Snowy River SRL-206 2025 Review

There's no stopping Snowy River Caravans, with sales approaching 3000 annually, a fast-growing network of dealerships, and a rapidly expanding line-up that now includes campervans as well as pop-top hybrids.

Next up is an expansion of the motorhome range introduced in early-2025, with all-new off-grid, all-electric 'vans expected to arrive in 2026. Later next month we'll also see MY26-updated SRC on-road caravan and SRP Pop-top model ranges start to roll out to Snowy River dealerships, followed by a revamped SRT off-road range...

It's been a meteoric rise for the 10-year old Chinese-Australian enterprise, which had humble beginnings as a Melbourne manufacturer of Regent caravans before proceeding to fill Australian driveways and caravan parks with its budget-friendly touring and multi-terrain 'vans, under the iconic Snowy River banner.

Expect a lot more to come too, thanks to a big war-chest built up by the parent company after a recent public listing.

This time around, we're taking a closer look at one of the latest Snowy River SRL (Luxury Series) large on-road caravans; first spotted at the 2024 Melbourne Supershow and available in both fixed-wall and slide-out, twin-berth ensuite variants.

With its silky smooth Euro caravan-style design and upmarket, tarmac-tourer features, the latest SRL range is being targeted at an older demographic as well as having Jayco Silverline buyers firmly in its sights...

If the entry-level SRL-206 (20ft 6in body length) caravan shown here looks familiar, it is! In 2021 we reviewed an almost identical, slide-out variant call the Regent Cruiser.

Fast forward four years and after slow sales, the Cruiser range has been rebadged as Snowy River SRL Luxury Series (although look closely and the old-style Regent emblem which dates back more than 30 years remains). It's not the end of the road for Regent Caravans however, with the brand set for re-launch in 2026.

Interestingly, of the few hundred 'Snowy River' Regent 'vans out on the road, we were told many have gone to New Zealand, where similar-looking British and European-built fibreglass 'vans are not uncommon.

For its MY25 SRL range, Snowy River has culled model numbers from eight to four; all with comfy couple ensuite layouts and with body lengths from 20ft 6in to 23ft 6in, and two with slide-outs.

Like all Snowy River models the entry-level SRL-206 delivers plenty of value, with a good list of internal and external features including a half-decent battery set-up for its sharp $83,990 towaway price.

You do pay a few thousand more than a similar size and layout, Snowy River SRC touring 'van, but for that you get increased or better standard kit including 270 degree cameras, powered awning and entry-steps, electronic stability control, a bigger 224L fridge and air-conditioner and a wall-mounted washing machine... the list goes on.

There's been a lot of talk about lemon caravans and water leaks of late, so it's good to know Snowy River is on the front foot when it comes to quality control, including RVMAP International and RV Master accreditation.

Another 'tick' is the widespread adoption of full composite construction, including insulated fibreglass sandwich panels, all backed by a five year structural/two year manufacturer warranty.

On first impressions the Chinese production and final Melbourne assembly at Snowy's Somerton, Victoria facility is hard to fault, with no glitches or blemishes discovered during our half-day inspection of the SRL-206 'van (a rarity for any Aussie-spec caravan).

The only hiccup was when I carelessly sat down on one of the padded fold-out footrests at the end of the dinette/lounge, bending the runners in the process. (I'll have to add that to our caravanning rookie mistake list!).

While relatively spacious, comfortable and user-friendly, the front bed-rear ensuite layout isn't anything special as far as 20ft Aussie couple's caravans go. But the stylish 'coastal chic' fit-out is, especially in a relatively affordable, off-the-shelf 'van.

In a world of 'cookie cutter' caravans and often drab monotone interior colour schemes, it's great to see Snowy River having some fun with a few different shapes, patterns and colours, rather than leaving it to the bespoke builders.

It's not all form over function though, with internal storage in the SRL-206 another big 'tick'. Stand-out storage options include a hanging wardrobe in the ensuite, and a large, user-friendly pull-out pantry in the kitchen; plus other nice touches like a portable condiment holder for the kitchen.

Overall, there are enough compartments and storage space, both inside and out, to make the most of the 820kg maximum payload.

Although not everyone's cup of tea, we also like the full-width sliding privacy curtain fitted at the end of the bed. Mounted on a ceiling rail, the curtain is quite thick and easily pushed and pulled across to create a decent light and sound barrier between the sleeping and living/cooking area. It should also be relatively easy to remove for dry cleaning or replacement.

Otherwise, the 'van comes nicely equipped in the kitchen with a slimline rangehood, 224L fridge/freezer, deep sink with filtered water and mixer taps, 2+1 cooktop and convection microwave, while the well-padded cafe dinette gets a tri-fold table and the aforementioned foot-rests.

Another highlight is the rear bathroom, which boasts a solid sliding door, above-average floorspace and a roomy pentagon-shape shower cubicle.

There's also a stylish bowl sink, big wall-mounted washing machine and a cassette toilet, and more 'bling' including eye-catching wallpaper-look splashbacks behind the sink and inside the shower, and golden-bronze tapware and ancillaries, along with a mirrored door, contrasting black fixtures and a footrest in the shower.

The SRL-206 is also not lacking when it comes to opening screened windows, skylights/roof hatches, lighting options and electrical outlets, including twin wireless phone chargers near the bed, while other notable standard features include a Fusion sound system, Projecta switch pads and battery/water monitor, a pillowtop innerspring queen mattress, and 12V fans.

Externally, the Snowy River luxury 'van also comes well equipped with an A-frame-mounted brass tap and mains water connection, gas bayonet, hot/cold external shower and a picnic table that folds down to reveal a cavity with connections for the supplied 24in Smart TV and aerial (there’s a similar TV set-up inside).

We also like the one-touch electric entry step and powered awning, especially for first-time caravanners, and the fitment of one of our favourite caravan security doors, the rock-solid Dometic CaraD 1750.

The Snowy River SRL-206 may be a dead ringer for a classy German-built 'van, but it certainly doesn't offer the same lightweight towing advantages.

While possibly an unfair comparison, it's around one tonne heavier unloaded than a similar-size European-built Adria composite caravan currently for sale in Australia, and 300-400kg bulkier than many rival models including the 21ft Snowy River SRC 'van.

So while designed for smooth grassy sites and flat bitumen highways, buyers will most likely need to invest in a big four-wheel drive SUV or ute to tow it with, especially when loaded up to its 3500kg ATM, rather than a something a bit smaller and more suburban-friendly, if it was a bit lighter.

Along the same theme the Westlake tyres with their aggressive tread pattern and the extensive use of Raptor paint protection and other underbody armour seems overkill for a bitumen tourer, while also adding to the bulk.

However, on a more positive note there are quite a few safety aids fitted to help keep you out of towing trouble, including trailer electronic stability control, a tyre pressure monitor, and two side cameras and a rear camera that deliver a 270-degree outside view via your car’s internal display.

There's enough water (190 litres), gas (18kg) and roof-mounted solar (360W) to keep things going for a while when not plugged in at a caravan park, although the lowish ride height and exposed under-chassis plumbing means you'll be limited in how far off-road you can venture.

While external storage is decent, with an alloy-lined front boot and separate LED-lit tunnel boot for carrying all the outside gear, we'd prefer the trailer brake-away unit and 25A DC-DC charger were fitted in another location than the tunnel boot, to keep them out of harm's way from any items banging around in there.

And while it works fine and fits neatly with the fibreglass bodywork, the twin front-cover arrangement is a bit fussy for our liking. The front boot lid unlatches and rises vertically on cantilever hinges, with a top-hinged stone-shield cover above for the front opening window.

Then there's the fiddly cover for the twin A-frame mounted gas bottles; secured by two side clasps and a rubber cord, and easily misplaced once removed.

If you're after something with a classic Euro design and a bit of bling, but that's built for Aussie travellers and represents excellent value-for-money in its price segment, the Snowy River SRL-206 ticks a lot of boxes.

It's a slick looking beast in our eyes, enhanced by the 'coastal chic' decor and funky furniture fit-out that makes it stand out from the crowd but without going overboard. Importantly, it also packs enough storage and payload if you want to head off on an extended trip.

It's a pity you need a heavy-duty hauler to tow it with, given its intended purpose, although if that's a problem the cheaper, less ritzy, and lighter Snowy River SRC 21ft model might be a good alternative.

How much is the 20ft 6in Snowy River SRL-206 couple's touring caravan?

Price: $83,990 (tow-away)
Travel length: 8670mm
External body length: 7320mm
Travel width: 2400mm
Travel height: 2950mm
Tare: 2680kg
ATM: 3500kg
Ball weight (Tare): 230kg
Body: Fibreglass XPS sandwich panel with aluminium frame, 32mm thick walls and roof, 40mm floor
Chassis:  150mm A-frame/ 100mm chassis, steel, Raptor coated
Suspension: Torsion beam independent tandem axle, 50mm ball coupling
Brakes: 12in electric drum
ESC: Lippert Sway Command
Wheels: 15 x 7 alloy with Westlake CR857+ 235/75 R15 tyres                                      
Water: 2 x 95L fresh water
Battery: 2 x 100Ah lithiuim
Solar: 2 x 180W roof-mounted
Gas: 2 x 9kg
Hot water: Fogatti instant
Cooking: Thetford Hob Topline Hybrid gas/induction cooktop
Fridge/freezer: Thetford T2208 224L compressor
Microwave: Convection
Toilet: Dometic cassette
Shower: Moulded fibreglass
Lighting: LED
Air-conditioner: Dometic Freshjet 7 Plus roof-top
Washing machine: RV Ecowasher 3kg front-load
TV: 24in Smart and aerial
Audio: Fusion Bluetooth with internal/external speakers
Supplied by: Snowy River Caravans, Somerton, Victoria