| Q | What exactly is a Tag Along Tour? |
| A | 4WD Tours guided by an experienced guide ( myself ) in my escort
vehicle. Participants either drive their own or a rented 4WD vehicle. Escort Vehicle Passengers are at times possible. The information below should answer most of your questions and will help you to decide if this is the type of adventure you would like to participate in, or if you would rather be a passenger on one of my normal 4WD Tours. |
| Our 4WD Tag Along Tours must not be mistaken for
extreme 4WD excursions such as maybe organised by 4WD Clubs for their outings.
We aim to provide a safe means for all our participants, who often are 4WD novices, to explore the remote areas of our country and to experience it's beauty away from the throng of the masses and over commercialised destination. For many it will also be an introduction to 4W-Driving. |
|
| Q | I have meet people who have done trips similar to your Tag Along Tours on their own. Why should I not do the same? |
| A | For your safety. In our remote areas it would be unwise to travel
on your own or with someone equally inexperienced. You could become ill,
get lost, have a vehicle breakdown or you my get bogged and stranded in
remote and little traveled areas. Traveling in a convoy with an experienced guide minimizes the risks. An experienced guide can take you to places you would never find on your own, he plans the routes and does all the organising. It ensures that you see the best of the natural attractions - many of which are off the beaten track and easily missed by independent travelers. |
| Q | Some of your Tag Along Tours go to the same places that you visit with your other tours, why should I not just sign on for one of those? |
| A | With Tag Along Tours you get to do the driving, you get a chance
to meet other people who share the same interests. Great friendships and
camaraderie can develop during such tours. For many participants it is also their introduction to traveling in remote areas, driving in difficult terrain and a great learning experience for later independent trips. Of course you can also take part in my normal 4WD Tours or have a tour customised just for yourself or for your group. |
| Q | What does an operator provide for the Tag Along Price? |
| A | The Planning and organization. Expert knowledge of the areas Knowledge of fauna and flora Many years of Experience Mechanical knowledge in case of breakdowns etc. 4WD Training for the participants. One or more escort vehicles Basic spare parts and a comprehensive tool kit Recovery Equipment Emergency Communications Equipment ( RFDS Radio or Satellite Phone ) First Aid Kit Maps and information for each participant Reservation of camping areas and other accommodation where required Organization of and negotiating prices for suitable hire vehicles. Organizing Fuel drops where needed |
| Q | Beside the tour price, what other costs are involved? |
| A | Rental of a 4WD vehicle ( if needed ), All costs associated with your vehicle, including fuel, spare parts, repairs, recovery if required At times additional jerry cans and water containers. Hire of a UHF CB radio for inter vehicle communications. Nat. Park Fees Camping Fees Any alternative accommodation Your Food, drinks etc.. ( with a few exceptions ) Getting yourself to the starting point of the tour and return home after the tour. Any optional activities along the route. |
| Q | I have never driven a 4WD. Will I as a novice be able to take part in such tours? |
| A | Novices and whoever needs it will be given instruction and advice,
especially during the first few days of such tours. On our recent East-West
Crossing all our novices mastered Big Red after their introduction to 4W-Driving.
You can read their Report here: http://www.redcentre.com.au/4x4/EWX2001-Journal.htm |
| Q | I don't have a 4WD. Where can I hire one that is suited for the trip? |
| A | There are many companies in Australia from whom you can hire a
4WD vehicle. However many of them place restrictions on the areas and routes
that you may wish to travel. We can assist people who want to take part on our tours with the hire of suitably prepared and fitted out vehicles on which there are no such restrictions, provided that we are given sufficient notice. |
| Q |
How much must I expect to
pay for a rented 4WD? |
| A |
The cost of rented 4WD cars in Australia varies widely.
You can find some at about AU$ 120.00 per day, then again you will also find some at well over AU$ 240.00 per day. Many Rental Companies won't permit their cars to be taken on the routes we travel. Some prices will be quoted including insurance, stamp duty and GST and even a fridge, 2nd spare wheel, tool kit, recovery equipment, crockery, cutlery and camping equipment, while with others this may all be extras that you have to add on. Vehicles suited for our Tag Along Tours need to be well prepared and fitted out and some of the vehicles available for rental would not be satisfactory. We are usually able to negotiate good prices for well prepared vehicles because of the volume of our business. To be able to do so it is however very important for us to reserve those vehicles well in advance. |
| Q | I'm not yet 25. Will I be able to take part on your tours? |
| A | Yes, provided you have your own vehicle or as a passenger in another
vehicle. There maybe a problem if you are planning on renting a vehicle. Car Rental companies generally will not permit people under the age of 25 to drive their 4WD vehicles. If you however have a partner who is older than 25 and has a current driving license then the vehicle can be hired by him/her. |
| Q | If I hire a vehicle in Perth and want to drop it off in Darwin, are there penalties or relocation charges? |
| A | With most companies yes. It at times depends on the lengths of
the hire period. When we negotiate for a number of cars like we do for our Tag Along Tours then it is at times possible to have those charges waived or reduced. This is also a reason for us reserving such vehicles very early so that the company has a better chance to hire those vehicles out again from where we drop them off. |
| Q | What does "self catered" mean? |
| A | On our Tag Along Tours you provide for and cook your own meals
with the exception of a some communal meals which we provide for and when
participants assist with the preparation. For Escort vehicle passengers all meals are provided. ( check the itinerary for any exceptions ) |
| Q | I have seen other operators providing all meals, why don't you? |
| A | Compare their and our prices. It's easy to work out that providing
and preparing your own meals saves you much more than the cost of the food.
Anyhow, you might be a light eater, the next person may eat twice as much: Why should you pay for his food? Another consideration are the logistics: There are people who only eat vegetarian meals, others have food allergies etc.. If we had to prepare 3 different type of meals then dinner may never be served before it's time to get to sleep. |
| Q | What happens when my car breaks down? |
| A | This is one of the major reasons people come on Tag Along Tours.
You can be assured that everything possible will be done to get you mobile
again, even if it's by improvising, and to at least get you back to civilization.
In an extreme case where it may not be possible to get you going again you won't be stranded. Space will be available in other vehicles or in the escort vehicle to carry you and with our RFDS radio or Satellite Phone we will be able to call for assistance and to organize the recovery of your vehicle. |
| Q | Can I take a 4WD Bushcamper on a Tag Along Tour? |
| A | While it is possible, depending on how it's prepared we strongly
discourage the use of Bushcampers. There are many reasons: No space for the safe storage of a 2nd spare wheel. No storage Space for fire wood which has to be carried in many areas. The risk of overhead damage when we travel in areas that maybe overgrown. Many participants will be traveling in 4WD Station Wagons or Troop carriers. It will always be up to them to carry the firewood etc. on their roofracks which is not a fair situation. People in Bushcampers will forever be ready much quicker in the mornings than those that camp and have to break camp and pack up. This over time causes friction and stress and is detrimental to the teams morale. Stress can also result in misjudgment and accidents. While we discourage the use of Bushcampers for the above reasons, it may still be possible on some tours. |
| Q | I have my own 4WD vehicle. Does it have to be fitted out with accessories not normally part of a new 4WD vehicle? |
| A | Any of the larger 4WD vehicles will be suitable for most of the
Tag Along Tours. A 2nd spare wheel is a must. A Long Range Fuel tank is highly desirable. The preferred fuel is diesel. Bull bars and a roof rack are desirable. If the trip includes any of our deserts then a sandflag is essential. An Air compressor, jumper leads and and snatch strap are highly desirable. An elect. fridge and dual battery setup is required. A UHF CB radio is essential for inter vehicle communications. Several jerry cans and water containers maybe required but this varies, depending on the trip. All vehicles not hired from our normal suppliers will have to undergo a thorough check as to their mechanical condition and suitability for the indented trip. |
| Q | What is different for escort vehicle passengers and self driving participants? |
| A | Escort vehicle passengers take part as passengers and are fully
provided for by the operator, including their camping equipment, Nat. Park
Fees, meals and other accommodation. ( check the itinerary for any possible
exceptions ) They can not normally drive any of the vehicles ( Insurance matter ). They are encouraged to participate in all other activities and tasks and are asked to assist the operator in the preparation of their meals, setting up their tents and packing up. |
| Q | Are children permitted on your Tag Along Tours? |
| A | Yes, but preferably not below the age of 8 when we travel in very
remote areas. Keep in mind that the maximum number of people per car we normally permit on most Tag Along Tours is two adults and one child. Please ask us as this depends on the tour and the areas where we will be traveling. |
| Q | Do you run Tag Along Tours every year? |
| A | Generally we run at least one long Tag Along Tour per year as for
example our 2001 East - West Crossing or our 2002 Canning Stock Route tour.
Others, for example through the Simpson Desert, are possible but are not normally scheduled unless we have received at least 5 serious inquiries for it and at least 6 months in advance. |
| Q | When is your next Tag Along Tour? |
| A |
2009
July, Canning Stock Route, start & finish in Alice Springs Email for more information for 2009. Please tell me your preferred trip, your ages, your vehicle details and dates preferred. If you require a hired 4WD vehicle then it is extrely important to reserve it as early as possible! |
|
2010: ( Planning stage )
June, Canning Stock Route. July, East - West Crossing. August, Kimberley, from Darwin to Perth. Canning Stock Route or West-East Expedition. It is possible that one of those tours follows on from the Kimberley Tour. Email for more information for 2010. Please tell me your preferred trip, your ages, your vehicle details and your preferred dates. If you require a rental vehicle please let me know at least 9 months in advance. |
|
|
What past participants have to say.
|
|
| EWX 2001 Journal:
http://www.redcentre.com.au/4x4/EWX2001-Journal.htm
2002 CSR Journal: http://www.redcentre.com.au/4x4/brons_csr_journal.htm |
|
|
http://www.redcentre.com.au/red-centre.html |
|
| Email Inquiries here please. Please indicate the year, preferred destinations, ages of participants and if you require a rented vehicle. |