Royal Flair celebrates 50th anniversary

Jayco isn't the only Aussie RV manufacturer celebrating a golden anniversary in 2025, with cross-town rival Royal Flair recently blowing the candles out on its own 50th birthday cake.

To help mark the significant milestone of half a century of continuous caravan manufacturing, Royal Flair invited around 200 people to a special industry event at its Epping, Victoria factory on February 14, with the guest list including staff, dealers, suppliers, industry honchos, esteemed journos and even the odd rival, like Van Cruiser’s Enzo Gnocato.

Held on Valentines Day, it ended up being a triple celebration with Royal Flair boss Billy Deralas also marking his 53rd birthday on the night.

"I'd like to thank my family for sticking by me throughout, my father would be very proud. It hasn't been easy, it's been tough, but I love all of you," he said in a brief but heartfelt speech.

Billy paid special tribute to his father Peter who started Royal Flair in 1975 and passed away around four years ago, handing the reins to Billy and his son Peter who now also works at the factory.

"My father is my inspiration, the love of my life, the guy who guided me and did everything for me, he built me up to what I am today," Billy said.

"Also thank-you to the Royal Flair family, my lovely workers, this wouldn't have happened without all your efforts for the many years you've been with us, and also for what we're going to present today with the (MY25 range) reveal."

The family-first theme of the night extended to the musical entertainment, with Christine Deralas belting out some party tunes, while original worker Steve Deralas was also waving the 'Lion King' flag on the night.

"When my dad first started in 1975 he had his cousin come in from overseas. Steve Deralas is one of the oldest generation who worked for my father and now after so many years later he's working for us right now. He's 70 years old but he's like a machine out there," Billy joked.

"And the beauty about it is when I look at him I look at my father too, so it's like my father's presence here."

As a nod to the past, there was also a circa-1990 Royal Flair pop-top parked outside the factory, which we were told the company recently purchased for around $9000.

After working as a technician at Thorn TV, Peter Deralas started out with brother-in-law Steve at New Home Caravans (which made a brief comeback a few years ago), pumping out by hand around 15 vans a week.

When Royal Flair got going not long after, Peter's wife Peristera made all the curtains and upholstery in-house as a way to ensure quality, and the commitment to quality continues to this day with Royal Flair one of the first Australian RV manufacturers to adopt a certified quality management system, as well as join the RV Master Manufacturer Program.

In 2020 Royal Flair moved into a new purpose-built Melbourne factory, showroom and servicing facility on a greenfield 20,000sq.m site in Epping, where it today builds a range of unique models from the off-road Raptor hybrid to the range-topping Piazza caravan with its innovative, front fold-out SkyDeck verandah.

The fun-filled night concluded in style with the covers being pulled off two new MY25 models, accompanied by fiery sparklers and a smoke machine.

The two family bunk vans, including a 'Forest Green' 17ft Razor XT and golden 19ft AussieMate, showcased a number of new features across the range, including new black flat plate for the front, back and sides, as well as the wheel spats, a new black flat access door, dual reverse camera, 12V external water pump, and a front toolbox with gen slide and stone guard protection.

Other MY25 additions include Cruisemaster XT coil or airbag suspension, a Cowfish antenna, Starlink connectivity, and either Bosch or BMPro sway control.

The top-spec 2025 AussieMate also adds an odometer accessory kit, Fusion external sound panel, Ziggy BBQ, Bluetooth diesel heater and the latest DCX 12V 628Ah lithium battery system with 3000W inverter and 800W rooftop solar.

The latest models are backed by an increased five-year warranty, and also come with one year premium roadside assistance. The 17ft Razor XT bunk van is priced at $140,990, with the 19ft Aussiemate van coming in at $168,990.

"We wanted to make this product completely different to anything we've built before," Billy Deralas said.

Royal Flair will have its latest MY25 caravan range on display at the 2025 Victorian Caravan & Camping Supershow at the Melbourne Showgrounds (Feb 19-23).

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