Signature Kakadu 18 2026 Review

The Signature Kakadu 18 is yet another strong example of how a passionate Australian importer is climbing the price/features ladder with a Chinese-manufactured 'van.

Figuring out what the market wants, and including a chunk of features as standard with a very competitive price tag, is a familiar path for many established importers as they move towards the premium end of the market.

Signature Off Road Campers & Caravans kicked off in 2016 with a range of camper trailers, before taking the step up to hybrids and pop-tops. Today it's going toe-to-toe with local manufacturers with full-sized, six-figure priced caravan offerings like the Kakadu 18 hardtop, on review here.

Signature classifies the Kakadu 18 as a hybrid off-road caravan, but I think the lines between a regular off-road caravan and a hard-top hybrid are becoming blurred.

The slide-out kitchen and substantial external pantry space certainly give off hybrid vibes, yet the twin-axle Kakadu 18's dimensions are more in line with a regular 'van. A total length of 7.4m and 2.4m width, along with a bulky tare weight of 2980kg, is not the trailer for heading up goat tracks.

Whichever category the Kakadu 18 sits in, it will appeal to couples aren't after a minimalist interior often associated with hybrids. Instead, they're seeking a full-sized caravan experience, including island bed, full-scale kitchen and separate shower and toilet.

Priced from $109,990, it's also targeted at buyers willing to pay a bit more than you might normally spend on a Chinese import.

The Signature Kakadu 18 has a surprisingly complete layout, and that’s because it has a trick up its sleeve! You would expect the Kakadu 18 to have an 18ft body length. However, I ran a tape measure across the interior, and its longest point is bang on 19ft.

That translates to a decent amount of space inside, and a conventional caravan layout that's a familiar sight in many Aussie-built 'vans. We're talking a queen-size bed with the usual storage above, beside and below; a mini club lounge that can accommodate four people at a squeeze, and a kitchen bench with room for a Dometic twin induction cooker, sink with draining board and sufficient space to chop your veggies.

You also have the full spectrum of cooking options inside including a Thetford Duplex combination gas oven/grill and a MoboRV 20L microwave. The big 274L upright Thetford fridge/freezer keeps plenty of food fresh, and inside/outside access pantry drawers store all your dry goods.

The full ensuite has all the good stuff, including a vanity and a pedestal bowl with plenty of room to wash your hands, a Thetford cassette toilet with clever storage nooks right beside it, a wall-mounted MoboRV washing machine and a separate shower cubicle.

The shower gets extra brownie points because it has an access panel to identify and fix potential internal plumbing leaks.

Just inside the main door are the main control panels with a mix of old- and new school gadgets. Traditional switches and gauges take care of lighting and water tank levels, while a touchpad screen provides feedback on the 48V system.

Cabin comfort is enhanced with a Webasto 48V air-conditioner, diesel heater and Gusto-powered dust-reduction system.

The Kakadu 18 offers the key hybrid external advantages, with an electric awning and a stainless-steel slide-out kitchen for an alternative place to cook when the weather is favourable. The external kitchen includes a four-burner gas stove, pressurised water, dish rack and fridge slide.

Beside the kitchen is a handy drawer inside a locker, and a bit further along is a drop-down table which reveals four more, very handy drawers which are accessible from both outside and inside. One minor inconvenience is you'll need to move stuff around on the drop-down table if you want to open the drawers.

Up front, the drawbar appears quite short and looks minimalist without a toolbox. You can option in an 800mm longer drawbar and toolbox for $4200.

As standard, there’s a 7L diesel tank for the heater, and two simple mounting brackets for storing 4.5kg gas bottles on the A-frame, which contributes to the lightish 180kg ball weight.

Jumping to the rear, the platform bar offers further storage options with a full-length compartment and twin jerry can holders, while above the bar is the spare wheel.

Across the driver’s side wall, there’s also a compartment up the front for stuff like hoses, extension cords and wheel chocks, while just behind the wheels is a compartment for the water tank isolation valves. You could stow some light stuff here, as long as it doesn't move around and bump the valves.

The external hot-water shower is great for sandy feet or quick wash-downs.

The body is constructed of single-piece fibreglass composite panels with an XPS core for the walls and roof, and a honeycomb composite panel floor.

It's mounted to an Australian-engineered hot-dip galvanised steel chassis. The interior furniture blends aluminium framing with timber features.

Underneath, the standard Kakadu 18 set-up incorporates independent dual-shock trailing arm suspension with Tough Dog shocks fitted to each swingarm. Rolling stock is 17-inch alloy wheels with 265/70R17 Black Bear mud-terrain tyres, along with 12-inch electric drum brakes and a Cruisemaster DO35 coupling. Tuson electronic sway control is optional.

Buyers seeking the advantages of adjustable ride height can step up to the Kakadu 18 X, which adds Cruisemaster ATX airbag suspension, big-bore remote reservoir shocks, automated height adjustment and hydraulic disc brakes. Budget on another $20k for the upgrade.

The massive 48V EcoFlow power system is a compelling feature in a $110K 'van.  It combines 15kWh of lithium battery storage, 1100W of roof-mounted solar and a 3600W inverter with a 100A DC-DC charger.

The high-capacity system will eat the twin induction cooking system for breakfast – pun intended! – with plenty left over for the 48V Webasto air-conditioner. The 48V air-con rating is important because it keeps the system efficient, as there are no losses associated with stepping voltage up to a more conventional 240V system.

You will have plenty of power in reserve as you still have access to gas for external cooking and diesel for space/water heating. And we already know there's a substantial 360L water capacity.

Filling and emptying the traditional cassette toilet will be the thing most likely to send you back to civilisation first. You can extend your time with a second cassette, or opt for one of the various and more expensive waterless toilets on offer.

Given the 2980kg (unloaded) tare weight, prospective owners should think very carefully before settling for the standard 3500kg ATM as it leaves a relatively modest 520kg payload. For example, filling up the water tanks will leave you with just 160kg payload. Sure, you don’t have to fill the tanks, but you need to do the sums before working out the best option for your travel plans.

Upgrading to a 4000kg ATM unlocks the full 1020kg payload potential (leaving 660kg with full water tanks). Obviously you'll need the right tow vehicle, and you'll also be up for the extra cost to upgrade to a DO45 hitch.

The Kakadu 18 sits at the top of the Signature range, and makes sense for a couple who values the freedom and quicker set-up of a hard-roof hybrid but seeks external and internal cooking, a substantial ensuite and serious off-grid capacity.

The fit-out is unusually comprehensive at the price point, in particular the big 48V power system.

It's less compelling for buyers who prioritise minimum weight and simplicity, or are restricted in the choice of tow vehicle.

Price: From $109,990 plus dealer delivery and on-road costs
Travel length: 7300mm (8100mm with extended drawbar)
External body length: 6300mm
Travel width: 2380mm
Travel height: 3100mm
Tare: 2980kg
ATM: 3500kg (4000kg optional upgrade)
Ball weight (tare): 180kg
Body: Fibreglass composite XPS-core walls and roof; honeycomb composite floor
Chassis: Hot-dip galvanised Q355 steel
Suspension: Independent trailing-arm with Tough Dog shocks (Cruisemaster airbags optional)
Brakes: 12-inch electric drums
ESC: Optional Tuson electronic sway control
Wheels: 17-inch alloys, 265/70R17 Black Bear mud-terrain tyres
Water: 360L fresh, 80L grey
Battery: EcoFlow 48V, 15kWh
Solar: Ecoflow 1100W roof-mounted
Gas: 2 x 4.5kg
Hot water: Truma UltraRapid gas/electric
Cooking: Dometic internal twin induction, gas oven and microwave; external four-burner gas kitchen
Fridge/freezer: Thetford 274L
Microwave: Mobo RV 20L
Toilet: Plumbed cassette; optional OGO composting or Clesana
Shower: Internal and external
Lighting: LED
Air-conditioner: Webasto 48V
Washing machine: Yes
TV: Englaon 12V Smart
Audio: CD, Bluetooth, USB and FM with indoor/outdoor speakers
Supplied by: Signature Camper Trailers, Pakenham, Victoria