Tony is an accredited Savannah Guides tour guide, EcoGuides Australia, and Tour Guides Australia certified guide, Remote Area First Aid accredited [HLTAID013 Provide First Aid in remote and isolated sites] and Cert IV Trainer & Assessor 4WD Instructor. He has been involved in the 4WD industry for the last 20 years, guiding in Australia for 9 years since moving from New Zealand. With the qualifications of a Degree in Tourism and a Masters Degree in Science specialising in Wildlife Management, he is also a self-confessed "wildlife fanatic".
Tony is an avid outdoorsman, keen photographer and fisherman and very experienced in the backcountry. His appreciation for the outdoors came about through his farming upbringing and further developed through extensive four wheel driving adventures in the mountains of New Zealand's South Island.
He has had a diverse career that has contributed to his extensive knowledge. Fresh out of university, Tony embarked on a rewarding yet physically challenging role deep in the bush on the West Coast of the South Island, working for the New Zealand Department of Conservation. One of the highlights during this period was capturing and radio-collaring stoats (similar to weasels), as well as aiding in the protection of vulnerable Kiwi populations.
Following that, he transitioned to a role at Auckland International Airport as a Quarantine Officer (Biosecurity) for what is now the Ministry for Primary Industries. During his eight years on the front line, managing passengers and addressing biosecurity threats, he gained valuable insights into human nature and developed the skills to interact with people from diverse backgrounds worldwide. He was also regularly featured on the NZ "Border Patrol" TV series and has some great stories to tell. You can see Tony in his (much) younger days here: [YouTube Link to Border Patrol 45 seconds in].
Having spent eight years in Auckland (which felt too long for a country boy!), he and his wife Helen decided to make a move to the South Island. There, they took over an established 4WD Hire business called "Overland 4WD Rentals Ltd." Shortly after, their twins arrived. Unfortunately, four years after acquiring the business in 2010, the devastating Christchurch earthquakes struck, nearly destroying the enterprise. Despite the challenges, there were silver linings. Tony had the opportunity to connect with remarkable individuals from around the world, forming lifelong friendships.
Thanks to his business contacts and 4WD expertise, Tony received an enticing job offer in Australia as a tour guide and 4WD trainer with Great Divide Tours near Canberra. In January 2015, the family seized the opportunity, making the move across the ditch, especially since Christchurch and the local tourism industry continued to struggle after the earthquakes. Tony quickly fell in love with the wide open spaces and vast landscapes of the Australian Outback.
Driven by the desire to run his own business once more, Tony relocated the family to Rockhampton, QLD, in January 2019 and launched Australian 4X4 Treks.
Watch the Video -
Here, Tony shares his thoughts on daily vehicle checks with Paul from The Feel Good Family. To sum it up, "you should check everything, all the time!"
#The Feel Good Family
With over 25 years exploring outback Australia, avoiding bitumen at every turn and putting his Toyota Troopcarrier 4WD to good use, Michael has developed a comprehensive understanding of what is on offer to travellers in Australia.
This passion for touring has evolved into a passion for tour guiding and the creation of See Around Corners, allowing Michael to share his knowledge of hand picked destinations and indigenous culture in Arnhem Land and the Kimberley in Northern Australia.
Michael is an accredited Savannah Guide, EcoGuide Australia, Kakadu, Uluru - Kata Tjuta and Watarrka Guide, and also has a Cert IV in Training and Assessment (4WD) and a Cert III in Tourism (Guiding).
He is a board member of Savanah Guides and a member of Tour Guides Australia and WAITOC which helps him maintain the highest professional guiding standards.
They say that behind every (great) man is a greater woman. Well, Helen definitely is great (and I'm working on it!). She is my very understanding wife of 24 years.
Helen was a Biosecurity Officer at Auckland International Airport, the Auckland International Mail Centre, and Christchurch International Airport for 13 years. With this experience and a Degree in Science, Helen worked as an Environmental Scientist with a local Rockhampton firm for 3 years. She now works at the boys' high school in the admin team and really enjoys having the school holidays off!
Thomas and Lachlan are our 15 year old identical twins. They are very good to their mother while I'm away in the bush. At least, that's what I'm told!
"It's all about sharing the adventure of travel in remote locations, places many people would never go on their own. Seeing the smiles on faces and enjoying the camaraderie of a group of people I'm helping to accomplish life-long goals gives me a great sense of satisfaction.
- Tony Davys, Aus_4X4_Treks
No 4WD? No worries!
Hire a fully equipped 4WD Vehicle from our trusted supplier, Overlander 4WD Hire, in Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin and Perth. Click here for information about the Hilux 4WD Camper.
Terms & Conditions
Our full Terms and Conditions will be email to you with your pre-booking "Info Pack" (to request an Info Pack, simply email us and ask to be sent one for the relevant tour).
So that our payments policy is completely transparent, it is included here:
Section 5: Booking and Cancellation Policy
β To make a booking, you must first confirm in writing (email) that you intend to join a specific tour.
β You must then pay a non-refundable deposit of 25% of the total tour price. A deposit invoice will be emailed to you. Payment may be made by credit card through our online Xero accounting system or by direct bank deposit. Credit card payments will incur a handling fee, which will be disclosed at the time of booking.
β A booking is accepted when we issue written confirmation to you, generally
by email.
β If you cannot make the tour for any reason, we will provide you with a credit to be used on another of our tours departing within 24 months of your original departure date. Note that the tour price may be different, meaning an
additional payment may be required.
β The balance payment must be received by us in full at least 40 days before
the start date of the tour.
β If a tour is cancelled due to unforeseen and uncontrollable circumstances,
where we are not at fault, such as a bushfire or flooding, a force majeure
clause is enacted. This means that any money paid towards your booking is
credited to be used on another of our tours departing within 24 months of
your original departure date, less any non-refundable deposits we have paid
on your behalf.
β If a tour is cancelled by us, for example, due to insufficient bookings, we will
refund all amounts paid by you, minus any non-refundable deposits we have
paid on your behalf.
β If you cancel your tour, you must notify us in writing immediately. If your
notification is received 41 days or more before the tour is scheduled to begin,
we will refund any amounts paid by you, minus the non-refundable deposit, and any non-refundable deposits we have paid on your behalf, and
any reasonable administration expenses. If your notification is received 40
days or less before departure, no refund will be given.
β Notwithstanding the clause above, we will provide you with a credit to be
used on another of our tours departing within 24 months of your original
departure date. Note that the tour price may be different, meaning an
additional payment may be required.
Privacy Policy
Australian 4X4 Treks is committed to providing quality services to you and this policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we manage your Personal Information. We have adopted the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act). The NPPs govern the way in which we collect, use, disclose, store, secure and dispose of your Personal Information. A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles may be obtained from the website of The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at https://www.oaic.gov.au/.
What is Personal Information and why do we collect it?
Personal Information is information or an opinion that identifies an individual. Examples of Personal Information we collect includes names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers and medical information. This Personal Information is obtained in many ways including correspondence, by telephone, by email, via our website or booking app and from third parties. We donβt guarantee website links or policy of authorised third parties.
We collect your Personal Information for the primary purpose of providing our services to you, providing information to our suppliers and marketing. We may also use your Personal Information for secondary purposes closely related to the primary purpose, in circumstances where you would reasonably expect such use or disclosure. You may unsubscribe from our mailing/marketing lists at any time by contacting us in writing. When we collect Personal Information we will, where appropriate and where possible, explain to you why we are collecting the information and how we plan to use it.
Sensitive Information
Sensitive information is defined in the Privacy Act to include information or opinion about such things as an individual's racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of a political association, religious or philosophical beliefs, membership of a trade union or other professional body, criminal record or health information.
Sensitive information will be used by us only:
β’ For the primary purpose for which it was obtained
β’ For a secondary purpose that is directly related to the primary purpose
β’ With your consent; or where required or authorised by law.
Third Parties
Where reasonable and practicable to do so, we will collect your Personal Information only from you. However, in some circumstances we may be provided with information by third parties. In such a case we will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to us by the third party.
Disclosure of Personal Information
Your Personal Information may be disclosed in a number of circumstances including the following:
β’ Third parties where you consent to the use or disclosure; and
β’ Where required or authorised by law.
Security of Personal Information
Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse and loss and from unauthorized access, modification or disclosure.
When your Personal Information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify your Personal Information. However, most of the Personal Information is or will be stored in client files which will be kept by us for a minimum of 7 years.
Access to your Personal Information
You may access the Personal Information we hold about you and to update and/or correct it, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact us in writing.
Australian 4X4 Treks will not charge any fee for your access request, but may charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your Personal Information.
In order to protect your Personal Information we may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.
Maintaining the Quality of your Personal Information
It is important to us that your Personal Information is up to date. We will take reasonable steps to make sure that your Personal Information is accurate, complete and up-to-date. If you find that the information we have is not up to date or is inaccurate, please advise us as soon as practicable so we can update our records and ensure we can continue to provide quality services to you.
Policy Updates
This Policy may change from time to time and is available on our website.
Privacy Policy Complaints and Enquiries
If you have any queries or complaints about our Privacy Policy please contact us at: info@4x4treks.com.au.
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