Table of contents for Issue 663 in Caravan World

Dear Caravan World Readers Welcome to the new edition of Caravan World, celebrating 55 years of the magazine. Some of you may have read stories that Caravan World had published its last issue. I'm delighted to share this brand new edition with you and confirm that the magazine is continuing into the future. My business, Adventure Entertainment, has stepped in to acquire Caravan World and ensure that it continues in print. Adventure Entertainment is a family owned and operated Australian business. We specialise in quality print publications and already publish seven other titles focused on travel, adventure and outdoor pursuits. Growing up on the mid-north coast of Australia I spent many a day kicking around in my grandparents’ caravan and receiving postcards from them as they travelled the country in…

General Motors Special Vehicles has ensured Australian Chevrolet buyers that their truck now arrives with considerable confidence as standard, introducing a five-year unlimitedkilometre warranty paired with five years of 24/7 Ultra Roadside Assistance across the Chevrolet Silverado range. This move increases the Silverado's standard warranty from three years and 100,000 kms (with three years of roadside assistance), delivering GMSV customers added peace of mind whether they're working, touring, or towing, right across Australia. “We know how our owners love to use their Silverado, both during the working week and on the weekends, so introducing an unlimited-kilometre warranty is something we know they will love, says Managing Director of GM Australia & New Zealand, Jess Bala. “Whether they're towing or touring, working hard or on a weekend away, the Silverado's warranty…

It is easy to take for granted the process of connecting a caravan to a tow vehicle. Simplistically, it's just a matter of hooking up the coupling, attaching the safety chains, and joining any required electrical connections. In reality, numerous components and variables contribute to the safe and legal operation of this system for towing. In this article, we examine the mechanical components of the system. A key takeaway is that the entire system is only as good as its weakest link, both metaphorically and literally. TOW BAR ASSEMBLIES The towbar is the major structure that attaches to the tow vehicle chassis. Usually made from structural steel and requiring compliance with relevant Australian standards, the towbar has significant dynamic loads imposed on it through the rigours of towing. Towbars are…

Tucked along the banks of the Murray River, the twin towns of Koondrook and Barham offer a laidback mix of history, nature and country hospitality. With riverside walks, red gum forests and wide-open skies, they make a peaceful yet rewarding stop for those exploring this iconic region. PINTS AND PADDLE STEAMERs Mates Royal Hotel in Koondrook, dating back to 1880, once served cooling ales to paddle steamer captains and their crews. Koondrook, a historic village at the confluence of the Murray River and Gunbower Creek, was a hive of activity from the 1880s, when paddle steamers laden with timber, wheat and wool plied the river – then a busy highway before motor vehicles. The hotel's co-owner Shane Membrey mans the bar at this classic country pub, festooned with the stuffed…

It has been six years since I last visited Kalgoorlie Boulder, 594km inland of Perth via the Great Eastern Highway, and generally known as Kalgoorlie. (Its name is the amalgamation of the town of Kalgoorlie and the Shire of Boulder.) In many respects, not much has changed in Australia's largest outback city, the heart of WA's Eastern Goldfields. Heritage buildings of gold rush grandeur still stand, many sadly vacant. People in fluro and hi-vis clothing continue to be the norm. Skimpy barmaids still pour drinks and work tables at the landmark Exchange Hotel. Australia's oldest working brothel continues to have its door(s) open. Mining still dominates, as the colossal Super Pit gold mine continues to expand. These mixed-bag curiosities are part of the former gold rush town's allure, and I…

In the heart of Canberra lies an experience that redefines luxury travel. Nestled within the National Zoo and Aquarium, Jamala Wildlife Lodge is not just a place to stay but a journey into another world. It is here that guests can sleep a breath away from tigers, dine alongside white lions and hyenas, and wake to the morning calls of monkeys. For those seeking adventure, Jamala delivers a rare combination of wild indulgence and conservation. Jamala Wildlife Lodge is Australia's first all-inclusive luxury lodge located inside a zoo and has quickly earned a reputation as a national standout. The lodge offers 18 suites that combine five-star comfort with the thrill of an African safari. Every detail has been designed to provide a natural feel without sacrificing indulgence. Suites feature African…

Jayco Caravans is celebrating big time this year. Founded by Gerry Ryan, the manufacturer is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. As part of those celebrations, several new models have been rolled out of the factory door. Amongst those is the Discovery range. It replaces the Journey lineup and sits between the Starcraft and the higher-end All Terrain and Silverline models. The Discovery vans are available in both caravan and pop-top configurations, and for this review, I opted for the pop-top. It's an Outback model, designed for rougher road use, with an external body length of 18ft. THE BUILD Common across the Jayco range, the Discovery is built very much in the manufacturer's signature style. The walls and the single-piece roof are made from fibreglass composite with aluminium extrusions at stress points,…

Few brands have earned their place in Australian travel culture quite like Thermos. After more than a century in business, it's one of those names that has become synonymous with the product itself – you're not going to hear someone ask, “Where's the vacuum flask?” when scrounging around the boot. Nope. It's always “the Thermos”, whether it has the brand logo to back it up or not. For this review I got to test three of the new products – the 710ml Food Jar, 470ml Travel Mug and 1.2L Beverage Bottle - to see whether they live up to the heritage and hype. WHAT'S NEW ABOUT THE THERMOS ICON SERIES? The Thermos Icon Series keeps the fundamentals that made the brand famous: stainless steel bodies, double-wall Thermos vacuum insulation tech…

In the first part of our suspension upgrade (see issue 662), we watched the engineers at the AL-KO Service Centre in Campbellfield remove the old Sugar Glider trailing arm system from our 2012 Trakmaster Tanami and begin installing an Enduro X suspension (see it in issue 662 and online at caravanworld.com.au). In short, we selected AL-KO's Enduro X because of its lighter components and a softer, safer ride, thanks to adjustable airbags, twin shock absorbers, and air-over-hydraulic actuated brakes with ventilated rotors. The system also includes AL-KO's Electronic Stability Control (ESC) as an added feature. In the first part of this story, we mentioned that the Enduro system utilises replaceable stub axles, which can be set at two heights with a 50mm variation. We chose the lower setting, which provided…

Known for their rugged beauty and diverse, striking colour palette, which varies with the time of day and from season to season, these iconic ranges have long been regarded as one of the most magnificent destinations in Australia. And for us, as relatively new additions to the grey nomad tribe, they were very near the top of our extensive Aussie travel bucket list. FIRST STOP: GATEWAY TO THE FLINDERS After driving across the Nullarbor from our home state of WA, we headed for our first campsite at Spear Creek Holiday Park. This family-owned working sheep station, which fittingly describes itself as ‘the gateway to the Flinders Ranges’, is located 25 kilometres southeast of Port Augusta. After reversing our trusty Urban off-road caravan into an unpowered bush camping site nestled in…

As Australia's oldest inland settlement, Bathurst has always been a town of firsts – but it's no longer just a pit stop for rev-heads. Sure, you can still take the family for a spin around the iconic Mount Panorama circuit (it's a public road, after all), but these days the region offers much more than horsepower. With more than 20 museums, galleries and heritage-listed homes, Bathurst is steeped in history – yet it's also full of surprises for modern families. From dinosaurs to distilleries, this lively regional hub blends history, hands-on experiences and big skies in a way few places can. Just a 2.5-hour drive from Sydney, Bathurst is close enough for a weekend escape yet far enough to swap traffic for wide open countryside, crisp mountain air and clear…

Wonder Roo was founded in 2020 by brothers Sam and Pil, both mechanical engineers and graduates of RMIT University. With over 30 years of combined engineering experience, including work in critical infrastructure, heavy vehicle manufacturing, and consulting in the caravan industry. In setting up Wonder Roo, they aimed to bring high-end engineering principles to the design and production of Australian caravans. Sam told Caravan World that “From day one, Wonder Roo has always prioritised quality over quantity. We don't mass-produce – every caravan is handcrafted to order, with careful attention to detail at every stage. Even during the peak of COVID demand, we stayed true to our values, choosing to remain a low-volume, high-quality manufacturer rather than compromising on standards and values.” Pil added that their sales strategy involves a…

BruderX doesn't build caravans – it builds expedition-grade machines engineered to survive, function, and thrive where others fail. Founded in Queensland but operating on a global scale, BruderX has carved out a reputation for creating military-inspired, aerospace-influenced platforms that are as refined in design as they are rugged in execution. Their overland trailers have toured the deserts of the Middle East, the snows of Scandinavia, and the wilds of South America – often in the hands of filmmakers, explorers, and emergency services. But until now, their line-up has skewed compact, low-slung, and ultra-premium. Enter the ADX-21: longer, broader, and still relatively light, it's BruderX's first van with the stance, scale, and amenity of a true caravan – without sacrificing their expedition DNA. And it might just be the most complete…

“In the Pro, there's an option for the rear cabin window to retract and the bulkhead to lower, creating an uninterrupted space through to the tailgate.” When the now giant MG brand announced the introduction of a ute in 2024, it had die-hard sports car traditionalists crying in their gin and tonic. Established in England in 1924, MG was a much-loved marque of lightweight two-seater fun machines. When the company folded in 2005, Nanjing Automotive Corporation grabbed control but folded into the giant Chinese state-owned SAIC in 2007. Manufacturing 2.5 million vehicles in 2024, (not including affiliate models) SAIC rates as the third-largest in worldwide electric vehicle sales and has brands across both passenger and commercial vehicles. MG entered the local market in 016 and, within two years, they clocked…

Even the most minimalist traveller will appreciate the versatility, compact size and ease of use of this latest power station from Bluetti. The Elite 100 V2 features 1024Wh of capacity from its 1800W LifePO4 rechargeable lithium battery. Its 17L size and 11.5kg weight make it easy to transport. The surge power of 3600W makes it suitable for appliances that demand higher start-up power consumption. The Elite 100 V2 is a smart-looking and compact 32x25x21 cm unit with a built-in carry handle and a handy rectangular footprint, making it easy to store in our vehicle. on a recent trip to Queensland. We used the Bluetti over a couple of weeks, and I was impressed with how quickly it charged and the range of uses we could find for it. There are…

West Australian Consumers can expect to see new labels on LP gas cylinders to help them make a safe connection to barbecues and other appliances. Gas cylinders must now include information on the collars of individual LP gas cylinders between 3.7kg and 9kg to identify the valve type. Cylinders with traditional Type 21 POL valves are still in use, but they are being phased out in favour of a safer design called LCC27. All new leisure gas appliances sold in the past three years, such as barbecues and patio heaters, are only compatible with LCC27 cylinder valves. Attempts to connect appliances with LCC27 connectors to older POL cylinders have led to serious injuries from gas leaks and fires. Consumers purchasing barbecues and other gas appliances are advised to verify which…

Two new walking tracks have opened for NSW visitors to explore the dramatic sandstone cliff lines and iconic pagoda landscapes in the incredible Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area near Lithgow. A new family-friendly walking track takes visitors among the eucalypts and colourful wattles along the 6-kilometre Broad Swamp Loop Walk. This new track leads along Broad Swamp while also enhancing its protection as an endangered ecological community. For the more adventurous, the Broad Swamp to Birds Rock Walking Track is a 17.5-kilometre hike showcasing stunning scenery, including previously inaccessible, remote creeks, gorges, clifftop views and pagoda formations. Starting from Broad Swamp, the walking track traverses intricate gullies, spectacular cliff lines and lookouts with Carne Creek as a backdrop, finishing at Birds Rock carpark. After 18 months of work, a…

SEND PICS TO WIN The October 2025 Readers’ Rigs winner is Genny May is this month's winner after finding a great vantage point to capture her rig. “While travelling along the South Australian coastline, we stopped in Kingston SE to explore the Cape Jaffa Lighthouse. The platform at the top gave a great view of our car and van (Ford Ranger Wildtrak and Crusader XCountry) and our friends’ RAM and Bushtracker.” WINNER! Our November/December Readers’ Rigs winner is Ashley Pearce who sent in this shot of their 2020 Toyota LandCruiser towing a 2024 Australian Offroad Matrix Pop Top. “We were camping on the Ningaloo Coast at Winderabandi Point. The colours you see are exactly what you wake up to every day.” WIN OUR MONTHLY PRIZE! We've got a great monthly prize on…

There is no town like Alice Springs, and it has all the ingredients for a perfect tourist destination. Situated in Australia's Red Centre, Alice holds a special place in our hearts for its quintessential Aussie larrikinism and contrariness. How else do you explain the diverse range of activities and attractions that locals and visitors can enjoy in a place so far from anywhere? While Alice Springs locals enjoy a self-contained lifestyle, much of the economy has relied on tourism for its prosperity. Unfortunately, over the last couple of years, Alice's reputation has suffered under the spotlight of media scrutiny, which we'll discuss in a bit. In the meantime, here are the top 10 reasons to spend a few days exploring Alice while on your way to the many fantastic destinations…

“While we were at Giles, we wandered through the free museum, which provided some interesting information about the atomic testing program.” There are few outback journeys in Australia that are as rewarding as a trip along the Great Central Road. This epic route stretches over 1,120 kilometres, connecting the Red Centre of the Northern Territory to the goldfields of Western Australia. And while this route is sometimes viewed as a simple thoroughfare from east to west and vice versa, we can assure you a trip along the GCR promises a quintessential outback experience – one that's marked with culture, million-star skies, dazzling Great Victoria Desert landscapes, and wildlife. Here's everything you need to know to plan and savour this fantastic journey. AUSTRALIA'S OUTBACK HIGHWAY Originally a remote bush track between…

From clever pod trailers to rugged offroad campers, Stockman Australia has carved out its place in the Aussie RV scene with smart, practical designs built for real-world adventures. Based in Carrum Downs, Vic, the company launched in 2006 and has expanded its range with thought and care – constantly innovating to improve an owner's experience, not just for the sake of change. Compact builds, clever use of space and a focus on keeping things simple (without skimping on comfort) have been part of the Stockman DNA from day one. To find out how the team is continuing to lead through design, we sat down with company owner and product designer Phil Savory to talk trends, tough testing and why the simplest solution is often the smartest. Q: What does innovation…

“So, where does the Vision sit? Right where it should. It's properly specced for remote travel, with serious off-grid capacity.” Chris Michel is the driving force behind both Sunseeker Caravans and Vision RV, two distinct yet complementary brands that reflect his experience in building robust, well-equipped vans for Australian tourers. Where Sunseeker leans into luxury and larger footprints, Vision is his hybrid-focused venture, aimed at buyers who want genuine off-grid capability, innovative layouts, and thoughtful details– all without typically blowing past the $135K mark. A large portion of the fit-out and finishing touches are now completed at the Visions Coolum factory. The Vision range spans from 14’ hybrids to 21'6 “caravans, all riding on a hot-dipped galvanised chassis with serious 12V setups, proper off-road credentials, and a substantial payload. The…

This latest versatile pizza oven from Ooni should enhance mealtimes when you're on the road. Weighing just over 16kg with its 15 mm Cordierite cooking stone installed, the Ooni Koda 2 14” gas-fired oven is compact and light enough to become part of your travel gear. Stainless steel legs fold to a size of 55x47x18 cm, and an optional travel bag wraps around the oven for easy transport and protection from scratches while travelling. The new version boasts a modern, stylish design and is crafted from black powder-coated carbon steel. It features a row of burners that can heat up to 500°C in just 15 minutes, while also allowing for cooking at a variety of temperatures, from as low as 190 °C. The supplied gas hose fits a standard 9kg…