Well... 4x4 Show

[WAI4WD]

Went to the Melbourne 4x4 show today... it was underwhelming. Watching Graham and Shauno on the stage, underwhelming. There was an entire pavilion just for fishing and boats. WTF?

The proving ground was this up and back strip of nothing remotely challenging. The kids area had two small rides in the entire oval. There were empty stalls.

The favourites were all there, and two pavilions were decent to walk around and check stuff out. The rest of the show was IMO, underwhelming.

Prices were sky high vs normally you get great bargains at shows.

The only good part was getting into the product experts to finalise my decisions for next years parts. Some got dumped for others, some got confirmed and my questions answered or solved once I had hands on with parts. That was the best part.

Even the campers lacked diversity. Not many camper options to look through.

Just my two cents. I was really excited about the 4x4 show. I would say, save your money.

[Aaron S]

I went to the Sydney boat show the other week, I have to say, it was the same, mediocre at best.

[WAI4WD]

I enjoyed the caravanning and camping show earlier in the year more than the 4x4 show.

[Munro]

"Underwhelming" must be a recurring theme this year, no matter where you are.  Local expo last month was nothing to write home about... by far the most beneficial to me were the local vehicle-weighing businesses and police stall with a particular focus on towing safety and compliance.

Other than that, it was the usual smattering of camper and caravan exhibitors, small-timers with some mildly interesting merchandise, 4x4 stalls displaying all the tacky and heavy tinsel you need to ruin your car, and a few purveyors of alarmingly cheap lithium batteries.

Oh, and I had to be dragged away from the roasted macadamia guy.