Table of contents for Issue 646 in Caravan World

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new Caravan World website, a hub that will be live when you read this. This platform amalgamates the latest content and an archive of Caravan World reviews, travel stories, DIY suggestions and much more, offering a unique and easily accessible collection. We will resurrect stories and reviews from past issues and continually add new content as the site evolves over time. Over the next few months, the online Caravan World platform will grow into the most comprehensive resource of caravanning information anywhere. It’s a concept the industry has eagerly anticipated, and it’s finally here. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Elliot and his team, who have worked diligently in the headquarters’ dungeon for the last few months to bring this to…

Offline Campers has launched its newest hybrid, the Solitaire. Available in 14ft and 16ft models, this hybrid will launch in July 2024 with production beginning that month, and Offline Campers is offering early customers the opportunity to secure a build spot now. Customers who sign up before the launch will receive $10,000 off their build, but numbers are strictly limited. The Solitaire 14 hybrid will suit any adventurers who are intrigued by the Offline Campers Domino but are looking for more internal living space and an attached ensuite. This hybrid was built to go anywhere a tow vehicle like a LandCruiser can go, and has a compact towing profile, fit-for-purpose offroad suspension and a light overall weight. The Solitaire 16 is all about zero compromise and offers all the comforts…

Queensland based Kratzmann has announced a partnership with the industry-leading Melbourne-based offroad camper and hybrid manufacturer, TRACK (Trailer). TRACK National Marketing and Dealer Manager, Lloyd Waldron, confirmed that Kratzmann Caravans will now carry the full family of TRACK brands, including TRAKMASTER and PIONEER. “We’ve been working with THL and the team at Kratzmann for quite some time and are delighted to add our brands to the stable,” he said. “We have every confidence that Kratzmann will deliver a high-quality experience for our customers, through both the sale itself and with after-care including servicing and warranty.” Established in 1985, TRACK has longstanding pedigree winning major military tenders, developing the iconic MC2 Suspension, and offering products such as the multi-award winning Tvan, which will celebrate 25 years in 2024. TRACK acquired the…

Following four bumper years of sales, the caravan industry has settled back into a more normal market, so I was keen to see how the various manufacturers are dealing with the new normal while at the 2024 Victorian Caravan & Camping Show in late February. We braved the oppressively hot weather on the first two days of the show and despite reduced crowds and flagging enthusiasm from the heat-affected patrons, many manufacturers were happy with the number of signatures on the bottom of contracts on the first day. Day two was even more miserable weather-wise with a strong wind moderating temperatures but lending a grim western movie atmosphere as the metaphoric tumble weeds rolled down the deserted walkways and outdoor activities were poorly patronised. When the show organisers ended things…

PHILLIP ISLAND, VIC TRAVEL "How much further? I can’t see any shipwreck,” whined my 10-yearold daughter. Her patience was wearing thin as we threaded through thatches of grass onto a windswept bluff, the sea breeze turning her hoodie into a windsock. We reached the crest and peered over the clifftop, gazing east along the rocky shoreline, and there it was. The unmistakable silhouette of the SS Speke shipwreck, the vessel’s rusted skeleton pitched skyward in a defiant salute to Bass Strait. I’ve visited Phillip Island — one of Victoria’s most beloved coastal playgrounds — many times, but I’d never before glimpsed the Speke, a steel cargo ship run aground in 1906. That there are no signposts to this maritime relic, and little — if any — reference to it in…

MAD MAX ADVENTURE TRAVEL Mad Max is the quintessential Aussie movie saga — putting the pedal to the metal in four adrenalineinduced fantasy road adventures. The first three films showcased our wonderfully raw, rugged land to the wider world. And while the fourth adventure, Mad Max: Fury Road, diverted to Namibia, southern Africa, the fast-approaching fifth film, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, returns the mayhem to Aussie soil. Yet the seemingly brutal wastelands that serve as the progressively desolate environments for Max Rockatansky’s exploits are, in fact, remarkably habitable, picturesque destinations for travellers. From endless rural backroads among the Melbourne hinterlands to the eternal expanses of the iconic Mundi Mundi Plains in Silverton, NSW, and the underground otherworldliness of Coober Pedy, SA, and beyond — we’ve selected the most memorable…

WILLOW RV IRONBARK 6522 REVIEWS IN BRIEF → Composite construction → Capable offroader King bed at the slide-out “He thought it would be a better option to have a king bed instead of a queen, so he suggested an upgrade” MEASURING UP PROS → The king bed at the slide-out adds room and comfort → Well-engineered chassis and composite body → High level of offgrid capability CONS → It’s big, so some tracks will be out of reach When Bryan Hammond, the dealer principal at ARV Caravans in Eden, NSW, was deciding on a new van for himself and his wife Jane, he thought the Willow RV Ironbark 22ft slide-out best suited their caravanning style. It’s roomy and luxurious without exceeding the 3500kg barrier he set for his new Toyota…

“The campground combines the freedom of outback caravanning together with the comfort of full resort amenities” It doesn’t matter how many pictures or videos of Uluru you’ve seen — your first glimpse of this iconic red monolith will literally take your breath away. Uluru is high on the bucket list of many Australians and overseas visitors, and caravanners are among the biggest groups of visitors to the Rock, travelling in their thousands every year. Just 20km from Uluru, Ayers Rock Campground is located within the Ayers Rock Resort and is the only campground in the area. The resort is operated by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia and includes the luxurious Sails in the Desert (luxury accommodation), Desert Gardens Hotel (lush gardens and the resort’s only Rock View rooms), Emu Walk Apartments…

PRIME EDGE CARAVANS FEATURE Founded by brothers Vlad and Nick, Prime Edge Caravans is truly a labour of love. Proudly Australian owned and made, the sturdy aluminium-framed caravans from Prime Edge really do bring the edge to offroad adventures. The brothers’ philosophy centres on premium quality caravans at competitive prices as well as the ability to give customers the opportunity to customise the vans, creating a positive experience for all parties and ensuring the customer’s exact needs have been met. The team at Prime Edge are all about helping families and couples who want to travel Australia in comfort and style, whether that’s on the bitumen or far off the beaten track in places like the Great Sandy Desert. A BIT OF BACKGROUND Both brothers have worked in the caravan…

RECIPES ON THE ROAD COOKING ZUCCHINI KASUNDI TOTAL TIME: 1 hour 20 minutes MAKES: 750g INGREDIENTS • 125g fresh ginger, peeled and chopped • 65g garlic cloves, peeled and chopped • 60g green chillies, finely chopped • 25ml malt vinegar • 125ml sunflower oil • 45g black mustard seeds • 15g turmeric powder • 45g cumin seed powder • 30g dried chilli flakes • 225ml malt vinegar • 125g brown sugar • 35g salt • 700g zucchini, peeled and grated • 300g eggplant, peeled and grated METHOD Mince the ginger, garlic and green chillies with the 25ml of malt vinegar in a blender. Heat the sunflower oil into a medium-large pot until it is very hot and then add the mustard seeds, turmeric, cumin and chilli flakes and stir for a…

GETAWAY GEAR REGULARS MSA DELUXE COFFEE KIT In keeping with the design of the MSA 4×4 Explorer Storage Bags, the company has also released a couple of handy cooking accessories. They are designed to fit neatly into the MSA 4×4 Explorer Storage Drawer System and bring style and practicality to your camping experience. The first is the MSA Deluxe Coffee Kit, which arrives in the same super-strong Hypalon exterior and waterproof PVC lining as the storage bags. The heavy-duty zip opens to a dedicated space for the kit to be cut into durable highdensity foam. The set comes in black or cream and has all the gear for a successful brew wherever you are. We reviewed the black version, which looks impressive with modern styling and on-theme MSA logos. The…

Jayco is renowned for its commitment to quality, innovation and satisfaction, and at the recent 2024 Victorian Caravan & Camping Supershow (21–25 February 2024) held at the Melbourne Showgrounds the Aussie icon had its latest range of caravans, camper trailers, motorhomes and more on display for locals and visitors from far and wide to admire. Most notably, Jayco showcased exciting additions to its range — including the all-new Starcraft Pop Top and a new 17ft floorplan for the Starcraft caravan — which were some of the best-value products at the show. Also unveiled were the new-look Outback camper trailers, a 16ft tandem axle All-Terrain caravan and an eagerly awaited addition to the CrossTrak range. Jayco National Sales Manager, Scott Jones, said the Jayco team had worked diligently and undertaken extensive…

REGULARS NEWS New Age Caravans has launched the Expedition variant in the MY24 Road Owl and Manta Ray ranges. The Expedition range is designed for offroad durability — meticulously crafted to offer increased strength and ground clearance for extended trips away from the bitumen. While the MY24 Road Owl and Manta Ray Adventurer range already includes a huge list of offroad and off-grid features, such as the XT suspension, two 100A AGM batteries, a 200W solar panel, and a recessed cooktop, the Expedition range takes it to a new level. The Expedition upgrades include an updated, increased warranty for offroad use, underbody protection and stoneguard, filament sprayed wheel arches, an upgrade to lithium batteries as well as an additional 200W solar panel, bolted furniture, a new enhanced one-piece honeycomb floor…

1 KNOW YOUR CAPABILITY Before hitting the road, make sure you are ready for the challenge. Towing a caravan poses unique challenges and requires different skills than driving a standalone vehicle. Caravans have a considerable impact on the handling and braking capabilities of the towing vehicle. If you have yet to tow, it’s wise to seek training or advice from an experienced driver. Practice on a safe backroad to feel how the van and vehicle combination move when cornering and braking. Confidence comes with practice and makes better, safer towing. 2 DON'T RUSH Don’t be cajoled into doing something you aren’t confident in doing. Sure, it’s best to go with the traffic flow out on the highway, but only if you feel safe. Stay in your lane, keep speed constant and signal…

SEND PICS TO WIN “This picture was taken at the small town of Pingrup enroute from Albany to Wave Rock in Hyden, WA.” “The outhouse is functional, spiders included. Camping in our 2020 Supreme Classic Tourer.” “We drive a Prado GXL 2020 model towing our Ian Grant’s Caravans Essential 19.6ft Touring Cruiser. We are travelling around Australia and are into our third year.” “Chasing the rainbow. Nullarbor rest stop, on our way back from Western Australia to Hervey Bay in Queensland with our reliable Pajero Sport and New Age caravan.” “We drove around Pildappa Rock in SA then climbed the rock, walked around the rock and camped next to the rock. An amazing experience which we highly recommend. Keep travelling.” WINNER WINNER! WINNER…

BUSHMASTER ULTIMATE OUTBACK 20FT 10IN REVIEWS IN BRIEF → The Ultimate Outback 20ft 10in is well engineered for rough road travel and will suit a couple looking for comfort and room to move → Designed for extended off-grid camping with an excellent electronics package and a 335L fresh and drinking water capacity “They reckon on more than 90 per cent of vans going through the five-year warranty period without any issues” MEASURING UP PROS → Engineered to last → Lots of standard features and great value → Extended off-grid capability CONS → Not everyone likes a door near the bed, but a rear entry is an option Two quotes on the Bushmaster Offroad Caravans website say a lot about the vans. First, if your thing is an all-electric Hollywood caravan…

MURRAY RIVER PADDLESTEAMERS SPONSORED FEATURE Paddlesteamers hold a treasured place in Australia’s history, and this is clearly visible throughout the many towns established along the iconic Murray River. Running along the border of New South Wales and Victoria and extending down into South Australia, the mighty Murray is 2509km long, making it the longest river in Australia and the third-longest navigable river in the world. And while many other rivers in Australia have said farewell to the graceful paddlesteamers, the Murray holds strong to its heritage, and one of the best ways to experience this region and beautiful river is on board a paddlesteamer cruise. Before trains, trucks, cars and caravans took over the role of transporting us and all the essential goods we need into regional Australia, paddlesteamers had…

A GUIDE TO RV TOILETS FEATURE There are many benefits to having your own loo on board. It prevents a traipse (or dash) across a caravan park in the middle of the night to use the public facilities. It can take the hassle out of finding a public toilet on the road if you are in a hurry. But the downside to having a loo on board is that you have a loo on board and that means you need to deal with disposing of the contents. It isn’t completely gross, but it isn’t exactly the most fun job either. We will arm you with some information to minimise the ‘not fun’ aspect and share some of my anecdotes of what not to do! Broadly speaking, there are two toilet…

MARY RIVER NATIONAL PARK, NT TRAVEL “Throughout the low-lying floodplains a maze of wetlands, billabongs and swamps support diverse species of plants, fish and aquatic invertebrates” The Mary River National Park is not a unified conservation area but a patchwork of 14 separate parcels scattered across the coastal lowlands between Darwin and the western boundary of Kakadu National Park. Collectively, these 14 parcels encompass 112,000ha of the Mary River catchment, one of several large rivers that flow through these floodplains into the Van Diemen Gulf. The Mary rises near Pine Creek and flows 225km through a catchment spanning 8000sq km drained by 10 tributaries. The river only flows in the wet season, when it inundates one of the most extensive freshwater swamplands in Australia. During the dry season it shrinks…

TITANIUM HARDCORE AT X 18’6 REVIEWS IN BRIEF → 5.69m (18ft 8in) couples van → Designed for offroad use → Cruisemaster ATX airbag suspension → Front bed/rear bathroom layout → 2841kg tare mass Coffs Harbour, on the mid-north coast of NSW, is a great place to visit. Famed for many years as the home of the Big Banana, there are plenty of other attractions, including some fine beaches and caravan parks. It’s also the home of Caravans Coffs Coast, which Andrew and Sarah Altschwager run. Among other things, the dealership stocks a fine range of Titanium Caravans models. One in particular is the Hardcore ATX 18’6 model. It’s one of the latest in the Titanium range and a van designed for some serious rough road travel. Although having an external…

SALUTE GARRISON UNLIMITED REVIEWS IN BRIEF → 5.96m (19ft 6in) couples van with high-end airbag suspension → 3500kg ATM with 898kg payload and a light front end → A disciplined approach to building a premium van I spent a sunny day with Fabio Bazzacco and Joe Capodicasa, co-owners of Salute Caravans, to learn more about their company and products. In a nutshell, Salute is a family-owned boutique builder. It has a small, long-serving team of people that builds around 100 units a year. This enables it to have a hands-on approach and maintain disciplines of high-quality control. It sells directly through its company-owned dealership Melbourne City Caravans to maintain a close relationship with its end customers and offers a competitive price. Salute focuses on twin-axle, full offroad vans. In old-school…

Having a reliable and high-quality fridge should be a key consideration for anybody planning serious touring, or simply to add convenience for shorter getaways closer to home. No matter what the requirements, National Luna will likely have a fridge to suit with its Legacy range. Part of the Brown and Watson International (BWI) stable, which also includes reputable brands such as Narva, Projecta, KT Cables, KT Solar and BOAB, National Luna fridges have been manufactured in South Africa for more than 30 years. They were originally designed and developed to meet the rigorous needs of the World Health Organisation for carrying vaccines, due to their low amp draw and ability to keep to very low temperatures in extremely hot, tough environments. INDIVIDUALLY TESTED Key benefits of the National Luna Legacy…

NEWS REGULARS Cub Campers has launched its new nimble luxury hybrid pop-top caravan, the H14, in response to market demand, new technology, product availability and extensive customer research. Continuing Cub’s reputation for Australian made quality earned from more than 55 years of manufacturing experience, the H14 shares much in common with the recently launched H16, including impressive design with a renewed focus on comfort while travelling on-road and offroad around Australia, but with an even smaller footprint. The H14 is built for adventurers looking for the well-established quality of Cub’s luxury hybrid caravan range, in a compact and nimble body, and reinforces Cub’s historic offroad, off-grid facilities to enable owners to explore the farthest reaches of the Australian landscape. It’s the perfect caravan for couples to travel around Australia in…

The Tyrepower V8 SuperUte Series has announced Yuasa Batteries as its Official Battery Partner for 2024. Yuasa Batteries is an iconic global brand spanning more than 100 years and is Australia’s oldest and most recognised battery manufacturer. Based in Brisbane, the company is the leading supplier of car and passenger vehicles, light commercial, marine, deep cycle, heavy commercial and standby batteries, offering a world-class range of products. “We are proud to now be serving as the Official Battery Partner of the Tyrepower V8 SuperUte Series, particularly with the opportunity to start the partnership with a bang at the Thrifty Bathurst 500,” said Andrew Bottoms, Century Yuasa Batteries, Marketing Manager — Australia and New Zealand. “As a performance and technology leader we aim to deliver trusted performance every time for our…

SCAN TO PLAY VIDEO We first discovered this new power system on the Legend Caravans models we recently took for a review around Lake Eildon in southern Victoria (check out issues 642 and 643 for the van reviews). EcoFlow is a Chinese electronics company that provides innovative power systems for RVs, tiny homes and even houses. And, as we discovered, we’re starting to see them in caravans, and I have to say they are super impressive. The company has been around since 2017 and, while it is relatively new to Australia, it counts two and a half million users across 100 countries, so it is making a big impact. The kits come with 2kWh or 5kWh 48V batteries, and a mix of inverter/chargers and control modules. Part of the system’s…

IN BRIEF → A great value little 18ft pop-top that has all the essentials for outback travel → A very sensible towing weight of 2.5T → A practical layout and decent appliances “The Jayco Journey Pop Top Outback is far from unobtanium, with a price tag of $66,203” As caravan journalists, we have the opportunity to review all kinds of beauties. There is probably a bit of a bias towards covering the biggest, fanciest, cutting-edge vans available on the market. It’s partly driven by manufacturers supplying the media with the most upmarket vans they have because that’s what their marketers get excited about. And it’s partly driven by our curiosity to see what the latest and greatest offerings are so we can keep abreast of advancements in the industry. While…

WITI ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM: PART TWO FEATURE “A quick test showed the blinkers, park and brake lights all worked without the normal wired connection” Last issue we showed how I successfully fitted the WiTi anti-theft alarms to my Trakmaster caravan and this month we continue with some valuable upgrades. The WiTi’s electronic brain is capable of much more than simply guarding your assets because it’s gyroscope with accelerometer feature and can also inform other applications through wi-fi. REMOTE CONTROL LIGHTS The Wireless Towing Interface replaces the cables and plugs connecting a tow vehicle and the van with a wireless connection for point-to-point communication between the tow vehicle and van. All the lighting and braking signals transmit over the ether and don’t require an internet link. The Towing Interface includes a Communication…

ELECTREKKING AUSTRALIA FEATURE Our daughter turned 10 this year. A decade gone in the blink of an eye. A reminder that quality time all together is fleeting and enough to encourage us to take the opportunity for a family adventure when it came our way. When Tim was the same age, his family travelled Australia in a Toyota LandCruiser Troop Carrier towing a Baravan. It was one of the most memorable experiences of his childhood, and he still shares the stories of that expedition. Being able to explore the country and connect with nature, his parents and sister had a permanent impact. It was precious time that helped to shape his lifelong love of adventure and develop his appreciation for nature. The marvel that is long service leave offered us…

Our exploration of this area included visits to wonderful towns bustling with country charm, a lot of pubs named the Royal and day trips to the stunning Coolah Tops National Park. With its history of mining, fertile agricultural land and heritage buildings, the Upper Hunter is a delight at every turn. Venturing along the Golden Highway through Jerrys Plains, the mighty Hunter River is mostly within coo-ee. You pass through stunning agricultural lands and some of Australia’s most impressive horse studs are along the way including Coolmore and Godolphin. Hollydene Estate Wines is worth a visit particularly if you need to stock up on some famous Hunter Valley vino. DENMAN Denman town is a lovely stopover and around 250km from Sydney. The Denman Van Village is a lovely park off…

NSW Australian Celtic Festival 2–5 May 2024 This four-day annual event in the Glen Innes highlands celebrates the New England High Country’s rich ties to the Celtic nations, and 2024 will focus on Ireland and the Isle of Man. Enjoy performers, dancers, pipe bands, a street parade, re-enactments and much more. Head online for more information: australiancelticfestival.com.au The Big Chill Festival 18–19 May 2024 Held at the Armidale Sportsground, visitors can enjoy craft beer, boutique gin, local wine, street food, firepits, market stalls and live music during this two-day event. Tickets can be purchased online: bigchill.com.au Vivid Sydney 24 May–15 June 2024 Now in its 14th year, Vivid Sydney features fantastic art displays, 3D light projections, fantastic food, thought-provoking debates and much more. Entry is free and a full program…

We have been travelling with the MSA Double Storage Drawer System in the back of my 200 Series LandCruiser for the past 10 months, and it has proven to be durable and easy to use. I like the way they are built and the stay-open mechanism that allows packing safely on uneven ground. But because they pack in so much stuff, it’s sometimes hard to remember where smaller things are stored. MSA has come to the rescue with these new Explorer Storage Bags. Crafted from durable satin black Hypalon outer skins, they come in three convenient sizes and are designed to fit snugly in the MSA 4×4 storage drawers. Hypalon, the same bulletproof material used in highquality inflatable boats, ensures these bags can withstand rough treatment and last for ages.…

Insect infestation in caravans is common. Ants, in particular, seem to find their way inside and its sometimes difficult to get rid of them. Spiders build webs under the van and around the rearview mirrors on my car. Australian company Autonomy has developed a commercial grade spray-on barrier treatment designed to rid your car and van of insects for up to three months: RoadBlock. They say a can should last a year for most users. It’s suitable for spraying on all automotive surfaces and is easy to apply with a 360-degree nozzle and straw applicator for hard-to-reach spider and ant preferred habitat and onboarding points. Properly applied, the spray should minimise the chance of huntsman spiders that are often cause for alarm when they suddenly appear when you start driving.…