Table of contents for Issue 632 in Caravan World

Some friends recently gave me a book on classic car design, which had me thinking about caravan design in Australia. Like the timeless classic 50s and 60s automobiles from America and Europe, some earlier caravan designs from the States still look stunning. The Airstream is a standout design that earns admiring attention wherever it appears. But unfortunately, on the local scene, so many vans look the same. If I described a van as high, oversize, square and boxy with large toolboxes, a couple of spares down the back and checkerplate all around, then you could name one of 20 or more brands that fit the bill. Even colours have morphed into the ubiquitous tones of dark grey and black. Have we reached peak caravan design or is there room for…

It’s Australia’s most loved camel races, the richest, the longest and the most prestigious to win! Pack up your caravan, camper to tent and head to outback Queensland from 14-16 July to watch the Boulia Camel Races take off against the backdrop of the Channel Country, in the land of the mysterious Min Min Light. Free camping for up to eight nights onsite at Boulia Camel Races is available for all ticket holders from Sunday 9 to Monday 17 July. There’s plenty of room for camping, but sites are not allocated - so arrive early if you want your pick of the lot. The campground is unpowered, but generators are welcome. Toilets, hot showers and potable water can be found on site. Pets are welcome within the campgrounds, but not…

Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA) believes the answer to future regional connectivity is through the caravanning industry, with calls for support on transforming its national caravan park network into a fast charge super network. Scenes witnessed over the summer holidays in many holiday towns around the country, with lengthy queues and hours-long wait at the local community EV charger, are a sign of things to come. As Australia looks towards a future with more EVs on the road, holiday travel and road trips could look very different if action isn’t implemented now. CIAA CEO Stuart Lamont said growing frustrations and the real threat of limited charger opportunities could significantly stifle the caravanning industry, the backbone of domestic tourism, and an industry that contributes over $27 billion per annum to…

Whether you’re planning a holiday or need some inspiration for a weekend caravanning trip away, this list of free or low-cost camping destinations - all with something beautiful to recommend them - could be just the ticket for a bit of relaxation that won’t break the bank or your odometer. NEW SOUTH WALES Booderee National Park Relax in one of Booderee National Park’s beautiful and low-cost bushland campsites. Located roughly a three-hour drive south from Sydney - or a slightly shorter stint east of Canberra - this national park is nestled against the breathtaking Jervis Bay and offers a premium experience through both the summer and winter months. The park is caravan, motorhome and tent friendly, however all campsites are unpowered. Bookings are required and can be made online, although…

GULF OF CARPENTARIA, QLD TRAVEL A remote shire In far north Queensland, the Shire of Carpentaria abuts the south-east shore of the Gulf for which it is named. With fewer than 2000 inhabitants spread over 64,000sq km, the shire is one of the least densely populated areas in the state, remote and largely undeveloped. The lion’s share of the population lives in the shire’s two main towns: Normanton, the administrative hub and service centre on the banks of the Norman River; and Karumba, a fishing port 40km downstream at the river mouth. The Gulf of Carpentaria The Gulf of Carpentaria is a large, shallow sea covering an area of about 300,000sq km, opening into the Arafura Sea between Australia and New Guinea. Ninety kilometres north-west of Karumba and adjacent to…

But the humble barbie can become a bit monotonous and, let’s face it, meat is expensive. After a few weeks you can yearn for a home cooked dinner and if you’ve got fussy kids they’ll be scratching around for something different too. Caravan cooking is not difficult if you plan ahead. Packets of frozen vegies and tins of staples such corn, beans, chickpeas, tomatoes, beetroot and pineapple, jars of pasta sauce and the like are great to have on hand to incorporate into your daily meals. Minced beef is very versatile, and I reckon it’s underrated. Buy a few kilos of the best you can afford when you’re next at the butcher or supermarket. Set aside a bit of time to do some planning and a big cook up and…

SMALL TOW VEHICLES FEATURE One of the many attractions of a small van is the option of hooking it up to a small tow vehicle. We thought it would be interesting to have a bit of a look at what’s out there in the current new car market. We looked at SUVs because they are all the rage these days. I expected this to be a pretty straightforward task but it proved to be a can of worms. Don’t get me wrong - I am a fan of small vans and there are some great little cars that can do the job. However, there are some cars that on the surface appear to have an adequate tow rating but when you dig a little further are completely unsuitable. “There are…

Derby is rarely seen on Western Australia's mood board of dreamy destinations. It goes against the grain of the ‘stock standard’ coastal beauty the state vigorously promotes: endless white sandy shores bound by inviting blue waters. With saltwater crocodiles lurking in its murky waters, you can leave those starfish-at-the-beach days for Broome's Cable Beach, 223km west of Derby. Instead, discover what makes Derby different. The town of 4000 is less intense, more rugged and removed. Marshes, mangroves and muddy tidal flats dominate its sceneries. Derby's landscapes satisfy curious types looking for something less shiny and tourist razzmatazz. Its wide streets are absent of bustle; leisure time is about being out there, getting hands-on. I discovered that the deeper you go in Derby, the more colourful it gets. Its big art…

SIDETRACKS COLUMNS Located almost in the geographic centre of Western Australia, the town of Wiluna might be remote and could be classified as just another historic mining town in WA’s Northern Goldfields. This was originally the land of the Mandildjara (Martu) desert aboriginals going back thousands of years. European involvement with the area began when surveyor Lawrence Wells, recorded aspects of the region in 1892. Four years later prospectors Woodley, Wotton and Lennon discovered gold just a few kilometres southeast of the present town site. The population of Wiluna, however, did not immediately see a rapid ‘gold rush’ increase with the town only peaking to around 600 by the early 1900s. It was not until the advent of new mining technologies in the 1930s that Wiluna started to boom. By…

The Victorian Caravan, Camping and Touring Supershow returns to Melbourne this month showcasing Australia’s best caravan, camping, 4WD and offroad products and accessories, with Truma the major sponsor again in 2023. To be held at Melbourne Showgrounds, Ascot Vale, the 2023 Victorian Caravan, Camping and Touring Supershow will be bigger than ever with more caravans, poptops, tents, camper trailers, motorhomes, campervans, fridges, safety equipment, 4WD and touring accessories than ever before. As the major sponsor, Truma will also feature at the show, with a stand under the famous Pie In The Sky, site 409. Leisure-Tec Australia, home of worldfamous brands Truma, myCOOLMAN and Milenco will also have a second stand, the myCOOLMAN stand at site two, featuring the latest from myCOOLMAN, Milenco, Navigator, Sirocco and many other leading brands. The…

There are some cool ways to extend the summer in central NSW with a bucket-load of new tourism attractions and events announced from January to March 2023. Hit the road with your van or camper of choice to check out the two-millionlitre natural swimming hole at Bathurst’s Wilga Station or enjoy world-class art at the Archies 100 exhibition, exclusive to Bathurst. A groovy new Blayney in the 80s festival demands power ballads and big hair, and there are so many places to pick summer fruits, eat and drink in this renowned foodie region. “Central NSW needs travellers more than ever, after devastating floods that impacted so many communities, we have collated all the best new things to see, do and taste on a road trip. Come out, we’re open,” said…

REGULARS NEWS The iconic wine, food and music festival Grampians Grape Escape returns to Western Victoria this May and will celebrate its 30th year as one of the region’s most highly anticipated festivals. With support from the Victorian Government’s Regional Events Fund, Grampians Grape Escape will kick off on Friday 5 May and will run until Sunday 7 May, serving up more than 100 exhibitors, masterclasses, cooking demonstrations, kids’ activities and live music. For the past 30 years, the not-for-profit festival has spotlighted the region’s producers and winemakers and supported the local tourism and events industry. Heading up this year’s guest chef line-up is chef, author and TV presenter Miguel Maestre, along with MasterChef alumni Khanh Ong who has added restaurant owner, cookbook author and TV presenter to his belt.…

HIGHLINE PROSPECTOR REVIEWS MEASURING UP ⊕ PROS ⊖ CONS → A little heavy for its size I must confess I have a soft spot for smaller vans as they offer greater versatility in many ways. A shorter van will swing through smaller spaces. A lighter van is easier to tow through more rugged conditions and can be matched up with a wider choice of tow vehicles. The challenge for a caravan manufacturer in designing a smaller van is what they leave out compared to larger models. Customers then need to decide if the set-up suits their needs. With all this in mind, I had a day to run through the Highline Prospector and see how it measured up. A LITTLE NUGGET The Prospector may be small, but it…

ATLANTIC HIGH TERRAIN 16FT 2IN REVIEWS Atlantic Caravans is an unpretentious manufacturer based in regional Melbourne. It’s been building caravans for more than a decade and offers a range of on-road, family and offroad models. The latter, a High Terrain, caught my attention at a caravan show not long ago - mostly, I should confess, because of the bright orange colour on the front and rear walls. It was also a coincidence that I was looking for a smaller van. Indeed, the High Terrain had an external length of just 4.93m (16ft 2in). Colour isn’t everything, I know, but something that stands out in the crowd of contemporary Australian-built caravans has something going for it. TOWING Parravans Caravan World at Windsor, northwest of Sydney, is my local Atlantic dealer, and…

“Snapdragon Satellite-equipped smartphones will be capable of accessing global coverage, sending emergency messages and texting with friends and family from anywhere on the planet” Iridium Communications, based in the USA, has announced a partnership with Qualcomm Technologies to enable satellite messaging and emergency services on the new Snapdragon mobile platform. The platform is standard on most Android smartphones, and the application should be available worldwide in late 2023 on new phones. Communicating on a smartphone is a game changer for Australian caravanners. The Telstra system is the go-to service provider for most of us, but it has its failings even in rugged terrain not far from major cities. Satellite phones are a great backup, and they are very reliable. Still, they require a separate phone or an add-on like Iridium…

GREATER BLUE MOUNTAINS, NSW TRAVEL The Blue Mountains, located just a 1.5-hour drive west of Sydney, is one of the most popular natural tourist destinations in New South Wales. According to NSW Parks, more than four million people come to this UNESCO World Heritage site every year. Most visitors tend to base themselves in the main town of Katoomba and see all the usual sights: The Three Sisters, Wentworth and Katoomba Falls, and the Scenic Railway, the world’s steepest passenger railway. While all these attractions are spectacular and well worth a visit, there are countless options for those interested in exploring further afield. The western Blue Mountains and adjacent Kanangra-Boyd and Wollemi National Parks abound with natural beauty, history and adventure, with the added bonus of fewer crowds. The area…

EAST GIPPSLAND, VIC TRAVEL Bairnsdale to Dargo - 113km After driving from Bairnsdale through mountain forests of fragrant eucalypts for more than 30 winding kilometres, you see glimpses of vast emerald-green slopes and, before long, a wide valley that might be the legendary Shangri La. Nestled in the foothills of the Dargo High Plains, the Dargo Valley is one of Victoria’s most remote communities. At its epicentre is the town of Dargo, population 150. The Dargo Valley was first settled by Europeans in 1839, when pastoralist Lachlan Macalister established an 8000-hectare run. The town of Dargo itself didn’t develop until the 1860s after traces of gold were discovered at Crooked River. The rush was on, and gold-hungry miners tackled rugged mountainous terrain in their quest for wealth at Mount Pleasant,…

NSW / ACT Jerilderie Fun Fair 4 March 2023 Head to Monash Park, Nowranie Street, in the historic town of Jerilderie for this year’s Fun Fair featuring a dusk outdoor cinema, rides, facepainting, live music, produce and crafts, food vans, paint and sip workshop and many more activities for adults and kids. Entry is free and gates open at 4pm. To find out more: www.rdamurray.org.au/index.php/events/2023-jerilderie-fun-fair-jerilderie Equinox - Autumn Celebration of the Senses 10 March-2 April 2023 Over four weekends between 10 March and 2 April, Equinox will highlight and unite all that is great about the Blue Mountains in autumn. Enjoy free and ticketed events for locals and visitors of all ages. There will be plenty to do, including various FEAST culinary experiences, live music and an opulent masquerade ball.…

Lyn and Phil Deaves are the organisers of the Annual National Retreat Caravans Owners and Family Group rally, which is held in a different location each year. Since 2017, the group has raised approximately $46,000 which has been donated to the Cancer Council of Australia over three different states. The first rally was held at the Australian Rural Education Centre (AREC) in Mudgee, NSW, attended by 89 Retreat caravans and owners from all over Australia. In 2018, the rally was held in Maryborough Showgrounds in Queensland, with 83 caravans in attendance. The last event was held at the Geelong Showgrounds in Victoria in 2019 with 66 caravans attending. Since then, Lyn and Phil tried to organise the next rally in South Australia, which was cancelled four times due to COVID-19.…

SEND PICS TO WIN "We drive a 2019 Toyota Rouge, 2ft lift with our much talked about Australian map on the bonnet. Most likely the best way to get people to chat whenever you pull up somewhere." “One of our favourites is pictured here in Nullawil, Victoria." “Our caravan is a 2021 Option RV, 22ft Distinction and we tow with a 2017 model, 200 series LandCruiser. The 200 series LandCruiser is the best tow vehicle we have ever owned and our Option RV is our third caravan and by far the best and the easiest to tow." "Our caravan is a 2018 Limited edition Supreme Spirit towed with a 2018 Volkswagen Amarok modified to a six-wheeler making a fantastic tow vehicle." Rob and Dee White camped on the Buntine Highway…

WHERE TO CAMP FEATURE Camping in Australia is a popular activity that allows people to experience the country's natural beauty and get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. There are many different places to camp in Australia, ranging from national parks and state forests to private campgrounds and caravan parks. Finding a campsite requires knowledge of where you want to travel, the amenities you will need and the season you’re travelling in. The upsurge in domestic travel prompted by COVID-19 restrictions has prompted many commercial entities to open their grounds to caravanners and campers. Pubs, wineries and historic sites are among the many businesses that now allow travellers to pull up stumps on their properties (see page 158 for our article on pub camping). Many private landowners…

There are four main options to consider - rent, holiday lease, house swap/house sitters or leave vacant. There's even a fifth option which is to sell the property if you find a new home location on your travels. Each option has a level of financial and emotional risk that needs to be carefully assessed and weighted according to your own circumstances. RENTING YOUR PROPERTY If you own your property, renting privately is a great source of income to fund further travel. There is also the potential to generate supplementary income as your home may be in a popular city locale where currently rental properties are scarce. You may also have a property that can capture tourists such as coastal properties or with the COVID-19 practices allowing people to live remotely,…

In 2014, Jackie Blanch and her husband Ken bought their first caravan and planned to travel throughout Queensland with friends. Their first stop was the iconic Nindigully Pub, near St George. They camped right beside the river, a mere 100-metre stroll from the pub where they enjoyed happy hour and dinner. On their next trip, they happily camped at Mirrool in NSW, but when Jackie tried searching for more pubs with camping, she found it difficult to find any. She started up a Facebook group and invited a few friends and family members who she thought would enjoy it to join. Then she started researching and making hundreds of phone calls to publicans in country towns across the nation. That was the humble beginnings of Country Pub Camping (CPC), now…

SPICY CHICKEN QUESADILLAS TOTAL TIME 35 minutes SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS 1½ tsp paprika 1½ tsp garlic powder 1½ tsp dried oregano 1½ tsp ground cumin 1½ tsp salt 1½ tsp ground black pepper 2 skinless chicken breasts, halved and cut 2cm thick lengthwise 1 small white onion, thinly sliced lengthwise 1 small orange capsicum, sliced 1cm thick lengthwise Cooking olive oil spray 1¾ cup cheddar cheese 4 flour tortillas METHOD Preheat a grill over the campfire or a barbecue to medium-high heat. Combine herbs, spices, salt and pepper in a bowl and rub mix over chicken breasts; let stand for 10 minutes. Coat the grill or barbecue with cooking spray and cook chicken, onion and capsicum on top; turning each side until tender, around 6 minutes on a hot grill.…

DIY SHOCK ABSORBERS TECHNICAL A common misconception is that shock absorbers help support the weight of the van. They don’t. Our travels over 2022 taught me a great deal about this important part of van maintenance because it took three differing professional opinions and many miles on our journey to WA to track down unusual tyre wear, especially on the left rear of our 2012 Trakmaster, which we acquired about a year ago. My initial reaction was that the wheels were out of alignment,but a mechanic in the middle of nowhere was sure it was the low quality of the aggressive all-terrain tyres. I travelled on to Esperance, where the advice was that it was the alignment but that they couldn't look at the van for a month. In Albany,…

When Off Track Wines suggested we try a selection of its South Australian wines, I was somewhat bemused by the claim that the range was targeted explicitly to adventurous travellers. Given the diversity of travel types, I wondered how they could suit the tastebuds of such a broad audience. But it turns out the attraction to offroaders is in the packaging. This unique offering is a selection of varieties in 250ml aluminium cans delivering an easy and safe way to pack and transport your tipple. Off Track Wines come in five varieties, so there is probably a selection for most tastes and occasions. As well as the standard white and red, you can choose two sparklings in red and white and a rose. The wines come in a 12-pack of…