Table of contents for Issue 648 in Caravan World

Like a lot of caravan nomads, we're on the road for the annual migration to warmer destinations with the van in tow. As we progress up the NSW north coast the temperature is improving although it's not quite swimming friendly yet. It's great to be back on the road and exploring new camps and revisiting some of our favourites. So, with such a large number of us touring, it's timely that a couple of sobering reminders about safety have filtered through to my news feeds. Sadly, we hear that the national road toll has risen 11 per cent to the highest number in 11 years, breaking a downward trend and worrying authorities that driver conduct has regressed with some aggressive attitudes and reckless behaviour. Maybe it's a sign of a…

New solar-powered high-tech speed cameras at roadworks sites around Queensland haven't issued a single fine since they were rolled out 18 months ago. Also designed to nab those speeding through school zones, the cameras were officially launched at the state's road safety week in 2022. Data released by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) to ABC Radio Brisbane shows the same cameras in school zones issued more than 10,000 fines since becoming operational in August 2022. But those same cameras set up in roadworks sites have only been capturing ‘vehicle speed data’ until now. A TMR spokesperson said that during operational trials and further industry engagement, industry requested a solution able to be deployed at shorter term roadworks. An alternative camera type was subsequently sourced and is now…

SEND PICS TO WIN “We love the ease of towing with our Nissan Dualis without needing to update to a larger vehicle. This camp was at Baerami, NSW.” “Seeing how you have a great article on the Gary Junction Road (March edition of Caravan World) I thought I'd send a photo of our Mountain Trail EDX camper trailer and Izuzu D-MAX ute. This was taken at the junction of the Gary Junction Road and Gary Highway on a trip my wife Sharon and I did across the desert country from east to west in 2022.” “We have a Jayco Journey 2016 poptop towing with the 2017 Nissan Navara. There was a terrific self-serve market stall across the road.” “The whole place is alive with the falling leaves and rainbow trees…

SCAN TO PLAY VIDEO CATHERINE BEST AUTHOR OF ‘ULTIMATE CARAVAN TRIPS: AUSTRALIA’ VALUE FOR MONEY It's remarkable what the team at Prime Campers has squeezed into a 16ft couples floor plan. The PT-X16 is one of the smallest caravans in this year's Caravan of the Year competition and the least expensive, with a price tag of $74,599 that secured Prime Campers the Best Value for Money and Best Caravan Under $100k awards. It's reasonable to expect some significant concessions in features and comfort from a timberless offroad caravan that's more than $10,000 cheaper than its nearest competitor. Yet, the PT-X16 wants for little. Within its compact footprint are a favoured north–south island bed, internal kitchen and separate toilet/shower ensuite with attractive finishes and ample storage throughout. In fact, the PT-X16 has…

SCAN TO PLAY VIDEO JOHN FORD CARAVAN WORLD EDITOR VALUE FOR MONEY In the years since the brand was introduced in 2015, Snowy River Caravans has garnered a loyal following and not just because of its keen price. Customers recognise the robust build quality of a composite body with aluminium strengthening for components like windows and doors. In the absence of an offroad version, many owners have dragged their supposedly on-road Snowy River vans into many places a touring van shouldn't venture without mishap, so the overall construction has proven to be sound. Customers have been asking for a more rugged offroad version, and Snowy River has finally delivered with this SRT-19, featuring a revised chassis and new independent trailing arm suspension. The new multi-terrain SRT-19 doesn't oversell itself on branding,…

TIWI ISL ANDS, NT TRAVEL “The Tiwi By Design tour provides a glimpse into the Tiwi ethos by visiting Bathurst Island, one of 11 islands that make up the faraway archipelago” I couldn't have picked a better day to be island-bound. The sun was out, the ocean calm … and conditions were ideal to avoid reaching across for a sea sickness bag. I was at Darwin's Cullen Bay Ferry Terminal, about to bid adios to the mainland, urban living and the way of life I had become accustomed to. I was about to visit a region few visit – the Tiwi Islands, 80km north of Darwin in the Timor Sea. It's as Top End as you can get. These islands in the Arafura Sea are Aboriginal land, with all visitors…

HOLIDAY HAVEN TOURIST PARKS SPONSORED FEATURE You may have heard of Holiday Haven before, with 12 incredible holiday park locations down the stunning Shoalhaven Coast in New South Wales. But did you know that all of the 12 parks are within walking distance of the ocean, lake or river? With such a bounty of beautiful locations to choose from, and several that have received esteemed awards (more on this later), it's hard to pick just one to do a deep dive on. But we want to show you the choice on offer so you can decide which park and its amenities is best suited for you and your family. DIME A DOZEN Spanning the Shoalhaven region on NSW's south coast, Holiday Haven is made up of 12 unique parks – each…

REGULARS FESTIVALS AND EVENTS NSW Moama Lights 5–28 July 2024 Set against the backdrop of Moama's Horseshoe Lagoon, the Murray River Council's award-winning Moama Lights is a sound and light trail, sharing stories from across the region through state-of-the-art installations, projections and cutting-edge moving light technology. The American beer garden is set to make a triumphant return, and there'll also be food trucks and kids entertainment. Purchase tickets here: 123tix.com.au/events/profile/1756 Bathurst Winter Festival 6–21 July 2024 Held over 16 days, the whole family will love this magical light-filled winter festival. The Winter Playground is the heart of the action, with its ice-rink, giant Ferris wheel, two storey carousel and food and wine stalls. But there'll also be carnival rides, boutique food events, live music from sundown until 10pm and much…

Located in the far north-eastern wheatbelt of Western Australia, Beringbooding Rock is one of the many granite outcrops found throughout the region. Beringbooding is dominated by a 10.25 million litre water tank built during 1937–1938 for the farming community. It is the largest rock water catchment tank in Australia. Built by sustenance labour, the scheme provided employment during the Great Depression for approximately 100 men at a cost of 10,000 pounds. One week's work was given for each child in the family – for example four children equalled four weeks work. Those doing sustenance work had an extra 20 shillings per week added to their government paid sustenance payment, which was seven shillings a day for up to five children with a maximum of 49 shillings a week. The workers…

SCAN TO PLAY VIDEO Here at Caravan World we've been using GME products for a couple of decades, from the earliest handhelds to the latest in-cab UHFs, and one thing has always stood out – GME quality. The latest gear to land on our events equipment shelves were two sets of, ah, TX6160YTPs. For those that cannot read code, they are part of the TX6160 family of 5/1W handhelds but resplendent in yellow. What stands out to us is what is obvious to you: the colour. I kid you not, we were losing a black radio every few months before we got these. The colour stands out on the ground, in the centre console of the car or when left on the front locker of a caravan, not that we've…

Cub Campers has launched the F14, a revolutionary new fusion of caravan and camper trailer. Featuring an aerodynamic, low-profile design, the F14 is the perfect model for those looking for an affordable hybrid that fits under a typical garage or carport. The darker colour scheme helps the F14 stand out from the crowd and separates it from the rest of the Cub hybrid lineup. The F14 has the lowest profile of any Cub hybrid to date with a travelling height of 2.06m. Fitted with an electric pop top roof, the F14 can extend up to 2.035m internally. The F14 boasts a spacious interior perfect for lounging around in when you’re not out adventuring. The internal kitchenette has 50 per cent more storage and bench space than other Cub hybrids. It…

The Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash has sold out with a record 14,000 patrons set to rock the plains at the iconic outback music festival in August this year. “We only staged our first Mundi Mundi Bash event in 2022, so we're both thrilled and relieved to reach this milestone of staging the biggest ever Bash event in such a short period of time,” said festival owner and managing director of the Outback Music Festival Group, Greg Donovan. “We still have some tickets to sell for the Big Red Bash (Birdville 2–4 July) and we're hoping to see another bump in sales now it's the only remaining chance to have a bucket list experience at a Bash event.” Last year 12,250 festivalgoers hit the Mundi Mundi plains, while 11,000 stood…

We would love to hear from you. There's a great prize every month for the best letter so get typing and tell us what you think, where you've been, or ask any questions you have about the caravanning lifestyle. Email us at submissions@emprisegroup.com.au for the chance to win. LETTER OF THE MONTH Hi John, My wife and I have just been through the process of having our Ford Everest 2018 and Victory 2022 17ft 6in single-axle van weighed by Check Weight in Sydney. It was a very thorough and interesting 3.5-hour session – there was so much information to take on board. The only weight we got close to the limit was the towball mass/towball weight (TBM/TBW). We have a limit of 300kg and it was measured at 290kg! A…

SCAN TO PLAY VIDEO JOHN FORD CARAVAN WORLD EDITOR BUILD QUALITY Great Aussie Caravans added to its versatile building methods when it brought the Xplora 206 to COTY, showcasing its FIBRETECH timber-free composite construction that complements Great Aussie's timber and aluminium framed versions. The walls are formed from CNC cut sheets of a recycled polyester material that's fire retardant and lightweight. An aluminium frame then goes over the roof and the exterior is clad in single sheets of fibreglass. An exterior moulding then covers the edge joins for an enduring seal of the van so that it is weatherproof. The interior furniture is also made from interlocking polyester panels and while there were some issues of fit and finish around the cupboards, the overall impact is very impressive, especially with the…

SCAN TO PLAY VIDEO BUILD QUALITY “The XTR 1906 sits on the toughest undercarriage money can buy” CATHERINE BEST AUTHOR OF ‘ULTIMATE CARAVAN TRIPS: AUSTRALIA’ BUILD QUALITY There's a stigma around timber-framed caravans, but not when the Wonderland XTR 1906 is assembled with the engineering wizardry of a sculpture artist. Made from 19mm construction-grade ply, the frame is CNC cut and interlocks together like a jigsaw puzzle. So too do the other core elements, including the cabinetry, providing enhanced rigidity and structural integrity on Australia's gnarly backroads. The XTR 1906 sits on the toughest undercarriage money can buy – a 12in hot-dipped, galvanised truss chassis with disc brakes and Cruisemaster ATX Level 3 Airbag Wireless suspension with a rating of 4.5T. If this beast comes undone on the corrugations, Tim van…

TRAVELLING WITH PETS FEATURE “Pet owners should start by ensuring their dog is microchipped and ID tagged, and that their council registration and contact details are up to date” A few years ago, we pulled into a dusty campground on Western Australia's Dampier Peninsula and our kids bounded off to befriend the occupants of the first bunkbed caravan they spotted. They drifted back sometime later with a pair of new-found besties, trailed by two large dogs. The family was doing a Big Lap of Australia and, I was surprised to learn, had brought their pets with them. I was even more surprised to discover the girls slept in a swag outside while the dogs had pride of place on the bunks inside. My thoughts turned to our forsaken fur baby,…

PET FRIENDLY DESTINATIONS TRAVEL “Dogs are so welcome they get special treats, doggy baths, their own offleash areas and can go anywhere except camp kitchens and pools” Taking your four-legged friends on the road is a big consideration. Leave them behind and break your heart or take them along and limit the places you can visit. National parks, for example, are usually out of bounds, along with many attractions – unless you can find a dog sitter or neighbour who you trust with your best friend. Where can you stay with dogs? Everywhere from free camps and showgrounds to some holiday parks is the easy answer. Though there's a huge difference in what parks consider ‘dog friendly’. For some, it means they just tolerate dogs – kept on a leash…

HOT BREKKY BEANS TOTAL TIME: 15 minutes SERVES: 4 INGREDIENTS • 1 large onion, finely chopped • 2 cans baked beans • 1 tsp turmeric • 1 tsp garam masala • 1 tsp mild curry powder • 1 tsp sweet paprika • Salt and pepper, to taste METHOD Fry chopped onion in oil on a skillet or campfire oven, until soft and translucent. Add the rest of the ingredients until heated through. Serve with eggs and sourdough. SPICY BUFFALO WINGS TOTAL TIME: 1 hour SERVES: 4 INGREDIENTS • ¾ cup flour • ½ tsp paprika • ½ tsp cayenne pepper • ½ tsp salt • 20 chicken wings • Oil, for frying • ½ cup melted butter • ½ cup hot sauce • Cracked pepper • ½ tsp garlic powder METHOD…

One of the most fundamental functions of caravan living is access to clean drinking water and dealing with the ‘dirty’ water you create as a result of washing dishes, showering and so on. Core components of these plumbing functions are the freshwater tanks, greywater tanks and the water filter. Freshwater tanks must always be held to the highest hygiene standards to keep the water safe for drinking. Part of this process is cleaning the tank periodically with a suitable cleaning solution, flushing the cleaning solution and then adding new fresh water. Greywater tanks require a similar cleaning process with some slight variations. Inline filters used in the freshwater system need to be replaced regularly to maintain high water quality. In this article, The RV Repair Centre steps us through these…

As seasoned nomads, we all have our favourite camping spots. We may love them because of the view, the tranquillity, the familyfriendly facilities or the fact that they are right by the beach or in the middle of nowhere. But how good is it to discover new places to park the van? I'm all ears when I hear someone talk about “the best” place they have ever stayed … whether that's camping or glamping or in huts or cabins. And even though we wouldn't give up those campfire chats where all is revealed among caravanners, now we don't have to wait for the get-togethers to hear about these gems. Lonely Planet has come up with 200 amazing places to set up camp in a new book called Under the Stars…

Always wanted to tour outback Queensland in your van or RV? Would you prefer the company of experienced guides and fellow travellers? Xpedition Tagalong Tours is about to head off on its 19-day winter Outback to Gulf Tagalong Tour which sets off from Tambo, Queensland on 18 July. Suitable for caravans, camper trailers, campervans and motorhomes, this tour will take you through the centre of Queensland, as far west as Boulia and north to Karumba, stopping at amazing outback towns along the way to the final destination at Pinnarendi Station, Forty Mile, in North Queensland. Sites include the Lara Wetlands, Lake Dunn, Aramac Sculpture Trail, Winton/Sunset and Bladensburg National Parks, Boulia and Min Min Lights, Karumba Crocodile Cruise, Cobbold Gorge Tour and Tallaroo Hot Springs. Andrew and Renee started Xpedition…

SCAN TO PLAY VIDEO JOHN FORD CARAVAN WORLD EDITOR VALUE FOR MONEY Evernew Caravans’ 60-year history makes it one of our longest running brands and there are many Evernew vans in the hands of third generation owners. The durability of the traditional build reinforces the value of a properly built timber frame which continues today. You might say the Evernew stands as peak quality of the traditional method. Everything about the van at our Caravan of the Year 2024 event demanded attention – from the conservative glossy exterior to the impressive finish inside. All fittings are quality items, and every component has been meticulously installed. Even 18 months ago, a price tag of $160,000 for a mid-size van would have seemed extreme, but such is the market's ever-increasing costs for parts…

SCAN TO PLAY VIDEO CATHERINE BEST AUTHOR OF ‘ULTIMATE CARAVAN TRIPS: AUSTRALIA’ VALUE FOR MONEY A luxury mid-size couples caravan, the Trailblazer 19.6 by Majestic Caravans is an attractive offroader with all the bells and whistles. There's no shying away from the fact it's an expensive caravan, especially for its size at a touch under 20ft. You won't get much change from $172,000, but what you will get is an Australian-built caravan with an underbody that's top of the league. From the 12in truss chassis and Cruisemaster ATX Level 3 airbag suspension, to the one-piece composite fibreglass roof and Cruisemaster DO35 hitch – this is a showpiece van that will get you to Cape York or along the Gibb River Road without breaking a sweat. Also reflected in the price are…

LOCKYER VALLEY, QLD SPONSORED FEATURE If you love exploring beautiful landscapes around Australia, then Queensland's stunning Lockyer Valley is for you. Known as the ‘Salad Bowl of Australia’ this region is home to vast farmlands, rolling hills and rugged mountain ranges, all of which create a stunning backdrop to any adventure. And located a convenient drive from Brisbane and its neighbouring beach hotspots, the Lockyer Valley is ideal for weekend getaways and extended touring holidays with your van in tow. THE BEST TIME TO VISIT The Lockyer Valley has something unique to offer travellers, no matter the season. Winter visits bring with it the joy of rugging up and sitting by a cosy campfire under starlit skies, while summer stays are ideal for days spent cooling off in the region's…

KARRATHA, WA TRAVEL The red landscape of the Pilbara paints a region awash with the vast wealth of iron ore mining that established the area as a significant driver of our economy. You can't miss the giant infrastructure and non-stop activity in towns with a mix of modern industry and history. But look deeper and you'll find strong living connections to an ancient past, sometimes at odds with industrial progress. Karratha is a fast-growing city on the shores of Nickol Bay, about 1500km north of Perth on the North West Coastal Highway. It's a popular destination for anyone doing a Big Lap or exploring the Western Australia coast. With a population of more than 20,000, it's a busy shopping and service centre and has one of the biggest best stocked…

SALVATOR ROSA, QLD TRAVEL “A sense of isolation appeals to adventurers seeking to avoid the better known, and busier, Carnarvon Gorge” Salvator Rosa is one of seven sections of Queensland's famed Carnarvon National Park, tucked away in a remote corner of the semi-arid Central Highlands. This small enclave lies nestled against the northern edge of a towering sandstone escarpment, part of the Carnarvon Range, surrounded on its other boundaries by agricultural and pastoral lands spanning three sparsely populated shires. When Thomas Mitchell explored the region in July 1846 and beheld the ranges that resembled “gothic cathedrals in ruins” rising sharply from woodlands and streams, he declared “I never saw anything in nature come so near these creations of genius and imagination.” So moved was he by this “discovery worthy of…

ALL ELECTRIC BIG LAP COLUMNS Heading inland away from the seaside towns, charging options become fewer and further apart. Station Stays along the way provide opportunities for a slow top up of the car's battery during our visits. Bullara Station was our first introduction to the outback station experience and set a high bar for all those to follow. The whole family enjoyed the roaming station horses, sheep and calves we encountered around our campsite and exploring the 110,000-hectare property, but the definite highlights were the lava tree openair showers, the sumptuous long table dinner in the old woolshed and the brilliance of the Milky Way in the clear Pilbara night sky. Trickle charging at a powered campsite during our two-night visit was more than enough to supply us with…

We know that the Cruisemaster DO35 is one of the most durable and reliable caravan hitches available. These hitches have been around for nearly a quarter of a century and were so well designed that little has changed in their mechanism since day one. That said, the hitch on our 2012 Trakmaster is probably the original fitting and while it has worked effectively in our two years of ownership, the locking slide is slow to deploy and the reassuring loud clang when it locks into place is now silent. Years of faithful service over miles of red dust have earned the unit a refurbishment and happily Cruisemaster offers a locking repair kit to bring it back to new. Replacing the locking mechanism is quick and relatively simple although some of…

A good barbecue and caravanning go hand in hand, so when Jealous Devil offered to send me a kit of its latest products, I was keen to see what the fuss was about. Jealous Devil's range of firelighters, wood blocks and charcoal is imported from the USA, where barbecuing is embraced with religious fervour if any of their cooking shows are an indication. While not a charcoal cooking master by any stretch, I enjoy food on a fire and like the natural flavours from this cooking style on a small portable unit with a grid that we carry in the van. My first effort with the Jealous Devil was a limited success. I was using the Whiskey Barrel Smoke Wood Blocks, and the smoky flavour imparted to the T-bone saved…

We got to check out REDARC Electronics’ new Manager Alpha chargers and the Smart Battery Monitor at COTY 2024, but this Aussie company isn't resting on its laurels and has recently launched its all-new Integrated Power System. This all-encompassing system brings together REDARC's trusted power devices into a single, compact, all-in-one solution delivering reliable canopy power. Featuring the advanced 2000W RS3 inverter, the system can power a wide range of equipment, from induction cooktops to power tools, with ease. Additionally, the inclusion of the Manager30 and the Revision display delivers efficient battery management and monitoring. Designed with simplicity in mind, the system arrives fully assembled, pre-wired, and mounted on a robust, powder-coated metal frame. Installation is as easy as it gets – just mount it, connect your batteries and you're…