Questions & Answers for Spectators Camping at Tuff Truck 2010
Q. Why are you having Police on site?
A. We wanted to have a much more Family friendly atmosphere, than past years and so that makes people feel safer and can enjoy themselves more.
Q. What activities are there for my kids to do?
A. We have lots of activities for kids of all ages! There are the Drawing Competitions from ages 2 -16yrs, Tuff Truck Lolly Guessing Competition, Mini Tuff Trucks (Remote Control car Tracks to test) and we also have Face Painters coming. NOTE: All children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
Q. What restrictions are there in place?
A. Alcohol Restrictions Apply: For spectators entering the site on Friday, Maximum combined total of 2 of the following , (24 can) Beer cases, Mixed Spirits cases or Spirits Bottles per adult is allowed ( Note all bottles must be transferred into plastic). If you’re entering the site on Saturday from 1am, only 1 of the above per adult is allowed. Any excess alcohol will be have to be surrendered at the gate.. We reserve the right to refuse entry of any person wishing to abuse these restrictions. Don’t get any smart ideas thinking that you will be allowed to exit the grounds to return with more alcohol, we will have security on the exit gate monitoring all vehicle movements.
Quad Bikes: As well as modified & motorised ride-on mowers, esky’s, benches, seats etc. these vehicles will NOT be permitted at Tuff Truck for use by spectators. Please do not bring them. They will be confiscated by Tuff Truck Officials, Security Staff or Police if found in use. This is in the interest of your safety and other patrons whilst at the event. People, who use the assistance of a wheelchair, manual or motorized and would like our assistance into the competition stages area, please contact Site Managers Jo McAuliffe [email protected] or Darren Page [email protected] and we can arrange easy options for you. Please note that only Event Officials and Security Personnel will be riding around on quad bikes to get to all areas of event site.
Glass: Tuff Truck 2010 is strictly a NO GLASS EVENT. This means for everything. This is not our rule but insisted upon by the property owners. We will be searching each and every vehicle coming into the Tuff Truck event site and this will be done by Police and Security officials hired by Tuff Truck Management- any glass bottles/containers found will be confiscated. The property is normally a working farm, and has cattle roaming over the site and thus can and does cause major issues for these animals.
Pets: There is a strict no pets policy (especially dogs).The property owners are extremely strict on pets and will NOT allow any pets on the property. Their own animals are extremely territorial and we want insure that there are no incidents between farm animals and patrons pet/s. We have to respect property owner’s wishes.
Firearms, Fireworks etc: Absolutely, positively prohibited. DO NOT BRING THEM. You could face some serious charges by police if found.
Vehicle Movement: No vehicles are to be moved unless entering or leaving the property. No excuses. Remember that if you have been drinking alcohol and get in your car to drive, Police will have full power to charge you for DUI. Don’t Do It.
*Anyone found to be breaking any of the event rules; you will be escorted and evicted from the event or even arrested by police.
Q. What are the camping areas like?
A. The camping areas for both Family and General your basic bush camp grounds. Each camping area are flat, grass & tree-lined with some spots having a gentle slope. All camp sites have no power, so if you need power please supply your own.
Q. Can I get my 2wd car into the camping/event grounds?
A. Yes, absolutely. You will have no problems.
Q. Can I bring my caravan / camper trailer?
A. Yes. All we ask is that you only take up as less space as possible, we do need to fit everyone in.
Q. We come from QLD; can we camp on the Sunday night?
A. No. Unfortunately due to previous years of people/groups abusing the privilege and goodwill of Event Managers, it was decided not to allow spectators to camp the Sunday night. Also as a matter of course, we actually don’t have insurance for spectators to stay the Sunday night. We apologise if this causes some inconvenience, but we do have alternatives if you would like to contact Jo or Darren the Site Managers (under Contact Us), they will be more than happy to help you. * refer to next question for alternative.
Q. What happens if we get to Tuff Truck Thursday night? Can we line up then?
A. If you arrive to event site Thursday through to 6am Friday, you will not be permitted to line up at our gates (there will be security personnel on the cattle grid at Welshes Rd). We suggest that you head to a park in Broke (approx 10mins from Tuff Truck site) called MacNamara Park. It is located on the corner of Paynes Crossing Road and Milbrodale Rd, Broke. It has toilet facilities and is free to camp there and is fairly large in area. We will allow people to start lining up at 6am AEST.
Q. What does the entry fee to Tuff Truck include?
A. With your entry for the weekend, you get 2 nights camping in our bush camp grounds. Each camp site is flat grassy tree-lined with easy access for all vehicle types. We provide the best portable toilet and shower facilities (subject to pre-purchase and availability) and have disabled toilets as well. We provide two camping areas, one for Families needing an earlier night and morning, and a General camping for those who like to party late and sleep later. Then of course you get to experience the unique atmosphere that is Tuff Truck. You get to witness the amazing driving and navigating of our competing teams, the thrills and spills, the crunching and grinding of these amazing trucks as they work their way through each of the stages trying to be the Best of the Best for the weekend. Also you get access to some of the top Businesses in the field who will be exhibiting their wares – you may just pick up a bargain or two!
Q. Are there showers available?
A. Yes. We do have a weekend pass + showers available for sale on our online store. However there are limited numbers for this, so get in early to avoid disappointment. There is also the possibility, subject to pre-sale numbers, to purchase a shower pass at the gate. There is no guarantee though. If you have purchased a shower pass, we ask that you be sensible as to how many showers you have a day. 2 showers maximum will be permitted per day and please keep them to no more than 5 mins in length of time They are supplied by owners spring fed dam and as such that water needs to be conserved as much as possible. Please also be aware that the property at the time of event may experience a water shortage, therefore a limit of one shower per person per day will be adhered to.
Q. How close from the campsites, are the competition stages?
A. The competition stages are no more than 200 meters from both campsites! However, we do have 2 buses cruising through the event site and camping areas all day picking up and dropping off spectators for your convenience.
Q. Can you clarify your No Glass rule?
A. No Glass Rule is exactly what it means. We are cracking down on everyone from bringing in glass bottles, containers etc. Not only is it a pain to clean up after being smashed everywhere, it is also a major risk to the farm animals that normally live on the site. We are employing police and security personnel to search each and every vehicle entering the site during the weekend, for any glass bottles/ containers etc. If found, it will be confiscated. We suggest that anything that normally comes in glass, be put into metal or plastic containers. With regard to alcohol, find a beer or mixer etc that comes in a can or again put it into plastic or metal containers. The property owners have insisted that this year we crack down on the glass issue as they are concerned for farm animal’s welfare after the event.
Q. We have a group of people coming to Tuff Truck but we are all going to be arriving at different times, can I rope off an area big enough for my group?
A. Yes, we are fine for you do that, but we must insist that you don’t take any more space than is absolutely necessary and once all your party is in and camped to then remove the rope. We do need to fit everyone in.
Q. Can we come and set up our campsite earlier than the opening time Friday?
A. No, besides the ethical reason, our insurance does not allow for spectators to come on to site before the advertised opening time. So not before 10am Friday 19th march.
Q. Is there any phone reception at the event site?
A. Unfortunately No for GSM mobiles. If you do leave the site, drive the 6kms to local township- Bulga or alternatively 5kms down Milbrodale Rd, but please make sure to pull over in a safe zone, and you will get reception there. Those with Next G enabled phones should get fair reception on the site.
Q. Can we have fires? If so, is firewood available?
A. Yes you can at this stage. We are under the jurisdiction of the local RFS at Bulga and if they announce a total fire ban at event time, we will try and have it up on this website ASAP so that people can come up with alternatives for cooking meals etc. If a Total Fire Ban is in place at Event time, then everyone must adhere to this. Fire = Arrest by police. We may and is not guaranteed, have firewood near each entry to 2 camp areas – Family and General and it is first in best dressed. There will also be firewood available for sale on site. The use of explosive devices, gas bottles/canisters etc on fires will result in immediate eviction from event site and possible arrest by Police.
Q. When can we start lining up at the entry gate?
A. You may start to line up at the front entry gate (marquee) from 6am Friday 19th March AEST. People will be turned away if you try and turn up any earlier.
Q. My friend is disabled & wheelchair bound, what facilities/services are there provided?
A. We have basic facilities for disabled/wheelchair bound people such as a Disabled toilet. The camping grounds are predominantly flat, so camping shouldn’t be an issue as long as care is taken. We also have courtesy buses travelling around the site which people can use if able. Around the stages area can be tricky for a wheelchair if there hasn’t been much rain fall before the event, therefore we do allow motorised scooters only for this purpose (but only if organised with Site Managers beforehand. We do have other arrangements in place if you would like to contact the Site Managers Jo McAuliffe – [email protected] or Darren Page- [email protected] directly for alternatives.
Q. What time does the competition finish on Sunday?
A. The competition usually finishes up around 4- 5pm on the Sunday and then not too long after the event presentation of event winners begins. Everyone is more than welcome to stay and applaud the winners. Once presentation is over and finished ALL spectators must vacate the event site.
Q. Is there any catering for spectators during the event?
A. Yes. We have two catering teams working for us at Tuff Truck. First is the local RFS group providing Breakfasts, lunches and dinners from Friday midday through to midafternoon Sunday. They do great bacon and eggs for Breakie, Sausage or steak sandwiches for lunches & Chicken schnitzel with vegies or steak and vegies for dinner as examples and all at great & reasonable prices. Or you can go for the catering team that the Officials use- Grinners Catering. There are packages starting from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch if you go and check out prices on our online store here – www.tufftruck.com.au/store and check out the menu on offer here.
Q. My husband is dragging me along to Tuff Truck, is there anything else I can do besides staying and watching the competition?
A. Absolutely there are!! There are heaps to keep you occupied, you just might need to wrestle the keys to the rig from the boss and do a bit of exploring.
Some options include:
- Visit a local winery, and sample some of the Hunter’s best there is to offer – but make sure you have a designated driver, cause you don’t want to over-do it a bit too much and have no way of getting back to the site – the local constabulary WILL be out in force.
- Drive back along Milbrodale Road towards Broke and you will pass the alpaca farm, where you might be able to drop in and have a quick visit. A cross between a sheep and a camel, and not too much smarter either – if you see them after they have been shorn, they look even sillier.
- On the way back, stop in for a coffee and some macadamia’s just before the turn-off to the site and chat to the locals.
- Head into the “big smoke” of Singleton and have a look around – some retail therapy is sure to ease the time.
- While you’re in Singleton, check out the real estate offices – from the drive around the area, you will see it is a great place, and you might just find a nice little hobby farm to call your own.
- A short drive past Broke is Wollombi – famous for its hotel, history, and of course, Dr Jurds Jungle Juice – there are usually markets on Sundays and lots of bric-a-brac shops to wander through.
- Turning left at Broke will take you towards Pokolbin and Cessnock, with the zoo an option, but you also have some more wineries.
- Stay at camp, find a nice shady spot, and open the latest best-selling book and lose yourself.
- The Broke shop does a great light meal and coffee, and you can also stock up on things you may have forgotten.
- Just 6km’s up the road is Bulga, with a well-stocked shop, bottle shop, and of course, the Cockfighter Tavern, set just back from the river – we’ve had the odd cleansing ale there, and can highly recommend it.
- If all else fails, just wander up to the events, and you just might find that you enjoy the spectacle – where else can you see grown adults doing stuff you used to do as kids, just with much bigger toys – it will certainly get you smiling.
As you can see, there really is something for everyone, and everyone is sure to enjoy not just the event, but also the surrounding area.
We look forward to welcoming you through the front gate for a special weekend.
Q. I have heard that unless you bought weekend tickets online, you can’t stay for the weekend. Is this right?
A. No that’s not quite right. There will be No weekend passes sold at the gate but that doesn’t mean that you can’t come. What we are allowing people to do if they wish to come and camp at the event and haven’t bought tickets online, is to purchase consecutive day passes 2 or 3, and they will be allowed to come and camp. But bear in mind, these people will be charged a lot more than what others were charged online. We want to be able to keep up with the times and technology in terms of selling passes to the event, these days you can’t take in a concert unless you have bought the tickets online. Also we are trying to reduce the amount of time people have to line up at the gate once we have officially opened the event. It’s us trying to ‘educate’ everyone to the future of Tuff Truck.
Q. Why did you put the entry fee up?
A. Due to rising costs of running the event like equipment and facilities hire, increased security as well as Police being at the next event and the all important insurance costs having risen dramatically, we unfortunately had to increase the entry fee to Tuff Truck. Please keep in mind that for the past 5 years, the only increase in fees has been $5 for the Weekend pass. For these prices where else can you go for this amount of entertainment with the option of camping available? Four hours of Monster Trucks costs an adult about $50.
Q. Can I bring my own generator?
A. Yes. The event site does not have power so we all must bring our own. With bringing your own, please be mindful & respectful of your neighbours and switch the generator off at a reasonable hour at night so as not to cause discomfort to those around you.
Q. What else is there for my wife and kids to do at night if they don’t want to watch the mud event?
A. We are having a fantastic band coming by name of Trilogy who are a 3 piece covers band and play all the classics as well as modern day music as well. You can check out their website here. www.trilogyband.com.au They will be “rocking the Catering tent house” located opposite the mud event. Trilogy will be playing 8pm to 12am for all to enjoy
Q. Do you have a child minding service during the event?
A. No. All children under the age of 18 must be accompanied and/or supervised by a responsible adult at all times. Parents you must know where your children are at all times. We recommend that when you get to the event that you work out a suitable meeting place should you and your children be separated during the weekend. E.g. whilst in ‘stages’ area, you can make your meeting point beside the Kids Tent (they can also alert the Kids Tent officials that they are missing their parents), or if they are older and more responsible, have them meet you back at camp etc. We also recommend that you give your children their own CB radio on an agreed channel for the weekend; you can keep track of them that way as well. For the little ones, write your surname and vehicle rego on their arm or you can purchase from some department stores, special kids tags that you put around their wrists in case of them being lost. Or if they are too frightened to approach an official looking adult, have them approach a police officer working at the event.
Note: Should you have any more questions that are not listed or covered here please email them to Jo – Site Manager [email protected] and she will answer as best she can.
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