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Owning a 4WD for a number of years now, I am beginning to learn mine, and the vehicles limits - crossed the Tanami desert and travelled the Gibb River Road earlier this year for example; nothing quite like changing a shock absorber in a remote part of the world.
As with Astronomy, with 4WDriving you never stop learning.
The best thing you can do is (a) join a club, (b) go on an accredited 4WD training course and (c) go with responsible 4WD owners on day trips or weekends away - many clubs offer trips to non-members/prospective members (like a try before buy thing). The magazine 4WD monthly (amongst others I am sure, I just know that one) also has some great tips on responsible and safe driving plus a series of DVDs that have tips etc.
I bought the 4WD and then, after a number of years, joined a club as nothing is a substitute for learning from (friendly) experts in the safe environments that a club or course provides. Often a trainer will hop in the car's passenger seat and give direct advice and they generally exude an aura of calmness that helps too. Further a club gets access to some interesting areas.
I have also gone on a number of trips with very experienced friends who have been 4WDriving for years. The first few times you do something the heart rates goes up and you soon learn that although it looks "interesting", as long as you follow the safe procedures it is amazing what can be done with a patient approach. For example, recently came back from the Flinders Ranges with some magnificent hill climbs and creek crawls (unfortunately only one clear night :-( ). In some cases it was necessary to stop, have a good look at the situation and in some cases do a bit of road repair, or have a friend direct the placement of wheels lest you leave something of the under-body behind.
What a 4WD does do is open up parts of the country that are magnificent - I have never seen the sky like I did from the Bungle Bungle, carting the 5inch rich field refractor along some very ordinary dusty tracks made it truly magical with the surrounds.
With 4WD it often comes down to traction, tyre pressures and lots of common sense. As with Astronomy, 4WDriving will absorb all the budget you are willing to throw at it. Have a think what you want to do before getting too carried away with the 7 inch suspension lift or 15,000lb winch or whatever other gadgets. My vehicle was factory standard for a very long time (covered Tasmania, Grampians, Flinders Ranges, Oodnadatta Track, parts of NSW), I only recently gave it a 2 inch suspension lift because after 170,000km the suspension was a bit tired and you can not get factory parts anymore - i.e. you automatically get a lift. Mind you was very handy in the Kimberley and the Flinders, allowing for more things and not being quite as worried about scraping things.
If you can, get yourself a 12V air compressor (not the super el-cheapo one, something around the $100 range will generally last) a long-handled shovel and a snatch-strap (with rated shackles). These will have you well set for doing a myriad of things with folk. Near Newcastle is Stockton Beach with some fantastic sand 4WDriving (my favourite form) - go with some folk who have done it before you will probably find a club day or something you can tag-along wtih. The Myall Lakes area is beautiful but I must admit I have not done much 4WDriving in the region so can not comment on places to go etc.
Enjoy.
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