Innehållsförteckning för Issue 565 från Caravan World

Fledgling Aura Caravans was only launched in September 2015 but is fast becoming a bright light in the RV industry. Based in Campbellfield, Vic, Aura was established by Ishan Fernando and Ralph Barnabas, and there is an interesting tale attached to it. A few years ago, Barnabas was looking for someone to refurbish the interior of his ‘dilapidated’ 1981 motorhome and Fernando was recommended. Barnabas was impressed with Fernando workmanship and, as fate would have it, Fernando wanted to start his own caravan building business but needed a partner. Enter Barnabas. Roll on to 2017, and Aura Caravans has made a big impression on the local industry in a short time. CW recently tested Aura’s 6.83m (22ft 5in) on-road tourer, the Strada – which, if you’ll excuse the pun, has…

Cruising through caravan sales yards might give buyers the impression that much of the Australian caravan industry is devoted to building large, ‘offroad’ (an overused term if ever I’ve heard one) caravans. But that’s not true – there are plenty of caravans of different sizes and prices available. The Jurgens Jindabyne pop-top definitely falls into this category. It’s a single-axle van that has an external body length of 5.53m (18ft 2in) and a Tare weight of just 1450kg. As a manufacturer, Jurgens has carved out a unique niche in the Australian industry with its lightweight vans with Euro-inspired interiors. Pop-top caravans are an interesting niche, too. Created decades ago in the midst of an RV industry coming to terms with the 1970s fuel crisis, pop-tops have moved up and down…

“On the Move is a leader in the offroad caravan genre, and the Grenade Series II is its flagship” I’m a happily married baby boomer in his mid-50s, increasingly mindful that my time is continually ticking past. I’ve been starting to think… midlife crisis? But, no, I don’t have an inexplicable wish to buy a sports car or go on a crash diet. However, I do feel in need a travel fix! I have several outback destinations I’d like to mark off my bucket list – including the vast, remote interior of Australia such as Kakadu in the NT, the Kimberley in WA, and the Flinders Ranges in SA. Obviously, I’ll need an offroad caravan that not only talks the talk but walks the walk. And I reckon I might…

Queensland – this magnificent part of our country isn’t called the sunshine state for no reason. Boasting more sunshine hours in winter than any other area in Australia, Queensland is the obvious choice for anyone wanting to escape the long, dark season down south. It abounds in national parks with breathtaking scenery, beautiful campgrounds and a vast array of native wildlife so there’s no shortage of places to visit. Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park This tropical oasis, surrounded by livistona palms, pandanus and white cedar trees, is located in the vast Gulf Savannah which stretches from the Northern Territory to outback Queensland. Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) NP is a place of awe-inspiring beauty, with Lawn Hill Creek winding its way through steep sandstone cliffs and cascading down majestic waterfalls. The magnificent…

In Australia, we can generally sit around a campfire safe in the knowledge we’re not at risk of an animal attack. There are no bears, lions, or wolves to interrupt our nighttime reverie like there is in the US or South Africa. However, if you’re heading to northern Queensland to escape the winter chill, it’s ill-advised to be complacent about our own native predators, especially the world’s largest reptile - the saltwater crocodile. Many of us affectionately refer to these four-legged killing machines as ‘salties’. Maybe that’s a problem. Perhaps we’ve become too familiar with them and too inclined to think they spend their time lying motionless in the sun. Hop on a croc tour, and we’ll see the tour operators dropping food to them as if they were tame…

We awoke with the sun bright and early at the Eucla Motel Hotel and Caravan Park, unsure as to what the time actually was, given Eucla, unlike the rest of WA, runs unofficially (although apparently universally accepted) on the Central Western Time Zone. We had crossed into WA the previous afternoon, just 12km to the east. Our smartphones were very confused by this, as were we. But by what we determined to be 6.30am, the campground had virtually emptied and since we had a good 608km to get to our day’s destination at Fraser Range Station, we weren’t that far behind. After the previous day’s Nullarbor highlights, the drive between Eucla and Fraser Range looked comparatively less exciting, although I reckon if you keep your eyes peeled there’s always something…

Free campsites are a sight for the sore eyes of a weary traveller, and this is one I highly recommend. On a recent trip, I drove into Ardlethan, NSW, to buy some lunch and noticed the free camp in the main street. It looked great so I made it my second night stop. There are four sites and you can plug into power for $2 for 12 hours. If you want more, simply put in more coins. The toilets are spotless and the electric barbecues are free. It’s set in the middle of parkland which features a rotunda with seats. There’s a couple of interesting artworks to see in town that will improve your trivia knowledge. A new sculpture celebrates local resident Frank Bradley, a Stawell Gift winner, while another…

When you’re on the road, food that is easily stored and can be eaten on the go is a lifesaver. The following recipes are simple to create using a muffin tin and don’t compromise on flavour. Breakfast Cups In addition to being a delicious breakfast (think a more portable version of bacon and eggs), these cups also make either a great snack or light lunch. Preparation time: 5-10 minutes Cooking time: About 15 minutes The following quantity will make six breakfast cups. Handy Hint 1: You could add a dash of Tabasco, a small pinch of chilli flakes, or a slice or two of finely chopped chorizo or salami to the mixture. Chopped spinach or kale also works well. I am a big fan of the option of adding a…

There’s no doubt that travelling Australia on the road offers up incredible landscapes and unique experiences. But what’s the view like from above? Now you can find out, with a stunning book of photography Aerial Australia by Nick Rains set to be released in August. Revealing Australia to you as you’ve never seen it before, the book is separated into six sections which include wild spaces, city skylines and coastal edges. From his vantage point up high, Rains’ is able to capture the intricate patterns of the land. With more than 30 years’ experience as a photographer, he has a keen sense of the unique which results in a book that you’ll want to keep looking at. Whether it’s vineyards, forests or agricultural properties, you’ll be intrigued by the bird’s…

The Caravan Industry Association of Australia has welcomed National Heavy Vehicle Regulator support for an education and awareness campaign to help road and rest stop users to ‘Coexist’ as part of a wider initiative to deliver safer roads. The Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative called for value-for-money initiatives that deliver significant heavy vehicle safety benefits. Stuart Lamont, Caravan Industry Association of Australia chief executive, said the ‘Coexist’ initiative was one of 12 programs approved for a share of the $3.9 million by the NHVR, supported by the Federal Government. “The Coexist initiative will be a partnership education program with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and others, designed to address growing conflicts between RV users and heavy vehicle drivers at rest stops and on the road,” Lamont said. “The campaign will inform…

More than 70 Australian Caravan Club (ACC) members descended on the New South Wales town of Peak Hill for the recent biannual Chairman’s Muster. RVers from four states gathered at Peak Hill Showgrounds over five days, with 36 caravans and two motorhomes making up the vehicle numbers. Events for the week were organised by locals including Peak Hill Caravan Park owners Leighton and Pauline Davies, and included a visit to the famous Parkes Dish, guided historic tour of Peak Hill’s former gold mine, and a day trip to an indigenous rock art gallery at Snake Rock. Author and former owner of the popular Workabout Australia club, Barry Brebner also attended. He spoke to members about his latest book, Working on the Wallaby, a collection of stories from people who have…

OFFROAD TYRES I have a 2014 model 18ft single-axle semioffroad Golden Eagle caravan, with offroad tyres. They are in a 235/75R15 size, in a Light Truck construction, with thick tread. Do you think my van warrants such a heavy tread tyre? Nobody can answer the question. If anybody can, it is you guys. Ron Murphy Via email It depends on what you want to do with the van. Driving on outback dirt roads can add an extra dimension to tyre grip and puncture resistance requirements. An offroad tyre – typically called an All-Terrain tyre or a Mud Terrain tyre for the more extreme ones, will be better than a LT truck tyre for offroad grip. Tyre tread will be more open and aggressive, so that it will grip better. Tread…

AUSRV is quite a new name in the Australian caravan manufacturing industry. However, its parent company – Market Direct Campers (MDC) – is not. Until now, MDC has been best known for its imported camper trailers and offroad hybrids. But now, AUSRV, under MDC, has set up a local production facility at its Coopers Plains, Qld, factory, for a new range of all-terrain and full offroad caravans. We picked up a new Finke 19-02 AT caravan for this review. The Finke 19 is a 5.87m (19ft 3in) tandem axle van designed for all-terrain use. There are three Finke models on the market, forward door entry (01), rear door (02) and bunk van (03). ON THE SCALES The Finke 19 has a Tare weight of 2141kg and an ATM of 2900kg…

Most modern caravans have an external width between 2.41m (7ft 11in) and 2.46m (8ft). That measurement usually includes the awning, which is commonly a standard feature these days. The benefit of getting close to the maximum legal width (2.5m/8ft 2.5in) of a van is, of course, more internal living space. However, there are times when having a van with a narrower body is an advantage. One example of this is when you’re negotiating narrow bush tracks – it’s always good to have a bit of clearance and not be worrying about scratching the van sides, or worse! Hybrid camper trailer manufacturers have certainly recognised this and it’s not surprising that offroad-specialist Bushtracker Caravans has done the same with its 16ft offroad caravan. It has an external body width of just…

Lounging in the back of Horizon’s Melaleuca with the rear doors flung open, watching surfers cruise the waves from the lookout above the tiny north coast NSW town of Lennox Head, I realised this was my kind of motorhome: compact and cosy but fully equipped and self-contained. And after speaking to the team at Horizon, I don’t think I’m alone - the Melaleuca is just as popular with the Ballina-based manufacturer’s staff as it is among its clientele. I was told to get in line for the keys! Built into a long wheelbase Fiat Ducato and coming in at just under 6m (20ft) long, the Melaleuca is the smallest model in Horizon’s range and fits snugly into most standard car spaces, making it an easy tourer for stopping and exploring…

From Laura to Bamaga, the rugged, red dirt road to The Tip is one of the best offroad journeys Australia has to offer. Along the way, secluded tropical beaches, spring-fed waterfalls and barramundi fishing spots will leave you spellbound, and more than compensate for the bumpy ride. Whether you are headed north this winter or are still dreaming and planning, here are 10 places you won’t want to miss, including top free camps and little-known historical sites that will turn your trip to The Tip into the journey of a lifetime! Just don’t wait too long. This ultimate off-road route looks set to become fully sealed by mid-2019. Know before you go Well-groomed early in dry season (May to October), the Peninsula Development and Telegraph Road inevitably deteriorate as winter…

We’ve all heard of the odd dead possum or cane toad in outback water tanks. And many of us know about the risks of water contamination from industrial and agricultural run-off. So it makes sense to ensure that we fill up from clean water sources when we’re on the road. But how much care do we take of our rig’s onboard water storage tanks between trips? Whether we use our rigs and associated gear often or just once in a blue moon, sediments, fungus, bacteria and algae can build up in our water tanks. Even with a new setup, industrial dust and other contaminated residue like pollen may have settled in the tank during installation. And if we’ve bought our rig secondhand, there’s simply no way to know what we…

After our dawn hike to the ‘summit’ of Fraser Range Station and a leisurely breakfast within earshot of the lingering emus, we packed up the Birdsville and hit the road bound for Kalgoorlie – a mere 300km away, and our shortest driving day by far! We made a quick pitstop at the Norseman Beacon Lookout in the RV Friendly Town of Norseman along the way. The lookout has vistas over the salty red lakes, and we got our first taste of the importance of mining to this area through the informative displays there. Not long afterwards, in the early afternoon, we arrived in Kalgoorlie and checked in to our accommodation at the Discovery Parks – Kalgoorlie (see page 186). Kalgoorlie and Boulder have distinct town centres but operate jointly as…

About 25 years ago, there was an old ‘dad’ joke that went something like this: “how do you know when there are no teenagers living in the house?” The answer: “because the VCR clock is flashing!” The joke is dated on two counts. One is that the humble video cassette recorder (VCR), although probably still present in some TV cabinets (including mine!), is no longer used. Secondly, because of the relentless rise of technology, in today’s high-tech world of smartphones, tablets, laptops and satellite navigation systems, difficulty setting the VCR clock would be met with “huh, what’s the problem?” There is, of course, a modern variation to the joke that skips a generation. How many CW readers invite the grandchildren around because granddad is having a problem with his computer?…

Location Cattle Yards, outback Queensland Gear Canon 5D Mk II, ISO 200, f4, 1/200sec, 50mm lens Composition Photographing through the fence frames the subject and brings you face to face with the subjects big and small. In most cases, group photos can be posed. In this case, the subjects pose themselves naturally. Handy hint Get up close and intimate. The fence safety allows the inquisitive animals to approach, the closer you get the more detail you’ll have in their faces – which really lifts a shot. Photographic fact Common problems with taking group portraits of humans or animals is that one or more subjects always seem to look away or in different directions. Subjects can blink; the group is too far away or doesn’t fit into the shot. Try taking…

I’ve always loved surf beaches. The mesmerising waves, the sunrise and sunsets, the fine white sand beneath your feet and, of course, the fishing. It’s really easy to be lured into the world of boats and technology, but it’s refreshing to get back to basics on a surf beach. It’s bread and butter fishing that can be exciting or calm and beautiful. One thing’s for sure, the surf cleanses the fisherman’s soul. Like most sides of the sport, surf fishing can be as easy or as hard as you like it. I’ll rarely get up early to hit the beaches, although perhaps I should. On a beautiful day, it really doesn’t matter when I go or what I catch, but if I want a real chance of success, timing a…

Like most caravan manufacturers, AUSRV’s caravan construction starts with the chassis. All the steelwork is done in the factory. It’s then sent out for hot-dip galvanising and, once back on the production line, it is laid out upside down. At this stage, items like the suspension components and water tanks are fitted. Once the sub chassis is complete, the chassis is turned over for the upper construction work to start. The first item to be put in position at this point is the one piece composite floor. AUSRV uses the ‘inside-out’ technique for van construction. That means much of the cabinetry work is done away from the main production line and then installed before the walls and roof are fitted. A benefit of doing all the cabinetry work first is…

This isn’t quite the starting point but you can see how the hot-dipped galvanised chassis (built in a separate factory) is used as a base for everything else. The chassis has been fitted with all the usual items – independent suspension, water tanks, and hitch – and then had galvanised sheet lain on top of the chassis. Construction of the aluminium frame has commenced. Bushtracker’s reliance on the aluminium frame is nicely demonstrated here. It’s all fully welded and all the necessary holes have been drilled out to accommodate the wiring. Like many manufacturers, Bushtracker has an entirely separate cabinetry section that produces the Tasmanian oak-finished furniture. The ‘Modern Choices’ interior is also available. There are a few points to note here. The interior walls are fully lined with ply…

Land Rover’s medium SUV, the Discovery Sport, has been on the market since 2015, and brought with it a high level of technology and a useful 2200kg towing capacity. This year, the Land Rover has been freshened up with a new 2L turbodiesel engine and detail upgrades. But how does the refreshed Discovery Sport go when towing? That’s what we’re here to find out. WHAT’S NEW? The Ingenium 2L all-alloy turbodiesel engine, first used by Land Rover in the Evoque, replaces the iron-head DW12 2.2L engine. Fuel consumption is down, power is the same and it’s 24kg lighter than the 2.2L DW12. Service intervals for the new Ingenium diesel are longer, too, going from one year/26,000km to every two years/34,000km. While regular towing falls under ‘arduous conditions’ that require abbreviated…

Australians have a huge love affair with beaches, quite possibly because we can lay claim to some of the most pristine curls of crushed quartz on the planet. Nudging bright blue coves, separating tropical isles from their fringing reefs, and stretching endlessly along windswept southern shores, our remarkable beaches lure us to the sea to walk and play, snorkel and surf, rejuvenate and relax. So when 101beaches.com released its annual list of top Aussie beaches late last year, travellers around the country began plotting a course for the best of the best. Taking out first place was the sublime but hugely inaccessible Cossies Beach on distant Cocos (Keeling) Islands, a bit out of the way for most of us! Thankfully, number two on the list is well within reach and…

The majority of travellers to the remote Dampier Peninsula stay at Broome or, if they venture north, at the Kooljaman eco-resort on Cape Leveque. While these are two worthy destinations, they bookend a broader landscape that is historically important, culturally significant and naturally inspiring - features that more than justify the peninsula’s inclusion in the West Kimberley National Heritage Area. The Dampier Peninsula is a roughly triangular extension of the mainland, with a coastline of 1100km, bound by the Indian Ocean to the west and King Sound to the east, enclosing almost a million hectares of land. At its south-west corner lies Broome, 2360km north of Perth via National Highway 1, or about two and a half hours by plane. Travellers are drawn here in numbers averaging about 35,000 annually,…

We set off early from Streaky Bay, just as the sun was starting to rise – today was the day I had been waiting for, the day we finally crossed the Nullarbor Plain. After a quick breakfast stop in Ceduna, where we dined on decent coffee and delicious pastries from the Ceduna Bakehouse, we hit the long road west. I was behind the wheel of the Avida Birdsville, preferring to do my driving shifts early in the morning - which may surprise my husband, who’s used to me napping in the passenger seat until at least 8am! Less than an hour later, we approached the first highlight of the day (after the pastries) and our next ‘Big Thing’ - Australia’s ‘largest’ (depending on who you ask) windmill at Penong, SA.…

Caravan dealership Green RV, which sells its own NextGen brand of caravans, as well as Regent caravans, has launched an online cooking program to engage with younger caravan owners and buyers. The show, called Friday RV Cooking, was launched online in March and releases a new episode every month. The first episode was shot inside a NextGen Greyline caravan with chef Mick Capelli at the Scarborough Holiday Village, Qld. The following month, Capelli travelled to the Cotton Tree Holiday Park on the beautiful Sunshine Coast and cooked out of the kitchen and Weber barbecue on the same NextGen Greyline. In the third episode, the team ventured to the Rivershore Resort, also on the Sunny Coast, with a large Regent Cruiser caravan to cook up a waterfront feast. So if you’re…

“You’re getting what to the gallon?” I asked Matt when he told me the Jeep had at least another 450km of range. Here I am refuelling Milo – again – and Matt and Rod were off ordering lunch. “About 9.5L per 100km,” he responded, “which is maybe twice as much as you?” I’d figured it was about twice as much, maybe even more.Milo’s got a 3.4L four cylinder engine and runs small with 3.7 diff ratios that, combined with the big tyres, means it’s pulling a tad under 2000 revs at 100 km/h. I’m happy that she does about 15 miles per gallon in the old coin with a dose of FlashLube to keep that up. That’s not bad for an old 4WD. But it translates to about 20L per…

If, like me, bad health or other problems have kept you grounded this winter, deprived of your annual pilgrimage north, then chances are you’ve been willing those winter blues away. We’re still a few months away from those warm rays of sunshine, so here are a few strategies to help keep you cosy in the meantime. FIND A FRIEND Good company always manages to stave off the chill. Whether it’s stimulating conversation or sharing a cuppa, it all works to distract your mind from the weather. There are also romantic connections, holding hands and hugs. Sharing body warmth is a great way to harvest some heat. If human hugs are a little thin on the ground, why not hug a pet? Those lap-sized furry critters are like portable hot water…

QLD BURDEKIN WATER FESTIVAL Sep 2 This three-month long festival celebrates Burdekin’s abundant underground water supply and culminates in a street parade and mardi gras on Sep 3, filled with colourful floats, in the town’s CBD. Ayr, president@burdekinwaterfestival.com.au, www.burdekinwaterfestival.com.au QUILPIE & DISTRICT SHOW, RODEO & GYMKHANA Sep 9 Enjoy parading fashions, browse stalls or with a sideshow alley action before kicking back for an evening of bull-riding action with the rodeo commencing at dusk with music and beverages until late. Quilpie Shire, www.quilpieshow.org.au BRISBANE FESTIVAL Sep 9-30 Enjoy a thrilling program of theatre, music, dance, circus, opera and major public events such as Sunsuper Riverfire in an event that aims to connect artists and audiences in ways that lift the spirit, disrupt the conventional and open our city to the…