New Caravans
There are numerous esteemed caravan manufacturers in Australia, each offering a range of models to suit different budgets and preferences. You can explore their latest offerings online, delve into the specifications, and view photos of the interiors. Many dealers represent multiple brands, providing an excellent opportunity to inspect a variety of caravans in person.
Here are some popular caravan manufacturers and resources in Australia:
Australian Made Caravans: This directory lists over 85 manufacturers of caravans in Australia. It’s a great place to start your search.
Caravan Brands Australia: This comprehensive directory includes over 160 caravan brands in Australia. Look for the RVMAP Accreditation Key, a voluntary industry program that ensures compliance with Australian Design Rules and Federal Compliance Regulations.
Bright Camping: This article highlights five Australian caravan brands to check out in 2023.
Almac Trailers: This post discusses the best quality caravans in Australia, including JB Caravans, known for their high-quality materials and construction.
Jayco Australia: As Australia’s number one caravan manufacturer, Jayco Australia offers a range of caravans featuring smart technology and safety additions.
Caravan Shows and Expos
Caravan shows and expos are fantastic platforms to stay updated with the latest in the caravan, camper, and RV market. These events, often hosted by industry associations, take place regularly in major cities, with smaller shows happening at other times. Here are some upcoming caravan expos in Australia:
Melbourne Outdoor Living Show: Dates to be announced. The venue is Event Central at Caribbean Park, 1280 Ferntree Gully Road, Scoresby.
Mornington Great Outdoor Expo: Scheduled for March 10-13, 2023, at Mornington Racecourse, Mornington.
Illawarra Caravan Camping Lifestyle Expo: This expo will take place from July 7-9, 2023, at Kembla Grange Racecourse, Wollongong.
Rockhampton Expo: Scheduled for July 14-16, 2023, at Rockhampton Showgrounds, Cnr Exhibition & New Exhibition Roads, Wandal, Rockhampton.
Orana Caravan, Camping, 4WD, Fish and Boat Show: Scheduled for September 15-17, 2023, at Dubbo Showgrounds.
Second Hand Caravans
With manufacturers regularly releasing new models and committed caravan owners upgrading to newer models there are many good quality vans available on the used market.
Dealers may have a range of used vans on their lot or know of upcoming listings via their orders for new models.
Caravan, camper and RV sales websites are a great source for used vans as they bring both dealer and private sellers together in the one place. They also allow you to browse the interstate market without leaving home.
The best sites feature advanced search functions so you can narrow your search by price, type, quality and other aspects.
Choosing Your Caravan
You probably have an idea of what you want in your caravan, but if you are having trouble prioritising your wish list, here’s a few ideas to assist you:
- Do you intend to take long road trips or more short weekend style holidays: if you are only away for a few days at a time, you want require as much living space as for longer trips and perhaps don’t require features like laundry facilities, large refrigeration and extensive storage.
- How many people do you want to accommodate: this will determine how many beds you require.
- Is your vehicle suitable for towing the van of your choice: this is a major consideration!
- Power system: are you are planning to stay at parks where you can connect to mains or will you be relying primarily on battery power.
We hope these resources are useful in your search for the best van and happy touring!