2024 Queensland Caravan Supershow highlights

More than 30,000 punters rolled through the gates of the Brisbane Showgrounds over five days in early June for the 2024 Queensland Caravan & Camping Supershow; not deterred in the least by the many disruptions on site as it continues its redevelopment as a bustling commercial, retail and residential hub.

As expected there were plenty of show specials, discounts and value-add ons on offer, as dealers continue to offload excess floor stock before the end of the financial year, and encourage new RV buyers to take advantage of shorter wait times as demand softens.

In fact, it's been a while since we've seen so many 'I'm available' stickers on display vans at a show. Did anyone say, 'It's a great time to buy?'

There were plenty of exciting new RVs on display too, including the recently-built Bruder-style Trailblazers off-grid caravan that was towed all the way up from Melbourne for the event.

Here are some other highlights of the third (and last) east-coast caravan supershow of 2024...

It probably won't be long before imported RVs overtake locally-manufactured RVs in the local sales race, judging by the continuous arrival of appealing new brands on our shores.

A good case in point at the Brisbane Supershow was the eye-catching new X Series RV range, which looked like it had been around for years rather than making its Supershow debut, due to an impressively large display of new X Series toy hauler campers and caravans, hybrid pop-tops and pod campers in the main outdoor grassy arena -- all sharply priced from low-$30K for the entry-level X Pulse couple's pod camper to just over $80,000 for the 19ft four berth, X Terra Hard Roof toy hauler caravan.

Related: X Series RV entices canny buyers

We first met Queenslander Darren Wilson at the 2017 Queensland Supershow when he revealed his first composite creation, the Campbox, before developing the bigger Noosa RV hybrids and then helping launch the Sunseeker brand, Vision RV.

Now Wilson has gone out on his own again, debuting his latest range of premium Chinese-built Skye RV hybrids at the 2024 Queensland Supershow. The two prototypes came value-packed with all the latest tech plus innovative features like a ducted air conditioning system mounted in the toolbox.

The new Skye RV range will be sold in the USA and New Zealand as well as Australia and with prices starting around $80K, is already attracting plenty of interest with 20 orders banked prior to the show, according to Wilson.

Related: Skye RV joins premium hybrid brigade

Another Chinese-built 'newbie' making its first appearance at the Queensland Supershow was the compact NJ Star Explorer family off-road camper, displayed on the Aussie Escape Caravans stand and brought into the country by local importer Not Aussie Australia.

Looking like a cross between a Queensland-built Patriot and South African-style overland camper like the Mobi Nomad, the 1400kg Tare/2000kg ATM, four berth camper is solidly built from aluminium and comes with a few unique features like a 12V air conditioner that runs off the lithium batteries. It's priced to sell too, from $59,450.

Related: New hardcore Chinese camper stands out from the crowd

Queensland-based Stoney Creek Campers had some great show-special pricing across its imported camper and caravan range at the Supershow, but none better than for its first campervan, the LDV van-based Timberland, which had its price slashed from $99,990 to $79,000 (plus stamp duty) according to the large advertising boards at the show.

$80grand for a well-equipped 5.94m long model that includes an internal ensuite and 400Ah lithium battery system among many other features, seems unbeatable value in today's inflated campervan market, although the interior and exterior blue colour scheme on the display vehicles might not be to everyone's taste.

Related: New Stoney Creek Timberland reduced to $80K

Did somebody forget to tell Brisbane Camperland that the 'hero' colour for 2024-build Jayco vans is olive green, not midnight black?

Jokes aside, the all-black exterior of the usually white Silverline slider on display at the 2024 Queensland Supershow certainly turned plenty of show-goers' heads, so it was a success if that was the intention.

The cost of the optional dealer-fit Silverline Black Edition as quoted by Brisbane Camperland was an additional $13,500 (on top of the usual Silverline price) which includes the black vinyl exterior wrap and special black alloy wheels.

Related: Jayco Silverline Black Edition unveiled

A couple of months after Sydney's Suncamper pulled the wraps of its Sherwood 4x4 Conqueror 2.0 expedition vehicle at the NSW Caravan Supershow, another big-ticket Ford Ranger ute-based off-road motorhome broke cover at the Brisbane Showgrounds, with the latest Ranger-based Nomad motorhome from Queensland's Explorer making its public debut at the Supershow.

Like the Suncamper Conquerer, the all-new Explorer Nomad will set you back around a quarter of a million dollars, depending on options fitted, but you do get a fair bit for the money including a 500Ah lithium battery system, diesel heater and induction cooktop; an upgraded GVM and other Outback enhancements for the base vehicle, plus the sort of high-quality fit and finish we've come to expect from the Explorer brand.

Related: New Explorer Nomad break cover

The Sunseeker stand at the Queensland Supershow is usually a big, impressive affair, and this year was no different with the latest 'timber-free' Vision Nirvana off-road hybrids and Elysium off-grid caravans taking prime spot at the Brisbane Showgrounds.

Centre stage was the latest 19ft 6in Elysium family triple bunk van that had show special pricing of $149,000 and was dripping with off-road, off-grid features including auto leveling airbag suspension, disc brakes, a Garmin manager, 250L fridge and a 300Ah lithium battery system fed by 1000W rooftop solar and a 3000W inverter.

According to Sunseeker, it was also the last time at the Supershow for the dealer's Melbourne-built Sunseeker Desert Storm and Marvel off-road models, with Sunseeker deciding to concentrates its efforts on the Vision range in the future.

It was also the first appearance at the Supershow for highly-regarded Queensland manufacturer Sunland Caravans since a change of ownership, and the three display vans reflected a new-look exterior look plus other new-model updates.

The just-released, single axle 18ft 6in Blue Heeler X off-roader priced at $97,500 drive-away, was joined by the eye-catching blue and white 18ft 6in Blue Heeler FCE (Free Camp Edition), with a $134,990 drive-away price-tag that reflected its greater off-grid capabilities.

Another Queensland Supershow first timer, Dream Drive had a small presence at the Queensland Supershow (a single display vehicle almost tucked out of sight!)

The Japanese-built Toyota 4x4 camper conversion is certainly a novelty in Australia, as the 4x4 HiAce isn't sold here, and the KUMA Q display van stood out further with its matte green and white exterior, and mustard cloth upholstery with dark timber roof lining and flooring.

No price was displayed although you're unlikely to get much change from $150,000 depending on the specification.

Related: Rare Toyota 4x4 campervans arrive down under

We've seen this 100-plus year old rig before but it's always worth another look at what is believed to be Australia's first caravan.

Displayed by the owner and show organiser Caravaning Queensland, a restored 1922 Model T Ford 'woody' tows the van, which was built around 1926 by a boatbuilder for the Bailey family in Tasmania.

Its construction includes a Tasmania Oak frame covered in stretched and painted canvas material, and lifting the rear hinged teardrop camper-style entry door reveals a very early version of a 'club lounge', with seating and a table that doubles as bedding.

Importers and converters of big American pick-ups are doing brisk business down under at the moment, so it's no surprise we're starting to see camper modules being offered here for these types of vehicles.

Flying the American truck flag at the Queensland Supershow was On Back Campers which had one of its optioned-up Sephiroth slide-on campers mounted on the back of a big RAM pick-up.

The Chinese-built slide-ons are made with a welded aluminium frame and alloy skin with heavy-duty diamond armour paint, and include a manual pop-top roof, slide-out front bed, L-shape sofa bed, plus a 200Ah lithium battery system, air conditioner, water tank and pump, and stainless steel washing kit.

There is also a range of options including custom camper legs, an outdoor shower kit, diesel heater, 30L fridge, electric cooker, microwave, slide-out kitchen and portable toilet. Pricing starts at $33,000.

Big-selling imported camper brand MDC had one of the biggest displays at the Queensland Supershow, with two separate areas in the main arena for its regular range of off-road campers and hybrids, and the latest range of bitumen touring models.

Priced from $29,990, most examples of the new SR Forte on-road caravan range were on display, from 9ft to 19ft body lengths, and with couple and family bunk layouts; all with ensuites except for the smallest pop-top.

MDC says the new Forte SR models are up to 30 per cent lighter than equivalent offroad versions, making them easier to tow behind smaller vehicles.

Related: MDC launches new lightweight touring caravans

Meanwhile, Burpengary, Queensland based Sunrise Caravans announced at the show that it had appointed its sixth caravan brand, Victorian-based Red Centre to its range, with both Red Centre caravans as well as Red Centre's Ranger-based motorhome on display.

For something a bit different it was also promoting the new iRV Revolution automatic composting toilet: an expensive bit of kit at $3300, but boasting a long list of features including a large cassette style 'poo' bin, external 'wee' tank, counter rotating stainless agitators, a display monitor, two-stage external venting and low power drawer.

Described as a "game changer" as well as a "bespoke toilet that solves 99% of mobile waste issues," the new RV dunny promises up to two months' usage before it needs to be emptied. It can be fitted to new caravans as well as retrofitted. Full details at the Innovation RV website.

The Zone RV indoor stand was buzzing with people when we dropped by on Day 2, with Zone RV CEO Adrian Toft reporting six new orders alone on Day 1.

Zone's latest three-model range of luxury off-grid vans were on display, including the latest Expedition hybrid (costing $20,000 more than the late-2023 launch pricing). Zone was also spruiking its upcoming 2025 Sojourn Summit model, complete with new Expedition style front boot and a big 1200Ah Redarc lithium battery system fed by 1560W rooftop solar.

There was also a pretty mean looking 2024 Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series ute fitted with Zone's Mode 4x4 canopy in matching Sandy Taupe paint, and with a roof tent from The Bush Company.

Related: Zone RV sets up shop in Melbourne

With new rivals coming on line left right and centre, Queensland's Cruisemaster was in attack-mode at the Supershow with a prototype of its 'next gen' air suspension on display, complete with a prototype control module fitted to a Melbourne-built Titanium Caravan.

Cruisemaster said the new BCM (Body Control Module) will be "coming soon", and feature pre-set ride mode, horizon levelling, return to ride height safety overrun, both fixed panel and mobile app controls, onboard diagnostics, tyre inflation and an odometer.

Cruisemaster also promoted its latest 'ABS enabled' suspension systems, which now allow the Bosch TSC ABS and ESC anti-skid and anti-sway system to be fitted to caravans fitted with Cruisemaster suspension.

Chinese-Australian caravan start-up Harvok was attending its second Supershow in 2024, with three of its latest, award-winning aluminum monocoque caravans on display.

Good news for those after an even more affordable version of the game-changing 'all-electric' vans is a new on-road touring version is expected to arrive in coming months.

The new 19ft 6in Harvok DreamCruise will be available in both couple and family layouts and offer most of the features of the Suit of Armour models, including the 'join free' aluminium monoque body, but with a 5kWh lithium battery system and torsion unihub suspension to make the new entry-level model both lighter and cheaper to buy.

JB's Gator Hybrid 14 single-axle off-roader launched earlier this year at the Melbourne Supershow, and its larger Gator Hybrid 16 brother went on display for the first time at the 2024 Brisbane Supershow.

The 16ft full composite hybrid van comes with all the hardware for off-roading, as well as serious off-grid camping with an EcoFlow 2kWh lithium power pack, 2600W inverter and 600W rooftop solar, along with two 95 litre fresh water tanks and a 50L grey tank.

With its comfy and luxury-lined couple's ensuite layout, it was priced to sell at the Supershow with its $84,990 'launch special' pricing.

Last but not least, Gold-coast based retro van manufacturer Goldy Caravans had its usual grassy spot out in the sun at the Brisbane Showgrounds, and its two-model display included a bright white and yellow (with matching Esky) 16ft Beach Cruiser single axle couple's van, and a larger 19ft pale green and white, six-berth Coastal Cruiser.

Not on display but coming soon is the new entry-level 12ft Goldy Getaway, which will include a dinette/double bed, kitchenette and optional ensuite in its more compact retro-style layout. With a Tare weight of 850kg it should make for an ideal week-end getaway van, as well as be a bit more affordable than the $79,950 (towaway) Beach Cruiser and $99,950 Coastal Cruiser.