Show surprises at Melbourne Leisurefest

Victorians will get their first chance to lay eyes on the brand-new range of Avida caravans at the Melbourne Leisurefest show at Sandown Racecourse in early-October.

The first caravan range from the top-selling NSW motorhome manufacturer since 1978, will be among a number of new releases and Victorian show debuts at the state's second largest RV show next month.

Avida RV marketing and sales manager Max Mayo said there will be eight caravans on display from the new Sapphire range, which was unveiled earlier this month at the Penrith RV Expo. Not yet available at dealerships and claimed to be “the strongest caravans in Australia”, the display models will provide a taste of the 156 configurations on offer, including different lengths, layouts, exterior and interior styling, and suspension options.

Avida, which changed its name from Winnebago Australia in February, will also have seven motorhomes on display including the new flagship, Isuzu-based, 9.5m long Longreach model with twin slideouts.

After making a splash at last year’s Leisurefest show under new owner Bellmont Nominee, boutique Melbourne brand Karakampa will also unveil a new variant of its super-smooth, ‘no-wood’ fibreglass touring caravan at Sandown.

The new entry-level model will feature side door instead of rear door entry and a different layout without a bathroom, which should make it cheaper than the current Karakampa priced from around $50,000.

Caravans Australia will also have its latest models on display at the Canterbury Caravans and Caravans West dealer stands at the show, including examples of the Bailey Verona GT65 and Unicorn S2 models and new Regent tandem axle Monarch and single axle Cruiser models (minus the dust!) that went head-to-head in the Flinders Ranges recently.

One of Australia’s biggest caravan manufacturers, West Australia’s Fleetwood Corporation, is expected to have a comprehensive line-up of its revitalised Coromal and Windsor model ranges on display including the new cut-price Navigator camper.

Meanwhile, Jurgens has confirmed its new toy hauler caravan won’t be ready in time for Sandown, but the fast-growing Melbourne caravan manufacturer should have examples of its just-released pop-top range including the 15ft Wallaroo and 18ft Jindabyne.

Other possible show surprises could come from Melbourne off-road specialist Vista RV, which has been working on a new style of entry-level canvas camper trailer to sell alongside its existing range of premium Crossover hard-top campers.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2013, NSW motorhome manufacturer Trakka is also expected to unveil a new model or two, with the most likely candidates the 2014 upgrade of its dune-bashing Trakkadu ORP campervan or a new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter-based motorhome.

Roadstar caravans is also releasing a new model at the show, while Melbourne’s Coronet Caravans, which dates back to 1959, will debut its new range of off-road single and twin axle caravans at Sandown.

Red Rock Campers, which is giving away a Traveller Semi Off-Road camper trailer worth $15,000 as part of the annual Passport competition at the show, will be releasing a new hard-floor model at Sandown.

Jayco is set to unveil another fifth-wheeler model, while the Concept Caravans will unveil a new limited-edition Belmont model, to celebrate the 1000th Belmont caravan built.

Incorporating boating and 4x4 displays as well as a huge line-up of RVs and accessories, the 6th Melbourne Leisurefest will be held at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne from October 3-6.

Tickets are available online or at the gate, and all buyers of online pre-sale tickets will go into the draw to win a Sovereign BBQ worth over $1100.