A CONVOY of RVs is on its way from Queensland to Victoria in a fuel consumption test.

Led by the NRMA, who is officially supervising refuelling of the vehicles, four Winnebago motorhomes of various sizes, a fifth wheeler, caravan and some privately owned motorhomes left Treasure Island Tourist Park on the Gold Coast on July 27.

They are overnighting at Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie before arriving in Sydney on July 29.

Then it's on to Winton via Yass, Wagga Wagga, Albury and Wangaratta, arriving at Victoria's Winton Raceway on August 1 in time for the V8 Supercar series.

Among the people taking part in the Winnebago Fuel Consumption Safari is legendary swimmer Dawn Fraser.

Winnebago says rural Australia could suffer the consequences of higher fuel costs because if less people travelled, less would be spent in those areas.

"At any given time 75,000 RVs are on extended travel and spend on average $600 per week each on fuel, accommodation, food and entertainment," the company said. "That's $45 million per week given to mainly rural centres. It is this that is at risk. "

Winnebago said the cost of fuel was currently topical and the media focus on the upward spiral of world oil prices could possibly cause a rethink in many Australian households on how best they spend their hard earned cash in pursuit of fun and relaxation.

"Yet many people do not realise that fuel use in a motorhome is, in many cases, about the same as your average large family car.

"Motorhomes, in addition to a surprisingly low fuel consumption rate, also take advantage of low stop over rates at caravan parks, even free stops in legal free camp areas, avoiding the high cost of hotel accommodation and also provide the facility to prepare meals and avoid the expense of eating out daily as would otherwise be the case."

Motorhomers could save up to 75 percent against the more expensive option of driving a car and paying daily for a bed and restaurant meals, it added.

The final fuel consumption figures during the safari will be authenticated by the NRMA.

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