Table of contents for Issue 651 in Caravan World

We are travelling down the coast of Western Australia in our van, and there are loads of fellow caravanners on the road. After being locked out of the Gibb River Road last year due to flooding, we decided to have another try, and so far, so good. When we crossed the Pentecost River, there was only about 300mm of flow, but the road to Ellenbrae Station was very chopped up, and the corrugations and rocks were pretty savage. What was interesting was the wild variation of advice on the Gibb River Road Facebook page on road conditions and how best to travel. One poster claimed to have seen 50 tyre carcasses on the first 100km the day before we were planning to travel. That had me worrying about the state…

Jayco is back on the hunt for Australia’s best caravan and camping destinations, as voted by the general public. The 2024 competition will showcase the top parks across a number of categories, including family-friendly, budget, pet-friendly and couples’ getaways. The public votes will help highlight these locations and support local tourism and support small businesses nationwide. By joining the competition and casting your votes you will have the chance to win some great prizes from the competition partners: Let’s Go Motorhomes, Dometic, Ampol and RV Parts Express. And the park which receives the most votes will be awarded with a $10,000 prize from Jayco and Gervale Homes to be put towards park improvements. “After the success of Jayco’s Greatest Escapes debut in 2023, Greatest Escapes is back for 2024,” said…

SEND PICS TO WIN “This is our 2015 Option RV Traction pulled by our 2017 LandCruiser 200 Series VX at sunset in late July.” “We spent the night backed up to the ocean at Clairview Beach in Queensland.” “Checking out some silo art in Farrell Flat near Clare, SA. Enjoying a three-month half lap from Perth, WA.” “We enjoyed a double rainbow at Dongara Tourist Park in Port Denison, WA, before it turned into a wet day.” “Watching the rain arrive at Betoota Hotel while on our way to the Birdsville Big Red Bash. Along with many other travellers, we were delayed for an extra night waiting for the Birdsville Development Road to reopen. It’s a pretty good place to be delayed!”…

PINE CREEK, NT TRAVEL “There’s an outback authenticity that’s hard to define and a genuine community vibe to keep things real” A journey to Darwin by road inevitably means the long trek up the Stuart Highway. You could come in from the Savannah Way from the east near Mataranka or along the Victoria Highway from Kununurra, WA, but there’s still that last 317km section from Katherine for most. Roadside rest stops offer overnight campsites, but most are near the highway with the thunder of road trains and the honk of yahoos whose fun is your insomnia. Many travellers will choose the midway points at Daly Waters or Adelaide River, so it’s easy to overlook Pine Creek. If you want to complete a thorough bucket list of Big Lap destinations, I…

Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin, also known as the Cape to Cape or Capes region, is so bounteous with natural attractions it must have been at the front of the line when mother nature was granting favours. There’s bedazzling beaches, world-class waves and fairytale forests. Throw in breweries, vineyards and all manner of restaurants sourcing local produce and you’ll be hard pressed to find anywhere better to explore. With a myriad of caravan parks and camping spots from which to choose, what’s not to love? CONFESSIONS OF A CAMPER I have a confession to make. I’ve called the tiny south-western tip jutting out at the bottom of Western Australia my home for near on 30 years. Yet while we regularly hit the road to camp in our vast state, it’s…

WILDTRACK OFFROAD 16FT HYBRID X REVIEWS “It’s a relatively small van designed to be highly manoeuvrable on dirt tracks and in similar offroad situations” Explorer RV is a north Brisbane dealer that specialises in offroad caravans. It is owned by Tony Scott and Mark Teitzel, two keen caravanners who enjoy the outdoor lifestyle with their families. When I first met them, they enthusiastically talked about a trip to Alice Springs and the East MacDonnell Ranges via the Plenty Highway and the Binns Track. Both men have plenty of offroad travel under their belts, which gives a very good experience for the range of caravans available at Explorer RV. A typical example is the Wildtrack Offroad 16ft Hybrid X. Apart from anything else, it’s a relatively small van designed to be…

B.E.S.T. WATER FILTER FEATURE It’s a banner year for B.E.S.T. Water Filters, with 2024 marking 21 years since the first IB.E.S.T. Inline Water Filter was sold. To this day, B.E.S.T. Water Filters remains the only RV water filter company that is 100 per cent Australian made, owned and designed. And every filter is hand-assembled, meaning quality is assured every step of the process. ABOUT THE COMPANY While the B.E.S.T. Inline Water Filter has been helping Aussie adventurers enjoy clean water for 21 years now, the research and development began a good 20 years before the product was developed. B.E.S.T. founder and third-generation plumber, Colin Hopgood, trialled the first ‘silver impregnated’ water filter in the 1970s, but after installing it in a caravan he soon discovered that the antibacterial process was…

RECIPES ON THE ROAD COOKING After weeks caravanning from Melbourne, up the centre and across the Kimberley on the Gibb River Road, we were itching to arrive in Broome and enjoy some fresh seafood — and it didn’t disappoint. Fish tacos washed down with ginger beer became our new favourite dinner and we enjoyed many iterations of both at Broome’s breweries, taverns and even from a food truck at the Thursday night market at Town Beach. I made a personal pledge to try to replicate fish tacos and when we arrived in Carnarvon, which has a thriving fishing industry, the scene was set. Carnarvon is also the fruit and vegetable bowl of the Coral Coast. Banana plantations greet you as you drive into town and there are many orchards, farm…

The first Busselton Caravan and Camping Show is being held on 21–22 September 2024 at Churchill Park, Busselton. The show will be open from 9am to 4pm each day. The Caravan Industry Association Western Australia (CIAWA) created this show in response to the strong demand from both the public and the industry for a regional show after the continued success of the Perth Caravan and Camping Show which is held annually in March. The Busselton Caravan and Camping Show will have a display of the latest and greatest caravans, campers, trailers, motorhomes, camping equipment and accessories and plenty of information and inspiration for your next outdoor adventure. It’s a great place to speak to the experts and make sure the gear you’re getting is safe, functional and suitable for your…

REGULARS NEWS Walkinshaw Group announced in early August that JB Caravans has taken an equity stake in the New Age Caravans business. The two brands will continue to operate individually but will also work together where relevant to ensure they are creating a full range of on-road, offroad and hybrid caravans and motorhomes in the Australian and New Zealand markets. The integration of these two brands is underway and will be finalised by the end of 2024. Ryan Walkinshaw, the director of Walkinshaw Group said: “JB Caravans is a long and established business, one we’ve been in strategic dialogue with for a long time now, and this was a unique opportunity that doesn’t present itself very often. “We’re really excited to be joined together with them via our New Age…

“Forest Glade is a private garden that you can wander through at any time of year” Gardens and grandeur There’s something quite ethereal and majestic about the drive through the township of Macedon and up towards the mountain. Each side of the road is bordered by grand estates and meticulously maintained gardens; many of which are open to the public. Forest Glade is a private garden that you can wander through at any time of year and boasts a blend of English, Japanese and woodland styles. Whether it’s during autumn for the riot of colour omitted by various types of maple, or spring for the display of azaleas, rhododendrons, and roses; it’s an incredibly tranquil place worthy of a visit, although possibly covered in snow during winter! A few more…

One of the most memorable hitching gone-wrong stories I’ve heard was during a towing course I attended last year, where the instructors told us about a couple of towing newbies who’d turned up after a 30+ minute drive with their brand-spanking new van only sitting on the towball, not actually secured. It was only upon arrival that the van finally decided it had had enough and bounced off, much to the dismay of the owners. Thankfully it was a no-harm, nofoul situation (miraculously), but it quickly imprinted the importance of double and triple checking your hitch situation before driving off. UNDERSTANDING THE TERMS Before we dive into the checklist, here’s an overview of some of the key components of your hitching connection. • Ball mount or tongue: This part is…

“Not three days after we picked up the J-POD from the factory and it was offon a 5000km journey” We got the smallest, lightest, canvas-free van we could from the biggest manufacturer — we got a Jayco J-POD X! And because the trailer will be used for various jobs like catering on longer trips and by a diverse range of staff, we optioned on a rooftop tent and hot water system for a grand total of $36,182. OUR PLAN AND FIRST TRIP Not three days after we picked up the J-POD from the factory and it was off on a 5000km journey with some of the Hema Maps team on an expedition to celebrate Hema Maps’ 40th anniversary and to map parts of the Flinders Ranges, SA. Home to two…

WAIKERIE, SA TRAVEL “The width of the river here makes it popular for water sports, fishing and excellent for houseboats” During a winter escape to warmer climes, we left Melbourne in late May and headed north to Mildura, following the sunshine and the flow of mighty Murray River into South Australia’s Riverland, stopping for the night in the town of Waikerie. There is a caravan park in town overlooking the river, however we chose to free camp at the temporary RV park in Ian Oliver Drive, just opposite the Nippy’s factory, in the shadows of the town’s silo art. Just two hours from Adelaide, Waikerie is known for its citrus industry, public art, golf, birdwatching and beautiful stretches of Murray River which play host to a myriad of sporting and…

TOW TEST: MY24 ISUZU D-MAX REVIEWS SCAN TO VIEW VIDEO I’ve lost count how many kilometres I’ve done in the Isuzu D-MAX and MU-X siblings. A month back I drove back from south-east Queensland in a D-MAX X-TERRAIN after running it up from Sydney via the back roads and I’m about to head off for another probably 3000km in the newest model, X-RIDER to start the planning for next year’s Caravan of the Year. And there are the video and photoshoots we do in the background of Caravan World where we’ll use one as a tow car probably a dozen times a year. I’d do an easy 30,000km a year in them. Why? Because they are reliable, frugal, comfortable and safe and it helps that Isuzu UTE Australia is keen…

Heading into the fourth month of our electric Big Lap we crossed the border into Queensland and took the Overlanders Way to travel east through the outback towns. This route proved both extremely interesting and incredibly accessible for electric travel. The kids were especially keen to take this path to allow us to experience the Australian Dinosaur Trail connecting Richmond, Hughenden and Winton, and the Queensland Electric Super Highway along this route made it hassle free in an EV. The Electric Super Highway has been rolled out over recent years in three phases. The first two phases joining Coolangatta in the south to Port Douglas in the north are complete. Phase three is nearing completion with new locations coming online throughout regional areas. At regular intervals we made use of…

NEWS REGULARS In early July the Queensland Government announced a 20 per cent registration reduction for all light vehicles for 12 months in order to aid Queenslanders with the cost-of-living crisis. This reduced cost will mean great savings for caravan and tow vehicle owners, with a combined 40 per cent discount across their multiple RV registrations. Caravanning Queensland’s CEO, Jason Plant, said this is a positive step in a challenging climate. “I am very pleased to see our community of 200,000 RV owners included as part of the Miles Government’s measures to help relieve cost of living pressure for Queenslanders,” he said. “The money Queenslanders will be saving on their registration will certainly help our van loving families who might be able to put that saving towards their next road…

PACKING A SMALL VAN FEATURE “It’s important to know your van weights and what your payload is before you start — that way you know what you have to play with” Last year my partner and I undertook our first winter escape travelling from Melbourne to Cape York and return over three months in our 18ft 4in single axle 2022 Crusader Musketeer Warrior X Country. Three months living full-time in your van is a good amount of time to learn what works and what doesn’t, and whether you’ve taken too much gear with you. Did we take too much stuff? Of course we did. So, when it came to packing for another northern winter excursion along the Gibb River Road and down the WA coast this year, I was ruthless. I…

BUSHRANGER MEMORIALS TRAVEL Our bushranging past left a remarkable legacy on our history but it also left a distinct impact on the landscape today. Memorial markers throughout Australia tell unique stories of those turbulent times. These monuments record not only the demise of bushrangers, but also the sacrifices of police officers and civilian victims. Mentioned here are some of the unique memorials that can be discovered across Australia. Many more plaques, headstones, memorials and tourism-based statues can be found scattered throughout our land. Most locations mentioned have caravan parks nearby and a couple have camping areas on site. “Erected in memory of members of the police force who died throughout Australia fighting the bushrangers” UNIQUE IN AUSTRALIA There is only one memorial in Australia which is dedicated to all police…

FANTASY MYSTIC 12 REVIEWS Aussies love the appeal of big tough vans with jacked-up suspension, mud tyres and copious checkerplate. They have the go-anywhere credentials for outback travel with hundreds of litres of water storage capacity, infinite electrical power systems, more storage than you can poke a stick at and sometimes payload capacities exceeding one tonne. Three and a half tonne ATMS are your starting point for these big vans and 4.5T ATMs are becoming more common. And of course, tow rigs are getting bigger to match up to these large vans. You can’t argue with the demand, despite car and van combinations easily exceeding $200k these days, this is what sells. Then there’s another small group who are attracted to a completely different kind of van. They say “I…

NSW / ACT Deni Ute Muster 4-5 October 2024 If you like live music from some of Australia’s best artists, camping, utes and festival fun then the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, NSW, is the place to be. Held over two days, the Deni Ute Muster has something for the whole family. Tickets are available online now and selling fast, so secure your spot: deniutemuster.com.au Canberra Caravan Camping Outdoor Lifestyle Expo 25–27 October 2024 This three-day show held in Exhibition Park, Canberra, will showcase the latest and greatest caravans, camper trailers, motorhomes, camping gear, touring accessories, holiday parks and more. More information can be found online: caravanexpo.com Thunderbolts Festival 26 October 2024 Held in Alma Park, Uralla, the Thunderbolts Festival will feature a fantastic street parade of classic cars (including…

SIDETRACKS: WOOMERA, SA COLUMNS Located 489km north of Adelaide, just a short detour offthe long and monotonous Stuart Highway at Spud’s Roadhouse, is the town of Woomera. Named after the Indigenous word for a throwing tool, Woomera was established in 1947 in the years following World War II. The British needed a large area to serve as a test range for its long-range weapons program and the vast, virtually unpopulated central Australian desert was chosen over a couple of other locations. Traditional Owners of the Kokatha land, and some pastoralists, were displaced to make way for the Woomera Prohibited Area which today is 122,000sq km in area. The Anglo-Australian Joint Project focused on the development of a long-range weapons system to counter the growing ballistic missile threat from the former…

For our journey with our van to Western Australia, I was looking for a place to store some equipment that I was keen to keep outside the car but would be accessible if we went exploring without the van. I’ve been aware lately that travelling with gas stoves, cartridges and other flammable equipment in the back of the car might not be the best practice. I’ve seen lids of gas cartridges dislodge when travelling on rough tracks, and the thought of unwanted vapours is unsettling. When I saw these TRED GT Storage Boxes, I was impressed with their low, solid and sealed construction. A low-profile version would be ideal for carrying on the Ironman 4X4 rooftop rack. I chose the 25L unit for its low 175mm height, which presents minimal…

MSA 4X4 Accessories has a great lineup of gear that is specifically designed to make the touring lifestyle simpler and easier. We’ve reviewed the MSA Storage Drawer Systems before (check out John Ford’s feature in issue 636 or online where he installed the set into his LandCruiser 200 Series), and they continue to be a popular choice for Aussies who want to improve their 4WD’s storage options. The MSA Storage Drawer Systems are available in a number of varieties to ensure have a perfect and flush fit in each specific vehicle and therefore maximise storage capacity. While the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series MSA Storage Drawer System has been available for some time, MSA has recently added the fiver-seater version to its lineup. TOYOTA LANDCRUISER 300 SERIES FIVE SEATER MSA STORAGE…