2023 Victorian Caravan Supershow highlights

One of Australia’s biggest caravan shows, the 2023 Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow, has kicked off at the Melbourne Showgrounds and runs for five days (February 22 to 26).

While not quite as jam-packed as previous years, with a few big names missing, the Victorian Supershow still has plenty of RVs on display with more than 70 RV brands represented, not to mention some sideshow acts including free daily educational sessions, towing demonstrations, a vintage vans’ display, and children’s entertainment. 

If you can’t make it in person, or want some reasons to head out for a browse, here are a few of the highlights…

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You little beauty

Looking for a caravan that’s light and easy to tow? This brand new lightweight Weekender model is one enticing option on display at the Ian Grant’s Caravans stand.

The new 12ft single-axle touring van combines a European AL-KO chassis and coupling, with a Chinese-built composite body and an internal fit-out by Melbourne’s Essential Caravans.

Sporting a show special RRP of $49,990, it comes pretty well equipped with an internal bathroom, kitchenette, lounge/dinette and bedding for up to four people, while other features include an induction cooktop, microwave, 50L compressor fridge, A-frame toolbox and ‘large’ water tanks. Its 1030kg Tare, 80kg ball weight and 1430kg ATM should also suit a wide variety of of tow vehicles.

Maryborough, Victoria-based Goldfields is best known for its range of black and gold, Chinese-built tent trailers and hybrid campers, but it’s now offering a range of full-size, comfortably appointed imported caravans for those on tighter budgets.

Making its Supershow debut is this 22ft FDX 22 ‘Family Deluxe’ caravan with show special pricing of $79,990.

Being a Chinese composite caravan it’s narrower than an Aussie touring van at 2.1m wide, but still packs in plenty of family-friendly features including an appealing layout with north-south queen bed, kitchen, L-shape lounge-dinette, triple bunks and an ensuite with separate shower and toilet. Head here if you want to know more.

Melbourne’s Lotus Caravans usually has some extra eye candy on its annual Supershow display, and this year is no different with Lotus boss George Josevski rolling out some of his motorsport passions including a couple of ‘doorslammer’ drag cars and a custom motorcycle, surrounded by the latest 2023-model Lotus caravan range.

For those looking for a new Lotus van, the display also includes a new single-axle Freelander rough-road van with couples ensuite layout and big off-grid battery and water set-up. It could be yours for $133,865.

JB goes full off-grid

Full off-grid caravans are all the rage right now, with just about every Australian manufacturer now including a big-ticket ‘gas free’ caravan in their line-up.

Getting in on the act is Melbourne’s JB Caravans which is displaying its latest top-spec Gator X and Scorpion Sting off-roaders that now come fitted as standard with either a 5kWh or 10kWh 48V EcoFlow lithium battery system with up to 3600W inverter and five rooftop solar panels, along with smart management capabilities via a fixed touchscreen or smartphone app.

The lighter weight and compact ‘plug ’n play’ EcoFlow RV power systems are designed to run many of the caravan appliances for longer periods when camping off the beaten track, and are currently exclusive to JB Caravans, with pricing for the EcoFlow-fitted JB vans starting at around $120,000.

Arguably the star attraction at the 2023 Victorian Caravan Supershow is the major prize in the ‘Passport to Freedom’ competition: a $70,000 Jayco Starcraft Bush Pack caravan, with another 70 prizes also up for grabs as Caravan Industry Victoria pulls out all stops to celebrate the 70th running of the Victoria Caravan Supershow.

Unfortunately the brand new Ford Everest tow vehicle ‘towing’ the Jayco van at the show is not included as part of the giveaway!

Slide-out solar

Royal Flair has two examples of its latest top-spec EcoMate off-grid caravans on display at the Supershow, including a 19ft 6in EcoMate that features one of Royal Flair’s trademark interior layouts including club lounge with drop-down bed, rear corner bunks and ensuite, priced at $174,990.

The EcoMate vans are equipped with big 600Ah Enerdrive lithium battery systems, but what really stands out is their unique rooftop solar set-up which includes four 210W panels resting on two patented electric slide-outs, so owners can make the most of the sun while also leaving enough room on the caravan roof for other items like the air-conditioner, dust buster, roof hatches and aerial.

Little camper, big price

Also on display at the Royal Flair/Caravan HQ stand at the Supershow is what is probably Australia’s most expensive teardrop camper.

Priced at $64,990, the compact Hero Camper Outback is built in Denmark and blends rugged looks with lightweight towing. For the money you get quite a few features including a choice of 230V or 12V power, 125W of solar, a 200Ah battery, 1500V inverter, roof hatch, 2.6-metre Thule awning, 700W portable air-con system, a 2kW diesel heater with 13L tank, and the rooftop tent on top.

Check out our full story here.

Demand dropping?

Here’s a window sticker that you were unlikely to see at any caravan show held over the past couple of years, as soaring demand for caravans (around 50,000 RVs were sold in Australia last year) pushed out waiting lists beyond two years and almost put salespeople out of a job.

We’re now hearing that a drop-off in demand is resulting in surplus floor stock, and we counted quite a few ‘Available for immediate delivery’ signs at the Supershow, especially on dealer stands selling larger Melbourne-built caravans.

A few more show-special discounts too, as dealers chase fewer and fussier buyers...

Hayman Reese is running free towing education seminars throughout the Supershow, but it’s this EV towing rig on their stand that really stands out.

The caravan rig of the future – a battery-powered Tesla towing a Pod camper – is the first EV towing set-up we’ve seen at any caravan show, and is surely a sign of things to come…

Lightning strikes

Track Trailer has the latest special version of its iconic Tvan off-road pod camper at the Supershow, the ‘gas free’ Tvan Lightning priced at $101,800.

We’re not sure how long you have to wait to own your own Lightning, but Track did have a Tvan Zenith camper on display that was available for immediate delivery, priced at $87,085.

Wheely good idea

What’s a caravan show without some good ol' Aussie ingenuity on display, and this year’s Victorian Supershow doesn’t disappoint with the public debut of Spartan Innovations’ potentially game changing, sealed and maintenance-free wheel hub unit for caravans and camper trailers.

Read the full story here.

30 years of Goldstreams

Family-owned Pakenham, Victoria manufacturer Goldstream RV kicked off its 30th anniversary celebrations with some updates across its popular camper trailer range, including the optional addition of a new power-operated roof lifter.

Read the full story here.

Pakenham, Victoria caravan, motorhome and camper trailer manufacturer Avan always has one of the biggest caravan displays at the annual Victorian Supershow, but what caught our eye and many passersby is this triple bunk van with children’s bunk ‘escape hatch’.

Priced at $55,490, the Avan Aspire 555-4 Bunk HT caravan features three bunks across the rear wall, that are accessible from inside as well as from an outside ‘hatch’ door. The kids will love it!