The launch of the “new and improved” Outdoor Recreation Party was at the recent 4WD Adventure Show at Eastern Creek, where President, Peter Whelan and Treasurer, David Leyonhjelm said “g’day” to many existing members and signed up almost 50 new members.

One of the more interesting ‘discoveries’ at the recent 4WD Adventure Show was the range of Conqueror Camper Trailers. Imported from South Africa but modified with local suspension components etc they present a full range of Camper Trailers and certainly look the part.

The Biji Barbi is a throwback to the simple days of using a disc plough plate for a barbi plate. When I was a kid we had just such a BBQ plate and it was probably one of the best barbie plates I ever had. So when I saw the Biji Barbi all those years ago I just knew it would be good and it has been excellent. I write this because at the recent 4WD Adventure Show the old faithful Biji Barbi was there yet again.

The all-new Mitsubishi Challenger XLS 2.5L DID can be described as an honest 4wd. It has a great blend of comfort, robustness and off road capability. Combined with the ability to seat 7 there are few competitors. We put the Challenger through its paces at a friends farm and the more we drove it the more it impressed us. Think of it as a Wagon version of the popular Triton you can grasp just how good it is.

Finally Subaru has entered the diesel market. Long renowned for its fabulous boxer motors, they have applied that technology to produce the world’s first boxer diesel motor for a passenger car.  The super-efficient Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive Outback 2.0D offers outstanding economy and low emissions, meeting strict EURO 5 standards and consumes just 6.4 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres in the combined cycle. We hooked a camper trailer on the back and headed off.

The 4WD adventure SHOW is pleased to announce entertainment stalwart and ex Australian Test Cricketer, Mike Whitney, as its official Ambassador for the inaugural 4WD adventure SHOW - Sydney Dragway, Eastern Creek - Friday 27 August until Sunday 29 August, 2010.

Kia has launched the all new Sportage in a snow filled setting in New Zealand. The Kia Sportage is a striking new design and comes with a choice of three trim levels, three engines and two transmissions. Kia's Sportage challenges the already packed compact SUV segment and should do extremely well.

All in all the Range Rover Sport Luxury lives up to its name. it is a luxury sports 4X4. High build quality, high comfort levels, high horse power, more safety features and gadgetry than you can poke a stick at, this vehicle has it. You feel at home running around town and if you want to try it in the bush, it will take you there. That is the key as almost all of its competitors will pull up short when the tarmac ends.

Winnebago is intent on making inroads into the Australian Campervan market with the introduction of two unique and versatile campervans – Escape and Diversion. Most campervans on the market today are designed to cater for two people but Winnebago’s new Campervans take comfort and versatility to a new plateau and both models will cater for four people in style. 

Australia’s largest recreational vehicle manufacturer, Jayco, has joined forces with Mercedes Benz to create one of the highest quality and best value motorhomes on the market. The Mercedes Sprinter chassis offers rear wheel drive, a greater towing capability of up to two tonnes, and an increased carrying capacity of 4490 GVM.

The Jayco Campervan is back on the market after a two-year hiatus. The popular category has been upgraded so that it can continue to offer Australian travellers the opportunity to take a budget-friendly trip across the country, or a simple weekend away. Jayco’s Marketing Director, Andrew Ryan, said Jayco is excited to be offering customers a new, improved Fiat B Class Campervan.

From the retro Wintersun Rock and Roll festival in Mildura to the Beer Can Regatta in Darwin to the Gourmet Food Weekend in the Barossa Valley to Opera Under the Stars at Cable Beach these are our top ten picks of what's on around Australia in August.