Table of contents for Issue 626 in Caravan World

A new public art experience has been unveiled on Victoria's East Gippsland Rail Trail from Bairnsdale to Orbost. Local artists Alice Pepper and Patricia Pittman were joined by visiting artists David ‘MEGGS’ Hooke, LING and Minna Leunig to create the works of art, which are inspired by the story of the Gunaikurnai community. A cultural awareness program involving the Gunaikurnai artist collective and community ensured that the visiting artists gained a deep understanding of artistic practices, cultural storytelling, land management and preservation on Country. The project, produced by The Social Crew, involved collaborations with Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation and the East Gippsland Rail Trail Community, and was supported by the state and federal governments. The Social Crew Creative Director Belinda Collins said, “We are excited to share the…

NEWS REGULARS Interest in electric vehicles is increasing in Australia, but uptake is still significantly behind the global average. According to Savvy, electric vehicles now comprise 1.6 per cent of all new car registrations. However, this is nowhere near the global average of nine per cent. Savvy Managing Director and car finance expert, Bill Tsouvalas, believes that interest in electric cars will continue to increase. “People are prepared to buy now and wait for delivery to get the car they want. While electric vehicles are still on the expensive side, sky-high fuel prices are making the decision to go electric easier and easier. If petrol prices stay this way and the expected influx of more affordable EVs finally hits our shores, you can expect EV uptake to skyrocket,” he said.…

DESIGN RV STRYKER-X TESTED IN BRIEF Compact, couples offroad caravan Single axle, ATM 2573 with 450kg payload Competitive price tag “It has all the regular features you come to expect in a contemporary van with a very attractive price tag” The RV market has had some obvious trends over the past decade or so. The number of features that come standard has steadily been on the rise. Solar panels and grey water tanks are just a couple of examples of staples that were once fancy options. Offroad style vans with greater ground clearance, chunky tyres, sophisticated suspension and off-grid capability have become the norm rather than the exception. More standard features and greater offroad specs don't come free, and the average price of vans has crept up over the past…

SPINIFEX ELECTREX TESTED IN BRIEF The latest ElecTrex from Spinifex is a couple's offroad van with the latest technology solar power from OzXcorp for extended off-grid living Spinifex vans are tough but classy offroad caravans. The meticulous build process and robust engineering delivers a van made to last the distance over the harshest of road conditions. With a company ethos of practicality and usability, the steely foundations combine welcoming and contemporary interiors with layouts that maximise available space. And although Spinifex models include high levels of standard features, most vans leave the factory with customisations to suit customer needs. This new ElecTrex model from Spinifex has been built for the company owners, Steve and Elise, and will also serve as the company demonstrator. The new model debuted at the recent…

It was a recent trip to Ellenborough Falls in the middle of June. The locals reckoned we were mad camping out, fondly telling us “It'll dip below zero”, which it did, easily. Nevertheless, it was a great adventure with the stars really putting on a show. We were determined to capture Mother Nature's midwinter celestial show stopper. My brother-in-law Frank and I camped at TereTulemast, which is a private property. It's run by a lovely couple who make you feel welcome from the moment you drive through the gate. The property is about six kilometres from Eland central and four kilometres from Ellenborough Falls. The property has two camps on the pristine Ellenborough River, both private and like a sanctuary. ABOUT THE SHOT After we had ventured to Ellenborough Falls…

QUEENSLAND 2-3 SEPTEMBER 2022 BIRDSVILLE RACES, BIRDSVILLE The iconic Birdsville Races will celebrate its 140th birthday this year when more than 6000 racegoers converge on the outback town to try their luck and enjoy two days of quality racing and entertainment. Dubbed as both the ultimate road trip to Australia's heart, and the Melbourne Cup of the Outback, the race program features horses and riders from all over Australia competing for the coveted TAB Birdsville Cup. Check the weather and make sure your rig can cope with the legendary Birdsville Track before you go, so you don't get stuck and miss out on this Australian racing tradition. www.birdsvilleraces.com/ 21-23 APRIL 2023 JULIA CREEK DIRT N DUST FESTIVAL, JULIA CREEK It's dusty and it's dirty but it's also one of the…

WOLFE CREEK, WA TRAVEL Mention ‘Wolfe Creek’ to people these days and most will immediately turn their minds back to that spooky, quite gruesome Aussie movie screened a number of years ago which left vivid impressions on those who watched it. Although there is still an ongoing reminder of the film in the area with the presence of the eerie, neglected ruins of an old station building nearby (where, we believe, a segment of the movie was filmed), the much more memorable Wolfe Creek meteorite crater has long lasting impact and appeal to all those who visit this lonely outback site. Located approximately 153 kilometres south of Halls Creek on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert in the Western Australian Kimberley, this huge hole in the ground is full…

DIY RANGEHOODS TECHNICAL IF IN DOUBT, CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL Improper maintenance could lead to injury, death or property damage. Maintenance work of this nature should only be undertaken by persons with suitable mechanical competence. Information provided is general in nature, not comprehensive and can only be taken as a guide. Individual discretion must be exercised and persons undertaking described tasks do so completely at their own risk. Publishers and creators of this content accept no responsibility for loss or damage. CHANGING A LIGHT GLOBE IN A RANGEHOOD You may need to change the light in your rangehood because it has failed, or you may choose to upgrade your functioning light from halogen to LED to reduce electricity consumption and help save the planet! According to Sustainability Victoria, a 12V LED…

EcoFlow Power Kits are the world's first integrated, plug-and-play power solutions designed especially for caravans, motorhomes, and tiny homes. They offer a modern alternative to the outdated, highly complex 12V battery and inverter systems used in many off-grid and portable power setups currently. The 48V system produces the same amount of power, but only a quarter of the electric current passes through the wires, producing significantly less heat and power loss, especially when inverting to 240V AC. This makes it much more efficient for powering household devices in off-grid situations. The power kits feature an expandable battery setup starting from 2kWh (166Ah) through to an unrivalled 15kWh (1250Ah) of maximum stored battery capacity. This is paired with both AC (3600 watts) and DC (60a at 12V) outputs. This type of…

For the second consecutive year, Isuzu Ute Australia (IUA) has claimed the “Car Manufacturer of the Year” title at the 2021 Roy Morgan Customer Satisfaction Awards. The award recognises the manufacturer's 96.1 per cent customer satisfaction rating, which represents an increase from its 2020 total of 94.9 per cent. The award is tallied based on 60,000 consumer interviews conducted each year. IUA Managing Director, Hiroyasu Sato, said the award is indicative of the company's commitment to quality and consistency of service. “Our Isuzu Ute dealers take a customercentric approach during every interaction; so, not only are we proud to be tracking in the right direction by improving in our annual customer satisfaction results, but we are thrilled to hear that we are living up to our current customers’ expectations,” he…

SEND PICS TO WIN This month's winners are Paul and Robyn Maynard of Western Australia. Paul and Robyn spend up to four months travelling each year around Wheatbelt towns with their 2007 Patrol and 20-year-old Jayco Westport. “This picture was of an early sunrise at our campsite in May 2022 at Elachbutting in WA. It's been nearly 20 years since our last visit and it's still an amazing place.”…

THE PLENTY HIGHWAY, NT TRAVEL The Plenty Highway (State Route 12) stretches 498km from the Stuart Highway, 68km north of Alice Springs, to Tobermorey Homestead on the Northern Territory/Queensland border. The highway takes its name from the Plenty River, an ephemeral watercourse that runs north of and parallel to the road for almost 200km, but is not generally seen by travellers until they cross it near Jervois Station. This mostly unsealed road traverses some of the Territory's most remote and scenic landscapes, steeped in Indigenous culture and pioneering heritage. Though perhaps not as popular, or forgiving, as the Barkly Highway further north, the Plenty draws increasing numbers of outback adventurers for its beguiling red soil plains and stunning mountain vistas. As outback roads go, the Plenty isn't too bad. The…

By far the greatest RV experiences of my life have been in the outback. Travelling into our centre has so much to offer. Locals and travellers have a slower paced and more relaxed view of the world. The vast expanses of the Australian deserts do something to you that I can't explain – they just make you feel more alive. I have seen night skies that look nothing like what you see in the city. It's as if you have been transported to another planet and are seeing the night sky for the first time. When the conditions are right, the sky is so much blacker and it feels like there are a million more, far brighter stars to gaze upon. I love the remoteness which heightens the sense of…

Over the years, cameras and technology have evolved to make photography much more accessible. And now, with advances in camera technology, people of all ages can capture those treasured memories from a favourite vacation or outdoor adventure. Exceptional images take us back to the joys and effort that went into their capture and are a great way of sharing the experience with loved ones. Of course, the trend is to post on social media or create a travel blog. Still, the best pictures will make themed photo books to ensure those special memories and experiences last forever. Night-time photography is a specialised pursuit, so you must know how your camera works. Because you are working in the dark, get comfortable with the controls and how to access the camera's menu.…

RP CARAVANS FAMILY CRUZER TESTED IN BRIEF 6.4m tandem axle caravan Family bunk bed layout Rocker Roller leaf spring suspension 2340kg tare mass Timing is almost everything in the business of recreational vehicles. I'd organised with Parravans Caravan World at Windsor, NSW, to take an RP Caravans Family Cruzer out for a look over, the plan being to use a couple of locations along the Hawkesbury River. A cautious plan it was since the area is still very soggy from the recent flooding. Instead of putting it off, I had a successful time on tour with the van, finding a few mostly dry spots. Little did I know, most of the areas would be fully underwater about a week later as Sydney suffered through its third round of excessive rain.…

NOVA LITTLE TERRA TESTED IN BRIEF Single axle offroad caravan Body length 4.53m (14ft 10in) Aluminium composite construction Transverse bed, full width bathroom A little surprisingly, until earlier this year Nova Caravans only had one offroad design in its extensive stable. Although it does have quite a few that might be described as ‘rough road’ caravans, the Terra Sportz range, in a variety of lengths, are the sole offroad contenders. That is until the Little Terra arrived on the scene. Quite distinctive in the Sydney RV, Penrith sales yard where I first laid eyes on it, the lack of body length does stand out a bit. Putting the tape measure on the Little Terra reveals that it comes in at just under 4.6m (15ft). It has a single axle and…

BREAKFAST ROTI TOTAL TIME: 10 minutes SERVES: 4 INGREDIENTS 4 roti bread, buttered 1 large avocado, sliced longways 4 free-range eggs Handful of rocket Olive oil Kalamata olives Salt and pepper, to taste METHOD Butter roti bread on both sides, toasting each side on a skillet until brown. Lightly fry each egg, sunny side up. Thinly slice avocado and layer on each piece of roti. Place an egg on top of each roti. Add a handful of rocket, olives and drizzle with olive oil. Season each roti with salt and pepper and serve. CAMPFIRE SHAKSHUKA TOTAL TIME: 30 minutes SERVES: 4 INGREDIENTS 2 tbsp olive oil 1 large brown onion, chopped 2 red capsicums, deseeded and thinly sliced 2 garlic cloves, chopped 2 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp sweet paprika…

We put a lot of time and thought into getting our caravan just how we like it, so the thought of someone hitching it up in the middle of the night is daunting. Even if the van is covered by insurance, there are personal items and memories we don't want to lose at the hands of thieves. Not only that, good luck replacing a van in today's market. They have increased in value exponentially and forget trying to get a new one in a reasonable time frame. So when the makers of this Australian-developed and made device suggested we give one a go, it seemed like a product many caravanners would think was a pretty good idea. The Solid GPS tracker is self-contained and small enough to conceal in your…

Revellers at the Birdsville Big Red Bash have broken the world record for the largest Nutbush dance. Some 4,084 dancers lined up for the epic event, breaking the previous world record of 2,878 boot-scooters, set in 2021. Some dancers donned fancy dress for the fundraiser, with people dressed in tutus, dinosaur costumes, hippy wigs and other colourful outfits. Each participant paid $15 to enter the event, resulting in an impressive donation of more than $60,000 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Festival owner and Managing Director of the Outback Music Festival Group, Greg Donovan, praised attendees for their participation in the fundraising event, declaring them all “legends”. The July Big Red Bash is estimated to bring in approximately $15m in economic benefit to regional and outback Queensland. For those who…

POSTBAG REGULARS LETTER OF THE MONTH I am writing to ask a question regarding the brakes on my 2021 Jayco Journey Outback 17.55.8. My tow vehicle is a 2019 MR Mitsubishi Triton and I have a Hayman Reece brake controller fitted. I am not unfamiliar with towing having had a Penguin and offroad camper previous to the Journey, but I am experiencing a pull to one side when I apply the brakes. Is this potentially caused by the left-right balance between the caravan brakes needing adjustment or could it be caused by something else? The effect is slight but in any case I would like to rectify the problem so I am seeking your advice. Kind regards Tom Mesilane A Tom There are many reasons why the brakes will pull to…

BUSHTRACKER 19-COMPACT TESTED Scan the code to watch the full review video IN BRIEF Entry level excellence 790kg payload 2.17m wide The first thing you might experience reading this review is deja vu because in issue #622, I reviewed the sister of this van, another 19-Compact but that one was gasless. It was built around the idea of removing gas, and fossil fuels, as much as possible but this version is more traditional, more in line with Bushtrackers of the recent past and to me, that's a wonderful thing. Don't get me wrong, I am a technophile and love the direction of many high-end brands in removing gas from vans, but I am also a big fan of the KISS principle. THE BASICS Keep It Simple Stupid, or KISS as it's…

Remote camping, orange sand, dry riverbeds, serenity, history, and culture. This is what camping in this part of Australia is all about. A camera is a must, as is a sense of adventure as the destinations below allow you to discover some amazing places. If you haven't been to any of these places before, add them to your bucket list and start planning a Red Centre expedition. PALM VALLEY Access to the Palm Valley campground is only suitable for high-clearance 4WD vehicles as the access track crosses the Finke River a few times. Drop some air from your tyres, including the caravan as the river sand is often deep in places. You are not permitted to take campers/caravans past the campground. The track from the campground to Palm Valley has…

EL QUESTRO, WA TRAVEL Hidden in one of Western Australia's wilderness frontiers 110km west of Kununurra, El Questro Wilderness Park's biologically blessed wonderland encompasses some of the most ancient formations. It resides on Wilinggin country, home to the Ngarinyin people, sprawling 700,000 acres across the East Kimberley region with the Gibb River Road snaking through it. Once you enter via Emma Gorge or El Questro Station along the legendary outback concourse, you'll soon see what the fuss is all about. WA's version of Eden boasts a shopping list of natural attractions such as numerous cascading waterfalls, million-year-old red gorges, leafy canopies, rivers, waterholes, thermal springs and wildlife galore. But from a distance, you wouldn't know all these postcard-worthy sights existed. Shielded from view, they're buried deep within the sandstone escarpment,…

Necessity is the mother of invention, and, in the case of Marshall Muller, it was necessity that sent him in search of a better solution to the problem of automatic transmission slippage and its associated overheating and excess fuel consumption issues. Adelaide-based Marshall and his family are avid recreational 4x4 enthusiasts who share a passion for off-grid four-wheeling, caravanning, and camping. But unlike most of us, Marshall is also an electronics and software engineer with 30-plus years of professional expertise in defence, commercial and government R&D projects. Having travelled and towed extensively throughout Australia in a pair of Mitsubishi Pajeros and a Toyota Landcruiser 200 Series, Marshall knows firsthand each vehicle's strengths and weaknesses. “As a driver, you learn to understand your vehicle and how to protect it. We often…

OUR LAP YEAR COLUMNS If you follow travelling families on social media, you may start to think that their life looks ideal. It can make you ponder whether it would indeed be a wonderful experience to travel with your children full time, teaching them on the road. You may begin to believe that it will be a positive bonding experience with your children. People will also tell you that children learn more on the road than in mainstream education. It's a no-brainer, right? Life on the road can be rewarding for parents, but it does come with many challenges. Parents with school-age children find they must juggle the roles of parent and teacher, on top of planning their next destination and any other hurdles thrown their way. It can be…

The caravanning lifestyle is a mix of travelling, exploring and relaxing. But when it comes to watching a movie or important sports events, most of us are short-changed in our viewing options. Unless we have enough battery and inverter power to run a big 240v TV, we are generally stuck with a 60cm (24in) version that would be relegated to a small study if we were home. And even if we had the ability to run a decent size screen, there are problems with storing it somewhere safe. Innovative electronics supplier XGIMI Technology might have an easy solution in its Halo+ portable projector. The compact unit is only 11cm × 15cm × 17cm and weighs 1.6kg, so it's easy to store and adds little to your payload. The projector displays…