Jackaroo rides retro wave

A Gold Coast caravan repairer is cashing in on the vintage caravan craze by offering a new caravan with all the mod cons but with the distinctive, retro styling of a 1970s model.

Built at the premises of the Arundel-based Caravan Repair Shop, the custom-built, 16ft Jackaroo caravan is being described as “vintage era meets modern age”.

“People were constantly bringing us old vans (to repair), and we helped a lot of people through their rebuilds and modifications,” explained Jackaroo Caravans’ co-owner Jarrod Wade. “But they all had so many skeletons in the closet, you’d start pulling them apart and you’d find rust and all sorts of problems.

“So we thought a cheaper and obviously much more reliable alternative would be to build a retro style van completely from scratch with all the modern appliances but still that nice old school, retro feel,” he said.

“That way (buyers) can have peace of mind, when putting their family in it, and get the factory warranty you’d get with every other van out there.”

While most ‘new-old’ vans available on the market are either tiny teardrops or compact, curvy fibreglass or bondwood models, the Jackaroo was inspired by more family-friendly, aluminium clad models from the 1960s and '70s from the likes of Viscount, Millard, and Chesney.

“These were the sort of old vans that were being brought to us, and they all had the trademark, old bull-nose shape, which is hard to make and takes us longer but we’re only building them to order, one at a time,” Wade said.

So far there’s only one 16ft (long body) model, with various floorplans available including queen bed with full ensuite or combo-shower, and family bunk layouts including a unique five bunk version currently under construction.

While there are plans for bigger models and off-road versions, Wade said he wants to remain focussed on “making a nice, small, affordable van for families that want to make the next step from a tent or camper trailer or pop-top, and want something different and fun to live in”.

To keep prices down the Jackaroo is only sold directly from the factory, with the bunk van starting at $36,000 and ensuite vans from $39,000.

As listed on the Jackaroo Caravans’

website, the standard feature list is reasonably extensive and includes a Dometic three-way fridge, cooktop/grille, microwave, TV and audio system, 115 litre water tank, roll-out awning, 9kg gas bottle and innerspring mattress.

The use of aluminium for the frame and walls, a lightweight galvanised chassis and leaf spring suspension, helps keep Tare weights down to around 1300-1500kg, so the single axle Jackaroo is towable by smaller SUVs and family sedans.

The Jackaroo also comes standard with retro style wheel spats, while optional custom paint and decals means buyers can easily match the van's look to a classic tow vehicle. 

Buyers can also opt to go all nostalgic inside with period features such as chrome edgings for the cafe dinette, retro-coloured splashbacks, and timber benchtops.

Another unique feature is that every van will be individually named, like the recently delivered, ’57 Chev-inspired ‘Belle’ family caravan.

The Jackaroo made its show debut at the Brisbane Pre-Christmas Caravan and Camping sale in late-October, and some eye-catching new ‘show’ models are being planned for the Queensland Caravan and Camping Show in early-June.