Queensland Caravan Supershow highs and lows

OPINION

Fuel prices are up, sales are slowing, fewer 'vanners are getting out there...

But it's not all doom and gloom with Australia's biggest (and we reckon best) RV show pulling out all stops to make those who did turn up over any of the five days, pretty happy they forked out the twenty bucks for a few very pleasant hours of browsing, buying, and dreaming...

Related: Why are caravan shows so bloody popular?

Let's start off with a low... fewer than 28,000 ticketholders went through the gates over the five days of the 2026 Let’s Go Queensland Caravan & Camping Supershow. That's a big drop from last year, and even less than in 2024. That's despite the drawcard of around 250 exhibitors, some big show prizes, easy train access, lots of side attractions, and perfect weather throughout.

Despite the disappointing turnout, organiser Caravanning Queensland was talking up some big numbers after the show, including an estimated total of $150 million worth of RV product sold (that's a whopping $5500 spend on average per ticketholder).

Spending spree claims aside, we did see more than a few 'Sold' stickers on display 'vans over the first two days, and also heard that some showgoers had travelled from as far as Western Australia to check out their RV of choice.

We first heard rumours of auto roof, Jayco pop-tops about a couple of years ago, and without much fanfare some of the display 'vans at the Brisbane Camperland stand this year had a new one-touch powered roof system.

Nothing fancy, just a switch inside to operate the electric actuators that push the roof up or down in a few seconds, once the awning and roof clasps are released.

It's a $3000 option available on most Jayco pop-top models so not sure how many buyers will want to pay for that, but if you're lacking a bit of arm strength and like to move around a lot on your travels, it could prove money well spent.

We've been following the RV journey of Melbourne-based Lou Dalozzo, ever since he started about five years ago putting together his Lyfe RV composite hybrids in a tiny factory in Epping.

After the transition from Lyfe to Titanium, Lou remains the driving force behind the latest Titanium hybrids, albeit with a larger team and a bigger factory to work in.

At the Supershow he was showing off the latest $200K, 21ft CS1 full-size model, alongside another one of his 'babies'; a custom Titanium XS1 slide-on mounted on the back of a big MAN 4x4 off-road truck.

Boasting a spacious, caravan-like ensuite floorplan, Lou said it costs around $130,000 depending on the specs, not including the truck.

Related: Titanium CS1 full-size composite caravan arrives

Last year it was AdventureEV, but this year it was Brisbane's Bartons Motor Group flying the emission-free motorhome banner at the Supershow.

The turnkey Farizon SV based, all-electric campervans were the only plug-in motorhomes at the show, and are designed for shorter getaways with a range of up to 300km or so. The local fit-out includes a rear bed, kitchenette plus an ensuite in the most expensive $140,000 version.

Related: New Farizon EV campervans break cover

Melbourne's Concept Caravans, which also makes Franklin and Newlands 'vans, was a stick 'n tin stalwart for years, but that's all changed with both poly- and aluminium frame 'vans with composite floors and roofs, on display at the Brisbane Showgrounds.

Centre stage on the Franklin stand was a limited edition 19ft 6in Core semi off-roader loaded up with a decent amount of gear along with a smart, well-equipped couple’s ensuite layout, and priced to sell at less than $80,000 tow-away.

The Aussie-first Handbrake Assist invention arrived about two years ago, taking some of the hard work out of setting up the 'van.

At the Supershow the latest development is a foot-operated lever where instead of pushing a button to assist with the mechanical braking system, you use the power of your leg! We were told it's likely to hit the market later this year.

The RV Electronics team also had its latest Breakaway Switch Mount on display; a uniquely designed bracket that securely holds the caravan's breakaway switch in place and directly connects to the two vehicle. 

Helping make it a fun day, for young and old, were three life-size inflatable cartoon 'vans on display this year, including Cassie the Caravan (pictured). We spotted Murray the Motorhome on Day 1 near the main motorhome display, before disappearing (deflating?) on Day 2!

The world’s largest Lego brick caravan, built with 300,000 bricks and first displayed at the 2018 Supershow, was another head-spinner up near the motorhome hall.

Gold Class Caravans brought along its most expensive imported 'van to date; the ‘burger with the lot’ AC22C couple’s van loaded up with just about everything you can fit on a 4500kg ATM, 22ft off-grid couple's van. That included a beefy power assisted wheel loader at the rear, outside laundry and a big Enerdrive battery system with sliding solar roof panels.

The wow factor continued inside, with a 'nowhere to hide' full width mirror behind the club lounge, and power-hungry appliances including a 240V dishwasher.

It's all very impressive although with a steep $185,000 price tag and hefty 3820kg Tare delivering a sub-standard 680kg payload, it won't be for everyone.

Related: Gold Class chases Lotus and Titanium buyers

Australia's largest RV club, the 64,000-strong Campervan & Motorhome Club of Australia was in 40th anniversary celebration mode, with special membership offers and free anniversary mags being handed out by the super-friendly assistants at one of the busiest stands at the show.

Up the escalators, the stand promoting Outback Queensland tourism had a nice replica of the old Longreach Windorah mail service coach, along with local distillery tastings, to get you in the mood.

Everywhere you turned there were big show deals: $5000 off any Majestic caravan; free $10,000 upgrades from Kokoda; up to $8000 off a Patriot camper, daily $5000 cashbacks...

However, arguably the show deal to end all show deals was on the Suncamper stand; 'free travel' for a year with the purchase of any Suncamper motorhome, including free fuel, insurance cover and roadside assist. That’s potentially tens of thousands of dollars saved, depending on how many big laps you can fit in over 365 days!

No surprise the promotion worked, with Suncamper's marketing manager Connor Jones telling us it was the best Supershow, order wise, for the almost 50 year-old Sydney motorhome specialist since the COVID boom years. 

After a recent ownership reshuffle Queensland’s Bruder was back on the show trail, and had a small two 'van display at the Brisbane Showgrounds that included its latest triple-entry door ADX-21 caravan.

With a few minor changes still be made, we were told final production versions will start rolling out of a new Melbourne factory in coming weeks, while the smaller ADX-18 is due to be unveiled in August...

Bruder also showed off a modified EXP-4 pod camper, with air-conditioned sleep capsule and 300 litre fuel tank and dispenser, that was used during a world record breaking, 28 day non-stop, Cape to Cape run from Norway to South Africa in March this year.

Watch out for the Youtube doco covering the whole trip...

We're suckers for multi-purpose trailers, so we had to stop by and check out the latest models from Queensland start-up Camp Cube.

Now built in China, the work and play trailers borrow from the design of a slide-on ute camper, with the camper module sliding off the base trailer and supported by corner stabilisers.

Pricing starts under $40,000, before you add options like a rooftop tent, ensuite pod, awning, and battery systems.

Melbourne’s JB Caravans had something extra special on its stand: a stealth-theme, full off-grid Gator X LE, with the 18ft 6in couple's 'van dripping in features including limited-edition trim, top-spec Cruisemaster ATX airbag suspension, chunky tyres, flash outdoor entertainment and a Raptor lined kitchen.

The luxe theme continued inside with waterfall benchtops, stitched upholstery, an Ogo composting toilet and some big-ticket appliances powered by a 10kWh battery system with 1400W rooftop solar.

JB is planning to build just 10 of the special 4500kg ATM, TIG welded aluminum framed tandem axle model, priced at a cool $188,000.

There aren't too many COTY (Caravan of the Year) awards handed out down under, so you can't blame Mountain Trail for spruiking its joint Overall Winner and Best Build Quality awards at the show. Although the couple times we passed by the stand the in-your-face signage didn't seem to be working!

It was a bit busier on the Kokoda stand around the co-winning XG1 off-grid model, which boasts more than a few stand-out features like ducted air-conditioning and glow-in-the-dark battery electrical packaging.

The 18ft 8in, 4000kg ATM XG1 couple’s van on display was priced just north of $200,000, which included the optional TerraGlide airbag suspension with Go Air Pro levelling.

Melbourne's Hilltop Caravans ripped the covers off a new $180,000 H19E luxury off-grid beast, with the 19ft aluminium frame display ‘van loaded up with Cruisemaster ATX BSC suspension with Bosch ABS braking, and a monster 16kWh OzXcorp 48V battery system.

However, what drew us to the show 'van was the 'bringing the inside out' external kitchen recess complete with full cabinetry and pearl white tiling. While it did cut into some of the kitchen space inside, you couldn't complain otherwise about a very smart and comfortable, traditional couple’s layout.

The Austrack stand stood out with a pink-theme Gibb 16 hybrid caravan, priced at $82,990. It's the first pink 'van we've spotted since the unloved Pink Minnie Winnie of a few years ago (another imported 'van), with the Austrack version getting some pink internal highlights to go with the loud exterior.

An Austrack salesperson said it was a one-off design to pull in passers by, with the hope it would also entice a bold buyer during the show.

Another surprise find at the show was a new ($2500) optional internal shower available in the latest Ultimate Xscape bush camper, proving that even tough old tent campers appreciate a few creature comforts.

The NSW manufacturer has essentially relocated the batteries and turned the underseat area into a shower base, with a drain and attachments for the hose and curtain.

Ultimate makes some of the finest lightweight Outback campers in the country, and the optioned up display model with standard auto powered set-up, came in at around the $115,000 mark.

We're not sure how he does it but larger-than-life Queensland caravan industry veteran Chris Michel always snags the best piece of turf at Brisbane Showgrounds to display his latest models.

This year it was a sea of Vision hybrids (many with the optional Aboriginal artwork), with none of the revitalised, locally-built Sunseeker range introduced last year making the cut.

Helping out Michel was experienced RV marketer Simon Kerr, who's joined the Vision RV team after stints at On The Move, Apollo and Fleetwood.

The star of the stand was a $200K, 21ft 6in Elysium 'big bathroom', timber-free range-topper, complete with full Garmin digital switching, big outdoor kitchen, solid surface benchtops, honeycomb door with central locking, fully adjustable airbag suspension, ventilated disc brakes and Japanese bearings, Waabiny decals... the list goes on.

Longstanding Melbourne manufacturer Roadstar was chasing cash-strapped buyers with a new entry level fibreglass on-road model called the Kickback Tourer, starting from under $90,000.

Offering the Roadstar build quality with a few less frills, it comes in a range of layouts including the front east-west bed and rear bunks floorplan, in the relatively lightweight (2230kg tare, 3500kg ATM) 19ft family ‘van retailing for $98,950 at the show. There was also a single-axle 17 footer priced at $91,900.

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