Rain dampens enthusiasm at Sydney Supershow

The curse of the weather gods continues at this year’s major RV shows, with a rain sodden opening day at this year’s NSW Caravan, Camping & RV Supershow contributing to an overall drop in crowd numbers.

Attendance figures at the nine-day Supershow in late-April totalled 76,638, which was 3460 or 4.4 percent down on the previous year’s total.

Heavy rainfall on the opening Saturday kept numbers down to 7701 -- almost 4000 or a third fewer than the previous year.

Although crowds were smaller, the quantity and quality of the displays was not, with more than 300 exhibitors at Rosehill Racecourse displaying everything from canvas swags to luxury motorhomes.

Event organiser, the Caravan and Camping Industry Association of NSW (CCIA) reported strong exhibitor sales, buoyed by a number of new models and brands, from Italian imported Mondo Pickup campers to the swish, Chinese-built Deeson RV caravans.

There were also some particularly eye-catching displays, including Trakka's '40th Anniversary' motorhome indoor display and the combined Coromal/Windor caravan display, both of which won special Exhibitor awards.

Buyers would have also been encouraged by the number of ‘show specials’ on offer, including Seachange slashing $9000 off the price of one of its caravans.

Among the happiest campers at the show however, were Don and Denise from Newcastle. The couple won a new Bailey Unicorn Valencia caravanvalued at over $57,000 in the annual Passport Competition, which attracted 18,000 entries.

RV show organisers have experienced a run of bad luck so far this year. Both the South Australian Caravan & Camping Show in mid-February and the Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow in early March were adversely affected by scorching hot temperatures, with overall attendance down around 10 per cent and 25 per cent respectively.

While the Gold Coast Caravan, Camping, 4WD & Fishing Show in early-March, was washed out after heavy rains.