s e r u t n e v d a l a e r n o e l p o e real p
LE MAY 20 2021 | ISSUE 162 | ON SA
$12.95
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DeliciousDaintree A Rainforest Food Trail
CapeYorkEssentials
Don’t Miss These Highlights
plus
10 Outstanding Campers Reviewed
CAMPING SHOULDN’T BE STRESSFUL
DESIGNED FOR YOU Brand new Eagle Wing (e-Wing) tent design and removal of internal e a es! poles will have you and the family set up in minute
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UPGRADE
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ON Prices do not include freight or fitting and are subject to change without notice.
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The Tip is in reach early in the dry season
E R I F P M THE CA
CAMPER CREW EDITORIAL
Editor at Large Glenn Marshall Production Editor Tyler Jefferson Deputy Editors Charlotte Long, Sinead Reilly Lead Designer Nicholas Ramsamy Designers Swathi Sankaran, Angus Greaves Production and Design Manager Danielle Beadman Columnists Kath Heiman, David Cook, Ron and Viv Moon Contributors David Cook, Viv and Ron Moon, Kath Heiman, Tim van Duyl, Emily McAuliffe Editorial and News 3 Wyman Pl, Braeside, Vic, 3195 Australia submissions@emprisegroup.com.au
PHOTOGRAPHY
Contributors Matt Williams, Ron and Viv Moon, Emily McAuliffe Cover shot Matt Williams
TIME TO PLAN
MARKETING
Marketing Coordinator Rebecca Lamplugh rlamplugh@emprisegroup.com.au
AWITHTRIP TO THE CAPE SO MANY CAMPERS, WE HAD TO COVER CTOTY IN TWO EDITIONS! C
ongratulations again to Ultimate for taking the big gong as Camper Trailer of the Year, but also for taking out the Biggest X-Factor award. This camper is ahead of its time. We would like to apologise to Ultimate for printing the incorrect specifications of their X25 in the April 161 edition of the magazine. Whilst unforeseen, it’s not something we are proud of and have printed the correct specifications in this edition. We’d also like to congratulate all of the category winners again: • Best Compact Camper – Offtrax Feenix • Best Expedition Camper – Bushwakka Sundowner EVO • Best Value for Money – Bushwakka Sundowner EVO
Editor at Large
GLENN MARSHALL
• • • • • •
Best Fold Out Camper – Ultimate X25 Best Build – Patriot X3 and CUB Drifter II Biggest X-Factor – Ultimate X25 Best Hybrid Camper – Offline Domino Most Innovative Camper – Offline Domino Best Tray On Camper – Wedgetail Hawk This month our focus on the Cape continues and with the late wet season slowing down and the grading of roads gaining momentum, it’s time to start planning your trip to the Tip. The question was asked on whether bitumen is killing the Cape and Ron Moon offers up his take on the matter — mind you some of the images hitting the socials at the moment make me think the Cape is killing the bitumen. Emily McAuliffe takes us on a tropical food trail through the Daintree while I’ve offered up some tips on the things you can’t miss when exploring the Cape. Nuts & Bolts looks at the benefits of fitting a replacement rear bar on your 4WD, and you just might be surprised. The colours of Autumn are dominating the streetscapes and gardens and daylight savings is a memory as the nights get cooler. It’s also the time that those enjoying retirement have thoughts about relocating to the warmth of northern Australia while the southern states begin to chill. I’m about to head off on a twomonth adventure that will cover the Red Centre, outback Queensland, the Carnarvon region, Adventure Way, Corner Country and the Darling River, creating content for the magazine — I can’t wait! If you see me out and about, don’t be shy, come and say g’day as I’d love to listen to your stories around a campfire. Living the dream, sharing the experience. CTA
ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
sales@emprisegroup.com.au emprisegroup.com.au General Manager Christopher Jefferson 0477 775 020 cjefferson@emprisegroup.com.au NSW & Tourism Partner Manager Serena Prasad 0429 489 615 sprasad@emprisegroup.com.au VIC/SA/TAS Partner Manager Richard Grant 0498 880 377 Rgrant@emprisegroup.com.au QLD Partner Manager Karen Ratzke 0484 333 181 Kratzke@emprisegroup.com.au Private Advertising tradervs.com.au/sell 07 3340 0000 Customer Service info@emprisegroup.com.au Phone: 1300 692 383
EXECUTIVE GROUP
Chief Executive Officer Robert Gallagher rgallagher@emprisegroup.com.au Chief Financial Officer Matthew O’Meara momeara@emprisegroup.com.au
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Phone (02) 8227 6486 Email subscriptions@emprisegroup.com.au Web campertraileraustralia.com.au/ subscribe Address Suite 4, Level 1, 41-45 Pacific Highway, Waitara, NSW, 2077, Australia.
ADVERTISING TERMS & CONDITIONS emprisegroup.com.au CAMPER is printed in Australia. We are proudly Australian-owned and members of a number of industry bodies that work to grow the camping and RV market in Australia CAMPER is published by EMPRISE Group Holdings. ACN: 155 672 192 ABN: 29 155 672 192 All material in CAMPER is protected by the Commonwealth Copyright Act, 1968. No material may be reproduced without written consent. Distributed in Australia by Ovato Retail Distribution, 26 Rodborough Road, Frenchs Forest NSW 2086. Printed by IVE, Unit 1/83 Derby Street, Silverwater NSW 2128.
Disclaimer: The materials, opinions, advice and guidance stated in Camper are not necessarily the views of Emprise Group Holdings Pty Ltd. They are not, and are not intended to be advice by Emprise Group on any specific matter. Individuals should make their own inquiries and take independent advice tailored to their specific circumstances prior to making any decisions. Emprise Group does not accept any responsibility for, and will not be liable for loss arising from any acts or omissions resulting from reliance upon the information contained in Camper. Emprise Group makes no representation, warranty or guarantee, express or implied, that any materials, opinions, advice or guidance contained in Camper are accurate, complete or up-to-date. Emprise Group does not necessarily endorse products or messages advertised in Camper.
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S T N E CONT
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21
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tr ail er
OF
THE YEAR
REGUL ARS
6 EDITORIAL
138 beneath the surface
12 NUTS & BOLTS
140 no fixed address
The results are in
Installing a rear bar
Australia's interstellar past
Saving the day with What3words
134 tasty tucker Getting the kids involved
136 she’ll be right Learning from Fossils
FEATURES 20 Introducing Camper Trailer of the Year — Ptt 2 Refresh your mind on this year's stelllar event
110 Bitumen and the Cappe
Is bitumen changing the Cape experience?
TRAVEL 46 KOSCIUSZKO NATIONAL PARK Leave the lows for Australia’s loftiest summit
98 Tassie ALPINE TOURING
THERE'S MORE THAN ONE TIP TO VISIT IN AUS
104 TOP 5 IN THE CAPE
FIVE THINGS TO DO WHEN EXPLORING THE CAPE
118 Tasting the tropics
Follow the Daintree Food trail to get your tastebuds going
126 Visiting Port mac
Be sure not to miss these Highlights when exploring Port Macquarie 8
110
86
F O R E L I A R T R E C AM P S W E I V E R R A E Y TH E 26 ULTIMATE X25
66 STONEY CREEK SCOUT 14
32 OFFLINE RAKER
72 OFFLINE DOMINO
38 BUSHWAKKA SUNDOWNER EVO
80 PATRIOT X3
52 OZCAPE OPTIMA
86 BLUEWATER LACHLAN MK II
An upgraded special edition of an already well-loved Fold out Space is the name of the game in this family camper
A small and nimble camper that's built tough A camper with versatility in spades
58 WEDGETAIL HAWK
COMPACT AND CUSTOMISABLE TO THE EXTREME, YOU'LL HAVE EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED HERE
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A FORWARD-FOLD THAT GETS A FAMILY OUTDOORS IN COMFORT
92 BUSHWAKKA BHOMA BUSHWAKKA HAVE CREATED A CAMPER THAT IS BOTH COMPACT AND CAVERNOUS
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trailer of the year
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ARE
REAR BAR
REPLACEMENTS
WORTH IT?
Replacing the factory bumper is something a lot of tourers do
12
DOES ADDING AN AFTERMARKET REAR BAR TO YOUR 4WD PROVIDE VALUE OR IS IT A WASTE OF MONEY? Words Glenn Marshall Pics Glenn Marshall and supplied
d n a s t Nu
S T L BO
This dent won't buff out
Outback Accessories have a full range Credit: Outback Accessories
f you look at a 4WD in Australia, most have a bullbar on the front to protect their pride and joy. But when you check out its rear, you notice the flimsy, plastic bumper is still sitting there, often reducing departure angles and clearance. This is very apparent on the Ford Ranger and most wagons, and if you look closely, I guarantee you’ll find the scars to prove what little protection the rear bumper offers. This is where a rear replacement bar comes in handy, protecting the back end of your 4WD and improving the departure angle. Some rear bars also come with jacking and recovery points and a place to mount accessories.
WHY DO I NEED TO REPLACE MY REAR BUMPER? There are several reasons, other than added protection, why adding an aftermarket rear bar is necessary with some listed below: 1. Installing a roof rack is not an option and you have no way of safely carrying jerry cans for fuel or water. 2. You have a roof rack that normally carries your spare fuel and water but then decide to install a rooftop tent. 3. Your rear barn door with the spare wheel attached sags over time due to the weight of the rim and tyre. 4. You increase the size of your rim, tyre or both so it no longer fits on the barn door. 5. You install a long-range fuel tank or water tank where the spare wheel usually lives. 6. Your travels take you to remote places, so a second spare tyre is required. 13
I chose a dual wheel carrier as I like an extra spare
ADDED PROTECTION I’ve forgotten the number of times the rear bumper on my 80 Series Cruiser or Prado smashed into a rock or big rut when 4WDing in the Vic High Country or the Pyrenees, and being plastic, the indentations and scrapes were impossible to fix. Even with a two-inch lift, this would happen because the factory bumpers hang so low. Adding the MCC rear bar with a dual wheel carrier to my Prado has added protection to my rear end and quarter panels because the removal of the plastic bumper increased the departure angle and when I do thump onto something, the big lump of steel easily accepts the brunt of the force leaving my Prado unscathed.
ACCESSORISING YOUR REAR BAR
Rear panels often get extra protection
14
Adding a rear step tow bar is more for panel protection, improved departure angle and an integrated tow hitch, that doesn’t include the ability to house carriers for spare wheels or jerry cans. Some rear steps allow you to add rated recovery points, integrated trailer sockets and Anderson plug mounts, high-lift jack points and reversing sensors. The bulkier rear bars are designed to fit dualwheel carriers, a single wheel carrier or a single wheel carrier and a single/double jerry can holder. They can also include an integrated tow hitch, provision for reversing sensors and high lift jacking points. Some brands offer adapters so you can also mount lights, antennas, high lift jacks, recovery tracks and shovels. Being able to remove the carriers when not needed is also a benefit as it means you don’t need to carry excess weight when not overlanding.
d n a s t Nu
S
Kaymar offer the Ozbar Rear Bar Range
The TJM Rear Step to bars van include rated recovery points
BRANDS AND PRICES
The ARB Base Rack offer great protection and improves departure angle
There are several different companies in Australia that supply rear bars, with some manufactured overseas and most having something to suit your 4WD. You should find out as much as you can about the rear bar you’re interested in, especially making sure that the welds look good, the protection offered is suitable and there is a decent warranty and after-sales service available. Some of the leading suppliers are Kaymar, ARB, TJM, Outback Accessories, Ironman 4x4, Opposite Lock, MCC, Uneek 4x4, OCAM Industries, Raslarr Engineering, Rival and there are also some custom fabricators that’ll manufacture a rear bar for you too. Pricing for an aftermarket rear bar ranges from $800 to $4500 depending on the type of bar, where it is manufactured and what additions are added. I paid just over $2000 fitted for my MCC dual wheel carrier back in 2018 and I’ve been happy with my choice. The bearings on one of the arms seized recently and I was able to purchase a replacement kit for just over $60 delivered. 15
nd a s t u N
S T L O B
ARE THERE ANY DISADVANTAGES?
My barn door started to sag, so I had to remove it and carry it on the roof
We’ve talked about all the good things about adding an aftermarket rear bar, now it’s time to mention some of the disadvantages: 1. Added weight, especially behind the rear axle. I notice this most climbing the dunes on the Madigan Line, with the terrain causing both of my rear wheels to leave the ground as I bounced up the slope. 2. Accessing the rear of your rig can be impeded especially if you have wheel carriers. It can get frustrating when your hands are full of groceries and you have to place everything on the ground to release both arms of the carrier. 3. Before I replaced my factory exhaust, it used to knock against the MCC bar when starting the engine or driving rough terrain, which was very annoying. 4. The cost can be daunting but when you look at the benefits and can expect your purchase to last the life of your 4WD, it is a reasonable investment. CTA
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OF
THE YEAR
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C a m p er tr a i l er
o f th e
ye ar p ar t tw o
Following on from last issue, the REDARC Camper Trailer of the Year 2021 results are in. This issue we’ll cover off on the final 10 of the 21 top-notch campers that took part in the shoot-out. Before we do, here is a recap of the last issue and what CTOTY is all about. words Tim van Duyl Pics Matt Williams, Cam Inniss, Adam Jane
D
isclaimer: if you read the intro to the event last issue, I’d skip most of this as it is predominantly a refresh on the process and the people behind the event. Skip to the results a couple of pages in, or refresh yourself on the process behind how we judge the campers late in this feature. After two failed attempts, we finally made it to Port Macquarie. It was wet (really, really wet) but that didn’t dampen our spirits, we were finally in Port Macquarie after two failed attempts. First there were the devastating fires of 2019 and a frankly forgettable 2020. We chose Port Mac for its beaches, bush and relative proximity to the major camper hubs of Sydney and Brisbane. It proved ideal as we found a quiet beach in Grants Beach, great bush around Redbankway and all the amenities we needed to run the event.
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T R E P M A C C R A D RE
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WO T T R A P 1 2 0 2 R A IL E R O F TH E Y E
CTOTY 101 For those new to CTOTY, here are the basics. Every review we run in Camper has a ten-point rating system, from Value for Money to Build Quality, Innovation and more. We’ve used these criteria for over 10 years in-mag and at CTOTY since its inception in 2014. We then invite the campers we’ve tested or know to be eligible through facelifts and upgrades, to be reviewed against these same criteria again but this time with a minimum of four experienced and vastly different judges. We then collate the scores and bingo bango, we have winners (those with the highest scores, if that wasn’t obvious). It is a bit of fun, a hell of a lot of hard work and easily the biggest event the company puts on. This year we had a bumper entrants list, with 21 eventually making it onsite — 21 entrants is a record and posed a major challenge for hospitality and locations, as well as ensuring we had the staff to capture the details.
WHY WE HOLD THIS EVENT
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The raison d'être of Camper magazine and our flagship CTOTY event is to provide the buying public with accurate, informed, and fully independent assessments of the camper trailer options which exist for them. Why? We understand the importance of independent reviews and have done since we released our very first edition of Camper back in 2009. You, our readers, want to know the truth. You want reviews to reflect a genuine assessment of the merits and pitfalls of the camper trailer in question, and of the market as a whole. We also know that, through accurate reporting, we can be part of the continual improvement of the industry. By reporting honestly and providing independent reviews of camper trailers, we can play our role in the continual improvement of the products that are helping Australians experience the wonderful landscapes that define this nation. Hearteningly, our policy of honesty is welcomed by a majority of camper trailer manufacturers and certainly by all of those within these pages. Like us, they credit our readers and their buyers with intelligence. They know that, because of our reputation, the unique selling points which do earn praise from our reviewers will be taken seriously by readers. We take it seriously too. Within our contracts are obligations of the entrants to be compliant, priced as the public will be asked to pay and readily available for purchase in Australia. Should a camper be found to break the rules, the outcome is simple — they’ll lose any award they might have earned and it gets passed onto the next highest scoring camper. We’ll also erase the content from our systems and request the same from the manufacturer. 21
Three of our judges in action
SCORING EXPLAINED
Judges rate the campers against a set of strict, longstanding criteria. Aside from a few small changes in wording, tightening of criteria and (many years ago now) the addition of extra criteria to give readers a more comprehensive picture, the way reviewers have been assessing campers has remained the same since the inception of Camper magazine. The criteria used at the REDARC Camper Trailer of the Year event are exactly the same as those used by our reviewers throughout the year in our regular Camper issues. Across ten different measures, explained in depth below, the reviewer gives a score out of ten. For the REDARC Camper Trailer of the Year competition, these scores are then added up, to form a score out of 100. All of the four judges’ scores are then added together and divided by four, to form an averaged score out of 100, which then determines the winners of each individual category.
Fit for intended purpose • A score of 3 or under would suggest the camper is not fit for its intended purpose • A score of 3.5–5.5 suggests the camper can do most of what it sets out to achieve, but needs refinement • A score of 6–8 indicates the camper is capable for its intended purpose • A score of 8.5 or more suggests the camper surpassed expectations
Innovation • A score of 3 or less suggests the camper is poorly designed and put together • A score of 3.5–5.5 suggests a passable run-of-the-mill design that fails to excite • A score of 6–8 suggests an excellent upgrade to a known design or style, done well • A score of 8.5 or more is indicative of a new design that challenges and excites expectations of what a camper can be
Self sufficiency • A score of 3 or under would suggest you wouldn't want to, or could not, live off the beaten track • A score of 3.5–5.5 suggests room for improvement is needed but the camper is liveable away from services • A score of 6–8 suggests the camper is not only liveable but eminently comfortable while camping offgrid • A score of 8.5 or more is indicative of a camper that makes you feel at home, comfortable and extremely confident, while off the beaten track.
Quality of finish • A score of 3 or less suggests major flaws throughout the tested product • A score of 3.5–5.5 suggests the camper carrys some minor, rectifiable cosmetic flaws • A score of 6–8 suggests a camper with an acceptable but basic finish • A score of 8.5 or more suggests a flawless finish of an impeccable standard 22
Build quality • A score of 3 or less suggests the camper has major build quality issues needing immediate attention • A score of 3.5–5.5 is suggestive of a camper with average quality needing some refinement • A score of 6–8 suggests the camper is well made and up to expectation • A score of 8.5 or more is reserved for campers showcasing a faultless and innovative build
Offroad ability • A score of 3 or less indicates the camper felt unsafe or was extremely difficult to tow • A score of 3.5–5.5 indicates some issues during testing that need attention • A score of 6–8 suggest the camper towed well without issue • A score of 8.5 or more suggests the camper not only towed well but exceeded expectations, setting a new benchmark in offroad towability
Comforts • A score of 3 or less suggests the camper is missing vital components and is uncomfortable • A score of 3.5–5.5 would suggest the camper is as comfortable as expected but misses some key components • A score of 6–8 suggests comfort and well-appointed features • A score of 8.5 or more suggests the camper has a level of opulence not before seen in its class
Ease of use • A score of 3 or less suggests the camper has critical useability issues. • A score of 3.5–5.5 suggests the layout works but has some logical flaws • A score of 6–8 would be for campers with a comfortable, practical and easily understandable layout • A score of 8.5 or more suggests the layout is unique, that everything works with an ease and logic beyond expectations
Value for money • A score of 3 or less suggests your money should be spent elsewhere • A score of 3.5–5.5 suggests the camper is pricecompetitive but perhaps not great value • A score of 6–8.5 suggests the camper is fair value for money, somewhat better than its competitors • A score of 8.5 or more suggests the camper is exceptionally priced; there few competing with it for value
X-factor • A score of 3 or less suggests the camper is completely uninspiring in all aspects • A score of 3.5–5.5 suggests the camper has some appeal but no more than most other campers in its class • A score of 6–8 suggests the camper as something different, interesting and appealing • A score of 8.5 or more suggests the camper is groundbreaking, a class apart and genuinely exciting. If you would like to learn more about how the judging works, more on the process and about previous winners and finalists from past Camper Trailer of the Year events, go to camper.hemax.com
CELEBRATING THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS The event is a celebration of the very best camper trailers in Australia. Of course, all celebrations require a lot of background logistical work to happen at all. For the event, we organise all hospitality for manufacturers, from food to accommodation to entertainment during downtime. We run off of a carefully considered schedule that encompasses a location for judge assessment of camper trailers while set-up, to one where the judges can tow the campers offroad.
SPECIAL THANKS We would like to thank this year’s sponsors — REDARC, Hema Maps and Credit One Finance — and to acknowledge and thank the teams at both Mansfield Estate, Ingenia/BIG4 Bonny Hills, and Kelly Malpeston from Port MacquarieHastings Council for all their assistance in helping us put together the event.
T R E P M A C C R A D RE
RA
WO T T R A P 1 2 0 2 R A IL E R O F TH E Y E
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to get down You have to be willing ht shots rig in the mud to get the
Since CTOTY’s inception, we awarded wins by price point, we had under $25k, over $100k and a few price ranges between. The reality is though, that although the price is the most important factor in final purchase intentions, the style of the camper is where buyers begin their research. By this we mean, a compact buyer is unlikely to be cross-shopping with a Hybrid or a slide-on buyer with a fold-out, so we made the call to award campers by style as well as awarding standouts in the criteria we assess them by. This meant we had a category for Folding ampers, Expedition, Hybrids, Slide-on and ompacts, with the award for Value for Money, novation, Build Quality, Self Sufficiency and factor, plus the big one, the overall winner. Getting to the results was fairly st aightforward. We had our four judges work to ether with the campers’ representative to cover what stood out and give a final score of 10 for each of the 10 criteria. This gave ore out of 100, which was tallied with the r judges for a total score out of 400. The est scoring camper of each style then took e the award. For the criteria-based awards, we t talled the scores from the judges in just thes criteria to find the highest score out of e ssible 40. se criteria-based awards crossed camper style, which meant the camper that won Best u for Money was the winner out of all 21. 23
A R T R E P M A C C R RE DA
IL E
O W T T R A P 1 2 0 2 R O F TH E Y E AR
The Mars Space X on display
OUR WINNERS Last issue we covered off nine of our finalists and a few of the winners including the big gong, the overall winner. If you missed it, here is a recap and the other winners from this issue. Our overall winner could not have been more deserving. Ultimate has been coming to CTOTY for years and although always commendably close, had often been the bridesmaid. This year, with their 25X Anniversary Edition, they finally knocked it off, with a combined 338 out of a possible 400 points. Runner-up, and close with 335 from 400, was newcomer Offline with their innovative Domino. That’s right, four points out of a possible 400 was the difference — but it is always close and there are occasional ties, like we had this year in Build Quality which was tied between two stalwarts of CTOTY (and the local industry), Cub and Patriot Campers. Offline’s Domino also took out Most Innovative as well as Hybrid of the Year, while CTOTY regular Bushwakka took out Expedition Camper of the Year and Value For Money, newcomer Offtrax took Compact of the Year, and Wedgetail Slide-on of the Year. If you missed the last issue and want to catch up, head online where you can find the written reviews and videos. Head to Camper.hemax. com.au CTA
LAST MONTH’S BOOBOO
A misty morning on the track
Yeah, we are not perfect. Even if the editors who fix our writing are the best looking in the industry (thanks for noticing, Tim - Editorial team), we’re all still human. We made a big and embarrassing mistake last issue. You may have noticed the Ultimate X25 is in this issue but was in the last one too. That’s because we ran the wrong specs and pricing with the review. Oops! We are truly sorry and feel pretty bad, though we are cheekily happy to hear that the phone is ringing hot at Ultimate HQ with people lining up to buy it at the price we printed, about a third of its retail. To the team at Ultimate, we are terribly sorry and to make up for it, we’ve checked the specs 17 and a half times and have rerun the review of the all-conquering Ultimate X25.
24
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r
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H a pp y
An n iv er s ar y
In the first half of our CTOTY coverage last month, we published our review of the event-winning Ultimate X25. Unfortunately, in the rush to publish all the results from our record-sized CTOTY, we attached the wrong specs box to that review. Our winning camper, limited edition upgrade of Ultimate’s much-loved fold out, deserves to be treated right, so we decided to run the review again in all its glory — and this time with the right specs! Pics Matt Williams & Cam Inniss 26
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Ultimate X25, Fold Out
N A H T 5 2 X E T A M I T L U E H T O T E R O M R E M O S S A “ T H ER E ' S FA H R E P M A C S I H T . K R O W T N N I A A M P I E Y H C N H A T F A K T S ” U W J O H S N O S E R U T A E F W E N Y L L A T N E M A FUND score 82
Ultimate produces immaculately constructed and finished campers that seem to owe their design inspiration to a marine cruiser more than a camper. Expecting to see a familiar ‘nautical but nice’ offering this year at CTOTY, the judging panel were in for a surprise. You see, the X25 is Ultimate’s 25th anniversary special edition and, ‘buoy’ is the team out to make a splash with this limited-edition model. Walking up to the X25 at the judging grounds at this year’s CTOTY event was like being welcomed to an enchanted garden where moonbeams burst in the sunlight and fairy dust glistens. This effect was due to the camper’s lustrous, glittering, silver metallic, multi-layered paint that was unlike anything we’d seen on a camper before. And it clearly signalled that we were in for something different. Summon the angelic choir and the picture would have been complete. But there’s far more to the Ultimate X25 than just fancy paintwork. This camper has some fundamentally new features on show. The most significant innovation is that
Ultimate has stepped away from the standard 12V system to deliver, instead, a 24V system that’s capable of providing twice the amount of power with the same number of amps. In practice, this means that this camper can provide enough power to support a modern home kitchen. So, if you’d been ‘umming’ and ‘ahhing’ about packing the thermal convection cooker, coffee machine or even a second fridge, fill your boots. The Ultimate has you covered with its custom 5.2kW lithium battery and 600W solar input (or more if you ask nicely). Oh, and did we mention that every USB port has 120W of power, meaning that your phones and other techno-gadgets will recharge in half the usual time of a 12V system? ‘Beam me up, Scotty’. At its core, the X25 is an Ultimate GT360 with all the options included — and more besides. This camper is clearly pitched towards Ultimate’s target market of discerning couples and families looking for a high-end, boutique Australian camper. And while the $95K price tag may limit potential
Overall CTOTY WINNER Best Fold Out Winner X Factor Winner
Words kath heiman buyers to those with an enviable disposable income, it’s worth remembering that to up-spec an Ultimate Nexus with the same features, you’d be paying around $30K more than the X25’s price tag. This sparkling camper is a rare gem that promises to deliver diamonds to its lucky owners.
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Relaxing in comfort knowing there is enough power and supplies on board
R A E R E H T H T I ,W P U T E S O T S R E P M A E C H R T E L G P N I M N I E S P E O H T N E “ T H I S WA S O N E O F I T H G A S S T R U T S A S S I S T I N G A N D T H L L A H S R A M N N W E P L U G S T EP S E A SILY SE T E CONTROL OR A MANUAL BUT TON” T O M E R A I V R E H TOP EI T
score 81
Looks can be deceiving with the Ultimate X25, especially thanks to its sparkly paint job, but this camper is built for remote overlanding. In fact, the X25 was the off-grid camper that offered the most comfort. The 100 x 100 x 3mm central beam is high tensile Duragal 350mpa and the chassis 100 x 50 x 3mm and is painted with Rhinocoat. The Cruisemaster independent trailing arms with long-travel coil springs and Ironman foam cell pro shocks will handle any corrugations, washouts or ruts you can throw at it. All the plumbing and wiring is run internally using cable trays meaning nothing can get caught up or damaged when you’re off the beaten track. Articulation won’t be an issue with the Cruisemaster DO35 coupler and the PDW alloys were wrapped in 305/65R17 Mickey Thompson Baja’s. There is no sign of a stone guard,
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instead, the front and underbelly of the camper are painted with Rhinocoat to protect the fibreglass. As judges, we certainly were surprised by the reduced temperatures inside the X25 thanks to the air conditioner that was running in the background. When you have a 24V electrical system powered by a 5.2kW lithium battery, this sort of comfort is possible, and when it’s cold the Truma heater/ hot water combo will warm you up. Full-grain cow’s leather wraps the 70mm Enduro foam lounge and the internal kitchen benchtop and table is carbon fibre. The king size memory foam mattress has a depth of 130mm with a 60mm mattress topper and being trifold, can be turned into a day bed/lounge. This was one of the simpler campers to set up, with the rear steps easily set up with gas struts assisting and then opening
Words glenn marshall the top either via a remote control or a manual button with only a minor bit of help needed at the peak of the lift. The tent itself is erected by lifting two gas strut assisted hoops then attaching four spring-loaded spreader bars (already connected at one end with the preset length) to tension it. The awning, that can remain attached to the tent, provides 360degrees of coverage and is held up by stainless steel poles that attach to the body of the camper.
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5 2 Y K C U L E H T Y V N E I D N A , N I N E E S E B O F T F , O F O G N D I U T O C R E L P F E E B R O T T H G R I E L P E M H A T C H A T I S I W 5 P M A C O L T Y “THE X2 N U I D L L N O A V R L M L I I T W ” O K R O WH W T N I A P S U O E G T H AT O U T R A
CAMPER SPECS ULTIMATE X25 TRAILER TARE 1100kg ATM 1500kg Ball Weight 80kg Chassis High-tensile Duragal Coating Rhino coating with limited edition metallic Silver Colour Style Fold out Rims 17in alloy wheels Coupling DO35v3 off-road hitch Suspension Independent Trailing Arm Suspension Tent Material: Premium Australian Manufactured Canvas with Safari roof
DIMENSIONS
Zip out sections all around provide views and ventilation
score 82.5
The X25 took out the big gong. It was the highest-scoring camper overall as well as the highest-scoring Fold Out and, to us judges, had the most X-Factor among all 21 entrants but there is an elephant in the room — the price. Close enough to $100k to say it is as much, it goes down as one of the most expensive campers we’ve tested. Does that automatically preclude it from doing well in Value for Money? No, as it's subjective criteria and the fact that we judges know a few things we can break down the cost to replicate most campers. It gets a bit harder with a paint finish as we saw, or what it costs to put in a 124V, 5kW battery plus AC and oodles of carbon fibre finish so it makes for an interesting conversation. I appreciated what the X25 could do but to me, there were some unnecessary expenses that pushed my final Value score down a touch. However, this is why we have four judges to average out our subjective feelings, one glance at the scoresheet and the X25 did well for Value for Money
Length: 4.5m Width: 2m Height: 1.83
Words tim van duyl even with its big-ticket. There is pretty much nothing I can say to add to the panel's argument that the X25 was outright, the best and most exciting camper at CTOTY 2021. I could wax lyrical about the key features, build quality and the epic amounts of options but at the end of the day, the X25 beat all comers for X-factor. No one will miss the sparkle of the X25 Anniversary and one look inside and it's obvious the beauty and quality carry on throughout the camper. The X25 is a camper to be proud of, to be seen in, and I envy the lucky 25 who roll into camp at dusk with the light reflecting off that outrageous paintwork only to set up and know they have the power reserves to relax in real comfort. Well done David and Bronwyn for presenting to us and to the whole team at Ultimate for the hard work and effort in designing and delivering on such an extraordinary camper.
Standard Inclusions: Victron 24v/3000 inverter, 5.12kw lithium battery Water: 110L + 55L Grey Water: 55L Gas: Gas install plus 2x 3.8kg gas bottle 3 Burner Stove/Sink Combo Hot water, heater, and external shower Truma Air Conditioner Price: $95,000 (as tested)
ENQUIRIES Ultimate X25
Address 1A Livestock Way, Pakenham VIC 3810 Phone 1300 500 077 Web ultimatecampers.com.au camper.hemax.com More pictures
Specs to compare
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The 24V system allows for a full kitchen that would fit right in at home
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P O T S U O Y E D A M Y T O T C T A R E P M A K O “IF ANY C O C D I V A D ” E T A M I T L U E H T E B O T S TA R E , I T H A D
Storage space for whatever you need
Words David Cook
score 92.5 While the reborn Ultimate has been undergoing its hyperevolution from a competent and classy camper into an industry leading vessel of everything that’s amazing, its credibility as a rugged outback explorer has remained undiminished. The 24 volt electronics make maximum use of its 5.12 kWh of lithium battery capacity. Unless you’re foolishly running the air conditioner all night, that’s never going to evaporate. The Victron 70A battery management system will ensure that it stays at its optimum, as will the 3000 watt pure sine wave inverter, and you can monitor it all on the provided tablet with its installed software (or your phone, if that’s more convenient). There’s plenty of water, with 165 litres in a single tank, plus a 55L grey water receptacle, so you will be secure in compliance in national parks everywhere. There is a mains water input for those times when you’re in reach of town supply that will feed to your taps or the water tank and
CTA RATINGS ULTIMATE X25 FOLD OUT 1. FIT FOR INTENDED PURPOSE 2. INNOVATION 3.SELF-SUFFICIENCY 4. QUALITY OF FINISH 5. BUILD QUALITY 6. OFFROAD-ABILITY 7. COMFORTS 8. EASE OF USE 9. VALUE FOR MONEY 10. X-FACTOR 30
the Truma Combi gas hot water system will ensure a ready supply of clean dishes and bodies. There’s two 3.8kg gas bottles to ensure you can fire up that system at any time, and the Combi has the capacity to lift water from an outsidde source. The whole setup, from the commercial grade resettablee fuses and isolator switches to the hidden cable trays for all a circuitry to the 135L Bushman fridge, was fine quality. If any camper at CTOY made you stop and stare in term ms of finish it had to be the Ultimate. The finely finished boddy shell, with its immaculate fibreglass mould preparation to its two coats of fleck and three coats of clear, was outstanding. The detail of newly remanufactured hinges, s reflective ropes, springs, cowhide leather seating, rope slides and the rear step Seadecking is all in the finest finish with moulded or etched branding. This camper had the works.
KATH HEIMAN
GLENN MARSHALL
Build quality was, as usual, up to the best standard. From the doubled 100 x 100 350mpa Duragal main central beam for the chassis, to the fully coated underbody in Rhinocoat, to the carbon fibre internal benches and shelves and stainless-steel tent bows, this camper had it all. CTA
TIM VAN DUYL
DAVID COOK
UPCOMING FESTIVALS • 27 March, 2021 - Warialda Honey Festival Family Fun with market stalls, antique motor car displays, motor bike display, amusement rides, raffles and more
• 2 April- 4 April 2021- Easter Fish Competition, The Bingara Anglers Club
• 17 April 2021 Warialda Jockey Club Racing • 24 April 2021 Bingara Street Fair A day of fun for all ages, with Rock n Roll music, stalls, shop specials, fine foods and Bingara Golf Club 9 hole “Just for Fun”
PLACES TO VISIT • Warialda/Bingara Museums • Visitor Information Centres • Copeton Dam • Rocky Creek Glacial Area • Myall Creek Memorial
Bingara Office 02 6724 0066 Warialda Office 02 6729 3037
g w ydi r.nsw.gov. a u
• The Living Classroom • Ceramic Break Sculpture Park • Cranky Rock • The Roxy Theatre Tours and Greek Museum Tours
THINGS TO DO
• Fossicking
• Bird watching • Fishing • Walking trails • Golf/Tennis/Bowls • Cycling • Horse riding
r a k i shl y
Hand so me Designed with families in mind, the Offline Raker has almost as much space and features as you would expect in a hybrid or caravan, without sacrificing camper trailer toughness and mobility Pics Matt Williams & Cam Inniss
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R E K A R E H T , N G I S DE T C A P M O C A N I L E V A R T AN Y M L I I E M H A H F T A A E K R A ” . E E T E O U Q M R E A R M Y F A M F O O C E R C O A F P “ S E H T H T I W D I R B Y H A F O S E N O B E H T HAS
Words kath heiman
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offline raker
score 78
The Offline Raker provides caravan-like comfort to adventurous couples whose kids have long-since outgrown the parents’ bed but who aren’t ready to pitch a swag under the awning. This is an elegant and high-quality Australian-made camper which lays claim to the longest hard-floor space and shortest tow length in its class. The Offline Raker is a reinvention of a hard-floor camper style that has become less prominent in recent years. This new imagining of a tried and tested design concept is bristling with comforts and innovative features to make camping easier. From the waist down, the Offline Raker is manufactured identically to the Offline Domino. The Raker’s features include an adjustable drawbar length, and a unique ignition-actuated air-pressurisation system to keep dust out of the rig. The roof deployment mechanism is electric assisted and automated. These features speak to the engineering nous and imagination of Adelaide mechanical engineer, Sam Reynolds, who developed the camper when he could find no others on the market that met his camping requirements. When packed away, the clean lines of the marine-grade aluminium and composite panelling give the Offline Raker a striking presence on the road. First impressions are surpassed only when the camper’s huge lid is unleashed to reveal the Australian-made canvas tent which extends from the front of the rig all the way to the rear of the kids’ 32mm composite hard-floor sleep space. At 2.95m x 1.66m, this area is easily sufficient for a couple of kids’ stretchers while leaving both the entranceway and the offside ensuite access door unobscured. With Cruisemaster AirBag Man suspension, levelling the whole rig is achieved simply with the press of a button. Up top, the solar panel is integrated into the tent canvas, a really clever idea which reduces setup time and maximises utility of this massive roof space. The Offline Raker is a high quality Australian owned and built camper with an R&D focus. For comfy remote area family travel in a compact design, the Raker has the bones of a hybrid with the space of a marquee. 33
Setup was quick and very easy
L E V E L H G I H A S I N O I T C U R T S N O C D N A G N I R E E K N I O G O N C E D T I N V E A L D L ” E . C H X S E U B S T E I H H T T I N I W U O O G Y O N “T AI T S U S O T Y C N E I C I F F U S F L E S D A O R F OF OF score 86.5
The Offline Raker, like its later sibling, the Domino, comes to the rearfold paradigm with a fresh approach that makes for some interesting solutions to this design. To go with its excellent engineering and construction is a high level of offroad self-sufficiency to sustain you in the bush. As we saw it there was a 200Ah lithium battery, sustained by 350W of flexible solar mounted on the top of the tent. Between camps the 40A Enerdrive battery management system does a good job of sustaining charge from the alternator. Like the Domino there was a wi-fi and signal booster, and two water tanks (105L and 75L), with the smaller unit set aside for drinking, with its own special tap feeding through a filter. The gas supply is in two 4.5kg gas bottles, while jerry can holders are optional and drop into the front box. 34
Offline has been smart and adapted both the Raker and the Domino designs to use the same bottom half construction, speeding and reducing the cost of production. Both use lasercut hot dip galvanised 100 x 50 x 3mm Australian high tensile C450 steel for the chassis and drawbar, the latter having a 800mm extended option (adding 200mm) to suit tow vehicles with a barn door or fold-down rear access requirement. The body sides are 29mm-thick composite fibreglass panels above mid-line, 5052 aluminium below and the 3m long rear floor is made from a single piece of composite for strength and lightness. All the fittings throughout the camper are laser-cut for a fine and accurate finish. The kitchen is stainless steel, as per the industry standard, and the tent is all-Aussie 12-ounce canvas for the roof, 10-ounce canvas for walls.
Words David Cook The front panels hi h lso serve as stone guards, ar Raptor coated.
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CAMPER SPECS OFFLINE RAKER TRAILER Tare 1200kg (standard), 1300kg (displayed) ATM 1900kg Payload 700kg Ball Weight 180kg Chassis/Drawbar 100 x 50 x 3mm high-grade RHS steel, chassis hot-dip galvanised Body Marine-grade aluminium and stainless steel Brakes 12in electric Coupling Cruisemaster DO35 Body Marine-grade aluminium and stainless steel Wheels/Tyres Matched to towing vehicle up to 35in tyres Style Hard-floor rear-fold
DIMENSIONS Travel 1550m x 1800mm x 4670mm Floor length 2950mm x 1660mm Awning size 6.5m x 2.4m
PRICED FROM $55,600
ACCESSORIES All the canvas for the roof and Australian-made
walls is
Water 105L tank for kitchen and ensuite, optional 75L tank for drinking, optional Webasto diesel heater for hot water at sink and ensuite shower outlet Gas 2 x 4kg bottles, one plumbed Kitchen Stainless steel slide-out with two or three burner and sink, 250L storage within arms’ reach of kitchen, 95L CFX fridge Battery 2 x 105Ah AGM battery standard, can be upgraded to lithium. 20A Enerdrive DC to DC charger standard (40A optional) and Enerdrive 40A AC to DC charger standard. Optional 400 to 2600W Enerdrive inverter. Simarine battery monitoring system.
PRICE AS TESTED $75,000
ENQUIRIES OFFLINE CAMPERS
Phone 0422 350 110 Email sales@offlinecampers.com.au Web offlinecampers.com.au amper.hemax.com More pictures
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Offline will build the camper around your choice of mattress
T I F O T S O M H T I W E G A R O T S F O S D A O L S A L H L A R E H P S R M A A C M E N H N T “ LE G ” . T U O D N A E D I S IN M O R F E L B I S S E C AC
score 82.5
Under-bed storage
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When on the hunt for a camper, finding one with a low ball weight should be one criteria, as it can weigh heavily once the camper is packed. This is why I was a little concerned about the 180kg ball weight on the Raker. Designer and manufacturer Sam Reynolds was quick to explain that this high weight was intended as part of the design, as the majority of the storage is at the rear of the camper. The chassis is 100 x 50 x 3mm high tensile RHS with an extendable drawbar that houses a DO35 coupler and the ARK 750 offroad jockey wheel. As tested in the judges' run, the stopping power was great thanks to the 12in electric brakes and the handling superb with help from the Cruisemaster XT Air suspension. Dust ingress is prevented thanks to the ingenious 12V pressurisation system than can be switched to turn on and off with the vehicle or operate manually. A traditional stone guard isn’t utilised, as Raptor coating protects the front of the camper and if you need to change a tyre, high lift jacking points are on either side behind the wheels. Talking of wheels, the rims and tyres are matched to e tow vehicle. It’s nice that you can head off to Captain Snooze and choose e perfect innerspring queen-sized mattress to suit you, up to 0mm, and Offline will organise the pickup and installation. The camper has loads of storage with most of it accessible from inside and out. Access to the 2600W Enerdrive inverter
Words glenn marshall is possible from the bedroom and reading lights at the head of the bed make reading before lights out easier. Sirocco fans help move air through the expansive indoor space with enough height to suit the tallest person. The high-spec kitchen has a three-burner stove and hot water plumbed to the sink while also offering good access to a large slide out pantry drawer and the fridge. This is one luxurious hard floor camper. With a beer in hand, you can level the camper from side to side using the airbag system, open the tent using the electronic actuator, and adjust the three poles required to tension the tent. Very simple and easy.
The kitchen is high quality and well laid out
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M O T S U C Y L L U F F O S T I F E N E B E H T F O “ONE O T Y T I L I B A R I E TH S I E N I L F F O E K I L ” . S B UIL D ER S D E E N R U O Y O T D L I U B R I E H T T P A AD T I M VA N D U Y L score 81
Words tim van duyl
One of the benefits of fully custom builders like Offline is their ability to adapt their build to your needs for things like track width and wheel PCD and offset. This is exactly what Offline did with its Raker, matching it to the venerable 100 Series LandCruiser supplied to tow it. It gave the Raker stable towing on the soft sand of Grants Beach, south of Port Macquarrie as well as confidence that you have more than enough spares should you roll a bead or two or tear a sidewall. Should you want, it also allows you to lose the spare from under the Raker to add to the already decent 600kg payload. The smooth tow is aided by arguably the best-in-thebusiness suspension, Cruisemaster's XT with the air option. So you can level the camper on rough sites easily but also
set the bag pressure to help stabilise possible bounce with a light load or raise the ride height with a heavy load. Helping its off-road cred is the underside of the camper. It’s bloody impressive and the poster boy for tidy plumbing and smoothed skid plates. Sam uses stainless steel for protection over the water tanks and the way it is chamfered gives me confidence that, should you find yourself with a rock jammed underneath, powering over it should be fine. Setting up the Raker is pretty straightforward, well it’s actually stupidly easy with an electric actuator doing the heavy lifting and a pole system designed to allow you to have a hand free at all times. I wonder what for? The awning poles are twist lock and pinned at the hinge to the frame so there is no losing one. I reckon it was a five-minute job, or
two cans if it was one of those drives where your mates got a head start in the back seat. Once set up, you're met with your choice of mattress. By that I mean you go order it from your favourite supplier and the team will build the camper around it. The mattress in the Raker we tested was a pocket-spring with a foam topper, it was better than at home, honestly. And around it are all the mod-cons well-positioned to be taken advantage of or, if you’re in the tent side, there is space for bunks for the kids and in the ensuite extension, room to shower and comfortably dry. The Raker is as impressive in its comfort as it is in its design and build quality. Outstanding. CTA
CTA RATINGS OFFLINE RAKER
KATH HEIMAN
GLENN MARSHALL
TIM VAN DUYL
DAVID COOK
1. FIT FOR INTENDED PURPOSE 2. INNOVATION 3.SELF-SUFFICIENCY 4. QUALITY OF FINISH 5. BUILD QUALITY 6. OFFROAD-ABILITY 7. COMFORTS 8. EASE OF USE 9. VALUE FOR MONEY 10. X-FACTOR
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Bushwakka Sundowner EVO
Best Expedition Best Value for Money
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ex ped i tio n Thoughtfully designed to maximise storage and features in a small and nimble package, the Bushwakka Sundowner EVO brings South African offroad toughness down under Pics Matt Williams & Cam Inniss
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The EVO is specifically designed for offroading couples
score 82.5 With a long South African heritage, Bushwakka has hit the Australian camper market running, with expedition-type campers built to withstand the harshest conditions either country can provide. Winning a couple of awards at Camper Trailer of the Year 2021 was the icing on the cake for Johnny and Annelize and their Sundowner EVO. Designed and built for two people who love exploring remote destinations, the Sundown EVO ticks all the boxes. There’s also plenty of room to roll out a couple of swags under the fold-out bed or attach an Oztent to the awning if you have kids. Having a South African pedigree, this camper will go wherever you want to take it with a high level of comfort. The offroad suspension, well-appointed kitchen, king size bed with great protection from the awning, detailed canvas work, 40
compression seals and lightweight all work in the Sundowner EVO’s favour. Being able to escape inside when the weather turns or the bugs become annoying is a big benefit, and it also provides some privacy. I’ve been calling it the Goldilocks of the camper world — not too heavy, not too light, but just right. The fold-down kitchen is unique to Bushwakka, with a place for everything, including high-density foam holding all the crockery securely. The stove is mounted to the kitchen door, so when it packs up, it fills the void preventing anything behind it moving on even the roughest tracks. Even better, crockery, cutlery, pots and pans are all included. With easy access to the fridge on one side and the kitchen sink with plumbed hot water on the other, it's one of the best galley kitchens I’ve ever seen.
Words glenn marshall
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E H T F O S K C O L I D L GO E H T T I G N I L L A C O O T “I’ V E B EEN T O N , Y V A E H O O T T O N — D L R O L L CAMPER W A H S R A M N N E L G ” . T H G I R T S U J T LIGH T, BU
CAMPER SPECS BUSHWAKKA SUNDOWNER EVO TRAILER Tare 1200kg ATM 1700kg Suspension Nine-leaf, Safari shocks, beam axle Brakes 12in mechanical drum Coupling Offroad 50mm ball Chassis/Drawbar: 3CR12 stainless steel Body Aluminium Wheels Six-stud 16in alloy Tyres 265/75R16 Monsta Terrain Gripper Style Fold-out hybrid
DIMENSIONS This expedition-style camper is built to go anywhere
Body size 2017 x 1873mm (H x W) Length 4399mm Awning size 4876 x 6000mm
ACCESSORIES GGas cylinders 2 x 3kg ater 135L ooktop Two-burner gas tchen Side fold-down aluminium ttery 2 x 100Ah lithium
ICE AS TESTED 000
QUIRIES shwakka Campers
e (07) 5515 7912 Em l enquiries@bushwakka.com.au ushwakka.com.au
er.hemax.com Mo e pictures
Specs to compare 41
score 83.5
Self-sufficiency is still the hot topic around town. Buyers and we in the media are calling for more time off-grid and less reliance on infrastructure like holiday parks. Most people just look at water capacity, power creation and power storage but there is so much more like dealing with heat, pulling water from natural sources and choice of, and positioning of, the fridge/cool stores. The Sundowner ticks the boxes for power creation with 300w of solar and good storage in 200 a/hr of lithium which, importantly, is controlled through a proper BMS but it falls a bit short on water capacity — that is until you find the lift pump that can connect to the Smarttek gas hot water system, allowing for the 135L of water to be dedicated to drinking. At 4L per person per day, that’s 33 days solo or more than a week for a family. This is why I love lift pumps. You can consume locally sourced water for showers and washing up
while leaving the tanks for drinking. Gas storage is good with twin 4.5kg bottles, plenty for the hot water and a two-burner stove. So that leaves heat management and fridge positioning — check the images, if there was only one thing Bushwakka did better than most, it would be shade. There are so many layers of awning that they give shade on shade; excellent stuff. And the fridge? It is tucked away in the front box, which is alloy and again shaded. This is self-sufficiency done well and probably my favourite attribute of the Sundowner. Compression seals on all hatches are a good sign for dust prevention while the stitching on the canvas is all top-notch. I’d like to see the team move to a finer midge mesh, however. Other construction details are 3CR12 stainless steel chassis in a robust-looking ladder layout, which is then sealed with heavy-duty paint. The topsides are painted aluminium with really tidy finishes. Talking to the enigmatic Johnny Loots of
Bushwakka I quizzed him on the choice of 3CR12 and over-thetop framing. Johnny laughed and replied, ‘we like things big and strong’ and I couldn’t argue, the Sundowner is a tough beast.
Words tim van duyl The kitchen design is very innovative
kitchen The unique fold-down y er ck fully protects all cro
D N A L L E W E N O D Y C N E I C I F F U S F L E E H T “THIS IS S F O E T U B I R T T A E T I R U O V A F Y M Y YL U PROBABL D N A V M I T ” R E SUNDOWN
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Top notch awning covering the rear entrance
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The Bushwakka Sundowner EVO, like its larger sibling, the Bhoma, presents a surprisingly full package for the price. It has everything from a basic toolkit of axe, mallet, shovel and wheel brace, through to a fully setup kitchen for four, including all crockery, cutlery, glasses, cookware and even three bottles of South African wine, all packed neatly into a notched foam cradle behind the expansive fold-down kitchen bench. Add the included gas bottles and you’re well on the way to your first camping trip with little more to spend. Of course, that is small beer when you consider a durable chassis and suspension and a well set-out, functional camper. But all of that is included too, bringing you a mobile home in the bush with a comfortable bed, electricity, plenty of water, a shower, hot water when you need it, cavernous storage options and a huge area under shelter, all for $10,000 less than its big brother (or sister) and at 100kg less in tare weight. The limited lifetime structural warranty means that you, as the original purchaser, are covered for as long as you own the camper, with the included appliances being covered by the manufacturers of those products for their published terms. So, what really grabs you about the Sundowner? What sticks in your mind after you walk away? For me it’s the practical functionality of this camper. If the outside world is unfriendly — whether it be a swarm of flies, a gritty dust storm, pouring rain or some other natural disaster that makes life outside a problem — then you need do no more than step inside the rear
THE YEAR
S K C I T S T A H W ? ER N W O D N U S E H T T U O B A L U A O C Y I T S C B A A R R P G E Y H L T L A S IT’ E M R O F ? “ S O , W H AT R E Y A W A K L A K W O U O O C Y D I R V E A T F D A ” . D R N E I P M A C S I H T IN YOUR M F O Y T I L A FUNCTION door and you have a comfy bench to sit down and dry out, eat a meal or simply gather your mind before you plunge outside once more. There is storage everywhere you look, in numerous small pockets — a very South African trait that really needs to be adopted by more Australian manufacturers — or cavernous cupboards. And when you lie down in your bed and take in the 270 degrees of panoramic views of your chosen camp site you can absorb the outside space which is the very reason we all go camping.
South African campers really know how to 'do' storage
Words David Cook 43
A comfy queen bed and excellent airflow make for a good night's sleep
E L B M I N A R O F G N I K O O L E L P U O C R O O TD N U A O M I D E E H G H G T U A R K A ” . O Y T IT E N V E I T M C A A N R T O T E A S I R M E O B R U P “ M O C T ’ N S E O D T A H T R E P M A C E R U T N ADVE
Words kath heiman Plenty of standing space with the roof up
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With its tapered nose cone, clean lines, compact size and tiny 90kg ball weight, the Bushwakka Sundowner Evo is an extremely straightforward tow. The stainless-steel chassis supports a body combining stainless steel and aluminium panels clad with checkerplate, automotive paint and Raptor coating. The progressive rated bundle of 10 leaf springs, heavy duty Gabriel Safari shocks, 2200kg rated axle and R17 Monsta terrain tyres with steel rims complete the picture. While conventional, this Tonka-tough suspension and steel rim combo is eminently sensible for remote travel where the nearest repair shop may be the ‘local bloke’ in a tiny town several hundred kilometres from a recognisable automotive repairer or parts distributor. In terms of comforts and useability, the Sundowner is a really smart addition to Bushwakka’s fleet of campers. The Sundowner scales down several features of the familyfriendly Bhoma, making it uber-attractive to a rugged outdoor couple looking for a nimble adventure camper that doesn’t compromise on amenity. 44
Outside, the 270-degree awning shades a fully equipped kitchen with the crockery tucked away in custom foam inserts protected against damage over rough terrain. Around the front, a handy drop-down shelf in the nose cone provides ready access to frequently used tools. Indeed, there are enough storage pockets, cupboards and under-bed bins in and around the Sundowner to keep everyone happy. As the Bushwakka team say, ‘a place for everything and everything in its place’. Opening the rear door while the camper is in touring mode, the cavity space inside is surprisingly free of clutter from the folded high density queen bed mattress. In transitt this mattress generates a bench seat so the camper’s interior can be used even when the rig isn’t fully deployed. And in the driveway, most storage bins and pockets aree accessible for packing. Once unfurled, the Sundowner offers all the airflow thaat you could wish for and a comfortable night’s sleep. For a rugged outdoor couple with a soft centre, the Bushwakkaa Sundowner Evo is a remarkable camper. CTA
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The Sundowner Evo offers both flair and function
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Nine-leaf suspension do es the
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CTA RATINGS BUSHWAKKA SUNDOWNER
KATH HEIMAN
GLENN MARSHALL
TIM VAN DUYL
DAVID COOK
1. FIT FOR INTENDED PURPOSE 2. INNOVATION 3.SELF-SUFFICIENCY 4. QUALITY OF FINISH 5. BUILD QUALITY 6. OFFROAD-ABILITY 7. COMFORTS 8. EASE OF USE 9. VALUE FOR MONEY 10. X-FACTOR
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Stunning wildlife at every turn
HIGHs
èAVE ĥ LOWS ªHIND ý A JąRNEY ħ +ă´USZç .¢IýAL ćRK ıÂE HĄ ĞRàS CAVƧ AND LAæě¹ CAMČNG SīRąND !UĠRALIAsS L÷ĦƧT SUMMã Words and Pics Sam Richards
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S E R U T N E V D A
O K Z S U I C S KO NAL NATIO PA R K
The views of Kosciuszko are awe-inspiring
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osciuszko National Park is divided into seven spread-out sections and the Thredbo-Perisher section, home to Australia’s tallest mountain, is the pick of the bunch. Jindabyne acts as a gateway to this adventure haven. Two roads head west out of town and into the mountains — Kosciuszko Way, which goes into Perisher and terminates at Charlotte’s Pass, and the Alpine Way, which passes through Thredbo Village. Access to this section of the park requires a pass, which costs $17 per vehicle per day for the season when the snowploughs go into hibernation (November to May) and can be bought from the visitor centre or the visitor entry stations on the roads themselves, during business hours. At 2228m tall, Kosciuszko isn’t exactly shining bright on the international stage, compared to New Zealand’s Mount Cook at 3724m or France’s Mont Blanc at 4808m. It would be a tad embarrassing to mention it in the same conversation as the 8000m+ heavyweights of Nepal.
Eye-catching native flo ra
Crystal clear waters
ͺ7H¢ ĥY LACK IN Ě½R ěZE !UĠRALIAN MąNTAINS MAæ UP ÊR IN DâĦNCĦVE Aď¼RAN³ ͺ 48
Kosciuszko can appear to be unassuming
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Snowdrifts filling the clefts of peaks
Accordingly, scaling Kosciuszko won’t qui land you in the leagues of first-ever Everest ascenders Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, but it still ranks as a terrific personal achievement — and the views to be had from summit, and along the way, are awe-inspiring o behold. Hikers can gun it for the top of Australia in a few ways. Those keen to peak early can take the Kosciuszko Express chairlift from Thredbo Village, use of which costs $45 per person per day. The chairlift deposits hikers near the Eagle s Nest Restaurant, Australia’s highest eatery at 1937m. From here, it’s 6.5km along a raised steel grate boardwalk over the boggy grass to the summit, making for a 13km round trip. For a longer and in my opinion more scenic foray, hikers can park at Charlotte’s Pass and from there, undertake the 22km Main Range Loop Hike, or the 18.6km Mount Kosciuszko Summit Trail (which is an up-and-back hike along the last half of the Main Range Loop). What they lack in sheer size, Australian mountains make up for in distinctive appearance. No mass-produced Matterhorns here! More rounded than their antipodean counterparts, our geologically older summits do a lot of the legwork lower down and round off into mounds on top. The unassuming peak of Kosciusz ko, well above the treeline, is dotted with lichen-covered boulders instead. Hundreds of ravens caw as they drift on the unimpeded alpine winds. Wind-smoothed snowdrifts fill the clefts of surrounding peaks until as late as November and these appear to wobble when seen through the moisture evaporating from the tussock grass. The tranquillity of the climb itself, a little hard to reconcile with the raised heartbeat of heavy exercise, nevertheless triumphs as the purple, white and yellow wildflowers and babbling streams flowing over rounded pebbles assert their quiet statements of beauty.
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" The broader National Park offers endless recreational opportunities."
Incredible tree formations are common
The surface is well-maintained and defined track for the most part, but the Main Range Hike does require boulder-hopping to cross the Snowy River, careful traversing of remnant snowdrifts, and ascent of steep gradients. Add to this the changeable weather — it can snow even in summer — and it pays to check the forecast first to avoid having to blindly search for the brick toilet block or Seaman’s Hut as the frostbite sets in. The good thing about this section of the National Park is that far from being a one trick pony, it has heaps of awesome shorter walks, including the 400m Snow Gum Boardwalk, the 2km Mount Stilwell ascent, the 4km one-way Thredbo River Walk, and the 5km Illawong Walk from Guthega. The broader National Park offers endless recreational opportunities. It’s a fly fisherman’s dream, for both veterans in faded waders standing waist-deep in snow melt and newbies learning to catch trout with tour guides or at a trout farm. When the skiers and snowboarders head home after winter, the downhill mountain bikers quickly take their place in Thredbo, especially during events (eg. the Cannonball Festival). Beer-lovers grab a beverage at 50
Local history is plentiful
Kosciuszko Brewing Company. Historians learn more about the Snowy-Hydro scheme at the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre at Cooma, or uncover the stories of hard-bitten pioneer settlers or early gold fossickers (from back when nuggets were a dime a dozen, and I’m not talking about McDonalds). Spa-bathers take a dip at Yarrangobilly Thermal Pool while wannabe geologists head underground in to the Yarrangobilly Caves just next door. Naturalists keep their eyes peeled for interesting species — like the endangered Corroboree Frog, which is yellow with black stripes and has toxic skin — while avoiding others, such as feral pigs. We heard one squeal in the depths of night. Lock the doors and sleep with the carjack under the pillow! Alpine national parks in both Victoria and New South Wales are unusually generous with the provision of free campsites. We camped at Island Bend and Humes Crossing within Kosciuszko National Park, both of which had drop toilets. The latter is on the edge of Blowering Reservoir and is on the same stretch of road as five other nearby Parks sites. The sites here, along the winding Snowy Mountains Highway, are ideally positioned on the tree-lined banks at the bottom of brown-green hills that roll into steely blue waters. The scenery recalls Wanaka and the lake country in New Zealand. On Blowering Reservoir, Gang Gang Cockatoos, which have dark grey bodies and fluffy bright red heads and crest feathers, visited us in the evening and morning, alighting on the gum branches and providing entertainment as they preened each other, fed the youngsters beak to beak, and squawked raucously as if the Day of Judgment was nigh. Bookings are presently required for all Parks campsites in Kosciuszko National Park; this seems to be a new safety measure. There’s now a $6 booking fee, so technically, camping isn’t ‘free’ anymore. If you find a site booked out, which could easily happen on weekends when recreational boaters and mountain bikers come in hordes, there’s plenty of council-run free camps to fall back on, such as Numeralla Rest Area. Jindabyne offers numerous commercial campsites around the lake in town, too. CTA
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B u il tfo r
With versatility and simplicity in spades, you can feel optimistic about the Ozcape Optima Pics Matt Williams & Cam Inniss
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CAMPER SPECS OZCAPE
Weight From 790kg dry, 885kg dry as seen Frame Underfloor steel frame Body/cladding Fibreglass composite with closed cell structural foam core DIMENSIONS Travel size L 4450mm W 2260mm H 2750mm Interior L 4025mm W 2100mm H 1900mm Awnings 270 deg wing awning, approx. 12sqm
Score 70.5
With its proudly Australian design and build, the Ozcape Optima offers a spacious slide-on camper for customers who want to break free of their tow ball and carry their homes on their back. This is a camper for buyers with high expectations for quality and finish, who appreciate the attention to detail the Ozcape team lavish on their products. For a slide-on camper, the Optima is remarkably spacious and well appointed. Inside it has an airy feel with plenty of headspace, and fixtures and fittings reminiscent of an upmarket beach shack. But there’s more to the Ozcape than immediately meets the eye. Most notable is the ingenious bed conversion layout. By simply lifting the dinette backrests upwards in line with the mattress, the standard 2100 x 1400mm east-west oriented bed provides an 1800 x 2100mm north-south option. This feature stands the Optima apart
from many other camper and slide-out layouts that offer only east-west sleeping orientations which inevitably leave someone crawling over someone else to access the bedspace. With the average height of Australian adults on the increase, the Optima offers a highly practical and refreshingly simple solution to this perennial challenge. The bed design is not the only eye-catching feature of the Optima. Entering the cabin, a sharp eye will notice the recessed cavity next to the ensuite door which houses the fire extinguisher. Easy to access, but out of the way, this thoughtful design feature speaks volumes of the Ozcape team’s meticulous approach. More versatile than a motorhome and simpler to operate than many campers, from top to toe the Ozcape Optima is a quality contender.
Home away from home
STANDARD FEATURES Remote controlled electric jacks 125 AH LiFePO4 Enerdrive battery system 240V & 12V DC-DC Enerdrive battery chargers 240 V AC external power inlet & outlet 240 V & 12 V internal power outlets 9kg gas cylinder & safety valves 95 litre 3-way AES fridge/freezer 3+1 burner stove/griller & glass lid Rangehood, 2 speed 86 litre fresh water tank 40 litre grey water tank (For full feature list see ozcape.com.au)
Words Kath Heiman
OPTIONAL EXTRAS Air conditioner Entertainment system Smart TV, DVD, Radio, CD, BT, Speakers, Aerial Solar panel Microwave Cabin fan DRS dust reduction system Hot water system, gas & 240V Self locating system Gas space heater Wing awning & bi-colour LED light Airmesh underlay for mattress PRICE AS SEEN $89,350 ENQUIRIES Ozcape Campers P/L
Phone (07) 5520 7388 Web ozcape.com.au camper.hemax.com More pictures
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Specs to compare
D N A E M O H R O T O M A N A H T E L I T A S R E V “MORE Y N A M N A H T E T A R E A S I E SIMPLER TO OP P A C Z O E H T OE T O T P O T M O R F , CAMPERS N A M I E H H T A K ” . R E QUALIT Y CONTEND
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E H T L E V E L D N A K R A P , E L P M I S S I “SET UP G N I H T O N H T I W , E N O D E R ’ U O Y D N A N VEHICLE O E L T T E K E H T T U P T P E C X E E D I S N I L TO DO L A H S R A M N N E L G .” E N O D L O C A K C A OR CR
No compromise on comfort needed
Score 74.5
Like any other slide on camper, offroad ability is largely dependent on the host vehicle. Ozcape recommend obtaining a GVM upgrade to the host vehicle and suggest the Ford Ranger or Mazda BT50 with trays to prospective buyers. The Optima is anchored to the tray by chains and two large locator pins. Designed to be taken to the remotest places, the camper is backed by a five-year structural warranty. The versatility of the slide-on means that within five minutes you can unload the camper and set it up as a base camp, before enjoying some of the more extreme offroad challenges. You can also tow a boat with the Optima so base camp could become a fishing camp as you catch a few barra while camping beside the Roper River. Consideration with the height of the Optima is needed, though, as at 2760mm keeping the centre of gravity low and watching out for low
branches is important. The Optima has been crafted to spend time off-grid without having to compromise on comfort. The camper has a fully equipped internal kitchen that includes a 3 + 1 burner stove and grill, rangehood, 95L 3-way AES fridge/freezer, and a Nespresso Coffee Machine with pod holder. The ensuite is spacious and an external shower allows you to wash the sand off your feet after a day spent on the beach. The closed cell composite panels that make up the shell are insulated, providing good thermal and acoustic properties and the double-glazed windows have in-built insect screens and blinds. Having a choice on which direction you sleep is easy with the 100mm high density foam mattress allowing you to sleep north-south or east-west. There’s a load of storage both in and out and when the weather gets too much a rooftop 240V air-conditioner will keep you cool, and a gas space
Words Glenn Marshall heater will warm you up. It’s amazing how much packs into the Optima, yet it still feels spacious. Set up is simple, park and level the vehicle and you’re done, with nothing to do inside except put the kettle on or crack a cold one. It takes five minutes to unload the camper thanks to the remote-controlled electric jacks which provide stability without a need for cross braces. Once lowered and levelled, open up the 270-degree Supapeg awning, pull out the chairs and relax in the shade. It doesn’t get any easier than that. 55
, R E S I U R C Y A W H HIG A E K I L K O O L T H K IG O M O C E P D I A V C A Z D O ” E T H U T O E IT F D N “WHIL A P U E K A M S T I O T E D I S S U O I R E IT HAS A S
The OzCape is a serious player in the market
Score 78
Slide-ons can be seen as designed either for comfortable cruising along the highways or beating around the bush, but not really for both. While the Ozcape Optima might look like a nice highway cruiser, it has a serious side to its makeup and fitout which makes it a player in even the harshest conditions. The 125Ah lithium battery with its 40A Enerdrive DC-DC and mains chargers provides plenty of grunt to meet the power demands of even the microwave, although the air conditioner would soon draw the power down to minimal levels and would require either a generator or mains input. The roof-mounted solar panel (an option that was fitted) helps sustain charge between bouts of driving. The 86L water tank, along with the 14L in the gas or 240V hot water system would keep you going for several days and the 40L grey water tank will keep national park authorities happy. The single 9L gas bottle is big enough to keep things running for some time, even with the demands of the three-way fridge and the gas space heater on top of the hot water. The two shower options — internal as well as external — provide you with choices that can make the most of your circumstances and the weather. One of the prime aspects of the Optima’s offroad capability is its sturdy construction. It’s built around a
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Rinse off the day
Words David Cook timber floor on a welded steel frame, which provides strength as well as flexibility, both important considerations in tough environments. The composite walls with their cell foam insulation have hardwood inserts at major stress points, such as around the freestanding leg mounts. There is no chipboard used in the vehicle and everything is made from fibreglass, aluminium or plywood. The roof is a one-piece unit to avoid exposing seams to the weather. The wall insulation is assisted by double glazed windows. The overall design is well balanced, with the centre of gravity just 790mm from the front of the camper unit so that it comes close to the vehicle’s centre of gravity, to prevent overloading of the rear axle and to keep weight on the front end for braking and steering control.
Score 75.5 The Ozcape Optima was my first foray into a hard-body slide-on camper. I have been lucky enough to sample a few with fold-out walls and popping tops but this was my first fully-sealed, box-on-a-tray camper and you know what, I really see the appeal. One look inside and there is a modern motorhome feel. It’s warm and not just from the soft wood and white colour tones but because the unit is so well sealed and insulated. Cabinetry is like a motorhome too, well-thought-out with stays for fragile gear and drawers for heavy items. The bed is like home and the shower over the toilet an uncommon and nice touch in a camper. There is good ventilation, a TV and fans to keep the air moving. It feels like an escape from the outside world — a very different camper to the norm, then. As tested, the Optima was a touch under $90,000 due to around $15k in options. You do need to add on a fairly specific vehicle (in our case an XLT Ranger Extra cab) but
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you need a tow car for any camper as it is, and the Ranger is a good drive. It is interesting to assess the value for money in a camper like this — $90k in a towed camper gets you sophisticated heavy-duty suspension, lots of awnings and durable construction but where the Optima saves these costs, it reinvests in the fit out with an emphasis on comfort. The X-Factor is partly what you expect, the lack of a trailer to slow you down but to me, also how the camper works when set up on the ground. Unlike a lot of slideons, the Optima can sit right down, almost on the ground allowing it to become the centre of a base station with awnings and an external shower cubicle extended from the body. It becomes an oasis, a refuge, quite the opposite of most campers that embrace the outdoors. The Optima is for people who want a sense of luxury and home while still able to go to remote camps and explore from there. CTA
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Words Tim Van Duyl Sturdy construction is at the heart of the OzCape
N R E D O M A S I E R E H T D N A E D I S N I L Y “ONE LOOK U D N A V M I T ” . MOTORHOME FEEL CTA RATINGS OZCAPE OPTIMA
KATH HEIMAN
GLENN MARSHALL
TIM VAN DUYL
DAVID COOK
1. FIT FOR INTENDED PURPOSE 2. INNOVATION 3.SELF-SUFFICIENCY 4. QUALITY OF FINISH 5. BUILD QUALITY 6. OFFROAD-ABILITY 7. COMFORTS 8. EASE OF USE 9. VALUE FOR MONEY 10. X-FACTOR
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The uniquely versatile Wedgetail Hawk can be assembled to your specifications, making a compact package with everything you need and nothing you don't Pics Matt Williams & Cam Inniss
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Versatility of design was a key winner for Wedgetail
score 82 Following the Wedgetail Hawk into the judging grounds for CTOTY 2021, it would have been easy to think we were tailing a tradie ute. With its sub-two metre height and unassuming black exterior, only the twin awning fixtures hinted at the real potential of this unique camper. In reality, the Wedgetail Hawk is an ingenious canopy camper targeting singles or couples who want to free up their hitch, with the versatility of a canopy ute during workdays and a weekend warrior for outdoor adventures. The magic begins when you unlatch the door of the Kevlar infused Speedliner coated alloy rear 1.1 x 1.8m box. Faced with a folded bed mattress, it’s obvious the Hawk is hiding something. To find out more, simply unlatch a lockable toggle at the back of the rig and the rear wall drops down, releasing 60
with it a canvas canopy that creates a queen size bed space. This design feature, so simple when you see it executed, is an innovation that really turns the concept of a canopy camper on its head. Impressive enough, this isn’t the only trick that the Wedgetail Hawk has under its wings. In essence, the Hawk comprises two super-strong mutually-reinforcing alloy boxes. One is the rear bunk box, and the other is whatever you want it to be. The model we reviewed was fully optioned, meaning that the forward utility box was bristling with Redarc RedVision TVMS combined with dual 100Ah Redarc lithium batteries, 200W solar, hot water system, external shower, fridge, microwave and even a pie warmer! If you’re looking for something more basic to suit you and your favourite
Words kath heiman dish-licker, the Wedgetail Hawk’s specs can be adapted to accommodate a more modest budget too. With four ‘off the shelf’ box lengths available to suit single, extra and dual cab utes, you can mix and match sizes and internal configuration to suit your vehicle and individual needs. Add a RTT and the kids are covered as well. It’s up to you. It’s this versatility, generated by Wedgetail’s unique ‘Jackin-a box’ design, that will keep tongues wagging and jaws dropping wherever you fly your Wedgetail Hawk.
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Y P O N A C S U O I N E G IN N A S I K A H L I A O H W S E L “THE WEDGE T P U O C R O S E L G N I S G N I T E G R A N A M I E CAMPER T H H T A K ” H C T I H R I E H T P U E WA N T T O F R E
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CAMPER SPECS WEDGETAIL HAWK SLIDE-ON Weight from 540kg dry Payload vehicle dependent Frame Marine grade aluminium Body/cladding Marine grade aluminium Coating Custom Kevlar Speeliner
DIMENSIONS Travel size 2.2m (L) x 1.8m (W) x 1.2m (H) (ex awnings) Interior 1m (H), 2m (L bed) Awnings 270deg and 180deg SupaPeg
ACCESSORIES 2 x 100A Redacr lithium batteries, 200W solar, 200W pure sine inverter, central locking, twin induction plate, Redarc TVMS with RedVision, 80L Dometic upright fridge, pie warmer, microwave, stereo, TV,
PRICE AS SEEN $39,500
ENQUIRIES Wedgetail Campers
Address 29 Teralba Rd, Broadmeadow NSW 2292 Phone 0458 130 106 Web wedgetailcampers.com.au camper.hemax.com More pictures
Specs to compare 61
score78 As Darren Houston, owner of Wedgetail Campers explained, the Hawk is the perfect option for caravanners who want to explore further off the beaten track without taking the caravan. It is also perfect for the fly by night camper or hunter because you can venture further than most other slide on campers on the market. Self-sufficiency is the Hawk’s strong point as is its versatility with the modular design. You would need to look at upgrading your vehicle GVM though, as Darren has done to his Ford Ranger, raising it to the maximum 3.5T.
Keep to the KISS principle and this camper will go anywhere your host goes. During the test, we didn’t even notice the camper was there and the suspension setup handled the weight nicely and this is the key to the Hawk’s offroad ability. It is up to you how you set up your 4WD, but you would need to install the Hawk first, or at least know its dry weight — 540kg in the unit we judged — to know what modifications you need and how much more weight you can add on with a bull bar, winch etc. It’s mind-blowing how much comfort is packed into such a small unit. The 100mm queen-sized tri-fold high-density mattress is something you usually find in a camper trailer, yet Darren has managed to make one fit perfectly into the sleeping pod. The lithium power is managed by the Redarc
RedVision TVMS and includes a 2000W inverter. Hot water is supplied by the Duetto Mk2 meaning hot showers are readily available and then there’s the ‘kitchen’ — the Travel buddy 12V oven, 20L microwave and twin element induction cooker with food and beverages chilling in the 80L Dometic stand up fridge. Shade is an all-around affair thanks to the two Supapeg awnings and when settled in bed the midgee screens keep you bug-free while the 12V evaporative cooler keeps you cool as you sleep. One small issue was the midgee screens on the lift up doors didn’t look effective as they are held on by magnets. The sleeping pod is simple to set up, by undoing a couple of latches, lowering the rear door, adjusting a couple of short poles and then the pod is accessible from either side via a portable ladder.
Words glenn marshall
OW H G N I W O L B D N I “I T’S M D E K C A P S I T R O F MUCH COM ” T I N U L L A M S A H IN TO SUC GLENN MARSHALL Massive awning space to keep you out of the elements
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HE T N I T N E D I V E E R O M S E M O C E B E U L A V D H N C A T O R E N P E P E O T D E T I H B T D N A , Y T “LOOK A I L I B A T P A AD E H T L S Y A U D H C N U A V M S M I A T S ” G HT G I E W E C I F HIDDEN THIN I R C A S T ' N S E O D T A H T N O I CONSTRUCT
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Judges were impressed by the size of the kitchen
The Hawk was completely unnoticeable during the drive test
score85.5
Wedgetail Campers use the toughest spray on coating on the market
Aside from the finish and super clever rear fold-out for the queen bed, another X-Factor is not obvious in the camper we saw, but in the adaptability of the design. Darren from Wedgetail tells us that each ‘box’, the section which holds the fridge and power systems or the bed module, can be built and installed separately as well as lengthened and shortened to suit most lengths of trays. The Ranger we saw had two 1100mm ‘boxes’ but there are also 1650mm boxes drawn. Buyers can pick and choose which length will best fit their needs and bolt them together. The quality shines and the attention to detail and consideration in things like the Kevlar coating is fantastic but coming in at $39,500 for the camper we saw at CTOTY feels like a bit of coin. Looking at the fitout with high-cost options like the Redarc TVMS and 80L upright fridge and it starts to make great sense. Then look a bit deeper and value becomes more evident in the hidden things as much as the adaptability, and
Words tim van duyl the top-notch construction that doesn't sacrifice weight. This is achieved mainly through the use of marine alloys which will last the test of time but weigh a fraction of steel. The Hawk is an interesting twist from the prolific slide-on maker. Where other models are big, fully contained units this one feels like it’ll appeal to people as a trip extender. By that I mean the Hawk will appeal most to people that already have a caravan or a camper and want to do a few nights away from their base camp at a time. For that it's perfectly set up with enough fridge space, good power and storage plus of course, it fits inside the pocket of the Ranger so getting through tight tracks will be no problem at all.
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T R A P O W T E L B A T P A D A Y R E V A H IT W P U E M O C S A H S D E E N S ’ L A “ W E D G E TA I L U D I V I D IN N A R O F G N I D I V O K O O C SOLUTION TO PR D I V A D ” S E L IC H E V F O E G N A R E D AND A WI
Wedgetail have managed to pack in a queen sized bed
score 80.5
Despite its diminutive size the Wedgetail Hawk is, or can be (depending on fitout), surprisingly self-contained and capable of supporting a single person or couple for an extended stay off the grid. The 90L water tank (plus the 10L in the hot water service on display at CTOTY) would, with care, sustain a couple for a reasonable time, and with a siphon-capable water pump and filter this could be extended for some time. The 200Ah of lithium battery capacity (two 100Ah) we saw was, in reality, something of an extreme, but is not out of the question, and for someone wanting that extra capacity is perfectly reasonable, and with the Redarc Redvision management system is tech ready and functional. The 200W of solar panel on the roof would keep the whole system humming. The built-in cooking facilities, including a microwave, and the queen-sized sleeping arrangements at the back provide all that’s needed (and a bit more) for a surprising degree of comfort. The concept of a simple bolt-on ute-back camper is not 64
Words David Cook new, but Wedgetail has come up with a very adaptable two-part solution to providing for an individual’s needs and a wide range of vehicles. And the very fact that we were talking about what we saw at CTOY versus what might alternatively be provided underlines the flexibility of this whole arrangement that really makes it work. The whole package is manufactured from 5005 grade aluminium, which has medium strength, good weldability and good corrosion resistance in marine atmosphere, so is ideally suited to the purpose. The exterior was finished in Speedliner with a Kevlar additive coating for strength and durability. As seen, this coating was applied both externallyy and internally, but it was explained that the interior finish would change to reduce weight. As it stood, with the full-onn fit out it weighed 540kg dry (including awning walls but noo legs, which weigh 12kg each) and 720kg with full drawers and a half full water tank, which on the vehicle we saw ended with a total mass of 3.2T with driver and a full fuel load (3.5T GVM). CTA
The simple drop-down rear
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200Ah of battery power will keep you going for a good while
The quick and easy setup for the sleeping space won points
It cuts a handsome silhouette
CTA RATINGS WEDGETAIL HAWK
KATH HEIMAN
GLENN MARSHALL
TIM VAN DUYL
DAVID COOK
1. FIT FOR INTENDED PURPOSE 2. INNOVATION 3.SELF-SUFFICIENCY 4. QUALITY OF FINISH 5. BUILD QUALITY 6. OFFROAD-ABILITY 7. COMFORTS 8. EASE OF USE 9. VALUE FOR MONEY 10. X-FACTOR
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H ybr id Ad v en tur er This hybrid has what you need to head out to explore the tracks of Aus Pics Matt Williams & Cam Inniss
Words David Cook
Score62.5
With a tare of 2130kg, the Stoney Creek Scout 14 is a reasonably heavy package, and that could reflect on its offroad capabilities in steep country or on soft ground — though the dual shock trailing arm suspension and solid hot dip galvanised chassis would at least provide assurance that if your tow vehicle was up to it, so was the camper. There were some exposed water lines underneath which might be prone to snagging, and the use of poly pipe to plumb around the tanks was questionable given the capacity of large stones to be able to smash shock absorbers into surrender. I was also concerned about the spare mounted at the front, protruding well above the minimalist stone guard as it would potentially be a source for rebound stone problems on rough tracks. The use of mud flaps was good, but they also looked light weight. The Scout's big selling point is comfort, with an internal ensuite that will appeal strongly to many. The swing-around stainless kitchen is another big plus, as is the air conditioner, though it would need bulk electrical storage or 240V access. The two Sirocco fans would help on those hot days or nights. There was extensive storage, and the memory foam 115mm mattress felt comfy, though at king size it is hard up against the walls which would create difficulties when making the bed. The kitchen had reasonable bench space at either end, though the cooktop requires a wind guard. There is also an internal sink, Truma gas hot water system, 85L EvaKool fridge, and the Aussie Traveller awning does provide a forward extension beyond the van for reasonable shelter for the kitchen from the elements, something most of the rollout awnings don’t achieve. The Scout was easy to use, with the pop-top roof easy to operate, though the rear roof latches can be a little challenging to reach for shorter people and the provided steps were awkwardly placed. Everything else, down to the electrical steps, worked just as planned.
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Stoney Creek Scout 14
I L L E S G I B S ' T U “THE SCO
OK O C D I V A D ” . T R O F NG POIN T IS COM 67
Score 63
The Scout 14 is being marketed as perfect for the mid-30s to 50s crowd who are still working, as well as those looking to upgrade from a camper trailer or downsize from a caravan. The model we judged was priced at just under $50k, a very attractive price similar to other imported hybrid campers, however, the quality is a little above most of those. This compact hybrid has gone with a massive king-sized 115mm mattress and a combo-ensuite and offers reasonable comfort, quality and self-sufficiency. Everything we saw was included in the price, except for the Weber Baby Q (BYO) and the Aussie Traveller Coolabah awning ($1500 option), as are
Words Glenn Marshall
The Scout 14 has been designed to take on the toughest tracks in Australia, but having driven many of those, I wouldn’t be towing a hybrid for the simple fact that the tracks are so closed in and bush pin-striping would be devastating. However, there are still some rugged adventures I can see this camper enjoying itself, such as Mitchell Plateau, the Gibb River Road, the Grand Central Road and the Plenty Highway just to name a few. While there isn’t a lot to crow about in regard to X-Factor, the conservative nature of the Scout 14 is its strong point.
M M 5 1 1 D E Z I S G N I K E V I S S A M A H T I W E N O , T G R S O A F H M D O I C R B E L Y B H A T ON S A E R S R E F F “ T H I S C O M PA C O D N A E T I U S N E O B M O C MAT T RESS AND A FICIENCY.” GLENN MARSHALL F U S F L E S D N A QUALIT Y
The Scout is a good alternative to camper trailers and caravans alike
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all on-road costs, meaning you can drive away with no more to pay, a refreshing change. You’ll enjoy plenty of storage options inside and outside, a good-sized kitchen with plumbed hot water and plenty of bench space. Power is taken care of with 200Ah available and a 1300W inverter that will allow you to run a coffee machine or any other medium-sized electrical equipment, and there is plenty of water on hand with 200L available from selectable poly tanks. Heading off-grid and staying self-contained is something this camper will thrive on, especially by upgrading the standard 40L grey water tank to 80L.
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Eye-catching branding
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CAMPER SPECS
STONEY CREEK SCOUT 14 TRAILER Tare 2130kg ATM 2700kg Ball Weight 140kg Chassis 150 x 50 x 4mm Hot-Dipped Galvanised Body 3mm Aluminium frame with 3mm insulated cladding and full one-piece composite roof Style Hybrid Tyres MT 265/75 R16 on alloy rims Brakes 12in heavy-duty electric Suspension Independent with coils and twin shocks Coupling DO35 hitch
DIMENSIONS Width 2100mm Length 6600m Height 2630m
STANDARD ACCESSORIES Battery 2 x 100AhAGM with Victron MultiPlus power
-grid This hybrid will thrive going off
management systemwith 1300W inverter Fridge 85L EvaKool Solar 300W roof-mounted Hot Water Truma gas/240V Ensuite Thetford cassette toilet and removable shower head, external shower Stove Dometic 3 burner Water 2 x 100L poly tanks and 40L greywater Awning wind-out awning
OPTIONS DCDC Charger Aussie Traveller Coolibah awning Greywater tank upgrade to 80L
PRICE $49,990
ENQUIRIES Stoney Creek Campers
Address 1/35 Brunel Rd, Seaford VIC Phone (03) 9786 7711 Web stoneycreekcampers.com.au W amper.hemax.com More pictures
Specs to compare 69
R O F 4 1 T U O C S E H T G N I R A P E R P N O D SE S U C O F Y L R A E L C S I M A E T K E N E A R M C I E Y H N O H T T S A K E H ” . T “ RS O O D T U O T A E R G E H T N I E M I T D E D N E EXT
Preparing to leave the city lights behind
Everything you need to whip up a meal
Words Kath Heiman
Score 61
You can spot a Stony Creek hybrid from a mile away by its distinctive branding, powder-coated aluminium composite panelling and black checker plate trim. The 150 x 150 x 4mm hot dipped chassis and welded aluminium box section frame gives this camper strong foundations. The ply internal floor is treated with rubberised paint and has a vinyl core with galvanised sheeting underneath to increase durability. The seals around doors and storage spaces are sound to keep outback dust at bay. The independent suspension coil springs and dual shocks are generic imports and may benefit from a once-over by your favourite mechanic if you’re preparing for serious off-grid time. The camper is supported by a Victron 70A inverter charger, a high-quality feature that feeds two 100Ah AGM reinforced by 300W of solar. This system would benefit from lithium batteries which would take better advantage of the quick charge available.
The Stony Creek Scout 14 is well appointed for those looking to leave the city lights behind. Outside there’s everything you need to cook up a great meal, with a swingout kitchen including 3 burner Dometic stove, sink, plumbed water and adequate food preparation spaces. Supporting the kitchen, the 85L Evakool fridge and sensible pantry drawers will ensure your belly is wellcatered for. With the solar, two 9kg gas bottle holders, two 100L water tanks to service the kitchen and internal ensuite/shower, and a 40L grey water tank — no-one should languish hungry, parched or dirty. The Scout 14’s internal finish is fairly austere but there are quality inclusions such as a Thetford toilet and a 115mm memory foam mattress. The Stony Creek team is clearly focussed on preparing the Scout 14 for extended time in the great outdoors. It does this competently and will appeal to a range of buyers who enjoy a star filled sky with the conveniences of home.
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The Scout has a fairly traditional layout
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G N I K O O L D O O G A "THE SCOUT IS , E Z I S E L B A E G A N A M A G N I E B , R E P CAM E H T N I G N I H S E R AND REF L Y U D N A V M I T ” . COLOURS USED Score 68
Details that add value
We’ve been lucky enough to know Stoney Creek for some time now. They’ve entered CTOTY before and even brought two campers to this year's event, a traditional forward fold and this, one of their new Hybrids, the Scout 15. Jessie and Ryan made the trip to show us the ropes and as users of the brand, were the perfect people to not only point things out but to demonstrate why these details add value to buyers. The Scout is a good looking camper, being a manageable size and refreshing in the colours used. The chamfered tail gives it good clearance and inside it has plenty of room for two plus kids. For a touring couple looking for ease-of-use, an internal shower and a good payload, the Scout 15 will appeal. Those buyers will also appreciate the volume of water and power capacity and the factory-supplied BMS. I rate being able to get to the bathroom with the roof down or being able to pop it in less than two minutes for a quick nap. Really the Scout is exceptionally well set up as a longdistance tourer. Look deeper and things like the 1300W inverter, 300W of
Words Tim Van Duyl solar and well-placed ballcock valve between water tanks to allow one to be dedicated drinking and another for washing up and the standard grey-water tank, and the value piles on considering the take home price is a hamburger under $50k. In terms of innovation, the design is not new, and the layout is pretty traditional with a north-south bed to the drawbar end but the space use is good. There is a small internal kitchenette that has a lot of bench space and the storage layout is clever. There are some smaller, neat ideas like the external kitchen coming out and swinging against the side of the camper which is fantastic. It gives way more weather protection than a traditional slide-out gets and makes the annoyingly hard to use awning a bit less important. CTA
CTA RATINGS STONEY CREEK SCOUT 14
KATH HEIMAN
GLENN MARSHALL
TIM VAN DUYL
DAVID COOK
1. FIT FOR INTENDED PURPOSE 2. INNOVATION 3.SELF-SUFFICIENCY 4. QUALITY OF FINISH 5. BUILD QUALITY 6. OFFROAD-ABILITY 7. COMFORTS 8. EASE OF USE 9. VALUE FOR MONEY 10. X-FACTOR
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Extremely well-designed and practical, the Offline Domino stands a tier above the rest Pics Matt Williams & Cam Inniss
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Offline Domino
Best Hybrid WINNER Most Innovative Winner 73
An impressive sight
Words David Cook
E H T Y B R E I S A E E D A M S I S K C A R T Y B D E “L IF E O N T HE D I V O R P E R U T A E F E R U S S E R P R E H T POSITIVE AI Y B D E R U S N E S I G N I C I V R E S D N S R E T L T H E FA N, A I F T N E M E C A L P E R F O Y T I L I B OK O R E A D Y AVA I L A C D I V A D ” . D E G G O L C E M O C E B E N O SHOULD
Score 85 The Offline Domino is a true offroad specialist’s camper, well thought out and full of practical features. The ground clearance is good, while the Cruisemaster XT suspension, most especially with the airbag feature, meets every requirement and has the virtue of service centres around the nation, and the build quality is excellent. The extended drawbar has some minor impacts on the Domino’s offroadability. It reduces ramp-over angle and adds to the turning circle, which can be a problem in tightly timbered country or on narrow tracks, but that is rarely a big issue and the gains in reversing control and the improved access around the front of the camper for those with tow vehicles with either a barn-style rear door or fold-down door is soon apparent. 74
Life on the tracks is made easier by the positive air pressure feature provided by the fan, and servicing of this is ensured by the ready availability of replacement filters should one become clogged. The DO35 hitch and the hi-lift jack points are also well included. The comforts are a major plus with the Domino. The readily accessible queen bed with its personally chosen inner spring mattress will be welcomed by any traveller when the camper is in either mode. The rear floor is roomy and a great boon if you have kids or the outside world is unfriendly. The space heater, lighting, fans and rooftop thermal blanket all assist in controlling the internal environment. Food preparation is handled elegantly with the large kitchen, which has loads of food prep and serving bench
space, three-burner cooktop and sink. The handy pantry drawers adjacent to the kitchen and above the fridge provide easy access to all the necessities and tools you’ll need and the Dometic CFX 95L fridge/freezer immediately to the front of the van matches the ergonomics with the engineering. The biggest feature of the Domino is its dual mode camping option, in either short/overnight stay format or long-stay form. The former requires no more than 20 seconds to access via the fold-out rear doors, so getting in out of bad weather is quick and simple, and the full set-up with the extendable rear floor, awning and ensuite is no more than 10 minutes. You can’t beat that. Even the air suspension makes levelling up quick and easy.
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CAMPER SPECS OFFLINE DOMINO TRAILER TARE 1300kg (standard, 1400kg (displayed) ATM 1900kg Ball Weight 150kg Chassis 100 x 50 x 3mm high-grade RHS steel, chassis hot-dip galvanised Body Marine-grade aluminium and stainless steel with some composite panel walls Style Hybrid Tyres & Rims Matched to the tow vehicle up to 35in Brakes 12in electric brakes Suspension Cruisemaster XT with airbags Hitch DO35 coupling
DIMENSIONS Width 1800mm Length 5070mm Height 2350mm STANDARD ACCESSORIES Battery 2 x 100Ah AGMwith 40A Enerdrive PMS Solar (0ptional) 3 x unregulated solar panels integrated
Even from a birds-eye view, this setup is a drea m
onto the roof (2 x 175W and 1 x 85W) with 260W always available Hot Water Webasto Diesel hot water/heater (optional) Ensuite 23 Zero ensuite tent Stove 2-burner Dometic (standard), 3-burner fitted here Fridge 95L Dometic CFX Awning Darche 180-degree awning Water 105L potable water and 75L drinking water plumbed separately
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES 200Ah Lithium battery upgrade CelFi mobile phone booster
PRICE $85,000
ENQUIRIES Offline Campers
Address 11 Ceafield Rd, Para Hills West SA 5096 Phone 0422 350 110 Email sales@offlinecampers.com.au Web offlinecampers.com.au camper.hemax.com More pictures
Specs to compare
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Score 79.5
It’s always great to see a camper brimming with Aussie ingenuity and attention to detail. With the Offline Domino, it starts with the laser cut hot dipped 100 x 50 x 3mm Australian steel chassis. The grade 5052 frame is folded, welded and rivetted down. The underside of the vehicle is remarkably clean and well-finished. Outside, the 2-pac painted panelling is a combination of marine grade aluminium with 29mm composite on the upper walls. Raptor coating features on the stone-guards and behind the rear tyres which provides added protection over rough terrain. And while you’re putting this rig through its paces, the iconic Cruisemaster XT shocks and AirBag Man suspension will ensure that the Domino performs as well on the tracks as your tow-tug does. Throughout the camper, the quality of fit and finish is
clearly evident. Slides are sturdy, work surfaces are practical and the internal adult’s sleeping space has a resort feel. This ambiance is reinforced by the freedom to select your own mattress of up to up to 350mm depth. Inside and out, control panels are clear and readily accessible, At the galley, a stabilising mechanism would help prevent the risk of stove-top spillages if the kitchen slide is bumped by inattentive users. To support your adventures, the Offline Domino provides heaps of features to help keep you in the great outdoors longer with lots of built-in redundancy. This includes separate 105L and 75L water tanks, with a lift pump and inline filter so you can top-up on the run. There’s also 435W of solar fixed to the roof, with 260W exposed to the sun at any one time. The two 4.5kg gas bottles are standard with space for two optional
jerry cans. When it comes time to pack, Offline have clearly focussed on space optimisation. Whether it’s a shower hose, extension cord, awning pole, cereal box or generator, there’s a suitably shaped storage cavity. While some spaces are taken up with the airbag suspension controls and hot water diesel tank, there are still many options to choose from. Standouts are the massive pantry and underbed drawers. With the Offline Domino offering so much amenity and comfort, the only thing left is to pack up, head out, and enjoy the ride.
The Offline Domino is packed with nifty features
Words Kath Heiman
D N A Y T I N E M A CH U M O S G N I R E F F O O N I M D O N D A E , N T I U L F O F D O A E E H H T , P U K C “WITH A P O T S I T F E L G N I H T Y L N O E H T , COMF ORT N A M I E H H T A K ENJOY THE RIDE.”
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Compartments to spare
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A spacious interior with all of the essentials
H T I W S W O H S T I D N A D & R E H T O T N I E N O G Y S S S A A H L K C R D O N W A , F Y O T I T L O A N O I “A L T C N U F S U O I N E NG I , L L H A S I H N S I F R A E L M B N A N C E C GL ” . S G N AN IMPE I T T I F D N A FIXTURES
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Words Glenn Marshall
Score 84 At $85,000, this Aussie owned, designed and manufactured hybrid is great value. A lot of work has gone into the R&D and it shows with an impeccable finish, ingenious functionality and classy fixtures and fittings. This is the perfect camper for a couple who love the adventure of a big trip but want high-quality comfort as well. It has been designed for selfsufficient, off-grid camping and can go where most caravans can’t. The Domino even has features that even the top-of-theline caravans don’t have, such as a 12V fan that pressurises the camper via an automotive filter that can be switched to operate full-time or only when the tow vehicle is running or the Enerdrive system that can charge the vehicle battery from the camper when connected to AC power. The solar panels have been installed so that the 85W and one of the 175W panels are always exposed because when the camper is in camp mode, the 175W roof panel ends up facing
the floor. However the second 175W panel is integrated into the canvas roof, replacing the first panel — ingenious. The good thing is at this price there is nothing else you need to add as everything is included — all you need is to pack somee clothes, fill the fridge, hook up and hit the road on your next remote outback adventure. The X-Factor for the Offline Domino is the simplicity of setting up, either in the travel mode or camp mode, and the high-quality comforts make it so special. It’s having an external connection that enables you to pump up your tyress using the airbag compressor, to the electric actuator that opens the floor to the precise position required when in cam mp mode. This is one heck of a well thought out camper trailer and a worthy winner at Camper Trailer of the Year for Best Hybrid and Most Innovative categories. A fan is essential when things heat up
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IR E H T S A W S I H T D N A R A E Y A T U O B A R O L F Y E U N I D L N F F A V O N M I W T O ” S E Z I R P O W T K “WE'V E O NLY K N O O T Y L E T A I D E M M I Y E H T T E Y , Y T O T C T S R FI
Beach terrain is a breeze for the Domino
Score 86.5
Wowser, talk about starting off with a bang, and no I do not mean we hit a tree. We’ve only known Offline for about a year and this was their first CTOTY, yet they immediately took two prizes including the coveted Most Innovative Camper. Camper’s first look at Offline was through our SA based writer and former Camper Deputy Editor, Sam Richards who immediately called in to say Sam Reynolds, the founder and main man behind the brand, was onto something big. Richards was mighty impressed with its build quality and surprise, innovation, so the invite went out and Offline was booked in. The Domino’s standout is its dual modes. Unlatching and lowering the rear hatch creates the ‘Travel’ mode which leaves the footprint of the camper the same as towing yet keeps many creatures comforts still accessible. The design is perfect for stops just to sleep, while ‘Camp’ mode takes comfort to a new level with masses of space created by unfolding the body of the camper much like a hard floor rear-fold, while extra awnings fold out to add sunshade. 78
Words Tim Van Duyl But the complexity does not impact movement, it iis easy around critical areas like the ensuite and kitchen. The Domino’s design fits our style of touring perfectly, allowing comfortable one-night stays on the way to one of our many spectacular but distant campsites. An innovation I really appreciate is the positive-pressure dust prevention system built in-house. A small fan pushes air into the front locker which is filtered through an off the shelf car cabin filter but best of all, it is wired to the tow vehicles ignition so will turn off when the car does, saving embarrassing flat batteries but ensuring the system is always on while driving. It doesn’t stop at the dual modes or clever pressure system though. Reynolds has thought through the practicalities of the layout with simple ideas like positioning the inverter control by the bedhead to give the owner better control of power usage and putting magnets on thhe backs of doors and lockers to prevent them from knockinng around in the breeze. CTA
Storage space for whatever you need
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Ready to cook up a storm outdoors?
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Clear labels mean you'l l never get confused
ls All of the essentia
CTA RATINGS OFFLINE DOMINO
KATH HEIMAN
GLENN MARSHALL
TIM VAN DUYL
DAVID COOK
1. FIT FOR INTENDED PURPOSE 2. INNOVATION 3.SELF-SUFFICIENCY 4. QUALITY OF FINISH 5. BUILD QUALITY 6. OFFROAD-ABILITY 7. COMFORTS 8. EASE OF USE 9. VALUE FOR MONEY 10. X-FACTOR
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A u s sie Ad v en tur in g In a class of its own, the Patriot X3 takes intelligent engineering to the next level Pics Matt Williams & Cam Inniss
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D E N E T H G I E H A H IT W E R U T N E V D A G IN K E E S ’S T E A S H O T H T D N R A O , S S E R L E P P U M O A C C O T H C L U A S E P N I P A E L L B L I A IL A V K A O Y O L C L A D “I T W IL L S T I M V R A O D N ” . T S O R N E L S L I E T S A G H N T I T D A R E O L F S M ’ T O I R T A P F O LEVEL OF CO E N O T MADE I
Words David Cook
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Patriot X3
Best Build Quality (tied)
Score 91
In 2019 Patriot rewrote the book on hybrid campers. We’d all assumed a hybrid was a hard-walled, hard-roofed camper with the comforts of a caravan to go with the go-anywhere capability of a camper trailer — the best of both worlds. Patriot decided that wasn’t the only way to carve up the pie and hit the market with its X3, a canvas-topped camper that folds out much like one of its X1s but with the internal fittings from the caravan playbook — table, seats, coffee maker (optional, though most customers tick the box), floor space, heating, and so on. Whether you choose to accept the X3 as a hybrid or not is actually irrelevant — it’s still equipped with that high grade standard of engineering and design which marks Patriot campers. And it will still appeal to couples or those seeking adventure with a heightened level of comfort that is not normally available in such campers, and that’s made it one of Patriot’s leading sellers. As with the X1, the innovation in this year’s version of the X3 is less than in Patriot campers from past years because of the need to consolidate production in the face of the challenges of COVID-19 in mid-2020. Nonetheless, there is the new Dometic 20,000BTU cooktop (though this is a bought-in item and not exclusive to Patriot, it does follow company development of an essentially similar cooker, but the Dometic product saved the effort of having to gear up for its own production). That great Hexacore SPF50-rated awning — with all its advantages and features — is still as good as ever, and the rest of that radial awning with its magnetic locators for the poles in the radial arms, centre tabs to extract them, ropes pre-attached in pockets, only one spreader bar necessary (which has its own unique mount behind the awning), repairable knuckles, reflective top for coolness, mould and fade resistance underlines how never being satisfied that good enough was as good as you could be can lead to the best in quality. Add in the more functional storage around the kitchen from the relocated drawer, the GME XRS radio to stay in touch with those around your camp and newly-accessed storage behind interior seats and the X3 sustains Patriot’s reputation for never sitting in the shade. 81
Luxury camping in even the most remote locations
Score 76
The Patriot X3 is perfectly designed for off-grid camping. The power management is sorted with the REDARC RedVision system and the 2 x 150Ah gel batteries can be charged using the unregulated solar panel or AC power when at home or a caravan park. A 240V circuit is integrated into the camper and connects to the 1500W REDARC pure sine inverter. A Webasto unit provides heating in the tent and is plumbed to the kitchen sink and shower outlet. Water is available, stored in the 75L and 55L poly tanks. A Dometic two-burner stove includes a grill, and it connects via a bayonet fitting to one of the two 4kg LPG bottles that must be removed from its storage and hung on a hook near the stove. A concern is the steel spare tyre being a space saver, as it’s not something I’d like to use on a remote desert track. This high spec’d camper from Patriot provides luxury camping in even the most remote locations. Justin from Patriot expects perfection when it comes to the finish of his
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campers and can spot a flaw from a mile away. The ladder that integrates into the roof rack is height-adjustable and provides a second entry point into the camper while the rear step entrance has been improved from past models. Rhino coating has been applied to all the vulnerable sections on the camper as further protection to the stone guard and the roof section is coated with Raptor. The awning walls are easy to distinguish as they match the colour coding tags on the awning and being made using 80gsm Hexocore has reduced the weight and storage space of the wall kit. The body of the camper is pressurised via a front vent that forces the air through an automotive filter and prevents dust from entering. The 200 x 50 x 3mm chassis is constructed using patented Rigilite that has been laser cut to a tolerance of ± 0.01mm and then double-dipped galvanised. The drawbar is also extendable to suit the tow vehicle. Even the custom hinges are powder coated stainless steel. Patriot's custom work with
Words Glenn Marshall Cruisemaster has shaved a massive 40kg off the weight of the X Cruise suspension. Built strong but extremely lightweight, the X3 has a quality finish and build.
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PATRIOT X3
TRAILER Tare: 1175kg ATM: 1600kg Suspension: Cruisemaster X-Cruise™ 1.60T Dual Shock Airbag Suspension Brakes: 10” Electric Drum Coupling: D035 V3 Chassis/drawbar: RIGILITE™ Galvanised Chassis Body: Aluminium Powder Coated Wheels: 16x8” PCOR Alloy wheels 1250kg Tyres: Maxtrek MT 285/74/R16 Style: Hard Floor / Fold Out Off Road Camper Trailer
DIMENSIONS Body size: 1850mm Length: 3750mm Awning size: 2000m x 8000 mm
ACCESSORIES Gas cylinders: 4.5kg ( Not Supplied ) Water: 155 Litre Cooktop: Dometic Twin Burner w/ Grill Kitchen: L Shaped with Sink, Hot + Cold water, Rimix Bench Top
Battery: 2 x 150AH
OPTIONS FITTED
f rack A ladder integrates into the roo
Utility Slide Coffee Lift Mechanism Graphite Paint Front Sail Kit GME-XRS UHF REDARC Semi-Fixed Slimline 80W Solar Panel Additional Gas Bottle Holder 4.5kg
ESSENTIALS PACK Dometic 53L Fridge/Freezer & Anderson Plug BBQ Swing Away Weber Baby Q X1 PCOR Wind Break Wall Kit AMP-Fibian
PRICE AS TESTED $78,107
ENQUIRIES Patriot X3
Phone (07) 5597 0638 EEmail sales@patriotcampers.com.au eb patriotcampers.com.au amper.hemax.com More pictures
Specs to compare 83
Ingenuity in every corner
Attention to detail speaks for itse lf
Words Kath Heiman
Score77
Patriot has earned a reputation as an exemplar for innovation among Australian adventure camper trailers. And it’s clear that Patriot’s creative juices continue to flow. With the X3, ingenuity sprouts forth from every nook and cranny. Whether it’s recent design modifications to the awning poles to allow adjustment without unpegging, the discrete mounting bracket for spare poles behind the awning, the redesigned stepladder integrated into the Exorack, the heat-resistant ‘bar mat’ above the kitchen galley, or the storage locker for wet crockery next to the sink, the team’s zealous attention to detail and thirst for improvement is self-evident. The team have also modified the X3’s vent and filter system to better pressurise the cabin in transit to prevent dust ingress. A particularly welcome development is the inclusion of a CB radio. While the antennae should be repositioned to help maximise radio range when the camper is deployed, the CB is a smart addition given the vagaries of mobile reception outside of metropolitan areas. It provides a communication option that could make the difference between a bad day in the bush and a serious survival situation. More broadly, the X3 stands out for its patented Hexocore awning. Revealed to the judging team at CTOTY 2020, this mould-resistant, silver-lined, UPF 50+ rated, anti-fungal and waterproof fabric claims to be half the weight, eight times more breathable and 20 per cent stronger than standard canvas. The Hexocore product remains a potential gamechanger in the camper industry and we can’t wait to see what other applications the Patriot team finds for it. At $70,990, the X3 is a serious investment for a camper that, at its essence, offers a side-fold box trailer configuration. And there is a menu of optional products available for the X3, some of which — like solar and a fridge — are routinely provided standard in other, lower priced campers. Lithium batteries are an upgrade but the 1500W inverter and Redvision TVMS are yours to enjoy in the listed price. Ultimately, the issue of value for money boils down to who you are, and what you’re looking for in a camper. If you’re an adventurous couple who like hitting the backtracks on the weekend while keeping your gadgets locked and loaded, the Patriot X3 offers a quality engineered, Australian-built, go-anywhere camper that may be just what you’re looking for. 84
R O F E L B A L I A V A S T C U D O R P L A N O I T P O F O U N — E E M G A D I S R I F E A R D N A “THE R A L O S E K I L — H C I H W F O R E E M W O O S L , , 3 R X E E H T O TH N I D R A D N A T S D E D I V O R P Y L E N I T U O R E R A N A M I E H H T A K ” . S R PRICED CAMPE Solar is an optional add-on for the X3
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L Y U D N A V M I T " L. L E H S L A T E M E H T E
The X3 puts a big emphasis on comfort
Score 82
People who haven’t seen an X3 beside an X1 may struggle to realise they are not too far apart in size and bulk. The X3 is marginally wider and a bit longer but weighs only around 125– 150kg more than its littlest brother. Why raise this? Well, we had a Ram 1500 to tow with and they feel like they can slow the rotation of the planet when you give them some jandal. So to give you context, yes, you can tow the X3 with more typical ute or SUV — it is light, it is compact, and it is built tough. The CTOTY X3 has Patriot's excellent XCruise suspension. It has a clever design that reduces un-sprung weight; the same idea is used in the PCOR the wheels fitted to the X3, so wheel-hop and unruly bounce is a thing of the past making for a smooth tow even in the bouncy, root-lined tracks around Port Mac. The X3 is the first Patriot with internal living space, a big pivot from the original designs. With it comes an emphasis
CTA RATINGS PATRIOT X3
on comfort best seen in the quality of the leatherette used on the lounge, the depth and quality of the mattress and on little touches like the pop-up powerpoint and optional coffee machine. The X3 has a soft heart inside the metal shell. Towing the X3 is no issue — it’s narrow and sits high off the ground — but what about setting it up? The fibreglass tent cover is bespoke to Patriot, as is the tent itself, and opens on actuators so that’s simple. And the awning? Like all Patriot supplied ones, it uses alloy supports and featherweight Hexacore material that makes rolling it out and adjusting it super easy. The layout is designed for easy access to everything from the fridge, which can be reached from inside the camper, to the fold-down kitchen and pantry and the massive volume of storage all round. The X3 is not just user friendly, it’s considered and tough but brings a new level of comfort that will appeal to a wider
KATH HEIMAN
GLENN MARSHALL
Words Tim Van Duyl range of people than the traditional Patriot buyers. This can only mean we’ll see more Patriots in the outback, Cape and places where you need a reliable and capable camper. CTA
TIM VAN DUYL
DAVID COOK
1. FIT FOR INTENDED PURPOSE 2. INNOVATION 3.SELF-SUFFICIENCY 4. QUALITY OF FINISH 5. BUILD QUALITY 6. OFFROAD-ABILITY 7. COMFORTS 8. EASE OF USE 9. VALUE FOR MONEY 10. X-FACTOR
85
F a m il y
To ur in g Get ready to head for blue waters with the forward-fold Bluewater Lachlan Mk II Pics Matt Williams & Cam Inniss
86
F O S K R A M L L A H E H T L L A S A H R E P M A C E D I N L O I S T R N A E E T R T , A D D L N O A F TY I L A U Q F O L E V “ T H I S F O R WA R D E L A S E V N E I A H M C I A E H T U H B T A E K L Y ” . T T S IN O P E C I R P S T I T CAMPERS O F I T S A AT E B O T D R A H S I T T O D E TA I L T H A
Words Kath Heiman
Score79
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Bluewater Lachlan II
The Bluewater Lachlan Mk II easily achieves its mission of getting a family of four comfortably into the outdoors. This forward-fold, rear slide camper has all the hallmarks of campers of its style but achieves a level of quality and attention to detail that is hard to beat at its price-point. With a roughly 50/50 split of Australian and imported components, the Bluewater Lachlan is imbued with some seriously good Aussie know-how. A stand-out feature of the Lachlan Mk II is that it can be fully set-up, awning and all, using only four poles — yes, just four. This welcome result is achieved using several clever design features. The breakaway-from-convention dometop tent that covers the main living and sleeping areas is tensioned using a winch and purpose bent poles. This makes it possible to achieve a quick set-up without touching a single pole — not one. Unfurling the tent also releases the permanently fixed tropical awning which sits pleasingly high off the main canvas, supported by custom spacers. And when you decide to put-out the awning, things only get better. The secret here is Bluewater’s innovative new 300-degree ‘E-wing’ which comprises a zip-on extension at the kitchenside of the camper (which can be left in place during transit) and a permanently affixed smaller canopy on the off-side. The four awning poles are telescopic so set-up can be achieved without a step ladder. And, even with the awning included, the whole camp can be established in well-under 15 minutes. It’s enough to make a kitten tap-dance with joy. Another welcome design element is the fridge-slide and drawer combination. This arrangement makes maximum use of space while delivering access to storage at the front of the camper (near the fridge and galley) rather than forcing users to wander around the far side of the rig to grab dayto-day necessities. This was the only camper reviewed at CTOTY 21 with this feature and its utility was self-evident. Pack the drawers with Bluewater’s custom zip-storage bags — or configure the spaces to meet your own unique needs — either way, you’ll be smiling. It’s clever design features like these that underscore the pedigree of Bluewater, a member of the Eagle Outdoors group. Clearly, this is a company where clever thinking flourishes and the winners are the adventurous families who set forth in these campers in search of new horizons. 87
A sight to behold
N E H W Y R A S S E C E TN N E M T S U J D A O N N A E M S E L O P L L T A N E H T S R L A A N M R N E N T E IN GL T E ” . G S R L O E F D O D N M A T T S E A S P M O R “THE F T N E M E V O R MP I E V I S S A M A , P U SE T TING Score 72.5
The chassis and body of the Lachlan are imported, however the independent suspension is not, with its Lovells coils and twin Ride Pro shocks. The 12in Holroid electric brakes provide stopping power while the LT 265/75R16 MT tyres wrap the alloy rims and control the traction. The DO35 coupling, ARK 750 off-road jockey wheel and twin rear recovery points complete the off-road stuff. The Lachlan comes with a 5-year warranty on structural and canvas, a 3-year warranty on the Seaflow water pump, a 5-year warranty on the Lovells Springs and 3-year 60,000km warranty on the Ride Pro shocks. The camper towed well on the forestry trail and the bitumen speed test. Being able to sleep on a 150mm pocket spring queen mattress with foam topper is a real positive with the kids offering a HD foam double mattress that can be extended to a QS using the backrests from the lounge. Both bedrooms have privacy screens with midgee proof screens or a canvas blackout. The internal temperature is helped by the excellent safari roof that extends the full length of the camper and poles keep it taut, meaning no flapping about in the wind like some other safari roofs. The lounge sits 10mm higher, making it a comfortable place to sit and the internal storage is excellent with drawers under the master bed and compartments under some of the seating sections. The Truma hot water unit provides hot water to the kitchen sink and the external shower. The fridge slide was home to the 96L EvaKool dual-zone with two large pantry drawers behind. The slide-out stainless-steel kitchen was well appointed with a three-burner stove, stalk light, drying rack, and large bench space perfect for the Weber Baby Q. The water and gas are permanently connected to the kitchen via a protective snake track. The large windows in the camper provide good airflow. The set and forget internal tent poles mean no adjustment necessary when setting up, a massive improvement from past models. Great storage all around with internal drawers providing good space internally and the fridge slide that then swings away exposing two big slide-out drawers behind it. The set up was quick and included awnings on both sides of the camper that provided excellent protection from the weather on Showcase Day.
Words Glenn Marshall
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Setting the Lachlan up is a straightforward affair
ER SPECS
BLUEWATER LACHLAN II TRAILER Tare 1720kg ATM 2400kg Payload 680kg Ball weight 125kg (dry) Suspension Independent trailing arm suspension with Australian made Lovell coil springs, progressive bump stops and twin RidePro shock absorbers Brakes 12in Holroyd hubs and brakes with Japanese bearings, 14mm wheel studs. Coupling Cruisemaster D035 Drawbar 120 x 50 x 4mm hot-dip galvanised steel Chassis 100 x 50 x 4mm hot-dip galvanised steel Body/cladding Steel, Front box Aluminium, Lid Aluminium Wheels/tyres 16 x 8in alloy wheels and your choice of M/T or A/T 265/75R16s Style Forward fold with rear slide-out
DIMENSIONS Travel size 5.49m (L) x 1.9m (W) x 1.6m (H) Interior height (roof raised) 2.2m standing area, 1.4m (slide end bed), 0.9m (main bed end) External body length 4.2m Footprint when fully set up 7.1m x 4.3m Awning/annexe footprint 2.4m x 6m
ACCESSORIES Gas 2 x 4kg plumbed Water 160L across two poly tanks, built in Truma Hot Water Service, Seaflo 42 series pump with John Guest fittings and water lines, plus mains pressure water inlet (with limiting valve) Kitchen Stainless steel kitchenette with flip over and pull-out table, three-burner Thetford Top Line gas stove, plumbed gas, water and 12V power to kitchen Battery 2 x 120Ah AGM with Projecta IDC25 DC charger with exterior solar connection via Anderson plug
PRICE AS SEEN $42,500 ($37,990 plus options)
ENQUIRIES Bluewater Campers Address 2 Embrey Court, Pakenham, Victoria, 3810 Phone 1300 594 000 or 03 5945 5344 Email sales@bluewatercampers.com.au Web bluewatercampers.com.au
camper.hemax.com More pictures
Specs to compare 89
Life in the Lachlan will be ultra comfortable
Score 82.5
In the scrub the Bluewater Lachlan will serve its users well, with a suite of basic needs that will make life not just comfortable but a real pleasure. Features like 160L of water in two poly tanks, plus the capacity of adding the contents of two 20L jerry cans, as well as a pressure limited input to tap into mains water for the kitchen taps means it's unlikely water will be a problem. David Cook Electrically, the two fitted 120Ah lithium batteries (replacing the standard twin 110Ah AGMs) mean that you’ll never be running out of spark for any of the fittings in this camper. The 21A mains charger and 25A DC-DC charger should be able to keep the charge topped up. The whole electrical system is managed from a control centre adjacent to the kitchen, which also monitors battery voltage and each of the water tank levels. Lighting is controlled from an internal touch screen. The two 4.5kg gas bottles is a combination that is pretty standard, because it works and is not over-the-top. The 150 x 50 x 3mm hot dip galvanised chassis is quite strong enough, and the quality of welding and other work around it appeared to be excellent. The camper’s main body is zinc anneal steel composite with foam inlay to keep out the worst of the outside extremes, while the front box is aluminium on a steel frame to minimise ball weight. The checkerplate camper roof is rated to 100kg if you’re carrying loads on top. The whole is finished in two-pack paint, and the kitchen, as is standard, is fabricated in stainless steel. The tent and awnings are all manufactured in Wax Converters canvas in Bluewater’s own factory, y, usingg YKK zippers pp and all the best in materials.
Words
Nothing is over-thetop or overly complica ted
200W of solar power is included
90
M U I H T I L H A 0 2 1 D E T T I F O W T E H T , IN W T “ELECTRICALLY D R A D N A T S E H T G N I C A L P E R ( S E B AT T E R I R E V E N L L ’ U O Y T A H T N A E M ) S M G A E H 110 A H T F O Y N A R O F K R A P S F O T U O G BE RUNNIN K O O C D I V A D ” . R E P M A C S I H T N I S G N I FIT T
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Twin Ride Pro shocks
Score 72
The Lachlan is not new to us — we’ve seen it at CTOTY before — but not like this. There are some serious upgrades from the 2019 model we last sampled and although the price has crept up, the value has jumped leaps and bounds with it. Just look at the inclusions like the 14L Truma HW system, good mattresses and the use of Wax Convertors canvas and the value starts adding up. The new tropical roof is outstanding, especially in the way it stretches over both ends of the camper and is tensioned to remove possible flapping in the breeze. The removal of so many poles and the use of top-spec, locally sourced shocks and springs (each individually warranted) on the Bluewater designed trailing arm suspension and the step up in general quality gives me confidence the $42,500 you’d invest in this set up is money well spent. Its X-Factor is intrinsically linked to the value but also to all criteria by which we judge campers. The X-Factor score for a poorly built camper that fails to provide good off-grid capability will no doubt be lower, so the Lachlan Mark II has to tick a few boxes to climb the ranks as a camper with it. The team behind the Lachlan Mark II are clever buggers, with savings made by importing the body and frame of the camper which reduce cost, but with quality at the fore in the appliances and fit-out, the company hasn't cut corners. The locally sourced Wax Converters canvas is fantastic as is the aforementioned suspension, but X-Factor is also linked to Ease of Use and its quality of appliances. With no internal poles to tension and an awning that is easily attached to the main canvas, the Mark II is an easy set up for its style of camper and with better than expected water capacity and power reserves, the Mark II is a big step up. CTA
Words Tim Van Duyl
D N A , L E D O M 9 1 0 2 E H T M O R F S E D A R PG U S S P U A O I E L R E D S E E P M M O U S J S A H E U L A V "THERE ARE E H T , P U T P E R L C Y S U A D H N E A C V I R M P I T E ” H . IT H T I W S D ALTHOUGH T N U O B D AN The Lachlan offers up some serious value for money
CTA RATINGS BLUEWATER LACHLAN MK II
KATH HEIMAN
GLENN MARSHALL
TIM VAN DUYL
DAVID COOK
1. FIT FOR INTENDED PURPOSE 2. INNOVATION 3.SELF-SUFFICIENCY 4. QUALITY OF FINISH 5. BUILD QUALITY 6. OFFROAD-ABILITY 7. COMFORTS 8. EASE OF USE 9. VALUE FOR MONEY 10. X-FACTOR
91
Gr an d G es tur es 92
tHE bushwakka bhoma dazzles with its ability to be both compact and cavernous Pics Matt Williams & Cam Inniss
Words David Cook
score84.5
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BUSHWAKKA BHOMA
At last year’s CTOTY the Bushwakka Bohma landed with a bang and a victory in the $25,000–$50,000 category, thanks to some very different design ideas and an expansive camper that left all the judges grasping for adjectives. Campers that are outside of the usual mould often suffer for their individuality, but the Bhoma has carried its South African origins with pride and rolled back in for 2021 with a bunch of new features for a second shot at the title. The Bhoma, as you may gather, is no ordinary camper. You could use it in any mode you chose, from one-nighters on the way to some distant destination to a couple or a large family, but it would excel as a grand base from which you could radiate out to explore a region. From the inside, the Bhoma has a majestic panoramic sweep that has to be experienced to be believed. I could think of no better place to be taking in the cooling breeze while holed up at the back of a white coral beach in the Kimberley or up on the Cape. The accommodation could work for up to a family of six, all in comfort, and it all packs down into a trailer with a tare of just 1300kg and a ball weight of 120kg. Don’t try and tell me that any forward-fold or double-fold could be this imposing. The Bhoma’s secret is in its innovative approach to bedding. You have a very flexible option of two queen beds, two king beds, or a king and a queen, that fold out either side of a storage-saturated central corridor. I don’t usually like campers where the sleeping arrangements protrude out into the elements, as they are inevitably impacted by the environment, leaving them cold in winter, dripping with condensation at other times or sizzling in the heat if you’re craving an afternoon nap in summer. The Bhoma interposes four layers of insulating material between any bed occupants and the outside world, including a layer of moisture-absorbing ceiling wick-away material. And if that doesn’t satisfy your taste for innovation, take a look at that huge, well laid out and very practical kitchen, with all its included crockery, cutlery and cooking implements, right down to three bottles of wine, that folds out of a strange looking box on the rear. 93
score 79
While many camper manufacturers set their sights on accommodating every new turn in technology, the Bushwakka Bhoma isn’t one of them. Its X-Factor is firmly rooted in its capacity to let you get lost for as long as you like, happily. This rig is simply begging to stay outdoors with you, on a savannah somewhere 300km from the nearest habitation. The Bhoma targets families and adult groups who know what it takes to get off the grid and to stay there. This is a camping market who expect their rigs to go anywhere their tow-tugs can, to keep them fed, watered and safe from the elements, and to provide functionality over gimmicks.
At $55,000, the Bushwakka Bhoma is highly competitive against campers in its price category and offers a whole lot more than many others that are also pitched towards adventurous families. This deceptively small camper takes up little room on the road but unfolds to generate a camping headquarters that could sustain anything from a weekend away to endless days of remote roaming. From the massive king bed/queen bed combo; the cavernous internal and external storage bays; the 300W solar panel supported by 2x100Ah lithium batteries; the Victor power management system including 1200W pure
Small on the road, but very accommodating at camp
Words kath heiman
94
sine wave inverter; the Duetto hot water system; the multiple water points including external shower; the 74L Brass Monkey dual zone fridge freezer; to the fully equipped swing-out kitchen. With this rig, your camping needs have been fully considered, with little left to chance. The Bushwakka Bhoma is a rugged, highly capable, no-nonsense travel partner whose company you’ll continue to enjoy regardless of how long you choose to spend in the great outdoors. For campers who are hankering for endless nights under a million stars, the Bushwakka Bhoma will take you wherever you’d rather be.
T I T A H W W O N K O WH S P U O R G T L U D A D N A S E I L I M A F N S A T M E I G E R H A T H T A A M K O ” . H E B R E H T “THE Y A T S O T D N A ID R G E H T F F O T E G TA K E S T O
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CCAMPER SPECS
BU USHWAKKA BHOMA TR RAILER TARRE 1300kg ATM M 1800kg Balll weight 120kg Chaassis/Drawbar 3CR12 stainless steel Fraame 3CR12 stainless steel and aluminium body Coaating Aluminium with Raptor coating Cam mper style Expedition Tyrres and rims 3 x 265/65 R17 Monsta Terrain with Black D hole-style rims Couupling German Knott Coupler 50mm Braakes Hydraulic Suspension Heavy duty Progressive rated 1.1m leaf springs with Safari gas struts Canopy/Tent Heavy duty canvas
DIMENSIONS Body Closed Length 4350mm Height Closed 2166mm Wide 1850mm
STANDARD INCLUSIONS • • • • • • • • • • •
Water 110L (plus facility to carry 2 x 20L jerry cans) Gas capacity for 2 x 8.5kg bottle — not included Swing-around kitchen fully stocked with cutlery and crockery for six Includes pots, pans, kettle, utensils Two-burner Dometic gas cooker Duoetto MK2 Digital Dual Voltage (12V/240V) Electric 10L Storage water heater (servicing kitchen wash-up and shower) Battery 2 x 100Ah lithium 300W solar panel Victron power management system (solar controller, AC/DC charge controller, 1200W pure sinewave inverter) 75L Brass Monkey dual zone fridge freezer Option for 1 x king bed and 1 x queen or 2 x queen beds
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES • • • • • • • •
Air-conditioning Unit Fan TV Lighting kit Tech pack upgrade to Redarc Manager 30 with Red Vision and 2000W inverter Fridge upgrade Outside table Wall Kit
PRICE WITH ALL STANDARD $55,000 CONTACT Bushwakka
Email enquiries@bushwakka.com.au Web bushwakka.com.au camper.hemax.com More pictures
Specs to compare 95
The swing-out kitchen space is impressive
D N A S D A O R E M A S E H T N O A M O H B T L UI T B S O N M A C E I H R T F A F O H T E U N O O “ W E T O W E D T H E S R C A M P E R T H I S Y E A R A N D I T WA S E H T O L Y Y R U E D V E N S A A V S M I K T C TRA HEM ALL.” A neat vanity cupboard
score 82
Can we all just admit that the driver is the defining difference in the offroad ability of all campers? Thanks. Now for my next rant, I love Cruisemaster’s excellent XT suspension but I don’t think you need it on a camper trailer unless it’s some big beast that weighs a couple of tonnes and would struggle to fit down the Suez canal. Why am I ranting? Because some of you won’t understand my justification of the offroad ability of the straight axle, leaf-sprung Bhoma, but you should. We towed the South African-built Bhoma on the same oads and tracks as every other camper this year and it as one of the most stable and smooth riding of them all. t some bumps at speed (and I did thanks to the infectious celeration of the heavily tuned Navara we towed with) and thing crazy happened. There was no excessive bounce or ching. Offroad, the Bhoma was flawless but for one thing, e does sit low to the ground, so rocky riverbeds should be efully navigated — what was that I said about the driver ng the difference? The Bhoma is as simple as needed and as tough as can be. That gets a big tick from me.
Words tim van duyl Once at camp, you are faced with a choice. Go with the simple setup which excludes awnings, and it will take five minutes for an experienced duo. Or spend around 30 minutes for the whole shebang. I appreciate this choice as I often arrive late at camp (thanks, work) but knowing I can set up space for a crowd after the next day’s breakfast is good. The process is fairly simple but a few high-reaching spots may necessitate a step ladder or tall helper. Inside is super comfortable. Once the roof is popped, there is a heap of space and the mattresses (one king, one queen) are both innersprung with anti-condensation lining overhead and 12V fans for a properly comfortable sleep. Wake up cold and you’ll be happy to know the 12V HW system takes only 28 minutes to heat 10L to 75 degrees while consuming only 2.8A.
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Words glenn marshall
score 80 The Bushwakka Bhoma is well thought out when it comes to self-sufficiency. Off-grid power is sorted with 300W of solar that keeps 2 x 120Ah lithium batteries charging via a Victron PMS with 20A solar controller, AC charger. A 1200W pure sine inverter with external GPOs connected allows you to run a coffee machine or any other medium-sized electrical appliances. There is plenty of water on hand from the 110L stainless water tank that’s connected to the Duoetto MK2 12/240V hot water unit with 10L storage then plumbed to the kitchen and a shower connection at the front of the camper. The 75L dual-zone Brass Monkey fridge is included and the swing-out pantry and kitchen is expansive with crockery, pots and pans and three bottles of South Africa’s finest red wine also included. The water pump (capable of 8L per minute) can also be switched to draw water from a nearby watercourse and bypass the water tank. The Bhoma has functional storage solutions, and the carpentry and pantry design are high quality. All external taps are protected and there are plenty of powerpoints for 12V/USB charging and from the inverter. Both bedrooms use double-stitched 375gsm canvas and include midgeproof screens. Gas struts hold up the front boot lid, which has plenty of storage space. While looking complicated, the awning system provides 360 degrees of cover for long stays, with a quick awning there for short stays. There are monitors for batteries and water mounted neatly at the rear and all the wiring is nicely tucked away and protected where necessary. The kitchen has quality tapware, and the camper has a very clean finish. It’s obvious that this camper is built the South African way — tough, with loads of comfort. High-quality seals on the doors keep dust and water out, and the roof of the camper is insulated with a 2mm polystyrene compound. The chassis is 3CR12 stainless steel and the aluminium body gives the Bhoma strength while keeping it lightweight. CTA
M E T S Y S G N I N W A E H T , D E T A C I L P M O C G N I A K O H O T L I E W L , I S H Y W A “ T S G ON L R O F R E V O C F O S E E R L G L E A D H S 0 R 6 A 3 M S E N D N I E V L O G R P .” S Y A T S T R O H S R O F E R E H T G N I N W A Q UI CK Room to groove inside
CTA RATINGS BUSHWAKKA BHOMA
KATH HEIMAN
GLENN MARSHALL
TIM VAN DUYL
DAVID COOK
1. FIT FOR INTENDED PURPOSE 2. INNOVATION 3.SELF-SUFFICIENCY 4. QUALITY OF FINISH 5. BUILD QUALITY 6. OFFROAD-ABILITY 7. COMFORTS 8. EASE OF USE 9. VALUE FOR MONEY 10. X-FACTOR
97
alpine
TASMANIA 6âã #RADê -ąNTAIN "EN ìMýD AND -ąNT &ÚLD ý A ħī ÷ ĥ !ďê )ĝEsS ĐEMÚR ĊAKS Words and Pics Sam Richards and Emma Warren
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asmania has it all. It would be merely scratc he white lear blue waters of Bay of Fires’ fame; the lush rainforests of the Tarkine; rushing, transparent rivers, such as the Franklin; the seaside cliffs of Tasman National Park; and the convict heritage of Port Arthur and Maria Island. It’s a little rich, then, that the state is also blessed with some of the most spectacular alpine scenery in the country. A mainlander can only cease feeling jealousy in brief flashes — namely during contests of one-upmanship against Kiwis. Aspirant Tasmanian mountaineers may be surprised to discover the main challenge isn’t climbing steep slopes but getting to the base of them. Motorhomers keen to bring their RV need to catch the Spirit of Tasmania — which is likely to cost over $1000 for two-way travel and take 10 to 12 hours each way, over the wavy Bass Strait. Airfares may be cheaper, particularly on direct flights to Hobart or Launceston from Melbourne, but air bound travellers may end up spending more due to vehicle hire and accommodation costs. It’s all worth it in the end! With your feet on solid ground in Devonport, purchase a National Parks Pass to gain access to Tasmania’s alpine playgrounds. Various options
Views on the Kings Canyon Rim Walk 99
A disused hut near Ben Lomond summit village
t7ALK ĉĠ ALČNE TARNS AND CR¢Â LAæS SīRąN¹D ±Ċ ĊN´L Č ČNƧ AND IJLDÈOİĖu L È ÈOİĖ A wombat near Ronny Creek
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e available, i cluding an annual pass with a t. We took out a two month senior’s dis ss for our v icle for $80 — by comparison, a d y pass costs $40! Organise your pass before y u leave if y can so you can print it off and d splay it on yo r dashboard. Due to its p ximity, 88km south, first head t Cradle Mo tain, a dream location calling for m ltiple days attention. Here, a Discovery P s accomm dates RV tourers close to the s ene; alternati ly, there are free camps at M le Creek Kar t NP and Honeycomb Caves for P rks Pass h ers. The road to Cradle Mountain reaches a huge visitor centre where you park up a d collect a cket qualifying you for free bus travel. Within 10 minutes the regular shuttle bus w come by to ake visitors along the winding, n rrow road to selection of stops, the most p pular being e furthest along the line, Dove La
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The 6km hike around the lake is a popular option, a clear highlight being the quaint wooden boat shed. For sightseers on the lake’s edge, the water is clear nearby, offering a view through to the rippled yellow sand. Further out, the water darkens, blending into an opaque dark-sea blue. On a windy day, white-capped chop disturbs the surface; on a calm one, with no cloud cover shrouding the dual peaks of the cradle — Little Horn and Weindorfer’s Tower — the jagged summits appear in duplicate, reflected on the glass calm of the lake. The best view is to be had from Marions Lookout, about a three hour round trip from the Dove Lake drop-off. Walk past alpine tarns and crater lakes, surrounded by pencil pines and wildflowers, and wonder at how strange it is for there to be various bodies of water, visible within the same glance, at such wildly different altitudes, before experiencing vertigo just looking at the canine teeth of Weindorfer’s Tower tickling the sky at the tip of the nearvertical mountain side that falls to Dove Lake. Stellar views can also be had a little further along this path, if one continues for a short distance along the Overland Track — Tasmania’s signature multi-day hike, measuring 65km. At first, the boardwalk winds towards Barn Bluff,
Looking towards Barn Bluff
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The alps produce plenty of cascades
which butts up over the horizon beyond shallow pools and prehistoric pandanis, their dry leafends forming crispy curls. The presence of Barn Bluff so close to the Cradle suggests yet more towering and unlikely peaks further along (including Tassie’s tallest, Mt Ossa at 1617m), and the mere concept of 65km of mountainous brilliance is enough to make turning back heartbreaking. From Marions Lookout, I’d recommend heading down a different way, past Crater Falls and to the Ronny Creek bus stop. After descending in the sunlight, through the open air, hikers are suddenly enshrouded in the darkness of a rainforest canopy. The thundering of a cascade permeates a dimly lit scene of mossy rocks and green foliage. The eyes adjust as one walks along parallel to the stream, before the two paths cross at the falls — a short but breakneck torrent foaming, like a rabid dog, where it lands. Further on, the trees thin out to nada and the track flattens out to a raised boardwalk crossing tussock grass. Here, hikers have their best
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Pandinis on the Overland Track
Iconic boat shed on Dove Lake
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t!Í ¹ęENDà IN ĥ SUNLIGHT ĤRąGH ĥ āEN AIR HIæĖ ARE SUD¹NLY ENĚRą¹D IN ĥ DARKNƧS ÷ A RAINÊRƧT CANāY u chance yet of spotting wombats. If you’re lucky, you might even glimpse a baby wombat being nursed in its mother’s rear-facing pouch! Just make sure you’re not so enamoured you forget to catch the final bus back, which leaves at 6pm in summer. Other unmissable lofty national parks include Ben Lomond National Park (in the northeast) and Mount Field National Park (in the mid-south), which happen to be the locations of Tasmania’s two ski fields. Access to Ben Lomond is via winding forestry roads. One can camp on site at Ben Lomond Campground or further afield at Mathinna Recreation Ground or Scottsdale Northeast Park. Visitors stand to witness mountains made up of dolerite columns and ginormous fields of tumbled rockfall, by parking at Carr Villa or continuing up the switchbacking Jacob’s Ladder (an adrenaline-pumping attraction in itself) to the summit village. Tracks from the trailhead here open up the alps,
including Tasmania’s second highest peak — Legges Tor at 1572m. Just note that the 5km link track between the summit village and Carr Villa can be boggy and unformed. Meanwhile, Mount Field National Park has a campground on site for $20 a night (powered), plus there’s a free camp a 30-minute drive away at Bethune Park. The attractions in this National Park start low down, with the iconic trilogy of Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls and Lady Barron Falls. Head a little higher to the 1km Tall Trees hike through 100m-tall swamp gums, before coming into their own on the alpine plateau. Be mindful that, on windy days, the road up can be closed due to fallen trees (or the risk of them). I’d recommend the Mount Field East Hike (9km) or the Tarn Shelf hike from Lake Dobson (12km). This latter hike takes you through a grove of pandini trees, past the ski fields (abandoned in summer) and copses of snow gums, to a series of elevated lakes. Any piece of writing on the alps
is irresponsible if it doesn’t mention changeable weather and I’ll use our relatively lightweight experience from Tarn Shelf to illustrate that here. We walked up into the cloud-covered peaks from Lake Dobson. Airborne water drenched our clothes before rain proper was falling along with small, instantly dissolving flecks of snow. This in December. We bunkered down in Rodway Hut for a half hour until it had cleared. Safe to say, I might think twice before wearing shorts above 1200 metres again! CTA
Snowfall can happen in December
Jacob's Ladder in Ben Lomond National Park
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Taking a not-so-deep dive
ON THE CAPE
YOU CAN’T MISS
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Stunning vistas are the norm
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Shrubs push tightly against the track at times — a lot tighter than pictured here
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Waterfalls are great fodder for amateur photographers
THE WATERFALLS
With so many water crossings on the way to The Tip, waterfalls are plentiful. You will need to be tackling the Old Telegraph Track to see most of them though, but isn’t that the only way to experience the Cape anyway? Here are five of the best waterfalls to check out, not only for a refreshing swim but also to capture an epic long exposure image. To do that you’ll need a camera or smartphone, tripod and some form of a polarising filter (a pair of sunnies will do it) and a ND filter. The ND filter allows you to keep the shutter open for a longer period on your camera and so capture that epic milky water shot the pros take. On an iPhone 11 and up, turn on the Live feature and take the shot. Then, open your shot in the Picture app and swipe up, selecting Long Exposure from the four choices and watch what happens. The best waterfalls to check out are: • • • • •
Isabella Falls Dulhunty River Fruit Bat Falls Elliot Falls Twin Falls
"With so many water crossings on the way to The Tip, waterfalls are plentiful"
Check carefully for concealed rocks before you take the leap
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The OTL is an Australian icon
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Watch others go through river crossings first
THE OLD TELEGRAPH TRACK (OTL)
The OTL is not only an Australian iconic track, it also ranks highly on Hema’s list of Cape York’s toughest tracks. It follows the original line of the electric telegraph line that was constructed in the late 1880s and continued operation until 1987. What makes the OTL so challenging — besides the bone-rattling corrugations — are its variety of water crossings, each with its challenges especially Palm Creek, Gunshot Creek and Nolan’s Brook. The OTL also offers spectacular scenery, fantastic swimming holes and of course, cheering spectators at several of the crossings. When it comes to the river crossings, it’s best to watch others going through first to learn the best line. This also allows your diffs and brakes to cool down a bit and gives you time to fit a water bra on the front of your 4WD and get the recovery gear ready, just in case.
Grab some well-earned tucker at Aussie roadhouses
No crafties here
THE PUBS
After a big day on the tracks full of water crossings, dust and corrugations, there’s nothing better than pulling into a pub to cleanse the palate. Thankfully, there are enough establishments along the trail to help in this regard. Most of these are roadhouses so you’ll be able to top up on fuel, set up and grab a shower in the campground and enjoy some amazing Cape York tucker. The most well-known watering holes are: • • • • • •
Lions Den Hotel Palmer River Roadhouse Hann River Roadhouse Musgrave Roadhouse Archer River Roadhouse Bramwell Junction Roadhouse
coldies... Perhaps one too many
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THE BEACHES
With the oceanfront running both sides of the Cape, there are plenty of beaches to find a place to camp — just remember going for a swim is off the agenda. You'll be able to enjoy some spectacular sunrises and sunsets, plus take leisurely strolls along the beach. Sometimes you might be the only ones there. If you’re carrying a tinnie, the offshore fishing for mackerel, queenies, trevally and flathead is spectacular, or try your luck for barramundi or mangrove jack from the shoreline. Be very croc aware though, as there are some big buggers about who are more than happy to steal your catch or have a go at turning you into Captain Hook. Here are just some of the great beach camps to check out: • • • • • • •
Punsand Bay Chilli Beach Captain Billy Landing Loyalty Beach Somerset Beach Nanthau Beach Usher Point
Fishing is great on the Cape, just watch for crocs
ͺ9ą ë ª ê ħ ENJĆ SüE ĞECTACULAR SUNRâƧ AND SUNSEĩ čUS TAæ êâī¿Y ĠRûî ALýG ĥ ªACHͺ Pics or it didn't happen, right?
THE TIP
The Tip is an iconic destination given that it's the northernmost point on the Australian mainland and most challenging to get to, but did you know it doesn’t appear in any of the ‘Top 10 Australian Instagram destinations’? Maybe that’s a good thing because it means those so-called influencers won’t accept the challenge of getting there, but they don’t know what they’re missing. Not only is standing next to the sign at the tip a great photo opportunity to share with your friends and family on social media, but the journey to get there is extremely rewarding. Oh, and you’ve got the drive home to look forward to as well — enjoy! CTA
Picture-perfect coastline
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The Peninsula Development Road to Weipa is being upgraded
IS BITUMEN
KILLING THE CAPE? As the blacktop extends towards Weipa many adventurous travellers are lamenting the progress and the advancement of the bitumen through Cape York. Our view is quite the contrary. Words and Pics Ron and Viv Moon
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E P A C E H T G N I S ACCES Relics, like this old radar tower, can be found hidden in the bush
The Peninsula Development Road to Weipa is soon to be bitumen
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ver since the late ‘80s and early 1990s when the Bypass Roads were pushed through the top half of Cape York, I can remember there has been a simmering resentment among diehard 4WD fans that the improvements were about to kill the Cape! While the bypass roads are now just a standard feature of the Cape, other improvements followed, and the area remains even more popular than ever before. But what does the future hold? Back when we first started going to the Cape in the mid to late 1970s we were wandering the southern section of the peninsula and paddling the mighty Mitchell 111
The first trip to the southern Cape in 1976
On a Mitchell River Canoe Trip
ver. It wasn’t e ent three months up on the Cape, that we h actually made it to the Tip. Since then we’ve been up on the peninsula over 40 times, but only to the Tip itself about 15 times. And yes plenty has changed in that time, but does that mean the end to the adventure and the challenges that the Cape offers? I don’t think so! When we first went to the Cape the bitumen stopped at Mount Carbine. Even the main street of Coen, the 'Capital of the Cape,' was a dirt road. The town today has a few bitumen streets and while it hasn’t got much bigger, it does have a few more facilities and support services. During the peak travel time the place certainly is much busier. Once the main Peninsula Developmental Road swung west towards Weipa — as it still does today north of Archer River — there was only one way north: the Old Telegraph Track. In the early 1980s it was still patrolled, with the telegraph line operating, and the route was just a relatively well-worn set of wheel marks through the scrub. At the infamous creek crossings such as Gunshot there was little choice in what line or entry to take. Sadly, today the banks of many of the creeks have been cut by numerous entries, 112
This old gold crusher was still standing in 1980
destroying the pristine nature of the stream for a hundred metres on each side of the original line. Such is the cost of progress! Back in the early days, the paramount final challenge with no choice to turn back entailed crossing the Jardine. There was no ferry then, though a privately owned single vehicle ferry ran on and off for a few years in the early ‘80s before it was closed down. Nearly everybody who wanted to get to the Tip had to drive across the mighty river, and this was fraught with obvious challenges and dangers. Occasionally while travellers camped on the southern bank of the Jardine as they waited for the river to become passable, some enterprising local from Bamaga would come down in whatever 4WD vehicle they had available and offer to take people on a day trip to the Tip and Somerset. The caveat lay in having to wade the river to get to the vehicle on the northern bank. There were crocs in the river, but any that did appear at the crossing point didn't last too long before they were moved on. The biggest difference from 30 to 40 years ago, though, is that you can now visit many different places on a trip to the Cape. And we reckon the Cape is all the better for it.
Sometimes the sharks win
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In the early days you could visit the mining town of Weipa, but you weren’t really welcome. The place you were allowed to camp was about 12km inland out of town in a nondescript patch of scrub that was called a campground. Things definitely improved when the Weipa campground was set up and fishing trips and mine tours became accessible. These days you can also opt for some excellent bush camping experiences in and around Mapoon or at the mouth of the Pennefather River. On the other side of the Cape you could take a trip out to Portland Roads. There was no Chilli Beach as there is today with ecoconscious groups residing in and around being in residence in and around the nearby beaches. The trip from the recently opened Archer River roadhouse to Portland Roads was, according to my diary, a tough, rough, 8 to 10 hour drive. We enjoyed it nevertheless, parking at the end of the road near the Edmund Kennedy monument and joining with the few other like-minded travellers who had also made the arduous journey from Archer River.
Main street of Coen on a busy in 1980
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Along the Laura-Maytown Coach road in 2019
The locals around Portland Roads were an eccentric lot, and we got to know a few of them. There was the 'cat lady,' who lived in a shack at the entryway of the small community. She was most welcoming and had moulds of gigantic cat prints she assured us were from some of the Tassie tigers that wandered the nearby scrub. One guy we got to know well was an ex-marine biologist from the USA. He had visited Portland Roads during WWII and reckoned it was going to be the last place of earth that would suffer a nuclear catastrophe, so had taken up residence at the spot with his 114
wife. Each morning he would wander down the track out to the headland, binocular case in hand. I met him on one of the first days there and commented that he must be going birdwatching. “Ha,” he replied, flicking open the case to reveal two cans of beer, “Just going down to enjoy my breakfast on the headland.” Later in the morning he would settle down for a six pack or so, and then in the afternoon he would start on a bottle of Johnny Walker Black Label whisky that would see him into the night — and into some form of oblivion, I'd guess.
Today there’s a lot more choice when you head to the east coast, and you can visit Portland Roads whilst staying at delightful Chilli Beach, take a wander down to the Aboriginal community at Lockhart River, or stay in the secluded camps in the Iron Range National Park. Even Cooktown was an adventure to get to back in the early 80s, with a rough corrugated dirt road providing the only real access. There was no Cape Tribulation Road, and the Creb Track was a privately run road for and by the Cairns Regional Electricity Board — hence its name. Cooktown was
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Travelling the Cape-Northern OTL track in 2019
You can still find hidden places off the beaten track
IN D N U O R A S R E L L E AV R T S S E L T O L A Y L IN A T .” R P E C M A E C R E O T W S E E R C E A H L T P , E S S IN E D L R Y A N J A E M H T O F S L O A H E T R E W “NOR E R E H T T U B , S 0 THE 198 of Jardine The track through the swamps south River is a little more used these days
however still worth visiting, being the ‘Queen of the North’, and access is now easier and quicker. It's a fine spot for adventures further afield such as Cape Bedford, Elim Beach, and Cape Flattery along with some excellent fishing and Indigenous cultural tours. Talking of Indigenous cultural tours and ancient Indigenous rock art sites, the escarpment country around Laura holds one of the great bodies of prehistoric art in all of Australia. The modern cultural and heritage centre in the town is a must-visit, while a tour with a local guide to one of the spectacular art sites should not be missed. Most of those experiences just weren't available before the turn of the century. North of the Jardine, there were certainly a lot less travellers around in the 1980s, but there were also many less places to camp. The campgrounds at Seisia, Loyalty Beach, 115
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S E C A L P Y N A M O S E R A E R E H T E IM T N A “IN THE ME ” E P A C E H T N O Y O J N TO EXPLORE AND E Bob's Lookout and nearby Mulligan Highway was one of the last southern sections to be bitumised
Rich wildlife flourishes on the Cape
Overlooking the Torres Strait from the fort
and Punsand Bay take most of the beating. Some free bush camp fanatics may scoff, but most people by the time they get north of the Jardine are looking for a great beach-side camp, a few facilities, and somewhere they can get a feed without resorting, yet again, to the stove or camp oven. While you could always catch the local ferry across to Thursday Island, the closest thing to a tourist-type tour of the Island was to grab a local taxi. Today you can still hop into a taxi for a run around the island or grab a bit more of an organised tour with a guide who knows their stuff — but don’t forget to include Horn Island and/or Friday Island on your exploration of the Torres Strait — both offer a different aspect of the Strait to admire and enjoy. For fishing adventures today people are spoiled for choice, with a number operating from Cooktown, Weipa, and of course Bamaga at the very top of Cape York. The chances of latching onto a prized fish can't be beaten anywhere else in Aus — so take the opportunity to catch a good one. On our most recent trip to the Cape in 2019 we had adventures aplenty — driving
not only the full length of the Old Telegraph Track but also Frenchman’s track, the Creb track, and the Laura-Maytown Coach Road, which is a beauty. We explored the islands of Torres Strait, the beaches south of Somerset and north of the mouth of the Jardine, and much more. If we'd had time we would have spent some days enjoying the area around Kowanyama and Pormpuraaw on the west coast whilst taking in the delights of the Mitchell River, the Thornborough Goldfields, and magical Chillagoe. There is no doubt there is a lot more bitumen on Cape York than there used to be. But the tar will get to Weipa in the next year or so — if it doesn’t keep getting washed away like it did during the wet season of 2020–21 — but it’ll take a long, long time before it gets any further north. And in the meantime there are so many places to explore and enjoy on the Cape. There are so many places we've visited and so many we've missed that I've not yet been fortunate enough to visit yet — but we’re going back again this year. You could spend a lifetime, as we have, and not see it all. We may see you there! CTA
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ta s te of th e
tr o p i c s A tropical food trail makes the Daintree the perfect place for a rainforest romp Words and Pics Emily McAuliffe
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The Daintree region offers visitors both beauty and bounty
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