Great Aussie Caravans goes into liquidation

Another local caravan manufacturer has been forced to shut its gates, with Melbourne's Great Aussie Caravans going into liquidation this week.

According to reports the 10-year old manufacturer was wound up in the Supreme Court, over a $237,698 debt to the Victorian WorkCover Authority.

Earlier this year Great Aussie Caravans was fined $60,000 over a workplace incident in 2023, involving the inappropriate use of a high-power air compressor that resulted in a serious injury.

Great Aussie has a factory in Coolaroo in Melbourne's north, where it builds 'vans using three different types of construction, and has dealers in Australia and New Zealand. On its website it says it's built more than 4000 caravans with '100% customer satisfaction'.

According to ASIC records JCP Group which traded as Great Aussie Caravans, currently has two directors: Mihindukulasuriya Joseph Shanaka Perera and Kurukulasuriya Jude Rumesh Randika Fernando Comester.

It's not known how many if any customers are waiting on undelivered 'vans or warranty repairs, or the extent of any other outstanding debts.

Andrew MacNeill of SMB Advisory has been appointed as liquidator. In a short statement SMB Advisory said: "At this stage, the liquidation is in its early stages and the liquidator's preliminary investigations into the company's affairs are ongoing."

Those affected by the liquidation should contact Janine Gan at jgan@smbadvisory.com.au or 1800 762 238 Ext.839.

The liquidation of Great Aussie Caravans is the latest in a number of caravan company collapses in recent times, following industry warnings and a sharp downturn due to the fuel crisis.

The Melbourne-based Network RV group, which built and sold caravans under a number of brand names including VanCraft, Gibb River, Roadhouse, Elite, and Victory, entered voluntary administration earlier this month.

Also, in early June Sunbury, Victoria-based Ourgen RV, was ordered into liquidation by the Victorian Supreme Court.

The boutique builder was wound up in the Supreme Court, over a $87,198 debt to the company Australian Catalytic Converters. Vincent Pirina of Aston Chace Group was appointed as liquidator.

Meanwhile, the ABC is reporting that ASIC is launching a criminal investigation into Zone RV after it collapsed in late-2025 owing $42 million to creditors. The ABC says the "regulator is probing several alleged breaches of the Corporations Act after the liquidator's allegations". Click here for the full story.

Related: Melbourne's Network RV enters voluntary administration