Original, innovative design shines through as wild Australian weather tests Bendigo Leisurefest
Get Around campers annex
doubles cooling canvas roof space. |
Once again the weather gave product a practical test at the RV & Camping Leisurefest at Bendigo with heat, dust, gales and heavy thunderstorm rain.
Last year the mix was cold, winds and rain. Original, innovative design shone through over the three-day Leisurefest, particulary among the camper exhibitors.
The event certainly attracts the series RV users irrespective of the weather gods...
Peter Wright, show manager and executive officer of Caravan Industry Victoria said today that this years Leisurefest at Bendigo was a challenging event for both exhibitors and visitors due to unprecedented weather conditions.
"Nonetheless our RV products stood the test of time and the visitors just kept on coming making this year’s event our 2nd biggest in its 8 year short history. 10, 873 visitors attended the 3 - day event and very few left without purchasing a caravan or camper or just a small RV accessory", he said.
"According to many exhibitors sales of new Caravans and Campers increased on last year and surprisingly sales of Motor Homes and 5th Wheelers were also on visitors shopping lists. Camping products including tents literally walked out the door accompanied with compressor portable fridges, generators and solar panels", he said..
"The tourism displays were kept busy and the release of the 2010 Victorian Caravan Park & Camping guide was a bonus for many looking to book accommodation for Christmas. The event was very successful despite the indifferent weather...
"Dates for next year are Nov 19 - 2", Peter Wright said.
GoSee has compiled pictures from the Leisurefest of exhibitors who have a lot to offer Australian campers. It is notable that so much practical experience is directly applied to camping equipment in the Australian market.
GoSee thinks this is helped along by the high number of Australian owned companies within the caravanning and camping industry. Many are also family groups who have developed their product over many years.
Usually what is offered comes from the sound base of personal camping experience.
Agnes likes the Get Around Campers slide-out sink. |
Get Around Campers is one example with a double annexe which adds air flow to the camper and extra protection from rain and sun.
The innovation is often based in a simple solution to a camping need.
Auspit and Rhett Thompson are the example in this case. Auspit roasts a variety of meat cuts, can be used as a smoker, bakes potatoes and boils the billy too. Placement of a variety of Auspit aids over the reflected fire produces different cooking results.
Vista RV came to the Leisurefest with a real off-roader which is aimed at following a 4WD to the most remote locations. It is rivetted with aviation precision for strength and its suspension, storage and comfort features have evolved through learning from off-road experiences.
Steve Scott of BoatHoist showed GoSee real innovation with a design which is both boat loader and trailer. Again the practical experience built into the design shows the Australian approach to problem solving.
Track Trailer and their Tvan models get a lot of useable options into their designs. One GoSee saw ran to a canvas ensuite which links to the double bed sleeping area. Bed and storage slide in and out for best access and Craig Hewitson rolled out stove, sink and draw in the one unit from the side of the Tvan.
The good Aussie stuff includes the proven Dream-Pot thermo cooker which GoSee has learned to rely on for good meals while on the move.
Steve Scott uses remote to lower boat. |
Merran and Barry Green of Dream-Pot were in demand throughout the Leisurefest with their remarkable selection of recipes. These range from silverside with vegetables, through great soups to cakes and bakes and extend to easy recipes for diabetic friendly food.
Merran says she has a special diabetic treat recipe which will be released with Dream-Pots extensive choice of Christmas fare.
Phil Symons of Serenity Motorhome Holiday Rentals showed a particularly well thought out Ford based motorhome which not only had room and space, but included the kind of touches which make camping easy.
This result is always based in experience and in the case of Serenity the motorhome GoSee saw had a Kea heritage. Nothing sorts out what is needed to make a product work well than a company which constantly strives to provide a user-friendly experience.
This as Phil said extends to the practical bike rack on the back of the Serenity motorhome.
Red Rock Campers have a range of solutions to being comfortable in the outdoors which attracted Leisurefest goers. Family in particular are drawn to Red Rock.
GoSee ran out of time to dig into all the camping options so we noted with interest the Customline Campers neat looking set-up and the variety of the Kimberley Kampers models, plus Avatar Campers and added them to our to-do list for the next show.
For more information
contact: Garth Morrison
Editor Go See Australia and Go See New Zealand Directory
Email: garth@contact.com.au
Boathoist lift bars team to make a boat road trailer |
BoatHoist winch and remote control |
Steve Scott adds bolts and clamps for safe travel |
Vista RV pops-up and out for ensuite |
Vista RV off-road towhead |
Vista RV gel battery is safely housed. |
Vista RV table drops to make the double bed. |
Merran and Barry Green of Dream-Pot have special recipes for Christmas |
Auspit Rhett Thompson educates Agnes in refined camper cuisine |
Auspit roasts, bakes and boils the billy too |
Craig Hewitson shows Track Trailer Tvan stove sink and draw too |
Open wide at Track Trailers |
Get Around Camper |
Good head-room under Vista RV pop-top |
Manfred Stoeghofer Intellisat talks auto satellite connection |
Phil Symons of Serenity Motorhome Holiday Rentals shows bike rack. |
Serenity Motorhome rentals latest unit |
Plenty of bench space in the Serenity motorhome. |
Serenity TV slides out |
Red Rock Campers offer many camping options |
Table up in the Vista RV off-road |
Tvan uses an effective double bed layout. |
Kimberley Kampers gets users off the ground |
Kimberley Off-road Kamper spreads its wings |
5th wheeler big wheels |
Avatar set-up |
Customline Campers |
Double bed in place Vista RV. |
|
 | | Get Around Campers | New design is much cooler in Summer, much warmer in Winter due to double roof over sleeping quarters!
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 | | BoatHoist | The innovative new approach to the problem of taking a boat with you!
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 | | Serenity Motorhome Holidays | Hire our new 6 berth Motorhome and enjoy the freedom of traveling where and when you like!
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 | | BioMagic Environmental Solutions | A range of products for use in the home, RV etc
Washing, Cleaning, Toilets, Odour Elimination, Water Filters and more!
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 | | Intellisat | Automatic Satellite Systems for MOTOR HOMES, CARAVANS, YACHTS and HOUSEBOATS
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 | | Heaslip Campers | Award-winning Heaslip
Tray Top Campers,
Camper Trailers
and Kitchen Camper!
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 | | Challenge Camper Trailers | Quality off-road and on-road camper trailers,
Dealers in all states!
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 | | Thermal Cookware - Shuttle Chef | Cook, serve and keep meals hot for up to 8 hours!
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