Innehållsförteckning för Issue 554 från Caravan World

Campers will be able to visit Tasmania’s national parks for free for several weeks later this year, as part of the celebrations to mark 100 years of national parks on the Apple Isle. Entry to all of Tassie’s 19 national parks will be free to visitors from August 27-29 (Centenary Weekend) and September 24-October 9 (Tasmanian school holidays). This means visitors will not require a valid national parks pass when visiting any of the 19 national parks during the free entry period. However, while campers will not need a parks pass provided they start their camping within the free period, camping and cabin fees will still apply for Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair (pictured above), Freycinet, Southwest, Maria Island, Mount Field, Mount William, Narawntapu, South Bruny, and Tasman national parks. Walkers…

Everyone loves camping when the sun is shining and the weather forecast promises endless warm days without rain. It’s the perfect time to go to the beach, head off on a long hike or simply laze around at camp, and kids can play outside for hours, writes CW blogger Claudia Bouma. However, we live in a country of extremes and the weather can change from one day to the next, sometimes one hour to the next! So it pays to be prepared for whatever Mother Nature might throw at you. Bringing the right equipment and a couple of games could make the difference between a disappointing and enjoyable holiday. We want to know what your top tips are for dealing with all kinds of weather? How do you prepare and…

ON OR OFF ROAD? I am sure you have been asked this question thousands of times, but I couldn't find any reference on the website, so here goes. I am retired and am planning a trip to see Australia. I have no idea, at this stage, where I shall go but I am sure that somewhere I shall come across many gravel roads. I am not planning on taking a van offroad, as such, but as far as gravel roads, in all their varying degrees of repair, are concerned, will an on-road van be okay? Should I go for an offroad van? Or would an on-road van be suitable with a variety of items, such as suspension, strengthened? And if you think an on-road van would be okay but with…

In matrimonial idiom, a 10th wedding anniversary is traditionally celebrated with gifts of aluminium or tin. And in modern-day nuptial parlance, it's diamond jewellery. so there's a touch of irony that Billabong Custom Caravans is celebrating a ‘happy marriage' with the RV industry, with a glitzy aluminium composite offering that absolutely sparkles - inside and out! The Campbellfield, Vic, manufacturer launched its 10th anniversary model - the Grove 22x - at the Victorian Caravan, Camping and Touring supershow in late February. Built off a base of the popular Grove range, the commemorative 7.23m (23ft 9in) Grove 22x comprises an extended ensuite, a large central club lounge and a modern kitchen. New LED strip lighting also gives the van an updated internal finish, ridding it of outdated wall-mounted lighting. The anniversary…

In Australia, there’s a perception that British and European-built caravans are not suitable for ‘our’ road conditions – whatever they might be. But this isn’t necessarily the case, because Australian road conditions vary hugely – from the smooth blacktop of the Hume Highway to the rough and tumble of the Gibb River Road. A better approach to determining the suitability of a van is to consider how you plan on using it and where you want to take it. To counter this perception, manufacturers like Adria, in conjunction with their Australian distributors, have developed ‘Australianised’ versions of some of their van models. Our Adria Altea 552PK review van fits into this category and also comes with the interestingly-named ‘Sport Upgrade’. Adria’s Sport Upgrade includes a raised chassis to give about…

Americans love their utes, and the bigger, the better. Aussies can get their hands on a variety of full-size US trucks through a number of local converters but, here, we’re tow-testing one that has undergone, arguably, the most thorough right-hand drive conversion of them all. The RAM Laramie 2500 is sold by American Special Vehicles (ASV), a joint-venture between Ateco Automotive and Walkinshaw Automotive Group (WAG). Ateco covers marketing and sales, while WAG gets the RAMs compliant with Australian ADRs at its Clayton, Vic, factory – of which the principal job is the right-hand drive conversion. Unusual for a company charged with converting US trucks is ASV’s level of investment in getting the RAM conversion right. New components manufactured to suit the conversion include steering box, dashboard, ventilation ducting and…

“Four days was scarcely long enough to enjoy the extraordinary beauty of Trephina Gorge Nature Park” Situated in the heart of the spectacular East MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia, Trephina Gorge is sure to impress with its sheer quartzite cliffs and rugged landscapes. The nature park is an easy one-hour drive from Alice Springs and accessible to all vehicles, except after heavy rain which can make the last 5km stretch of dirt impassable. We drove into the park after a long journey from Chambers Pillar on the western fringe of the Simpson Desert where we had spent the previous night. Trephina Gorge offers totally different but equally impressive scenery. The recent heavy rain was bringing life and plenty to these otherwise dry areas of Central Australia and the usually barren…

From the balcony of the fire tower atop Mount Beerburrum, it seemed the whole of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast hinterland was laid out before me. To the south, a patchwork of pine plantations and farmland stretched away towards Caboolture. Bribie Island could be seen faintly to the east and, in the north, the volcanic peaks of the Glass House Mountains stood like sentinels in the early morning haze. Overhead, a near-cloudless blue sky augured well for my planned safari through several national parks in the coastal plain, the Blackall Range and beyond. “The mountains are easily accessible from Brisbane and major centres on the Sunshine Coast, and offer boundless opportunities for recreation” GLASS HOUSE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK The climb to the summit of Mount Beerburrum (280m) was a real slog -…

Right, now I know you’ve probably read plenty of words of real wisdom on the subject of fuelling your vehicles, written by people who know their stuff and are up-to-date on modern technology. That’s not me, as an incident with the microwave last night pretty much proved but, as an old bush mechanic, I’ve got a few thoughts that might be relevant for long distance travellers. Forty years ago, we refuelled almost everything in the bush from drums. Those drums were filled from farm tanks that were filled by trucks that came from the depot and, even with the best of intentions, you were pretty much guaranteed some rubbish in with your fuel. Old funnels always incorporated a brass gauze filter - a last checkpoint for solids and a visual…

Like it or not, we share the road with other users, some with much bigger rigs than our own, so it goes without saying we need to drive to the conditions and respect the interests of others on the road. Trucks are a case in point. They are bigger, heavier and work under considerable time pressure to meet their schedules. In contrast, we’re generally on holiday with our RV in tow and usually without any real time constraints. Given we will normally travel at a slower pace, our actions can have a significant impact on safety when sharing the road with these behemoths of the blacktop. Here are my top five tips for sharing the road safely... RESPECT THE SIZE A quick comparison in size will confirm that a loaded…

QLD – Blackall a country Queensland. GETTING THERE It’s just over 600km inland from Rockhampton. ATTRACTIONS Blackall has some unique attractions, including a historic woolscour, and is home of the famed ‘Black Stump’, originally used for surveying Queensland’s boundaries. VISIT The Blackall Aquatic Centre has a hot artesian spa and a 50m pool where you can soak up the artesian water in the relaxing surrounds. TOURIST INFORMATION Blackall Visitor Information Centre, Ram Park, Shamrock St, Blackall, (07) 4657 4637, binfo@btrc.qld.gov.au QLD EVENT OF THE MONTH Oct 14-16: Blackall Heartland Festival, Blackall. A showcase of Blackall’s sheep and wool heritage as well as its regional produce, the festival will feature a billy cart derby, barbecue cook off, art and photography exhibitions, plenty of music, and country racing with fashions on the…

“This is an honest, well thought-out, well made and nicely priced caravan” When people hear I review caravans, they usually ask ‘what’s the best one to buy?’ It’s a rather nebulous question, which leads to a cross-examination of their budget, where they want to travel and for how long. But if they are first caravan buyers who might be migrating from camping under canvas, either a camper or a tent, I usually tell them the following: find the Jayco model that best suits your needs in terms of price, size and features, and then benchmark it against two or three other similarly sized and equipped caravans in the same price bracket. With its vast range of pop-tops, Expandas and full-height caravans, the Dandenong South-based market leader, which traces its origins…

There are quiet moments when you dream bleary-eyed dreams of exploring green forests, rugged coastlines and inhospitable wildernesses. For a fortunate few, the dream becomes a reality; all that is needed is a vehicle in which to explore the remote corners of the country – or, perhaps, even the globe. One particularly intrepid traveller had such dreams and commissioned Gold Coast-based RV manufacturer SLR Caravans to build him a vehicle capable of roaming through the most remote, challenging and beautiful spots around the world – a vehicle built for true global adventures. SLR Caravans reckons it has met the challenge with its custom-built Commander 4x4 expedition vehicle. And, on looks, it’s just the sort of thing you need to take on the task. Touted as easy to ship anywhere in…

North of Brisbane, Qld, around Burpengary and Caboolture, there is a burgeoning number of caravan dealers located along the service roads of the Bruce Highway. That, of course, is very handy for caravan buyers who can simply cruise the strip in their search for a new caravan. And it’s equally handy for an RV journalist doing caravan reviews – a one-stop shop, you might say! This time around, I picked up an Oz Cruiser Grand Tourer 1960 (GT 1960) from River City RVs in Burpengary. Something that always pleases me when arriving at a caravan sales yard is to find a clean review caravan hitched up and ready to go. And although director Matt Blackburn wasn’t there, he still made sure that everything was organised for me. My tow vehicle…

Let me kick this off by saying, if you haven’t been to the Big Red Bash yet, you are dead-set missing out on the time of your life. Seriously, this event is absolutely insane! Imagine more than 7000 people all gathered together in the remote and, need I say, usually sleepy town of Birdsville, Qld, to raise money for Type 1 diabetes. And did I mention some of the best country music and rock artists in the world show up to rock your socks off under a chandelier of stars? Yep, when it comes to outback events, this one takes the cake and eats it, too! People from every state of the country drive far and wide to make it to this annual spectacle, so tales of epic adventures and…

There was a time when a caravan was a simple plywood structure with minimal features. They weighed very little and could easily be towed around by even the modest vehicles of the day. Then we, the buying public, began to ask for ensuites and big fridges and hot water services and air-conditioners and televisions and all the other impedimenta of life that fills our homes to bursting. Those homes on wheels grew accordingly. These days, our caravans commonly start at around a tonne-and-a-half in weight – and frequently much more – even when empty, and our tow vehicles have to be large 4WDs or similar. Aside from the fuel consumption and aerodynamic loads they impose on our vehicles, it’s the sheer weight, even when they are standing still, that makes…

“The roo shooters had ridden themselves into history to become the first ‘opal kings’ of White Cliffs” You might not find it listed in medical books, and doctors don't seem to have a cure for it, anyway, but many people in this region have been struck by a fever they just can't shake… and it's been going on for over 100 years! Its proper name is ‘opal fever' and at White Cliffs, in western New south Wales, people have been catching this incurable affliction since 1889, when the region was in the middle of a severe drought. All those years ago, the manager of the local Momba station, desperately trying to preserve feed and water for his sheep, took on four roo shooters to reduce the huge number of kangaroos…

There’s a series of books titled For Dummies on all sorts of subjects and, after spending time on the road this year, I think there should be one on towing because I’ve sure seen some dummies! One of my favourites is the outfit travelling around 80km/h until an overtaking opportunity comes and then they speed up to the speed limit, making legal overtaking impossible. Of course, there’s no towing mirrors so they have no means of seeing the trail of vehicles held up behind! Then there’s the two caravans travelling together who, for some unknown reason, are travelling so close that instead of just overtaking one you have to pass both at the same time. Perhaps they are afraid of getting lost? I’ve also lost count of the rigs I’ve…

A wok is an essential and versatile part of my travelling kit. Woks can be used to create delicious and nutritious meals using methods such as stir frying, deep frying and steaming. Beef with Onions and Broccoli The following recipe uses three different types of onions to provide a rich onion flavour. Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 15 minutes The following quantities will serve four Handy Hint 1: You could substitute red curry paste, yellow curry paste or a jungle curry paste for the green curry paste in this recipe. Handy Hint 2: Try substituting either bok choy or pak choy for the broccoli. 2tbspvegetableoil 2 tbsp Thai green curry paste 200g rump steak, sliced thinly 2brownonionspeeled and finely sliced 4 green shallots, cut into 2cm lengths…

He's been fishing since before he could walk, landed some big beauties all over the country and, best of all, is willing to share his tips and tricks with the world. He’s loath to use the term himself, but we reckon CW's fishing ‘expert' John ‘Bear’ Willis is just that. Bear’s no stranger to outdoor adventures – he’s been camping most of his life and has owned various caravans and camper trailers throughout the years. When he’s not on a beach somewhere, rod in one hand and beer in the other, he’s gracing the pages of CW’s sister magazines Camper Trailer Australia and Trade-a-Boat with his camping, engineering and boating expertise. Where’s your favourite place in Australia to visit and why? Can I just say all of it? My…

Need help with a technical or towing problem? Ask Philip Lord Changing a caravan tyre is one of the simplest ‘technical’ things you can do, but get it wrong and it’ll end in tears. There are also some things about changing a wheel on a caravan that are different to what you might be used to on a vehicle. Before you even go on tour and discover that you've got a flat tyre, you need to include your spare tyre in your pre-trip checks. One thing that is easy to forget with a spare tyre – especially one that you have been lucky enough to not need to use before – is that they only last so long. Rubber hardens over time and, after five years, a tyre…

The family that plays together, stays together… and the Essential Grant Cruiser 21ft Family Series II offers the potential for plenty of family fun. Some people don’t take up caravanning until they’re middle-aged, and they quickly realise the escapades they’ve missed in their formative years. Family vanning provides a great way to foster in the kids a sense of adventure and give them a taste of the great Australian outdoors at an impressionable age. Based in Traralgon, Vic, Ian Grant’s Caravans is the sole Victorian dealer for Essential Caravans, which has more than 35 years experience in the caravan industry and prides itself on building quality caravans from its base in Campbellfield, Vic. The upgraded 6.4m (21ft) Family Series II bears the Grant name and embodies Essential Caravans’ high attention…

Since the Talvor/Apollo group obtained the rights to use the Winnebago name in Australia, the manufacturer has been steadily building its range of Winnebago-branded caravans and motorhomes. Although the initial plan was for a significant amount of US input into the RV manufacture, a relatively poor US/Australian exchange rate has seen much of the production happen here in Australia. One of the latest motorhomes to appear out of Winnebago’s Northgate, Qld, premises is the Burleigh. It’s layout is a little different to the conventional but, otherwise, boasts a considerable number of standard features. For the Burleigh, Winnebago has opted to use an Iveco Daily 50C170 cab chassis. Translating the numbers, that means it comes with a 5200kg (down-rated to 4495kg in this instance) cab chassis with a 170hp (125kW) single-stage…

Zone RV may be a relatively new name in the caravan industry but that’s not the impression you get judging by the well-built range of caravans that come out of its Queensland factory. Indeed, quite the opposite, because the principals behind Zone RV have gained their experience over years in related industries including marine and transport, as well as in caravan manufacturing. Having reviewed Zone RV’s 20.6 Off Road (CW548) and 18.6 Off Road (CW552) and come away suitably impressed, we thought it was time to take a closer look at the company’s manufacturing process to see how these unusual looking vans are actually built. Although a Zone RV caravan comprises a chassis with a caravan body on top, that’s about the only similarity it has with a conventionally-built caravan.…

“It’s a bit isolated,” said Neville Jacob, the new owner of the iconic Pink Roadhouse in Oodnadatta, SA. His resistance to hyperbole is fairly typical of the no-bullshit folk you’re likely to meet out here. About 1000km north of Adelaide, Oodnadatta is Australia’s hottest, driest town with a population of just 80 people. It’s a bit isolated, yes. But Neville is quick to point out that he meets a great many people as the proprietor of the much-loved Pink Roadhouse, and that’s hardly surprising, given its location on the popular Oodnadatta Track at the southern gateway to the Simpson Desert. For those who don’t like tarmac, it’s the logical way to get from Adelaide to the Red Centre and the road is usually in good condition, making the trek perfect…

“When it comes to a place to stay, you are now spoilt for choice in Mackay” Denyse and I lived in Bowen, Qld, until 1988, when we sold our home and charter yacht, purchased a new offroad camper trailer, hooked it up behind our tow vehicle and set off on our second ‘Round Oz’ trip, looking for a new home. Nine months later, we ended up in Mackay, Qld, only 200km south of Bowen, finding nowhere we liked better! Mackay was a very prosperous city with excellent services for its size, relying on sugar cane, coal mining and farming. Since the end of the coal mining construction boom, the city has lost an estimated 20,000 people, mainly those employed in the mining and associated industries. But while the mining is…

As we near the end of winter, I thought it timely to reflect on seasonal variances and their impact on RVers. Winter is a funny time of year in the caravan and motorhome world. Many travellers who normally live in the southern areas of Australia have, by now, packed up their pride and joy and headed north to warmer climes, with places like Broome, Port Hedland, Darwin, Cairns and Townsville marked on many touring maps. Apart from the obvious reason of escaping the southern chill, it's also an ideal time to explore the north for those who don't cope with the steamy tropical months later in the year. While my work commitments mean I have never made the extended winter exodus north, I'm told it gets a bit crowded (relatively…

Location Redbank Gorge, West MacDonnell Ranges, NT Gear Canon 1DX, 16mm, ISO 400, f13, 1/40th second Composition Explore prior to shooting to look for features to enhance the scene – in this case, the interesting textures. Handy hint When photographing large landscapes, it’s often challenging to get a realistic sense of perspective. In this photo, I’ve focused on creating an image with varied texture both foreground and background to enhance the lightness and smoothness of the tree’s bark. Photographic fact In landscape photography, you tend to want to replicate and enhance colour, particularly in vibrant, colour-rich locations such as the outback. In the past, rich, saturated colour came from specialised film and low ISO. Now, with digital, it’s up to the post-production to show nature’s true colours. Colour is seductive…

What’s the best thing about winter? The end of it. Spring is just around the corner! While many people revel in the cold of winter, the majority of us in the bottom half of the country become grumpy hermits longing for the warmth of a sun-filled day to replenish our souls. Personally, I hate winter. Why in the hell I live in Victoria and suffer the big freeze is totally beyond the realm of rational thinking. I test boats and campers, and fish for a living, for God's sake. What the hell am I doing south of the border? Yet, there are some good sides to the ice age. Our southern bluefin tuna (sBT) have been phenomenal over recent years and the exploration into the uncharted waters of the broadbill…