The Outback is synonymous with adventure and who better to experience it with, other than your family and friends.

There’s nothing like hitting the red dirt and travelling for hours without seeing another car. Nothing compares to setting up your rig in the middle of nowhere, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, to spend the night under the stars. For kids, there’s no better playground than what nature has provided to stimulate the imagination. Who needs fancy electronic gadgets when you are treated to sensational sunrises and sunsets – free of charge?  

Our three kids have seen every corner of their spectacular homeland but nothing inspires more than the far-away, often hard-to-access spots that make up the outback. There’s nothing more exciting to a child than exploring new places or seeing animals that other kids only read about in books. This is the school of the road and one thing’s for sure, it’s anything but boring. 

Once you’ve experienced the outback you’ll keep on going back for more – at least we do. From the awe-inspiring beehive domes in the Bungle Bungles to the fascinating copper-coloured hills of the Painted Desert, from the majestic gorges in Carnarvon Gorge NP to the World Heritage-listed rainforests along the Bloomfield Track, the outback is full of surprises, waiting to be discovered.

Australia’s interior has also been the centre stage for countless stories of pioneers who made a living in the most challenging and extreme conditions – this is history coming alive in a way that kids will remember.

You will undoubtedly come across wildlife – some poisonous – so this is the time to educate your kids. Snakes are common and must be treated with respect but there’s no need to terrify your children. Our kids know these reptiles are dangerous and will move away when they spot one. We’ve taught the kids not to play in tall grass or near stacks of firewood and they automatically keep an eye out when bush walking.

From our personal experience, kids as young as three years of age are able to go on walks while the younger ones can bump along on mum or dad’s back in a special hiking backpack. A Baby Bjӧrn Miracle baby carrier has been designed to carry your little one for expended periods of time so you don’t have to miss out on seeing the most spectacular sites.

Some of our favourite outback destinations include the Flinders Ranges, Arkaroola, the Bungle Bungles, the Gibb River Road and the Savannah Way. Places like Normanton, Karumba and Lawn Hill NP are not to be missed. There’s plenty more to see but you’ll just have to go and hit the red dirt yourself – you will not be disappointed.

Article courtesy of Caravan World

Do you know the rules of the road? Learn how to navigate the complicated world of caravan courtesy from right of way to overtaking.

Travelling the Newell and New England highways, chasing the feeble sun north in our Colorado 7/New Age Oz Classic combo has made me realise how unaware some caravanners are when it comes to road courtesy. Sure, we are all cruising at 90-95km/h these days, but the B-doubles are all sitting on the 110km/h limit. So caravans are, collectively, the slowest things on the road. We all need to be nice to the road transport professionals who bring us our daily bread and all that stuff made in China.

So here's a quick course in caravanning courtesy that will earn you points with your truckin’ mates…

ROAD RULES

1. Right of wayThe heavier, slower vehicle has right of way on a one-lane bridge/entry to a steep hill because (a) it will lose all of its hard-won momentum if forced to stop, and (b) being bigger than you it will hurt you more if there is a collision! As the bigger, heavier vehicle is often you and your rig, let's hope that other road users read this too.

2. You go firstThe accepted signal to let someone know that you will let them in to a traffic queue is a long flash (1-2 seconds) on your high beam. Yes, I know it's illegal to use high beam in built -up areas in some states, but good manners count for something, surely. Anyway, if you're towing it's going to take you longer to get up to speed, so what's another car or truck in the queue anyway? You're on holidays – relax!

3. Let them passYou know from your car driving days what it's like to sit behind a slower vehicle for kilometre after kilometre, fuming and wanting to pass. Well, that's how 90 per cent of other road users – particularly truckies, for whom time is money – feel about you and your home away from home.

So you need to let them know it's safe and convenient for them to pass you, but how? Here some people get confused. The fail-safe system is a few flashes on your left indicator – not a lot as they might think you're simply turning left or stopping. But only do this if the road is clear for long enough for a slow-accelerating large vehicle (like your rig) to pass safely. 
If necessary, slow down slightly to ensure the move is made safety – you're not racing and if they have caught up to you, they are faster.

4. Pull in nowThen, after the rear of their rig is a good distance clear of the front of yours, give a longish (two-second) flash to signal that it's safe for them to pull in. In return, you'll get a left-right 'thank you' from the grateful truckie. Your reward. This human interaction will make you feel good!

5. OvertakingIf you want to overtake someone, flashing your lights or putting them on high beam is the same as using capitals in a text message – it’s shouting. Better to put on your right-hand indicator and pull out enough to ensure they see it. Nine times out of 10 they will get the polite hint and move over when they get the chance.

6. Planning to stop soonIf you are planning to stop soon for (a) a toilet break, (b) a break from your partner, or (c) lunch, then you need to let all of those fuming people following know so they don't involuntarily join you for company.

This is where the long, continuous left-hand indicator comes in, accompanied by a few periodic touches (not jabs) on the brake pedal to let them know you're serious.

So have you been paying attention? I hope so, because the next lights you see flashing might be mine!

Article courtesy of Caravan World

Caravan towing terminology can be confusing. Our infographic shows you exactly what the terms mean.

Article courtesy of Without A Hitch

Three simple strategies for a pleasant and safe trip for you and your young'uns.

THE HOWELL FAMILY made "the big one" a reality with two preschoolers in tow. Here are the ground rules that helped ensure their trip around Australia was a pleasant and safe one.



1. Food and Sleep
If you miss the boat on either of these, you just know you’re going to have a meltdown on your hands. I recommend you maintain their usual routines as much as practical, while still seeing and doing everything that makes your travels worthwhile (the occasional late night isn’t the end of world). 

This may mean stopping for lunch on the side of the road rather than a picturesque location (driving for that extra half an hour with miserable, hungry kids isn’t worth it); and travelling at the time of day they usually have a day sleep usually guarantees slumber – nothing puts young children to sleep like the hum of an engine.

Try to keep the junk food to a minimum or you may end up with the reverse problem: a sugar rush with a nasty come-down. Water is the perfect drink. It can be consumed in the car with no mess and is readily available.

2. Toys and activities
Pack as lightly as possible with only the essential tried and true favourites – usually matchbox cars and a couple of small dolls (for both the boys and girls). Honest, they are going to play with the dirt, grass, mud, rocks, bark and chase animals more than you know. Oh, and don’t forget the bikes, our kids never tire of riding bikes. Don’t pack books: when you have finished with the tourist brochures for each area, they love nothing more than to flick through the pages and talk about the photos of animals and places they have seen – priceless.

3. Discipline
A hard one for any parent, but while travelling there are a number of potential dangers and each child needs to know their boundaries. Continually running out onto the road at 10am checkout time in a caravan park, playing near crocodile waters, or touching the gas cylinders are accidents waiting to happen. You’ll need to both be consistent with the rules and find a suitable form of punishment when these rules aren’t adhered to. I recommend sending them to the car (it works in a similar fashion to sending them to their room, except this solution has the added benefit of sound-proofing), or sitting quietly under a tree for a while. At worst, ban a favourite toy or activity (usually the bike) for the day. You’ll find that with consistent discipline, the entire family has an enjoyable and safe travelling experience.

Article courtesy of Caravan World

THE hunt is on for the best Aussie secret spots. Shhh don't tell anyone. They've got the list down to 40.

Hooroo, Qantas’ website, has invited Australians to share their favourite "in the know" travel experiences and destinations via a Facebook competition.

The competition has uncovered hundreds of hidden gems from across the country, and now Hooroo is asking readers to pick the top five.

There's one spot where you can ride a lava tube, another where you can whisper a message and have it heard 100m away and one where you can fish for barramundi alongside a croc named Cedric.

At Mickey Creek Gorge in Carnavon Gorge National Park, Queensland, most visitors are satisfied with a swim and a slide down the natural rock slide. But locals say they are missing out on the most spectacular view. The track appears to end so tourists head back to the car park. But battle on for another five minutes and you'll find "towering walls of rock covered in moss with some sections becoming so narrow you can touch the walls of both sides with your hands and feet".

According to those who have voted in the competition so far, Bondi has nothing on Sydney’s Wattamolla Beach. No idea where that is? Not many people do, that’s why it is so good. Wattamolla is a combination of beach and freshwater lagoon, less than an hour from Sydney's CBD - but it feels like a million miles away. Or you could always find your own island paradise at Moreton Island, Queensland.

Like infinity pools? Brave a bumpy dirt road in the Northern Territory and you will find an amazing one, courtesy of mother nature. It’s called Gunlom Falls and as expected it is in the Kakadu National Park - but far away from the rest of the tourists.

So how did they compile the list? The Hooroo team called for submissions from the public and whittled it down to a selection of the 40 best, chosen by three lifestyle experts Dr Chris Brown from Bondi Vet and host of a travel segment on the Living Room TV show on Channel 10, columnist Paula Joy and Lija Wilson from Hooroo.

But have they picked the best?

Here's the list of the top 40 in no particular order. 

Western Australia
Bremer Bay
Little Beach, Albany
Pentecost River, Home Valley Station, Kimberley
Lighthouse Keeper’s House remains, Albany
Jurien Bay Sea Lions, Jurien Bay

South Australia
Waterfall Gully
Tumby Bay
Woodside
Andamooka
Mintaro Maze, Mintaro
Whispering Wall, near Williamstown Barossa Valley
Northern Flinders Ranges
The Great Wall of China, Central Flinders Ranges
BlueSeas Beach House, Kangaroo Island

Queensland
Mickey Creek Gorge, Carnarvon Gorge National Park
Moreton Island
Starlight’s look out, 40 minutes from Longreach
Undara Volcanic National Park
On the Inlet, Port Douglas
Champagne Bay, Thomas Island, The Whitsundays
Ross River

Tasmania
Secret Falls, Hobart 
Bay of Fires
Donaldson River, Corinna

Victoria
Aireys Inlet – Great Ocean Road
The bottle of milk, Lorne
Shizuka Ryokan Japanese country spa and wellness retreat Hepburn Springs

New South Wales
Beaufort House, Adelong
Wattamolla Beach, Sydney Royal National Park
Milk Beach, Vaucluse
Mungo Brush, Myall Lakes National Park
Tumbarumba Rodeo, Tumbarumba
The Rock Pool, Tuncurry
Lake Liddell, Muswellbrook
Caves Beach, Central Coast
Protesters Falls, The Channon
Fish Rock Cave, South West Rocks
Menindee Lakes, Menindee
Kosciuszko huts, Snowy Mountains

Northern Territory
Gunlom Falls, top pool, Kakadu National Park

Overview
With their distinctive silver sides, striking graphics and black sunroof surrounds, all based around a smart bodyshell, Swift’s Conquerors are bang up to date aesthetically. This continues inside with a good blend of traditional and modern, and you’ll have more bells and whistles than you can ring or blow. With an ATM of only 1,900kg, you still won't need a large SUV to tow this with.

Twin-axle tourers are definitely the pinnacle of touring comfort. Plenty of space gives the option for a luxurious caravan with minimal compromises. The problem is that usually that isn’t the case. A fixed bed usually means a small washroom. If you have end-washroom, the bed tends to have a cut-off and is only accessible from one side. The Swift Conqueror 645 delivers a no-compromise touring experience: the Holy Grail of an island bed with a rear washroom.

Pitching and setting up
Al-Ko running gear with an AKS 3004 stabilser, the ATC anti-snaking system, buttonless handbrake, wheel-locks, side-lift jack and spare wheel are all standard items. Access to the heavy duty corner steadies is excellent, and the rear ones have guide tubes. The huge front locker has a lid which is held up by a pair of gas struts. 

On the nearside, you’ll find a gas BBQ point, mains socket and hatches giving under-bunk access and, further back, the bed. Moving to the offside, water inlets are towards the front (including the feed for the on-board tank), and there’s a shower point, with the battery/mains locker just to the rear. The waste water outlets are behind the offside wheels. The main electrical controls are above the caravan door, so are readily accessible.

Lounge
The lounge area of the Conqueror 645 actually feels more spacious than its dimensions would suggest. This could be down to the amount of light (natural and artificial) that floods in, but whatever the reason it’s certainly a very comfortable place to entertain a couple of guests. 

The only TV point for the lounge is on the unit to the rear of the entrance door. A pair of smart roof-mounted speakers for the CD/radio directs the sound where you can hear it. When it comes to meal times, the slide-out occasional table will be adequate for most couples. That’s good because the main table is stored in the wardrobe and has to be lifted over a lip to get it out.

Kitchen
Boasting all the equipment a practised chef could ever want is probably the best way to describe the 645’s kitchen – there are even two cutlery drawers. The microwave is 1.47m from the floor, and there’s a dual-fuel hob with separate grill and oven. The huge 190-litre fridge/freezer is opposite the main kitchen unit, within easy reach. An Omnivent helps to get rid of unwanted smells, and a couple of sensibly placed mains sockets complete the specification. 

When it’s dark, the back-lit panel behind the kitchen unit creates a really pleasing ambience, especially when coupled with the plethora of other lighting. Only a real lack of work surface lets the kitchen down. A removable drainer and an extension flap help a little.

Washroom
Listening to the CD/radio through the pair of roof-mounted speakers whilst carrying out ablutions gives an indication of the opulence (and the attention to detail) of this caravan. A bi-fold door gives access to the fully lined shower cubicle that also has a useful hanging rail for wet towels and clothes. 

There are plenty of cupboards and shelves for all your toiletries and other nick-nacks. A heated towel rail provides all the heating for the washroom. It’s only large enough to dry a hand towel, and we question whether it alone will be enough to warm the room adequately; experience of this type of heating used in isolation suggests it will struggle. Plenty of artificial lighting, including a back-lit mirror, completes the washroom.

Beds
During the day, the fixed bed can be shortened by 0.19m to give better access to the washroom. That’s no bad thing, because there’s still only 0.46m in which to squeeze past. That might sound adequate, but the Alde heating system’s pipes are boxed in at floor level and eat into this space. 

When extended, the bed measures 1.85m x 1.32m and is certainly very comfortable, but that only leaves 0.27m in which to get to the toilet (and doesn’t take into account those Alde pipes or overhanging bedding). Again there’s plenty of lighting, and also shelves on which to put the morning cuppa. The front converts to a double (2.06m x 1.12m) or a pair of singles (each 1.56m x 0.71m).

Storage
If you were to use all the available storage in this caravan, it would probably collapse on its wheels – to say nothing of exceeding its MTPLM by a huge margin! This is in no way casting aspersions on Swift’s build quality, though: it's just that there are cupboards and drawers everywhere you look. 

For example, in the bed area alone, there are his’n’hers wardrobes, with drawers beneath the larger one and a shelved cupboard under the other. There are two roof-mounted lockers, and around the unit at the base of the bed there are shelves concealed behind an opening mirror, with another cupboard beneath. 

That’s without taking into account the storage available under the fixed bed. Although the front offside seat box is lost to the on-board water tank, the nearside one is completely empty.

Verdict
There’s no denying that if you were touring with this caravan, you’d certainly be doing it in style. It’s an imposing looking thing, but in a good way. However, it’s still flawed. Kitchen space is compromised perhaps a little too much given the size of van, and it’s a squeeze around the base of the bed, especially when it’s extended. On the one hand, the attention to detail is great (speakers in the washroom, anyone?), but then small things also let it down. The main table storage is poor and the lack of heating in the washroom could be inadequate. Those flaws aside, it’s still one heck of a caravan.

Read more at http://www.luxurycaravanhire.com.au/conqueror-645.html

New safety regulations are being blamed for job losses among caravan and canvas manufacturers, who say the traditional Aussie caravan annexe is seriously under threat. Revised gas ventilation standards mean caravans with gas appliances venting to the door-side cannot have fully enclosed annexes fitted. Camper trailer manufacturers have also been caught up in the crackdown, although industry officials say they are unsure if the new rules are even necessary.

Its estimated more than 30 per cent of Australian caravans could be affected including some of the country’s most popular brands. Companies ignoring the new rules face fines of up to $2000 per breach. The changes were prompted by the deaths of two Victorian boys from carbon monoxide poisoning due to a faulty heater in their rented house in Shepparton in 2010. In a similar case in 2012, three Tasmanian men on a hunting trip died in their sleep when their caravan filled with carbon monoxide from a leaking LP gas fitting and a portable refrigerator.

CEO of Caravanning Queensland, Ron Chapman is coordinating a national industry response and says he’s still trying to clarify exactly what the rules mean. Dan and Teena Brown of Queensland company Not Just Canvas say they’ve had 14 orders cancelled in just three weeks, forcing them to lay off a staff member. “We need to fight this. We’re going to lose a huge amount of business. It’s going to cost people’s jobs, it’s going to cost people’s businesses. It’s a big issue”.

Mr Brown said it was ridiculous that an “obscure regulation”originally designed for houses was being applied to caravans and camper trailers. Bruce Andersen from Kakadu Annexes in Currumbin Waters estimates he’s lost $60,000 worth of business in just over a month. “People who’ve ordered caravans could be cancelling orders saying we’re not going to buy a caravan if we can’t put an annexe on it.” He described the regulations as “very draconian”. “I’m all for safety, but this just hasn’t been thought through.”

Australia’s leading RV manufacturer, Jayco has been swift to respond with its engineers working with appliance supplier Dometic to redesign a number of models. Founder and owner Gerry Ryan is also critical of the new rules.

“I believe that they’ve taken it a bit too far. We have venting in a caravan. They’re asking for more venting in an annexe than we have in a caravan, so I can’t see the logic. They haven’t done any testing to verify that.”

Ron Chapman says the industry is paying for independent testing to get a better idea of the true threat from emissions in annexes.

“A lot of consumers can’t understand why they can’t have something that they’ve had for years. The industry is just doing what it has to do under law, but we are trying to get some consideration to some future amendments.”

He says the problem has been made worse by the rules being applied differently on a state-by-state basis. The laws have been enacted in Queensland and Victoria with other states expected to follow.

However Federal Minister for Small Business Bruce Billson, whose Melbourne electorate covers the majority of Australia’s caravan manufacturers has so far declined to intervene, with a spokesman claiming it was an issue for state governments.

>> View source

Escape your dull day to day routine to explore the beauty of Queensland on foot and take in the crisp, fresh air while discovering a serene National Park or pack up the car to head off on an impressive road trip – get the most out of your journey!

Now is your chance to experience what Queensland has to offer by foot, car or boat just to name a few! Plan your itinerary to suit you – travel at your own pace and take the time to explore the vast countryside or the stunning coastline.

If you’re looking to escape just for the weekend there are plenty of half day or full day trips to consider or in order to completely unwind check out the itineraries from 2 days to 1 week.

TOP 10 ITINERARIES

1. Pacific Coast Touring Route, Gold Coast to Cairns
2. Adventure Way - Queensland, Brisbane to Innamincka
3. Great Inland Way, Hebel to Cooktown
4. Great Tropical Drive, Great Barrier Reef Drive to Smithfield and Davies Creek Mountain Biking Trails
5. Brisbane to Birdsville 4WD Adventure Drive Itinerary - From Brisbane to Birdsville, Brisbane to Birdsville
6. Matilda Highway, Barringun to Karumba
7. Mt Coot-tha Tourist Drive, Botanic Gardens and Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium to JC Slaughter Falls
8. Kondalilla Falls Circuit, Kondalilla National Park, Montville, Sunshine Coast Region to Kondalilla Falls Circuit
9. Warrego Highway - From Brisbane to Charleville, Brisbane to Charleville
10. Central Queensland Outback Drive, Rockhampton

17TH - 19TH OCTOBER 2014 

STOCKLAND PARK, NICKLIN WAY, BOKARIA (KAWANA), SUNSHINE COAST


Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 4pm

The Caravan, Camping and Boating Expo will be a very popular part of this event with manufacturers, designers and builders of leisure vehicles on site. Motoring specialists will also be available to advise on safety and towing equipment for vehicles especially when it comes to towing caravans and camper trailers. Safety gear including first aid kits along with solar power, electrical and other necessary support gear for all areas of caravanning and leisure. 

Before making a decision on buying or updating camper trailers, caravans or motorhomes, this event is a must see and is conveniently open all weekend so it is very accessible to all people right across the Sunshine Coast and surrounding hinterland.


COST: 
Adults $10
Aged Senior Card $8
Children free with an Adult