Bendigo Leisurefest pulls in punters

Show manager Peter Wright declared the event at Bendigo Racecourse on November 19-21 a “phenomenal success” with the show attracting people from across Victoria as far away as Warrnambool, Melbourne, Swan Hill and Mildura.

All up, 148 exhibitors representing a broad spectrum of the RV industry spruiked their wares, with a huge range of caravan, motorhome, camper trailer, off-road vehicle, fifth wheeler, and accessory manufacturers and tourism bodies represented.

Dealers were out in force, including Gateway Caravans from Geelong which displayed a range of Lotus and Olympic caravans including the new Olympic Triathlete, a single-axle, semi-off road conversion of the 18ft Champion model, priced at $48,950.

Canterbury Caravans in Bayswater were trying to entice buyers with a special version of the Paramount Classic 18.5ft van; its black painted chassis providing  stark contrast with the "apartment look" of the interior's glossy white surfaces, frosted black glass and rounded benchtops.

Opalite displayed two new models: its range-topping, 23ft, four-berth Crystal 700 ($58,990) and entry-level, two-berth, twin-axle Deluxe 530 ($29,990).
Both Opalite vans featured built-in benchtop wine coolers!

A’van had on display its full range of RVs from the popular A-shaped folding caravans to its latest Ovation M6 motorhome powered by a 3.0-litre turbodiesel Fiat Ducato. The motorhome on display priced at $132,220 was snapped up by an elderly couple at the show who were planning to sell their house and become grey nomads.

Melbourne-based Kool RV also displayed its brand new Family 10 Metre fifth-wheeler, the first of several models designed to be as rugged as they are luxurious.

And catching our eye amongst the many accessories on display was the bright yellow Tent-Peg Wizard, a nifty invention designed to make knocking tent pegs into hard ground child’s play.

Check out our RV show calender for a list of upcoming shows in 2011.