About Us

Our history and ethos

In 1994, Ron Dhu (now a life member of our club) gathered a group of 4WDing friends, all with a passion for adventure, and set off to explore our great country and visit places that were often a little off the beaten track. They challenged themselves and their vehicles, learned new techniques and made lifelong friends along the way. Out of these humble beginnings the EASTERN SUBURBS FOUR WHEEL DRIVE CLUB was born. (now referred to as ES4WD Camping & Touring Club)

Today, over 25 years later, all members of our small club still share these same passions. Be it that sense of belonging, exploration, challenge or just getting away from the hectic city life, it all can be found sitting around a bush campfire, enjoying a great meal and possibly a drink (or two), reminiscing on past trips and planning future trips and adventures.

If you are interested, our experienced club members can help you take that step, into what we hope would be a great new world of adventure – life can be short- let’s not waste it!

The Eastern Suburbs 4WD Club of WA (Inc) (ES4WD Camping & Touring Club) have the following broad objectives which are aligned with our peak body – the WA4WD Association of WA:
• To preserve the natural environment whilst undertaking our 4WDriving activities
• To encourage safe, responsible and sustainable 4WDriving activities and keep our environment clean – ‘leave no trace’
• Engage with other organisations to participate in track clean-ups, maintain tracks and discuss topics relevant to the 4WD community aimed at maintaining/expanding areas available for recreational 4WD use.

  • To enjoy the friendship and camaraderie of like-minded people undertaking 4WD, touring and camping trips in a safe and supportive environment

Don’t be confused by the ‘Eastern Suburbs’ name – our members are now scattered all over Perth – We are a mature club enjoying 4WDriving, still with the passion, sense of adventure and exploration for camping and touring our great country, be it in our swags, tents, camper trailers or caravans. We enjoy nothing better than being out in the bush under the stars, enjoying the ambiance of a roaring campfire with good friends over a meal and sharing a few ‘true stories’!

We are members of the WA 4WD Association of Western Australia—
our peak body representing around 30 four wheel drive clubs in WA. We work with the WA 4WD Association to promote responsible and sustainable 4WDriving in our State. The Association, on behalf of its members, engages with local Governments, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DPAW), Track Care WA and other organisations to provide consultation and representation on matters affecting community 4WDriving to assist in maintaining our 4WD tracks and to keep as many tracks and destinations open to the public as possible.

Community Activities
Our Club’s community activities include:

  • entering into track adoption programs with DPAW. We currently have an agreement in place for the Avon Valley National Park and the Wandoo Woodlands track. We have a long history of work with DPAW in the Avon Valley NP and have, over many years, provided support to manage public access to tracks during the Avon Descent event each year.
  • We have recently formed an association with Outback Grave Markers – to assist in researching, locating and marking outback graves as part of our responsibility to help preserve the unique history of the Outback and recognise those who went before. The project has gained support from many people including 4WD clubs such as ours in providing incentives for Outback Grave Markers to expand and work with similar groups caring for the Outback in different ways.
  • Our continued support of the RFDSWA is part of our commitment that recognises the critical service the organisation provides to remote areas and travellers throughout our vast country.

4WDriving Activities
We hold a range of events throughout the year that cater for the age and interests of members, including day trips, weekend trips, touring events and social events.

  • Every year we try to have a longer – more challenging 4WD trip of up to 4 weeks – however this year we have been impacted by COVID-19 – but we still managed some trips to the Kennedy Ranges, the Helena and Aurora Range and the MundAl Track from Mundaring to Albany returning via the South West.
  • Past trips have included the Gibb River Road and the Kimberleys, Anne Beadell Highway, WA’s largest and most remote national park – Rudall River (Karlamilyi), Karijini, Pilbara and Coral Coast, Alice Springs, Oodnadatta Track, Gunbarrel Highway and Birdsville to name a few. Trips over the years have covered the extremities of our country.

Benefits of joining the ES4WD Camping & Touring Club:

  • Learn from fellow 4WDrivers the skills and techniques of safe and responsible 4WDriving and touring
  • Clubs have public liability insurance (not afforded to members of non- incorporated clubs)
  • Participation in Club and Interclub trips / events
  • Advantage of safety in numbers when on trips – travelling in a convoy is more fun and safer should any problems arise
  • Learn about the sensitivities and impact of 4WDriving on the environment, follow the ‘leave no trace policy’ and encourage sustainable 4WDriving practices to ensure broad community support for 4WDriving activities
  • Hints and tips on anything 4WDriving, camping, touring, equipment and rigs (even camp cooking competitions!) – not to mention the occasional wine appreciation around the campfire.
  • The opportunity to lead an event/trip to your special place for other members of the club to undertake and enjoy. We are always looking for members to actively engage and lead new trips. We want you to learn and we will assist you in how to lead your first ever trip. Leading trips is a very rewarding experience and it also helps keep things fresh in the club.
  • Chance to make new friends through the club environment

We welcome new members, please feel free to send your enquiry via Email: eastern.suburbs4wdclubofwa@gmail.com . We can then arrange for you to meet our members at one of our monthly meetings or come on a trip to see if our club is the one to inspire that adventurous spirit we all have within us. Alternatively go to our Facebook page for up to date information on our club trips and posts : https://www.facebook.com/es4wdc