Innehållsförteckning för Issue 631 från Caravan World

All the best for 2023. Let's hope for a drama-free 12 months after years of continual surprises. As we head into the new year, this month's issue has excellent reading on the basics around caravan ownership. With lots of us relaxing at our favourite holiday bolthole, it might be time for reflection about things we sometimes take for granted. If you have been out on the roads over the Christmas break, you will probably have seen the best and worst attitudes around driving with a van from other travellers. Busy roads and hot weather fray tempers, and the sight of a caravan up ahead seem to release a primordial imperative to overtake at all costs. You can choose fight mode and refuse to let anyone pass, or you can chill…

SEND PICS TO WIN “An amazing sight travelling in our 2016 Ford F250 towing our 2022 Retreat ERV fully electric van.” “We had a short stay at Potato Point, NSW, in our Golf Savannah 499 when we were visited by the local and friendly wildlife. A truly peaceful spot. The 499 is such a comfortable van. We just love it, and it is easily towed by our Pajero.” “Travelling through the WA wheatbelt, the canola crops are a bright yellow as far as you can see. Well worth the trip through this area.” Steve Webb's rig – a Wonderland Amaroo 18ft 6in and a Ford Ranger - in Mt Augustus, WA, travelling the Kennedy loop track. “Just spent four days at the Landor races in the upper Gascoyne and did…

CARAVAN WEIGHTS FEATURE One of the most discussed aspects of caravanning is weight. Yet it's also the most misunderstood because of the numerous definitions and the innumerable combination of vans and tow vehicles. The number of overweight vehicles on the road is a worry, and the evidence is all around us. Authorities run regular vehicle checks and the number of non-compliant vans over the scales total around 70 per cent. Two things are at play. Either caravanners don't understand the regulations, or they know the law yet choose to avoid the issue in the hope they aren't caught or, more naively, don't have an accident. We talk about caravan weight a lot here at Caravan World because it's essential. Lives are potentially at risk. So, when considering a van, weight…

OPEN FOR DOSINES5 FEATURE Communities in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland are calling on holidaymakers put off by last year's floods to return and enjoy the regions that are open for business this summer. The Central NSW Joint Organisation last month launched the Come Out, We're Open campaign to encourage people to wrap their arms around local businesses needing the support of visitors this summer. Central NSW includes Oberon, Bathurst, Orange, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Grenfell, Forbes, Lachlan and Parkes. Executive Officer of Central NSW Joint Organisation, Jenny Bennett, said: “We're inviting people to come and take a short break in one of the most beautiful country destinations in Australia. “Come Out, We're Open encourages people to not cancel or hesitate but to come to Central NSW” This is about…

OFFROAD GRIT RV ENDORO SERIES 22.GFT BUNK REVIEWS WHAT HAVE BOATS GOT TO DO WITH IT? Both boats and caravans need to be space efficient and able to withstand constant movement. Both also need to provide comfort and security to their occupants with a place to sleep, cook and play. Protection from the elements while being light are also common elements. One thing a boat doesn't require is strong suspension, while this is one of the core components of a good caravan. There are many commonalities between boats and caravans except that if a boat sinks, you'll be left all at sea. Why all the boat comparisons you ask? One of the founders of OFFROAD GRIT RV is a boat builder and restorer of over 20 years’ experience. When Mark…

RETREAT WHITSUNDAY 216R REVIEWS MEASURING UP + PROS – CONS Anyone who has spent time wandering around a caravan show will tell you that many caravan layouts look similar despite varying body lengths. That's because layouts featuring a front island bed and full-width rear bathroom are popular with caravan manufacturers and purchasers. Layouts that are different to the usual tend to catch the eye, and that's certainly the case with Retreat Caravans’ Whitsunday 216R caravan. Like most of the Retreat range, the Whitsunday is named after islands off the Queensland coast and, it must be said, creates an exotic image. More practically, Retreat Caravans is located in the Campbellfield area of Melbourne. LAYOUT WITH A DIFFENCE With an external body length of 7.32m (24ft), the…

WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU FEATURE There's nothing quite like the sense of freedom when you're travelling our great land, exploring places you've never been and towing your home around with you. Everything is so much simpler and, with limited space, caravanning is a great way to reduce clutter from your life. As occasional school-holiday caravanners, we fell into the dreadful habit of ‘storing’ things in the caravan when they were no longer needed in the house. When we cleaned out our first Jayco Expanda in preparation for sale we found, among other things, six pairs of tongs, dozens of stubby holders, and enough torches and head lamps to light up the Sydney Opera House. Becoming a caravanner comes with it a temptation to take with you on your first…

TOTAL TIME: 30 minutes SERVES: 2 INGREDIENTS 2 freshly cooked crabs, broken into pieces 1 medium tomato, sliced 1 small onion, finely sliced 2 stalks fresh celery A handful of green beans, finely sliced 1 carrot, finely sliced 1 tbsp red chilli, chopped 1 tbsp lime juice 1 tbsp fish sauce 1 tbsp soy sauce ½ tsp brown sugar METHOD Cut the celery into 5cm pieces and slice finely, lengthwise. Toss the crabs, tomato, onion, celery, green beans, carrot and chilli in a large salad bowl. Combine the lime juice, fish sauce, soy sauce and sugar in a small bowl until sugar is dissolved. Pour dressing over crab salad and combine well to serve.…

SIDETRACKS COLUMNS Crossing the Australian continent on the Great Central Road is one of the outback's most interesting and rewarding journeys, filled with colourful desert scenery, Indigenous culture and folklore written on the deeds and misadventures of explorers, pioneers and prospectors. One legend many travellers encounter on the route, near the WA/NT border, concerns Lasseter's Reef and the demise of its eccentric namesake. Lewis Hubert (later Harold Bell) Lasseter was born in 1880 at Bamganie, Victoria. Selfeducated, he was literate and well spoken, but described by many as eccentric and opinionated. The dream of making a fortune during the Great Depression led Lasseter into prospecting through the rocky hills of Central Australia. Claiming to have discovered a fabulously rich gold reef, he persuaded a group of investors to mount an…

Hiking season has started at Mt Hotham, with wildflowers galore and a steady stream of keen walkers already hitting the tracks. The trails are in tip top condition, so whether you're keen to get out beyond mobile coverage for a few days of peace, or just want a short walk with a big view, Mt Hotham has it. Free guided walks for January 2023 have also been launched. TAKE ON THE BIG TRAILS Everyone knows the iconic razorback track heading out to Mt Feathertop, but did you know you can also access diverse terrain from all areas in the Mt Hotham resort? Mt Loch area: Access the Bogong High Plains and Falls Creek from the Loch trailhead or throw a right turn and explore historic huts on the Huts Walk,…

LETTER OF THE MONTH Dear John, At a recent retirees meeting fire safety was the subject. I thought then of our caravan. The door and kitchen are in the back, our beds in the front and the battery is under my bed with venting to the boot, ground. The standard fire extinguisher is under the table, near the door and our fire blanket is in the kitchen. I fitted a CO3 sensor near our beds. If a fire was to start, we could be “cooked” before we could get out. What more could we do to improve our safety? There is little room near our beds for another fire extinguisher – perhaps one could go in the wardrobe. How many owners check, disturb (to unpack the powder) their extinguisher every…

ANNE BEADELL HIGHWAY, SA-WA TRAVEL The Red Highway To call it a ‘highway’ is a colossal overstatement. In reality, it is a rough, unsealed bush track with the reputation of being the worst outback road in Australia. Despite that – or perhaps because of it – the journey offers an offroad desert experience of a lifetime and is popular among four-wheel drivers as an alternative to the Eyre Highway for crossing the continent's arid southern region. Much of the track traverses a red sandy base but surface conditions vary widely from firmly packed to very soft and rutted. There are long stretches of corrugations, with some washouts, and in places the track is so narrow that vehicle paintwork and external fittings are threatened by the encroaching scrub. In good conditions,…

MID NORTH COAST, NSW TRAVEL If you are heading north on the Pacific Motorway, it is very easy to bypass this stretch of coast. This region has arguably the best caravan parks for a beachside holiday to match anywhere on the coast. Not convinced? Read on, as Caravan World recently checked it out. Newcastle to Stockton First stop was Stockton Beach Caravan Park. If the friendly greeting on arrival was anything to go by, this was going to be a nice stay. Nestled right beside the busy Newcastle Harbour and the southern end of Stockton Beach, this NRMA Park is meticulously maintained and clean. The amenities are capable of handling the big crowds in summer school holidays with a massive kitchen complete with plenty of preparation benches, sinks and fridges.…

BUYING A VAN FEATURE For newcomers to the field of buying a caravan, the advice from caravan owners and members of the industry can be summarised down to ‘do your research’. There is no one-size-fits-all caravan that can make the process simple for you, particularly if you intend to make it your regular holiday home on wheels. Scouting the field and checking out as many caravans, hybrids and campers as you can before you lock yourself into one is the best way to ensure you get the best option within your budget. “The advice from caravan owners and members of the industry can be summarised down to ‘do your research” PRICE Setting yourself a budget and only looking at models within that price range is the best way to avoid…

REVERSING A VAN FEATURE There are three key issues to overcome. 1. The physical process of steering the car and van as a rig just feels “all wrong” compared to reversing a car alone. 2. The caravan blocks your vision of what is behind you. 3. Often there is pressure to perform, as it seems all judging eyes peer in your direction when you aim for your spot in the caravan park. “Don't rush anything, reversing slowly will give you time to make corrections and think clearly about what you are doing“ PERFORMANCE ANXIETY The only pressure that exists is what you create in your own mind. Sure, spectators may be casually amused for a couple of minutes if you stuff up reversing but at the end of the day,…

TOTAL TIME: lhr 45mins SERVES: 4 INGREDIENTS 2 seedless cucumbers 2 tsp salt 2 tsp white sugar 60ml cider vinegar 2 tsp Dijon mustard 1 medium red onion, finely chopped Fresh dill, roughly chopped (optional) METHOD Thinly slice cucumbers, add to a colander set over the sink and toss in salt. Let sit for 30 minutes. Rinse cucumbers with water and squeeze out excess water from them. In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, vinegar and mustard. Add cucumbers, red onion and dill. Refrigerate salad for 1 hour or up to a day before serving as a side salad for spicy meat dishes.…

Dometic has introduced its new compact camping tent range with sizes designed to fit into a back of passenger car. With AIR frame technology, Dometic has created a collection that is easy to set up and pack down with minimal fuss. Smaller than regular inflatable tents, they are light in weight, small in size and compact enough to be packed up to fit into a back of a small car, and the smallest model is even compact enough to be carried as a backpack. The Santorini FTK is a technical cotton tent with fully meshed windows for plenty of ventilation. It has a completely sewn-in groundsheet with bug-proof doors and windows and an over-sized mesh ventilation panel at the back with a gusseted cover so that there is always air…

GETAWAY GEAR REGULARS With domestic and international travel now firmly back on the agenda, Projecta is making it more convenient for travellers of every kind to enjoy power while on the go, with its upgraded COMPAC Series personal folding solar panels. Available in two models, the PP10 (1.6A / 5V) and PP15 (3.0A / 5V), both kits include high-quality monocrystalline folding solar panels and a 3-in-1 charging cable. As well as being efficient, the monocrystalline cells are tough and temperature resistant, ensuring reliable charging even on the hottest and sunniest days. The PP10 is suited for direct charging of smartwatches, GoPros, phones and power banks, making it ideal for setting up at base camp and charging via the USB-A connector, while enjoying leisure activities or just relaxing. The PP15 offers…

NEWS REGULARS Famous for its potatoes, wine and organic farming, Hepburn Shire is a veritable food bowl. And every year, The Great Trentham Spudfest honours the humble spud with a day-long celebration of all things potato. Rich red soil, 700m elevation and with an average rainfall of 1100mm, the district's farmers grow kipflers, Dutch creams, desiree and red pontiacs just to name a few. If you're a potato lover (and let's be honest, who isn't?), it's a feast for the senses, with plenty to do, see and taste. And yes, of course, you can buy a bag or two of potatoes to take with you. They're available on the day direct from the farmers, or you can stop at a roadside stall and grab a bag. Farmers, small-scale organic vegetable…

Grampians Tourism has announced that Absolute Outdoors and Grampians Peaks Walking Company was honoured at the Victorian Tourism Awards last month. The company showcased the region as a captivating and exciting destination, taking out the award for Adventure Tourism of the Year. Also honoured, Grampians Wine Tours received a bronze award for the Tour and Transport Operators category and Grampians Helicopters was Highly Commended. Absolute Outdoors and Grampians Peaks Walking Company is a quality tourism accredited provider of outdoor recreational and educational experiences tailored to a range of visitors seeking adventure experiences. From individuals and small groups to larger schools and corporate groups, its attractions allow visitors to enjoy thrilling challenges as they immerse themselves in the region's magnificent scenery. Grampians Tourism CEO, Marc Sleeman said “We are absolutely thrilled…

KOKODA FORCE 8 REVIEWS MEASURING UP + PROS – CONS “The Force 8 sits at the top of the tree in the Kokoda family van range and is the most offroad oriented” THE VAN Kokoda has forged a reputation for rugged offroad vans since 2011. The Force 8 sits at the top of the tree in the Kokoda family van range and is the most offroad oriented with high-spec suspension and better departure angles. The layout is a little bit different with forward bunks creating a more spacious feel in the living area. And with the optioned-up version we reviewed, it packs plenty of offgrid punch for extended remote stays. CLASSIC CONSTRUCTION Kokoda vans are built to a tried and trusted formula that appeals to many mainstream buyers.…

APOLLO FACTORY TOUR FEATURE “Apollo is a multinational business with operations in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the US and Europe” When Apollo bought out the West Australian caravan builder, Fleetwood, to take over production of the Windsor and Coromal brands, they became one of our largest RV manufacturers. Windsor and Coromal are heritage brands with histories going back to the 70s, but the takeover has given these makes a new lease of life with improved construction and modern layouts. The caravan-building division is part of the monster Apollo Tourism and Leisure Company, which also builds motorhomes for the retail market and for its vast hire fleet. Apollo is a multinational business with operations in New Zealand, Canada, the US and Europe, and the Australian division not only builds the vans,…

“Victoria's most well-known volcanic crater is Tower Hill, 13km west of Warrnambool, which is thought to have erupted about 32,000 years ago” Volcanic activity over untold centuries has shaped much of the landscape in south-west Victoria and South Australia's lower south-east, a landscape punctuated by many conspicuous hills and circular lakes, the remnants of more than 400 volcanoes. The most recent eruption is believed to have occurred at Mount Gambier about 5000 years ago. Victoria's most well-known volcanic crater is Tower Hill, 13km west of Warrnambool, which is thought to have erupted about 32,000 years ago. Tower Hill's formation is known as a “nested maar” – crater lake – and, at 3.2km wide, is the largest of its type in Victoria. Today the dormant volcano is known as the Tower…

KUNUNURRA, WA TRAVEL Days start early in the East Kimberley's hub, just 25km from the Northern Territory border. Moments after sunrise, it could begin to feel like an outdoor sauna, so it's best to maximise early starts, especially if travelling long distances is involved. The town 3019km northeast of Perth and 827km southeast of Darwin resides on Miriwoong Gajerrong country. Its name derives from the local language meaning ‘big waters’ – a fitting name with the town of 5300 verging the mighty 650km-long Ord River, encircled by ancient arid red landscapes. More than just a typical country town, Kununurra is a springboard to some of the state's, if not the world's, most diverse environments. Nearby you'll find the World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park and its distinctive bee-hive-shaped rock formations, the…

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS REGULARS NSW / ACT Darlington Point Riverina Catch & Release Fishing Competition 10 – 12 February 2023 Finish off summer with the 10th annual Riverina Classic Fishing Competition. This three-day event is a full photo-entry competition to ensure fish are released quickly to increase survival rates. Proceeds from the event are donated to Rural Outreach Counselling Inc. More information is available at www.riverinaclassic.com Glen Innes Show and Gourmet Fiesta 10 – 12 February 2023 This agricultural show features classics like fairground rides, firework shows, animal exhibitions, and arts and crafts stands. Watch the unique sport of campdrafting or enjoy the Spring Show Jumping exhibit. Visit www.gleninnesshow.com for more information. NT Sunrise Concert Live at The Bluff, Trephina Gorge 26 February 2023 An early morning concert, this event…

TOTAL TIME: 30 minutes SERVES: 6 INGREDIENTS 4 mangoes, peeled, seeded and diced into cubes 200g rocket leaves 1 red onion, finely sliced lengthwise lOOg feta cheese, finely chopped 2 tbsp roasted pumpkin seeds or pine nuts Tangy lemon dressing 1 tbsp sesame oil 1 tbsp rice vinegar 1 dash of fresh lemon juice A drizzle of honey Salt and pepper, to taste METHOD Mix mangoes, rocket, onion and feta in a large bowl. Whisk sesame oil, rice vinegar, lime juice, honey and salt and pepper together in a small bowl and drizzle over the salad. Sprinkle with roasted pumpkin seeds or pine nuts and fresh green chilli (optional).…

Winner of the 2022 European Product Design Award for Life Science Design, the CellAED personal defibrillator is designed to make life-saving technology accessible and affordable for businesses and homes. Australians are the first in the world to have access to CellAED. A fraction of the cost of conventional AEDs and similar in size to a block of chocolate, CellAED is designed to be deployed in seconds with its easy ‘Snap, Peel, Stick’ action. Sudden cardiac arrest kills more than six million people worldwide every year, making it one of the world's dominant causes of premature death. In Australia, more than 25,000 people die annually from sudden cardiac arrest – that's around 70 deaths a day. Sudden cardiac arrest can affect anyone, anywhere, anytime. Survival requires a witness being able to…

Looking for a light-hearted and not-so-standard guide to exploring the Northern Territory? Look no further. The Comic Guide to the Northern Territory by Thor F. Jensen is a guidebook with a difference. Dedicated to “grey nomads, fishos and Territorians – and those kids who can't sit still on the back seat during a road trip”, the new book explores the gems of the Northern Territory with tall tales and hilarious jokes. Thor F. Jensen is a Darwinite who has explored the broader Territory for years. In his travels, he's learnt that Territorians never let the truth get in the way of a good yarn and warns that his ‘guide’ should be taken with a grain of salt (or perhaps a handful!).…