Innehållsförteckning för Issue 616 från Caravan World

Lockdowns have upturned travel arrangements for many of us, but it’s a two-tier country at present. Those able to get into Queensland, NT, and WA before the latest border closures — and there seem to be thousands on the road — are having a great time by the look of it. Those stuck at home — not so much. I can’t help feeling for the Sydneysiders who must be tearing their hair out in their inner-city apartments, and for Melbourne folk who are well into the world’s longest lockdown with no end in sight. I wish you well. We are affected here too — most Caravan World staff are working at home with an occasional delivery of doughnuts from management to keep them close. A huge thanks to the team…

Victorians are invited to give feedback on how the state’s parks are managed in the future. The feedback is part of a new Parks Victoria Land Management Strate›y (LMS) by the Victorian Government to set out long-term strategies for the protection, management and use of Parks Victoria land for the next decade. Working alongside Traditional Owners, the LMS will respond to social, cultural and environmental issues as well as increased demand for visitor experiences, the growing population and climate change. The LMS implementation will be tracked over time with an Outcomes Reporting Framework, currently in draft. Lily D’Ambrosio, Minister for Ener›y, the Environment and Climate Change said the strate›y is about long-term outcomes. “This is a significant opportunity for the Victorian community to have their say and make sure out…

Jayco Australia has upgraded its J-Pod range with a slew of new features, catering to the increase of younger Australians getting into caravanning. The J-Pod is a compact, lightweight caravan for big weekend adventures, sized to suit both couples and single travellers. It features a new shape comprising a sandwich panel one-piece roof, which allows for a fixed-glass 160W solar panel. Other upgrades include an internal fibreglass wall finish, new rear door design, upgraded rear LED tail lights, bed lights with inbuilt USB ports, LED roof strip lights, and a redesigned roof rack rated at 300kg. The Jayco J-Pod has two models in the range — the Sport and Outback — both of which can sleep up to two people and come with an innerspring mattress, large underbed storage, 100A…

RV INLINE WATER FILTER FROM B.E.S.T. WATER FILTERS With a B.E.S.T. (Bacteria Elimination Silver Treatment) water filter, you can ensure you have clean, safe water – wherever the road may take you. The filter means you can safely draw water from town, tank, creek or bore water sources to fill your caravan’s tanks, while the chemicals and sediment will be removed and the bacteria destroyed. The filter is multi-directional, can be used after long periods of non-use and involves a simple, DIY installation. How to win If you’re stumped by a technical or towing problem, send your question to submissions@emprisegroup.com.au with ‘Tech Talk’ in the subject line or send a letter to Caravan World Tech Talk, 3 Wyman Place, Braeside, Vic 3195. All entries must include your full address (not…

AN AUSSIE ODYSSEY A journey along this winding waterway is an odyssey with many facets — Indigenous culture, historic river ports and paddle steamers, pristine wetlands teeming with native wildlife, irrigated vineyards and orchards, and wide-open spaces with boundless opportunities for recreation and adventure. THE MURRAY RIVER High in the Australian Alps, just south of Mount Kosciuszko, the Indi Springs feed a runnel that trickles west through alpine meadows, gathering other streams and creeks as it descends the mountain ranges to form the Murray River. From these lofty headwaters, the Murray flows 2520km through broad alluvial valleys to its mouth on the Southern Ocean, at Goolwa in South Australia. Along the way, it is joined by other major rivers, including the Geehi, Goulburn, Lachlan, Murrumbidgee and the Darling which brings…

Caravanning safety in Australia is something that covers a very broad range of topics. For instance, with a few basic precautions, most Australians can travel just about anywhere (COVID-19 restrictions being the exception) without worrying about their personal safety. However, safety on the road is a different matter and that involves several items to be checked on both the caravan or tow vehicle and there’s also the driver to consider. SAFETY CHECK — CARAVAN When compared to a tow vehicle, a caravan looks to be mechanically and electrically simple but there are quite a few items that should be checked and/or serviced regularly. Brakes, bearings, breakaway system, running lights and tyres all come into that category. An item that sometimes gets forgotten is the fire extinguisher — that it’s in…

STAY Big4 Renmark Riverfront Holiday Park has powered sites from $57 per night. Situated on 1km of river frontage. All the mod cons of an upmarket park including resort pool, water park, outdoor movie theatre — you name it. W: big4.com.au. Eudunda Caravan Park has powered sites from $25 per double. A new amenities block is shared with the Eudunda swimming pool. Free (unpowered) camping available at oval adjacent to caravan park. W: caravanpark.eudunda.com. The Burra Caravan and Camping Park has powered sites from $30. Located in the heart of town on the banks of the Burra Creek. Amenities include camp kitchen with TV. W: paxtonsquareprecinct.com.au. Burra Showgrounds has powered sites for $20 per night. Situated in Burra North, a short walk to eateries and tourist sights. There are 23…

“The Whitsundays are Australia’s most popular cruising ground. Steady winds and safe anchorages allow even novice sailors to take the helm.” VISITOR INFORMATION 12505 Bruce Hwy Proserpine Ph: 07 49453967 W: tourismwhitsundas.com.au CARAVAN PARKS Adventure Whitsunday Big 4 25-29 Shute Harbour Rd Airlie Beach 4802 Ph: 07 49485400 W: adventurewhitsunday.com.au DISCOVERY G’DAY PARKS AIRLIE BEACH 2634 Shute harbour Rd Jubilee Pocket 4802 Ph: 07 4946 6727 W: discoveryholidayparks.com.au SEABREEZE TOURIST PARK 234 Shute Harbour Rd Cannonvale 4802 Ph: 07 4946 6379 W: theseabreezepark.com.au ISLAND GATEWAY HOLIDAY PARK 1 Jubilee Pocket Rd Airlie Beach 4802 Ph: 07 4860 1700 W: islandgateway.com.au HIDEAWAY BAY CARAVAN AND CAMPING PARK 414 Hydeaway Bay Dr Hydeaway Bay 4800 Ph: 07 4945 7170 W: hydeawaybaycaravanpark.com.au PROSERPINE TOURIST PARK 79-83 Anzac Rd Proserpine 4800 Ph: 07 4945…

For those heading west this holiday season, Exploring Eden Media has released their newest edition of the ‘100 Things to See on’ series, Australia’s Coral Coast + Karijini and the Pilbara. The edition follows from Lancelin in the south to Point Samson, 1500km to the north, to show travellers the adventures possible in Western Australia. Keen explorers will be able to experience where the outback meets coral reef, stepping from desert to an underwater oasis. That’s not all though, as the guide details stunning wildflower meadows and walk-off-the-beach coral reefs, along with showing you where the best places to swim with whale sharks and manta rays are, where to camp under the stars and the top locations to kick back in outback microbreweries and pizza bars. Your belly won’t go…

When they first came out, I thought dashcams were a bit of a novelty, but as time has gone on, they have developed into a more versatile roll. As well as recording events in very high quality, they now include features that can help make you a safer driver. The latest version of Uniden’s Webcam brings WiFi connectivity and higher resolution. It also has AI sign recognition, which reads speed signs and alerts the driver if they are exceeding the limit. This is a feature of many new vehicles, but is a welcome addition for drivers of older vehicles. The Uniden iGO Cam 75R version comes with front and rear cameras both with wide angle high resolution recording. The front camera includes a 3in screen, with the front view as…

The three-day Red CentreNATS event in Alice Springs attracted a record 1008 entries this year. There was also a huge increase of people making their way to the event, up 165 per cent from South Australia, 170 per cent from Western Australia, and 50 per cent from Queensland, with 13,484 attendees recorded overall. NTMEC CEO, Tim Watsford, said the future of the event looks promising, with the Northern Territory Government signing another four-year agreement with Summernats to secure the event until at least 2025. “This has been an amazing year for Red CentreNATS, with record entry numbers and huge increases in the number of people travelling from interstate to attend,” Mr Watsford said. “This is especially impressive when you consider the difficulties in place when it comes to travel at…

Q G’day David, I’m a bit confused. I understand the importance of watts and amps in determining the size of a second battery to run electrical items such as a coffee maker or electric blanket, but what about items, such as tablets, laptops, or drills that only need to be connected when they need to be charged — do we still need to know the wattage and amperage of these items? If so, what happens if the wattage and or the amperage can't be found? I have been in contact with Samsung regarding the wattage on one of their tablets and the person with whom I spoke was unable to find anything. Thanks for your help, Tony Jackson A Hi Tony, Yes, it can all be a bit…

Moira Hazell had some fun on her recent trip to Windorah, QLD, and shows off her new power source. “This was taken while on holidays with friends at Windorah and sent back to family saying they had put solar on their van.” Readers Ian and Diane Stafford took advantage of a freecamp in Queensland to get off the beaten track. “I took this while free camping on the Burdekin River, just east of Charters Towers a few days ago. It shows our Toyota Prado and Avan Aspire 555.” Reader Josh Stafford grabbed this happy snap of his 2009 150 Series Prado and 2010 Jayco Starcraft, as the family set off on the next leg of their journey from the Toowoomba Showgrounds, QLD, underneath the 35ft B Pattern Comet Windmill. “After…

Jeb Grose is 31 years old, but he has more experience in vans than many businesspeople twice his age. After starting an apprenticeship in a caravan workshop aged 16 in his then hometown of Broken Hill, he took on a sales role and travelled to trade shows across the country. In 2016, Jeb and his partner Cassie opened Adelaide RV, a one-stop caravan retailer in Adelaide’s northern ’burbs. Subsequently, he has twice won SA’s Caravan and Camping Young Achiever of the Year Award, and the business has grown to employ 15 staff. The story of Jeb’s success lies in his clarity of purpose. “Life is meant to be lived in more than one spot,” he says. “We aim on helping 10,000 people travel by 2030.” Adelaide RV is on track…

Say hello to fresh produce, beautiful countryside, stunning waterways and remote wilderness an hour or so south of Hobart. Situated at the southern tip of Tasmania the Huon Valley is a travellers’ delight; compact for short excursions, with enough activities to keep you busy for days. Choose your own adventure from these four itineraries or mix and match for a smorgasbord of delights. SHE’LL BE APPLES, MATE The Huon Valley is synonymous with Tasmania’s historic apple industry (hence the state’s nickname the Apple Isle). Drive in any direction and you’ll see sprawling orchards festooned with Summer Red apples, the glistening baubles bobbing like Christmas decorations. Stop at a roadside stall for a bag of Pink Ladies — where the first bite will remind you just how good food is supposed…

The Manta Ray is a mid-range van that has been in the New Age stable since 2013. It has received a number of upgrades over time and has proven to be one of New Age’s bestsellers. This new Limited Edition iteration stands out predominantly for its new chassis, touted to save approximately 29kg compared to its predecessor. Other upgrades include the adoption of Alucobond exterior smooth panels — previously reserved for more premium models — and increased water carrying capacity. BELOW DECK The new chassis is a refinement from parent company Walkinshaw Group, with the Manta Ray being the very first van fitted with the chassis officially known as Walkinshaw 2.0. New Age outlined a number of changes to achieve weight saving and more. The number of floor supports in…

It’s fair to say that when New Age Caravans hit the scene in 2008, it caused a shift in local caravan design and marketing. The owners of New Age Frames and Designs, husband and wife team Joe and Gabby, supplied frames and interior cabinetry to the market for over four years and thought they could do a better job if they expanded into making the complete van. The first models went to market with a revolutionary interior based on contemporary apartment living. The cabinetry was finished with glossy, flat, and lightweight ply doors and drawers, and the rest of the industry soon followed suit. Traditional timber ‘picture frame’ style joinery was dead and any businesses caught with the old-style fitout took ages to sell the outdated models. Like all fashion,…

Australia is a nation rich in history; from the world’s longest-living continuous culture in our many Indigenous nations to the complexities brought about by the colonial period and the gold rush, many transformations in country life illustrate the ways in which Australia’s culture and economy have changed. Here we’ll look at some of the towns and regions where you will feel transported to these times. UPPER LACHLAN SHIRE, NSW The lands now called the Upper Lachlan Shire were first connected by the Wiradjuri, Gundungurra, and Ngunnawal peoples, before European explorers arrived in the early 1800s. With history that includes pioneering exploration, gold, and bushrangers to innovative agriculture, the region has many stories to tell. The Bushranger Hotel in Collector is a great place to start a historical tour of the…

When his growing family meant he needed a van with four bunks for the children, Sunseeker Caravans owner, Chris Michel, sat down with his team to design a new model for himself. The new van joined their expansive Marvel range, and became an immediate success when customers with large families discovered the new offering. “The level of options gives a good idea of how the models can be built to suit an extensive range of needs and budgets" The Marvel RV range sits alongside Sunseeker and Vision RV at the Sunseeker Caravans dealership on the Queensland Sunshine Coast as a more affordable but still capable offroad choice. The Marvel uses a Meranti frame rather than the aluminium in the Sunseeker or the full composite of the Vision, while retaining a…

I chatted to my dad as we cruised around Western Australia’s Fitzgerald Biosphere Coast. With slight irony, I couldn’t help but think of the old saying that teaches us to slow down and appreciate the beauty of life. It was particularly apt for this part of the world that is in a constant state of bloom. WA’s southern coastal area is a visual treat. The far-flung region includes towns Hopetoun, Ravensthorpe, Munglinup, and the botanical hotspot that is Fitzgerald River National Park. Taking advantage of its UNESCO status as a Biosphere Reserve, it has altered its name change to reflect its claim to fame as one of the world’s most botanically diverse hotspots, home to over 1800 unique flora species. And things in the region only get more vibrant come…

A campfire adds a special element to the caravanning lifestyle and cooking over the embers makes the experience even more memorable if done right. But plenty can go wrong, as I can attest from some of the burned offerings I have managed in the past. This new release book from Exploring Eden Media might be a turning point if you are keen to forego the gas cooker for some authentic bush cooking. In Fire to Fork, Harry Fisher has taken some of his most popular recipes and advice from his online blog and presented them into an easy-to-follow cookbook. Harry was the son of a chef and had an interest in food from an early age. So, on camping expeditions in his home state of WA, he gravitated to cooking.…

The Outback Music Festival Group has issued a ‘no jab, no jive’ policy for two major outback festivals, the Birdsville Big Red Bash and Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash. The vaccination policy will apply to everyone attending the festivals, from current and future ticket holders to staff, volunteers, contractors, and vendors. The move is a first for the Australian Music Industry and while vaccinations are currently optional, they are still a government priority and it is expected by the time the festivals roll out, those wanting to be vaccinated will have had the opportunity to do so. Greg Donovan, Founder and Managing Director of The Outback Music Festival Group, said the health and safety of everyone is their highest priority. “Staging festivals in such remote locations, where patrons come from…

The Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards are being held in Darwin from 7 August 2021 to 6 February 2022. The Awards showcase a range of contemporary artworks from around the country, presented through a range of styles and stories by some of Australia’s most talented artists, both established and emerging. The seven various awards went to Timo Hogan, Bugai Whyoulter, Dhambit Munungurr, Ms M Wirrpanda, Hubert Parerouktja and Mervyn Rubuntja, Kyra Mancktelow and Pedro Wonaeamirri. An interactive 360-degree virtual gallery can be viewed online at virtualmagnt.net.au/telstranatsiaa to see all of this year’s winner and finalists’ works, with the exhibition in person held at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.…

Over the past few years we have done quite a bit of caravan touring around Australia. Fortunately over that time we have only had one blown tyre on the van — touch wood — and no issues on the tow vehicle. But I have often wondered what would happen if we were in a remote area and had two tyres go. Is it possible for Caravan World to do a small article on which vehicles have interchangeable rims, and which tow vehicle and which van brands have interchangeable rims? I realise that there are different sizes of rims and tyres, but it would be great to know if some wheels could be used in an ‘Emergency Only’ case. Regards, Ian Stafford A Ian, The reality is that if you are…

OVERLOADING Caravans are growing larger as manufacturers continue to add modern features and functionality. This has equated to increased weight, to the point where it’s common for tare alone to exceed tow vehicle weight and for vans (once fully loaded) to push or surpass ATM limits. Owners can use weighbridges and tally up the weight of their individual items, but the inconvenience of this clearly puts many off. In a police blitz in Gippsland a few years ago, police report only two van owners of the 71 they pulled over knew their overall combination weight. More than 50 per cent were overloaded. Excess weight places stress on both vehicle and caravan components, including suspension and the chassis, which are not necessarily rated to handle it. Furthermore, heavy weight on the…

Caravan safety is crucial. Here at Caravan World it’s the most important issue we deal with, especially with so many new owners planning to hit the road as soon as lockdowns are lifted. Anecdotal evidence points to an increased number of accidents, but the truth is that we don’t have accurate Australia-wide figures on the number of caravan injury related crashes — the information isn't documented in some states as a separate statistic. Evidence from insurance companies suggests 8 percent of caravans are involved in some sort of moving accident each year — still, that figure includes minor incidents like clipping a post when backing into a site. In NSW, between 2014 and 2018 it is estimated there were 239 crashes involving a caravan. These crashes resulted in 12 deaths…

“From the 1860s to the early 1900s, the Murray was like an inland highway, a hive of activity with the splash of some 240 paddle-steamers” Legend has it, Harry ‘The Breaker’ Morant rode his horse into the bar of the Renmark Hotel. Established in 1897, the hotel sits grandly near the banks of the Murray River in the South Australian town known as a ‘Gateway to the Flinders Ranges.’ Bush poet, drover, daring horseman, Boer War soldier and convicted war criminal, ‘The Breaker’ — born Edwin Murrant in Somerset, England, in 1864 — is just one of the characters entwined in the stories that abound across regional South Australia. In the hotel where Morant once whetted his thirst, today you can dine on a balcony overlooking the Murray River, where…

In 2010 John Smallwood, founder of Sportcruiser, decided to make a life-changing move from a career in accounting to the ever-changing and competitive industry of designing and manufacturing caravans. The caravan market is saturated with options and is a challenge for any company to make its product stand out and be unique with this evolving way to travel. For most of his life, John has had a strong passion for sailing and caravanning around our country. It’s no surprise then that he is well in tune with what it takes for boats and caravans alike to withstand Australian conditions and provide comfort on the journey. John saw caravans being built back in 2010 that weren’t up to scratch when it came to structural integrity and use of materials, so he…

Queensland’s Whitsunday Coast is a tropical destination with dozens of islands and access to the coral playgrounds of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. With warm winter weather, it’s a bucket-list destination for caravanning nomads on their annual escape out of dreary winter climates. But you need time if you’re a traveller from the southern states. Even from Brisbane, it’s an 1100km drive, making a weeklong adventure towing a van from Melbourne. Luckily there is plenty to see along the way, and your choice of inland or the much longer coastal tracks adds variety to the return trip. When James Cook named the opening through the island group the Whitsunday Passage on 9 June 1770, he did so in the mistaken belief it was on the Christian holiday of Whit…

In the world of camper trailers, hybrids are the coming thing — that’s only if you consider they haven’t already arrived with a big thump. They form a necessary and significant component of any brand’s line-up, and sales to the over 50s are almost exclusively in that area. In fact, there are now so many brands and styles on the market that you have to have a very price competitive and/ or well featured camper to stand out in the crowd. Signature Camper Trailers is a relatively new brand in the market, having been only established in 2016. Since then, it has gone through a number of major changes, with new owners and new premises in the northern Sydney suburb of Thornleigh. Our first impression of their shiningly clean workshop-cum-showroom…

MACADAMIA DAMPER TOTAL TIME: 1 hour SERVES: 4 INGREDIENTS • 2 cups self-raising flour • 1 tbsp ground wattleseed • 1 tbsp ground lemon myrtle • 250ml buttermilk • 1 tbsp macadamia nut oil • Milk for brushing METHOD Sift the flour and seasonings into a large bowl and make a well in the centre. Combine the buttermilk and oil and pour into the well. Mix quickly and lightly to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured board and knead until smooth. Shape into a round ball, brush with milk, wrap in aluminium foil, and place in the hot coals or camp oven for 40-50 minutes (it will sound hollow when tapped). Native ingredients can be sourced while on the road or online at bushfoodshop.com.au/ ROO RISSOLES TOTAL TIME:…

The poor old stabiliser (AKA corner steady) cops a lot of abuse partly because it is misunderstood and partly because it is situated in a vulnerable position under your caravan. Here we’ll show you some preventative maintenance on some stabilisers that are in good condition plus some corrective maintenance on some stabilisers that have been neglected. DON’T OVERLOAD YOUR CORNER STEADIES As the name stipulates, a stabiliser’s sole purpose in life is to stabilise the van. This is to prevent the van from rocking when parked and to prevent the van from tipping backwards when uncoupled from the tow vehicle. Now, this is where the misunderstanding comes in, your stabilisers are not designed to support the weight of the van. They can’t be used to level the van by cranking…