Innehållsförteckning för Issue 560 från Caravan World

Reading through the pages of this fine magazine you might get the impression that most caravans are around the 6m (20ft) and longer mark. Using that length gives a designer a fair bit of latitude with the layout and mostly offers a reasonable degree of living area. However, even a 20ft caravan does carry a fair bit of weight, especially if it has been built as an offroad caravan and that can be a problem if using a smaller tow vehicle is anticipated. Although there are any number of new caravans being built with a layout that has a front island bed, and a full-width rear bathroom and a kitchen/dinette in between, there are also quite a few living-friendly variations that result in a smaller caravan. Indeed, there a some…

It takes a certain kind of mindset to be truly happy with less. The world’s first nomadic travellers had it down pat, relishing the freedom of owning and carrying on their backs no more than was absolutely essential for living. Early Australians were masters, too, making do with less and using their meagre incomes and ingenuity to fill their lives and stomachs with what was necessary and little else. Something happened to us Aussies in the centuries since: we got wealthier, our houses - and our vehicles - got bigger, the things we buy became cheaper and more abundantly available and, as a result, we’ve surrounded ourselves with all kinds of single-use possessions that can weigh us down and clutter our lives. After decades spent accumulating ‘stuff’, it’s no wonder…

“Men look, but ultimately it is women who buy caravans.” That’s what industry stalwart Chris Michel deduced from his experiences running Freedom Caravans on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. This savvy shines everywhere in Freedom’s ‘home brand’ Sunseeker caravans that Michel has made specifically to his requirements by a leading Melbourne caravan builder. For a start, Michel believes instant interior appeal counts a lot with women. So clean, high-gloss cabinetry is important, as are post-form rounded benchtops that project a ‘finished’ look. And for buyers who want to make the van their own, there are 30 different benchtops, 15 different cabinet finishes and 15 different floor coverings to choose from. An angled kitchen that offers great daytime storage for things like a jug, toaster and coffee machine without compromising prep or plate-up…

Colour schemes aren’t everything in the overall design of caravans but sometimes they have an effect. Considering the current choice of external caravan colours is mostly white or the more recent trend of a silvery grey, when I walked into the premises of Caravan World at Chevallum on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, the lime green coloured Kokoda Cadet Platinum took centre stage. Actually it wasn’t only the colour scheme that caught my attention because the Cadet Platinum has a family-orientated layout, yet one that retains much of the standard front island bed floor plan. HITCHING UP The Cadet Platinum has an external body length of 625m (20ft 6in) and a Tare of 2560kg. With an ATM of 3060kg, that gives a payload of 500kg but it also pushes the van into…

”These diverse habitats shelter a stunning array of wildlife – more frog, reptile, bird and marsupial species than anywhere else in Australia” There is much for travellers to enjoy in Queensland’s Southern Downs – picturesque rolling plains, historic towns, heritage homesteads, premium wineries, farm-fresh produce, a year-round calendar of festivals and events – but for sheer nature-loving outdoor adventure, the prime attraction has to be the magnificent Main Range National Park. Nestled in the western foothills of the Great Dividing Range, barely 175km southwest of Brisbane, the Goomburra section of the park was a major destination on our springtime road trip along the Country Way. After exploring the forests around Blackbutt and Crows Nest, we descended from the Ravensbourne uplands by scenic Seventeen Mile Road and entered the Downs…

It’s easy to escape the crowds and get wild in Tasmania where blissfully blue coves, long deserted beaches and remote myrtle forests provide excellent free camping. With a self-sufficient rig, you could spend a month on the island hopping between some of the state’s most idyllic locations, encountering unique wildlife and spending days fishing, paddling and bushwalking. There are more free camps in this state than you could possibly experience in a single trip, making Tasmania nirvana for campers craving a little elbow room this summer.…

It’s a cruel irony for some people; just when they have the opportunity to spend quality time travelling in a caravan, they become wheelchair dependent. For many it’s ‘game over’. No Australian caravan manufacturer currently offers a ‘wheelchair-friendly’ van as a regular production model and few mainstream manufacturers have the confidence or experience to build one at an affordable price. As those who have succeeded soon discover, it’s not just a matter of a ramp, a wider door and re-arranging the furniture. If you have ever spent time in a wheelchair or with someone who relies on one, you soon realise there is a myriad of small details that make all the difference in giving you back your independence. To incorporate these, you need flexibility and a manufacturer who cares.…

I’m putting these words together at a time of year I quite enjoy – January. The hurly-burly madness of the pre-Christmas period is over, editors have disappeared on Canadian skiing holidays (deadlines, what deadlines?), and large numbers of people have deserted the city in favour of a coastal beach holiday. It’s a time for catching up on all the things that were carefully ignored before Christmas and making a few plans for the year. Well, that is the idea anyway... A bonus of a considerable number of people on holidays is that it’s possible to get across Sydney in an hour without trying to catch that hugely variable time period known loosely as non-peak hour! SEASONED PRICING It’s also a time when it’s possible to sit down for an hour…

Location Hervey Bay, Qld Gear Canon 1DX, ISO 400, f5.6, 1/400th sec, 16mm lens Composition I’ve stuck with what photographers call “the rule of thirds”, allowing the texture of the water and the sky to divide the frame. Handy hint Polarisers enhance image features and protect your lens, but this image demonstrates the use of a circular polariser on water and how, when used correctly, it makes details below the surface visible. Photographic fact A polariser gives you control of reflected light that often obscures the gold in an image. When it comes to photographing water there are arguments for and against using one. In this specific example, the polariser allows the detail to show by excluding light reflection. It also gives the colour a deeper saturation and enhances cloud…

OPTIMAL TEMP Travelling and good food undoubtedly go together. A great trip is made up of experiencing sensational destinations in combination with eating delicious camping meals. Who said you have to live on tins of baked beans and toast? Those days are long gone with fantastic cooking equipment such as the Weber. Now you can go camping in style and still enjoy a roast lamb, steak cooked to perfection and desserts galore. Fresh ingredients are essential for a nutritious meal as any chef will tell you. The trick is to keep your food at the right temperature so veggies remain fresh and meat doesn’t go off. In our 2002 Jayco Outback Flamingo we have the luxury of a 90L fridge with a small freezer compartment as well. As we’ve set…

One broken starter motor, two drowned drones, one lost iPhone, one toy plane marooned up a tree, one incinerated lamb roast and countless cremated vegetables – if the number of things that went wrong on CW’s recent testing trip down the west coast of Victoria are indicative of good luck, we should have racked up a handy supply for the future. The reason for the trip was to test out the prototype 12ft Optimiser caravan from The Little Caravan Company (TLCC). OPTIMISING SPACE Based in Campbellfield, Vic, TLCC has, until now, specialised in small offroad vans, from 9ft in size. At 12ft, the Optimiser is the first onroader, and largest van, for TLCC. This is a huge deviation from the current trend in the Australian caravan industry, which is seeing…

It’s the age old question: does size matter? Contemporary caravans seem to come with endless lists of features and options these days but that comes with both a size and weight penalty. Has the time arrived to ask ourselves honestly: can we live in smaller and lighter caravans? WEIGHTY CONSIDERATIONS Over a decade or so ago I was at an industry conference. At the time, the caravan industry was using a manufacturing expert, Neil Chesney, to advise manufacturers on caravan construction – Neil having gained plenty of experience in the ‘60s and ‘70s with his own Brisbane-based company. At the conference Neil expressed his concern regarding the rising weight of caravans generally and commented, if we don’t do something about the weight factor then in about 10 years time we…

La Vista Caravans has forged a reputation for building value-for-money, entry-level vans with a top-of-the-town appearance. Based in Campbellfield, Vic, and now in its 10th year, La Vista Caravans was established by Alan Nisbet and Mary Lorenzo. Alan has extensive plumbing experience in the caravan industry while Mary, who is of Spanish descent, keeps the administrative wheels turning and is the brainchild behind the company’s name and the monikers of La Vista’s models. Here, we test-towed the 6.5m (21ft 4in) Paloma - its Hispanic translation is ‘butterfly’ – and it proved a stylish on-road tourer. I was impressed with its neat external lines and nice internal touches, which evoked a more top-end indulgence than its near-entry-level price of $60,990 (on-road) intends. Here is a van built on passion and pride,…

Real sports cars aficionados might find this odd, but I’ve always regarded the Fiat Ducato van, used for many a motorhome conversion, as the sports car of the motorhome world. Okay, so I have odd tastes on the sports car front but here’s my reasoning… Firstly, the Ducato is of course Italian designed and built - Italy being the home of a myriad of classy sports cars. Secondly, in Australia at least, most of the Ducato vans to date have been fitted with the 3L, 132kW/400Nm turbodiesel, making it a very willing performer. Thirdly, as long as a spacious motorhome isn’t on your essential list, the Ducato van conversions have almost everything needed for motorhome travel yet are a very versatile vehicle on a number of counts. Avan’s Applause 500,…

A true wilderness experience awaits the traveller who is willing to venture deep into the Memory Cove Wilderness Protection Area on the south-eastern tip of the Eyre Peninsula. A secluded bay surrounded by densely vegetated headlands, Memory Cove is nothing short of a piece of paradise. Five well-marked camp sites have direct access to the pure, white sandy beach with azure-blue waters which is perfect for swimming, fishing and boating. A stay at this idyllic spot is so popular that camping is limited to three nights. A camping permit must be purchased from the Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre and a key is necessary to enter the area. A Parks Pass will cover your fees but a booking and key are still required. Due to the rough nature of the…

Girraween National Park, abutting the New South Wales border 260km southwest of Brisbane, is renowned for its striking and distinctive landscape – massive granite outcrops, expansive rock pavements and huge tors balanced in gravity-defying clusters. The park’s astounding geology is swathed in eucalypt forest, animated by clear running streams and painted by spectacular wildflowers in spring. This natural wonderland had long been on our bucket list and it was a must-see destination on our road trip down the Country Way. From our previous camp at Goomburra in the Main Range NP, we took the New England Highway south to Warwick. Famed as the “Rose and Rodeo City”, Warwick is a thriving regional hub and well worth an extended visit to enjoy its many attractions. But, keen to get to Girraween,…

Gordon saw it first. “Eyyy, that’s a shop!” he said in a Scottish brogue so tough 20 years in Australia hadn’t knocked its corners off. The building he pointed out was low and flat-roofed, concrete blocks painted in sun-faded colour. There was a doorway up front with a barred door swung open and a dusty window hiding what might have been a display of cans and bottles. “Oh, thank heavens,” I said, hanging out for something that wasn’t meat or alcohol. Our South African hosts were the most incredible bunch and couldn’t do enough for us, but by eight days later I’m thinking vegetables and fruit in Afrikaans translated to ‘chicken and sausage’ at best. “Let’s go mate!” Gordon pulled the Sorento over and parked under a leafless tree. I…

Waeco and Adventure Kings have recalled three popular portable compressor fridge/freezer models over a fault which can lead to the products overheating and melting, causing burns. The Waeco CF-40 and CF-50 portable compressor fridge/freezers and the Adventure Kings AFK60 have a controller failure which has led to their recall. They have been officially recalled by the ACCC. The affected Waeco fridges were supplied by Dometic Australia and were sold in BCF, Ray’s Outdoors, Anaconda, Seabreeze Industries, Burrell Outdoors, Bairnsdale Electrics, Tackle World & Outdoors Mandurah, Auto One Australia, and Freddy’s Fishing & Outdoors in all states and territories of Australia. The recalled Adventure Kings fridges were sold in 4WD Supacentre stores all around Australia between October 1 and November 15, 2016.…

EURO OR AUSSIE? I want to purchase a used caravan to travel with my wife and one child. We are contemplating buying a European caravan which has a shower/toilet and three beds already or purchasing an Australian caravan without three beds and a shower/ toilet then buying an external shower and making an extra bed. I am not sure about the strength of European caravans as we sometimes go off the road and drive on dirt roads. I have heard that these caravans are not so strong for this. I have a Ford Falcon Futura station wagon. Stan Via email I think that any road van – European or Australian – would not take too well to regular, long-distance touring on our rough outback unsealed roads. I’m not saying it’s…

A lightweight, full-height caravan that you can tow behind a small 4WD or even a regular family car? The British and Europeans have that market nailed… or do they? But like a classic car, many Australians want their getaway home to be fun and funky too and for these buyers the new Mini Jackaroo retro van may be just the thing. Basically, the Mini is a scaled down 12ft internal length version of the regular 16ft Jackaroo vintage caravan that Jarrod Wade and Craig Walters manufacture in addition to the restoration services on offer at their Caravan Repair Shop in Arundel on Queensland’s Gold Coast. The idea came from one of their staff, who wanted a small weekender and built the prototype review van in his spare time. It created…

Not everyone wants or needs a big tow vehicle – our 14ft caravan reviewed this month is not the only van around that doesn’t need a LandCruiser to pull it along. We’ve nominated 2000kg as the top hauling capacity for our top five light caravan tow tugs. There are plenty of wagons and SUVs with a maximum 2000kg towing capacity (mostly the Euro models) but they have a 100kg maximum ball load – or less. Here we’ve nominated only vehicles that have a TBM closer to 10 per cent. As abou t 80 per cent of car buyers today choose automatic over manual, we’ve knocked out manual-only tow vehicles. This bunch has also been chosen for their practical nature; the ability to swallow a fair amount of gear – whether…

Wonderland RV’s XTR2200 family van is a ‘go-anywhere’ machine, potentially a loyal servant to any intrepid travelling clan. The double-bunk family ‘offroader’ boasts a raft of upgrades over previous models and $20,000 worth of fitted options, to be precise. It’s a quantum leap up from Wonderland RV’s Amaroo Hornet LE that I’ve previously tested. The XTR2200 raises the bar – and the ride, with good ground clearance courtesy of a Roadking double 4in zinc galvanised chassis with 6in riser (giving it 2in more under-body elevation than the Hornet LE – something you’ll appreciate out on the track). In fact, when its corner stabilisers are dropped down, I thought the XTR2200 mimicked a ‘Queenslander’ – one of those tropical Australian houses built on stumps in the latter half of the 19th…

There’s a new trend that’s taking off in the world of caravans – the slide-out external kitchen. They’ve been around for several years in the camper trailer market, both in canvas folding models and hybrids. But up until recently, they were not very common in caravans; the closest we saw was the more common slide-out barbecue. When I took the Titan Eclipse 560 caravan out for a spin, I nearly missed the external kitchen entirely during my initial inspection because the camper trailer-style slide-out kitchen fits neatly into a normal front tunnel storage bin. There were no visual clues to the inclusion of an external kitchen and it was only when I opened the bin door that I made the discovery. Of course, there is more to the Eclipse 560…

Driving through Australia’s bustling seafood capital, Port Lincoln, you could be forgiven for thinking you’ll end up in a crowded, inner-city caravan park, far away from the scenic coastline – but nothing could be further from the truth. Few caravan parks in Australia boast spectacular ocean views from the majority of campsites – but the Port Lincoln Tourist Park (TP) is one of them. As soon as you reach the park’s entrance, the wow factor kicks in. Situated on the top of a hill, Port Lincoln TP has uninterrupted views of beautiful Boston Bay and the rugged peninsula, which is home to Port Lincoln National Park (NP). The former council park was purchased by Sarin Group Property in 2005 and has undergone major redevelopment in the past 11 years. An…

Well, a few weeks back the boss of this brilliant mag said she wanted me to show her some of the best camping spots in New South Wales, and the best part was, she’d even foot the bill – not a bad boss, eh? Well, I’m sure you would agree there are dead-set hundreds of places I could have gone but, for me, good old Georges Junction Camp Reserve is just one place that always stands out from the crowd, and, with the weather heating up, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to get out and amongst it! Why is it one of my all-time favourites? Well, every now and then, you stumble across a place that makes you realise just how much you love camping and, in my opinion, Georges…

The Holden Colorado is one of the dual-cab stars in terms of sales but has not shined so brightly as a tow vehicle. But Holden has given its one-tonne ute a big pull-through for the 2017 model year, with a cosmetic front-end make-over, more up-to-date features and significant if subtle mechanical changes. Here we’re testing the Colorado, the Z71, which was introduced in the previous model during 2015 as the premium sports/luxury grade in the Colorado range. ATTRIBUTES Holden has revised its Colorado ute with the obvious front-end design changes but it also gets better infotainment and safety systems and significant changes under the skin. Safety has been improved with a driver’s knee airbag, collision alert, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning and tyre pressure monitoring. Sat Nav is now…

A BM PRO BatteryCheck from Setec, valued at $299 (RRP). A first in the RV market, the BatteryCheck simply connects to deep-cycle batteries and communicates wirelessly with Apple and Android smartphones via a mobile app. RV owners can view real time data including volts and amps, time remaining, temperature, battery status, state of charge and battery health – all with the touch of a button. For more information, visit www.teambmpro.com HOW TO WIN The most travel-inspiring submission will win next month’s prize (pictured left). Just email a picture (2-3MB) of yourself, family and friends with your rig, along with a brief description to content@adventuresgroup.com.au with ‘Readers’ Rigs’ in the subject line, or send a print to Caravan World Readers’ Rigs, Locked Bag 12, Oakleigh, Vic 3166. All entries must include…

Having a daughter who works in caravan parks all over Australia is great because it gives me an excuse – as if I need one – to travel to see her. I caught up with her at Alice Springs for a couple of weeks on my way home via the Red Centre from my usual winter haunts up in Far North Queensland. We had our Australian Caravan Club (ACC) ‘Gippsland Gypsies’ Christmas Muster at Marlo, so I took the long way home via Omeo and Mt Hotham to visit her at the lovely Big4 Porepunkah Caravan Park. Climbing up the mountain gave both Yemmy2 and I a good workout, with steep grades and a road that twisted like a snake. It was great to catch up and owner, Sandra, gave…

It’s been 12 months since I waved goodbye to my favourite aunt, Aunty Eleanor, or Nona as we call her, as she set off on her first solo voyage following the passing of her husband. It has been a whirlwind year in many respects with plenty of highs and lows to tell the grandkids about. Starting with the highs, it was an amazing year for travelling. Accompanied by her poodle Zoe, the pair made haste around the country, not unlike the way my grandfather (opa) and grandmother (oma) used to do it. Big transport legs were never a problem and you could be forgiven for thinking they were in a hurry. WARM WELCOME The warmth of other travellers was one of the biggest highs. There’s something about the open road…

The following recipes are delicious fillings that you can use in your crepes and pancakes (recipes in last month’s Caravan World). Next month we will feature wonderful recipes using waffles. Creamy Spicy Crepes Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 15 minutes The following quantities will serve four. Handy Hint 1: You could use either turkey mince or pork mince instead of the chicken mince in these crepes. Handy Hint 2: If you need to make these crepes go a little further with regard the number of diners pulled in by the delicious cooking smells, then add some steamed rice with a little chopped coriander tossed through it as a side dish. Handy Hint 3: You could also substitute cream of chicken soup for the cream of mushroom soup in this…

“They’ll scrap on light tackle better than the Knights of the Round Table…” King George whiting are high on the hit list of dedicated fishos from Jurien Bay in the west and right around the southern half of Australia to Botany Bay in the east. These little silver flashes are fitting fare for a monarch’s bountiful table, yet their coastal habits make them available to royalty and peasants alike. They’ll scrap on light tackle better than the Knights of the Round Table and can be found from the deep blue right up into coastal bays, estuaries and even on golden sandy beaches. King George whiting are local heroes from the realm of little Aussie battlers. King George whiting are endemic to our southern coastline. They shouldn’t be confused with their…

QLD EROMANGA RODEO, GYMKHANA AND CAMPDRAFT Apr 14-16 For some good old fashioned outback fun, head to Eromanga and check out the cowboys in action. Rodeo, camp draft, motorbike and horse gymkhana events will be held throughout the weekend. Eromanga, (07) 4656 0540, www.visitquilpieshire.com DUST N GOLD RODEO Apr 22 Enjoy extreme rodeo action befitting of fine Charters Towers’ tradition. This event is a popular, family-friendly day out held under the covered arena at the Dalrymple Equestrian Complex. Charters Towers, charterstowersrodeo@gmail.com, www.charterstowersrodeo.com FESTIVAL OF THE WIND Apr 9 Celebrate the majestic kite from simple kits to sailing craft, hang gliders and parachuting. Enjoy rides, entertainment, competitions and market stalls and flying your own kites on the beach. Emu Park, festivalofthewind@gmail.com, www.festivalofthewind.com ANZAC DAY DAWN SERVICE Apr 25 Commemorate those who…