2016 Explore Australia Expo at Doomben

Key notes:  Father’s Day weekend; new venue, new dates (previously at Manly Boat Harbour, March 2015); and free on-site and street parking

EXPLORE Australia Expo is an inspiring and innovative three-day consumer exhibition, being held at Doomben Racecourse from September 2-4, 2016. The Expo brings together the elite of the outdoor industries and a diversity of overlapping communities, all with a thirst for adventure.

Whether it is the winding roads of Australia’s spectacular coastline or the adventurous and remote travels of our majestic outback, Explore Australia Expo promotes getting off the beaten tracks and safely exploring our wondrous backyard.
The event takes a new approach to consumer exhibitions, offering patrons a spy, try and buy experience, all in the one place.

With unique workshops, seminars, activities, educational platforms and challenges set to engage all levels of consumer, the event delivers a truly interactive experience.  Industry-leading personalities and identities are on hand to offer advice, solutions and inside tips, while the dynamic Adventure Track hosts demonstrations on recovery, driving techniques and 4×4 operation, as well as displays from a diverse team of stunt drivers.

Explore Australia Expo has been designed to engage, inspire, educate and entertain visitors. Families, couples, mates and solos are turning to simple travels within Australia, the adventures of trekking to your desired destination and the activities you choose to do once there.

The inaugural event, held at the Manly Boat Harbour in March 2015, was hailed as a huge success, exceeding the expectations of both consumers and exhibitors. Over 18,000 visitors experienced three days of non-stop action, demonstrations, seminars and workshops.

Exhibitor feedback reported the Expo hit its target market and the quality of visitors resulted in a higher than normal conversion rate for sales. The 2015 initiatives such as the Oricom Adventure Track, Korr Lighting Show & Shine Competition and TJM 4×4 Megastore Club Corner, to name a few, were extremely popular with show visitors and will be back in 2016.

The relocation of the event to Doomben Racecourse in September offers a number of benefits for both exhibitors and visitors:

• Easier access from arterial roads and public transport;
• Premium indoor and outdoor exhibition space;
• Free on-site parking for visitors and exhibitors;
• Easily identified venue for both north and south Brisbane residents;
• Increased opportunity for growth of the event; and
• Strategic placement on Father’s Day weekend.

With over 100 exhibitors displaying the latest products, services and destinations for four-wheel-driving, camping, fishing and adventure, Explore Australia Expo also delivers entertainment for the whole family. The dynamic Adventure Track, proudly presented by Oricom, will feature everything from standard to extreme 4x4s on show. There will be demonstrations on recovery, driving techniques, 4×4 operation and plenty more, as well as captivating performances from AusTruck 4×4 Racing and ATV/UTV demonstrations.

A full schedule of events sees standard, modified and extreme 4WD vehicles performing a range of demonstrations. Key show partners will provide tutorials on safe winching, diff locks and suspension, how to use a snatch strap and driving techniques. The annual 4WD Show & Shine Competition, proudly sponsored by KORR Lighting, runs on the Sunday of the Expo.

Successful entries will be displayed along one of the main thoroughfares, with select judges evaluating the vehicles in the afternoon and the prizes awarded at 4pm on the main stage. This category is open to all 4WDs, old and new, custom or stock. Vehicles will be assessed on cleanliness, detailing, accessories, customisation, functionality and overall presentation. There’s over $2000 worth of great prizes thanks to KORR Lighting and the event organisers can’t wait to see the impressive entries.

Local 4×4 clubs are an important part of the community and a major focus of Explore Australia Expo. The all-new TJM 4×4 Club Corner, proudly supported by TJM 4×4 Megastore and Four Wheel Drive Queensland, provides the opportunity to engage with your local club in a welcoming and relaxed environment. In the past, 4WD clubs have only had a minimal involvement with such events.

Explore Australia Expo understands the importance of clubs, their sense of pride and achievement and how they represent a large and diverse aspect of our community, as well as the extensive community work they do. A diverse range of 4WD clubs will be on display, so come and have a relaxed chat with their members, share your 4WD and travel stories and sign up as a new member.

Fishing enthusiasts are in for a real treat at Explore Australia Expo Brisbane 2016, with The Rod Train and TackleBusters at this huge event.

The Rod Train is an 18m prime mover set up to showcase a huge display of quality fishing gear from the biggest brands, plus a 5m x 2.1m LED screen showing the latest fishing shows that plays non-stop all day. It’s the world’s largest mobile fishing tackle shop.

Another visually spectacular attraction at this year’s Explore Australia Expo is the Berkley Supertank, which offers an educational and entertaining experience that demonstrates different fishing techniques. The fishing tank is a 21m-long, 5m-high glass fishing pond holding 14,500 litres of water in live fish, usually barramundi, are enticed by various lures. The shows are interesting and informative for all who enjoy outdoor activities, not just fishers, as the shows include information on 4WD off-road safety, eye safety such as which glasses are best under different conditions, boat safety, knife sharpening, motor maintenance, holiday destinations and of course lure fishing. This tank has the ability of being able to show how a lure works in the water and which lures work best in different areas and under different conditions.

Explore Australia Expo offers the ultimate lifestyle experience, with premium products and services on display to inspire, educate and motivate a wide audience of outdoor enthusiasts. The event is proudly and passionately managed by an experienced event management team made up of avid outdoor enthusiasts who are keen to invest back into the Industry and the exhibition.

Unique links with consumers, community and industry will continue to offer a more engaging and functional Expo and the organisers’ demonstrated ability to develop and deliver fresh yet relevant entertainment remains the benchmark for such events.

For more information, visit exploreaustraliaexpo.com.au/Brisbane or Facebook. To buy tickets, click here.