4cast
NEWS AND VIEWS144 http://www.4X4australia.com.auWORDS
JUSTIN WALKER
WORDS
JUSTIN WALKER
WORDSJUSTIN WALKERIRONMAN 4X4 EXPANDS
SILVERTON SUNSET MUSIC OFF-ROAD GOLDMINE
IRONMAN 4X4 IS NOW BIGGER THAN EVER.
SILVERTON HOTEL HOLDS A TUNE. CENTRAL WEST 4WD PARK OPENS.
I
RONMAN 4X4 has added to its number
of outlets across Victoria and NSW with
three new showrooms opening up. South
Coast 4x4 and Outdoor Centre, Bega,
and Hunter 4x4 Accessories, Maitland,
are the two NSW showrooms, while 4x
Extras in Kilmore adds to the aftermarket
giant’s Victorian presence.
This impressive and continual growth
is due to the ongoing interest in off-road
touring, as well as consumers wanting
a retail outlet that offers a wide range
of accessories – plus the opportunity to
see and check out the function of these
before fitment to their vehicle. Even with
the burgeoning off-road touring scene,
the decision to expand is still a very
considered one, with a lot of research
needed before an outlet receives Ironman
4x4-brand approval, as Ironman 4x4’s
Adam Craze explained.
“Our new stores are developed by
our business development team,” Adamsaid. “We look for areas where
we believe we need better
representation in specific areas
we have identified. Some new stores
are existing distributors and others
are brand new distributors. Our
project team goes in and designs
the store around the distributor’s
building, from outside signage and
internal shop fittings down to all
the images and light boxes. Our
‘conversion to new store’ concept
is highly successful and provides
the customers a showroom that it is fully
interactive, where the consumer can touch,
feel and see all Ironman 4x4 products. If
products require power, these are all wired
up so they can be switched on.
“Once merchandised, the new stores
have a grand opening supported by
Ironman 4x4 and we make a full weekend
out of it,” he said, pointing at the recent
Hunter 4x4 Accessories opening weekend.Ironman 4x4 is also busy
looking ahead at more expansion. “Our
new store roll-out calendar is booked up to
about 12 months out and although we have
more stores, we can only physically build so
many per year,” he added.
For more info on Ironman’s products and
your nearest retail outlet, see http://www.
ironman4x4.comT
HE iconic Silverton Hotel in outback NSW will be
the venue for the inaugural Silverton Sunsets Music
Festival, to be held February 24, 2018.
Hosted by Aussie country music star Catherine
Britt and her husband James Beverley, along with
Silverton Hotel owners Peter and Patsy Price, this acoustic
music festival promises a cracking time for those attending.
The event follows on from a successful month of music-
based events in February this year and will feature some
of Australia’s best artists including Catherine, John
Williamson, Adam Harvey, The Sunny Cowgirls, and more,
including local artists. The Silverton Hotel – and the
spectacular landscape surrounding it – makes for a cracking
location in which to enjoy a night of country music. You can
even doss down in your tent/swag/camper-trailer at nearby
Penrose Park (just across the river) or stay at Broken Hill
and catch one of the free buses from town.
For all info and ticket pricing, check out http://www.
silvertonsunsetsmusicfestival.comT
HE DA-approved Central West 4WD Park in NSW has
opened its gates. The 1500-acre property, owned by
dedicated off-roaders Jamie and Julie Smith, is located
at Hill End Road, Avisford/Hargraves, just north of
Mudgee and around 3.5 hours from Sydney. The park
contains more than 50 off-road tracks of varying difficulty.
The property also has plenty of camping areas, including
some magic sites right on the banks of the Meroo River.
Gaining Development Application (DA) approval wasn’t
easy and required a massive commitment on Jamie and
Julie’s part. The couple invested a huge amount of effort
to ensure the park met all the necessary application
requirements and satisfied council regulations. Their initial
application was made back in 2014.
The property’s gold-mining history was another argument
for Jamie to use it as a recreational park. He then had to get
an ecological report, sort a new access road and develop a
bushfire plan.
The park has only been open for just over a month, but
the Smiths are already fielding considerable interest from
4WD clubs, families and media. It’s currently only open from
Friday to Sunday, but if there’s interest, the park will also
open on school holidays.
Two council representatives helped with planning, while
the couple’s daughters, Jessica and Jacinta, helped establish
the park. On All 4s 4WD Club and Dubbo 4WD Club also
assisted. See http://www.centralwest4wdpark.com.au.