Table of contents for Issue 660 in Caravan World

This month, we showcase the final four category winners from our Caravan of the Year 2025 presented by MSA 4X4 Accessories event. Majestic Caravans took home the Best Value for Money award for its Navigator 19’6 couples offroader which, in today’s market, stood out for both quality and price. Cub Campers won Best Hybrid in a new theme for its great-looking offroad models, which have performed well at our events. And the gobsmacking Kokoda Counterstrike Vincere, which elevates the brand’s presence to new heights, scored awards for Most Innovation and Most X-Factor, now proudly gracing their mantlepiece. Check out all the video reviews on our YouTube channel and subscribe for new reviews and features as they are posted. Road safety and speeding, in particular, are receiving significant attention in the…

“These scattered clusters of ‘marbles’ are spread across the vast, shallow valley that forms the conservation reserve” KARLU KARLU / DEVILS MARBLES, NT It’s well worth getting out of bed early to watch the sunrise over Karlu Karlu / Devils Marbles, 100km south of Tennant Creek, just off the Stuart Highway. Karlu Karlu is a sacred cultural landscape and the ancestral land of the Warumungu, Kaytetye, Alyawarr and Warlpiri peoples. Karlu Karlu, meaning ‘round boulders’, is a striking collection of enormous, naturally rounded granite formations, some of which are seemingly precariously balanced on top of each other. These scattered clusters of ‘marbles’ are spread across the vast, shallow valley that forms the conservation reserve. The morning and evening sun highlights the deep red colour of the Karlu Karlu and makes…

“The ancient, magical landscape of the Flinders Ranges beckoned, and there’s no shortage of remote station stays, each with their own unique appeal” The Red Centre of Australia has always been a popular winter escape for southern caravanners but, as we discovered, the road trip to get there can be just as exciting. We left Melbourne on a cold, grey day which gradually turned sunny as we approached Mildura, a popular destination on the Victoria/New South Wales border, especially in winter with its semi-Mediterranean-like climate. There are many caravan parks and free camps scattered along the Murray River. On our first night heading north, we were graced with a magnificent sunset over the water at the Apex RiverBeach Holiday Park. It’s about four hours from Mildura to Burra, SA, with…

“Three quarters of the island is national park, crisscrossed by hiking trails that link a handful of laid-back villages” Barbie, the pot-bellied cane toad, was trussed in a lurid pink hair band and wriggling, her feet cycling the humid night air. The auctioneer put her on the ground and the toad leapt across the pavement to rousing cheers from the beer-swilling crowd. This toad had form. A bidding frenzy ensued, and Barbie fetched a $120 wager, before being plopped into a plastic ring with seven other toads, each with a price on their heads. The auctioneer lifted the ring, and the toads scattered like dropped tennis balls into the whooping crowd. Barbie crossed the line first, earning the winning punter a tidy windfall on the first race of the night.…

“The Western Australian scenery, with its red dirt against azure water, is stunning” Renowned for earning a coveted World Heritage nomination in 2011 and consistently attracting visitors who book months in advance, the coastline of far northern Western Australia stands out as one of our premier travel destinations. Because summer temperatures soar to above 45 degrees, the tourist season is concentrated around the cooler months between April and October. So, pressure on limited camping places is immense as more and more cross-country travellers descend on the area. Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area washes against the coast for 300km. It covers an area of 604,500 hectares, including a marine park that extends 20km offshore, a collection of national parks and conservation areas, and even an air weapons range. To meet the…

Scanstrut UK has introduced a new range of charging solutions for RV owners. The new TILE Series of USB-A and USB-C charging sockets are stylish options for phones, tablets and computers. The flush-mounted charging points are sleek, modern and easy to install where you want them around the interior of your van. A 30W output on 12V is superior to most cigarette lighter adaptors, meaning faster charging. With a footprint of only 40mm, the TILE will fit in most convenient spots near your workstation, lounge or bed, and because it’s in a fixed location, you can’t lose it. The flush finish also means that nothing will accidentally snag on it. All that’s needed to install the TILE is a 29mm hole saw and a screwdriver. The circuits are coated with…

ENTER NOW! From now until 1 April 2026, we’re on the lookout for the most impressive and travelinspiring photos of caravanning setups. We’ll still be awarding a monthly Readers’ Rigs prize, but come May 2026, one standout submission will be crowned the ultimate winner — taking home an incredible prize bundle. HOW TO ENTER It’s easy — just scan the QR code to upload your image and provide a brief description of your van, vehicle and some info about where the image was taken and your travels. Please note, images must be high quality and suitable for print (1MB+). To find out more about the competition and to read the ful T&Cs, head to the Caravan World website and search Readers’ Rig of the Year. Don’t miss out — enter…

Based in South Australia, REDARC has been building power solutions for more than 45 years, with a growing focus on caravanners and four-wheel drivers who want to explore Australia without relying on caravan parks or powered sites. REDARC’s products — from innovative battery chargers to brake controllers — are designed for the realities of Australian travel. In-house state-of-the-art equipment is used to ensure every product can withstand harsh conditions, corrugated roads, intense heat and long distances, and are all backed by the expert in-house technical support and REDNetwork, a national network of auto electricians. REDARC was a major sponsor of this year’s Caravan of the Year competition held in Warrnambool, Vic. “The event reaffirmed our belief that the future of caravanning is smart, self-sufficient power — and we’re proud to…

Eurobodalla has been a go-to spot on the NSW South Coast for generations of holidaymakers chasing sun, sea and fantastic food. With 110km of mostly untouched coastline, 83 inviting beaches and 3400sq km of national parks and state forests, it’s easy to see the appeal. It also happens to be the closest coastal escape to Canberra — with just a cruisy two-hour drive from the nation’s capital to Batemans Bay, the main hub of Eurobodalla. The Traditional Owners of the area are the Yuin Nation, who inhabited the region for some 20,000 years before European settlement. Culturally important sites such as Gulaga (Mount Dromedary) and Barunguba (Montague Island) remain deeply significant to them today. Eurobodalla is a great year-round destination too. Summer brings the beach crowds, but the cooler months…

Located only an hour west of Brisbane and under 40 minutes from Toowoomba along the Warrego Highway, the Lockyer Valley is known as the ‘Salad Bowl of Australia’ and is one of Queensland’s best locations for road trippers chasing a slower, more meaningful adventure. From vibrant community events like the annual Laidley Spring Festival to serene bush camps, unique towns and plenty of fresh produce from generational farmers, the Lockyer Valley offers a blend of country hospitality and experiences that reward those who detour off the highway in search of a more scenic route. LAIDLEY SPRING FESTIVAL Held every September (12–14 September 2025), the Laidley Spring Festival is one of the Lockyer Valley’s most colourful events. What began more than 60 years ago as a humble flower show has grown…

Last year many readers enjoyed our take on the vehicles used at Caravan of the Year, so here we are again. We had the full gambit at COTY 2025, from two rigs that likely owe their owners more than the cost of a decent flat in Newcastle and some more grounded efforts. This year we put more emphasis on claimed capabilities to highlight what is truly usable and, in the case of the first vehicle, it’s not great. TOYOTA HILUX GR SPORT AND CUB CAMPERS F14 Performance car nuts have fallen in love with any Toyota carrying the GR Sport badge. So, what happened to the HiLux GR Sport? It has more power than a typical HiLux (up 15kW and 50Nm) and it has revised suspension giving it a wider…

The sun glistened off the massive granite boulders balanced precariously high above us, creating a shimmering reflection in the waters below. It was a peaceful scene, and it was hard to imagine that this was once a place of anything nefarious. Legend goes that the jumbled granite rocks of Cranky Rock Nature and Recreation Reserve are named after a very cranky Chinese man. According to local stories the Chinese man murdered a Warialda woman and escaped from the police only to leap to his death from the rock, and for some reason that same rock became known as ‘Cranky’. CAMPING The jumble of legendary rocks can be found on the edge of Reedy Creek in Cranky Rock Nature and Recreation Reserve and are only 300m from the camping area via…

Imagine you have a magic machine that can pull water out of the air — kind of like how a cold beer gets wet on a hot day; that’s water condensing from the air, and the basics of atmospheric water generators (AWG). While the idea isn’t new, turning it into something practical and efficient for everyday use has been the challenge — until now. That’s where Watergen, an Israeli company, stands out. Founded in 2009, Watergen has developed a full range of AWG systems, from large-scale solutions for governments and businesses to residential and now mobile units. And yes, it’s coming to Australia. At the core of Watergen’s products is its patented GENius heat-exchange technology. This system efficiently draws in air, cools it to extract water vapor and then filters…

I have written a couple of articles lately about caravan wheel alignments. With help from Andrew Phillips from the RV Repair Centre, the first article (DIY column in issue 657) explored how a DIYer can do some simple, old-school checks to see if their van may need wheel aligning. While Andrew gave some handy hints, his recommendation was that if the van showed any signs of misalignment, you should seek the help of a specialist caravan wheel aligner. It is worth noting that most regular tyre shops do not perform caravan wheel alignments. The second article was about different caravan suspension types and their pros and cons (issue 658). One of the observations was that some suspension types have more wheel alignment adjustability than others. In search of further enlightenment…

NSW Bingara Orange Festival 5 July 2025 Join the community celebration of Bingara’s orange trees and the town’s cultural heritage. There will be street markets, parades, pageants, sporting activities and so much more. Find out more online: visitgwydir.com.au/bingara-orange-festival Aberdeen Highland Games 5 July 2025 Head to Aberdeen in the Hunter Valley this July to experience a traditional Highland Gathering, celebrating the Scottish culture and descendants who call this part of NSW home. There’ll be traditional highland and country dancing, pipe band displays, strong man events, kilted warriors and the famed kilted dash to join in, not to mention plenty of stalls and stands selling Scottish-themed wares and great food and drink. Head online to find out more: aberdeenhighlandgames.com Illawarra Caravan Camping Lifestyle Expo 11-13 July 2025 Check out the latest…

REDARC Electronics has revealed its latest innovation in towing safety — the Tow-Pro Link Electric Brake Controller — designed to improve both performance and ease of use for drivers hauling caravans and trailers across Australia. Built for safety, simplicity and durability, the Tow-Pro Link mounts discreetly to the tow bar and includes a USB-powered remote control, Bluetooth connectivity and REDARC’s new SwayStop Plus™ technology, which actively helps correct trailer sway with the push of a button. “We’ve combined decades of engineering excellence into a product that enhances towing safety while dramatically simplifying installation,” said Jaidan Watson, Tow-Pro product manager. “The Tow-Pro Link empowers drivers to tow with complete confidence — whether they’re cruising highways or navigating tough, offroad terrain.” QUICK AND EASY INSTALLATION Thanks to its compact design, USB-powered remote…

We’re excited to announce that our sister brand Hema Maps has released the first edition of its Top End and Gulf Atlas & Guide. Copies hit the Caravan World desk in May, with many in the team keen to check out the latest information and plan some trips north. Written by travel writer and photographer Chris Whitelaw, the Top End and Gulf Atlas & Guide covers key destinations across the Top End and Gulf Country — from Darwin and the Tiwi Islands to Kakadu, Nitmiluk, Litchfield and Judbarra/Gregory National Parks, Arnhem Land, the Gulf Coast and the Barkly Tableland. Like all Hema Maps’ products, this 232-page guide has been designed to be both informative and practical, combining reliable cartography with cultural insights and historical stories from the Indigenous and European…