Celebrating Club Spirit: 4×4 & Recreation Highlights Around the Nation Updates from ARMA-Affiliated Clubs – December 2025 to Early 2026
Dear ARMA members,
As we moved through summer and into the early months of 2026, clubs across Australia continue to demonstrate the strength, diversity, and resilience of the recreational motoring community. From conservation initiatives and large-scale event planning to grassroots club trips, training weekends, and social camps, ARMA-affiliated organisations are living the values of Freedom, Community, Advocacy, Responsibility, and Heritage every week.
This update draws together club-supplied content, publicly available information, and recent policy developments from after October 2025, ensuring members are informed not only about what clubs are doing, but also about government decisions that may influence how and where we recreate into the future.
Club & Association Highlights
4WD Queensland (QLD) – Events, Conservation & 2026 Planning
Four Wheel Drive Queensland has released a series of significant updates as planning accelerates for its major 2026 events.
- K’gari (Fraser Island) 2026 Program:
In February 2026, 4WD QLD published the K’gari 2026 Event Timetable, supported by newsletters released in January. These updates outline preparations for one of Australia’s most recognised volunteer-driven conservation events, reinforcing the long-standing commitment of Queensland clubs to environmental responsibility and collaboration with land managers.
Source: www.4wdqld.com.au
- Corroboree 2026:
A dedicated Corroboree 2026 website has gone live, with further announcements flagged. Building on the success of previous Corroborees, this event continues to serve as a focal point for inter-club connection, skills sharing, and celebrating the 4WD lifestyle in Queensland.
Source: www.4wdqld.com.au
All Wheel Drive Club of Sydney (NSW) – Training, Touring & Community Action
The All-Wheel Drive Club of Sydney has published a detailed and diverse calendar of activities for early 2026, reflecting a strong balance between adventure, skills development, and community involvement.
- Clean Up Australia Day (28 Feb – 1 Mar):
Club members participated in Clean Up Australia Day activities, reinforcing the importance of responsible recreation and care for the environments we enjoy.
Source: www.awdc.com.au - March 2026 Touring & Training Program:
The calendar includes graded trips such as the Spoke to a Bloke C-Grade drive, touring runs including Barrington Ramblers, mystery trips in the Jenolan Caves area, and structured driver induction theory and practical weekends.
Source: www.awdc.com.au
Sydney Districts 4×4 Club (NSW) – Coastal Camping, Club Growth & Track Exploration
The Sydney Districts 4×4 Club continues to demonstrate strong participation, active governance, and a diverse trip program, as highlighted in the February 2026 edition of Along the Track and recent trip reports.
- Australia Day Long Weekend Camp – Myall River / Dark Point Area:
The club’s Australia Day camp at Myall River Camp brought members together over five nights, with staggered arrivals to suit work and family commitments. Activities included visits to Dark Point Aboriginal Place, dune walks with expansive coastal views, and a beach drive to Little Gibber Rocks. Evenings centred around shared meals, river swims, and campfire gatherings, creating a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere focused on connection and enjoyment.
Source: www.sydneydistrict4x4.com.au
- Abercrombie National Park Trip – November 2025:
A featured trip in Along the Track covered a November run through Abercrombie National Park, where members tackled steep low-range climbs, explored The Sink and Silent Creek campground, and adapted well to wet and windy conditions. The trip highlighted effective trip leadership, safe driving practices, and the rewards of technical touring in a controlled club environment.
Source: www.sydneydistrict4x4.com.au
- Training & Membership Activity:
Club reports noted driver training weekends resuming after the holiday period, a growing trip calendar, and strong attendance at recent camps, with continued encouragement for members to step up as trip leaders.
Source: www.sydneydistrict4x4.com.au
Isuzu 4×4 Club of WA – Night Drives & Member Engagement
The Isuzu 4×4 Club of Western Australia has continued to publish upcoming activities into early 2026.
- Julimar Forest – Afternoon to Evening Drive:
Members are scheduled to tackle the Julimar tracks in an afternoon-into-evening format, combining technical driving with night navigation.
Source: www.isuzu4x4clubwa.com.au - Members General Meeting:
The club continues to welcome members and guests to its monthly meetings, reinforcing governance, social connection, and inclusive participation.
Source: www.isuzu4x4clubwa.com.au
AJS MotoTrials Club of WA – 2026 Season Calendar Released
The AJS MotoTrials Club of WA has released its 2026 event calendar, making the upcoming trials season publicly accessible and supporting forward planning for riders, volunteers, and spectators.
The calendar outlines club trials, working bees, and inter-club events, highlighting the strong volunteer culture that underpins the sport.
Source: www.ajsmototrials.com.au
⚖️ Policy Watch – Items of Interest to ARMA Members
(Post-October 2025)
Government Policy Watch – Whole-of-Recreation (Post-October 2025)
This section covers recreational boating, camping, fishing, motorcycling, horse riding, and touring, not just four-wheel-driving.
Environmental Law Reform – EPBC Act (Federal)
In late November 2025, the Australian Parliament passed the Environment Protection Reform Bills, introducing new governance structures and assessment frameworks under the EPBC Act. Implementation is staged through 2026.
These reforms are not recreation-specific, but they may influence park-level access decisions, track approvals, and campsite management in environmentally sensitive areas.
Sources:
www.dcceew.gov.au
www.legislation.gov.au
Recreational Boating – Infrastructure Investment
- New South Wales:
In January 2026, Transport for NSW confirmed funding under the Boating Infrastructure and Dredging Scheme, reinvesting licence and registration fees into ramps, dredging, and public boating facilities through to 2028.
Source: www.transport.nsw.gov.au - Western Australia:
WA’s Recreational Boating Facilities Scheme continued beyond October 2025, with updated grant outcomes published and the next funding round confirmed for 2026.
Source: www.transport.wa.gov.au
Recreational Fishing – Temporary Restrictions (SA)
From 1 November 2025, the South Australian Government implemented temporary reductions to recreational fishing bag and boat limits in Gulf St Vincent, Kangaroo Island, and parts of Spencer Gulf due to algal bloom impacts. Restrictions remain in place until 30 June 2026, subject to review.
Sources:
www.abc.net.au
www.weare.sa.gov.au
Camping & Touring – National Parks (NSW)
In late 2025, the NSW Government confirmed ongoing consultation and investment into campground management, infrastructure upgrades, and booking systems. No blanket fee increases were announced post-October 2025, but park-by-park changes remain likely.
Source: www.parliament.nsw.gov.au
Vehicle Access in Protected Areas (National / State)
From January 2026, several park– and land-manager-specific vehicle access changes came into effect across Australia, reflecting local conditions, tenure arrangements, and environmental considerations. These changes are not nationwide restrictions, but location-specific decisions made by responsible authorities. Members are reminded to always check current access conditions with the relevant land manager before travel.
Sources:
https://wellingtonpark.org.au/4wd-access-1
https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/parks-reserves-and-protected-areas/park-policies/vehicle-access
Trail-Bike & Adventure Riding
Post-October 2025 guidance from several states reinforced designated access, registration compliance, and shared-trail management rather than introducing new bans. Enforcement and safety messaging increased, particularly in Victoria and NSW.
Sources:
www.vic.gov.au
www.investment.infrastructure.gov.au
Horse Riding & Equestrian Recreation
Horse riding remains permitted but tightly managed across NSW, ACT, and Queensland, with access determined by park-specific management plans, approved trails, and codes of practice. No broad expansions or closures were announced post-October 2025.
Sources:
www.environment.nsw.gov.au
www.parks.act.gov.au
What This Means for ARMA Members
Across all recreation types:
- ✅ No nationwide bans announced post-October 2025
- ✅ Strong government investment in infrastructure, especially boating
- ⚠️ Increasing reliance on localised, park-specific rules
- ✅ Continued recognition of organised, responsible recreation
ARMA’s role as a cross-sector advocate for recreational users is more important than ever.
A Note to Our Clubs
This update is only possible thanks to clubs who maintain public websites, newsletters, and regularly share news of their activities.
You may notice that this edition is more heavily weighted toward Sydney Districts 4×4 Club. This is simply because their club newsletter is received regularly, providing detailed, publish-ready content that can be responsibly shared at a national level.
If you would like greater coverage of your club, please ensure you email your club’s newsletter or event summaries through. Receiving your newsletter allows ARMA to accurately represent your activities and showcase the excellent work being done across all affiliated clubs.
📬 Send Us Your Club’s Stories!
👉 Please send event write-ups, photos (with permission), and newsletters to:
📧 me***@******et.au
A short What / Where / When summary is perfect.
Disclaimer:
This article has been prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence, drawing on publicly available information and club-supplied material, and is provided for general informational purposes for ARMA members. While reasonable care has been taken to ensure accuracy, the content may contain errors, omissions, or information that is no longer current. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official policies or positions of ARMA, its board, or its affiliates. Readers are advised to independently verify information and to rely on official government and club communications for authoritative and definitive guidance. Any corrections, updates, or submissions should be directed to: me***@******et.au
