Table of contents for Issue 640 in Caravan World

No rest for the wicked, they say. We were home for only a day after our four-and-a-half-month journey to the west and back across the top before duty called. The team at the magazine's base in Melbourne thought we had enough of swanning around the country and suggested it was time to show my face in the office. We had to plan for next year's magazine content and direction plus the upcoming battle of the hybrids which will take place in my hometown, Merimbula, NSW, in late November. At this stage, as many as a dozen hybrids will battle for the crown of Australia's Best Hybrid, with the winners announced in early 2024. As part of the event, we will be running a showcase day in Merimbula on Saturday 25…

With more than 90 per cent of camping trips taking place in regional areas, rural road safety is an important topic to discuss, and one that the CIAA took very seriously throughout the September Rural Road Safety Month. And as we head into summer, and the Christmas period approaches, it remains a relevant safety issue. With two in three road deaths occurring on regional roads, new research from the Australian Road Safety Foundation (ARSF) has detailed why all Australians have a personal responsibility to take greater action. This research has shown that during school holiday periods, 71 per cent of campers will travel more than 250km from their home and stay away for an average of 4.8 nights. “All road users have a responsibility to road safety when using our…

BRUDER EXP-7 REVIEWS IN BRIEF ⃗ Equipped for extreme remote travel ⃗ Sleeping for up to six ⃗ Indoor/outdoor kitchen Only a year or so after the release of its range-topping all-weather caravan, the EXP-8, Brisbane builder Bruder has unveiled yet another model. The new EXP-7 — unsurprisingly given the name — sits between the remarkable EXP-8 and the more modest EXP-6 but retains the expedition-capable genre of the brand. Bruder is a Brisbane-based manufacturer that has become a success story worldwide. Integral to the success is how brothers and company owners Dan and Toby take product testing to unprecedented levels. I'm confident there isn't a caravan builder anywhere that tests across thousands of kilometres on five continents, at heights up to 10,000ft, in conditions ranging from freezing to the…

JAYCO ALL - TERRAIN OFF - GRID X 19.61-2 REVIEWS IN BRIEF ⃗ 6m couple's van with all terrain specs ⃗ ATM under 3200kg with 600kg payload ⃗ Impressive off-grid electrical power Jayco is the undisputed Australian RV manufacturing powerhouse employing over 1000 people and producing units from tiny entry-level camper trailers through to substantial motorhomes and everything in between. In this review, we take a look at the All-Terrain Off-Grid X 19.61-2 couple's van. A glance through the Jayco brochure reveals the breakdown of the All-Terrain range. The couple's version comes in one size — 19ft. Bunk vans are available in two sizes — 19ft and 22ft. Each of these vans is available as a standard ‘All-Terrain’ or an up-spec ‘AllTerrain Off-Grid X’. The All-Terrain name clearly tells us…

VISION RV VH-14 REVIEWS IN BRIEF ⃗ Offroad pop-top van ⃗ Body length of 4.27m (14ft) ⃗ Single axle fitted with airbag suspension Back in time, when the major oil producers in the world were causing severe economic problems with high oil prices and everybody was downsizing their tow vehicle sizes, pop-top caravans were very popular. Since then, the market for pop-top caravans has waxed and waned somewhat. Of course, there's still a demand, particularly among hybrid caravan travellers, and Queensland-based Vision RV is one manufacturer with pop-tops in its range. I was able to take a typical example, a VH-14 hybrid, out for a run in the hinterland area behind the Sunshine Coast — an excellent location for finding plenty of rough road tracks to give any van a…

EVERNEW RT-X 30 REVIEWS IN BRIEF ⃗ 5.88m (19ft 3in) couple's van with high-end offroad touring spec ⃗ 3500kg ATM with a healthy 866kg payload ⃗ Impressive attention to detail in the build quality “The attention to detail in this van is among the best I have seen” We are getting to know the RT-X series at Caravan World pretty well, having reviewed the smaller (RT-X 28) and larger (RT-X 35) siblings in recent times. We have learnt that the RT stands for rugged terrain and the X designates extreme. The RT-X 30 on review sits in the middle of the range with a 5.88m (19ft 3in) body and a 2634kg tare weight. Dani Bib, the owner of the company, joined me for the day to run through the van…

ZONE RV SOJOURN REVIEWS IN BRIEF ⃗ 6.4m (21ft) caravan ⃗ Front bed, rear bathroom layout ⃗ Offroad van fitted with airbag suspension ⃗ Fully composite build MEASURING UP PROS ⃗ Electrical setup ⃗ Front storage box ⃗ External kitchen ⃗ Composting toilet CONS ⃗ Options like extra lithiumbatteriescan add considerably to the payload ⃗ Long options list “The Sojourn has a very generous payload” Sunshine Coast-based Zone RV is a manufacturer that knows something about building offroad caravans. Having been in business since 2015, the manufacturer specialises in caravans that are tough enough to handle the Australian outback with an emphasis on keeping the weight down as much as possible. Currently, there are three models in the Zone RV range: the Expedition, a very different style…

VAN ROAM'N COLUMNS Our family loves having the freedom and flexibility to camp off-grid, away from the crowds and power points. There are still some occasions when we opt for a caravan park due to its location, because sometimes there isn't an off-grid option nearby. However, it's nice to be fully self-sufficient and have the choice of campgrounds. There are many caravanners who are content travelling from caravan park to caravan park, hooking up to mains water and 240V power. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. In fact, our first years of travel with young children (born 2017 and 2018) were mostly spent in caravan parks as we required air con for day naps and we weren't set up to be able to do that off-grid. Fast forward…

GETAWAY GEAR REGULARS ⃗ In a world where tech gadgets are fast becoming necessities, dash cameras have evolved from a luxury add-on to an essential component of modern driving. These handy cameras serve as a second set of eyes when you're on the road, ensuring that during every drive or parked location you are able to record incidents as they happen. Uniden is a familiar name in these pages, and produces a wide range of high-quality communication devices, including plenty of dash cams for different requirements and touring styles. Among the most popular are the Uniden Dash View 50R, which retails for $499.95, and the Uniden iGO CAM 90R is priced at $349.95. There are many benefits of adding a dash camera to your rig's tech collection. Dash cameras offer…

NEWS REGULARS MDC Camper Trailers and Offroad Caravans has launched its new 9ft hybrid caravan model, the Forte 9+, which joins the manufacturer's growing range of offroad hybrids. The Forte 9+ is designed for ultimate flexibility when it comes to adventuring, and provides the perfect balance of comfort, versatility and offroad capability without skimping on features. The model is lightweight enough to be easily towed behind medium-sized SUVs and full-sized sedans, meaning almost anyone can Escape with Confidence®. And the light weight will also help reduce how much fuel needed to go adventuring, which is part of MDC's aim to help make caravanning accessible and economical to more Australians. “The Forte 9+ will redefine the way you experience the great outdoors, as this hybrid camper effortlessly blends comfort, style and…

WAVEROCK, WA TRAVEL “More than 150,000 visitors per year descend on the Wheatbelt town with a population just shy of 500 to see the remarkable granite formation that looms over the hamlet” Travelling Western Australia's Wheatbelt region during the springtime rewards handsomely. It becomes a region in bloom, where wildflowers and yellow seas of canola fields take over. It's a stark contrast to what it is like for the remainder of the year, where the more inland you go, the more barren it becomes — or so it seems. One attraction offers permanent adoration and thrills between arid and woodlands. Some 336km east of Perth via Brookton Highway is Wave Rock. Its name is to the point. The geological wonder is the state's most famous break despite it being nowhere…

MUNDI MUNDI BASH FEATURE For three days in August, the privately owned Belmont Station on the windy Mundi Mundi Plains just out of Silverton, NSW, becomes the location for the largest caravan park in the world (well, at least Australia) for the annual Mundi Mundi Bash. Affectionately known as ‘Bashville,’ this mini city of a record 12,246 people in about 4500 caravans, camper trailers and RVs and a handful of tents and swags emerges from the desert plains with military precision. Rigs of all shapes and sizes are spread over 5000 sites in a semicircular plot of roads and interconnecting pathways. Bash founder and CEO Greg Donovan told me that he's estimated the combined total value of all the RV equipment on site including vans, campers, motorhomes and tow vehicles…

Those following our Operation 200 series will know we have been travelling around the country with our 200 Series LandCruiser towing a 3200kg offroad van. Our motivation in taking on the project was to ensure the vehicle was safe, legal and practical. We started with a Tough Dog GVM upgrade that allowed us to install useful items like our MSA drawer system, a 60L myCOOLMAN freezer, Ironman bullbar and roof rack, Redarc battery and inverter and a set of Monster alloy wheels shod with Yokohama X-AT GO16 tyres and a bunch of vital accessories. LOCKING IT DOWN All the changes we've installed have made the Toyota a better travelling companion and allowed us to carry all the gear and food we needed for remote travel, but the extra weight comes…

While the idea of the ‘best’ caravan park is quite subjective, we've chosen caravan parks around Australia that we believe will offer a premium coastal getaway. Beachside convenience, luxury on-site amenities and tons of local activities all come into play. So, pack your swimmers, pool noodles and patience for finding sand in your belongings for months to come, and start planning your next beachside holiday now. NRMA TREASURE ISLAND HOLIDAY PARK, QLD The Gold Coast is one of Australia's most iconic holiday destinations, and you're sure to find out why at the NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Park. Located at the heart of the Gold Coast and next to Biggera Creek, the park is a fantastic basecamp for exploring the beautiful scenery and attractions of Queensland, from its sparkling beaches and…

THE NEWELL HIGHWAY, NSW - OLD TRAVEL “Over the course of three days Ned Kelly robbed the bank of over 2000 pounds, tricked and locked the town's police officers into their own cells and held more than 30 people hostage” Perhaps if we were American, we'd refer to the Newell Highway as Route 39. That's its official designation, but we end to just call it the Newell. Named after Hugh Hamilton Newell, who was the first Commissioner for Main Roads in NSW during 1932–41, the Newell Highway stretches 1058 kilometres from Goondiwindi in Queensland to its southern terminus where it crosses the Murray River at Tocumwal. It is NSW's longest highway and passes through 15 local government areas including iconic townships such as Boggabilla, Moree, Narrabri, Coonabarabran, Gilgandra, Dubbo, Parkes,…

BOOTS ALL IN COLUMNS Sometimes it is just fate the people you get to meet when you are out travelling around this big, friendly country! In July this year, after attending the Birdsville Big Red Bash, I travelled with a group of new friends in convoy to the lovely little town of Bedourie, 186km north of Birdsville, and we enjoyed an awesome day at the annual Bedourie Camel and Pig Races. We were walking back into town late on the Saturday afternoon, quite literally stumbling across the paddock next to our camp on our route back from the racetrack, when we bumped into a lovely local woman, Kim Conomos, who was feeding her horse. We got chatting and it turned out that Kim is also the local cook at the…

DIY 12V THEORY TECHNICAL One of the joys of caravanning is the ability to camp in out-of-the-way places. 12V electrical systems (and more recently 24V and 48V) are what makes it possible to keep the lights on and the beers cold wherever you are. Over the next few issues, we are going to share some basic 12V knowledge so you are better equipped to understand how your system works. This should enable you to have more informed conversations with professionals who work on your van or tackle simple tasks yourself. The kinds of tasks we are talking about are adding another electrical device in the system, swapping out a failed device or troubleshooting devices. Before you start on these tasks, there is some basic theory you need to understand to…

⃗ MSA 4X4 has launched its Toyota LandCruiser 100 Series Towing Mirrors. Featuring a large single-mirror lens that creates less confusion than double-lens mirrors while driving, these patented mirrors are fully ADR compliant, ensuring peace of mind while out on the road. Easily adjustable into four different viewing positions, MSA 4X4 Towing Mirrors offer great vision on either side of the towed vehicle creating optimal visibility. Adding another feather to its cap, the range of MSA 4X4 Towing Mirrors won the 2020 SEMA Global Media Award in Las Vegas. The MSA 4X4 Towing Mirrors are designed specifically for Australian vehicles and are built to cope with the harsh environments of the Australian outback. The range of Toyota LandCruiser 100 Series Towing Mirrors are available in chrome or black, electric or…

⃗ Kirianna Poole spent five years travelling with her husband and three kids in their vintage Kombi and that gave her a lot of time to dream up simple, hearty food that's perfect for cooking while camping. Schooled in her Dad's restaurants and inspired by a slow-paced life, she knows that good food is the foundation of awesome family adventures. From the small burner in her van or a campfire at camp, Kirianna's simple, delicious and wholesome recipes are perfect for families who want to eat better outdoors. Forget two-minute noodles, The Slow Road Cookbook is filled with the meals she grew up with in a Maori family in New Zealand, flavours she's savoured around the world and camping classics born in the Aussie bush. With more than 80 recipes…

It's almost been a year since Cub Campers launched its first luxury hybrid caravan, the C16 (check out issues 628 and 636 for reviews). Entering into the hybrid market with fresh eyes, Cub was able to think outside the traditional design box and produce a new and exciting product that is backed with Australian made quality and 55 years of experience for which Cub is renowned. In April this year Cub welcomed the L16, a cost-effective and lighter-weight model that included much of what had made the C16 so successful. It didn't take long for the L16 to gain popularity, but Cub hasn't slowed down. Keeping an eye on the trends and listening to what the market is looking for, Cub has launched its latest model: the H16, a luxury…

SEND PICS TO WIN “We're on the way back from the Big Red Bash. ‘Where's Birdsville? Somewhere near Betoota.’ We had a great time at the Bash (very difficult not to).” “Our New Age caravan wouldn't quite fit into this shot of the sunset at Lara Wetlands, Queensland.” “Taken in front of the Thallon painted grain silos, with our 2017 Jayco Journey Outback and 2018 Isuzu D-MAX.” “Enjoying a lunch break under a boab tree before the T-intersection to head to either Derby or Broome in WA.” WIN! This month's winner will receive a Purple Line Saracen Ultra Hitch Lock valued at $189. Saracen Ultra is a highly visible, compact, high-security lock which works both hitched and unhitched to keep would-be caravan thieves at bay. It fits to most standard…

BEST BEACHES TRAVEL “The beach's sheltered location and calm emerald waters make it a popular destination for holidaymakers with young families, paddleboarders and snorkelers” When I was a lad growing up in Wollongong, south of Sydney, I spent a lot of time on North Beach, especially during the summer school holidays. I have many fond memories of those halcyon days — catching a tan on the baking hot sand (long before the ‘Slip, Slop, Slap’ campaign), hot chips from the local kiosk, The Mamas & The Papas blaring out of the tranny and bodysurfing creamy rollers from dawn ‘til dusk. Since then, I've travelled widely in Australia and visited many of the 10,000 or so beautiful beaches that grace our coastline. Some are internationally renowned icons, emblematic of Aussie beach…

WILSONS PROM, VIC TRAVEL “At the top enjoy 360-degree views extending from the inland forested peaks to the sapphire-jewelled curves of the coastline” The sky is angry. Saltwater spittle stings my face as the boat hurtles across a monochrome sea greyer than the brooding clouds. The skipper kills the engine, and we drift alongside a granite boulder field extending across the ocean like a natural causeway to nowhere. About 12,000 years ago, this granite shelf was the start of a land bridge to Tasmania. Today, there's nothing beyond it but the cold, treacherous waters of Bass Strait. If you've ever stood at the tip of Cape York in Qld, at Steep Point or Cape Byron (on the western and easternmost extremities of Australia), this is another one for your bucket…

KAKADU, NT TRAVEL “Besides cultural lures, Kakadu's colourful and complex ecosystems make it an extraordinary place to explore on land, boat and air” The Northern Territory's Kakadu National Park is unlike any other national park in Australia — well, except for one. It joins Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park as a World Heritage-listed Park for its cultural and natural significance. Although it may not have an iconic colossal red rock as its unique selling point, Kakadu's varied landscapes make it just as remarkable to roam. But before I get into what makes it such an outstanding patch of land, let's delve into its vastness. Kakadu is a whopping 19,816sq km. It's comparable with small countries such as Slovenia (20,271sq km) and Fiji (18,272sq km). Clearly, there is a lot of ground…

TOWNS VILLE–CAIRNS, QLD TRAVEL A dazzling coastline filled with natural beauty and diversity typifies this drive in North Queensland, which encompasses the colourful Cassowary Coast. The 350 kilometres between Townsville and Cairns can be driven in about five hours, but why rush it? Give yourself a week, if not longer, to discover the detours, surprising destinations and scenic low-cost campgrounds, many of which are nestled within the rainforest or overlook rivers and beaches. Some places will require a detour off the main Highway but it's here you'll find the true gems. From sleepy creek-side stops beside towering sugarcane and tropical beachside delights we uncovered some brilliant stops to park the van. Free camping around Townsville While there are few free campsites within Townsville itself on the northern side, you're spoilt…

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS REGULARS NSW Millthorpe Garden Ramble 4–5 November 2023 Immerse yourself in the stunning rural gardens and historic village of Millthorpe and much more at this charming weekend festival. More information and tickets can be found online: millthorpegardenramble.com.au Walcha Motorcycle Rally 17–18 November 2023 The annual Walcha Motorcycle Rally has rolled around again. Get together with the Walcha community and enjoy friendly hospitality, stunning natural surroundings and amazing rides the whole family will love. Get your ticket now: walchamotorcyclerally.com.au VIC Omeo High Country Caravan & RV Muster 3–8 November 2023 Head to the lovely Omeo Golf Course beside Livingstone Creek this Melbourne Cup weekend for live music, market stalls, putting and hole-in-one competitions. More information about campsites can be found online: facebook.com/omeomuster Bendigo Caravan and Camping Leisurefest 17–19…

RECIPES ON THE ROAD COOKING ARANCINI BALLS TOTAL TIME: 20 minutes SERVES: 8 INGREDIENTS • Vegetable oil, for frying • 2 cups white rice, cooked • 1/2 cup parmesan, grated • 3 eggs • 1/2 cup mozzarella, cubed (approximately 8 cubes) • 1 cup breadcrumbs • 1 lemon (optional) METHOD Place a large frying pan over a medium-heat fire and add up to 10cm of vegetable oil in the pan. Combine the rice, parmesan and one egg in a medium bowl and mix thoroughly with your hands. Take a small portion of the mixture to form a ball, squeeze it firmly and stuff one cube of mozzarella inside the ball, repeat this process to form eight arancini balls. Whisk together the remaining two eggs. Dip each arancini in the eggs…

⃗ Hema Maps, Australia's leading publisher of trusted and verified maps, has launched its latest product, the K'gari (Fraser Island) and the Brisbane Islands Atlas & Guide. In the first edition of this new Atlas & Guide, author Chris Whitelaw takes readers on a meticulously detailed journey through the history, development and natural environment of the world-famous sand islands in South East Queensland. K'gari (Fraser Island) is not just the biggest sand island in Australia, it is the biggest in the world, cultivating a unique environment for a bounty of flora and fauna not found anywhere else. This comprehensive Atlas & Guide features GPS-surveyed roads and tracks, detailed national park and track inset maps, self-drive 4WD tracks, visitor information, history and culture, all the best campsites, adventure activities, trip planning…

⃗ Known for its dedication to improving products without compromising on affordability, iTechworld has recently unveiled the upgraded iTECH120X Lithium Battery. The new iTECH120X maintains the features and power output of its predecessor, with the most significant change being its compact 255mm width, reduced by 22 per cent. This size makes it a perfect fit, even under the bonnet of a Toyota Prado, serving as an ideal drop-in replacement. A favourite among caravan enthusiasts, the iTECH120X battery can be externally mounted, safeguarded by its IP67 waterproof casing. Boasting an impressive 105Ah and a maximum 270A discharge, it can power 12V devices such as an Engel fridge for over four days. It's an essential for camping, ensuring cooled food, illuminated nights and device functionality. It's also backed by a five-year Australian…