Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 546 i Caravan World

Welcome to part two of our Best Aussie Vans extravaganza. For readers who missed last issue, we assembled 12 vans in East Gippsland, Vic, for our annual showcase. Zh#vshqw#d#zhhn#mxgjlqj/#Úoplqj#dqg# photographing these vans – and even found time to put on a mini caravan show for the Bairnsdale public – and the results are in. In last month’s issue, On the Move’s Traxx took line honours in the $65K-$80K category while the brand new Compass Navigator took the gong in the $50K-$65K category. We were particularly pleased to see the Compass brand back on the market, resurrected by Roadstar after a lengthy hiatus. The Traxx, meanwhile, was all class. Top to bottom, it was properly nutted out and didn’t skimp on the mod cons and gadgets. Two very different vans. But…

Parks NT, with the help of 4WD NT, is seeking to identify and open up new 4WD wudfnv#dqg#fdpsvlwhv#zlwklq#OlwfkÚhog# National Park, NT, as part of a $39 million overhaul. A Memorandum of Understanding between the two bodies was announced lq#wkh#OlwfkÚhog#Qdwlrqdo#Sdun#Gudiw#Sodq# of Management published in October 5348/#zklfk#lghqwlÚhg#wkh#Îolplwhg#udqjh#ri# adventure type recreational opportunities’ as one of 11 threats to the values of visitors to one of NT’s most-visited national parks. Rwkhu#vljqlÚfdqw#sursrvdov#wdeohg#lq# the plan include sealing the route to the Wangi Falls campground and redeveloping the site to improve access for large RVs, and to promote and formalise camping at Florence Falls. Wkh#sodq#lghqwlÚhg#pdq|#rssruwxqlwlhv# for private developers, including a recommendation to establish a glass walkway or swing bridge at Tolmer Falls. The draft plan also recommended the continued upkeep of the Reynolds River 4WD track, identifying…

A waterfront glamping, camping and caravanning resort is set to open on the banks of the Maroochy River on the Sunshine Coast hinterland mid-next year. The 3.5 acre Rivershore Resort aims to ‘combine the favourite Australian pastime of camping with new-age technology and facilities to meet the expectations of even the most modern traveller’ by offering 15 premium safari tents, in addition to camping options. Spacious camping and caravan sites will be available, with the option for travellers to book extra-large, all-grass sites if they want more room, comfort, or privacy. Sites will accommodate all types and sizes of RVs, including camper trailers, caravans, Úiwk#zkhhohuv#dqg#prwrukrphv1 Resort facilities will include a cafe/ restaurant, bar, dedicated family recreational areas, playground, a resort-style pool with a spa and 25m lap space, and a…

GREAT ADVENTURES! We have really enjoyed reading the recent issues (CW543 and CW544) featuring your reports on the Great Central Road dqg#wkh#Edloh|#UdqjhÚqghu#fkdoohqjh1 We recently made the east-west crossing and found it to be an absolutely amazing h{shulhqfh1#Rxu#wuls#zdv#frpsohwhg#plg0 Mxo|#dqg#diwhu#hqgxulqj#wkh#Úuvw#533np# ri#frqvwdqw#fruuxjdwlrqv#iurp#wkh#Rojdv#wr# Grfnhu#Ulyhu/#rxu#Úuvw#lpsuhvvlrqv#zhuh# that we could not possibly recommend wklv#wuls#wr#dq|rqh1 Then it all changed as we crossed the ZD2QW#erughu1#Zh#irxqg#wkh#ZD#vlgh# to be in really good shape with much of wkh#Zduexuwrq0Odyhuwrq#ohj#lq#Úuvw0fodvv# rughu#dqg#wkh#Odyhuwrq#frxqflo#wuxfnv#dqg# judghuv#jrlqj#kdug#dw#lw1 Wkh#fkdoohqjh/#wkh#lvrodwlrq#dqg#wkh# remoteness is certainly not for everyone exw/#e|#wkh#wlph#zh#kdg#frpsohwhg#wklv#sduw#ri#rxu#wuls#dw#Odyhuwrq/#L#zdv#txlwh# surprised when my wife turned to me and vdlg/#ÈLÏg#olnh#wr#gr#lw#doo#djdlqÍ1# Lqvwhdg#ri#kdylqj#d#ihholqj#ri#uholhi#wkdw# zh#kdg#pdgh#lw#dfurvv#xqvfdwkhg/#zh#erwk# ihow#d#olwwoh#Îgrzq#lq#wkh#gxpsvÏ#wkdw#vxfk# d#juhdw#wuls#zdv#doo#ryhu$#Rxu#rqo|#fdvxdow|# was the oven door which came half off zkhq#wzr#vfuhzv#ihoo#rxw/#exw#wklv#zdv#dq# hdv|#Ú{1 Lw#zdv#yhu|#lqwhuhvwlqj#wr#uhdg#zkdw# Michael Browning said about tyre suhvvxuhv#dqg#|rxu#vshhgv#rq#wkh#Grfnhu# Ulyhu#vhfwlrq1#Lw#wrrn#xv#wkuhh#krxuv#wr# gr#wkh#Úuvw#433np#dqg#d#orw#ri#wklv#zdv# dw#53np2k/#dovr#ÎvxuÚqj#wkh#urdgvlgh# edqnvÏ1# Exw#wkhq/#p|#w|uh#suhvvxuhv#zhuh#durxqg#65svl#+grzq#iurp#73,/#45#pruh#wkdq#|rxuv1#Rxu#ulj#zhljkv#lq#dw#615w#vr/#jurvvlqj#ryhu#9w/#L#zdv#qrw#jdph#wr#ulvn#jrlqj#wrr#orz/#soxv#zh#zhuh#wudyhoolqj#vror1 The best section here lasted for about 73np#sulru#wr#OdvvhwhuÏv#Fdyh1#Rxu#55iw# Jarrah van has Cruisemaster independent leaf suspension with an all-welded doxplqlxp#iudph1…

The premium end of Best Aussie Vans was chock-full of interesting candidates, and one of the tougher examples in the top category this year was the JB Scorpion. The Scorpion sits in the shade of JB’s top-spec caravan, the Milano, and from the moment you set eyes on it, you’ll notice its bush-ready armoury. The coupling is a DO35 offroad hitch which bolts to the 6in drawbar (which has a 450mm extension). Just behind it is the mesh vwrqhjxdug#Ê#d#w|slfdo#Úwphqw#iru#dq#riiurdg# camper trailer but not often seen on a caravan. The stoneguard has a support frame so solid it looks like it could almost withstand a roo strike. The Anderson plug is neatly tucked into the longitudinal channel that supports the centre-mounted 8in jockey wheel. Behind the stoneguard is an aluminium checkerplate…

Sunland Caravans has rightly developed an excellent reputation within the Australian recreational vehicle industry for building high-quality, offroad caravans. Sunland proprietor Roy Wyss is constantly searching for new and better ways of manufacturing his company’s products and it’s always interesting to visit the factory in Caboolture, Qld, to see what’s new. Wklv#|hdu#lv#wkh#Úuvw#wlph#d#Txhhqvodqg0 built caravan has entered into the fray of Best Aussie Vans and, as I’m quite familiar with Sunland’s products, I was interested to see how the Sunland van would fare against the more commonly seen Victorian products. For the event, Sunland entered its 6.4m (21ft) Patriot SEL-X offroader, one of its top-of-the-line rigs, so I knew it would be something special. “The quality here is clear to see — nothing is out of place and only the best…

I’ve attended many footy pie nights in my time, where I’ve witnessed the voracious appetites of real life Billy Bunters. But even the original Bunter – the gluttonous, fictional schoolboy at Greyfriars School – would find hard to digest the pie-eating feats of the Best Aussie Vans contingent at Bairnsdale Holiday Park. It was the night of (pie) nights, with our ravenous, 36-strong, party pack putting the great Australian bite on 60 party pies, 50 pulled pork and beef pies, and 48 apple pies – all supplied by Patties Foods, which owns Bairnsdale Holiday Park. Now that’s a hard act to swallow! This final count was put together by Patties’ site development manager (and unnofficial pie-consuming statistician) Lou Verde. “By all accounts, the Caravan World promotion was a huge success;…

“There’s a real combination of driving conditions from very rough to highway cruising, but the country is magnificent” “The Binns Track? You’re crazy!” (or words to that effect) was the usual response when we told friends of our plans to take our brand new Trakmaster caravan along the track. Maybe. But we’d travelled it by 4WD a couple of times previously, so we knew what to expect. There’s a real combination of driving conditions from very rough to highway cruising, but the frxqwu|#lv#pdjqlÚfhqw1#\hs/#wkh#Wudnpdvwhu# was only two weeks old but we bought it for the Ûh{lelolw|#lw#riihuhg/#vr#rii#zh#zhqw1 Our van is a 4.73m (15ft 6in) Trakmaster pop-top which weighs about 2600kg. We travelled with our long-term 4WDing friends Ron and Judy Smith, who also have a Trakmaster, which is 6.4m (21ft) and a…

“The emphasis at Charleville Bush Caravan Park is on a quiet, country experience” After 1100km of single-lane bitumen roads, it was both a relief and a small disappointment to hit double-lane roads with a central white line again. The 400km-trip from Thargomindah to Charleville, Qld, passed quite quickly. Charleville has a population of around 3300 people and has all the services you should need. There are two IGA supermarkets, a good liquor outlet, two hardware stores, a chemist and a Ford/Nissan dealer, as well as a variety of other businesses. A PARK WITH A DIFFERENCE For some time, we had been hearing about the Charleville Bush Caravan Park, built and owned by Graham and Deb Reid, so we decided to take a look. We think this park is unique, as…

If the idea of hitting the wide open roads in your caravan, travelling wherever you want, stopping as you like, and following an ever-changing horizon has taken hold, one of the many things you’ll need to consider before you leave is your power requirement. Even if you’re set up with solar on the roof and high-quality batteries, sometimes that just isn’t enough, and the only way to keep your deep-cycle batteries charged, the air-conditioner running, the washing machine turning, the hair dryer blowing and the toast toasting is a portable generator. So we’ve put together a few tips, together with the ‘dos and don’ts’ of generators, to help make your power experience a positive one. MEETING YOUR NEEDS \dpdkd#DxvwudoldÏv#qdwlrqdo#vdohv#dqg# pdunhwlqj#pdqdjhu#Dgdp#Zroihqghq#vdlg#zkhq# choosing a generator, most caravanners worry about the noise the…

“Before running a generator, decorum definitely suggests checking with your neighbours” To generate or not to generate? For the RV traveller who spends long periods of time in remote areas or without mains electricity, the answer might seem fairly obvious. However, there are a few ‘ifs’, ‘buts’ and ‘maybes’ to consider! In the RV world, where packing space and weight are at a premium, generators are yet another appliance that, while handy, will add weight and require you to carry a separate fuel source, usually petrol or diesel. They can also be noisy to run and there are places where their use is either banned outright or restricted to certain hours, such as in national parks. In many cases, a well setup RV – that is, one with adequate battery…

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W|slfdo#Dxvvlh#Îexfnhw#olvwÏ#ghvwlqdwlrqv# such as Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef appear to have fallen out of favour with domestic travellers, according to a new report by the Expedia group, with Aussies more likely put capital cities at the top of their lists. Expedia’s State of the Nation report, released in early December 2015, found that surveyed locals thought Sydney and Melbourne were the most desirable places to visit, followed by Hobart, the Gold Coast dqg#Shuwk#urxqglqj#rxw#wkh#wrs#Úyh1 The Great Barrier Reef came in at number six, followed by Darwin, central Australia (including Uluru) and Cradle Mountain. Broome, Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, Cairns and Brisbane all tied in 10th position. The online study surveyed 5450 Australians aged 18 and older from both capital city and non-capital city areas. The survey also found that almost…

Hitchmaster DO352 All Terrain coupling This coupling, made by Vehicle Components and valued at $393, builds on the impressive heritage established by its predecessor. Designed, tested and manufactured in Australia, it has several new features, including a snap-on dust-cover to protect the full stainless steel twin locking mechanism from the elements. How to win If you’re stumped by a technical or towing problem, send your question to caravanworld@bauertrader.com.au with ‘Tech Talk’ in the subject line or send a letter to Caravan World Tech Talk, Locked Bag 12, Oakleigh, Vic 3166. All entries must include your full address (not for publication).…

It’s been a little while since I last had a close look at a Trakmaster offroad caravan, so when one showed up on the list of entries for BAV, I was looking forward to seeing it. Trakmaster, under the direction of Russell Seebach, manufactures a range of offroad caravans with a variety of layouts, suitable for differing road conditions. Some buyers don’t always realise that those two things are connected. For example, a van like the Pilbara Extreme, seen here, has been built for cross-country travel and, therefore, has a raked rear end to give a good departure angle. And fkdqjlqj#wkh#dqjoh#ri#wkh#Ûrru#diihfwv#wkh# internal layout – in this case, it means the two vlqjoh#ehgv/#udwkhu#wkdq#wkh#edwkurrp/#duh#Úwwhg# into the rear of the van. Let’s start on the outside, though. The Pilbara Extreme is built on…

With the early morning sun shining, 12 vans converged on Howitt Park in Bairnsdale, Vic, for the inaugural Best Aussie Vans (BAV) Trade Show – a kind of mini caravan carnival – as part of this year’s EDY#hyhqw1#Lq#dprqj#d#zhhn#ri#mxgjlqj/#Úoplqj# and photographing the competing vans, the midweek trade show was a chance for the public to get in on some of the BAV action. The day was perfect, the sky blue and the temperature balmy. Howitt Park was a hive of activity as set up got underway. The awnings were rolled out, the chairs set up, lights switched on, windows opened, and the Úqlvklqj#wrxfkhv#sxw#lq#sodfh/#dv#ylvlwruv#dqg# prospective buyers started trickling in, curious to see what it was all about. The Paynesville Lions Club kept everyone vdwhg>#vl}}olqj#vdxvdjhv/#Ûlsslqj#exujhuv#dqg# brewing coffee, while local musician Jeff Parkes set…

“The PX MkII Ranger has taken all the goodness of the PX and overlaid it with a smart facelift and beneficial technology” Ford reinvigorated its one-tonne ute when it took the reins from Mazda, with its one-tonne PX Ranger development. While the previous Ranger/Courier utes were good vehicles, the move to the PX Ranger (and its close-cousin, the Mazda BT-50) stepped up srzhu/#uhÚqhphqw#dqg#ryhudoo#delolw|#wr#d#zkroh# new level. Wkh#elj#qhzv#iru#fdudydqqhuv#zdv#wkh#errvw# lq#wrzlqj#fdsdflw|#– the Ranger, soon after the introduction of the PX, got a 3500kg towing fdsdflw|#pdnlqj#lw#rqh#ri#wkh#ehvw#lq#wkh#fodvv1 A couple of months ago, Ford refreshed the Ranger with the PX MkII series. This series lqwurgxfhg#rqo|#d#plg0f|foh/#frvphwlf#uhiuhvk#ri#wkh#h{whulru#dqg#lqwhulru/#exw#lw#dovr#lqfrusrudwhg#qhz#whfkqrorj|#ihdwxuhv/#vxfk#dv#hohfwulf#srzhu0dvvlvwhg#vwhhulqj/#hphujhqf|#dvvlvwdqfh# (which delivers critical information to 000 operators, indicating that a Ford vehicle has ehhq#lqyroyhg#lq#d#fudvk#dqg#slq0srlqwlqj#wkh# JSV#orfdwlrq#ehiruh#rshqlqj#wkh#olqh#iru#kdqgv0 free communication with the vehicle occupants), rswlrqdo#dxwrqrprxv#eudnlqj/#odqh#ghsduwxuh#zduqlqj/#eolqg0vsrw#prqlwru#dqg#udgdu#fuxlvh0 control on top-spec models. ATTRIBUTES The PXII Ranger tested here…

As far as Northern Territory national parks go, Keep River National Park (NP) is tiny – less than 3 per cent of the size of Kakadu NP – but it stands tall among the best in the Top End for its striking landscape, Aboriginal rock art and walking adventures. As a bonus, it’s easy to get to and is accessible without a 4WD. We knew it was going to be something special as soon as we turned off the Victoria Highway, 3km inside the Territory border, and headed along the gravel road that would eventually deliver us to the Jarnum camping area near the park’s northern boundary. This 34km road, which runs the length of the park, can be Ûrrghg#dqg#lpsdvvdeoh#gxulqj#wkh#zhw#vhdvrq# (November-April) but, at the time of our visit in mid-July,…

We have travelled extensively throughout Queensland over many years, so when CW editor Max asked us to choose mxvw#Úyh#sdunv#wr#qrplqdwh#dv#rxu# favourites, it was an extremely challenging task, and one that we had to think long and hard about. Exw#zh#kdyh#fkrvhq#sdunv#wkdw#zh#ihho#jr#wkh# extra mile to make caravanners feel welcome dqg#surylgh#wkh#idflolwlhv#zh#qhhg#dw#d#uhdvrqdeoh# frvw1#Iurp#rxu#h{shulhqfh/#lw#vhhpv#wkdw# sdunv#zlwk#rzqhu0pdqdjhuv#duh#pruh#olnho|#wr# sulrulwlvh#jrrg#vhuylfh#dqg#iulhqgolqhvv#wkdq#wkh# odujh#jurxs0rzqhg#sdunv#zlwk#sdlg#pdqdjhuv1# Zh#dovr#uhdoo|#hqmr|#wkh#dwprvskhuh#ri#wurslfdo# north Queensland, and both of these factors kdyh#lqÛxhqfhg#rxu#fkrlfhv#lq#frplqj#xs#zlwk# rxu#iroorzlqj#wrs#Úyh#Txhhqvodqg#ydq#sdunv1 PINNACLE VILLAGE HOLIDAY PARK Pinnacle Village at Wonga Beach in the Daintree duhd#lv#d#ghÚqlwh#idyrxulwh#ri#rxuv1#Vhw#rq#d# vhfoxghg#ehdfkiurqw/#dprqj#ox{xuldqw#wurslfdo#jurzwk/#wklv#sdun#lv#forvh#wr#wkh#Gdlqwuhh#Ulyhu# Ferry and makes an ideal base to visit Mossman Jrujh/#Fdsh#Wulexodwlrq#dqg#Sruw#Grxjodv1 Wkh#rzqhu0pdqdjhuv#Gduu|o#dqg#Nhuul#Whqql# olyh#rq#vlwh#dqg#duh#d#yhu|#sohdvdqw/#zhofrplqj# frxsoh1#Wkh|#kdyh#fkrvhq#qrw#wr#wdnh#shwv#dw#wkh# sdun#lq#rughu#wr#surwhfw#wkh#h{rwlf#qdwlyh#dqlpdov# and birds that call Pinnacle Village home. We have attended some wonderful themed evenings at Pinnacle Village, including the unforgettable oyster night and various musical shuirupdqfhv/#vxssolhg#iuhh#iru#jxhvwv#e|#Gduu|o# dqg#Nhuul1 Lw#lv#d#txlhw/#sulydwh#sdun#zlwk#plohv#ri#ehdfk#wr#zdon/#Úvk#dqg#h{soruh1#Wkhuh#duh#wzr#vzlpplqj#srrov/#wzr#dphqlwlhv#eorfnv/#fdelqv/#srzhuhg#dqg#xqsrzhuhg#vlwhv/#dv#zhoo#dv#d#kxjh# ehdfkiurqw#fdpslqj#duhd1# Ghq|vh#dqg#L#Úqg#wklv#sdun#d#zrqghuixo#sodfh# wr#uhod{#lq#wkh#wurslfdo#dpelhqfh/#dqg#hqmr|# a long morning beach walk, maybe a day at Fdsh#Wulexodwlrq/#ru#d#wuls#wr#Prvvpdq#ru#Sruw# Grxjodv#wr#vkrs1#Zh#olnh#wr#vwd|#khuh#lq#wkh#…

Traveller Brian Ward sat comfortably by his American RV Diplomat III bus as we spoke. He bought the bus second-hand five years ago and inherited a 6.5kVA generator when he purchased it. Despite the generator having the capacity to simultaneously run every appliance Brian has, the idea of actually using the massive generator never appealed to him. “It was just too heavy,” he said. “Two people couldn’t lift it!” As a solo traveller, a super gen-set like this was not a helpful tool for Brian. And its weight was the least of his problems. He felt that if he used it, it would burn through too much fuel. And he’s probably right, given that a typical machine of that size running at around 80 per cent load might only last…

Llih#rq#wkh#urdg#iru#wudyhoolqj#vkrzphq# lv#uduho|#hdv|1#Wkhuh#duh#orqj#krxuv#lq# vhwwlqj#xs/#rshudwlqj#dqg#sdfnlqj#xs#ri# wkh#ulghv#dqg#vkrz#dwwudfwlrqv#wkdw#nhhs# wkhp#jrlqj1#Vr/#wkh#qhhg#iru#d#olwwoh#frpiruw#dw#wkh#hqg#ri#d#orqj#gd|/#hlwkhu#rq#wkh#urdg#ru#durxqg#d#vkrz#vlwh/#lpsrvhv#d#ghvluh#iru#vrph# txlhw#ox{xu|#dzd|#iurp#wkh#jdulvk#oljkwv#dqg#wkh# vwulghqw#vrxqgv#ri#udxfrxv#slshg#pxvlf1 D#wudyhoolqj#vkrzpdqÏv#krph#rq#wkh#urdg#lv# d#vshfldo0xvh#fdudydq1#Iru#Urehuw#dqg#Nulvwlqd# \rxqj/#zkr#duh#edvhg#lq#Orqgrqghuu|/#lq#idu#zhvwhuq#V|gqh|/#wkh#vkrz#flufxlw#kdv#ehhq#sduw#ri#wkhlu#olih/#vhhplqjo|#iruhyhu1#Wkh#\rxqj# family has been following the show circuit with wkhlu#jolwwhulqj#ulghv#dqg#vkrz#vwdqgv#vlqfh# ZZLL/#zkhq#UrehuwÏv#judqgidwkhu#ehjdq#lq#wkh#exvlqhvv/#dqg#Urehuw#lv#d#wklug#jhqhudwlrq#vkrzpdq1#Nulvwlqd/#dovr#zlwk#wkuhh#jhqhudwlrqv#ri#vkrzpdqvkls#uxqqlqj#lq#khu#yhlqv/#dgghg# wr#wkh#ulfk#yhlq#ri#wkhlu#olih#zkhq#wkh|#pduulhg1# Qrz#wkhlu#fkloguhq#dqg#judqgfkloguhq#duh# iroorzlqj#lq#wkh#idplo|#exvlqhvv1 Urehuw#lv#d#elj#pdq/#klv#kdqgv#wrxjkhqhg#e|# ghfdghv#ri#kdug#zrun#zlwk#wrrov#dqg#wkh#jldqw# wr|v#wkh|#vxvwdlq1#Kh#kdv#olwwoh#wlph#iru#wkh# qlfhwlhv#ri#olih#dqg#khÏv#d#wdnh0ph0dv0|rx0Úqg0 ph#nlqg#ri#jx|1#Nulvwlqd#dffhswv#wkh#frqvwdqf|# of their existence away from the wudsslqjv#ri#d#Ú{hg# home, but works kdug#wr#vxvwdlq#d#qhdw dqg#wlg|#hqylurqphqw# within the walls of their preloh#dffrpprgdwlrq1 Wkhuh#zdv#d#wlph#zkhq#Urehuw#dqg#Nulvwlqd# zhuh#rq#wkh#urdg#iru#xs#wr#79#zhhnv#hyhu|#|hdu/#prylqj#iurp#wrzq#wr#wrzq/#vkrzjurxqg#wr#vkrzjurxqg#exw/#uhfhqwo|/#ehfdxvh#ri#d#idplo|# illness, that’s been cut to a still-exhausting 63#zhhnv1 Their home on wheels is an American-built Fuxlvhu#UY#Hqwhuud/#dq#lpsrvlqj#ydq#wkdw# Nulvwlqd#irxqg#rq#wkh#lqwhuqhw1 ÈL#olnhg#wkh#od|rxw/Í#vkh#wrog#FZ1#ÈLw#kdg#sohqw|# ri#urrp#dqg#L#glgqÏw#zdqw#d#edwkurrp#lq#wkh# ehgurrp1Í AMERICAN DREAM Wklv#lvqÏw#wkh#Úuvw#XV0exlow#ydq#wkh|Ïyh#rzqhg/# hlwkhu1#Wkh|Ïyh#kdg#wzr#Nh|vwrqh#eudqg#wudlohuv# ehiruh/#zklfk#kdyh#ehhq#sdvvhg#rq#wr#rwkhu#idplo|#phpehuv/#dqg#wkh|#olnh#Dphulfdq#ydqv1 ÈZh#Úqg#wkh#Dphulfdq#fdudydqv#jrrg#wr#olyh#lq# iru#orqj#shulrgv/Í#Urehuw#h{sodlqhg1#ÈWkh|#kdyh# more insulation and, so, are quieter – an important issue when you live and work where we do – and are very comfortable to live in, though I’d have to say that some of the newer Aussie vans are closing the gap. “We’ve been to the US a few times and, whenever we go, we…

Caravan accessory manufacturer Purple Line has launched its new e-go Platinum remote control electric caravan mover to deliver more manoeuvring power for big, tough Aussie vans. The e-go Platinum, which replaces the e-go 130 in the Purple Line udqjh/#kdv#ehhq#ghyhorshg#vshflÚfdoo|#iru#wkh#orfdo#pdunhw1 With upgraded electronics, a wider 200mm tyre roller and a re-engineered engagement mechanism, it is designed to deliver maximum power to the road wheels of heavy vans and trailers, and to move dual-axle vans up to 3.5t. The needle roller bearings in the alloy housing are designed to maximise the roller grip on wkh#w|uh/#zklfk#lv#hvshfldoo|#xvhixo#rq#fkxqn|/#riiurdg#w|uhv1 Purple Line now offers three e-go models, all with the same alloy-cased motor and gearbox units and with different engagement mechanisms for different applications. According to Sxusoh#Olqh/#lqvwdoodwlrq#w|slfdoo|#wdnhv#durxqg#Úyh#krxuv#shu# single-axle set, or 10 hours per dual-axle set, and Purple…

Every now and again, you come across a product that makes a small but welcome change in your life. The Orbitkey is one such item. Before I discovered this neat product, my key ring looked like that of a medieval dungeon master: immense, unwieldy, the keys always poking my thigh when I walked. The Orbitkey is a thoroughly practical solution to this problem, and makes particular sense for caravanners since pdq|#ydqv#uhtxluh#xs#wr#Úyh#nh|v#+pdlq# door, cassette toilet door, storage bins, etc.). Available in leather as well as colourful rubber, the Orbitkey boasts a unique aluminium locking system that securely houses up to seven keys, including an optional bottle opener and USB drive. The downside to the product: it can’t accommodate a bulky car key at the same time as the usual jumble of…

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Visitors to Kalbarri National Park, WA, will be able to peer into the Murchison River Gorge, with the WA state government allocating funds for two skywalks extending 12m and 20m from the rim. The funding for the 100m-high skywalks will be drawn from the state’s Royalties for Regions program as part of a $20m commitment to upgrading the park, which also includes sealing of the Loop/Z Bend Road and upgrades for the Z Bend and Meanarra Hill lookouts. UY#wudyhoohuv#duh#nh|#ehqhÚfldulhv#ri#wkh# project with dedicated parking allocated to those towing a trailer at Inyaka Wookai Watju (West Loop), the site slated for the skywalk developments. Visit parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au for more.…

When you’ve hitched up the van and are khdglqj#rii#rq#|rxu#Úuvw#wrxu/#ru#wkh#qh{w#ri#pdq|/#|rx#pljkw#eh#zrqghulqj# zkdw#vshhg#lv#uljkw#iru#wrzlqj1#Wkhuh# duh#sohqw|#ri#odzv#derxw#fdudydq#zhljkwv/#oljkwv# dqg#hyhq#zkdw#glvwdqfh#|rx#kdyh#wr#wudyho# ehklqg#rwkhu#yhklfohv/#exw#qrqh#derxw#vshhg1#Wkdw#lv/#ri#frxuvh/#h{fhsw#iru#reh|lqj#srvwhg#vshhg#olplwv#dqg/#lq#doo#vwdwhv#dqg#whuulwrulhv/# wkdw#phdqv#d#pd{lpxp#ri#443np2k#+h{fhsw#lq# Zhvwhuq#Dxvwudold/#zkhuh#wkh#pd{lpxp#wrzlqj# vshhg#lv#433np2k,1# Wkhuh#lv#dqrwkhu#vshhg#olplw/#dqg#wkdw#lv# wkh#wrz#yhklfohÏv#pd{lpxp#doorzhg#vshhg# zkloh#wrzlqj1#Vrph#pdqxidfwxuhuv#olplw# shuplwwhg#vshhg#wr#ohvv#wkdq#wkh#srvwhg# pd{lpxp/#zlwk#pdq|#ri#wkhvh#uhvwulfwlqj# wrzlqj#vshhgv#wr#d#pd{lpxp#ri#;3np2k#Ê# lqfoxglqj#Vxedux#dqg#Kroghq/#zlwk#roghu# prghov#vxfk#dv#wkh#Y\#Vhulhv#Frpprgruh1 Rwkhuv/#vxfk#dv#Nld#dqg#K|xqgdl/#gr# qrw#sodfh#uhvwulfwlrqv#rq#vshhg#iru#wrzlqj# jhqhudoo|/#exw#gr#zkhq#wrzlqj#d#khdy|#wudlohu# xs#kloov1#Vxfk#pdqxidfwxuhuv#dgylvh#wkdw# vshhg#vkrxog#eh#uhgxfhg#wr#:3np2k#lq#wkhvh# frqglwlrqv1# Wkh#uhdvrqv#iru#wkhvh#uhvwulfwlrqv#duh#hlwkhu# wkh#pdqxidfwxuhu#kdv#irxqg#lq#ghyhorsphqw# whvwlqj#wkdw#khdy|0gxw|#wrzlqj#fdq#sxw# h{fhvvlyh#vwudlq#rq#wkh#srzhuwudlq#dqg# dvvrfldwhg#frpsrqhqwv#dw#kljkhu#vshhgv/#ru#zlwk#vwhhshu#lqfolqhv#dqg2ru#wrzlqj/#vwdelolw|# lv#irxqg#wr#eh#frpsurplvhg#dw#kljkhu#vshhgv1# Udwkhu#wkdq#wdnlqj#wkh#ulvn#ri#vd|lqj#Îxvh# frpprq#vhqvhÏ#dqg#ÎgrqÏw#gulyh#dw#d#vshhg# zkhuh#|rx#qrwlfh#wkh#yhklfoh#lv#vwudlqlqj#ru# ihhov#xqvwdeohÏ/#wkh|#xvh#d#eodqnhw#olplw1 READ THE MANUAL Ex|lqj#d#eudqg0qhz#ulj#dqg#sodqqlqj#wr#khdg# rii#rq#wrxu#wkh#gd|#diwhu#slfnlqj#lw#xsB#Uhdg#wkh# rzqhuÏv#pdqxdo#fduhixoo|/#ehfdxvh#|rxÏoo#Úqg#prvw#pdqxidfwxuhuv/#zkloh#qr#orqjhu#uhtxlulqj#d#uxqqlqj0lq#shulrg#iru#jhqhudo#gulylqj/#gr#uhtxluh# exactly that when towing with a new vehicle. Typically, you’ll have to drive at a restricted vshhg#iru#wkh#Úuvw#;3304833np#+riwhq#lwÏv#dq# ;3np2k#uhvwulfwlrq,/#|hw#vrph#pdqxidfwxuhuv# warn against towing at all when the vehicle is wklv#qhz1#Shukdsv#|rxÏoo#kdyh#wr#wdnh#d#ihz#wulsv# vror#wr#forfn#xs#wkh#nlorphwuhv#ehiruh#|rx#klwfk# up the van. Orrnlqj#dw#wkh#rzqhuÏv#pdqxdo#iru#wudlohu# wrzlqj#uhtxluhphqwv#lv#rqh#ri#wkh#prvw# lpsruwdqw#wklqjv#|rx#fdq#gr1 If you ignore such advice and cruise at a kljkhu#vshhg#uhjdugohvv#+hyhq#li#lwÏv#wkh#ohjdo# vshhg#olplw,/#li#|rx#fudvk#ru#|rxu#yhklfoh#vxiihuv#phfkdqlfdo#gdpdjh/#|rx#kdyh/#srwhqwldoo|/#glplqlvkhg#ohjdo#uhfrxuvh#iru# uhsdluv1#Vrph#yhklfoh#pdqxidfwxuhuv#zloo# qrw#krqrxu#zduudqw|#fodlpv#li#gdpdjh#fdq# eh#suryhq#wr#eh#gxh#wr#wudlohu#wrzlqj1#Lq#wkh# fdvh#ri#d#fudvk/#|rx#pd|#Úqg#|rxuvhoi#idflqj# fkdujhv#dqg#dq#lqvxudqfh#fodlp#uhixvdo1 Lw#pd|#eh#gliÚfxow#iru#rwkhu#gulyhuv#wr# xqghuvwdqg#zk|#|rxÏuh#grlqj#;3np2k#lq#d# 443np2k#}rqh/#hvshfldoo|#li#urdg#frqglwlrqv#dsshdu#lghdo/#exw#wklv#lv#|rxu#orw#li#|rx#kdyh# d#wrz#yhklfoh#zlwk#vxfk#olplwv1#Lq#idvw0prylqj# wudiÚf#rq#pxowl0odqh#urdgv#|rx#kdyh#wr#eh# just as aware of what is going on around you and judge carefully as you’ll have vehicles dssurdfklqj#|rx#d#orw#idvwhu#wkdq#|rx#wklqn1# Jrrg#pluuruv#duh#d#pxvw1 GET COMFORTABLE Jhqhudoo|#vshdnlqj/#L#Úqg#wkdw#d#vshhg#ri#derxw# <3np2k#lv#zkhuh#L#ihho#prvw#frpiruwdeoh#rq# paved roads, provided that the…

Last month, we kicked off the 2015 Best Aussie Vans, the largest RV shootout in the country, held in East Gippsland, Vic. Festivities began with that sweet spot in the market – the $50K-$65K category. The rejuvenated Compass Navigator took on the Iudqnolq#Duurz#dqg#wkh#Edloh|#UdqjhÚqghu# Astro and came up trumps due to its high quality build and affordability. This category was followed by a four-way contest in the $65K-$80K group between the Regal RSV, the New Age Manta Ray, the Concept Innovation and the On the Move Traxx. After taking line honours in the $80K+ category last year with its Grenade, On the Move Caravans stood on the top of the podium yet again with its stunning offroad Traxx. $80K+ VANS This month, we’re turning our attention to the big boys of…

Avida has been busy over the last few years, turning its attention to building caravans as well as the motorhomes it is best known for. The company has been in the RV business for 50 years and, as part of its Golden Jubilee celebration, it has introduced a new, top-of-the-range caravan – the Avida Topaz 7052SL. Of course, ‘SL’ denotes ‘slide-out’, and this lv#wkh#frpsdq|Ïv#Úuvw0hyhu#volgh0rxw#fdudydq1# The slide-out encompasses almost the whole offside length of the rig, stretching just over 4m (13ft 2in). This allows all aspects of the van’s lqwhulru/#h{fhsw#wkh#edwkurrp/#wr#ehqhÚw#iurp#wkh# 600mm-plus widened living space. The Topaz has a front kitchen, a sideways-facing lounge on the offside and a nearside lounge. The east-west bed abuts the offside wall, with a pop-up TV on the nearside (with a wardrobe adjacent) and the full-width…

Endangered? Facing extinction? Dying out? Not on your life! Meet a Rhino that is not a protected species. In fact, Goldstream RV has literally grabbed the Rhino by its horn with the 2300 Family Bunk (FB) van. This hulking 6.92m (22ft 8in) serious offroader proved an imposing sight in the $80K+ category at the 2015 Best Aussie Vans event. Spruiked as a ‘wagon’ for the family, the Rhino 2300FB has a tough hide but, inside, it reveals a heart of gold. This Goldstream is well set up for independent camping with Cruisemaster XT coil spring suspension, a Redarc 1230 battery management system, dual 105Ah batteries and a 4x120W Ûh{l#sdqho#vrodu#v|vwhp1#Dqg#lwÏv#exlow#wr#odvw#dqg# go the distance, riding on an Austrail chassis and 20in alloy wheels and tyres. Yes, it boasts a tough exterior but,…

The charming, neat-as-a-pin Bairnsdale Holiday Park easily accommodated the large contingent that descended upon East Gippsland, Vic, for the recent Best Aussie Vans (BAV) awards. And the welcome mat was quickly rolled out; in fact, it was more like red carpet treatment for our large group comprising an event coordinator, judges, photographers, videographers, caterers, various CW staff, and representatives for the 12 competing caravans. The week’s events went like clockwork and without a hitch, if you’ll excuse the pun, amid a convivial atmosphere. The holiday units were spick-and-span and extremely comfortable, while each day’s sumptuous breakfast, lunch and dinner were fully catered for in the communal camp kitchen, which was a central meeting point for all and sundry. WITHOUT A HITCH An independent member of BIG4 Holiday Parks, Bairnsdale Holiday…

“This is about relaxed and informal beachside bush camping, and nothing more” Elim Beach? I’d never heard of it until a respected 4WD traveller described it as ‘one of Australia’s best bush-beach camping spots’. That was several years ago, but I can report that little seems to have changed since then. ‘You mean Ellis Beach, between Cairns and Port Douglas?’ most people ask. Nope, I mean Elim Beach, about 100km or so further north up wkh#frdvw/#dfurvv#wkh#Gdlqwuhh/#yld#EorrpÚhog/# Cooktown and Hope Vale. Vwloo#qrqh#wkh#zlvhuB#Zhoo/#Úqg#Frrnwrzq#rq# your map. Look above it and you’ll see a large east-facing bay bracketed by Cape Bedford in the south and Cape Flattery to the north. It’s there, about one third of the way up. Vrxqgv#wulfn|#wr#Úqg#dqg#dffhvvB#Qrsh1#Lq# fact, depending on which way you travel, you’ll travel less than 30km off the…

There are good reasons to head for north Queensland during the warmer months – camping spots aren’t as crowded, the frxqwu|vlgh#lv#juhhqhu#dqg#fdudydq# parks are often cheaper, to name just a few. Dqg/#ri#frxuvh/#vrph#wudyhoohuv#duh#olplwhg#wr# the summer months by work commitments ru#vfkrro#krolgd|v1#Krzhyhu/#wkh#khdw#dqg# humidity can make life in the tropics a bit uncomfortable outside of winter, and it can be d#pdmru#qhjdwlyh#iru#pdq|#wudyhoohuv1#Exw#rxw#ri# wkdw#qhjdwlyh#frphv#d#srvlwlyh#Ê#wkh#vzlpplqj# is great! I’m not suggesting you swim in the sea – furfrglohv#dqg#ghdgo|#pdulqh#mhoo|Úvk#duh#dw# wkhlu#zruvw#ehwzhhq#Qryhpehu#dqg#Pd|1#D#vdihu# dowhuqdwlyh#lv#wkh#iuhvkzdwhu#vwuhdpv#wkdw#uxvk# out of the backdrop of mountains lining the frdvw#ehwzhhq#Wrzqvylooh#dqg#Fdluqv1 There is no better way to spend a hot northern Queensland summer’s day than lounging back in the cool clear waters of a rainforest stream as it tumbles and gurgles its rocky path from the misty peaks of nearby mountains. If this sounds like your kind of summer krolgd|#+dqg#lw#ghÚqlwho|#zloo#eh#li#|rx#kdyh#nlgv# onboard),…

“There was a time when that park within view of the perfect waves and the long beach was little more than a flat paddock, a basic amenities block and a few shady trees” We all remember them. Those slow, balmy days in your favourite caravan park, lounging under the annexe with a view of a long white beach and a point break too good to resist. There was a time when that park within view of the perfect waves dqg#wkh#orqj#ehdfk#zdv#olwwoh#pruh#wkdq#d#Ûdw# paddock, a basic amenities block and a few shady trees. But, in time, that park changed. First came more powered sites, then the pool, the games room, and then the roads got wider and the available sites fewer. The park then put in a couple of camp kitchens, a new…

Mike Buckley’s generator is a handy little 2.3kW 909 four-stroke inverter generator set with electric start. Mike said he bought his unit because it was just the right size for his needs. “When I’m out travelling, I’m on solar power normally. But on a really hot day, if I want to cool the van down, I’ll turn on the air-conditioner before we go to bed at night. I’ll use the generator then,” he said. Experience taught Mike that he needed to match his generator with the start-up power his air-conditioner needed. “I knew the start-up power that it takes to kick it over. Prior to that, I had a Yamaha 1kVA and it just wouldn’t do the job,” he explained. Mike has travelled regularly since retiring six years ago and…

“It is a magic lifestyle – no timeframes, no itinerary, just pottering at our pace, following the sun and staying for as little or long as we like” The Kimberley weather was its perfect best, 32°C with a gentle easterly breeze, as we hooked up the new caravan and left the farm for the last time. We drove the short distance to the Great Northern Highway and wkhq#sdxvhg#eulhÛ|#wr#wrvv#d#frlq#wr#vhh#li#zh# should turn left or right. That has been about the extent of our planning ever since. That was back in June 2005 and, over the past 10 years, we have travelled many thousands of kilometres, wandering the more remote regions this country has to offer. It is a magic lifestyle – no timeframes, no itinerary, just pottering at our own pace, following…

This shot of Rob and Joyce Millsom’s 2002 E200 Evernew van was taken at Cobbold Gorge in far north Queensland. “We travelled over 400km of dirt roads, some in very bad condition (drought means no water for grading). We were the only on-road van at the gorge. Evernew certainly builds a tough van,” they write. “Morning smoko at Lightning Creek in the beautiful Mitta Mitta Valley, Vic,” writes Julie Hardy. The pic was taken on the first day of a four month trip to WA for Julie, her husband Paul and brother Martin. “Our Navara and Newlands Onyx make a reliable combo and my brother Martin’s new Jayco Journey and Toyota HiLux were his retirement gifts to himself! We have been caravanning for years and have passed on the bug…