Island Star Concorde Offroad Pack 2007 Review

By Malcolm Street

The name ‘Island Star’ evokes an image of swaying palms and golden sand touched by a soft breeze and the soothing murmur of waves.

That is precisely what caravan retailer Noel Faggotter intended to convey when, almost 25 years ago, he chose the name for his own caravan brand.

Customers who at the time dwelt in the damp grey climate of Australia’s southern States found it irresistible, and today, in the parched landscape of our climate-changed south, that image is still as appealing as ever.

Noel didn’t build his Island Star caravans himself, but instead chose a reliable caravan builder to produce his particular brand designed to his own specifications, and that is the way things have remained. The formula has worked well, with Noel’s Caravans becoming a successful caravan retail outlet and Island Star a respected brand.

Located in Adelaide, SA, Noel’s Caravans is a popular and successful caravan centre that also sells other brands, and it can be relied upon to offer a selection of models and prices to suit any buyer.

The extent of the demand for new caravans prompted Noel to move his operation to larger premises in the outer suburb of Green Fields, SA.

Noel Faggotter takes a hands-on approach to selling his vans. His Island Star range includes some large and luxurious models which are always a special attraction at the Adelaide Caravan Show, but for the purpose of a Caravan World review he presented one of his popular medium-sized tandem units for us to inspect: the 18ft (5.5m) Island Star Concorde Offroad Pack.

Distinctive styling

For a number of years Island Star has been identified by its Concorde range. These are stylish caravans, almost always hard tops, with a distinctive

low-cut front profile and a large tunnel boot. The boot runs from side to side under a queen-size bed, which means that the entrance is usually at the rear or in the middle of the van.

With conventional timber frames, aluminium cladding and solid axles with leafsprings, Island Star caravans are sturdy and durable. As a model with the optional ‘offroad pack’, this unit has a heavy duty raised DuraGal chassis with 15in (38.1cm) wheels, and its lower front and side walls are protected by gleaming checkerplate. A jerry can holder is fitted on the inside of the bumper bar at the back, next to the spare wheel.

Acrylic wind-out windows all-round, including large double hoppers on either side, enhance the van’s stylish appearance, and a Carefree roll-out awning and Dometic roof-mounted air-conditioner add the essential touches of comfort.

This Concorde’s floorplan is an old favourite, and a very practical one unless you happen to be enthusiastic about cooking elaborate meals while you’re on holiday. The kitchen fitted along the back wall is only big enough for a sink and a four-burner stove and grill, so to compensate for the absence of work space the manufacturer has fitted a hinged section of bench to cover the stove. A microwave sits above the sink.

The combined shower and toilet compartment, behind a solid door in the corner opposite the entrance, is complete with an all-in-one Prestige toilet and vanity protected by a shower curtain. Next to the shower on the offside wall is the refrigerator – a tall three-way large capacity Dometic 2453 model – topped by a 17in (43.2cm) flatscreen TV that swings out for viewing from any angle and folds back against the wall when not in use. This is accompanied by a CD and DVD player.

Although the cooking area in this caravan may be limited, plenty of room has been provided for comfortable seating, with a large dinette facing a generously proportioned and well upholstered two-seater lounge.

The cosy living area is separated from the front bedroom by half-height walls that continue upward to form a curved overhead arch.

This is a feature of Island Star vans – as well as looking good the half-height wall gives extra integrity to the caravan’s frame and conceals the concertina screen tucked behind it. When privacy is needed, or you haven’t had time to make the bed, the whole front area can be discreetly hidden.

The bedroom itself is quite luxurious. It features a queen-size bed complete with innerspring mattress and storage under the bed, flanked by two mirrored wardrobes.

These are faced by full height corner cupboards at the foot of the bed, also fitted with mirrors, giving the illusion of much greater space.

The offroad Island Star is well planned, well balanced and spacious. It has all the essential fittings for touring in comfort. It also includes some useful details that might be missed on first inspection, such as the adjustable table leg (you can move the table top to suit the amount of room required by the people seated behind it), and a gas alarm for extra security.

The cooktop has three gas burners and a fourth one, and there’s a clock on the kitchen wall as well as a water level gauge.

A padded head guard has been fitted above the door for the benefit of taller people who forget to duck.

The ample storage space includes a pot drawer under the cooktop that’s big enough for all the household cooking utensils, and the two tall corner cupboards in the bedroom for linen and clothing, not to mention an extensive array of overhead cupboards for all kinds of personal effects. There’s also the under-bed area, as well as the vast tunnel boot for bulky or less frequently used items.The colour scheme is a blend of taupe, light grey and ecru, which goes well with the light woodgrain interior.

Lighting in the van is 12V and includes a fluorescent strip above the sink and downlights over the lounge, dinette and bed, as well as several ceiling ‘oysters’.

The Bottom Line

This all adds up to high quality equipment, but if customers want additional accessories in the van these can be fitted by the retailer. Any such requirements should be discussed with Noel Faggotter and his team.

Noel’s Caravans also has an excellent after sales and service workshop staffed by professionals, so when it’s time for your new van to be serviced, or if you have a problem at any time, the team is always there to take care of your needs. As displayed, this caravan is available for $58,692. 

Together with other models in the Island Star range, the Concorde can be viewed at Noel’s Caravans, 561 Salisbury Highway, Green Fields, Adelaide SA, (08) 8250 8566, web: www.noelscaravans.com.au

We liked

• Generally light and airy interior, with a reasonably spacious interior. I particularly liked the front dinette with all-round windows

• A good sized bathroom. If you like onboard facilities, then it is nice to have a bit of space to move

• Single key operation – obviously it can be done!

• Having a microwave oven installed – not all Euro vans and motorhomes have them

We would have liked

• A couple more drawers in the kitchen, perhaps in one of the cupboards

• Double powerpoints in places such as the kitchen and dinette

• Drawers under the front seats because getting the cushions off can be fiddly