Five reasons to visit the Melbourne Supershow

1. Brand new brands

There will be close to 100 RV manufacturer brands at the 2018 Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow, which runs for six days from February 21. They will represent all facets of the industry from locally-built off-road campers to slide-ons, campervans, fifth-wheelers, big motorhomes and locally-built and imported caravans.

Most of the big names will be there – Jayco, New Age, Concept, Supreme, Avan, Avida,  Coromal/Windsor – but the drawcard for many will be the official relaunch of Airstream in Australia by new distributor Jayco, including the first showing of the funky little Basecamp.

Another Supershow first-timer will be fledgling Campbellfield, Victoria caravan manufacturer, Stellar Caravans. Started by ex-Stratton finance specialist Marco Aretis and ex-Paramount Caravans general manager (and now Camperagent Melbourne manager) Luke Sheen in early-2017, Stellar will have six vans on display at the showgrounds, all built with timber frames and aluminium composite paneling and ranging in body size from 15 to 21ft, including on- and off-road versions.

However, one noticeable omission at the Supershow will be Top-10 Australian caravan manufacturer Jurgens, which due to a recent change in ownership has not been allowed to exhibit at this year’s show. So those hoping to see the striking new Solaris model in the flesh will need to visit Jurgen’s Melbourne dealer, Amazing Caravans in Seaford, instead.

2. Swish new products

With large sections of the 65,000 sq.m of indoor and outdoor display areas at the Melbourne showgrounds dedicated to camping and RV accessory exhibitors, you should be certain of finding just about anything you need for that next big trip.

However, expect to be tempted by some new products at the Supershow like the Auberhalb FireGrill Barbecue, a clever new, CAD designed and Australian-built invention that when not being used for cooking and heating, neatly breaks down into multiple pieces and packs into a slim bag.

In the travel and holiday parks sections of the Supershow, also expect a big splash from  Discovery Parks and Top Parks, who will be together on the one stand after joining forces recently to form Australia’s biggest caravan park network.

3. Late night shopping

For the first time at the Victorian Supershow (and possibly any Australian caravan show), show-goers will be able to shop late with a special twilight session to be held on the Friday. Instead of finishing at 4pm or 5pm, the gates will stay open until 8pm on February 23.

As well as the opportunity for some after-hours browsing, well-known Aussie musicians Joe Camilleri & The Black Sorrows will perform live from 6-7pm under the ‘Pie in the Sky’ stand. Also roaming around at the same time will be the NOVA 100 street team, hosting activities and handing out prizes worth up to $1000.

4. More prizes than ever

Along with the usual Passport Competition, which is open to all show-goers over the six days, the organisers are running a separate, high stakes raffle in conjunction with Friday’s Twilight session. Only those who attend the show on the Friday will be eligible to enter the raffle, which will require dropping a ‘twilight entry’ ticket into the barrel at the main stage.

Major prize is a Jayco Swift camper trailer worth $18,590, with a Finscan Nucleas RV automation package worth $1820, Project portable battery/solar panel kit worth $868 and Porta Potti kit worth $500 almost up for grabs.

The only other catch is you have to be present at the draw, scheduled to take place at 7.15pm, in order to claim any prize.

Meanwhile, the prizes on offer in this year’s Passport competition are not shabby either, and include a New Age 11ft Gecko caravan valued at $40,540;  a Getaway Prize Pack including various towing and camping products worth $4885, and a 75 litre Dometic Waeco portable fridge worth $1799.

5. Free education 

Think you're up with all there is to know about caravanning and camping? Then you better head to the Entertainment Stage at the Tourism Pavilion during this year’s show, where there will be non-stop action including celebrity appearances, information sessions, live performances, children’s entertainment and cooking demonstrations.

Headline acts include Merv Hughes (ex-Australian cricketer and fishing show presenter), Lee Atkinson (award-winning travel writer and author) Dr Katrina Warren (TV celebrity and pet travel expert), Garry Gardiner (Hayman Reese towing expert), Neighbourhood Watch (crime prevention organization) and My Market Kitchen (TV cooking show).

If the kids are getting on your nerves, you can send them to the Caravanning Explorers’ Club, where they’ll receive a free showbag and be able to take part in various activities including face painting, colouring in, rides and movies.

Peppa Pig will also be performing on the Entertainment Stage for the little 'uns, and they’ll be able to interact with a python or Blue tongue lizard at regular half-hour shows conducted by Reptile Awareness Displays of Australia.

2018 Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow

When: 21–26 February 2018
Where: Melbourne Showgrounds, Epsom Rd, Ascot Vale
Opening times 9:30am – 5:00pm (Feb 21-22 & Feb 24-25) 9:30am – 8:00pm (Feb 23), 9:30am – 4:00pm (Feb 26)
Entry: $20 (adults), $16 (concession/pensioner), free (children 15 and under)
Dog friendly: Yes
Website: www.caravanshow.com.au