The 4×4 Centre

What was your first car?

It was a little Holden Rodeo that we’d bought through work. It was brought into work when I was 14 or 15, I think it needed some work, and my Mom and Brother actually ended up buying it off me. So that was just by circumstance, a little two-wheel-drive work ute.

Mate, what are you currently driving?

My new car. My new work ute is a 2019 LDV T60. Bang for buck. Can’t complain. Auto, leather, five years warranty. Half the price of a Ranger. Gets to and from work fine and looks all right doing it.

What’s been your favourite mod to a car?

I think my favourite is doing a lift kit, wheels and tires. It just makes them look like a different car.

What’s your dream car or dream vehicle?

It would be like a purpose built four-wheel-drive truck with a slide-on camper. I’d go like either an Iveco or a Hino.

Do you get much time to get out there and go camping or adventure? Do you have a favourite spot near Newcastle?

Its been tricky getting away the last two years with the business and with lockdowns, but I like the warmer weather, so anywhere north of Newy is cool. Mungo Brush is probably my favourite. There’s a river on one side, ocean the other.

What’s the best 4×4 destination you’ve visited?

I haven’t ticked off anything crazy off my bucket list yet, but I want to head up early next year to Fraser Island and Southeast Queensland and really spend a couple weeks hanging out.

Beau, I want to get to Southeast Queensland too, mate. So I hear you. Pick me up on the way! That’s just about answered my next question, but where else is on your bucket list in Australia?

I’d like to take a couple months and do the West Coast. Nowhere in particular, no timelines or real set plan, just drive across and see what happens. I’d love to do something like that, where there’s no expectation, but just go wherever feels right kind of thing.

We touched on you being a business owner, you own The 4×4 Centre down in Newy. What do you love most about what you do?

I like the opportunity we create. That’s the whole reason I’m in business, whether it’s an opportunity for myself or my team or my family. The best bit is being able to help people who come in with their cars get out adventuring. It’s really quite cool. It’s way more than just fitting parts to cars for us. It’s creating this opportunity for people to go do what they want to do in their time.

Do you have any tips for someone who’s just getting into four-wheel driving?

I mean, number one is just start and go do something and go somewhere. I would just start. But when you get serious about spending money on your car, before you spend serious money on your car, try and work out what the end goal is and make sure you set it up to that. We often see people come in and they’ve been sold a product that isn’t right for what they actually want to do with their car, and it’s a waste of time and money. Get clear after you’ve tried a few things on what you actually want to do with your car, and come up with a plan to get it there. Come see us if you need a hand.