edition," the objective of these workshops was to teach women the skills to enjoy the great outdoors in what’s traditionally a very male-dominated space. The Girls Day Out crew were also offering membership discounts for showgoers.
Other Brisbane debutants this year included the team from Budget Builds, who had a display of their tricked up vehicles from the popular online series, and Mick, The Camp Oven Cook, who ran campfire cooking demos each day and shared his tips for mastering camp oven cooking.
Firm Favourites
Past favourites at the National 4x4 Outdoors Show in Brisbane continued to be favourites for the 2023 edition, including the Proving Ground presented by MOTORAMA 4x4 More, where visitors tested their 4x4 driving skills, or took a complimentary test drive.
The Outback Stage was as popular as ever, too, with this year’s lineup of all the big personalities in the outdoor adventure scene, including Matt Baker from The Explore Life, Jase and Simon from All 4 Adventure, 4WD 24/7 hosts Shaun and Graham, Brianna and Bridget from Red Dirt Diary and Pat Callinan, who also had vehicles from his most recent TV series on display.
Back in 2024
What’s shown here just scratches the surface of what was on offer at the 2023 National 4x4 Outdoors Show Brisbane. If you missed it, you missed out! But fear not, the show will return to Brisbane in early 2024 – the dates are TBC, but usually late March.
To keep up to date on next year’s Brisbane show as it draws nearer, go to: 4x4show.com.au
