iMotorhome Sweet Dreams
25: May 18 2013
magazine
Issue
because getting there is half the fun...
Autumn touring in Horizon’s baby Melaleuca...
Win!
$50 Caltex Fuel Card!
Meet Your Maker Trakka’s Dave and Sally Berry...
Gorgeous!
BYO eats worth packing a picnic for
Love your freedom. Love your Horizon. ... especially if it’s the new limited edition “Back in Black Pack” Horizon Banksia or Melaleuca.
These special edition motorhomes feature ultra-modern black and white interiors as well as distinctive alloy wheels and body striping. Established in 1995, Horizon motorhomes are built in, not bolted on. Choose from 5 models, all simple to drive and park and all with practical space saving layouts and quality interiors. Experience the Horizon difference. Test drive one today and ask about the limited edition “Back in Black Pack” models.
p. 02 6681 1555 • 299 River St, Ballina NSW 2478
www.ballinacampers.com.au
On my mind
M
y recent travels are at an end and for the next two weeks it’s head down and you-know-what up, not only getting Issue 26 ready but also launching the new iMotorhome website. Five months behind schedule but greatly enhanced from the originally planned all-new website – thanks to the inclusion of things like classified ads for private sellers and dealers alike – I hope you’ll agree it’s been worth the wait. The main body of the website will feature an ever growing library of articles from past issues; all available to be read online and/ or downloaded, plus back issues, links, an events calendar, blog and other goodies. It will always be a work in progress and will
3 continue to evolve as the months go by, so please don’t go looking for the world’s most complete motorhome resource – at least not straight away! Adding content and developing functionality takes time and effort and as you might appreciate we’re already quite busy, but as the Good Mrs iMotorhome regularly reminds me, there’s always that hour between three and four in the morning that I don’t seem to use... Flat Rate Classifieds In a world of gimmicks and fine print I’ve decided to keep the iMotorhome Classifieds as simple as possible. Here are the basic details: • Advertise until sold • Write as much description as you like
• Upload up to 12 photos (a slideshow is included) • Make unlimited edits and updates • The newest ads will feature in each issue of iMotorhome Magazine • Private ads cost $50, but for June and July a $25 introductory offer runs • Pay with Paypal to ensure your money’s safe Other features will include: • Basic and advanced search facilities • Like and share your ads on Facebook • Motorhomes and campervans only, so you won’t get lost in the crowd! Continued...
• Campervans • Motorhomes • Caravans • Hobby Haulers
• Camper Trailers • Off-Road Caravans • Pop-top Caravans • Hard-top Caravans • Campervans • Motorhomes
5 Melrose Dr, Wodonga 3690 • Ph: 02 6024 4222 • awrvworld.com.au
Onmy my mind... mind On
4
...Continued
Other categories will be added in coming months and there will eventually be a free ads section for items under a certain value, but we’re kicking off with motorhomes and campervans only. So if you’re looking to sell, your support would be appreciated – and if you’re looking to buy, please check out our sellers! Share and Share Unalike I know many of you don’t actually
subscribe to this magazine. Instead, you know where to go on the website to download it directly, while others, it seems, receive a copy from a friend. That’s good and I’m happy you’re reading however you get your copy, but to make my job of attracting new advertisers easier, can I ask a favour? If you don’t already subscribe can you please take a minute to do so? And if
The iMotorhome Team
you have any motorhoming or just interested friends, please ask them to do the same. Thanks! Finally, please keep your letters and feedback coming. Let me know what you do and don’t like and if you have suggestions for new topics or whatever, please include them. See you next month!
d r a h c Ri
Richard Robertson
Malcolm Street
Agnes Nielsen-Connolly
Publisher & Managing Editor
Consulting Editor
Design & Production Manager
A long-time freelance RV, motoring and travel writer, Richard is a dedicated, longterm motorhome enthusiast.
Unquestionably Australia and New Zealand’s best known RV journalist, Malcolm is a fixture at CMCA rallies and RV shows and is now in his second decade as a specialist RV writer.
Agnes is an experienced and talented graphic designer with extensive experience across a wide range of disciplines, including travel and advertising.
richard@imotorhome.com.au
He has held senior editorial positions with some of the best know recreational vehicle magazines in Australia. Richard also has a passion for lifestyleenhancing technology, which is why he is the driving force behind the new iMotorhome eMagazine.
malcolm@imotorhome.com.au
If it’s available on either side of the Tasman, Malcolm has probably driven it, slept in it, reported on it, knows how it’s made and can tell you just how good it really is.
agnes@imotorhome.com.au
Designing and producing iMotorhome issues since June 2012, Agnes does much of the behind-the scenes work to ensure every issue looks great and is easy to read.
©2013 iMotorhome. All rights reserved. Published by iMotorhome. ABN 34 142 547 719. PO Box 1738, Bowral. NSW. 2576. Contact us on 0414 604 368 or Email: info@imotorhome.com.au
Relax in Paradise
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• Built for Australian conditions. • Models available with or without slide-outs. • Superior finish with stylish new contoured exterior. • Patented moulded bins for maximum storage capacity. • Outstanding road handling & ride comfort. • Genuine island queen beds and huge wardrobes. • Spacious rear ensuites with separate toilet & shower. • Market leading layouts & lifestyle features. • Full living area slide-outs providing superior living space. • Proven reliability of Paradise’s patented slide-outs.
Enjoy the prestige of owning Australia’s best quality motorhome Paradise Motor Homes
www.paradisemotorhomes.com.au
245 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters, Queensland, 4216
ph (07) 5597 4400 - email info@paradisemotorhomes.com.au Paradise Motor Homes products are protected by registered designs, patents and copyrights ™ © 2013
INSIDE EDISNI 3 ON MY MIND
6
Talking classified information...
7 ON YOUR MIND Have your say for a chance to win a $50 Caltex fuel card!
12 NEWS
News from the RV world and beyond
16 TESTED
Sweet Little Honey – Autumn touring in Horizon’s Melaleuca
34 MEET YOUR MAKER 17 Meet Trakka’s Dave and Sally Berry
44 ROADSIDE EATS 21 Gorgeous! You just need to bring you own food. What?
50 MOBILE TECH 23 Foodspotting – so much more fun than trains
54 NEXT ISSUE What’s coming up, plus our show calendar
On your mind
Hi, you Eastern States Groupies! I thought the idea, presentation and the content of your Mag was going to be just what the Doctor ordered, when my wife and I decided to spend the kids inheritance and buy a Mercedes Sprinter in our old age. However after perusing a few of your issues, with Eastern States ad content, Eastern States places to go, Eastern States adventures to be enjoyed, we began to wonder whether you actually knew there was another GREAT STATE in the WEST? It frustrated us to realise that if we lived over there everything would be at hand, tantalizing accessories would be available, servicing and repairs could be easily accessed! Places to go would have been reviewed and recommended! But no, this isn’t the case over here in Western Australia. We
7 It’s only fitting that since Ed has his say in On My Mind, you should be able to have yours too. If you have anything to say – or ask – just drop a line to letters@imotorhome. com.au and we’ll share it with
our readers. We’ll also reward the most interesting, useful or thoughtful letter each issue with a $50 Caltex fuel card to help you on your way.
seem to live on a different planet, we can never get things done, accessories all have to come from the Eastern States and our “Adventure before Debenture” slogan on our lovely campervan is fading rapidly!!!
Hi 2 Old WA Chooks, thanks for a great letter! I'd love to cover WA business and events and certainly realise you're over there, but the tyranny of distance works against us – for the moment. Please don't lose heart, however, we'd love to hear from readers 'over there' with stories and information and certainly will be visiting as we become more established (read: commercially viable). Hope the $50 Caltex fuel card goes some way to making amends!
Please! Please! Try and recognise that you have fans and very interested readers over in this part of the World, spread the interest around the States and not just the big three! Try and get a few WA Service and Repair Outlets to advertise in your Mag. Try and look at just a few of our lovely coastal villages and show them off with descriptive text and interesting photos, we are fans too but very often feel left out of the glitter! 2 Old WA Chooks!!! via impassioned email
On your mind
8
Hi Richard. Firstly I love your online magazine and I look forward to reading it on my tablet for every new issue. I'm amazed how you can bring out something new and interesting each and every fortnight! I'm a self confessed Tech-head and I was hoping you could help me with further information regarding motorhome insulation. All manufacturers make reference to the strengths and features of their motorhome walls and insulation. One advertises they have the highest insulation rating vehicles on the market. How is this known? How is it tested? Some motorhomes are constructed using aluminium as the structural framework within the wall. Aluminium is light and quite strong for its weight, however it is highly conductive. Windows also play a large part in the insulation of a motorhome. I find the
whole topic interesting, yet very confusing. Can you help?
Your reference to the Winnebago Explorer (Issue 24 Rearview) requiring a heavy rigid (HR) license is incorrect. An HR is required for a vehicle with three or more axles exceeding eight tonnes GVM. The Explorer has two axles and requires a Medium Rigid (MR) license that permits driving a bus or truck greater than eight tonnes GVM. Love
your work but a bit of a bias emerging towards Trakka!
Thanks, John Hi John, thanks for your email and kind words. It's good to receive such enthusiastic feedback and to be honest, I often wonder how we manage to get fortnightly issues out, too! Regarding insulation, I'm told the two basic types used in motorhomes are polystyrene and styrofoam; the latter being more insulative. I'd imagine claims of insulation effectiveness are based on the insulation manufacturers' technical reports and claimed R ratings, coupled with how much (thickness) individual manufacturers put in the vehicles. There is no independent testing body and claims of having the highest insulation rating can only be advertising/marketing spin.
Rob, via email. You're right, Rob, my mistake. Seems I took my information from a driving school website, not the RTA. Note to self: less haste more accuracy! Your Trakka bias reference is interesting. If it's a reference
There is simply no affordable and practical way to verify the claims that I’m aware of. You're right, too, about frames. Of course any metal frame will conduct the cold, while all frames reduce the amount of insulation materials in the walls and provide gaps for moisture to condense in. European manufacturers almost exclusively use frame-free construction, relying instead on extremely strong composite sandwich construction walls to provide both structural strength and high insulation, when engineered correctly. They also use double glazed acrylic windows in place of single pane glass and while manufactures like Trakka use both techniques, the combination is still in the minority in Australia, I believe. It's a very interesting subject and we’ll endeavour to publish some expert commentary on the subject in a future issue.
to the number of their vehicles featured, that's because they have their act together in running a demo fleet, supplying consistent PR material and being media savvy – something most other manufacturers would do well to emulate. Glad you like what we're doing, though, and thanks for your feedback.
10 magazine
iMotorhome
because getting there is half the fun...
Launching next issue with our all-new website, private and dealer classified ads with a difference... • Motorhomes & Campervans only • Unlimited words • 12 Photos plus Slideshow • Unlimited edits and updates • Latest ads featured in iMotorhome Magazine • Advertise until sold • Introductory offer for June and July: $25 – that’s 50% off!
Coming soon to www.imotorhome.com.au
On your mind / News
One of the perils of having a two way radio in the motorhome is listening to the choice language of the truckies and laughing at them talking about the drivers on the road, then realising they are talking about and swearing at us! They hate caravans and motorhomes, especially when you are in front of them. They called John,"That guy with the campervan" in some
not-so-nice descriptions! I felt like saying, “Hey it’s a motorhome!” Only one stays silent because we don’t want to be abused anymore. The ears are certainly burning by then! During 18,000 kms around Australia it was our entertainment. Notice I didn't say that we turned it off!
11 Thanks Pam, I know what you mean. I used to be an avid CB listener, but the novelty wore off for the same reasons and I did eventually turn mine off. Glad you managed to keep yours on and get a laugh from the passing parade!
Pam and John, via Email.
^ NON-COMPLIANCE CLOSURE ]
I
nteresting news in light of the number of caravan parks kicking up a fuss at the noncompliance of free camping areas. According to ABC Riverland, the Blanchtown Caravan Park was closed on April 12, 2013 when power to the site was cut at the instruction of the Office of the Technical Regulator (OTR), for safety reasons. The closure came
just before the school holidays. The lease holders told the ABC the park was fully booked for that period.
switched off at this site for safety reasons. SA Power Networks switched off the power on Friday 12 April.”
“The Office of the Technical Regulator places the utmost importance on safety for the owners, occupiers and users of the Blanchetown Caravan Park. The OTR has been working with the owners/occupiers of the caravan park, in efforts to rectify noncompliant electrical installations at this site and to ensure the safety of occupants while that is achieved. As non-compliance matters, which are the responsibility of the owners/occupiers, were not resolved in a timely manner the OTR requested the power be
“Following subsequent inspection and testing from an approved electrical contractor the OTR gave approval to reconnect power, but to the house only. The remainder of the site is still without power.” It is unclear from the OTR's statement who is responsible for fixing the non-compliant electrical installation.
News
12
i BEERWAH, DONE THAT! i Chamber of Commerce (in association with the CMCA’s Ken Kipping), who approached the local RSL Sub-Branch President at the time, John Rouhan, the Branch’s former bowling green is just about ready to open as RV overnight parking.
S
elf-contained RVers looking for an affordable overnight stay near the Glass House Mountains, between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, will soon have another option: Beerwah RSL. Thanks to the vision of Bob McLean, President of the local
The work has taken 18 months and has been done with the support of Hanson Quarries and Community Recycling Inc, and at the time of writing the final signage was reportedly being affixed. Community Recycling Inc apparently donated $2500 towards the project as they saw it
as an initiative to help the broader local community. Restrictions on the site will include one overnight stay only and no daytime use. Cost will be a $10 donation to the local RSL and the site suits smaller vehicles only. Larger units and those requiring a dump point can stay at the Beerwah Sportsground or the caravan park at Gowinta Farms.
The Wirraway 260 SL
With it’s Full Length Slideout Room & Apartment Styled Layout !
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View Our New Website to view All Models, Download Brochures &Virtual RealityTours For details contact: Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes, 6 Hynes Court, Mildura Vic 3500
Phone / Fax: (03) 50 230 230 - New Email: info@wirraway.com.au & New Website: www.wirraway.com.au On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 © Rex Willmer
News
13
[ JACANA GOES HIGER \
J
ust as we went to press details emerged of a luxurious new 10.5 metre A-Class motorhome built on a Chinese Higer coach from specialist manufacturer and converter, Jacana Motorhomes, based in Taree, NSW. Details of the new rig were not
available, but judging from the bull-bar mounted winch (surely a first for an A-class motorhome), high intensity driving lights and HF radio aerial, it’s destined for remote adventures likely to spoil its immaculate paint job. Jacana has been in business since 1997 and claims to hand craft
what some say are Australia’s finest and most luxurious, fully custom motorhomes. If/when we find more details of this exciting vehicle you’ll be the first to know, but if you can’t wait visit jacanamotorhomes.com.au or call Sales Manager Adrik Ramsay on (02) 6551 7706.
News
14 † STONE THE CROWS! ¢
A
successful first-up Stone the Crows Festival has Wagga City Council on the verge of pouring another $15,000 into a second event.
An estimated $11,000 was spent at Wagga businesses, while the scouts received $9000 in camp fees at Camp Kurrajong, between Wagga and Oura.
Council backed this year’s festival to the tune of $20,000 and a recent policy and strategy committee considered a second sponsorship request by festival organisers.
The group estimated $65,000 was spent overall as a result of the festival and that next year’s event could attract double the number of attendees, mostly “grey nomads,” who they hope will stay even longer.
The group – Citizen of the Year Grant Luhrs, Jim Haynes and Chrissy Eustace – run the festival as a private enterprise, with Mr Luhrs yesterday saying they only broke even on this year’s Easter event. But justifying the injection of public monies, Mr Luhrs said the festival attracted hundreds of people to Wagga who spent thousands of dollars in local businesses. A report to the committee last night said 468 visitors spent an average eight nights in Wagga.
The organisers have already started talking with the Wagga Show Society about using the Bourke Street showground as a camping ground for visitors as they expect Camp Kurrajong will not be large enough. “We were over the moon with this year’s response. We were hoping for everyone to have a good time and say nice things about us and they did.”
“Just about everyone said they would be back – and bring 5 to 15 friends.” Mayor Rod Kendall told the committee that Council should be supporting an event that exceeded expectations in its first year. He said the Stone the Crows Festival was unique to Wagga and a recommendation that Council sponsor the festival will now go to its May ordinary meeting for consideration. Councillor Greg Conkey will be backing the recommendation, saying the festival had the potential to be huge, while Councillor Kerry Pascoe said he was in full support of Council backing the festival again. “It turned out to be an exciting event with very good feedback,” he said. from www.thedailyadvertiser.com. au 14/5/13
News
15
n SEEKING NEW HORIZONS n
H
orizon Motorhomes’ boss Clayton Kearney and his family are heading bush in June on a 10,000 km, monthlong odyssey in the Company’s latest model: the 4WD Waratah Mercedes Sprinter. The journey will take them from Ballina in Far Northern NSW to the Kimberley region of Western Australia via Alice Springs. “Although an expensive exercise, I want to personally test this vehicle and see its capabilities and just what it can and can’t do. I want to prove that this 4WD motorhome can go anywhere a Landcruiser towing a van can go, and more,” Clayton said. “The last time we did a journey like this with the kids was over 10 years ago, when we took a 4WD campervan to the Northern Territory when they were still
toddlers. The kids are now 14 and 16 so this is probably the last time we’ll get to take them on a journey such as this.” According to Clayton the Kimberley region will provide perfect off-road challenges for the Waratah and he intends pushing the van to the extreme. “We will go to places where even I don’t know if the motorhome will make it, but that’s all part of the adventure.” The 4WD Waratah’s new layout has the main bed running north/ south and it can consist of singles, a double or club lounge arrangements. This particular Waratah has been specially adapted for Clayton’s family and consists of two bunk beds above the main bed (one either side), which can be replaced with overhead cupboards
after the trip. The 4WD Waratah starts at $155,000 and is also available with the popular Horizon Acacia or Wattle internal layouts. You can keep up to date on their experiences through the eyes of the whole family via their blog, on the Ballina Campers’ website www.ballinacampers.com.au and you can also follow them on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ ballinacampers. The new 4WD Waratah will also be on show at the Queensland Caravan, Camping and Touring Holiday Show at the RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane, from 5-11 June before departure, so why not check it out?
Touring Test: Horizon Melaleuca
Little
Honey Horizon’s ‘baby’ Melaleuca is a sweet machine that’s surprisingly capable...
Review and images by Richard Robertson
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Touring Test: Horizon Melaleuca
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The Melaleuca blurs the distinction between campervans and motorhomes – in the nicest possible way.
T
he line between campervans and motorhomes is an indistinct one at best and Horizon Motorhomes’ smallest model – the Melaleuca – blurs the boundary even further. You can think of it as a big campervan or a small motorhome, but either way it’s a versatile and capable machine that has made me seriously reassess just what you need in a practical touring
vehicle. No wonder, then, the Melaleuca is Horizon’s top selling model. Less is More
T
he Melaleuca is built on, or should I say in, a Fiat Ducato long wheelbase (LWB) van. At 5.998 m (19 ft 8 in) in length it’s small enough to legally fit in a standard 6 m single car space, which means it can also double as a second – or be your only – car. By
comparison, a VW T5-based campervan is around 5.3 m (17 ft 4 in) long, but lacks a bathroom, storage and living space of the Melaleuca. The Fiat, however, is 150 mm (6 in) wider than the VW and that can make maneuvering and parking between vehicles a challenge. At 2.62 m (8 ft 7 in) even without the optional airconditioning it’s too tall for most underground car parks, but for parking in country
Touring Test: Horizon Melaleuca
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Headlights are internally adjustable and literally brilliant on the open road.
To be honest I have always thought of the Melaleuca as being a bit too small for a couple and really only suitable for singles. How wrong I was proved to be. Back to Basics eing an entry-level motorhome – and I’m going to call it a motorhome from now on – the Melaleuca is at a particularly price sensitive point in the market. At $102,000 on the road in NSW, Horizon has to walk a fine line and to help keep the price down the Melaleuca comes with Fiat’s smaller 2.3-litre Multijet 150 turbo-diesel engine, compared to the 3.0-litre engine in its
B
towns, on the street and in open car parks it kicks the VW’s Germanic arse in terms of being a livable, mobile home with around town credentials. “The Melaleuca is out best seller,” said Clayton Kearney,
Horizon Motorhomes’ Managing Director. “Because of its versatile rear lounge/bed arrangement we sell a lot to single travellers – especially women – who can leave the bed made up and still keep the two-place dinette set up.”
Touring Test: Horizon Melaleuca bigger Fiat siblings. This engine produces a creditable 109 kW and 350 Nm and drives the front wheel though a six-speed ‘Comfortmatic’ automated manual transmission (AMT). These power figures are about 21 kW and 50 Nm down on the bigger engine, but are partially compensated for by reduced tare (empty) weight and a reduced thirst at the bowser. Like all Fiat Ducato’s, however, the Melaleuca comes with a full suite of safety equipment, including dual air bags, anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic stability control (ESP) traction control (TC) and hill holder (HH). Inside, the cab is as modern as commercial vehicles get and is styled as only the Italians can (compare it to the dour cab of a sensible *yawn* VW Crafter or Mercedes Sprinter). Airconditioning, power steering, electric windows and mirrors, cruise control, wheel-mounted audio controls, integrated-but-removable TomTom GPS, Blue&Me Bluetooth for phone with voice commands, radio/CD/ MP3 sound system with USB media player/input, adjustable headlights and more are all standard equipment. Being from the box-on-wheels design school the Ducato is very stable and is wider than its German counterparts as well. It also comes with a huge 125-litre fuel tank, factory-fitted
Front-wheel drive makes for safe and secure handling, especially on dirt roads.
19
Touring Test: Horizon Melaleuca
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Double glazed windows and roof hatches feature built-in insect screens and privacy blinds. swivelling cab seats and good cab storage – but sadly no cup holders. If only the Italians would discover the joy of driving with their coffee. Horizon buys its vans ‘blind’ – without windows – so it can place them where it wants. It also means all windows are double-glazed Seitz acrylic units, with integrated blinds and fly screens, which along with full body insulation helps keep the Melaleuca (or any Horizon model) warmer inside on cold nights. Five side windows and four roof hatches (two with fans) provide good light and ventilation, while the optional side and rear door fly screens are mustbuy accessories that greatly enhance the practicality of the vehicle when your travelling.
Touring Test: Horizon Melaleuca
Melaleuca’s compact size makes town driving and parking easy. Driving a Not-So-Hard Bargain had the Melaleuca for 11 days following the Sydney Supershow and during that time used it as a car to run in to town and to the supermarket; overnight accommodation in Sydney on a friend’s driveway after a good dinner and for three days touring on the delivery run back to Horizon’s office in Ballina. In all these it excelled.
I
Supermarket shopping meant I had to park in the outdoor carpark and choose my spaces carefully to allow for maneuvering between vehicles, but length wise it was fine. Having my own accommodation (with hot water and a bathroom) that
21
Touring Test: Horizon Melaleuca
22
Despite its smaller 2.3-litre engine the Melaleuca devours open roads with ease. I could park on a friend’s driveway in suburban Sydney and ‘crash’ into after dinner also proved a great success. Then there was our three-day ‘Surf & Turf’ tour to Ballina, encompassing everything from stop-start city driving (we had to leave a car at Sydney airport to fly home to) to freeway cruising, coastal exploring and tackling back roads up and down the Great Dividing Range. In all these situations the Melaleuca performed beautifully.
Built-in cab privacy screens are great, but framework blocks view of the convex spot mirror on the passenger-side mirror.
The ‘little’ 2.3-litre engine is a willing worker but I had to learn how to drive it. Moving from rest it has a short first gear and the automated manual upshifts very quickly, so I soon learnt to put my foot down a bit to avoid leisurely departures in busy traffic situations. Once underway it was fine and the automated gearbox shifted
Touring Test: Horizon Melaleuca
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Fiat’s Ducato is wider than VW’s Crafter or Mercedes’ Sprinter and carries more load, making it ideal for a motorhome conversion. smoothly, but like all such transmissions if I put my foot down too quickly I could catch it dithering. Open road cruising in flat to gently undulating country proved no problem, but when the hills become more rolling or a long grade loomed I needed to work the gearbox a bit to keep our speed up. Bear in mind that when I’m touring in a test vehicle there
is never enough time and I’m always in a hurry. So I cruise at the legal speed limit and am always hustling along, unlike most owners in real life touring situations. The automated manual transmission has auto and manual modes and a real plus of the Fiat design is that you can knock it back a gear (or two) in auto-mode without cruise control disconnecting.
Morning sunshine! Sunrise near Glen Innes on the New England Highway.
Once over the top of a hill it just upshifts and away you go. Similarly, you can drop it down a gear (or two) at the top of a hill and it won’t upshift like a conventional automatic; instead remaining in the selected gear until you upshift or accelerate away. Flicking the stubby springloaded gear lever to the left engages manual mode and you can shift gears like any
Touring Test: Horizon Melaleuca
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The Melaleuca’s compact size makes back country touring a breeze. normal gearbox (without a clutch, of course) and in steep situations this is best as it prevents unwanted upor-down shifts in response to small movements of the accelerator pedal. All-in-all I found the 2.3-litre engine fun to drive and more
engaging than its bigger, lazier brother and have no qualms about it being fit for purpose in a small motorhome application. It also returned an average of 9.71 L/100 km (29.1 mpg) for the first tankful (despite showing a 12.5 L/100km average on the trip computer), which was
outstanding. I didn’t fill it up in Ballina but we covered 1007 km on the second tank, with 145 km remaining according to the computer and it showed an average of 10.3 L/100 km. Considering that took in Sydney driving, climbing the Great Dividing Range plus everything in between (and the
Touring Test: Horizon Melaleuca
25
Flip-up bench extension provides valuable work space when cooking or washing up.
Huge U-shaped lounge can seat four for meals, but two is best. engine was brand new), it was a remarkable figure. What’s in the Box? he Melaleuca’s interior, though small, is thoughtfully laid out. It features the aforementioned swivelling cab seats with removable table; a compact
T
kitchen on the kerbside that also occupies half of the sliding side-door opening; the fridge/cupboards/bathroom opposite the kitchen and a large u-shaped lounge/dinette/ bed that provides a myriad of sleeping options at the very rear.
Despite being entry level the Horizon Melaleuca is no bargain basement motorhome. Standard equipment includes niceties like an electric entry step, comprehensive LED lighting with plenty of reading lights, microwave, 3-burner gas cooker, Waeco 110-litre 12 V fridge, Truma gas hot
Touring Test: Horizon Melaleuca
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Optional roll-up rear and side-door insect screens are must-buy accessories.
SOG cassette toilet is chemical free. water system, a generous spread of 12 V and 240 V power outlets (inside and out), 19-inch flatscreen LED HD TV with inbuilt DVD player, 2 x 4 kg gas bottles, a thumping 200 AH house battery with a quality Redarc 3-stage charging system, mains water connector, 150-litre fresh water capacity, filtered drinking water tap, chemical-free SOG cassette toilet and a Fiama
wind-out awning. Horizon also cleverly incorporate floor-level slide-out drawers beneath the fridge and the raised floor in the bedroom. These are additional to a large rear boot, under-lounge storage and overhead cupboards, which help take advantage of the Fiat’s generous 4005 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) and a light 2913 kg tare (empty) weight.
About the only difference in look and feel from Horizon’s more expensive/larger models is the plastic steering wheel, which comes with the 2.3-litre engine package I presume, in place of the usual leather wrapped item. Living the Life n practical terms the Melaleuca layout works well. Ideal for single
I
Touring Test: Horizon Melaleuca
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Swivelling cab seats provide valuable and comfortable after-hours seating but access is tight.
Over-cab storage is surprisingly deep and useful. travellers, a couple needs to be tidy and disciplined, but once you develop your system it works well. For example, Mrs iMotorhome would sit me at the dinette or in a swiveled cab seat while she prepared meals. It also proved a good idea for one of us to remain seated while the other dried off after showering and/or dressed. Here’s how we found living in the Melaleuca:
Multi-adjustable table doubles as bed base.
Front lounge – Despite the encroaching fridge/cupboard unit right behind it, the driver’s seat swivels around inwards easily, as does the passenger’s. A small pole-mounted table slots into a floor recess between them, but two people getting their legs around the pole is quite difficult. So it’s best for one person and okay for two, if one person holds the drinks/nibbles and the other
positions the table once you’re both seated! Rear dining – The large U-shaped lounge/bed provides an inwards-facing dinette for two where it adjoins the kitchen and bathroom end panels, complete with a removable, multi-position table. Two extra diners could squeezes in and sit facing forward, but they would have no backrests.
Touring Test: Horizon Melaleuca
Bathroom is compact but well equipped.
Kitchen – Making the most of available space, the bench top is dominated by an all-in-one cooker and sink unit, with glass lids over the three gas burners on the left and the sink/tap section to the right. There’s an under-bench microwave, a filtered water tap, overhead fan hatch plus decent drawers and a much-needed flip-up bench extension at the forward end.
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110-litre 12 V fridge has handy drawer below.
Electrical – Most controls are neatly arranged in simple rocker-switch panels on the wall above the aft end of the kitchen bench, along with the tank level and house battery gauges. Thanks to a swivel mounting the TV/DVD player can be viewed from either end of the vehicle. Four bright LED down lights illuminate the middle of the vehicle, with
individual reading lights above both cab seats and four in the bed area. A soft LED strip light in the kitchen area, with a secondary switch by the door, would be a good addition, as would a near-door switch to operate the awning lights while standing outside. Bathroom – Compact but with everything you need (save
Touring Test: Horizon Melaleuca
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Massive bed provides many sleeping options and is well lit by 4 LED reading lights.
Reading lights are also provided above cab seats. maybe a head-height shaving cabinet), the bathroom has more than enough room to shower if you face the vehicle’s side wall or the bathroom door (this allows room for your arms to move freely). There are two floor pan drain points, a neat corner basin with cupboard below and a height adjustable chrome shower head on a flexible hose, a very bright LED
Shallow under-bed drawer is a great idea.
ceiling light, a roof fan hatch and, of course, a toilet with removable cassette. Bedroom – Perhaps the Melaleuca’s most versatile feature is its enormous rear lounge/dinette/bed. Providing a plethora of permutations, in standard form you can sleep across or along the vehicle and we tried both, due to the slope
of our free-camp sites. Single travellers can leave a bed made up across the back and keep the dinette set up, but we chose to drop the dinette table and the extra bed board into position to make, effectively, a kingsize bed. Factory options include two north-south single beds; an east-west double bed with a slightly narrower dinette and you can choose
Touring Test: Horizon Melaleuca
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Fiama wind-out awning is standard, as is a Winegard TV aerial and 19-inch LED TV/DVD player. innerspring mattresses over the standard foam cushioning. There is ample natural light and ventilation, good overhead and under-bed storage (include a huge rear boot accessed through the rear doors), great reading lights as already noted and you could even leave the whole rear area made up as a massive bed and just use the small cab table for meals – just! Sweet Choice? o be honest I’d always thought the Melaleuca too small and perhaps underpowered to be a serious motorhome. I also don’t like having to make up beds every night and I’m not a great fan
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of inward facing dinettes with removable tables that become part of the bed. The Melaleuca, however, changed my mind on all these counts. Its small size provides dayto-day versatility larger motorhomes can’t match while its smaller engine is not really any compromise and its economy matches or beats many family cars. Sleepingwise, we used sleeping bags for a quick nighttime setup, but would likely use a ‘doona sandwich’ (queen doonas top and bottom) longterm and just fold them in half to the rear during the day. And even being tall, the Fiat’s extra body width
meant I could sleep across the vehicle. Horizon Motorhomes build a quality vehicle and I have no qualms recommending the Melaleuca as an affordable, capable and desirable – yes, desirable – motorhome. In fact Mrs iMotorhome and I spent most of our homeward journey designing a bed/ dinette arrangement that would provide us with a mobile office compact enough for city meetings as well as long distance touring. That’s how much we liked it. Now all we need is a Lotto win. That would be sweet...
Touring Test: Horizon Melaleuca
The Melaleuca might just be the perfect blend of city smart and country capable. It’s made us reassess what a compact motorhome should be..
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Touring Test: Horizon Melaleuca
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Specifications Manufacturer
Horizon Motorhomes
Model
Melaleuca
Base Vehicle
Fiat Ducato 150 Multijet LWB
Engine
2.3-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power
109 kW @ 3600 rpm
Torque
350 Nm @ 1500 rpm
Gearbox
6-speed Automated Manual
Brakes
ABS Disc
Tare Weight
2913 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass
4005 kg
Towing
2500 kg
Licence
Car
Approved Seating
2
External Length
5.998 m (19 ft 8 in)
External Width
2.05 m (6 ft 9 in)
External Height
2.62 m (8 ft 8 in)
Internal Height
1.9 m (6 ft 3 in)
Rear Bed Size
1.89 m x 1.85 m (6 ft 2 in x 6 ft 1 in)
Cooktop
Dometic 3 burner
Fridge
Waeco 12V 110 litre
Microwave
Sharp Carousel
Lighting
12V LED
Batteries
1 x 200 amp hour AGM
Gas
2 x 4.0 kg
Heater
Optional
Solar Panels
Optional
Air Conditioner
Optional
Hot Water Heater
Truma 14-litre
Toilet
Dometic SOG cassette
Shower
Flexible hose, variable height
Fresh Water Tank
150-litre
Grey Water Tank
55-litre
Price (Drive-away NSW)
$102,000
Pros • • • •
Compact and manoeuvrable Economical with great range Quality construction Well equipped
Cons • Cramped for ‘big’ people • Combo dinette/bed might not suit everyone
Contact Horizon Motorhomes Ballina Campervan & Motorhome Centre 299 River St Ballina. NSW. 2478.
Click for Google Maps
Ph: 02 6681 1555 E: info@ballinacampers.com.au W: ballinacampers.com.au
Just launched Australia’s new caravan and camping FREE print and online eMagazine.
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Meet your Maker: Trakka
Meet Dave & Sally Berry
The RV Industry’s best know couple share the story of their success and passion...
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Meet your Maker: Trakka
How (and when) did the business begin? “Mid 1973. I was 20, had left school two years previously and was halfway through a carpentry and joinery apprenticeship but quickly became disillusioned with cleaning bricks and digging holes so resigned and joined up with Ian Schutt, a mate in a similar situation. We both loved mechanics and mucking around with cars and I was quite a hand at woodwork. My father owned a Kombi camper, which we often went away in, so in our great wisdom we thought we could knock out a couple of similar units, rent them out and make a fortune. Our first project was to reinvent the pop top roof, which just about sent us to the wall and my partners enthusiasm after the first 6 months!” “I met Sally around the same time, which was handy as I had no income and survived off her earnings. She was a microbiologist so I quickly
convinced her making Kombi campers had a much better future and she joined me in partnership in 1975 when she turned 20.” How did the Trakka name come about? “We came up with the name Trekker but even back then after a bit of research there were others using this name. We really liked the name so one night sitting around the dinner table at Ian’s place, his father made the suggestion to change the Es to As and after a brief discussion Trakka was born.”
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How difficult was it, starting out? “Easy when you didn’t worry too much about profit, loss, cash flow, overheads, etc. It was pretty much trial and error, something you couldn’t afford to do in business today. Now after 40 years each in business I think we have solid strategies in place for TRAKKA to reach its long term goals of sustained profitability, competitiveness and growth, while delivering the benchmark product in the RV Industry.”
Meet your Maker: Trakka
Trakka T3 Bronco advertisement
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Meet your Maker: Trakka
Has it been difficult working as a husband and wife team for so long? “It’s been 24/7 for 38 years, which seems pretty incredible. Obviously, pre-kids it was a breeze, but three kids in three years was hard work on Sally while still working in the business. But we weathered tough and trying times and always worked as a great team with the same passion and vision for the future”.
“We both have pretty defined roles, Sally does the finances, administration and marketing and I do anything that’s left over. There’s a little crossing over and working together on major projects and planning with our brilliant management team. Generally, through, we compliment each others area of expertise.”
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What keeps your passion for the business alive? “Trakka’s success can be put down to the fact that the business is in our hearts and our hearts are in the business. From the very beginning we wanted to be the best, so from the early days of trying to make the Kombi pop top better until now this philosophy has never
You both have different roles in the business. Do you have defined boundaries you don’t cross or do you consult each other and ‘keep watch’ on what the other is doing?
Flashback: 1986 Toyota Troopie conversion.
Meet your Maker: Trakka
38
Making tracks in a T3 VW Synchro in the 1990 Australian Safari. left us or our team. We are continually researching and developing, which keeps our work-life new and interesting. Back in the nineties we ran in a few Australian Safaris with a Trakka camper for extreme testing. Back then the Safaris where an Australian version of the famous Dakar Rally and were hell on earth for nine days through the isolated Outback and desert regions of Australia. The first year we came back with a fair bit of interior damage and five foolscap pages of modifications, but it was just one of the many things we did to advance our manufacturing and build techniques. What Trakka achieves through design innovation and commitment to quality has made it the
benchmark for all Australian manufacturers and a level few others in the world can match. When we have produced the best we just keep making it better. This is ongoing and takes place each-and-every day.�
This is very much a family business, do you have a succession plan? “Trakka is a team company, with management having over 150 years of experience in the RV Industry and an up and coming younger team continually bringing in fresh
Flashback: 1976 T2 VW with paint to match the interior trim. Those were the days! Note tiny pop-top to allow for roof rack.
Meet your Maker: Trakka
39
skills and knowledge. Trakka will be leading the industries for decades to come.” Do you have any plans for the future you can share? “We continually have plans in place for improved comfort and safety when travelling and camping, plus improved materials and build technologies. Always planning ways to keep our existing Trakka family and new owners happy and turning that dream to see Australia into reality.”
Flashback: 1975 T2 VW with more conventional paintwork. Remember the old pipe bull bars?
Trakka is renowned for design and technical innovation. How do you keep driving that forward? “We are always looking for new ways to do things and to refine what we already do and make it better. For example, when we decided to build our first slide-out for the Trakkaway 700 we went to America and looked at dozens of them, as almost every American motorhome has a slide-out these days. Surprisingly, what we learned was what not to do and we came back and invented our own system to avoid their mistakes. We also take onboard our customer’s input from their experiences on the road, plus our own as we travel.”
Victory for Volkswagen Advertisement
Meet your Maker: Trakka Compliance is a thorny issue in getting the industry to do the right thing. For example, VIC manufacturers consider a gas cylinder bin behind the doors of a van conversion legal. How do you think the industry as a whole should approach this? “Compliance is vital to the future of the RV industry. It’s all to do with safety and it’s hard to believe that many manufactures are still not fully compliant, when our products have been certified since the late-eighties. If a product has been approved at a national level you know it’s been built properly and is safe. There is a huge cost in compliance so if everyone is compliant it’s a level playing field. Sure the gas box behind the doors of a van is an absolute no-no, but in comparison to other manufacturers offering seating which isn’t approved its miniscule.”
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4WD Jabiru Sprinter and AWD VW Trakkadu are capable sand runners. What is your view on the apparent anti-free camping campaign being waged by tourism and government bodies? “There is a place for free camping and caravan parks in Australia – it’s a huge country. Trakka owners will generally spend more time free camping because they want to get away to remote locations: that’s why we specialise in selfcontainment but then they may
Testing on Stockton Beach near Newcastle.
still visit parks to catch up on the necessities and get back to reality.” Do you manage to get away and enjoy the products you make - and what is your favorite type of motorhome holiday? “Sally and I both drive motorhomes as our day-to-day car. We love them and it’s so handy always having a fridge, running water and a change
Meet your Maker: Trakka
Freecall:
Trakka Advertisement 2009
1800 TRAKKA
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Meet your Maker: Trakka
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The Trakka Team (L to R): Chris Fox, Andrew Hayes, David Wallis, Michael Lord, Jeff Cripps, Tracey Maxwell, Alex Berry, Pete White, Sally Berry, Dave Berry and Martin Poate.
Sally and the 4WD Jabiru Sprinter during recent off-road training.
room with you. So we get to experience and enjoy them all the time. We have a number of trips planned for the future including the Cape and the WA Far North to test the Trakka’s to their limits and enjoy seeing Australia. Right now we are about to set off with some of the Trakka Team for a 4x4 training and filming weekend in the Watagans, to compare the abilities of the Trakkaway 700, the Trakkadu AT and the Jabiru 4x4. We enjoy our Trakka owners using their Trakkas and involving us in their travels.�
Trakkaway 700
Roadside Eats: Samuel’s Gorge
! S U O E G R O G McLaren Vale’s Samuel’s Gorge winery is a great place, just bring your own picnic... by Richard Robertson
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Roadside Eats: Samuel’s Gorge
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An old olive press doubles as the tasting table at Samuel’s Gorge winery.
I
t might seem odd to have a Roadside Eats story about a place that doesn’t serve food, but bear with me. As a lover of good red wine – Shiraz in particular – I was recommended by enthusiasts to visit Samuel’s Gorge winery, which nestles high on a ridge at the northern edge of South
Australia’s McLaren Vale wine region. Steeped in local history and blessed with ‘gorgeous’ views, the down side is it no longer serves food. The upside is you’re welcome to take your own and enjoy it on either their vine covered verandah or lush
lawn, but I’d suggest you buy a bottle to repay the hospitality.
The Story
J
ustin McNamee is the rather unlikely looking fellow behind Samuel’s Gorge and is its resident winemaker. Part hippie, part
Roadside Eats: Samuel’s Gorge
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This ‘de vine’ verandah is just the place to enjoy your BYO lunch. Don’t forget to buy a bottle first, though.
Wild Man of Borneo but totally passionate about his wines, Justin is certainly a character. To quote him from his website: “At Samuel's Gorge I am looking to collate the tools
and experience that I have gathered over the years to craft wines with focus, specialising in three key varietals that I think excel in McLaren Vale: Grenache, Shiraz and Tempranillo.”
“The barn from which I work was built in 1853 and is positioned on a ridge top that runs east/west on the southern lip of the Onkaparinga River National Park. Dramatic Australian
Roadside Eats: Samuel’s Gorge
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Samuel’s Gorge is historic, Charming and produces great wines. wilderness greets me every morning on the way to the barn.” “When you come to Samuel's Gorge I host tastings in what was historically an olive press house; and I image a blacksmith workshop before that. Visitors are encouraged to take time out and embrace the unique and beautiful surrounds. Our wines, like all wine, should be part of
Roadside Eats: Samuel’s Gorge
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Looking south across McLaren Vale, with the sea just off to the right.
an occasion, shared with friends amongst engaging conversation and chatter. For those who have a need a to quench their curiosity for wine knowledge I will be not too far away and always enjoy giving further insight into to my life of wine and how things are done at Samuel's Gorge.” “A wine's style is steered by the soil in which the vine
grows, the vintage conditions and the imagination of a winemaker.” “The wines of Samuel's Gorge are driven by their texture. There is a common rustic nature supporting the fruit drive in all three wines. I embrace savoury elements to complement the natural richness in the wines. I work hard to ensure that all the
features of the wine are all in line and ultimately present wines that are great to drink and yet have structural support to ensure that they cellar well.” “The soul of Samuel's Gorge wines is an expression of place and an extension of our people.”
Roadside Eats: Samuel’s Gorge
Looking north over the rugged Onkaparinga River Recreation Park.
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Mobile Tech: Foodspotting
Foodspotting
Forget trains, spotting local food is far more fun...
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Mobile Tech: Foodspotting
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Wherever you are in the world the Foodspotting app is likely to know where the nearest tasty treats are, as reviewed and rated by other users.
W
e’ve brought you an Eats review without food, so here’s an App review to make amends. According to Timeout.com, “While apps that aggregate crowd-sourced restaurant reviews may be ten-a-penny, those that focus in on specific dishes are a far rarer species. Luckily, this
one works a treat, responding to your every gastronomic whim with user generated recommendations from your local area. In downtown Madrid with a penchant for paella? Prod around a bit and within seconds you’ll be en route to the best in the city.”
For Food Lovers hat all that means is that Foodspotting helps you find the best local food as you travel (worldwide), as rated by other foodies and will also help you find specific cuisine wherever you are. Using your phone’s inbuilt GPS
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Mobile Tech: Foodspotting
52 You can search under a variety of headings, including Nearby, Latest, Specials and Best. When you’ve found what you want the app will also help you get there.
Details: Foodspotting Price: Free Apple: Yes Android: Yes Windows Phone: Yes
and data connection it will show you restaurants, cafes and holes-in-the-wall, under various headings like Best, Nearby, Specials and Latest, as reviewed by members. If you sign up to become a Foodspotting member (free and takes 1 minute) you can follow other members, looks for friends and make lists of places and dishes you want to
try, have tried and those you ‘love.’
various treats look like as well as read about them.
There is also a Guide section that is GPS or locationsearch based and features local cuisine guides by other Foodspotter members. The Guides provide an overview by cuisine style or geographic location and as in all user reviews, where people upload a photo you can see what the
Foodspotting is quite a detailed app that requires user exploration to get the most from. The good news is that even as a first-time user you will quickly be able to find the best peer-reviewed food in your local area or at your destination. It works world wide and being crowd-
Mobile Tech: Foodspotting Foodpotting includes food guides of local areas, as written and rated by keen foodies like you. Best of all it’s free: How good is that?
sourced means you get real people’s opinions, not those of the spin chefs or out-of-touch food critics. Best of all you can share your favourite foods and places with an appreciate global audience and so far more than 3.5 million reviews are in. Will you make it 3.5 million and 1?
! t i t e p p A Bon
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Next Issue
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WINTER WONDERING classified ads for motorhomes and campervans. For more information and a glimpse of what’s coming please read the editorial on page three of this issue.
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he big news next issue and the focus of our work for the next two weeks will be the launch of our new website, featuring
May 24-26
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Meanwhile, Malcolm Street is working on a range of test options but at this stage next issue’s motorhome review is still a mystery. Will it be the long lost Esperance that Avida has been promising since March? Don’t hold your breath (we aren’t), but please
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do look forward to another interesting issue on Saturday 1 June as we hunker down and welcome the official start of winter in Australia. Brrr... Until then please follow us on and Twitter Facebook for breaking news, comments and a bit of fun? Keep safe!
July 5-7
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Hunter Valley Caravan Camping 4WD & Fish Show
Queensland Caravan, Camping & Touring Holiday Show
Lismore Caravan, Camping & Marine Show
Maitland Showground, Maitland. NSW. 2320. • Open daily 9:00-5:00 (closes Tuesday 4:00) • Free parking • Adults $15 • Seniors $11 • Kids Free
RNA Showgrounds, 600 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills, Brisbane • Open daily 10:00-6:00 (closes 4:00 last day) • Parking limited, take the train • Adults $18 • Seniors $12 • Kids Free
Lismore Showground, Alexandra Parade, Lismore, NSW. • Open 09:00-4:00 daily • Free parking • Adults $12 • Seniors $11 • Kids U14 Free with adult
www.ruralscene.com.au Click for Google Maps
www.caravanqld.com.au/showsevents/caravancamping--touring-holiday-show/show-details.aspx Click for Google Maps
http://www.lismore4wdshow.com.au/index.php Click for Google Maps
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes, campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general? Drop us a line at info@imotorhome.com.au and we’ll happily promote it in this calendar.
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