'Perfect place for seasoned Cara-fans'

Gold Coast’s biggest RV
expo set to open doors

THE Let’s Go Gold Coast Caravan & Outdoor Expo will feature more than 100 exhibitors when it returns to Metricon Stadium next month. Billed as the Gold Coast's largest caravanning event, the three-day event will throw open its doors on March 4. On display will be the latest products ranging from caravans, camper trailers, motorhomes, tent trailers, campervans, tow vehicles and accessories. Queensland is said to be leading the charge nationally in the RV world, with the highest number of registered RVs across the country (192,751), followed by Victoria (179,163) and New South Wales (174,817). Caravan Trade & Industries Association of Queensland chief executive Jason Plant said the expo was the perfect place for new and seasoned 'Cara-fans' to plan their next big road trip or get a head start on their Easter holiday getaway.

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BUYERS of recreational vehicles beware ... that's the latest advice from the Caravan Council of Australia.

"You are making a major investment so make sure you do not finish up with any regrets," warns founder and general manager Colin Young (pictured left).

It was essential that potential buyers thoroughly did their homework to best ensure they make a sound and wise choice, he said.

"It is a real concern that a number of caravan manufacturers ‒ and importers ‒ have gone out of business in recent times and new manufacturers have entered the limited and highly-competitive market.

"Quite a few production personnel are new to the industry and some essential components have been very hard to obtain."

Mr Young said potential-buyers needed to be "ultra-diligent" when selecting a new caravan so as to have a high level of confidence in the future prospects of any particular company.

He urged people not to get talked into buying something that did not ideally suit their desired travel plans … or was outside of their budget.

Manufacturers self-certifying their caravans did not provide potential buyers with anywhere near the same degree of assurance of compliance or quality as normal motor vehicles, he added.

  'Exciting time for town'

Kilcunda caravan park 'best value for money' lease renewed

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HOLIDAY Retreats Rivergum will steer a $2m major upgrade at Victoria's Kilcunda Oceanview Holiday Retreat after winning a further 20-year lease. Bass Coast Shire Council awarded the lease after considering a report outlining camping needs within the Bass Coast area. "Consideration of the need, preferred locations and costs of public dump points will form part of a strategic review and be included in the report scheduled to be presented in June 2022," the report said. A panel had concluded that the submission by Holiday Retreats Rivergum would provide the authority "with best value for money". The caravan park ‒ which offers stunning views of Bass Strait and coastline ‒ will pay an annual rent of $152,000, rising by three percent annually. Local Councillor Rochelle Halstead said it was an exciting time for the town. "There's so many projects planned and really close to commencement," she said. "It's pleasing to see the plans for an upgrade of the site are sensitive to the environment, inclusive of culture, and offer some of the best views in the state of Victoria."

  Fostering a better lifestyle

Awards provide 'vital and credible information' to grey nomads

THE national finalists in the 2021 Grey Nomad Awards have been revealed. Organisers of the awards say the accolades provide "vital and credible information" to mature-age travellers about tourism operators who care about their needs, while supporting positive ageing through soft adventure and social inclusion. Awards director Kim Morgan said they shone a light on regional Australia by rewarding organisations and destinations catering in an exemplary way to mature age visitors. "In this way, the awards are fostering a better lifestyle for over 50s by providing verified information that will guide their decisions on where to travel safely in 2022, where to stay and what to experience along the way," she said.

   'Proud to receive this award'

NSW's favourite caravan, camping lifestyle expo strikes gold

NSW’s favourite caravan and camping lifestyle expo, the Caravan Camping Holiday Supershow, has struck gold. The popular event has been awarded the highest accolade, taking out Gold in the coveted 2021 NSW Tourism Awards Major Festivals and Events category. "We are proud to have received this prestigious award recognising the supershow not only for being a high-quality event, but also acknowledging the huge economic value our industry generates in regional communities," Caravan and Camping Industry Association NSW chief executive Lyndel Gray (pictured) said. The event generated significant sales and was a great experience for more than 60,000 people who attend the six-day event.

    Upgrade 'will be well received'

New $1.6m amenities block 'a treat for guests' says council

COOLUM Beach Holiday Park on Queensland's Sunshine Coast will soon be offering more home comforts thanks to a $1.6 million investment. Local councillor Maria Suarez said the project at the council's beachside getaway was planned to be completed just in time for the winter school holidays. Demolition of the park's old amenities block had already begun and campers and grey nomads were "in for a treat", according to the Sunshine Coast Council. Park manager Nicole Filippini believed the new upgrade would be well received. "Campers have been looking forward to the upgrade for a long time and are very excited to see what the new build will look like," she said. "Constant park improvements always add to a positive experience for the guests.

Girl devastated by loss of pet

Hunt for skitzy Sherbit after caravan rolls on Bruce Hwy

A QUEENSLAND caravanner has appealed for help in tracing a pet cat which disappeared after an accident on the state's Bruce Highway. The terrified feline made off into the bush after its family's caravan rolled about 30km north of Gin Gin on January 13. The caravan and tow car were written off. "But luckily we were all uninjured," Gary Mann, from Townsville, told Caravanning News. "However, my young daughter's cat, Sherbit, escaped into the bush." He said Ania was "devastated" by the loss of her beloved friend, who was wearing a collar at the time of the accident and is microchipped. "Sherbit is pretty skitzy and may be cautious of strangers," Mr Mann said. Anyone with information regarding the cat's whereabouts can contact Gary on 043 994 5122. Have your say

  Confusion after highway drama

Wayward hitch raises question
of legality when not towing

CONFUSION has arisen over whether tow hitches are illegal when fitted to vehicles that are not towing. The thorny question comes after a dramatic video was published on social media showing a wayward hitch flying through the air on SA's South Eastern Freeway and smashing into the windscreen of a following vehicle. The footage was posted on Dash Cam Owners Australia, with the publisher commenting: "Before someone says it, we can find NO law in Australia requiring tow hitches be removed when not towing. If you are going to claim there is, provide a link to the legislation." Facebook comments were divided and no links were offered, with people suggesting that the only rules related to security and obscuring registration plates. Some claimed they had been stopped by police and told to remove their hitch. To view the video, click here.

Plenty of space for enjoyment

Hunter's popular RV showcase
set to throw open its doors

NEWCASTLE'S most popular caravan and camping expo will throw open its doors this week. NSW's showcase of caravan and camping products, services and equipment will return on Friday, with three days of excitement at the Newcastle Caravan Camping Lifestyle Expo. Held at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre and Showground, the event will offer vast outdoor exhibitions and large undercover halls with plenty of space for the enjoyment, comfort and safety of attendees and exhibitors. The long running expo is staged annually by the Caravan & Camping Industry Association and is run in accordance with NSW Health’s COVID Safe guidelines.

  Olympic legend shares golden moments

Brooke and family embark on memorable caravanning trip

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 AUSSIE Olympic legend and Apollo RV sales ambassador Brooke Hanson and her family recently hit the road for a memorable caravanning trip to Coffs Harbour in NSW. She says her family loves caravanning and camping and is "thrilled" that her ambassadorship provides the chance to take different caravans on adventures around Australia. "Holidays are so much fun, making memories no matter what the weather," the Olympic gold-medallist said. "Achieving Olympic success was memorable, but now as a mum with an active family, my goal is to share golden moments with them. Our adventures are so similar to my upbringing and I'm so fortunate that we all love the water and spending time exploring the great outdoors." To read about the family's latest adventure click here.

'Phenomenal growth'

Sunshine Coast's ZONE RV expands to meet rising sales

ZONE RV on Queensland's Sunshine Coast has invested $7.5 million in a new 5000-square-metre facility to meet rising orders. The off-road caravan manufacturer in Coolum Eco Industrial Park says it was entering "one of the most exciting periods" in its history. The manufacturer has seen phenomenal growth since beginning as a start-up business in 2015. During a visit to the site, Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson (pictured with ZONE RV officials) congratulated the company for its input to the local economy, adding: "I am pleased that ZONE RV has been, and continues to be, supported by council through its Sunshine Coast Economic Resurgence Plan."

   Do not use on gas warning

Another recall of potentially deadly water heaters in RVs

COAST to Coast Caravan and Leisure has again repeated its warning to caravanners that they could be using deadly gas water heaters in their RVs. It has so far inspected over 4000 Suburban heaters since a recall began several years ago. "However, as inspection rates have started to slow we would like to once again remind you to immediately check to see if your appliance is affected," it said recently. The heaters can operate on electricity or gas but can produce deadly levels of carbon monoxide when on gas. Models SW6PA, SW6DA, SW6DEA, SW4DEA, SW4DECA and SW6DECA with serial numbers 181315552 to 193002648, 183114087D to191302511D, 8183311827 and 8190201139 sold between April 4, 2018, and September 25, 2019, could be affected. "Do not use the affected water heaters in gas mode under any circumstances unless a passed inspection result has been received," the company said. Have your say

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