Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 573 i Caravan World

When you’re running an air-conditioner in your caravan or RV, you’ll require an output around 3000W. So when you’re off-grid, with the heat beating down relentlessly, 12V fans are must-have cooling accessories in your caravan or motorhome. For starters, they blow a good volume of air, can be pre-set to switch off once you’re asleep, and use minimal power - they won’t flatten your batteries, even if you run them all night. All in all, they not only help keep you cool (and keep your cool) but are essential during warm climate touring around Australia. CW recently observed the DIY installation of a 12V Caframo Sirocco fan (which can be purchased from most reputable accessories outlets) on a Coronet RV caravan. On a relatively hot February day, it quickly proved…

“Thakker reckons that unless you start your day’s trek in a clean environment, say on the blacktop, there’s little a scupper can do.” You’re in the outback, among the back roads beating up great clouds of dust on the way to hidden tourism gems. The trouble is that when you set up camp, the enjoyment of the adventure can quickly fade like a whisper on the breeze when a thick layer of super-fine dust, known out this way as bulldust, swamps your van and ends up resting on every interior surface. To stop your van interior looking for the entire world like a doughnut shop’s cinnamon sugar dredge or your cat’s kitty litter, you might consider a little dust prevention. We heard positive pressure or scupper vents can make it…

Weights and measures Overall length 5.73m (18ft 10in) External body length 3.48m (11ft 5in) External body width 2.25m (7ft 5in) Travel height 2.92m (9ft 7in) Internal height 2.65m (8ft 8in) ATM 2933kg Tare 2133kg Ball 378kg Payload 800kg External Frame Fibreglass Cladding Fibreglass Chassis 6in G&S Supagal Suspension G&S Control Rider TS Coupling DO35 Brakes 12in electric Wheels 16in alloys, with 265/75 r16 all-terrain tyres Water 2x65L Battery 2x105Ah AGM Solar 1x150W Air-conditioner Truma Saphir Comfort RC Gas 1x9kg Sway control No Kitchen Sovereign Bushman RV Explorer slide-out barbecue Internal Cooking Dometic Cramer Combi 3B 12V/ h/c with sink Fridge Waeco Coolmatic CR-80 (80L) Microwave No Bathroom Thetford C402 toilet/shower combination Washing machine No Hot water Truma gas/electric 21L Options fitted Additional external tv socket Price as shown RRP $73,236…

Weights and measures Overall length 6.3m (20ft 8in) inc hitch External body length 4.7m (15ft 5in) External body width 2.33m (7ft 8in) Travel height 2.96m (9ft 8in) Internal height 1.96m (6ft 5in) Tare 1720kg ATM 2450kg Payload 730kg Pin weight 360kg External Frame Canadian spruce pine Cladding Aluminium Chassis Powdercoated RHS steel Suspension Timbren Industries fully independent Hitch Hayman Reese Revolution Brakes 12in electric Wheels 16in steel Water 160L (standard) Battery 1x100Ah (standard) Solar 2x150W Air-conditioner Dometic roof Gas 2x9kg Sway control N/A External Kitchen No Internal Cooking Combo Dometic three-burner with stainless steel sink Fridge Evakool 140L 12V compressor Microwave Sphere Bathroom Separate shower cubicle and Thetford cassette toilet Hot water Suburban 20L Options fitted Free camp pack, solar panels, second 100Ah battery, 110L grey water tank, LED lighting…

Value for money “An offroad spec for under $80K” Towability “Excellent underpinnings given the 2T+ Tare” Liveability “A pragmatic kitchen and genuine leather on the dinette” Suitability for intended touring “Well equipped off-the-grid in a standard package” Layout “A stately bedroom and exquisite bathroom are reminiscent of home” Quality of finish “The latest in name-brand appliances all the way” Build quality “Made to survive a life off the bitumen” Creature comforts “Luxe trim with heating and cooling facilities covered” Innovation “Jam-packed with the latest must-haves in a lightweight format” X-Factor “This unit exudes the true outdoors-man touch”…

Weights and measures Overall length 7.65m (25ft 1in) External body length 5.6m (18ft 4in) External body width 2.45m (8ft) Travel height 3m (9ft 10in) Internal height 1.98m (6ft 6in) Tare 2092kg ATM 2512kg Payload 420kg (calculated) Ball weight 195kg External Frame Meranti Cladding Raised profile aluminium Chassis 100x50mm Preston Suspension AL-KO Enduro independent trailing arm with shock absorbers Coupling DO35 Brakes 12in electric drums Wheels 16in alloy with 245x75 LT tyres Water 2x 95L Battery 1x 100Ah Solar 1x 135W Air-conditioner Ibis 3 Gas 2x 9kg Sway control Optional Internal Cooking Swift Mini Grill Fridge 190L three-way Microwave NCE Bathroom Full-width ensuite Washing machine No Hot water ? Options fitted Oz Pack (DO35, checkerplate increased to 570mm, colour-coded wheels, toolbox, external shower), water filter and tap, pressure hatch, grey water…

Value for money “Van offers all the ‘essential’ features for comfortable travel” Self-sufficiency “Really only designed for on-road travel but it does have generously sized water tanks” Liveability “Reasonably user-friendly given the van length” Suitability for intended touring “On-road van, designed for midrange tow vehicles – scores quite well” Layout “For a van this length and layout, there’s still room to move around” Quality of finish “Most features seem to be of good quality and not from the cheapie bin” Build quality “A few areas where small items could be improved” Creature comforts “Has most of them” Innovation “Mostly around the areas of chassis and body design” X-Factor “Smaller towing with all the essential ‘comfort’ features”…

Value for money “It’s not cheap but wants for nothing” Towability “It’s lightweight, has a nice low centre of gravity and is incredibility well balanced” Liveability “It’s got everything you need to tour extensively in a compact and capable package” Suitability for intended touring “What can I say – it works perfectly!” Layout “On our adventure, the spacious and well thought-out layout just worked” Quality of finish “High-quality components and workmanship throughout make this a real crowd pleaser” Build quality “It’s easy to see the BRS crew are utter perfectionists that know how to build a real offroad van” Creature comforts “It still amazes me how they can fit so much comfort into such a compact unit” Innovation “Employing a fresh approach to it’s overall design, there’s not much else…

Weights and measures Overall length 9.2m (30ft) External body length 6.8m (22ft 4in) External body width 2.48m (8ft 2in) Travel height 3.12m (10ft 3in) Internal height 1.98m (6ft 6in) Tare 2920kg ATM 3500kg Payload 580kg Ball weight 220kg External Frame Custom jigsaw interlocking wall construction (ply) Cladding 3mm aluminium alum composite panelling Chassis Custom offroad galvanised with raiser Suspension AL-KO Enduro Outback independent trailing arm Coupling DO35 offroad Brakes Electric Wheels 16in alloy Water 2x95L, 1x65L plus 100L grey water Battery 240Ah lithium Solar 2x 150W Air-conditioner Ibis 3 Sway control Yes Internal Cooking Four-burner gas Fridge 190L Dometic fridge Microwave Sphere mirror microwave 25L Bathroom toilet, shower, basin Washing machine No Hot water 28L gas and electric Price as shown $122,972 (on road, NSW) More information To inquire about…

There’s just no place like Australia. It’s a one-of-a-kind sort of joint and to be completely honest and upfront – I bloody love it, especially when I get to show it all off to the world and explore the best parts of it for a living! Having ticked off Broken Hill-Port Augusta into Alice Springs, I was ready to check whether how Nature's Ways stacked up as a family-friendly route. Well, that’s how we managed to con the boss into letting our rainbow unicorn-loving, event-coordinating guru, Loz, and her campfire-starting extraordinaire son, Coops, join in on the fun. Geez, talk about real world testing! One thing’s for sure, this expedition had all the right ingredients to be an absolutely epic adventure, and trust me, it didn’t disappoint. “I learned a…

My family are the quintessential novice campers. Being involved in the space for a number of years, I understand the pros and cons of the different travel approaches, the lifestyle decisions people make buying or renting products, but I thought it was time to put these theories to the test. And what better place to start than an epic trip commencing in Darwin? We landed, bags everywhere with all the ‘essentials’ for my daughters, Harriet (six) and Georgie (three), my wife and her mum. At first glance, I was stoked with the capacity of the Maui River as I had wondered how the five of us and those bags would fit into a six seater! A few minutes in, after some expert guidance from the rental team, I was getting…

The Pinnacles in the Nambung National Park on Western Australia’s Coral Coast region is one of those destinations better known overseas than its is to locals. Ask any UK tourist what their top things to see in WA are and the Pinnacles - along with Wave Rock near Hyden – are always high on their list. As we were headed northwards to Geraldton, WA, to pay our respects at the HMAS Sydney II memorial, we stopped in to check out what all the fuss was about, rounding out a nice long weekend trip out of Perth. Although the Indian Ocean Drive has a fraught reputation, we thankfully enjoyed an uneventful and scenic drive up the coast, avoiding the heavy freight traffic otherwise encountered on the alternative route north, the Brand…

As we bid summer goodbye it’s time to prepare for our final hurrah before hibernating or heading north. Whether you love it or hate it, the Easter break is one of the biggest dates on the camping calendar, one we often share with little ones new the fold. So how do you make it worthwhile for you, the kids or the grandkids? Pack an open mind and a sense of wonder and you’ll have a great time. After all, you are on holiday and this is your stomping ground! THE INNER NATURALISTE It doesn’t take Bear Grylls to engage kids outdoors despite apps on tap. Nature even on a small scale can inspire, whether you’re spotting night-dwellers by torch, eyeballing a chrysalis, digging for sand crabs, inspecting rockpool ecosystems or…

In last month’s column, I shared my top five tips for fending off fatigue when driving, particularly if towing. This included a good night’s sleep before you leave, sharing the driving, taking regular breaks, playing music and using your vehicle’s air-conditioner to keep fresh and alert. Road safety is an important issue and, as such, strategies to keep you at the top of your game are important considerations. In many ways we are lucky in Australia to have such diverse destinations to explore, but it does often mean many days in the saddle to reach these gems. So, here are a few more top tips. 1. STAY HYDRATED Keeping hydrated is key to your health, as well as your ability to operate a motor vehicle. Most vehicles have cupholders these…

Caravanning Queensland has named the 2018 Volkswagen Amarok V6 Turbo Diesel its official tow vehicle by arrangement with Brisbane-based Austral Volkswagen. For 2018 and 2019, the Amarok will feature in all Caravanning Queensland activities requiring a tow vehicle, including film shoots, promotional activities and caravan show advertising. According to Jason Plant, Caravanning Queensland Trade General Manager, the Amarok is a ‘capable’ choice for the the association’s ventures. “The 2018 Volkswagen Amarok V6 turbodiesel has increased its tow rating from 3.0 tonne to a whopping 3.5 tonne towing capacity, making it one of the most capable vehicles in its class to tow caravans and enhance the outdoor and adventure lifestyle.” Mr Plant acknowledged Austral Volkswagen in a statement announcing the deal, which is said it was the first of its kind…

SUSPENSION DECISION I am hoping you are able to assist with some qualified and unbiased advice. We are in the market for a new van having recently sold ours. We have made a list of ‘must haves’ and ‘would be nice’ but are in somewhat of a quandary about what suspension we should choose. We are getting conflicting advice from salespeople (no surprise there) about the merits or otherwise of going with fully independent or staying with leaf springs like the ‘rock n roller’ our other van had. For example, one salesman indicated we shouldn’t waste our money on something that will be unnecessary for the travel we are likely to do. Another suggested we would be silly not to include independent suspension on our new van and also claimed…

A bird of prey is a formidable force out in the open plains. Which is quite appropriate for Royal Flair’s ‘Raptor’ 11ft 5in tandem/shower model. Methinks many isolated off-grid locales are sure to fall prey to this diminutive bush predator! Based in Campbellfield, Vic, Royal Flair was established in 1975, and more than four decades of experience is strikingly evident in the Raptor. TOYS R US But what was the inspiration behind this pocket dynamo that caters perfectly for the ‘big boys’ and their ‘toys’ - and even an adventurous couple intent on hitting the ‘road to nowhere’? Royal Flair’s owner Bill Deralas - the brainchild behind the Raptor - explains that he’s simply a “fisherman and hunter” at heart. And a thrill-seeking explorer, I hasten to add. “I wanted…

I quite like going to Toowoomba, Qld. It’s an easy drive from Brisbane and makes for a pleasant day out. Toowoomba also happens to be where Winjana fifth wheelers are manufactured. Proprietor Andrew Brennan is very enthusiastic about promoting fifth wheelers in general and has produced some very innovative layouts. When hearing the phrase 'fifth wheeler', many people think of US-built behemoths towable by large trucks, though the Winjana line-up is anything but. A case in point being the smallest out of the factory, the Strzelecki. It’s only 4.7m (15ft 5in) long and has a Tare weight of just 1720kg. That might sound very small but according to Brennan, it offers considerable potential for offroad travel. SOLID FOUNDATION In keeping with the rest of the Winjana fleet, the Strzelecki has…

The ultra-tough Bushmaster Caravans fleet encapsulates the environment of the bush, outback, or back-blocks as the quintessential Australian experience. Like a bush ballad, they provide an authentic expression of the ‘real’ Australia. And the 5.44m (17ft 10in) Bluegum Off Road is typical of the Bushmaster ‘convoy’. This van would be ‘music to the ears’ of any bonafide offroad enthusiast. Which is quite ironic considering Bushmaster’s head honcho, Terry Ryan, is also a muso - and farmer - in his spare time. It’s purpose-built for extreme adventure - simply born for traipsing around in remote environments. So, in the spirit of one iconic bush ballad’s lyrics: “Put another log on the fire. Cook me up some bacon and some beans… And boil me up another pot of tea.” Yes, with the…

Brian Hammond from ARV, Eden, not only sells caravans he likes to get away for some quiet time with his wife in a van whenever he can. On a weekend by the shores of a coastal lake, he pondered improvements to the layout of the Concept Innovation 550 they had taken away. He didn’t love the L-shaped lounge and felt the interior could be ergonomically better. What they preferred was the design of the larger 600R version where the entry door was at the back, closer to the ensuite and away from the bed as in the version in which they were holidaying. I’ve heard this before closer to home – some travellers are attracted to a van with a private bedroom. And having the entry near the ensuite makes…

There’s no doubt that some caravan and motorhome dealers have it better than others in terms of location. Take Australian Motor Homes, where I picked up an Avida Emerald caravan just recently. Out of towners might not think much about the Bennetts Green location south of Newcastle (NSW) but locals will tell you there are fine coastal beaches about 15min to the east and the very picturesque Lake Macquarie to the west. Always a handy location for photographs. So with that I collected and hitched up the Emerald and headed out to Lake Macquarie. Along the way, I passed through Swansea, where the mouth of the Swansea Channel meets the ocean. Here, a drawbridge allows boats to pass and although I have driven over it many times, I had not…

Who doesn’t like a bit of outdoors luxury these days, eh? In the past, if you went “tough touring” it pretty much meant you’d be roughing it with a few sheets of canvas strapped to the top of a rusted out box trailer. Fast forward to today, and well, it’s a whole new ball game. The team at BRS Offroad are testament to the fact too. After years of specialising in custom fabrication work, they decided to up the ante when it comes to building full offroad hybrid camper trailers, especially with their latest top-of-the-range model, the Pursuit Platinum. It’s their top of the range, fully-optioned, work of art – a bit like their very own Mona Lisa! So trust me when I say, I was chomping at the bit…

What is the ideal caravan? Some would say it needs to be lightweight, nimble and bulletproof. Others place luxury, spaciousness and a bucket load of the latest gizmos at the top of the list. Personally, a van that oozes comfort yet still lets you get off the beaten track is what tickles my fancy. Funnily enough, that’s exactly what you’ll find with Wonderland RV’s Amaroo Hornet. I had the pleasure of taking this caravan on the mother of all tow tests, and by that I mean we tackled an absolutely epic 10,000km adventure from Sydney to Port Augusta, straight up the centre of Australia to Darwin and all the way back, stopping at all those must-see attractions along the way. Of course, we let the big boss foot the bill…

It’s real ‘Cruiser country here in the land of Oz. Sure the little buzz-box hatchbacks or SUVs might rule the streets of the big smoke, but make no mistake, the trusty LandCruiser is still the king of the bush! The big question is, why? I mean, they’re not cheapest option around. They’re not exactly the pinnacle of modern technology, either. And to be brutally honest, there are loads of other makes and models that would seriously leave Toyota for dead when it comes to the fancy pants bells and whistles side of things. Still, there are more LandCruisers in outback Australia than fleas on a dingo, especially when it comes to grey nomads lugging three-tonne vans right around the country. So we thought we’d put the latest from Toyota (a…

It’s a warm evening at the start of the Northern Territory dry season. There’s an orchestra of squeaking geckos and shrieking curlews performing for Paula Campbell and her partner Terry Robinson. They’re about to retire to their camp chairs parked outside their motorhome nestled under the tropical treetop canopy at their holiday park. Paula pours herself a glass of wine, while Terry slots a cold VB into a well-worn stubby holder and they reflect on their journey of the past nine months and 35,000km aboard their chariot, a gleaming white Fiat Ducato with an Avan Ovation home on the back. Paula calls it the 'Hilton' with a cheeky smile. They initially had plans for a caravan, but Terry surprised her when he pulled into the driveway in the $135,000 Avan…

The route cut across the flat dusty plain, edging round a tank and windmill to a faint junction where the tracks were lost in the churned up dust from the large herd of cattle intently watching us from the sparse shade. We swung west but it wasn't long before the dash-mounted Hema Navigator cried foul. So we relented, turned back and tracked south from the windmill for a more defined path for yet another crossing. We had left the pleasant and friendly town of Boulia earlier that day and after deciding to shun the blacktop we had headed north on the much less used dirt road that roughly parallels the Burke River. We didn't see a vehicle all the time we were on this route… and that's the way we…

Securing a loan to purchase a caravan or RV is one thing, paying for that ‘bundle of joy’ is another matter. Obviously we all have various forms of expenditure – and more often than not it can be a budgetary juggling act. But you want (and deserve) to enjoy the adventure and freedom of a travelling lifestyle without worrying whether you can meet the weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments on your big investment. So, here’s some invaluable advice which hopefully will make you feel comfortable you’re getting the best rate when it comes to caravan or RV finance. Consumers can be overwhelmed by the multitude of choices - banks, finance companies, peer to peer and so on – and most are pushing their own products. “What clients want is independent,…

I’m sure there are some CW readers old enough to remember Professor Julius Sumner Miller and his TV show Why Is It So? Which, hardly by coincidence, became his catchphrase as many will recall. Miller died in 1987 but you still occasionally hear someone utter those famous words. I thought them apt for this column considering the matters I’ve been pondering. In the Australian RV scene, caravans dominate the market. Compared to motorhomes the ratio is around about 85 per cent to 15 per cent. Across the Tasman in New Zealand, in an apparently similar demographic market, it’s very different. A decade ago, the ratio was the other way around, 80 per cent motorhomes to 20 per cent caravans. These days it’s more like 50/50. Why is it so? Meanwhile,…

QLD BLUES ON BROADBEACH May 17-20 Music lovers will enjoy a stellar local and international line-up featuring more than 20 classic rock and blues greats including The Robert Cray Band and The Screaming Jets at this free event. Gold Coast, http://bluesonbroadbeach.com MUSIC IN THE MULGA May 17-20 Wandilla Station celebrates for four days with live acts, ‘walk up’ concerts open to showgoers, a charity auction, yabby races and a celebrity cook-off. Wandilla Station, Eulo, (07) 4655 4065, www.musicinthemulga.com.au MACKAY HOME SHOW AND CARAVAN, CAMPING EXPO May 18-20 Caravan, motorhome, camper trailer and camping gear manufacturers and retailers will join more than 100 businesses showcasing wares for the home. Mackay, 1800 671 588, www.mackayhomeshow.com.au GOOMERI PUMPKIN FESTIVAL May 27 Compete against locals and tourists in pumpkin-themed events or kick back and…

In a bid to save water at camp and weight on tow, Australian Off Road (AOR) has devised a recycling system that directs shower water to a 20L macerator toilet tank installed in AOR vans. Compatible with all AOR vans fitted with internal showers, the system empties the recycle tank daily into the grey tank or bucket (as per normal) if no grey tank is installed. AOR says travellers will save on average 100L of shower water per 280L stored according to usage. The new system weighs approximately 5kg and sits behind the axle line thus reducing drawbar weight. In related news, AOR has also upgraded its shower options in the Odyssey with the release of a new optional powder-coated aluminium shower pod. The lightweight construction is quick to erect…

Value for money “Yep, it’s a hefty price tag, but that’s what you pay for the means to ultimate adventure” Towability “Didn’t really put it to the test, but the effortless handling suggests it would cope with the toughest of tracks” Liveability “An off-grid home-away-from-home if you can live without a microwave and washing machine, and grey water” Suitability for intended touring “You’ll ‘fly’ to uncharted territory on the ‘wings’ of this Raptor” Layout “Ingenuity is the immediate superlative to describe a confined space morphing into open plan living” Quality of finish “Everything is spic ‘n’ span, with plenty of internal spit and polish” Build quality “Built on rock solid foundations, and will not crack under pressure” Creature comforts “Does the intrepid traveller really want to be mollycoddled out in…

Value for money “For an offroad rig, the benefit here is that less than super expensive tow vehicle is required” Self-sufficiency “Good sized fresh and grey water tanks and high capacity batteries make this good for remote travel” Liveability “Sure, it does not have excessive interior space but that does mean other benefits” Suitability for intended touring “Ideal for offroad travel, small towing rig and highly manoeuvrable” Layout “There are several variations available but the rear door entry works very well in this instancex, especially in the smaller space” Quality of finish “There appears to be a considerable attention to detail” Build quality “High quality components used with good construction techniques make for a resilient overall product” Creature comforts “Has all the essentials for extended remote travel” Innovation “Much of…

Weights and measures Overall length 7.05m (23ft 2in) External body length 5.44m (17ft 10in) External body width 2.44m (8ft) Travel height 2.85m (9ft 4in) Internal height 1.98m (6ft 6in) Tare 2130kg ATM 2750kg Payload 620kg Ball weight 225kg External Frame Meranti Cladding Aluminium Chassis 6in G&S SupaGal Suspension G&S Control Rider Coupling AL-KO 3.5T offroad Brakes 12in offroad Wheels 16in alloy, with 265x75 R16 General Grabber tyres Water 3x95L (freshwater); 1x60L (grey water) Battery 4x110Ah Solar 2x130W Air-conditioner Aircommand Ibis 3 Gas 2x9kg Sway control AL-KO ESC Internal Cooking Swift four-burner/grill/oven Fridge Waeco two-door 190L Microwave Whirlpool Crisp N’ Grill Bathroom Thetford ceramic bowl toilet, with fully-moulded shower Washing machine Camec 4kg front-loader Hot water Suburban gas/electric 23L Options fitted None Price as shown $75,500 (driveaway, Vic) More information To…

Value for money “At $71,370 as tested, it’s in the mid-upper range of similar caravans” Towability “The Enduro suspension is as good as it gets and the van tows like it’s on rails” Liveability “Good head height, good storage options and room to move add to the list of onboard features to make a versatile and easy living space” Suitability for intended touring “It’s a well-equipped van with sturdy construction and very livable layout. The trailing arm underpinnings will tackle the worst of the blacktop and get you into some off-grid locations” Layout “The latest design makes the best use of space in a medium size van. Ideally suited to travelling couples” Quality of finish “Stylish exterior and modern will produced furnishing” Build quality “Fit and finish is above average…

Weights and measures Overall length 7.2m (23ft 8in) External body length 5.47m (17ft 5.5in) External body width (incl awn) 2.46m (8ft in) Travel height 2.97m (9ft 9in) Internal height 2.10m (6ft 7in) Tare 1786kg ATM 2200kg Payload 414kg Ball weight 146kg External Frame (if relevant) N/A Cladding Fibreglass composite Chassis Hot-dipped galvanised Suspension Single axle, leaf spring Coupling Ball Brakes 12in Wheels 15in 6-stud alloys Water 2x 120L Battery 1x 100Ah Solar Optional + $1200 Air-conditioner Air Command Ibis 3 Gas 2x 9kg Sway control No Kitchen (external) No Internal Cooking Thetford four-burner and grill Fridge Dometic two-door 190L, three-way Microwave Camec Bathroom Separate cubicle shower, Thetford cassette toilet Hot water Truma 14L gas/elec Options fitted External tap, aluminium shower door frame, aluminium ensuite door, external radio speakers, Daewoo wall-mounted…

Weights &measures Overall length 5.8m External body length 4m External body width 2.1m Travel height 2.7m Internal height 1.88m Tare 1600kg ATM 2500kg Payload 500kg Ball weight 130kg External Cladding One-piece fibreglass topshell with 25mm insulation + 3mm marine-grade aluminium skirt Chassis/drawbar 150x50x3mm hot-dipped Suspension Cruisemaster XT Air (level 3), rated 2.5T Coupling DO35 Brakes 12in electric offroad Wheels BFG All Terrains on 17x8 CSA Alloy rims Water 127L + 85L baffled (fresh), 70L (grey) Battery 200Ah ePOWER B-TEC Lithium, Enerdrive Solar 300W Air-conditioner No Gas 2x9kg Sway control No Internal Cooking Four burner cooktop and grille + Stainless steel slide-out sizzler barbecue Fridge 2x 30L drawer + 95L Waeco Microwave 900W Bathroom Slide-out shower Washing machine No Hot water 22L Options fitted None Price as shown $84,000 More information…

Value for money “It’s got plenty of gizmos but it ain’t cheap” Towability “It feels quite well balanced, but it’s heavy” Liveability “It’s well appointed and very functional” Suitability for intended touring “As a go-anywhere family tourer, it fits the mould well” Layout “On our adventure, the spacious and well thought-out layout just worked” Quality of finish “Good attention to detail internally, but little things like the water hose rubbing against metal edges could be improved underneath” Build quality “High quality components used with good construction techniques make for a resilient overall product” Creature comforts “It wants for nothing, except maybe a washing machine for the price range it’s in” Innovation “It incorporates proven products to provide reliable comfort on the road” X-Factor “It’s a unique blend of all the…

Vehicle Tare 2740kg GVM 3350kg GCM 6850kg Towing capacity 3500kg Engine 4.5L V8 twin turbodiesel Torque 650@1600rpm 4WD system Full-time dual range Fuel consumption 14.2L/100km, as tested Fuel capacity 138L Suspension Front: independent coil spring; rear: live axle coil spring Brakes Front and disc Seats 8 (2/3/3 configuration) Wheels/tyres 17in alloy 285/65R17 Style Wagon Dimensions External dimensions 4990x1980x1945mm (LxWxH) Cargo load space 1276L Wheel base 2850mm Wading depth 700mm Price as shown $94,360 plus on roads More information www.toyota.com.au…

Amazing rock formations rose sharply from the water's edge as I paddled with my six-year-old daughter Harriet along the Northern Territory’s beautiful Nitmiluk Gorge. It is a memory I will never forget, and that's what the Northern Territory is about, getting out amongst nature, pushing your comfort zone and leaving lasting experiences, for both you and the kids. We started our journey exploring the sights and scenery around Katherine, a 317km drive from Darwin. The awe-inspiring Nitmiluk Gorge was a 30-minute trip from Katherine. The scale of the rugged beauty of the gorge is awe-inspiring. Halfway along our guided cruise, we parked our canoes and jumped into the water. Splashing and laughing within this cavernous landscape will be something we can hold onto forever. Not to mention that we can…

Perhaps it’s the stunning coastline, the eccentric cafes, the occasional sidewalk busker, the fishing or the surfing, but there is a certain something about Ballina on the NSW north coast that makes fantastic memories very easy to make. On the day that I arrived the sky was weeping and blowing in on an easterly. It was the sort of day that makes you remember your childhood – comfortable enough if just a little wet but grimace-inducing when the wind came. Yet, somehow it didn’t matter. Ballina is still well worth visiting - even when the weather isn’t quite perfect. Perhaps this is why. A NEW HORIZON I’d managed to borrow a Horizon Casuarina in which to enjoy the area and parked it in a beaut caravan park called Discovery Park…

Gone are the days where being a greenie was left to the hippies. Words like ‘carbon’ footprint’ and ‘sustainability’ are now firmly entrenched in our vocab and are influencing our evolution. No clearer is the movement to an environmentally friendly world than the introduction of electric cars, where carbon footprint is the key consideration. While they currently only make up a tiny percentage of all cars sold in Australia, there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that will flip in the next five to 10 years; and it will have a big impact on the RV sector. Grant Webster, CEO of THL, the largest provider of RVs for rent and sale in New Zealand and Australia, says the company is already working on producing an electric motorhome. “We’re putting a lot…

Failing doesn’t sit well with me, it never really has, but sometimes it teaches you a good lesson. In my case, I learned that lesson after failing my first light rigid licence theory test. It was only by one point, but it was still a fail, made worse by the fact that my CEO, Adventures Group’s Rob Gallagher sat it the same day, and passed. You can imagine my afternoon. It was low, but it was a very good reminder of the seriousness of obtaining a licence. It’s not that I didn’t take it seriously, I just thought it would be a whole lot easier. Knowing exactly how many metres to place cones when stopped in a 12-tonne truck, and how far I can park a bus from an unmarked…

Technology is crazy thing these days. If you said a little device about the size of your hand could do everything from charge your mobile phone to jump-start your vehicle, most people would call you a dead-set looney! Yet, here I am with that exact same product trying to work out why the hell every keen adventurer doesn’t have one packed in their emergency toolkit. Yep, these are the real deal. The unit I’ve been testing for the last few months is the ChargeUp Auto 12000 from Cygnett. In essence it’s a combined 12V jump-starter and power pack designed to jump-start a flat battery on your vehicle, motorbike, boat - you name it! A big selling point of this unit is the built-in six point relay safety systems, which features…

A fierce office debate began the day that the Fornetto 18" Midnight Black Razzo Vertical Smoker arrived. But in the end it fell to me to set aside a lazy Sunday afternoon to assemble, stoke and smoke – just for you. Setting it up is fairly straightforward though there is some assembly required. We made a quick trip to Bunnings for quality charcoal (pro-tip, avoid cheap and often nasty options) and some smoking chunks. The 18” asks for wood chunks, not pellets or sawdust. We chose oak wine barrel chunks that carried that enticing oak scent with a hint of shiraz. In the name of science and my overeating disorder, we had a few cuts of duck and chicken supreme as well a range of veggies and a rack of…