Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 662 i Caravan World

We have a bumper issue of travel, engineering features and caravan reviews this month, so there’s something for everyone. The travel features span the country, ranging from Brewarrina and Beechworth in the eastern states to some great spots on the west coast and many locations in between. In addition to presenting features and reviews on caravans, the Caravan World crew is passionate about showcasing Australia’s varied locations. Highlighting towns and communities off the beaten track is essential to the rural economy, as tourism helps keep small towns alive, and travel during the off-season can be just as significant. We hope our travel features encourage visitors to some lesser-known destinations and spots off the well-worn highways. Mid-year travel in the eastern and southern states means less crowded camps, and while the…

Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park reopened on 4 July 2025 following an extensive rebuild. The reopening came just in time for peak travel season in the region and is welcome news for caravanners exploring the iconic Savannah Way. Located in the Gulf Country, Boodjamulla is renowned for its emerald-green gorge waters, towering sandstone cliffs and significant Indigenous and fossil heritage. Its fame reached new heights in 2018 when it featured in a Super Bowl advertisement — but in March 2023, record-breaking rainfall and flooding in the Gulf of Carpentaria region forced the park’s closure. The damage was widespread. More than 500mm of rain fell across the Nicholson, Gregory and Leichhardt river systems in just two days, pushing the Gregory River to a historic peak of 18m — smashing the 1971…

Murujuga on Western Australia’s Burrup Peninsula — home to the world’s largest rock art site, with more than one million ancient petroglyphs — has been officially recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The announcement was made at the 47th World Heritage Committee (WHC) meeting at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, confirming Murujuga as Australia’s latest Cultural World Heritage Site. The listing recognises the area’s deep First Nations heritage and its remarkable concentration of Aboriginal rock art. The committee approved the listing with an amendment urging the Australian Government to continue research and monitoring of industrial impacts on the site. Concerns have been raised over air pollution from nearby gas facilities, particularly Woodside’s North West Shelf LNG plant, which scientists say is accelerating the weathering and degradation of the petroglyphs.…

Braking systems are among the most critical components for all vehicles on the road, from bicycles to road trains. In this article, we look at various aspects of caravan brakes including the pros and cons of drum versus disc brakes and how they are actuated. We explore various types of brake controllers from basic through to the latest iterations. Finally, we cover additional systems that utilise your brakes to enhance safety, including breakaway devices and stability control. WHY DOES A CARAVAN NEED BRAKES? A caravan adds a lot of mass to a tow rig. If a caravan does not have its own brakes, then the tow vehicle must provide the braking force to slow down the caravan as well as the car. The reality is, cars are not designed to…

After heading north to leave Adelaide’s city centre behind, the tip of what local’s affectionally call ‘Yorkes’, is less than two hours away. Located a little under 200km from South Australia’s capital, this diverse region is renowned for its dreamy coastlines, top-notch fishing and other water-based activities, pastoral and mining history — plus, it overflows with natural attractions. Throw in a mix of accommodation options all over the peninsula and good ol’ country hospitality, and this destination has something for everyone. Getting around doesn’t mean long hours behind the wheel either, because you can travel from top to toe in less than three hours, and under 30 minutes across from coast to coast. EXPLORING THE COPPER COAST Arriving at the peninsula’s northern end, the historical spots of Moonta, Moonta Bay,…

A fridge is one of the most popular additions to a vehicle upgrade. Some might say it’s a must. Even with a fridge in the van, there are plenty of reasons to have a second one in the tow vehicle. For long-term travel and when camped remotely, having extra cold storage makes sense for stocking up on fresh food. Being able to keep a catch of fish is a constant hope, so I appreciate the option of using the fridge as a freezer since most caravan freezer compartments are fairly limited. MSA 4×4 Accessories offers a variety of accessories for fridges, designed to make transport safer, access easier and the fridge better protected. Its fridge accessory range suits most brands and fridge sizes from 40L to 95L, with styles including…

WIN A PRIZE PACK WORTH ALMOST $3600 Our Readers’ Rig of the Year competition is in full swing — and there’s still plenty of time to get involved. We’re on the hunt for the most eye-catching, adventure-ready caravan setups around Australia. Each issue, we feature a standout reader submission in Caravan World magazine and online. Then in May 2026, one lucky entrant will take out the title of Readers’ Rig of the Year and score a major prize bundle valued at nearly $3600. How to enter Just scan the QR code, upload a high-quality photo (1MB+), and include a few details about your van, tow vehicle, where the photo was taken and your travels. Entries are open until 1 April 2026. To find out more, visit caravanworld.com.au and search Readers’…

Right in the heart of Queensland’s outback, Longreach’s Qantas Founders Museum is shaking up how visitors explore aviation history with new virtual and augmented reality experiences. The museum, which celebrates the beginnings of Qantas — the world’s second-oldest airline — is famous for its impressive collection of full-sized aircraft. Now, it’s making that history more interactive and accessible to everyone, no matter their physical ability. Visitors to Longreach can explore detailed 3D models of iconic aircraft such as the Lockheed C-121J Super Constellation, restored to look just like the Southern Spray VH-EAM — the first Qantas jet-engine plane that revolutionised the Sydney-to-London Kangaroo Route. There’s also a 3D version of the Boeing 747-238B VH-EBQ, the last surviving Boeing 747-200 powered by Rolls-Royce engines. Using their own phones, guests can jump…

Gunlom Falls, one of Kakadu National Park’s most popular attractions, officially reopened on 4 July following a six-year closure. Visitors will be able to access both pools and campground, however swimming is not permitted in the lower waterhole and there is fencing and clear signage in place. Famously featured in the 1986 worldwide hit movie Crocodile Dundee starring Paul Hogan, the falls were closed in 2019 because of damage to a sacred site and subsequent lengthy High Court proceedings. While the reopening was originally planned for earlier this year, it was delayed due to flooding in the Top End impacting essential roadworks and infrastructure, and then again in May due to unseasonably heavy rain flooding the site. One of Kakadu National Park’s most iconic destinations, Gunlom Falls is known for…

SEND PICS TO WIN WINNER! This month’s winner of Readers’ Rigs is Warren MacKay, who shared this great shot of his Titanium Hardcore 20’6 and Toyota LandCruiser setup. “This was taken just off the Buchanan Highway at Jasper Gorge (Lupayi) Campground in Judbarra / Gregory National Park, NT. The campground was full of black cockatoos — it’s a fantastic spot with a creek at the rear and a small toilet with ramp.”…

Take your time exploring this remarkable historic town - there’s so much to see and do. GRAND TOURS The best way to explore Beechworth is on foot, and several guided walks held daily offer a great option for those wanting to learn more about the area. The Gold Rush Tour departs from the historic Beechworth Courthouse at 10.15am daily, while the Ned Kelly Walking Tour leaves the Visitor Information Centre at the same time. Tickets for both tours are available at the centre, along with information on other local events and attractions. Another popular experience is the guided tour is of the Courthouse, where you’ll learn about the Kelly Trials and experience a 270-degree, wrap-around multimedia display that recounts all the trials of Kelly family members and friends. The heritage-listed…

Cool, quiet mornings, mild days with clear blue skies and nights made for stargazing — late winter and early spring bring ideal conditions to Lightning Ridge in northern NSW. One of the biggest drawcards to this iconic outback town is the free artesian bore baths, open around the clock. Arrive early to soak in the warm 40-degree waters as the rising sun filters through the mist or return at dusk to watch the sunset give way to a star-filled sky. ABOUT LIGHTNING RIDGE Tucked away in the rugged outback of NSW, Lightning Ridge is a small town world-famous for its rare and dazzling black opals. Since the discovery of this unique gem in 1901, the town has drawn miners, gem hunters and curious travellers alike. Prized for their dark base…

There are plenty of places in Australia where travellers can go bush, follow the coast or explore heritage towns — but few offer all three in one fantastic outback-to-coast journey. In Western Australia’s Upper Gascoyne and Carnarvon region, the Gascoyne River carves a natural touring route that flows from inland monoliths to coral reef. This isn’t just a destination — it’s an adventure through some of Australia’s most dramatic contrasts: gorges and coastal cliffs, station stays and snorkelling, stargazing and stony ranges. It’s the complete Australian story and it all flows from the same lifeblood — the Gascoyne River. THE STORY OF THE GASCOYNE The Gascoyne is intrinsically tied to travel and adventure. Long before European settlement, the region’s Traditional Owners followed the seasonal flows of the Gascoyne River —…

Cub Campers has been on Australia’s RV scene since 1968 and has positioned itself as a leader when it comes to offroad-ready campers and, more recently, hybrid caravans. We caught up with the team to discuss Cub’s approach to innovation, design and how it’s meeting the changing needs of today’s travellers. Q: What does innovation mean to Cub, and how do you make it part of everything you build? A: Innovation and improvement are at the core of everything Cub does, as shown by our move into the hybrid caravan sector in the past three years, creating smarter, more capable units that suit the needs and travel style of modern Aussie travellers. Innovation is embedded in every stage of our process -from design to manufacturing. We partner with respected offroad…

Nestled along the Avon River and just 90 minutes from Perth via the Great Eastern Highway, the small town of Northam is a beautiful representation of the Avon Valley region’s charm. Whether you’re passing through or looking for a weekend retreat, Northam offers an experience that’s as peaceful as it is exciting. With a welcoming community, rich history and no shortage of scenic spots, it’s a town that invites visitors to explore at their own pace. And the cooler months are the perfect time of year to visit this WA destination, when the weather is kind, local businesses are thriving and (in spring) the wildflowers are blooming. Summer tends to be hot and dry and there are less attractions on offer, so we recommend planning accordingly. RIVERBANK REFLECTIONS Flowing through…

For decades, caravanners, campers and adventurers have flocked to the Grampians over the summer holidays. For the region, this is usually the busiest and most lucrative time of the year. But the past summer of 2024–2025 saw bushfires burning out of control in the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park for weeks, closing parts of the park and forcing the evacuation of key tourist towns. Marc Sleeman, the CEO of Grampians Wimmera Mallee Tourism, told Caravan World that summer visitor numbers were down 600–700 per cent across key towns such as Halls Gap, Dunkeld, Pomonal and Wartook, translating to a multi-million-dollar hit to local economies. Accommodation providers, cafes, cellar doors, attractions and tour operators all felt the immediate impact, with fewer bookings, cancelled trips and reduced spending across the board. THE BUSHFIRES…

If you’re looking for ways to enhance your campfire cooking, then we’ve found a great cookbook to add to your camp kitchen shelf: Gone Bush: Easy Campfire Recipes by Tom Forrest (better known online as Outback Tom) and his Grandad, Steve Forrest. There’s something to be said about classic campfire meals — simple recipes with only a few basic tools required yet pack a punch in terms of flavour. That’s what this book is all about. Over 240 pages, Tom and his Grandad share some of their best campfire recipes and tips for campfire cooking. There are six recipe chapters with step-by-step instructions, including: Magic Baking (recipes with only two or three ingredients), Eggs and All-Day Brekky, Burgers and BBQ Favourites, One Pot or Pan and Something Sweet. Some recipes…

Lovells Group, one of Australia’s longest-standing suspension and towing specialists, has marked its 95th anniversary this year, and to celebrate it has launched the most comprehensive rebrand in its history. The refreshed identity spans everything from Lovells’ logo and colour palette to retail outlets, digital platforms and global distributor networks. The project was developed in partnership with strategic agency EngineRoom and aims to better reflect the values Lovells is built on — trust, confidence, performance and Australian resilience. “Our rebrand marks the next chapter in Lovells’ history,” said Dan Hughes, Lovells Group marketing manager. “It unifies who we are and how we communicate — from the products we build to the stories we tell.” As part of the rollout, a new Lovells website has launched, offering improved navigation and product…

“As much as we love our van … there are things about it that are wearing out or aspects that have been surpassed by newer technology” We have had our 2012 Trakmaster for about three years, and you may have followed our trips around the country. We have covered approximately 55,000km and taken it on many of the popular and some lesser-known outback tracks. Before us, we believe the van had already covered many more miles as it followed at least two owners on their outback adventures because Trakmaster owners, like those of other iconic offroad vans, love nothing more than camping deep in red dust country with their mates. And the Trakmaster brand is iconic, having been around since 1995 under various ownership. You can read about the latest…

Tucked against the Murray River in southern NSW, Greater Hume is rich with beautiful towns, villages and natural landscapes just waiting to be explored. From a real submarine parked in the heart of Holbrook to the bushranger tales and pioneer history that echo across the countryside, there’s no shortage of stories to discover. Whether you’re making a quick detour from the highway or embarking on a full regional road trip, the Greater Hume’s five main towns — Culcairn, Henty, Holbrook, Jindera and Walla Walla — are well worth exploring. This is a place to slow down, immerse yourself in history, enjoy true-blue country hospitality that makes visitors feel like locals and explore the great outdoors at your leisure. STEP BACK IN TIME History is woven through Greater Hume, from fascinating…

When it comes to innovation, Paul Nedanis — owner of Melbournebased Eden Caravans — walks the talk. He sees Eden as more than just a caravan builder, rather an innovator that is shaping the future of Australian caravans, anticipating what’s next and leading the way with smarter, more sustainable and truly luxurious travel solutions that meet the changing needs of modern adventurers. Eden is a high-end custom builder with a focus on refined luxury, modern materials and smart layouts that blend style with durability. “For us, it’s not just about adding the latest gadgets,” Paul said. “It’s about thoughtful, practical improvements to our caravans that make a real difference to our customers when they’re out on the road. “To keep innovation at the heart of everything we do, we stay…

From 16 to 25 January 2026, Tamworth — Australia’s home of country music — will once again take the spotlight with 10 days of fantastic country music, festival vibes and a great all-ages atmosphere. Now in its 54th year, the festival is one of the biggest events of its kind, drawing crowds from all over to soak up the country music scene. One of the festival’s biggest drawcards is that it’s not confined to a single stage or arena — the entire city turns into a giant music venue. You’ll hear music spilling from pubs and clubs, see buskers lining Peel Street and find free concerts staged in parks and public spaces. Some venues host ticketed gigs, but around 70 per cent of the entertainment is completely free. This year’s…

Most travellers have heard of the Back O’ Bourke and perhaps fossicked in the iconic opal fields of Lightning Ridge, however between the two lies an unassuming, remote little town with one of the most historically significant locations in Australia. Brewarrina, or Bre as the locals call it, sits quietly in the scrubs of northern NSW. While travellers often bypass this small town, we decided to hang around for a few days while heading northwards into Queensland. We had arrived from Nyngan after a night at the fabulous Nyngan Weir free camp, with pelicans galore on the Bogan River. It’s about 208km to Brewarrina, along the Mitchell Highway and Arthur Hall VC Way, fully sealed roads often devoid of traffic, except for the occasional group of wayward emus and goats.…

NSW Sydney Fringe Festival 1-30 September 2025 Sydney comes alive this September with the Sydney Fringe Festival. With more than 400 events across the city, including Darling Harbour, it’s a celebration of creativity not to be missed. Find out more online: sydneyfringe.com Sydney 4WD and Adventure Show 12-14 September 2025 Head to Sydney Dragway to see the latest RVs, 4WDs, boats, outdoor accessories and more. Check out the full lineup of exhibitors and activities online: sydney.4wdshow.com.au King of the Ranges Stockman’s Challenge & Bush Festival 26-28 September 2025 Celebrate Aussie bush traditions in Murrurundi with a jam-packed weekend of whip cracking, bush poetry, billy boiling, markets and more. This much-loved festival pays tribute to the skills and spirit of the outback. Find out more online: kingoftheranges.com.au VIC Tesselaar Tulip Festival 13 September - 12…

On any given week, around 30 volunteers come together to keep Douglas Vale Historic Homestead and Vineyard in Port Macquarie running. Drawn from all walks of life, these volunteers can be found running wine tastings, painting, gardening, cooking, guiding tours and tending to the all-important vines. As Australia’s only community-run winery, Douglas Vale Vineyard is a labour of love for these volunteers — or ‘vollies’, as they are affectionately known. Nestled behind trees and just off a busy stretch of the Oxley Highway, Douglas Vale is easy to miss. But once you’ve left the bustling beach town behind, you’re in another world, with a striking bamboo entrance, heritage cottages, luxuriant gardens and, of course, the vineyards. THE EARLY DAYS Although it was founded by a man — George Francis, a…