Australian 4WD, now trading as "Explore 4WD Hire" stole all of our money without providing the vehicle. We had paid in full for $3,200 as we were leaving in two weeks time. COVID-19 then closed all borders and we were unable to proceed with the trip. Instead of negotiating a change of date or credit, this company refused to answer any communication via email or phone and we were forced to lodge a Fair Trading complaint which was unsuccessful as they also could not contact the company. We lost the full amount of money. Do not go near this company.

At first we were a little sceptical about our recent Darwin trip with this vehicle company. We rang the office to express these concerns about all the reviews on this page and on another. I was quite worried about giving the $5000 straight up, not a pending payment.
Once we returned from our trip. The vehicle was looked over, then was lifted up to see internally. 2 days later an email was received. Then the next day the $5000 came up into our account.
Happy with this outcome as I was very worried going into this.

Do not use this company or the new owners "Explore 4WD Hire" - explore4wdhire.com.au - they took our $2500 bond and keep giving us the run around saying that it is with their accounts and it will be refunded but it never is. Now they are not responding to our emails or our calls. Extremely unprofessional stealing money from people! Especially at a time like this!

Update:
We tried to reach the company via the old website and phone number which seem not to exist anymore. Thanks to this website here I got I. Contact with another actual customer and got the new website.
Today I got my bond back in our account.
Will have an eye on my credit card if there are any further charges and update my experience here.

We paid a security bond of 1.500 $. 4WDHire has not paid the money back yet. Expect the money as soon as possible, otherwise we will take all possible legal actions.

They sold business as we were on our vacation. As we returned the car we've been assured, everything was well. After a few days I wrote them a friendly reminder but they just sent me over to the liquidator, telling me they are "a whole new company".
Phoenixing failed, as they completely disappeared. Their website has been taken off and all their email addresses aren't reachable anymore.

Company had been sold while we were on our trip. When we returned the vehicle we didn’t receive the $5000 bond back as we were told it is with the old owner who have called bankruptcy???
Not to mention that the vehicle Was faulty and died on us in the middle of Australia !!
Water leaking from the windscreen, bold tyres, 4WD not engaging, engine light on, doors not closing properly, EBC not working etc.
Horrible customer service
Don’t come near this company it’s a rip off !!!

Had hired a RTT 4Wd for a once in a lifetime trip to Australia with my son. Dec 27th to Jan.8th. On top of obvious issues with the truck with almost 300,000km on it, tent poles missing, leaky water jugs or moldy mattress which I could overlook as a seasoned camper.. I'm now facing at the terrible fact that they took my bond money knowing full well they would never return it. I had to provide this bond on Dec 16th 2018 and they filled for bankruptcy on Dec 19th. I hope that all people stuck in the same situation get together and do a class action against this company. This is criminal and unbelievably sad ending of our trip...

We hired a vehicle and were accused of damaging the it. Money was retained from our bond and never returned.
We took our case to Court and were awarded over $5000 in August 2019. For the past 5 months we have been in discussion with the Company who gave assurances that they would pay. The final date for payment was to be 23rd Dec. This was the date they went into Liquidation.
As with all the other reviews, we were lied to. These people have no ethics or morals. They continue to trade with supposedly "new owners"
It is unbelievable that so many people have had their bonds stolen , even more so when you consider Australian 4WD Hire were being investigated by the ACCC during 2019.

I hired a 4wd from my holidays around Brisbane last two weeks of December 2019. Everything seemed to be ok. Gave the car back on time And in perfect conditions.
today 16th of January I am still waiting for my security bond. And it’s been so difficult to contact them to arrange my payment back.
So disappointed and annoyed

Returned car, company said they woudl refund bond in 7 days. Since received a letter saying company has been sold and cannot refund bond. But seems to be trading business as usual. Scam company, don't use them.

They took our bond money and are now in liquidation. absolute thieves! Equipment was crap. car needed mechanical work. Do not use them. you will lose your money. now dealing with liquidator as company won’t return phone calls.

Hired one of their cars over the 2019 Xmas break and returned the car with the inspector having no issues with the car. The company is now "sold to another company and is under liquidation", and says we won't get our $5,000 security bond back. The bond costs more than the car rental!

Now when you contact them they tell you that they don't have the money and they're now a new separate entity, yet still trading "business as per usual". They will ask for the same security bond, and chances are you won't get it back either. Don't fall for this scam!

Still waiting on a security bond return after 2 weeks!! Car returned and inspected & signed for.
Notified finally that all existing paid funds are now with the liquidators!!
BEWARE this business has just gone bust!!!