Interstate One campervan breaks the mould

Most campervan specialists in Australia offer a number of models, and a variety of layouts, vehicle platforms and customisations, to cater to a wide range of tastes and desires.

However, NSW-based Interstate is keeping it simple, with a novel and in some ways more user-friendly approach to modern RV retailing and manufacturing.

The four-year old manufacturer offers just the one campervan model with fixed floorplan and fit-out, together with a fixed price, from its NSW factory and showroom.

Interstate only started in 2020, but the pandemic-driven RV boom has enabled the business to ramp up to the point where it now employs 38 staff at its Heatherbrae, NSW factory and builds around six campervans a week. The factory also builds campervans under contract for a major rental company.

Potential buyers of the Interstate One campervan have either the option of visiting the factory showroom and going for a test drive, or simply ordering a van 'sight unseen' online, with an additional fee for doorstep-delivery to most regions in Australia.

"We wanted to streamline the ordering process as well as the build efficiency, and get lead times down, and they are; we've got them from two years to under six months at the moment," explained Interstate Managing Director Aaron O’Brien.

For $139,990 drive-away (NSW), Interstate One buyers get a brand-new Fiat Ducato van with 132kW turbo-diesel engine and nine-speed auto, reversing camera, smart phone mirroring and various electronic driver aids.

The campervan conversion includes a fixed east-west double bed with innerspring mattress at the rear, along with a well-equipped kitchenette with twin-burner cooktop, microwave, rangehood, 85L fridge, and sink with mixer tap.

There's also a large combination shower/toilet, and a front two-person dinette with swiveling driver and passenger front seats.

The standard equipment list extends to a 12V fan, 24in Smart TV, skylight, screened windows, gas bayonet, electric entry step, rooftop air-con, wireless lighting system, 90L fresh and 90L grey water tanks, and a 200Ah lithium battery system with 250W rooftop solar and a Redarc manager.

As well as the sliding side-door, you can enter the living area through the rear barn doors with help from a step to climb up onto the bed. While storage is also pretty good for a 6.36m long and 2.76m high campervan, with a large space under the bed, and various overhead cupboards, robes, cabinets and drawers throughout.

O’Brien says the Interstate One's 'coastal chic' interior decor theme has so far appealed to a wide cross section of buyers, from 50-plus retirees to single female travellers.

"The whole idea was we wanted to get that whole vanlife look but with a more polished production-van finish and better durability compared to your average DIY build," he said.

Buyers do have the option of adding a small number of bolt-on accessories like a towbar, suspension upgrades, etc.

"The main thing that separates us from other manufacturers is that we run a fair-pricing model, so the price is the same. We give you value for what you get; we're not the dearest nor the cheapest, we're somewhere in the middle," he said.

A quality fit-out includes full insulation and the use of 'rot-free' materials like PVC polymer board for the roof-lining.

"The only timber in the van is essentially the cabinetry," he said.

"You also get all the high-end appliances and the brand names like Redarc, and other top finishes like acrylic laminate plywood.

"It's a trade-off for buyers; because there are no options in so far as you can't pick your colours, you get it at that price-point and you get it quickly. We wanted to get something out there that people don't have to wait 12 months for..."

The Interstate team is currently doing a national road-show, with appearances at a number of RV shows including the Outdoor Living and Caravan Show in Melbourne (Aug 9-11, 2024).

For further details check out the Interstate One campervan for sale on caravancampingsales, or visit the official Interstate website.