Tested: Bluewater Campers Macquarie

Not that long ago Australian ‘tent trailer’ buyers had two distinct choices when it came to off-road models: a cheap Chinese trailer priced from under $10,000 delivering unbeatable value-for-money, if not the greatest build quality, or a premium Australian-built camper, priced as much as $60,000, providing auto-like engineering and top-notch componentry but at significant cost.

However, more recently there’s been another option: a more upmarket imported camper that combines the best aspects of locally-built campers with the price advantages of building off-shore. Priced around the $25-30,000 mark, these Chinese/Australian 'hybrids' are gaining favour as a more affordable premium option for cash-strapped buyers.

One of the Aussie brands playing in this growing ‘mid range’ market is Bluewater Campers, which has only been around for seven years, but is run by a company that has been in the quality outdoor and canvas products business since 1975, so they know a thing or two about camping.

Recently we had the chance to spend a night in Bluewater’s Macquarie model – an excellent example of a well-equipped, well-built and well-priced Chinese-Australian hard-floor camper that gets you out there in comfort but without breaking the bank.

Attention to detail

Bluewater specialises in forward-fold, hard-floor off-road camper trailers, with three models – the Darling, Macquarie and Lachlan –priced from $25,000 to $34,000, or a bit more if you tick some option boxes.

According to Bluewater Operations Manager, Rob Harley, the campers are shipped to the company’s Pakenham, Victoria headquarters as a bare naked shell. "We are the only camper importer in the country that does a full Australian fit out and that uses Australian components and canvas in all our campers," he said.

As a result, fit and finish is surprisingly good, from the paint finish on the zinc steel main tub and hot-dipped galvanized chassis to the marine-style polished locks, hinges and latches. About the only thing 'low-rent' we could find were some easily replaced carpet and lino coverings.

Top quality canvas

Also impressive for an imported camper is the use of expensive 14oz Wax Converters Dynaproofed canvas, YKK zips and Finetex mesh throughout the main tent including the built-in safari roof.

While we didn’t use them, the camper also comes with a zip-on 6m x 2.4m awning and annexe walls with PVC floor, a ‘double ensuite’ shower room and rear wrap-around awning to extend the 'dry' living space around the camper. There's a handy locker for all the poles at the rear of the camper, with enough space for a few fishing rods.

If you just want to set up the main tent for the night, as we did, it’s an easy 5-10 minute job. Bluewaters’ ‘patented pole’ design might sound like marketing mumbo, but it works; the spring-loaded poles and struts do all the hard work, with just four spreader bars manually added at the end to tension the canvas.

If you’re feeling strong, you can flip the lid over yourself, or save your back and hook up the user-friendly winches at either end to take the strain out of opening and closing the camper.

Quality components

Bluewater hasn't skimped on the other bits either, sourcing parts from well-known, popular brands that inspire confidence in the camper's long-term durability, including a McHitch 3.5T off-road coupling, Lovell coil springs and Ride Pro dual shocks for the independent trailing arm suspension, Dexter 12in electric brakes, hubs and wheel bearings, Ark X Series jockey wheel, Primal Alloy 16in wheels, Manutec stabilizer legs, and a Seaflo 42 Series water pump.

While we only tackled some easy off-road tracks, the camper is up to the task of more tricky terrain with its articulating hitch, big clearance and departure angles, checker plate underbody protection and twin rated recovery points at the rear.

Kitchen delights

A well set up, slide-out external kitchen is the 'heart and soul' of any fair dinkum off-road camper trailer, so we're pleased to report that the Macquarie has a good one.

Sliding out easily from a rear onside locker, the stainless steel kichen features a sink with drainer, plumbed mixer tap, LED spot light and drying rack, a Dometic three-burner gas cooker with wind shields, three drawers for cutlery and utensils, a fold-out side preparation bench, and a much larger, fold out ‘breakfast bar’ behind the cooker.

A drop-down support ensures it’s all nice and stable, and after connecting the hose from the cooker to the gas line, you're ready to go.

The Macquarie comes with a Smarttek 9 instantaneous hot water service and portable toilet, but as the Smarttek is a portable unit, you have to hook it up to the water and gas connectors at the front of the camper every time you want hot water for a shower or dishwashing. There's plenty of water storage though, with separate 140 litre and 30 litre tanks.

Switched on

The Macquarie is well-equipped, internally and externally, with 12V/USB points, to cater for additional LED lights or for powering portable devices. The main switches and battery/water monitors are housed in an offside locker, and there's another locker for the two 100Ah batteries. There are also two gas bayonets, for running a portable BBQ at the same time as the hot water.

Storage options are often limited in forward-fold campers due to their inherent design, but Bluewater has maximized available space by increasing the height of the body sides. As a result, the front storage locker on the kitchen sides fits a slide big enough for an 80 litre fridge, as well as a large pantry and two other drawers for odds and ends.

There’s a slide-out tub and another sizable locked storage compartment on the other side, although some of that space was taken up by the hot water unit and porta potti. Otherwise, there's a small toolbox at the back and some space in the larger front toolbox, alongside the two 4kg gas bottles and jerry cans.

Storage is limited inside the camper, apart from a couple of small drawers and some space under the seats. As bulky items can’t be stored on the bed or lounge in transit, you might need to find another spot for the camp chairs or table – strapped to the top of the camper, perhaps, or in the tow vehicle.

The included 200W folding solar panel slotted under the dining table; however, leaving the annexe and shower room at home if you don't need them will free up some space.

Airy interior

There are some drop-down steps to help you enter through the canvas door. There's also another step to help you get into bed, although you don't really need it if you have long legs.

The U-shaped lounge is spacious but you can’t really lean back too hard against the canvas, even with the supplied cushions. However, there's plenty of head room when standing and space on the hard floor for changing. It takes a couple of minutes to convert the lounge/dinette to another odd-shaped double bed – enough room for a couple of young kids, perhaps, or a single adult.

The switches for the LED lights (two, built-in strips at either end with concealed wiring) and the Sony touchscreen stereo are located low down, inside the entry door.

We can vouch for the quality of the locally-made inner-spring mattress. It’s as comfortable as the one I sleep on at home and a refreshing change from some of the hard slabs of dense foam thrown into many camper trailers.

There are a couple of canvas pockets for storing phones and keys, while the option to really open up the tent and enjoy the fresh air and views via the large windows on all sides, without getting wet or bitten by mozzies, is another bonus.

With a Tare weight of 1500kg, and a 900kg payload, the Macquarie will require a decent tow vehicle like a dual-cab ute if you want to use it to its maximum capacity. The sub-two tonne trailer certainly wasn’t an issue behind our Toyota LandCruiser 200 series!

Verdict

After a day of off-roading and a night under the stars, we came away impressed with the Bluewater Macquarie. While it doesn’t quite match the best premium Aussie campers in terms of features and functionality, it's not that far off and hard to criticize for the price.

Specs: 2018 Bluewater Campers Macquarie

Travel length: 5300mm
External body width: 1900mm
Travel height: 1600mm
Tare weight: 1500kg
ATM: 2400kg
Ball weight (Tare): 125kg
Body: Zinc anneal/ stainless steel/ aluminium, two-pack paint
Chassis: 125mm x 50mm galvanised steel
Suspension: Independent, coil springs, twin shocks per side
Brakes: 12in electric
Wheels: 16x8in alloys with 265/75R16 AT tyres
Fresh water: 130L and 40L
Battery: 2 x 100Ah
Solar: 200W folding panel
Gas: 2 x 4kg
Hot water: Instantaneous gas
Cooking: Three-burner gas cooktop
Fridge: Optional
Toilet: Portable
Shower: Yes
Lighting: 12v LED
Price (RRP): $32,000
Options fitted: Boat rack ($1800)
Supplied by: Bluewater Campers, Pakenham, Victoria