4WD 'have a go' day fun for all family

Four-wheel-drive vehicles owners around Auckland have a fun opportunity to take their vehicle off-road in a safe, enjoyable and free ‘have a go’ day in the Woodhill Forest northwest of Auckland on Sunday 21 November.

Many 4WD owners have never driven their vehicle anywhere but on sealed roads, unsure of their own and their vehicle’s capabilities.

“The NZ 4WD Magazine ‘have a go’ day offers an ideal way to sample the fun challenges of driving your 4WD off-road,” says John Oxley, the magazine’s editor and one of the key organisers of the free ‘have a go’ day at the Jeep Woodhill 4WD Adventure Park near Helensville.

“It’s perfect for those who’d love to tackle a gravelled forest track or a steep sand hill for the first time under the supervision of 4WD marshals,” says Oxley.

“It’s a very family-friendly day, so bring the kids long for the ride. And it’s free!”

A short, safe but challenging course has been laid out in the forest for 4WD owners to try in their own vehicles. Oxley describes the trail as being easy on the vehicles, while designed to give first-time off-road drivers a real taste of what four-wheel-driving is all about.

“The team from NZ4WD Magazine, in conjunction with the Jeep Woodhill 4WD Park, is delighted to host the ‘have a go’ day again this year. We were thrilled with the positive response last year with more than 150 participants taking their vehicle around the course. Everyone we talked to said they enjoyed the opportunity to see what they and their vehicles could do and it gave them the confidence to want to try this sort of thing again.”

After traversing the free ‘have a go’ course, participants can go on to try more trails in the Jeep Woodhill 4WD adventure park – there’s a specially discounted price of $45 on the day.

“Another unique experience is having a ride on the Hagglund all-terrain Antarctic vehicle – it tackles Woodhill’s mud and gravel every bit as well as it normally tackles snow and ice,” says Oxley. It costs $30 a ride for adults and $15 for children.

NZ4WD Magazine co-ordinates an array of trade displays which include the Auckland Regional Council and 4WD accessory and equipment retailers. BBQ food and hot and cold drinks are also on sale.

The ‘have a go’ day runs from 9am to 3pm on Sunday 21 November, with the Jeep Woodhill 4WD park open through until 5pm. The park is clearly signposted in Woodhill Forest – take the Rimmers Road entrance off Highway 16, just south of Helensville or refer to www.jeep4wdpark.co.nz for full directions and a map.

Background information
NZ 4WD Magazine is designed for people interested in 4WD vehicles and the lifestyle activities associated with them. It covers a range of topics of interest to the 4WD vehicle buyer and driver. It aims to provide a wide range of information covering vehicle selection (new and used), 4WD destinations, accessories and upgrading, 4WD clubs and sport, lifestyle activities associated with 4WD, adventure and track stories and technical articles. The concurrent advertising by manufacturers, dealers and suppliers gives the reader a source for more detailed information if required.

Jeep Woodhill 4WD Adventure Park offers 2250 acres of unique flat to steep forested sand hills with areas of clay in the heart of Woodhill Forest, Auckland. The park caters to drivers of all skill levels from first time off-road users and factory-standard 4WD vehicles to club level 4WD vehicles. The trials are designed for beginners, intermediate and experienced drivers, and lessons and rental 4WDs are available. Try a night-time 4WD ‘tag-along’ trip or a full day adventure from the top end of Woodhill Forest to South Head.