A cavalcade of local and interstate 4WD vehicles will travel around remote areas of Tasmania from November 8 to 13 to raise money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and bring a welcome economic boost to dining and accommodation businesses along the route.
The sixth annual Drive 4x4 The Doc will for the first time spread its wings away from Victoria and NSW and Tasmanians are being encouraged to enter while it’s on home soil and before the last four places are snapped up.
With the principles of having fun, travelling to places you might not normally go, having a positive impact on the regions visited and raising much needed funds for an important local and national charity, the Drive 4x4 The Doc is an offshoot of the popular Outback Car Trek but designed more for the everyday family 4WD or larger AWDs.
Organiser Bill Patrick said that the Drive 4x4 The Doc is not the sort of event where drivers will be employing many 4WD techniques.
“There will be no crossing of swollen rivers or rappelling yourself down muddy slopes, and we suggest that participants leave the winch and snatch strap at home and pack some comfy deck chairs and the drinks cooler instead,” he said.
“If you are after a hard core 4WD event, then the Drive 4x4 The Doc is not for you. If, on the other hand, you enjoy scenic driving and a natter over the bonnet of the car at a roadside morning tea stop, then you will fit right in.”
In the past the event has explored the High Country, the Great Ocean Road, the Grampian Mountains and the Mallee regions of Victoria, and the Hunter Valley and Barrington Mountains in NSW.
The Drive 4x4 The Doc does not require any previous 4WD driving experience or skills and some participants even hire a 4WD just for the event.
Each person in a vehicle is required to donate $1000 to the RFDS as part of the entry conditions and this money stays in the home state of the participant.
RFDS Tasmania CEO John Kirwan said that during a time where community fundraising has been non-existent for most of the year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Drive 4x4 The Doc would provide a welcome boost.
“Following on from travel restrictions I think there will be people who have their holiday money saved up, who are itching to get around and see the beauty in their own backyard and make some new friends with similar interests – this is the perfect opportunity to do that,” he said.
This year’s Drive 4x4 The Doc will be run over 6 days and will start in Devonport with participant registrations, welcome drinks and dinner on Sunday evening, November 8, at Bistro Camille, Devonport.
The health and safety of participants and the communities travelled through will be paramount, and any pandemic restrictions and government health advice at the time will be strictly followed.
The itinerary for the 2020 event is:
Sunday 8th November: Welcome drinks and dinner, Devonport
Monday 9th November: Devonport – Dip Falls – Stanley
Tuesday 10th November: Stanley – Corinna – Strahan
Wednesday 11th November: Strahan (free day)
Thursday 12th November: Strahan – Queenstown – Tarraleah
Friday 13th November: Tarraleah – Richmond – Hobart
Final night dinner, Hobart
Through telehealth consultations, mobile dental services, patient transfers, mental health clinics and a myriad of other health services, the RFDS is constantly working to see that those living in rural and remote areas can enjoy the same health outcomes as those living in city areas and it relies heavily on community fundraising and donor support.
Anyone considering entering can contact Bill Patrick on 0418 626 799, Lana Best 0455 110 050 or get more information at www.drive4x4thedoc.com.au/
