The trouble with a big 4WD show isn’t finding something to look at. It’s working out what’s actually worth your time before your feet give out.
The Adelaide 4WD & Adventure Show runs at the Adelaide Showground in Wayville from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October. There are around 140 exhibitors, hands-on repair sessions and recovery demos, and the SA Boat & Fishing Show is thrown in for good measure. That’s a lot of ground to cover in a day.
So we’ve done the legwork. Here are the 10 things we’d plan our day around.
Quick visitor information
| Event | Adelaide 4WD & Adventure Show 2026, with the Club Marine SA Boat & Fishing Show |
| Venue | Adelaide Showground, Goodwood Road, Wayville SA |
| Dates | Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October 2026 |
| Hours | 9am to 5pm daily |
| Parking | More than 2,000 spaces on site (small fee), entry via Goodwood Road or Greenhill Road |
| Kids | Under 5s free, family passes available |
| Tickets | Available online and at the gate (use discount code UNSEALED) |
Who’s it for?
Pretty much anyone who owns a 4WD, wants one, or is about to spend serious money on the next mod. First-timers will get as much out of the demos as seasoned tourers.
And with the boat and fishing show running alongside it, there’s enough to keep the rest of the crew happy too.
#1. Get your hands on the latest gear
Let’s start with the obvious one. This is your chance to compare suspension, bar work, canopies, comms and 12V gear side by side, without driving between a dozen stores. Dobinsons, Pedders, Lovells, Ironman 4×4, TJM, ARB, GME, Maxxis and Redarc are all on the floor.
It’s worth keeping an eye out for the new releases too. The GME XRS-375C radio, Bedrock Liners for the GQ Patrol, Bendix Ultimate Tow+ and a Maxliner for the Ford Ranger Super Duty are all making an appearance, along with a BYD Shark 6 GVM upgrade.
If you’re more interested in what’s doing the towing, the RAM 2500 Warlock, Walkinshaw’s Amarok W600 and the Toyota Tundra will be there as well.
#2. Learn to fix it yourself at the Bush Mechanics Zone
There’s no tow truck coming when you’re 500km from the nearest town, so knowing a few bush fixes isn’t really optional. Ronny Dahl and Jamie Hazelden (The Australian Bushman) host the Bush Mechanics Zone, and it’s about as practical as a show gets.
Sessions run daily:
- 10am: 12V welding in the bush
- 11am: Vehicle repairs in the bush
- 12pm: Tyre repairs
- 1pm: Spare parts essentials, and what to do without them
- 2pm: 12V electronics
Pick the session that scares you most. That’s probably the one you need.
#3. Watch recovery done properly
Watching a recovery on YouTube is one thing. Standing a few metres from a loaded snatch strap is another.
The Follow Me 4WD team runs hourly recovery demos from 10am to 3pm at the new Recovery Area at Goyder Plaza North. They cover snatch strap recoveries, tyre plugs, and winch setup and safe use.
There are also Q&A sessions on setting up your 4WD for towing off-road, which are well worth catching if you’ve got a camper on the back.
#4. Pay your respects to Malcolm Douglas’ Troopy
If you grew up watching Malcolm Douglas, this one’s a bit special. He did more than 30 trips around Australia in this 2001 Troopy, with not much more than an Engel fridge, his cooking gear and a swag on the roof.
After years sitting idle in Broome, it’s been fully restored by Rust Worx in Perth, and it still runs the original 1HD-FTE. You’ll find it next to the Engel Bush Camp Stage. Grandson Owen Douglas does a walkaround of the rebuild at 2pm daily, and he’s well worth listening to.
Pssst: we covered the full restoration story in Malcolm Douglas’ iconic Troopy is back on the road.
#5. Grab a seat at the Engel Bush Camp Stage
When your legs need a break, the main stage is the place to be. Expect trip planning with Camp By Me, touring with kids from Wandering Aus Adventures, Travel Talks on planning your next trip, and a panel on building the ultimate touring 4WD. The 4WD 24/7 crew will be sharing their latest adventures too.
The content creator panel is on at 1pm, and the Wild Rigs Show & Shine winners are announced at 3pm.
#6. Climb through campers before you buy
Photos never tell you whether the kitchen slide is at a sensible height, or if the bed genuinely fits two adults. Walking through a camper does.
Bushtracker, MDC, Kokoda, Austrack, Offline Campers, Stoney Creek and Jacksons are all on site, along with slide-ons from Tommy Campers and Tailgate Campers. The ARB Earth Camper GT and the Kokoda F196 XC3 are both worth a look.
Having travelled with a teardrop and two kids for a few years now, my advice is simple: bring a tape measure and a list of non-negotiables. It’ll stop you falling for the shiniest one in the hall.
#7. Steal a few build ideas at the Wild Rigs Show & Shine
The Wildtrak-backed Wild Rigs Show & Shine brings together Classics, Wild Rigs and Overlanders in the Clubs Display area. Look past the paint jobs. The real gold is in how people have laid out their storage, wired their electrics and kept payload in check.
Shed Life’s K-Truck and TJ’s LandCruiser are on display too, if you need further proof that some people have far more patience than the rest of us.
#8. Meet the people behind your feed
The iTechworld Content Creator’s Area is where you’ll find Shed Life, Sam Young, Bronte Clarkson (Miss GQ), Nick Burton, Seth Gerschwitz (Dusty Livin), Mike & Dee (Outback Offroad Offgrid), Jess & Mitch (Wandering Aus Adventures), Kosta & Anna (Camp By Me) and Lachie Campbell (Cambie79).
If you’ve ever wanted to ask someone how they really keep the fridge running for a week off-grid, here’s your chance.
#9. Keep the kids busy at the Nitto Grappler Ground
Kids (and, let’s be honest, plenty of adults) can have a crack at the Nitto Grappler Ground, a mini off-road course for RC 4WDs with prizes up for grabs.
Add Wilbur’s Wildlife at 12.30pm on the main stage and the free Recfish SA fishing simulator, and you might just buy yourself enough time to look at that canopy properly.
#10. Grab a deal, and a shot at a $50k caravan
Plenty of exhibitors run show-only pricing, so it’s a good time to buy, or at least shortlist. Advertised specials include 20% off suspension kits at Dobinsons (stand W9), 10% off towbar fitment at Hall Towbars (A2) and cash-and-carry pricing at ARB (J29).
There’s also an MDC Forbes 11 Hybrid Offroad Caravan, valued at almost $50,000, up for grabs. Buy your tickets online before the show and you’re in the draw automatically. Not a bad return on a day out.
A few tips before you go
- Get there at 9am, before the halls fill up.
- Plan your day around the Bush Mechanics and recovery demo times.
- Wear comfy shoes and bring a backpack for the brochures.
- Food outlets are cashless, but there are ATMs on site.
- Leave the dog at home (assistance dogs only).
- Allow most of the day if you’re shopping for a camper.
Is it worth going?
If you’re planning a trip, building a rig or about to spend real money on gear, yes. You’ll learn more in an afternoon at the Bush Mechanics Zone than in a week of forum threads, and seeing gear in person beats any spec sheet.
Just wear comfy shoes. You’ll thank me later.
FAQs
When and where is the Adelaide 4WD & Adventure Show?
Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October 2026, 9am to 5pm daily, at the Adelaide Showground in Wayville.
Is there parking at the show?
Yes. There are more than 2,000 spaces on site for a small fee, with entry from Goodwood Road or Greenhill Road.
Is the show family friendly?
Yes. Under 5s are free and family passes are available, plus there’s the Nitto Grappler Ground, Wilbur’s Wildlife and a free fishing simulator.
Can I bring my dog?
No. Only assistance dogs are allowed.
How long should I allow?
At least half a day. If you’re comparing campers or catching the demos, make it a full day.
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