Explore Australia Expo

[Bullant4x4]

Well that was a sad event, was like a half empty (-), not half full (+)  show of the August show.

I did like the Conquer CT but lacks a few things and IMHO isn't as good as the Aussie Swag.

Mrs still likes Aussie Swag for the kitchen and bench space!

As I went from CT to CT I did tell them what I was comparing them to and they gave great comments about the Aussie Swag.

So now off to Sydney with a few families to check it out.

[D4D]

We're just back, couldn't even get out of the Prado before we were spotted. Nice to meet you macca.

From our perspective it was a great family day, I wouldn't want to be an exhibitor though. The Monster truck show was pretty good, my son had some fun on the Scout rock wall, then the jumping castle and we left. Didn't really look at any of the gear, other than trying to find Carlisle who wasn't around when we went by his stand.

[macca]

Good to finally put a face to the name Jamie, we followed you in, seen the sticker and said to my brother " think I might know who that is". That sure is a nice looking Prado you have. I thought the expo was pretty good, I found plenty to look at.
gurich's Patrol on display, had a big chuckle at MDC's Lifestyle A10 copy with signs on it saying no photos or videos allowed, the signs were only on that one too so sounds like it's more than Gronk not happy

[knoath]

macca, there were 'no pics' signs on almost every MDC camper.

We went in with a list of things we hoped to buy and came away with a good result… Awning: $50 off show price after haggling, TREDs: $165 for the 1100mm set (tried to get them for $150 a pair for two pair but they wouldn't be in it!), also got a fridge stand cheap, the ARB stuff was unexpectedly quite cheap! O.o
Got a tyre repair kit and a winch blanket from there.
The missus was impressed with a vacuum sealer and bought one in preparation for the trip to Flinders Ranges.

Overall I thought there were some good bargains if you were prepared to haggle, but it was very similar to the 4x4 and Outdoors show in August.

[GU Rich]

I went today to, I thought it was a good day out!

The crowds looked good for the first expo.

[Brumbypt]

I too had a great day there, bought what was on my list plus a cargo barrier bag and a rubbish bag by redback, loved the look of it, very neat and tidy and it is HUGE.

I wanted a Darche swag bag to protect my swag, but there wasnt any there, so bought a double ARB cargo bag, very happy with it and price was $100..

finally bought myself a E Z deflator, so will go test that out this week.

Yes it cost to park and get in, but thats the show grounds and the fact that its close to the city, so its going to be expensive, but I felt the prices were quite good considering they also throw in a shuttle bus etc.

I saved the $$ all back easily with the gear that I bought. Plus got entertained for the day..

Very happy with the expo, it was well done.


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[Cruiser 105Tvan]

Did You lot see the SMALL 4x4 towing a caravan/ trailer?
I almost stepped on it. 
Someone in the background must have been having a good time with it.

[knoath]

The RC one? Loved the 'big screen' tv on the side!
We had to wait for the doors to open, glad we got there as early as we did! By the time we were rady to leave, you could hardly move!

[Robin Miller]

Our summary was a bit neutral overall, seemed quiet (friday) and show was so slow moving that many left the stands while it was on - maybe it was first time they did it and hadn't got the rythm going.

Impressed by explorer 14 camper but +80K price is a bit off putting.

At least the weather was semi-resonable.

[Brumbypt]

The weather was excellent considering it was winter, hate to be packing up today, storms forecast later.

I just discovered I missed the brown davis stand. Bugger, I wanted to look at a sump protector for my 80.


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[Markoutback]

Went in on Saturday with two of my kids they enjoyed the monster truck's and cars bit to see got a few bargains most displays when asked took between 10 to 20% off advertised price happy days

[Darcy7]

We went Saturday.  Only spent the morning there but that was enough.  We had spent about $500 and thought better to get out before we maxed out the credit card...!

Have to say the guys from Patrol4x4 forum were great and we had a good chinwag with them.  Also bought 2 of their wheel covers/bags for the van.   

The only thing I didn't like about the show was the $15 parking fee.  A bit over the top really.

Otherwise, pretty good. 

[D4D]

The only thing I didn't like about the show was the $15 parking fee. 

I thought that was reasonable, try parking in the CBD these days for $15.

[Bird]

The only thing I didn't like about the show was the $15 parking fee.  A bit over the top really.

Specially when its a show they want you to spend at, not just displays and how much the companies pay to show their wares at the show...

I was told few years ago ARB spent around $80k for their display at the big Melbourne show each year.. you telling me they cant give free parking?

[Brumbypt]

If you ask ARB how much they paid at this show, then I guarantee it would be much much less than 80k..
Glad I was warned about the parking, as then wasn't surprised, I think it was reasonable as there was a shuttle buss too. I reckon it was the racecourse fees and was out of the hands of the expo committee.

great discounts as I reckon the exhibitors had cheaper fees and also EOFY helped too.

There wasnt any shopping channel exhibitors that didnt relate to 4wding or camping..


Very glad I went, happy that I got huge discounts on the items I bought.



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[Brumbypt]

I did buy a redback rubbish bag that wasnt on my shopping list, they handed me a nissan patrol stubby holder which I quietly left there..

Was that stand run by the Nissan patrol forum? or what?


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[Brumbypt]

I see no one has complained about the petrol price and cost for them to get their car to the car park, which is also out of the expos hands.

I reckon if the expo was out in the country where you can get free parking, you would all complain about the cost of fuel to get you there..
well I came down from the country, fuel cost was close to $100, , plus entry, now I was clever and got discounted entry by buying tickets online earlier in the week..

I enjoyed the day, was entertaining and educational. And I saved heaps on 4wd products that I have been wanting to buy for years. And a few more that I fell in love with at the expo.

I loved how the exhibitors were able to give huge discounts cos I assume they were NOT charged a fortune to be there.

My complaint is the cost of dinner we had on our journey home at the  restrauant,.. and the several coffees I had to have to keep awake on the long journey home.


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[GU Rich]

Good to finally put a face to the name Jamie, we followed you in, seen the sticker and said to my brother " think I might know who that is". That sure is a nice looking Prado you have. I thought the expo was pretty good, I found plenty to look at.
gurich's Patrol on display, had a big chuckle at MDC's Lifestyle A10 copy with signs on it saying no photos or videos allowed, the signs were only on that one too so sounds like it's more than Gronk not happy

Macca, the GU  it hasn't stayed that clean for long!

Cheers
Rich

[Shelbyright]

Anyone see the Excalibur camper? Just released, Got my eye one of those when they get a few on the road. Overall i thought the show was average. But they did a great job for the first one. Im sure the next one will be much better.

[ozbogwam]

I thought that was reasonable, try parking in the CBD these days for $15.

When the organiser had said it was $5 parking only then to turn up and find it was $15, that was unreasonable

[knoath]

When the organiser had said it was $5 parking only then to turn up and find it was $15, that was unreasonable

Yeah, I was dissapointed to be told "don't know anything about that, $5 is for exhibitors…", thanks.
I was happy with our purchases and the prices we paid, but it just seemed like a 3/4 4x4 Outdoors Show, show… still, the place was chockers by 11:30 when we left!

[Market Direct Campers]

Hi All,

We thought the show was great and well worth the effort.
We met plenty of VIC Based MDC customers from the past and signed up more than 30 new future owners of MDC's, over the 3 days.
The weather was  outstanding.
We'll definitely be back next year and we are also attending the August show in the same spot.

Happy Camping
MDC Insider

[Brumbypt]

When the organiser had said it was $5 parking only then to turn up and find it was $15, that was unreasonable

That was due to the race course ppl, they told the organisers  that sunday the parking would be reduced, something to do with the market, then the market was cancelled and parking went up to $15 without the the race course notifying the expo committee.


ok

so the expo looked a little quieter as far as exhibitors, well thats cos they were all QUALITY exhibitors and there wasnt any or many SHOPPING channel exhibitors to fill the gaps..

The 4wding arena was packed, it was so packed that even 4wd tv didnt have a space.


 


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[hargs]

We parked at a nearby Gym for free...