Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 659 i Caravan World

Because of the wet conditions, our trip to the Northern Territory has been postponed until June. This proves that in our land of drought and flooding rains, a well-prepared travel plan needs a backup. The delay meant we missed the Parrtjima festival around Alice Springs, which we had looked forward to seeing. The 10-day event combines artistic light displays, cultural workshops, an art fair and more. The highlight was a light show against the backdrop of the majestic MacDonnell Ranges. Parrtjima is one of the main events in central Australia each year and helps drive visitor numbers to Alice Springs. I’d be keen to hear from anyone who attended this year about the experience. Although changing plans can be a bother, it’s nothing compared to the devastation flood waters brought…

Ford has confirmed the full price and specification of the Ranger Plug in Electric Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV) ahead of its Australian launch mid-2025. If you missed our first look Ford’s first PHEV, then check out our feature in issue 653 or online. The MY25.75 Ranger PHEV line-up will consist of four variants starting from $71,990; XLT, Sport, Wildtrak and the special launch edition Stormtrak. The price for all four models is: PRO POWER ONBOARD Pro Power Onboard will be available for Australians for the first time with Ranger PHEV, with every variant in Australia coming equipped with the ‘high output’ 6.9kW system as standard. With a single 10A 2.3kW socket in the cabin and twin 15A 3.45kW sockets in the tray, Pro Power Onboard uses the 11.8kWh battery to provide…

Hear an aeroplane overhead? It might be the Flying Doctor on a mission to save a life. If you’re travelling this wide brown land, chances are you’ll hear them before you see them. For close to 100 years, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) has been a lifeline for people living, working and travelling across regional, rural and remote Australia; with more than 900 patient contacts each day and emergency crews on call 24/7. If you live in a town or a city, you’ll be used to having healthcare close at hand, but as one of the world’s largest aeromedical organisations, the RFDS brings critical care to some of the country’s most isolated regions. From mental and oral health to immunisations, telehealth and health promotion, the team works tirelessly to…

Nestled in the rugged outback of New South Wales, Lightning Ridge is a small town with a big reputation, recognised worldwide for its stunning opals — the rare black opal in particular. For more than a century this remote town has been a beacon for gemstone hunters, miners and visitors to experience the unique outback landscape and the fascinating world of opals. And when better to experience it than at the annual Lightning Ridge Opal & Gem Festival, a celebration of the region’s rich opal mining history, gemstone artistry and vibrant community spirit. Held on 23–26 July 2025, the festival is a must-visit for opal and gem enthusiasts and newcomers alike. With a great blend of fun, culture and sparkling gems, the festival is the perfect place to immerse yourself…

Set against the striking backdrop of the Eyre Peninsula’s rugged and untamed landscape, Kimba is far more than a convenient stopover on the journey between Australia’s east and west coasts. With a welcoming spirit, vibrant atmosphere and plenty to offer every kind of visitor, Kimba is a great little town that invites travellers to stop, unwind and discover its many charms at their own pace. Kimba marks the eastern gateway to the Gawler Ranges and is a region known for its vast open skies, rugged hills and mountains, salt flats, lakes and abundant wildlife. Nature lovers will find no shortage of scenic highlights, whether heading out towards the coast — just over an hour away — or venturing the short drive into the outback. The Barngarla people are the Traditional…

Once a luxury, now a caravanning staple, awnings can transform your caravanning experience, providing much needed shade and extending your living areas. And in a country as beautiful as this, there are few things better than sitting under your awning with a cool drink in hand, dinner on the barbie and appreciating a good view. Supex is a family-owned and operated business based in Goulburn, NSW, with a passion for designing high quality gear to enhance outdoor adventures. Founded in 1973 by Ron Kennard, the company is now three generations in and is as adventure-focused as ever. The team walks the talk, and they bring their first-hand experience and public feedback into every design, considering if any item they bring to the market will make the outdoor lifestyle easier and…

Those who follow our travels may recall that the rough tracks of the Kimberley took a toll on our gas fridge last year. When we stopped for lunch one afternoon, a strong ammonia smell clearly showed the coolant had sprung a leak. This had also happened about 18 months previously, and we had the cooling unit replaced, so it looked like it was time for a new fridge. We managed without the fridge until we got home, but the time was ripe for a replacement, and we decided a 12V fridge was the best option. Replacements in the same size as the old 150L Dometic three-way fridge were few and far between, and it was looking like fitting a new compressor fridge into the Trakmaster’s cupboard space wouldn’t be as…

Wooleen Station’s quarter of a million acres of mulga scrubland is located in a 3.6-billion-year-old landscape. It is one of 285 pastoral leasehold stations in the 850,000sq km semi-arid Southern Rangelands, in WA’s Murchison region. Originally founded in 1886, Wooleen’s current owners, David and Frances Pollock, are committed to regenerating and preserving Woolen’s unique ecology and finding a sustainable way to run stock economically. At the same time they are also looking after the environment that has experienced decades of over-stocking, crippling droughts, erosion and land degradation typical in the rangelands. Once a sheep grazing area, stations in the Murchison region now predominantly graze cattle. The Pollocks say that traditional grazing practices are not sustainable in the rangelands where the average annual rainfall is 200-300mm. “The rangelands are a renewable…

ENTER NOW! From now until 1 April 2026, we’re on the lookout for the most impressive and travelinspiring photos of caravanning setups. We’ll still be awarding a monthly Readers’ Rigs prize, but come May 2026, one standout submission will be crowned the ultimate winner — taking home an incredible prize bundle. HOW TO ENTER It’s easy — just scan the QR code to upload your image and provide a brief description of your van, vehicle and some info about where the image was taken and your travels. Please note, images must be high quality and suitable for print (1MB+). To find out more about the competition and to read the ful T&Cs, head to the Caravan World website and search Readers’ Rig of the Year. Don’t miss out — enter…

Whether at home or on the road with your van, quality sleep is essential. Jayco Australia has partnered with leading sleep technology brand TEMPUR to bring unparalleled comfort to road-trippers across the country. Jayco has introduced TEMPUR’s renowned pressure-relieving technology into its most luxurious models, making restless nights and uncomfortable mattresses a thing of the past and setting a new benchmark for premium travel. Premium all-terrain and Silverline models will feature TEMPUR’s advanced sleep solutions, ensuring that travellers can enjoy the same level of comfort on the road as they do at home. Product innovation and sales manager at Jayco, Scott Jones said: “At Jayco, we are committed to enhancing every aspect of the travel experience, and sleep plays a crucial role in that. Partnering with TEMPUR allows us to…

To help you prepare for your upcoming adventures, we’re offering an exciting prize for the winner of Letter of the Month in the June issue of Caravan World: a TIEGEAR Caravan Pack. The TIEGEAR Caravan Pack comes with two 4m reflective guy ropes (with attached mesh bag to store excess) and two soft springs for fast and easy securing of your caravan awning. The pack also comes with a sturdy mesh zippered gear bag to keep everything neat and tidy when not in use. It’s a very handy bit of gear to have in your caravanning setup. How to win Simply send your technical, towing or caravan-related questions or advice and great travel stories to submissions@hemagroup.com.au with ‘Postbag’ or ‘Tech Talk’ in the subject line or send a letter to…

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…

SCAN TO PLAY VIDEO Few would argue that the Prime Edge Warrior Off-Road 19’6 was one of the best-looking vans at this year’s Caravan of the Year event. The sandy colour palette celebrated the tough edge of early LandCruisers, but everything about the van reflected the best of contemporary engineering and style. BUILD QUALITY Starting inside, the Prime Edge Warrior OffRoad 19’6 is a very well put together caravan. Given that the owners of the Prime Edge Caravans brand started making benchtops and cabinetry before moving to constructing caravans, it is not surprising that the van interior looks very well put together. All the cabinetry is CNC cut and interlocked to ensure strength and light weight. Laminated post-form benchtops and the fibreglasslined interior walls are designed to be hard wearing. All…

What started as a two-person business making canvas products in a tiny garage in the suburbs of Perth, has grown to an Australia-wide company manufacturing some of the most innovative products for four-wheel drivers and tourers. MSA 4X4 Accessories has many innovations to its name. Some of the more notable mentions include the first ever rear wheel bag which MSA developed in 2003, the patented Drop Slide™ in 2007, the distinctive patented drawer system in 2017 and then the awardwinning patented towing mirrors in 2019. The latter of which were put to good use on some of the tow vehicles at this year’s Caravan of the Year event, where MSA returned as the naming sponsor for a fourth year running. “Our products are designed by us, from the ground up,”…

Ever wondered what goes into a gross vehicle mass (GVM) upgrade of a modern dual cab ute or SUV? Put most simply it is a process of rerating a vehicle so it can legally carry a larger load than standard. Even if you don’t tow a caravan many vehicles set up for long-range touring are pushing GVM limits with the weight of the accessories mounted to the car. When you factor in the extra towball load a caravan contributes to the tow vehicle weight, there is a very good chance your GVM should be reviewed. In this story we chat with Jamie, store manager from Adrenalin Offroad Centre, about the practical side of organising a GVM upgrade through a 4WD specialist shop. (If you want to learn more about the…

An hour from Brisbane, in the hinterland just beyond the Glass House Mountains, sits Rosedale Estate, approximately 31 hectares of green hills and wooded valleys. Here, only a short drive from the small country town of D’Aguliar, visitors can enjoy a tranquil stay with parrots flitting and fighting through the treetops and deer grazing peacefully in the roadside paddocks. This was the setting of OnlyVans.com.au’s first Caravan and Camper Excellence Round Up, where for two days representatives from some of Australia’s leading caravan manufacturers would show off their latest models. Attendees included Green RV (representing Snowy River Caravans and Prime Edge Caravans), Rembrandt Caravans, Hardkorr Campers, Oz Star Caravans, Trackabout Off-Road Campers, Signature Camper Trailers, Jawa Off Road Campers, MDC Camper Trailers and Vision RV. The campsite for the Caravan…

SCAN TO PLAY VIDEO The upcoming 2026 Ford Ranger Super Duty is set to redefine the mid-size pickup segment with its remarkable towing and payload capabilities. It is not designed to bridge the gap between the standard Ranger and larger trucks like the F-150. Instead, the Super Duty leaps ahead of the US trucks, like the F-150 and RAM 1500, where it matters to us, in tow and load capacities. If you haven’t seen our first look at the Ranger Super Duty, check out issue 655 or our two features on the Caravan World website. But for the lazy, here is a quick recap. WHAT IS THE FORD RANGER SUPER DUTY? The Ford Ranger Super Duty is a new model coming in 2026 for the best-selling Ranger lineup. Engineered to…

When heading off-grid in Australia’s most beautiful and remote locations, having a good-quality water purification unit can be a lifesaver. A new small and innovative water purification unit producing safe drinking water has now been introduced into the Australian market by a company called ITEHIL (based in United States). The ITEHIL RO Water Purification Unit is a portable system designed to be simple and easy to use and almost silent in operation. The unit is compact, light and uses a two-step water purification process producing water that is free from almost any contamination. It is lightweight so it won’t eat into your payload when travelling. HOW IT WORKS The ITEHIL RO Water Purification Unit has a powerful pump and two removeable filters that purify water and make it safe for…

The Shire of Exmouth in Western Australia has announced its participation in the 2025 Top Tourism Town Awards with a heartfelt call to action for travellers to explore the wonders of Ningaloo consciously and responsibly. The Shire is emphasising the importance of travellers planning ahead and securing bookings before arrival, ensuring a seamless and sustainable experience both for visitors and the local environment. By encouraging pre-booked travel, the Shire aims to manage visitor numbers effectively, ensuring the delicate balance between tourism and conservation is maintained. The 2025 submission highlights Exmouth’s dedication to sustainable tourism practices, showcasing initiatives aimed at minimising environmental impact and recognising the region’s natural wonders. After achieving three consecutive gold wins in Western Australia, induction into the Tourism Council Western Australia Hall of Fame and two national…

SEND PICS TO WIN Mark Diggins is this month’s winner with this pic of his Evernew caravan and LandCruiser 200 Series. “This was taken in Caringal, Vic, next to the Tyers River on a warm autumn day while we caught the last of daylight saving.”…

Welcome to Caravan of the Year (COTY) 2025 — and what an event it was. Kicking off in the final days of February, this year’s COTY shaped up to be one of our most hotly contested competitions yet, with every entry raising the bar even higher and making the job of choosing a winner more difficult than ever. Over five action-packed days, we put 12 of the best caravans and hybrids Australia has to offer through their paces — and now, it’s time to reveal what our judges had to say and, of course, the results. But before we do, let’s take a look at what went on behind the scenes at COTY 2025 and, for the newcomers, recap what this event is and why we do it. A WHIRLWIND…

“Dubbo is a bustling town in the western outback of New South Wales where five main routes intersect” It had been a long, hot day on the road -more than six hours — and we were tired and keen to stop. With a few options in mind, and deciding against free camping, I rang ahead. It’s $25 I was told, and we’d have power and water, which was particularly welcome in the heat. But the part I was really looking forward to was the wine tasting and the renowned home-made dumplings. Less than an hour later we arrived and were directed out the back, where we parked our new All Terrain caravan among the vines of this small familyowned winery. It was our first taste of the area, and it…

“Shades of ochre, rust and vibrant red dusty tracks, outback sunsets, big skies and remote pubs awaited us” "What the heck is that, Dad?” yelled my youngest boy as the 4WD came to a screeching halt. As the red dust cleared on the bumpy track, we tried to make sense of the giant yellow blob sitting in the middle of the track. “Umm … that would be a giant wild camel having a rest, son!” said Dad. And with that came raucous laughter. Life in the outback is full of surprises, you never know what you will see at every turn. We were on a family road trip through the remote towns and historical sites of southwest Queensland in our trusty old army green Land Rover Defender, looking like the…

“The coastal hinterland claims UNESCO status as a Biosphere Reserve, one of the world’s most botanically blessed regions” Tell anyone you’re travelling along Western Australia’s coast, and you’ll probably visualise Indian Ocean sunsets and diving into Ningaloo Reef to explore its colourful universe and microscopic wonders. But Ningaloo isn’t the state’s only coastal stretch boastful of a vivid ecosystem. This time, I’m keeping my head above water and journeying to WA’s south to explore the Fitzgerald Biosphere Coast, 500km southeast of Perth. And like Ningaloo, the Fitzgerald Biosphere Coast is home to vibrant, bountiful and diverse macroorganisms. The Fitzgerald Biosphere Coast encompasses Fitzgerald River National Park, which extends almost 330,000ha and is one of the largest national parks in the country. The coastal hinterland claims UNESCO status as a Biosphere…

NSW Henry Lawson Festival 5–9 June 2025 The Central West NSW town of Grenfell puts on an epic festival on the King’s Birthday long weekend to commemorate the legendary writer and the arts. The Henry Lawson Festival features a street party, parade, live music, food and market stalls. There will again be something for everyone with a swag of competitions, poetry events, the ever-popular Car Show and rides for the kids. The weekend also includes a real taste of the region with the Caragabal Camp Oven Cook-Off and Iandra Castle Open Day. Find out more online: henrylawsonfestival.com.au Winter Solstice at the Australian Standing Stones 21 June 2025 The ancient Celts celebrated the summer and winter solstices when the day lengths reached their longest and shortest and their descendants hold a…

Designed with off-grid touring in mind, REDARC Electronics’ new Lithium Adventure Batteries (REDLAB) are made to deliver stable, long-lasting power in Australia’s varied and demanding environments. With a robust construction, reliable performance in extreme conditions and seamless pairing with REDARC charging systems, the 12V 100Ah lithium LiFePO4 REDLAB units are aimed at caravanners and four-wheel drivers who love heading off the beaten track to explore Australia’s beautiful but remote areas. POWER TO SPARE Caravanning setups are getting more power hungry with each passing year, so being able to run bigger setups with fewer batteries is enticing. The REDLAB batteries offer 100 per cent usable capacity — meaning you aren’t limited by the reserve — as well as ultra-high charge and discharge rates and support for powerful inverters and chargers, meaning…

A lot of caravanning types are nature lovers, and many of us are keen bird watchers. So, when Fujifilm suggested we try a pair of its new Fujinon Techno-Stabi TS-L 2040 stabilised binoculars for a couple of weeks, I was keen to see what the latest technology delivered. In a past life, I had a camera and imaging business and sold many binoculars. Canon was an early adaptor of image stabilising technology in cameras and lenses, and in 1996, it applied the knowledge to its range of binoculars. As part of the Japanese Fujifilm Group, Fujinon added image stabilisation to its line of binoculars in 2002 and established a high reputation for its products. Once you get above 10x magnification in binoculars, keeping them still enough to view the scene…