Not as good as the Melbourne Leisurefest 2013.
Despite the Explore Australia Expo 2014 being touted on their website as being “Australia’s premier touring, 4WD, adventure and fishing expo” it seemed a little lack luster.
Presented over three of the Melbourne Showground’s pavilions and some of the outdoor space it wasn’t amazingly busy.
Although, I was there on the first day it opened; Friday 20th June 2014. It was also a typically Melbourne winter’s day. Windy, the suggestion of rain and overcast.
I parked at Flemington Racecourse and walked in. There was a shuttle bus for those people who couldn’t walk the 700 metres or so that it is from the Flemington Racecourse car park to the Grand Pavilion. Really I think if you’re into any of the things that the expo is about you should be able to walk that distance without any trouble.
I entered through the Grand Pavilion which also held the fishing part of the expo. I think they should have given them a smaller space to use, so they might have had a chance of filling the space as it just seemed a little but...not enough exhibitors for the space.
On through there was a little walk down to the Exhibition Pavilion and its neighbouring pavilion each of which held the 4WD and adventure elements of the expo. Whilst caravans and camper trailers were outside.
‘Adventure’ seemed to be their catchall for anything that doesn’t involve 4WD. There were some quadbikes and other things like that.
Also one thing that did catch my eye was the DTV Shredder. Which is kinda like a jet ski, for people who want to ride off road. It’s got caterpillar racks and is an odd combination of snowmobile, skateboard and tank. The show price for it was $7900.
It was one of the things that at least perked my interest, though only in the same way that jet skis perk my interest. Things that I like the look of, though would never really consider buying. It’s a lot of money on a toy.
The only other thing that really perked my interest was the Mini Jump Starter. It’s a lithium polymer battery that can both charge anything via USB and an assorted 12 V plugs and also jump start your car.
This I had heard of, read about on some gadget sites, but I didn’t think it had made it to market yet. So it was surprising to so here, and seemingly it does work and is good for other things like powering fridges and other things like that. It’s about the size of a paperback book. Holds its charge for 6 months and is relatively well priced.
It won’t jump start a diesel.
Well not the one they had for sale at the show, they did say that they had a larger one that was coming in 4-6 weeks that would be able to do a diesel, so I may keep an eye out for that and possibly get one, as that is one of my worries. Having an auto and it being a diesel if the battery goes flat for some reason I’m buggered.
Of course I could just get one of those larger ones that’s like a small toolbox and put that back or the tub or something but then that’s something extra and large to carry around. With this it’ll fit into the glove box.
Despite the Explore Australia Expo 2014 being touted on their website as being “Australia’s premier touring, 4WD, adventure and fishing expo” it seemed a little lack luster.
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| View of Melbourne from Flemington Racecourse |
Presented over three of the Melbourne Showground’s pavilions and some of the outdoor space it wasn’t amazingly busy.
Although, I was there on the first day it opened; Friday 20th June 2014. It was also a typically Melbourne winter’s day. Windy, the suggestion of rain and overcast.
I parked at Flemington Racecourse and walked in. There was a shuttle bus for those people who couldn’t walk the 700 metres or so that it is from the Flemington Racecourse car park to the Grand Pavilion. Really I think if you’re into any of the things that the expo is about you should be able to walk that distance without any trouble.
I entered through the Grand Pavilion which also held the fishing part of the expo. I think they should have given them a smaller space to use, so they might have had a chance of filling the space as it just seemed a little but...not enough exhibitors for the space.
On through there was a little walk down to the Exhibition Pavilion and its neighbouring pavilion each of which held the 4WD and adventure elements of the expo. Whilst caravans and camper trailers were outside.
‘Adventure’ seemed to be their catchall for anything that doesn’t involve 4WD. There were some quadbikes and other things like that.
Also one thing that did catch my eye was the DTV Shredder. Which is kinda like a jet ski, for people who want to ride off road. It’s got caterpillar racks and is an odd combination of snowmobile, skateboard and tank. The show price for it was $7900.
It was one of the things that at least perked my interest, though only in the same way that jet skis perk my interest. Things that I like the look of, though would never really consider buying. It’s a lot of money on a toy.
The only other thing that really perked my interest was the Mini Jump Starter. It’s a lithium polymer battery that can both charge anything via USB and an assorted 12 V plugs and also jump start your car.
This I had heard of, read about on some gadget sites, but I didn’t think it had made it to market yet. So it was surprising to so here, and seemingly it does work and is good for other things like powering fridges and other things like that. It’s about the size of a paperback book. Holds its charge for 6 months and is relatively well priced.
It won’t jump start a diesel.
Well not the one they had for sale at the show, they did say that they had a larger one that was coming in 4-6 weeks that would be able to do a diesel, so I may keep an eye out for that and possibly get one, as that is one of my worries. Having an auto and it being a diesel if the battery goes flat for some reason I’m buggered.
Of course I could just get one of those larger ones that’s like a small toolbox and put that back or the tub or something but then that’s something extra and large to carry around. With this it’ll fit into the glove box.