Nova Stellar

Southern Star

When it comes to shooting stars in the Australian caravan industry, it's fair to say the rise of Nova Caravans has been nothing short of meteoric. Based in the northern Melbourne suburb of Somerton, Nova was formed by partners Robert Cataldo and Mark Milner at the end of 2005, but in just over three years its products have struck a chord with the market, and it's found itself upsizing its factory three times.

"In the first factory Robert's office was just a partitioned-off part of the old disabled toilet," explains Paul Golding, Nova Caravans' general manager, with a chuckle. "That place was about 400sqm. Then in June of 2006 Nova moved into a 2000sqm factory, and then we moved into our current address - of about 6000sqm - just a few months ago," he adds.

Nova's production mirrors its ever-increasing floorspace - Paul says it manufactured 33 vans in its first year (2006), followed by around 100 in 2007 and 120 in 2008. The bigger facility will increase Nova's capacity to over 200 vans in 2009.

"People are impressed with the European flavour of our Australian-made vans," says Paul. "There are a lot of European-flavoured vans out there but all the furniture actually comes from Europe, whereas our furniture is all hand-made here in Australia," he says.

"We targeted the market we knew - no pop-tops, just 17ft and over, tandem-axle caravans, most with a shower and toilet. Nova's products appeal to the luxury touring and luxury ensuite market," he explains.

STELLAR PERFORMANCE
The Nova Stellar, the subject of this review, was the product of significant input from Nova's Lismore dealer principals, Craig and Dale Timms, of Caravan City Sales. Launched in June 2008 at the Brisbane show, it represents the addition of a second line to the Nova range. Nova already had its Vita line, but Paul says the Stellar takes luxury to the next level. "It's for the truly discerning buyer," he says.

Paul adds that Nova has around 10 basic floorplans available, but is quick to point out that a high level of customisation can be incorporated into its designs. "We'll customise a van to suit a customer's needs and wants as long as it doesn't change the basic Nova look. Within reason, the sky's the limit," he says.

When CW recently dropped by the busy Nova headquarters, we inspected a Stellar destined for a customer in Perth, with a queen-size bed and an ensuite complete with toilet, shower and washing machine. Paul points out that this van is that particular customer's second Nova - he's upgraded, and is obviously happy with the Nova product.

Just a quick glance around the van's exterior gives a hint of the high level of specification found throughout. All the usual features are here - illuminated grabhandle, Camec triple-locker door, external powerpoint, Dometic awning and so on, but there are plenty of extras too. There's a fold-down picnic table, a slide-out Swift gas barbecue, an external aerial point and an external 12V power socket, plus external LED lighting and (a nice touch) two external speakers.

At the rear you'll find LED tail lights and a reversing camera, and there are two 9kg gas cylinders up the front. While we're up there, in addition to the Al-Ko coupling and Breaksafe Breakaway switch, you'll find a handy mesh basket on the drawbar, and two deep-cycle batteries in the spacious front boot - along with a 30A Smart Charge management system. There's a separate tunnel boot too, for those pesky longer items.

The Stellar rolls on chromed 15in alloy wheels shod with chunky Dunlop SP Road Gripper tyres, while the bumps are handled by Simplicity independent suspension. There are 10in electric brakes all round, and the whole van sits atop a Preston 6in SupaGal chassis, with meranti timber frame. Protective alloy checkerplate extends up above the boot at the front, with skirting down either side.

It's a traditional aluminium-clad exterior, but with modern graphics and touches like the moulded black fibreglass taillight surround at the rear, it looks bang up to date. Nova shies away from terms like "offroad caravan", but with its ample stone protection, heavy-duty tyres and chassis and ample ride height, I'd feel confident in taking the Stellar off the blacktop, within reason.

LUXURIOUS APPOINTMENTS
From the moment you step inside the aft door, you're immediately aware you're looking at an offering from the upper end of the quality scale. Numerous luxury touches abound, from the padded leather magazine pouch with coat hooks just inside the door, to the leather upholstered dinette, to the Waeco wine cooler.

It's a front bedroom/mid kitchen/rear ensuite layout, with warm timber tones blending with dark, marble-style benchtops, contrasting white-extured walls and ceiling, and a parquetry pine-style vinyl floor. It's homely, modern and not in the least cramped - a place you'd be proud to show visitors as you make your way around the country.

The kitchen has just about everything a mobile chef could want, beginning with the massive fridge located opposite the entrance - a 224L AES Dometic unit with separate and sizeable freezer. Above this is a Midi Heki hatch, but with a twist - it's automatic, and can be operated at the touch of a button.

The kitchen proper runs along the nearside, and offers a top blend of quality appliances with practical bench and storage space. The electronic Waeco wine chiller sits just next to the Stoves oven/grill/cooktop, while near the bulkhead separating the kitchen from the bedroom, you'll find a Samsung microwave at a sensible height, with an analogue clock just above it.

There's a quality stainless steel sink and drainer of a good size, plus a filtered water tap in addition to the regular flick/mix tap. There's a flush-fitted Dometic waste bin set into the benchtop too. There's no slide-out pantry rack to speak of, but then this isn't really an issue - there's a stack of storage space on offer here, even if the slide-out barbie and the wheel arch account for much of the cupboard space beneath the sink.

I really like the interior design, from the sweep of the polyfinish skirting that extends out from the wall over the kitchen, the curved overhead lockers above the dinette, the classy cupboard and locker handles, to the plethora of stylish halogen downlights.

The luxurious leather dinette will form a comfy focal point for indoor meals, socialising or simply viewing the 19in LCD TV, which is mounted on an articulated arm on the wall between the kitchen and bedroom.

The bedroom will serve as a comfortable escape too. Able to be partitioned off via a concertina-style door, the queen-size island bed, with bolstered innerspring mattress, lies beneath a large Four Seasons hatch. Large Dometic tinted windows let the light flood in. They're fitted with quality curtains and blinds and also have blind canister units, allowing you to fully block out the light, or screen out the nasties, as you desire. They can be locked when partially open too, which is a handy thing.

Tasteful and modern feature racks are located on either wall, and each side of the bed has its own halogen reading light, single powerpoint, deep hanging wardrobe and drawers. There's a decent mirror on the offside too, off the foot of the bed, where you'll find the controls for the Dometic air-conditioning unit - meaning you won't have to fully stumble out of bed to adjust it in the middle of the night.

That leaves the rear ensuite, with an offside porcelain Thetford loo, nearside shower cubicle, and a classy porcelain washbowl with large mirror and modern halogen downlights across the back. There's a front-loading Dometic washing machine, and - once again - plenty of storage. A solid sliding door separates the ensuite from the rest of the van, and there's quite a reasonable amount of space here in which to dry yourself off.

THE BOTTOM LINE
After taking a closer look through the Stellar, it's easy to see why Nova has experienced the growth it has in its three short years of operation. The owners and management bring decades of RV/leisure industry experience to the table, and that shines through in the finished product.

At $85,000 for this Stellar as shown, it's in the luxury bracket, and perhaps more for people who have had a van or two and truly know what they want. However, once they give the Stellar the nod, purchasers can rest assured in the knowledge that what they want is exactly what they'll get.

The Nova Stellar appears to be made to very high and exacting standards. It's an inviting place to call home - your own luxury apartment on wheels.

I WOULD HAVE LIKED

For more information, including your nearest dealer, visit the website www.novacaravans.com.au