First Australis off-grid caravan rolls out

Two-year old Melbourne caravan builder Australis has built its first full height, compact off-grid caravan, aimed at adventurous couples who want to keep away from the crowds while still being able to run the appliances.

The new 14ft 6in single axle, Australis High Country couple's van is loaded up with many of the features only available as options on other Australis models, including TuffRide Level 4 airbag self-levelling suspension, Cruisemaster DO-35 coupling, extended A-frame and stone mesh guard, 16in alloy wheels with mud terrain tyres and two spares on the rear bar, a powered awning, external slide-out kitchen, premium toolbox, a 12V dust reduction unit, reversing camera and an anti-sway electronic safety device.

It also gets Australis' top-shelf construction method including the use of an aluminium frame, honeycomb composite floor and one-piece 29mm thick fibreglass roof, protected by rock sliders and X-plate side cladding.

Inside the first High Country van built is a unique layout that includes an east-west queen bed and a bench seat lounge/dinette, a rear kitchen with sink and mixer tap, cooktop/grille, microwave and 188L compressor fridge/freezer, and a full ensuite including a separate shower and toilet.

Other on-board appliances include an instant hot water unit, rooftop air-conditioner, a diesel heater and 12V fans, while the off-grid power and water set-up features two 200Ah lithium batteries with a 2600W inverter and three 210W rooftop solar panels, along with twin 95L fresh and single 95L grey water tanks, a water filter, two 9kg gas bottles and a gas bayonet.

There's plenty of internal storage to go with the extra-large external tunnel boot and toolbox, including a full height robe with bottom drawers and a 'pouch' storage wall, not to mention the latest-look black tapware and flush cabinetry with hidden handles.

Australis Caravans' Mark Chadwick said seven variants of the new High Country model will be available, in both single and tandem axle configurations, joining the big family Coastline and couples Overland models which were introduced during the height of the COVID-19 caravan boom.

Chadwick described the new 14ft 6in model as a "fully loaded off grid caravan".

"It's got everything you could possibly think of... even bar lights on all four sides of the van, " he said. "Everything that anyone could ever want or wish for, it's in there."

The new High Country van has a Tare of 2248kg and an ATM of 3000kg, and is available direct from the Craigieburn, Victoria factory, priced from $99,500.