Newcastle caravan show ready to fire

Running from February 8-10, the 2013 Newcastle Caravan, Camping and Holiday Expo is expected to attract as many as 24,000 punters through the gates over three days, according to organisers the Caravan and Camping Industry Association of NSW (CCIA).

While not attracting as many exhibitors or the big crowds of some of the bigger shows in Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane, the Newcastle Expo, now in its third year, should still have plenty to justify the $10 entry, with around 150 displays showcasing the latest RVs, camping equipment and accessories, not to mention holiday parks and touring destinations.

There is also guaranteed to be some fresh metal (and fibreglass!) unveiled at the show, including five new facelifted models from Melbourne-based Legacy Caravans. The 2013 Legacy range is also available with a new cross-country pack, designed to make the vans better suited to rough terrain.

Adding around $9000 to the price, the XC pack includes such niceties as Cruisemaster suspension, Hyland coupling, front tunnel boot, solar panels, and Omni step. The new Legacy range can be viewed at the Macquarie Caravans dealer display at the show.

For those who like something a bit lighter and perhaps more bush-friendly, more than 40 camper trailer brands will be exhibiting at the Newcastle show, including the Toyota HiLux-inspired GT Campers (which are manufactured just down the road from Newcastle in Redhead) and recently-arrived South African import, Echo 4x4.

The Newcastle Caravan Expo is the first of four RV shows organised annually by the CCIA, with the others held in Penrith, Sydney and Batemans Bay.

The next stop on the RV show calender is the South Australian Caravan, Camping and Outdoor Adventure Show, scheduled for later in the month.