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Great Divide Tours 4WD Training Centre – Castle View

 

Vic Widman, owner of Great Divide Tours, has developed what many see as the best 4WD Training facility in Australia. This is the venue you will use to receive your 4WD training.
 

Located just 14 kilometres north of the Southern Highlands town of Braidwood in NSW it is the ultimate location for 4WD training. The property consists of 240 acres in a superb bushland setting. The property is used exclusively for 4WD training, corporate conferences, motor vehicle launches and team building. It is the choice of Overlander Magazine’s rigorous 4WD of the Year testing program.
 

There are over 12 kilometres of 4WD trails specially designed to reflect the type of off road tracks you will find in your workplace or on your holidays. The numerous obstacles have all been designed using natural resources and could not more closely resemble the real world of four wheel driving.
 

Obstacles such as the skid pan, bog holes, log bridges, water crossings, stepped ascents, rutted trails and rocky river beds are found scattered around the picturesque setting. You will share your true bush training experience with kangaroos, wombats and black cockatoos, whilst having all the comforts of a modern training centre close at hand.
 

The Training/Conference Centre was opened in 2003 and boasts a huge training room with all appropriate training aids and a huge open fire to not only keep you warm in winter but add that feeling of a cosy and friendly environment. The dining room can seat up to 40 people and it is served by a commercial kitchen where the best in meals can be provided if you desire.

 

 

 

Attached to the training room is the bunk room with modern large bunk beds for your comfort. Naturally the venue is served with toilets and showers.

The huge outdoor under cover training area overlooks the large dam and provides an ideal outdoor classroom.

 

Adjacent to the training centre is a large level, grassed camping ground served by ladies and gents toilets and showers.

 

The Centre does not have mobile phone service so you won’t be disturbed during your training or seminars, but it does have a landline. The Centre is on mains power, so you are assured of the silent nights that only a country retreat can bring.


Come and see why 100% of our visitors rate our 4WD Training and Conference Centre as EXCELLENT.

Heavy Vehicle Off Road Training

 

Great Divide Tours now offers heavy vehicle off road driver training at its spectacular 4WD training centre near Braidwood.

Following discussions with Corporate clients such as the ADF, Essential Energy and Transgrid we have built a heavy vehicle 4wd training course at our Braidwood facility. 

This facility can now offer training for off road heavy vehicles up to 10 ton (or more) so if your company or clients use heavy vehicles in an off road situation we can provide our superb industry leading training. 

This is a one day course valued at $850 per person (min of 2) or it can be added onto our existing 4WD training courses for lighter vehicles, speak to Vic Widman at Great Divide Tours info@greatdividetours.com.au for more details. 

This training is also ideally suited to those that are driving large recreational vehicles such as 4wd motor homes, Unimogs, OKA’s, Canters etc. 

Courses are arranged on a needs basis or you can attend an individual course at a date that suits you (Fee is $850 per vehicle).

 Our 4wd training centre can handle any kind of 4wd vehicle

 

Our 4wd training centre can handle any kind of 4wd vehicle

Posted by Great Divide Tours on Tuesday, 1 September 2015


Individual Training

We can arrange individual training at a date to suit you. Cost of Individual Training (up to 2 persons in one vehicle) is $850. (under 16yrs $60 each, extra persons in your vehicle over the initial two $250 each) This includes all training, camping on our property (bunk house available at $40 per person per night). Contact Vic Widman on (02) 9913 1395 for more details or send an email to info@greatdividetours.com.au

 

Accredited Training


We deliver accredited training in a range of 4WD-related competencies through the Great Divide Tours Registered Training Organisation Number: 45586.

Participants who successfully complete all assessment requirements are issued with a statement of attainment listing the nationally recognised units of competency they have undertaken.

Companies that require their employees to drive a 4WD vehicle as part of their work duties can use this evidence of competency to help satisfy their ‘duty of care’ obligations to provide appropriate training and safe systems of work for their staff. High quality training in 4WD driving skills also helps to reduce vehicle damage, maintenance costs and the risk of injury from unexpected events.

Below are our most popular course formats. Each course is delivered and assessed in a face-to-face group setting at our specialised 4WD training centre near Braidwood, NSW. To prepare for the course, you will be sent a pre-reading package of course notes in advance.

Remote area driving
Competency: SISODRV001 Drive AWD/4WD vehicles on unsealed roadsNRT Logo
Duration: One day
Topics: Driving on graded dirt roads, minor water crossings, wheel changing
Remote Area Driving - Participant Information

Introductory 4WD operation
Competency: TLIC0023 Operate four wheel drive vehicle
Duration: Two days
Topics: Driving on steep gradients and in rugged terrain, pre-start and post-op checks 
Introductory 4WD Operation - Participant Information

Advanced 4WD driving
Competency: FWPCOT3329 Perform complex four wheel drive operations
Duration: Two days (note that this course is often combined with ‘Advanced 4WD recovery’ and delivered in a three-day integrated course)
Topics: Complex 4WD driving, including in rugged terrain and through water crossings.
Advanced 4WD Driving - Participant Information

Advanced 4WD recovery
Competency: FWPCOT3326 Recover four wheel drive vehicle
Duration: One day (note that this course is often combined with ‘Advanced 4WD driving’ and delivered in a three-day integrated course)
Topics: 4WD recovery using winches, snatch straps and ground anchors
Advanced 4WD Recovery - Participant Information

For more details on each of these courses, please follow the participant information links above.

 

Costs

Course costs vary, depending on the number of people you wish to book in as part of your group, competencies required, the accommodation arrangements and other services you require. Please contact us to discuss your own training needs and additional services you may require.

 

Combined Courses

You can combine any or all the above courses depending on your specific needs. This may reduce slightly the face to face training times and costs, please contact us to obtain a quotation.

 

 

On-site accommodation: Bunk style (in the training centre) $40 per bunk bed per night; or camp in our fully serviced campground by arrangement

Off-site accommodation: Motel rooms are available in Braidwood from $130 per night

Meals: by arrangement – we have a commercial kitchen and dining room on-site, and can provide breakfast, lunch and dinner to order

4WD hire: we can assist with arranging hire of a 4WD, contact us for assistance.

Customised courses

If you have specific training needs, or wish to include additional topics or driving techniques that are not normally covered in the units of competency, we would be happy to customise the course to suit your requirements.

For a quote, or to discuss your particular needs, please contact Vic Widman on 02 9913 1395 or at: info@greatdividetours.com.au.

To see our RTO policies and procedures, including policies relating to privacy, access and equity, fees and refunds, and complaints and appeals, please download our Student Handbook.

Student Handbook - Accredited training programs

If you do not need a statement of attainment to verify your competency, you may prefer to undertake one of the non-accredited courses we offer. Please see the side menu bar for the full range of courses available.

There is no guarantee that a learner will successfully complete a training product offered by Great Divide Tours nor does it guarantee that the learner will obtain a particular employment outcome which is outside the scope of the RTO. The accredited training provided by Great Divide Tours must meet the requirements of clause 1.1 and 1.2 of the company’s Quality Assurance Manual.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Individual 4WD Training

 

Note: this is a non-accredited course that does not include a formal assessment of competency. For accredited training in the relevant units of competency, please go to Accredited training.

If our advertised dates do not suit you or your would prefer one on one individual training we can easily accommodate this. Our resident 4WD Instructor at our purpose built 4WD training facility is available at almost anytime to assist. 

 

Cost of a One Day Individual Training Course (including up to 2 persons in one vehicle) is $850, & a second day's training can be added for $650.

Under 16yrs $60 each, & extra drivers in your vehicle over the initial two $250 each.
This includes all training  & camping on our property (bunk house available at $40 per person per night). 

For a quote or to discuss your particular needs please contact Vic Widman on 02 9913 1395 or info@greatdividetours.com.au


Don't have a 4WD?

We can assist with arranging hire of a 4WD vehicle, please contact us for assistance.

Refund Policy

Great Divide Tours reserves the right to cancel or alter any tour or course at any time. Great Divide Tours will determine if any refund is due if this action occurs.

In the event of you canceling a booking the following refund policy applies. Deposits are non refundable. If your booking can be reallocated to another participant then the deposit can be transferred to another course or tour of your choice which must be taken within 18 months of the original booked course. The full course fee is payable 1 week prior to the course and is not refundable after this time. 

 

4WD & Camper Trailer Towing Programme

 

Note: this is a non-accredited course that does not include a formal assessment of competency. For accredited training in the relevant units of competency, please go to Accredited training.

If you have purchased an off road camper trailer or off road caravan and are about to head out on your long awaited holiday, or you are required to tow a trailer with a 4WD as part of your daily employment, you simply cannot afford to miss this excellent training programme. You will receive training in both 4WD operation and towing off road, how to reverse your trailer as well as information on weights, loading your van and hitching it.

 

 

If you are thinking of purchasing an off road trailer but haven't done so as yet because of the fear of learning how to reverse it, we have the answer You can attend our camper trailer 4wd course and hire our trailer to learn the reversing skills before committing your dollars to a fully fledged camper trailer

Posted by Great Divide Tours on Monday, 3 August 2015


In addition to this you will be trained in how to tow your camper trailer or off road caravan on unsealed surfaces and over 4WD terrain. Trailer maintenance, trailer reversing techniques and daily checks are also covered in this must do course. 

 

What is Included in Each Training Programme

  • Training for up two drivers in your vehicle.
  • Tea, coffee and water throughout the course.
  • 4WD Operators Manual.
  • Camping on our specialist 4WD training property.
  • If you do not wish to camp we can arrange accommodation in nearby motel for small extra fee (see costs below).
  • A certificate of Completion

 

Costs (includes GST)
4WD & Camper Trailer Towing Programme 

  • $690 per vehicle & trailer with up to 2 drivers
  • $250 extra driver above first two
  • Children under 16 $60

Your fee includes camping at our 4WD Venue, if you do not have camping gear we can arrange motel accommodation from $130 per double and Bunk House accommodation at $35 per person per night, shared accommodation and bring your own sleeping bag or linen. When making your booking please indicate your accommodation needs.

 

Individual Training
If the above dates do not suit, we can arrange individual training at a date to suit you. Cost of a One Day Individual Training Course (including up to 2 persons in one vehicle) is $850, & a second day's training can be added for $650. Under 16yrs $60 each, & extra drivers in your vehicle over the initial two $250 each. This includes all training and camping on our property  (bunk house available at $35 per person per night). Contact Vic Widman on (02) 9913 1395 for more details or send an email to info@greatdividetours.com.au

 

What
In the Camper Trailer Towing Training progamme offered you will receive training in:-

  • Understanding how your 4WD system works (Practical)
  • Basic Maintenance and fault checking (Practical)
  • How to find the smoothest path to follow on any given surface (Practical)
  • High and Low Range application (Practical)
  • Use of brakes and engine braking (Practical)
  • The difference between automatic and manual transmissions off road (Practical)
  • Different traction control devices (Practical & Theory)
  • How to drive up steep inclines (Practical)
  • How to drive down steep declines (Practical)
  • How to cross deep washouts (Practical)
  • How to drive over rocky and broken ground (Practical)
  • Hitching and unhitching safely
  • Knowledge on weights & their importance - in relation to the vehicle & trailer
  • Reversing into a campsite/caravan site
  • Towing over broken ground/fire trails
  • Towing on hills, ascent & descent
  • Ramp over angles with the trailer
  • Setting trailer brakes for offroad use
  • Basic maintenance of the trailer
  • Tyre selection  

Please note - if your vehicle has a traditional tow ball mount only (not an off road hitch) you may not be able to perform some of the off road towing exercises.


You will also receive advice on

  • Camping and outback travel tips
  • Communications equipment including CB, UHF, HF radios and Satellite Telephones
  • Accessories and tyre choice
     

Where
Great Divide Tours owns an exclusive property on the outskirts of Braidwood in the Southern Highlands of NSW. Just 3 hours drive from Sydney, 2 hours from Wollongong and 1 hour from Canberra it is ideally located for easy access. This property has been developed with four wheel drive training in mind. Fully approved by Council this is a state of art training facility. It is in a picturesque bushland setting typical of the type of terrain that you are likely to encounter when using your 4WD. The nearby town of Braidwood provides fuel, meals, supplies and accommodation. Camping on the property is included in your training fee cost.

 

Refund Policy

Great Divide Tours reserves the right to cancel or alter any tour or course at any time. Great Divide Tours will determine if any refund is due if this action occurs.

In the event of you canceling a booking the following refund policy applies. Deposits are non refundable. If your booking can be reallocated to another participant then the deposit can be transferred to another course or tour of your choice which must be taken within 18 months of the original booked course. The full course fee is payable 1 week prior to the course and is not refundable after this time. 

 

 

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