Innehållsförteckning för Issue 654 från Caravan World

In this issue, we delve into how innovation shapes the caravan industry, which has had me thinking about changes over the years. One of my first caravan reviews was a New Age Caravans Big Red. That caravan marked a turning point across the Australian industry for interior design with its sleek apartment-style aesthetic that shook things up. Before that, nearly every van had staid timber joinery, with colour confined to upholstery and soft furnishings. Within months, every van manufacturer tested the market and the edges of taste with many daring tones, some of which haven’t stood the test of time. Today, things have gone full circle, and most interiors once again embrace the warm glow of timber, but this time in hard-wearing, timber-look laminates. To me, caravans have never looked…

Tickets for the 2025 Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash (21–23 August 2025) are on sale now. With the Birdsville Big Red Bash taking a break in 2025, this will be the only outback music Bash happening next year, so spots are expected to sell quickly. The 2025 lineup includes multi-award winning and upcoming ARIA Hall of Fame inductee Missy Higgins, plus The Cat Empire, Birds of Tokyo, Hoodoo Gurus, The Angels, Kasey Chambers, Leo Sayer and Kate Ceberano, Shannon Noll, Chocolate Starfish, Thirsty Merc … the list goes on. “Some of the biggest voices in Australian music will belt out classic Aussie anthems and hit songs on the Mundi Mundi Plains — it will be another epic and unique experience for our festivalgoers,” said Greg Donovan, festival owner, producer and…

NEW AND INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS:SUPEX SPONSORED FEATURE “Three generations later, the Kennard family continues to inspire and support adventurers and explorers with gear and advice they can trust” Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or just getting started on your caravanning and camping adventures, Supex makes exploring the outdoors easy and fun. With 50 years of experience servicing the leisure industry, the team at Supex curates and distributes a range of innovative camping and caravanning products, from everyday essentials such as camping chairs, cookware and sleeping mats to its highly popular caravan starter packs. WHERE IT ALL BEGAN The Supex story began when Ron Kennard bought a metal fabrication company in Sydney in 1973. Infusing his passion for adventure with a vision to enhance the lives of other outdoor enthusiasts, he and…

PORT CAMPBELL,VIC TRAVEL The ferocity and fury of Port Campbell’s big waves frothed and spat out over the jetty as local fishermen pulled in their big catch of barracuda, salmon and some tasty snapper as we arrived in Port Campbell. For the fishing enthusiast, this is the place to be. I love visiting Port Campbell in winter or summer. Depending on whether you prefer to enjoy this jarringly haunted coastline in the winter months or its charming seaside village appeal during the summer, there is something for everyone in and around the region. Even though Port Campbell may be the entry to the iconic Great Ocean Road, it also lures a whole other breed of big wave surfers to the area; in particular to Two Mile Bay, where surfers often…

Located only a short drive inland from Brisbane and many of Queensland’s other coastal attractions, the Southern Downs region offers an idyllic escape into a lush natural environment filled with welcoming local communities, heritage attractions and some very unique annual events. The Southern Downs has a lot to offer no matter the season, and one of the biggest events on its calendar is the iconic Jumpers and Jazz in July winter festival, which will be taking place during 17–27 July 2025. This 10-day annual festival is a celebration of the region’s artistic culture, with the town of Warwick coming to life with creative knitted designs, pop-up textile or yarn installations, jazz music and so much more. And with two weekends jam-packed with events and many weekday activities on offer for…

TURQUOISE COAST, WA TRAVEL I’d forgotten how good life just up the road can be. Western Australia’s so-called Turquoise Coast consists of sleepy coastal towns Cervantes, Jurien Bay and Green Head and inland towns Dandaragan and Badgingarra, all within a roughly two-to-three-hour drive north of Perth. The biologically diverse region is a convenient escape for Perth dwellers to tuck into freshly caught western rock lobster, swim with sea lions, see wildflowers and explore surreal and ancient rock formations ranging from sponge-looking (and living) organisms to soaring lunar-like growths. This time, I stuck to inhaling salty air and feeling the might of the prevailing winds, with Jurien Bay, 218km north of Perth along Indian Ocean Drive, first in my sights. GETTING HANDS-ON IN JURIEN BAY This sleepy coastal town of 2000…

FESTIVALS AND EVENTs REGULARS NSW Parkes Elvis Festival 8–12 January 2025 Enjoy five days jam-packed with activities and celebrating the legendary Elvis Presley. There’ll be 1950s cars, Priscilla lookalikes and an Elvis on every corner all throughout the lovely rural town of Parkes in NSW. This annual festival is celebrating its 32nd year in 2025, so don’t miss out. Head to the festival website for the full program and tickets: parkeselvisfestival.com.au Tamworth 53rd Toyota Country Music Festival 17–26 January 2025 This 10-day family-friendly event will turn Tamworth into a city-wide festival filled with ungated events, some of Australia’s best country music artists, the iconic Toyota Golden Guitar Awards and much more. More than 100 venues will be joining the festival fun and a whole variety of free and ticketed experiences…

SIDETRACKS COLUMNS Gold was discovered near Mount Leonora, WA, by prospectors J Carlson, F White and A Glendinning in 1896. Named after a Welsh investment syndicate, The Sons of Gwalia mine was once the second-largest gold mine in Western Australia. In 1898 it was managed by Herbert Hoover, who in 1929 became the 31st President of the USA. Listed on WA’s State Register of Heritage Places, 22 partially furnished and renovated miners’ cottages, Mazza’s general store (which sold everything from soap to ammunition), Patroni’s Guest House, the Shift Boss’s house, and the mechanic’s shop number plate collection are a snapshot into the history and life of the miners and their families. The miners needed to be resourceful: building simple cottages from recycled materials and corrugated iron with pressed tin or…

New products designed to keep you entertained and inspired while travelling always come in handy. And lucky us, we got to check out a new range of Adventure Cards from the creator of the Big Lap Bible. Imagine you’ve just hauled the van and the whole family to one of your favourite destinations only to discover there’s a torrential downpour. Not much you can do on your outdoor adventure holiday in that situation … unless you have a contingency plan, and that’s where the all-new Adventure Cards come in. Brought to you by the Big Lap Bible creator Rose Foster, the Adventure Card Co. and the 10 decks of new Adventure Cards are the perfect companion for those rainy days when you’re stuck inside the caravan. As an author, mother…

REGULARS NEWS Jayco’s annual Greatest Escapes competition has wrapped up for the year, and the winners have been announced. It was a nationwide competition and allowed the public to vote for their favourite destinations across five categories. The BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park in Queensland took home the overall prize and title of Best Overall Caravan Park in Australia. As part of the prize, the park also received $10,000 from Jayco and Gervale Homes to be put towards enhancing the park’s amenities. The five category winners are as follows: • Best Family-Friendly Caravan Park: BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park, Qld • Best Budget-Friendly Caravan Park: Eighty Mile Beach Caravan Park, WA • Best Pet-Friendly Caravan Park: NRMA Forster Tuncurry Holiday Park, NSW • Best Caravan Park for Couples: NRMA Tathra…

1 KNOW YOUR CAPABILITY Before hitting the road, make sure you are ready for the challenge. Towing a caravan poses unique challenges and requires different skills than driving a standalone vehicle. Caravans have a considerable impact on the handling and braking capabilities of the towing vehicle. If you have yet to tow, it’s wise to seek training or advice from an experienced driver. Practice on a safe backroad to feel how the caravan and vehicle combination move when cornering and braking. Confidence comes with practice and makes better, safer towing. 2 DON'T RUSH Don’t be cajoled into doing something you aren’t confident in doing. Sure, it’s best to go with the traffic flow out on the highway, but only if you feel safe. Stay in your lane, keep speed constant and signal…

Founded in 1995 by Richard Clamp, Airbag Man is proudly a family owned and operated company based in Brendale, Qld. Over its three decades and two generations of family members, this Aussie company has established itself as Australia’s leading designer and manufacturer of air suspension systems. Whether it’s your tow vehicle, caravan, camper trailer or RV, there’s an Airbag Man solution for a safer, more durable and more comfortable ride. All the airbag kits are designed, engineered and hand-assembled in its Queensland warehouse using quality components sourced from trusted local and international manufacturers, including Firestone and AMK. Airbag Man has held its ISO certification since 2007, and all products are thoroughly tested across thousands of kilometres in Australia’s harsh conditions, on icy roads in Alaska and even in deserts in…

The Ford F-150 the USA’s most popular vehicle, and — besides the sight of a B-52 plane cruising overhead at 40,000ft — is one of the most potent symbols of ‘Murican dominance when seen overseas. Ford’s F-150 is a sizable thing when transposed onto Australian roads, and we get it, that’s obviously a big part (no pun intended) of its appeal. But is it maybe too big? For a lot of you that definition probably doesn’t exist, but for others who may be constrained by driveway space, budget or simply a desire to easily find a big enough car park, size matters. So, how does Ford’s big dog measure up? We hitched up a correspondingly massive flagship caravan, Jayco’s Silverline Outback 24.75, and went for a drive. WHAT WAS ON…

ZONE RV EXPEDITION REVIEWS The path to this latest Zone RV Expedition has been a steady climb through the testing and production of various models over the company’s eight-year history. With a comprehensive background in composite technology and boat building, the team is uniquely placed to deliver innovative and capable offroad vans. Recently, it has rationalised the model range into two fullheight caravans and the new Expedition hybrid we see here. As outlined in the Zone RV factory tour article in this edition, the Expedition is built like no other van. It takes its shape from moulds developed on a massive 3D printer and the various components, including the wall and roof, are vacuum moulded in the same way high-tech sailing boats are built. THE COMPANY Based on the Sunshine…

OPTION RV TRACTION 20FT MID DOOR REVIEWS “The Traction has a distinctive and stylish look, both in body style and colour” Boutique caravan manufacturer Option RV could almost get lost in the crowd within the multi-brand Australian caravan manufacturing industry, particularly as it comes from Victoria. However, it’s something of a quiet achiever. A family-owned business, Option RV produces the Tornado, Distinction and Traction models of caravans suitable for sealed road and off-the-beaten-track travel. The Traction models sit at the most adventurous end of the range, and while layouts are to suit all tastes, the 20ft Mid Door is undoubtedly a popular choice for many travellers, combining a practical towing length and an interior design with room to move, which is something that Cameron Jordan, marketing man from 7th Street…

“Its unique build philosophy and focus on delivering premium and lasting quality in every caravan have ensured constant growth” Based in Pakenham in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, Willow RV Caravans has built a reputation for its lightweight but robust caravans that are designed for Aussie adventures. And while the Willow RV name itself might still be considered a new kid on the block, both Eddie and Ian had been in the caravanning industry for many years before arriving in Australia from South Africa and the UK respectively. The brand hit the ground running, joining the Caravan Industry Association (CIA) in 2018 and receiving accreditation and full CIA membership in September 2019. Following this, Willow RV established its Victorian dealership — RV Centre Victoria — and received accreditation and full CIA membership…

RECIPES ON THE ROAD COOKING PRAWN RICE PAPER ROLLS TOTAL TIME: 40 minutes MAKES: 8 rolls INGREDIENTS • 70g dry rice vermicelli noodles • 2 Tbsp sweet chilli sauce • 1 Tbsp fish sauce • 1 lime, juiced • 8 (22cm) rice paper sheets • 500g leftover, cooked prawns • 1 cup fresh coriander, parsley or mint leaves • 2 spring onions, heads chopped off and sliced into quarters, lengthways • 1 carrot, peeled and cut into thin matchsticks • Lime wedges, to serve METHOD Place the noodles in a heatproof bowl and cover with boiling water, setting aside for 15 minutes to soften. Drain well and cut into shorter lengths, mixing through the sweet chilli, fish sauce and lime juice. Fill a shallow bowl with warm water and dip…

Caravans exceeding 2T gross trailer mass (GTM) are required by law to have a breakaway device. A breakaway device is an important piece of safety equipment that activates the caravan’s brakes if the caravan becomes detached from the tow vehicle. It can be easily overlooked because it may never be deployed in the lifetime of the van. However, if it is required you want to know it is going to work. It prevents the van from hurtling out of control into traffic or anything else in its path. It is an additional layer of defence in the event that safety chains fail to prevent the van from getting away. So, how does a breakaway system work? Caravans have their own brakes because the brakes from just the tow vehicle are…

A good mat is one of those essential accessories that improves the caravanning lifestyle by expanding the living space to include the outdoor area under the awning. A mat keeps things tidy, is more comfortable underfoot and stakes out your domain. We have used the CGear Multimat from A247 during our recent travels to Western Australia, so we tested it on various ground conditions over a few months. The mat has a woven design that looks strong, and that’s explained when you understand its history. The ripstop technology means it won’t unravel even if damaged. Initially, the mats were developed as landing pads for helicopters, so they didn’t kick up dust and debris on landing and take-offs. Their design lets dirt, sand and dust fall through but not back up…

NEWS REGULARS Mazda has revealed the changes to its latest model, the 2025 Mazda BT-50, which will feature a facelift, safety upgrades and plenty of new tech. The Mazda BT-50 dual cab ute was first launched back in 2020, and this fourth update is spec’d to be the biggest yet. Strip back all the styling and the Mazda BT-50 and the Isuzu D-MAX are twins, and this new update is Mazda’s version of the design and tech upgrades the D-MAX received this year. Given the D-MAX retained the same excellent two-diesel 4JJ engine and Aisin six-speed gearboxes in the top-spec models, it’s expected that the 2025 BT-50 will do the same. Full Australian pricing and specs will be revealed in early 2025, ahead of the launch in the first quarter…

Parks Victoria has made its 131 paid campgrounds free of charge from 1 December 2024 to 30 June 2025 thanks to a $9m commitment from the Victorian Government. While the campgrounds will be free to use during this period, bookings are still required and it’s recommended to secure your spot quickly. There will be no changes to the minimum and maximum stay time at the campgrounds, and these time frames can vary depending on the campground and time of year. Only two campsites per campground can be booked in a single transaction and bookings cannot be transferred to other people. Rangers will be patrolling the campgrounds to check that campers have a valid booking. The savings will vary campground to campground, as the different facilities and amenities (such as power,…

SEND PICS TO WIN Kevin and Rosemary Kelly are the winners of Readers' Rigs this month with this fantastic photo of their camp on the edge of the Bunda Cliffs in South Australia. “The sunset the night before was just as spectacular. We are on a fivemonth journey to Western Australia from our home in New South Wales, travelling with our 22ft Evernew 1000 Elite and 2019 Isuzu D-MAX.”…

NEW AND INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS: ITECHWORLD SPONSORED FEATURE When it comes to the caravanning lifestyle, reliability, durability and innovation are some of the key characteristics we look for in our gear and power solutions. And with all iTechworld products made by Aussies for Aussies, you can rest assured they’re ready to tackle all kinds of adventures. We’ve been lucky enough to check out plenty of iTechworld’s cutting-edge gear over the years, so we were keen to see what new and innovative products the team has launched recently. NEW TECH iFROST fridge freezer range While premium lithium batteries might be the first thing you think of when you hear the name iTechworld (and rightfully so), the Aussie brand is expanding its range to help create the ultimate camping setup. One of the most…

EAST ARNHEM LAND, NT TRAVEL “Our recent travels into East Arnhem Land revealed a place of fewer crowds, pristine landscapes, remote beaches and ancient culture” The recent growth of outback travel has seen many distant and relatively hard-to-reach places become so popular that some of the joy has been sucked out of the experience. Cape York, the Gibb River Road, the Birdsville Track and Ningaloo are treks that verge on being loved to death. So, our recent travels into East Arnhem Land revealed a place of fewer crowds, pristine landscapes, remote beaches and ancient culture. Arnhem Land extends across the top of the Northern Territory between Kakadu in the west and the Gulf of Carpinteria in the east. Its name comes from the ship Arnhem or Aernem, which took Dutch…

DEALING WITH BAD WEATHER FEATURE Australia might be known as the lucky country, famous worldwide for its beautiful beaches and fantastic, if hot, weather. And while summer can be the ideal time to pull out your caravan and head off to your favourite campsite, Mother Nature is fickle, and the weather can take a turn and ‘ruin’ your trip. But does it have to? With some preparation and positive thinking, bad weather — especially rain -can be a unique twist in your caravanning experience and allow you to enjoy some activities you might have otherwise missed. PREPARE FOR THE WORST If you’re heading off on a long trip, or even just an inconvenient drive from home, it’s wise to prepare for all kinds of weather. Australia is known for being…

ZONE RV FACTORY TOUR FEATURE When Zone RV started up in 2016, company founder Dave Biggar told the world he intended to build the most innovative new offroader. At the time, even for a Queenslander, that was a big boast. But within a year or so, Zone RV won the prestigious Caravan World Best Aussie Van event with its Z-20.6 by wowing the judges with the great build quality, composite structure and innovative approach, so the brand was on the right track. And now, Zone RV has earned a wide following, and its range of offroad, selfsufficient caravans is considered among the best available. Much of the brand’s success is due to Biggar’s experience building lightweight, high-performance composite sailing boats and composite panels for the wider automotive industry. Alongside Zone…

For a fledgling business committed to innovation and sustainable design practices to have won two Australian Good Design Awards and be recognised globally for its quality and functional gear means Stratus Outdoors must be doing something right. This Aussie brand offers a range of innovative products for caravanning and outdoor adventures, designed to be not only strong and functional but also compact and lightweight wherever possible. The business is proud to offer gear that is innovative, fit for purpose, good looking and reliable. ABOUT STRATUS OUTDOORS A small Australian family-run business, Stratus Outdoors celebrated its second birthday in November this year. The brand was born through a lightbulb moment when founder Joel and his family were camping in Queensland during a particularly hot summer. Joel saw some campers with their…

LEGEND TRACKLINE OFF-ROAD REVIEWS I am becoming quite familiar with Legend’s Trackline series, this being the third one I have reviewed in the past 12 months or so. The Trackline variants are broken up into two broad groupings — the hybrid models and the offroad models. To be honest, the names are a bit confusing because they are all offroad capable vans. However, Legend has decided to describe its smaller vans (15ft and 16ft single axle) with outdoor kitchens as ‘Hybrid’ models and its larger vans (starting at 17ft 6in single axle and going up to 23ft dual axle) without outdoor kitchens as ‘Off-Road’ models. The Trackline Hybrid models are further broken down into vans with 12V power systems and two other models with high end 48V power systems. If…

ALL ELECTRIC BIG LAP COLUMNS CHARGING TIMES Different vehicles can receive charge at different rates. The Kia EV9’s 100kWh battery can charge at 11kW AC and over 200kW DC. • Fast DC chargers: 0–80 per cent in 25 minutes • Three phase AC outlet (32A): Full charge overnight • Standard Caravan Park AC Outlet (15A): ~50 per cent charge overnight • Standard Power Outlet: ~30 per cent charge overnight The coastal town of Mallacoota was our first stop after crossing the border from NSW and a relaxed introduction to the state of Victoria. At Buchan Caves, we explored the stunning Fairy Cave. It was surreal to think our campsite had been underwater during last year’s intense flash floods. With climate change driving more of these extreme events, it’s clear why…

Australian-owned company REDARC Electronics has added a new bit of gear to its range of innovative battery and power management solutions: the next generation BCDC Alpha. The REDARC BCDC Alpha charger is available in 25A and 50A models. Building on REDARC’s 15 years of tried and tested BCDC technology, it offers a range of advanced features including Start Battery Recovery, input current limiting and optimised solar charging — all of which is integrated into an easy to install and compact design. Let’s take a look at the standout features. First up is the Start Battery Recovery feature, which can restore a flat start battery in roughly 15 minutes, which makes this the only DC-DC charger on the market today that can both charge and recover start batteries. The BCDC Alpha…