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4WD Driver Training
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This year has been a busy year as far as driver training goes. With changes to the OSH act there has been a noticeable increase in the requirements for driver training for both business employees and recreational 4WDers.
These changes have also impacted on the operations of On- Track 4WD, which has seen Malcolm being employed as a part time tutor by the Tai Poutini Polytechnic in Greymouth. Tai Poutini Polytechnic, Search and Rescue Institute New Zealand (SARINZ) and New Zealand Land Search and Rescue (NZLSAR) have formed a partnership to provide & deliver associated training to all SAR volunteers throughout the country. As volunteers with 4WD's can be called upon to deliver search members to designated search areas it is essential that these drivers are trained to handle their vehicles, make decisions on route selection and safety issues.
Initially, while setting up these courses and ensuring that the requirements are being met, training is being delivered to both NZLSAR and police SAR personnel in the Tasman/ West Coast Policing District. To date courses have been run accounting for numerous volunteers and police staff being trained to NZQA unit standard level in 4WDing over a 2-day course. These courses have led to some incredibly positive feedback from participants.
Along with Malcolm's certificate from TranzQual ITO (formally the NZ Road Transport and Logistics ITO) as a recognised Off - Road 4WD instructor, he has now met the requirements to become a Registered Workplace Assessor as well as a qualified Driving Instructor. These qualifications allow him to deliver and assess NZQA unit standards in 4WDing. With these qualifications and his association with the Tai Poutini Polytechnic, Malcolm can now deliver 4WD driver training to businesses and organisations when and wherever required. Because of the funding set aside by the government for adult education, courses run thru the Polytechnic are very competitively priced which has advantages for businesses and other organisations.
For those not wanting formal qualifications in 4WDing, normal one and two day courses on handling their 4WD's are available to meet the individual's requirements and expectations.
There has also seen a marked increase in the amount of 4WD trainers and operators purchasing On-Track 4WD's Safety Plan, which they modify to suit their own operating requirements. We believe this is a direct result of these operators becoming more aware of their own operating requirements and safety obligations towards their clients.
Article of interest,
4WD Training. Tasman Policing District & NZ Land SAR October 2003
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Police personnel receiving training about river crossings.
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NZ Land SAR personnel receiving "narrow track navigation" instructions.
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On-Track 4WD can deliver
subsidised 4WD Driver Training to meet both
company and private requirements. This training is delivered in a 2 day course
covering 4WD dynamics and operation along with practical driver training.
As part of this training you will with receive the following Qualifications,
NZQA unit standards,
17976 Demonstrate knowledge of operating a 4WD vehicle
17978 Operate a light 4WD vehicle in an off road environment
20848 Demonstrate knowledge of and drive a light 4WD vehicle on
road.
These courses are delivered in conjunction with the Tai Poutini Polytechnic and
attract subsidies that have been set aside by the government for adult learning
on the South Island's West Coast only.
Subsidised course requirements. You will need to attend a
course on the South Island's West Coast. You must be New Zealand born, taken up
residency or be a resident of one of the following countries, Australia, Cook
Islands, Tokelau or Niue.
You must also have a Class 1 driver licence.
You will also need to be hooked on to the NZQA framework to have your
qualifications recognised. A fee of $25.00 applies if you are not already
registered.
A birth certificate or Passport will also be required.
Course numbers on the West Coast. Minimum of 6 people but a maximum of 8.
Course fees. $160.00 per person (GST inclusive) (subsidised
cost)
These courses are still available off the Coast, but attract a normal commercial
rate.
Course numbers elsewhere. We will travel to anywhere in New
Zealand to deliver 4WD training, for this service, course sizes are limited to a
maximum of 8.
Course fees. Total course cost to your company, for the up to 8
attendees is $4978.56 plus GST
NB. NZ Land SAR volunteers are able to access this training with no course fees
thru their regional training officer.
Are you a 4WD club that
moves NZ Land SAR volunteers around in searches or at SAR exercises??? If so,
then this training is also available to you free of charge as well. Contact your
local SAR training officer or contact me at
ontrack4wd@xtra.co.nz
or give me a ring and talk about it.
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NZ ROAD TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS ITO
QUALIFIED OFF ROAD 4WD INSTRUCTOR
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(Picture courtesy of Charles Bruning)
We also offer qualified driver instruction in Four Wheel Driving. For the new 4WDer we offer courses that involve getting to know your 4WD, basic off-road skills and recovery techniques, what your vehicle is capable of and the basic equipment you should carry. For the more experienced - learn winching and recovery techniques, how to make the most of your vehicle and recovery equipment. Both courses involve practicing these skills.
These courses are available to individuals, businesses or other organisations.
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You & your 4WD
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4WD's were made for more than just the tar seal roads..... They give people the opportunity to go places that other vehicles can't get to. Tag-a-long tours provide the added safety of one or more vehicles.
Ask about our range of tours ranging from 1/2 day, full day, overnight or longer trips custom suited to the individual or group requirements.
If you're travelling to the South Island, you can suit your time with us to be something a bit different. Either join us on one of our organised trips, or contact us to arrange a day trip or even a whole weeks 4WDriving. The options are yours.
 Upcoming Trips and Events
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LITTLE 4WDing EXPERIENCE NECESSARY
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All drivers have different levels of experience and our trips will reflect this. Trips will be custom suited to groups abilities, ranging from the novice 4WDer to the more confident off-roader. This will give drivers a chance to increase their skills along the way, as each trip will have a trained off-roader leading them. All our tracks are graded from 1-5. 1 being easiest and 5 having the greatest degree of difficulty. Our staff will talk to you about your experience and options. We are not extreme off-roaders and all our trips are on recognised tracks.
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REASONABLE RATES
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1/2 day trips
Full day trips
Overnight trips
Custom suited trips by arrangement **
Trip includes either morning/ afternoon tea or both.
** some trips may require a minimum of 2 or more vehicles.
If travelling on your own, ring us and discuss your individual requirements. We are happy to quote for 1 vehicle trips.
On-Track 4WD has a limited amount of camping equipment for use on overnight or custom excursions (including tents/ camp beds/cooking equipment etc.)
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SAFETY
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One of peoples biggest concerns when they go it alone off the beaten track is safety. At On-Track 4WD we have this covered. We have experienced off-road guides with good local knowledge. All our vehicles have long range radio communications ( NZ 4WD Radio Network), GPS's, maps, full recovery equipment and first aid kits.
We have an independently audited Safety Plan and Hazard Management Plans that meet OSH and DoC requirements for safety and emergency procedures for your protection while 4WDing with us.
We worry....so you don't have too.
We highly recommend going 4WDing with Malcolm and Nancye. Being in the "older" age group and a bit nervous, the tracks we were taken on were easily handled. With safety being a priority and maps and info sheets supplied, each trip is made interesting. The information given was such a help and they both were well informed of the history of each place. The scenery was fantastic, with plenty of stops for photo's, coffee and question times.
We feel proud that we have done some of our South Islands beautiful backcountry trips, which would be not possible without the help and guidance of On-Track 4WD. And we did it all without a scratch on our shiny 4WD!
Barry & Jeanette
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Track maintenance Sept 06
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Track maintenance is an on going job. To the left is a big windfall we cleared a couple of months ago and below is a new one that has occurred since. Although the later one was partly cleared by others and just passable we removed another 1.5mtr section and other branches to widen the track and lessen the risk of damage to vehicles paintwork.
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But nothing like the winter of 2006
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Shane and I decided we would make the annual pilgrimage down to the Macaulay Hut again. We left on Sunday 2nd July, about 2 weeks after the main snow dump.
We encountered snow all the way from Arthur’s Pass running into our first problems on the Lake Lyndon/ Lake Coleridge dry weather road when we ran into a group of Christchurch 4WD’s coming from the opposite direction (up hill).
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Clearing this, we ended up in Farlie for the night.
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Next morning we left our motel at 9.00am and drove to Tekapo, after a refill of diesel we headed up the side of the lake. Chains were needed not long after getting to Lilybank Station and we fought the horrible stuff all the way to 1km short of the hut.
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Snow by now was about 1mtr deep and well past being a joke, having got the Nissan stuck and needing digging out we decided it was time to turn around and cut our losses. We got back to the motel at Farlie at 5.00pm absolutely knackered with our days exertions.
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Next morning we awoke to it again snowing and with Burkes Pass already closed we headed back towards Greymouth.
It snowed heavily all the way back to Arthur’s Pass.
Conclusion. Great couple of days, but now I hate snow more than I did before. We were well equipped and had we had problems could have walked the last distance to the hut. Wrecked a set of chains on the way out, glad that the weather, while in the Tekapo Basin, was a lovely sunny day :-((((
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.The first part of the Old Dunstan Rd had 2 vehicles cross some time before us but the 2nd half hadn't.
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Lots of powdery snow had drifted across the road in places (this was the worst one). The reason we got stuck on the snow was because we were trying to stay on the roads. There was a track around this drift up on the tussock but it had had a few vehicles across it and was getting badly torn up.
Snow is a lovely thing to see, not too bad to drive in when there isn't much of it but a big job to dig out of if you don't hit the powdery stuff fast enough. No, we did not end up digging it out, another vehicle which had gone in to assist someone else came along and gave us a tow just as we were setting up the winch
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During the day before, when it was snowing heavily, two Search and Rescue missions had been needed to rescue 4WDers who travelled into this area while it was snowing heavily. The second group, while heading into the area, was advised not to by the SAR advisor at the scene but thought they new better. After all they "had travelled all that way for a play in the snow" and weren't about to be turned around that close.
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SAR operations always occur in bad weather and we all need to remember that our "just for fun" thoughtless actions can put the lives of those that come to help us at risk. The local rescue helicopter rescued the first group and the local 4WD club was called in to rescue the second group.
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Ensure that your vehicle is well equipped, you have warm clothing, spare food and water, tell someone where you are going and be warned by the weather forecast. If the weather forecast is bad its not an indicator to us that we should be going in for a look to see how bad it is. Because you might just find out how bad it can get!!!
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Christmas/ New year 2004/2005
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Went away 4WDing with our friends Donald and Mary McIntosh from Mt Lyford. We spent a great Christmas day in the Macaulay Hut behind Lake Tekapo just the 4 of us.
Left there next day, went thru the Lake Benmore Rd from Black Forest Station and TeAkatarawa Station to the Benmore power station, over the Dansies Pass, to St Bathans.
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Next day over the Rise and Shine Rd to Clyde. Next day over the Serpentine Rd. Next day saw Nancye and I travelling around the area and thru the Clyde power station which was great. Over the Clyde to Cromwell 4WD track. Next day over the Nevis Rd to Waikaia for the night. Back over the Whitcombe Rd and part of the old man range to Roxborough.
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Next day up the Old man range to the Obelisk. Down to Macetown but the rivers were a bit high, turned around and out to Skippers Canyon for the night. Next day the track to "the branches" and back out the Skippers to Lake Hawea. There we parted company with Donald and Mary heading for home with us returning to Greymouth the next day. All the way from the Haast Pass to Greymouth in the rain.
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Above Cromwell is an old gold mining area which boasts a 23 km water race. This was dug in the 1860's and still carries water over about 2/3rds its length which is impressive seeing as little maintenance appears to have been done to it for the last 100 years. Lots of amazing sites over the whole area showing mans will to wrestle the gold from the hostile environment.
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Was a great trip, saw lots of tracks we have been meaning to go on for the last 4 years Only near mishap was on the Whitcombe Rd where I didn't succeed on a hill climb, the rear wheels slid 20 mm to the drivers side where vehicle then wanted to proceed over a 300 mtr bank backwards. Luckily it stopped about 20 cm from the edge and Donald was able to winch me back onto the track. Bit scary, haven't had a scare like that for well over 20 years now and another 20 would be great before it happens again.
I wouldn't recommend the Whitcombe Rd to anyone unless it hasn't rained for a month and some work has been carried out on a very rough track. Believe me, I are in no hurry to go back there.
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At the top of the Whitcombe, before it joins the Old Man Range track, has endless bog holes and water filled holes. The one shown was about 100 mtrs long. All had to checked for depth before driving thru. Most were up to 1mtr deep in the deepest parts.
It was a great holiday with great company, as always it's a pity the weather wasn't better and the time wasn't longer.
If you want to see it for yourself please come on one of our future trips :-)))))))
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Oh, if you are wondering about the picture with the milk bottle, it is in the kitchen at the Lake Hawea camping ground. Nancye said to me, while washing the dishes "why would there be a milk bottle with water in it be in there"??? Me being an ex fireman picked it immediately. It was the fire extinguisher of course :-)))))) I think the camp owners were probably Australian :-)))))
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Winter came with a blast in 2004
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Arthur's Pass route, Christchurch to Greymouth. Porters Pass
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TRIP AWAY. August 2003
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The Macauley Hut Once again we decided it was time to make our annual family pilgrimage to the Macaulay Hut. Heading up the side of Lake Tekapo and driving with the weather alternating between heavy rain and snow we headed to the Macaulay River with a bit of trepidation. Having seen the river high in fine weather we were not sure what we were going to be confronted with on arrival. The closer we got, the better the weather became with the river showing little sign of the recent snow and rain. After crossing we headed up the meandering 4WD track, which wanders over the whole width of the wide, meandering flood plain. The hut was empty and soon warmed up after lighting the fire. We stayed there for 2 nights on our own with star lit skies at night and warm sunny days. The area showed signs of recent heavy snowfall, but most of it was now gone.
There are many places to walk to and things to look at and see. Signs of glacial action in the valley floor with plenty of snow and glaciers further up the valley can be seen everywhere. The mountains, with snow capped peaks rise majestically all around us.
The hut is situated in an area that has had a long association with deer stalking and is now a favourite area for Tahr hunters.
At the end of our time at this great spot we packed up and headed for home with much regret at having to leave such an amazing place. We are all looking forward to our next visit.
This is a journey that should not be entertained without a well-equipped 4WD vehicle and plenty of food and warm clothing even in fine weather. As the hut is situated at both high altitude and well into the Southern Alps, the weather can and does change rapidly and often without much warning. Both the Godley and Macaulay Rivers are fearsome, unpredictable and awe inspiring, rising rapidly after heavy rainfall and during snow melt. Neither valley can be accessed if the Macaulay River is in flood. Nor should river crossings be attempted without checking the depth and flow first.
Footnote:
The Macaulay Hut was built and is maintained by the McKenzie Alpine Trust. It is situated on DoC land 17 km up the Macaulay River from its junction with the Godley River at the head of Lake Tekapo. It has 14 bunks with spare mattresses for extras. With an efficient wood stove/ oven and a gas stove it is well maintained and stocked. Also installed is a HF radio connected to the Canterbury Mountain Radio group for use in case of emergencies or accidents. The hut is free to stay in by recreational users but a donation is encouraged and appreciated by the Trust.
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SOME TRACK INFORMATION
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Listed below a few of our more popular local trips and all can be driven with "Shiny" type 4WD's. Please remember that we are able to custom suit our trips to peoples available time and 4WD experience.
The information below is NOT a guide for present track conditions, nor do we recommend, "go it alone 4WDing".
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Napoleon Hill.
Napoleon Hill is an old gold mining settlement situated east of Ahaura. In its heyday it had a pop. of approx. 4,000 people. Now all that is left of the township is the site of the old cemetery. This track is suitable for all types of 4WD's and levels of experience. Highlights include driving along the riverbed surrounded by Rainforest and driving thru spectacular tunnels dug out by the old goldminers.
One of our favourites!
Morning or Afternoon Tea provided.
Allow 3-4 hours.
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Waitahu River Track
Northeast of Reefton, this track goes as far as Montgomery Hut. It is also part of the 3 day walking track to Kirwan's hut. The Waitahu Track makes a good day out, following the track along the river for 18 km. It passes disused coal mines and crosses many fords and streams along the way. There is a 6-bed DOC hut at the end and some pretty sites for a picnic lunch.
Good views.
Suitable for all 4WD's (larger vehicles may have to be led by a
marshal thru some narrower sections.)
Morning and Afternoon tea provided.
Allow 7-8 hours.
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Big River.
A 27 km 4WD track one way. Situated Southeast of Reefton, this is one of the West Coast's best known 4WD trips. A great family day out or the potential to stay overnight at the 30 bed DOC hut at the end of the road. Beautiful scenery along the way, with many points of interest to stop and see. Has 3 good river crossing at the end. Also a must see, are some of the best preserved mining relics in NZ.
Suitable for all 4WD's and levels of experience.
Morning and afternoon tea provided.
Allow 9-10 hours.
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Cockeye Creek
A challenging 4WD trip close to Greymouth in Nemona Forest. A great way to test your driving ability and find out what you vehicle is really capable of. Be prepared to get stuck and have a bit of fun along the way. Suitable for experienced 4WDers or those with an adventurous spirit.
Morning or afternoon tea provided.
Allow 3-4 hours.
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No Name Road.
Situated close to town, this was once the county road from Greymouth to Kumara Junction. This is an exciting drive with some challenging aspects. Good scenery along the way. Look out for mud holes and soft riverbeds. This track has some river and stream crossings, including the Greenstone River at the end of the track.
Suitable for all 4WDs.
Morning or Afternoon tea provided.
Allow 2-3 hours.
Cockeye Creek and No Name Road can be combined to make a full day trip. - Please ask about this option.
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UP COMING TRIPS and EVENTS
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Trips :- Refer About Us
4WD Training Weekends
The West Coast - A scenic 3hr drive from Christchurch.
Weekend includes -
1/2 day 4WD training - Theory.(including paperwork)
1/2 day 4WD training - Practical
1 full day 4WDing on some of the West Coasts most spectacular tracks.
2 nights accommodation at a 4 Star Motel. (Friday/Saturday)
Morning/Afternoon tea and lunch each day.
Evening Meal on Saturday night.
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