Leisurefest weathers the storm

Inclement weather ranging from fierce, northerly winds on the opening Thursday to persistent rain on the Saturday, appears to have played a part in reducing the crowds at this year’s Melbourne Leisurefest.

While official figures are yet to be released, it’s believed overall attendance for the four day show was down on last year’s 30,000, due in part to about 3000 fewer people attending on the sodden Saturday.

While this year’s Melbourne Leisurefest had fewer 'blockbuster' new releases compared to the 2011 event, there were still enough updates, fresh brands and the odd scene-stealer to generate a bit of excitement among cashed-up punters.

Both West Australia’s Coromal Caravans and Melbourne’s Concept Caravans displayed new ranges aimed at cost-conscious buyers. Complementing Concept’s regular range, was the latest, budget-priced Innovation line-up which included both couple and family vans ranging in size from 19ft to 21ft.

While to keep costs down and pricing competitive, Coromal’s new-look, cut-price Element range is being built in batches of 10 at the company’s expansive Forrestfield, WA factory.

The hardy Jayco caravan used to test the first electronic stability control system for electric brakes took pride of place at the AL-KO stand, while the innovative Sky-Deck caravan verandah could be seen on a swish new model, the Royal Flair Piazza, priced at $69,990.

Crusader Caravans added some variety to its already impressive range of full-sized vans with a new, space-saving electric bed lift model called the DreamRunner, priced at $55,000.

On the Move Caravans used the show to introduce an upgraded version of its Grenade off-road model, which came with a bunch of new gear including a new Dometic oven, Fusion radio, black awning and hatches, and Euro-look finishes. 

While Stockman Products unveiled an updated ‘stretched’ version of its nifty, plastic pod-style
Kwik Kamper.

A year after its Australian debut at the 2011 Melbourne Leisurefest, UK-built Bailey caravans were out in force with an impressive display courtesy of Victorian dealer Canterbury Caravans.

Among the four Bailey model types was the latest arrival, the 20ft 8in Olympus 620-6, which boasts six berths including centrally-located bunk beds. The 1524kg Tare family van was priced at $53,390.

As the new Victorian dealer, Melbourne’s JB Caravans showed off a SportCruiser 1550 compact caravan, from Newcastle-based GrandCruiser. According to JB Caravans’ Justin Mellar, parts for the slick, fibreglass-bodied, two-berth caravan are manufactured in China before being ‘flat-packed’ and sent over to Australia for final assembly.

The 1500kg Tare weight SportCruiser on display had a sticker price of $34.990.

Other new models on display that debuted earlier this year at other caravan shows around the country included Ultimate’s radical Nautilus hybrid caravan, Cub Campers’ new range-topping Supavan Stockman, and Jurgens’ stylish Tooradin flagship.

As far as grabbing the attention of show-goers, though, it was a toss up between Room 48 Campers’ ‘woody’ teardrop camper and the sporty, colour-matching combo of a Karakampa  fibreglass van towed by Holden ‘Sportsvan’ ute.

The final Leisurefest caravan, boating and 4x4 show for 2012, will take place in Bendigo, Victoria, from November 23-25.