Australia’s Biggest-Ever Outdoors Show Starts Friday (and we’ll be there!)

Australia’s biggest-ever National 4×4 Outdoors Show, Fishing & Boating Expo is set to open its doors on Friday. And we’ll be there, so make sure you come and say hi!! Keep an eye out for THE SWOOSH, coming at you LIVE. You can even get in and test it for yourself!

To be staged again at the Melbourne Showgrounds, the 2019 event will bigger than ever before in every way, with over 200 exhibitors displaying thousands of products covering everything from 4×4, fishing, camping, boating and the outdoors lifestyle.

And included for the first time this year will be a dedicated Camper Trailer pavilion, providing enthusiastic visitors with even more show space under cover.

“The National 4×4 Outdoors Show, Fishing & Boating Expo is a well-honed event that offers people what they want … a great day out, plenty of free entertainment and some fantastic show-only bargains,” Event Director Paul Mathers said.

“This year, we are excited to introduce new products, new exhibitors, new entertainment features and a new line-up of 4×4, fishing and bush cooking experts on stage, to the mix.

“With free entry for kids 15 and under, it’s an affordable fun family day out with a stack of special show deals on offer to make attendance even more worthwhile.”

The Catch & Cook Stage and Waeco CFX Outback Stage will run simultaneously throughout the three-days, each offering hours of entertainment and education from the industry’s biggest names and special guests.

Women’s Australian Football League rising star Chloe Molloy is an enthusiastic ambassador for Victorian Fisheries and is passionate about getting more women involved in the sport.

Chloe will share her experiences on the Catch & Cook Stage where she will be joined by another newcomer to the Melbourne event, internationally-renowned seafood chef Pete Hilcke.

Pete will bring his years of experience creating seafood masterpieces around the world, demonstrating some amazing recipes live on stage and sharing tips on cooking up seafood treats.

Over on the Waeco CFX Outback Stage, road train driving, cattle wrangling, snake handling can-do cowgirl, ‘Jillaroo Jess’ will join the team of the Offroad Adventure Show, along with Alicia Blythe, the ultimate guitar-playing bush mechanic, newcomer Michael ‘Borgy’ Borg, and long-time offroad adventuring guru Jamie Hazelden.

New kids on the block, “The Matts,” Matt Baker and Matt Burke are also set to appear on the Waeco CFX Outback Stage, bringing their The Explore Life YouTube adventures to life.

Back over on the Catch & Cook Stage, fishing enthusiasts will be well catered for with experts Lee Rayner and Barefoot Fisherman David Hodge sharing angling secrets, joined by fish cooking legend ‘Spida’ Everitt who, along with wife Sheree, will cook up a storm and give some lucky visitors the chance to taste the results and offer feedback.

‘Ranger Nick’ makes a return this year too, his skills using a camp oven unmatched as he cooks up a cracker of a meal from the most basic of ingredients.

‘Mr 4×4’ Pat Callinan certainly won’t need any introduction to National 4×4 Outdoors Show, Fishing & Boating Expo regulars.

The doyen of all things off-roading, Callinan will appear on the Waeco CFX Outback Stage as will fellow presenter, Jase Andrews from Australia’s number one 4×4 television show, All 4 Adventure, 4WD Action’s Shaun Whale and Graham Cahill, and Legendex’s Barney Lewis.

Bringing an important take on the future direction of recreational fishing will be the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s Anthony McGrath, whose work focuses on fishing access and infrastructure improvements.

Outside, the Action Arena will be the perfect place for a break, with Monster Truck shows, the Hot Wheels Stunt Team, and the All Wheel Entertainment Quad Bike gymkhana all performing throughout the three days.

Australia’s #1 stunt man Matt Mingay will headline this entertainment package and together with the crew from the Monster Circus Show, will see trucks and bikes flying through the air to entertain and amaze kids of all ages!

This year, marks the beginning of a new rivalry, with Mingay enlisting the talents of his 11 year old son, “Madzy Evel” in a new show where the youngster takes on his Dad in a ‘best of three’ shootout.

Show visitors in the market for a new 4×4 will get the opportunity to experience off-road driving first hand or sharpen their existing skills, on the Proving Ground.

Presented by VW Amarok, the purpose-built track will provide visitors with an opportunity to practice or learn how to use a 4×4 to its maximum capability in off-road conditions, which will include rough terrain, a sand trap, compact rock segment and steep incline.

Experienced instructors from Four Wheel Drive Victoria, will be on hand to assist, making it the ideal opportunity to ‘try before you buy’ for those keen to purchase a 4WD for the first time.

There’s also plenty of fun to be had with the Isuzu D-Max Iron Summit which will be conducting rides for those brave enough, while if the kids need a break or to burn off some energy, there’s also the Kids Terrain outdoor adventure area, with rides and attractions.

National 4×4 Outdoors Show, Fishing & Boating Expo exhibitors have pulled out all the stops this year with the 2019 Bargain Hunters Guide which is jam packed with exclusive Show specials which won’t be repeated in-store or on-line.

This 40-page Bargain Hunters Guide is available for download now from http://bit.ly/2KgERA3  and is bursting with the hundreds of show specials available only to those who attend the event.

To make those purchases easier, the Expo will once again be operating a free parcel pick up service.

Located near the Langs Road show entrance, the Parcel Pickup will allow show visitors to collect and load their items at the end of each show day.

To avoid the queues, tickets to the National 4×4 Outdoors Show, Fishing & Boating Expo can be purchased on line at www.4x4show.com.au/melbourne Adult tickets are priced at $19, pensioners at $14, and children under 15 are free. Plus by pre purchasing tickets online one lucky winner will receive a Dometic PSB150 portable solar blanket valued at $1199.00

Once purchased, all tickets can also then be registered on-line to receive a free three-month digital subscription to Pat Callinan’s 4×4 Adventure magazine.

Access to the National 4×4 Outdoors Show, Fishing & Boating Expo is easy, with plenty of parking available at Flemington Racecourse adjacent to the Melbourne Showgrounds, where a free shuttle bus will run to and from the event.

Alternatively, the Melbourne Showgrounds will be well serviced with trains running from Flinders Street Station via Southern Cross Station and North Melbourne to the Expo on both Saturday and Sunday, and on Friday via a train to Newmarket Station and a tram to the venue.

Route 57 trams will also take visitors straight to the Showgrounds, with extra services running on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The National 4×4 Outdoors Show, Fishing & Boating Expo will be held at the Melbourne Showgrounds on 16 – 18 August.

For more information: https://4x4show.com.au/melbourne