Top-10 family caravans

Wonderland Adventus

Melbourne custom builder Wonderland has covered all the essential requirements of modern family caravanning with the 19ft 6in Adventus.

The well-appointed five-berth family van combines a tough chassis and independent coil suspension with features aimed at every family member including an east-west parent’s bed, L-shaped lounge/dinette, large galley kitchen, and 'kids’ area' up back, incorporating some spacious bunk beds, separate shower/toilet and washing machine.

Further reading: Wonderland Adventus Review

Golf Savannah Maxi

Jayco popularized the ‘expander’ concept, but manufacturers like Avan have take it in new directions with models like the Golf Savannah Maxi.

Despite an external body length measuring 5860mm (just over 19ft), the Maxxi 584 opens up like Swiss Army Knife to reveal a front queen, a rear double bed, a large lounge/dining area and two rear bunks that can be configured as a second dinette.

Further reading: Golf Savannah Maxi Review

Retreat Fraser

With twin batteries and twin solar panels, a grey water tank, semi-off-road tandem trailing arm coil spring suspension, big compressor fridge, room to move and a 845kg load carrying capacity, Retreat’s 19ft Fraser family bunk van ticks all the essential free-camping boxes, making it ideal to take away on a gap year while the kids still think it’s cool to travel with their parents.

Further reading: Retreat Fraser

Track Trailer T4 Concerto

Designed for families who really want to get out into the rough stuff, but without sacrificing too many comforts, Track Trailer’s first family van swaps the large internal kitchen of the T4 Symphony and internal shower-toilet of the T4 Rhapsody for twin single bunks across its rear wall.

While there are plenty of indoor comforts on the cutting-edge 15ft pop-top, the Concerto’s emphasis is on outdoor living, featuring Track’s large pull-out Premium stainless steel three-burner kitchen with its glass-topped sink with storage drawers and rear drop-down external shower pod.

Further reading: Track Trailer T4 Concerto

Bailey Rangefinder II Nebula

Not strictly a family van, but this full composite British van with an Australian accent is a good alternative to ubiquitous Campbellfield, Victoria-built bunk bed caravans.

Perfect for couples or families of four, the 22ft 6in Nebula with its mid ensuite layout is unique in offering two separate entertaining/sleeping zones: a master bedroom up back and a club lounge at the front that easily converts to another double bed.

Further reading: Bailey Rangefinder II Nebula

Zone RV Z-12 Expedition

Queensland’s Zone RV has delivered a really clever solution for family buyers who want the convenience of a hard-wall camper in a package that weighs about the same as most off-road tent trailers.

The compact 12ft Expedition pop-top has a fixed double bed with swing-away table and combination shower/toilet on the 'lower' level, while a hinged bed on the upper level accessible by ladder, extends the inside sleeping options to four.

In  true hybrid fashion, cooking is outside on the recessed kitchen with sink and cabinet fridge beneath a 270-degree wrap-around awning.

Further reading: Zone RV Z-12 Expedition

Coromal Element Evolution

Apart from the squishy café dinette, which we’d change to L-shape configuation, Apollo has done a pretty good job with its latest 23ft full composite rough-road caravan of providing a spacious and well-equipped layout to keep all family members happy.

The package includes a north-south queen bed for the parents, twin or triple bunks for the kids, a big kitchen for family meals, and 4kg washing machine and separate rooms for the shower and toilet to cover the cleaning. However, if you don't want to go far off the blacktop, we'd also recommend the more affordable Winnebago Mossman, also built by Apollo.

Further reading: Coromal Element Evolution

Avan Cruiseliner 4 Bunk

How can you fit a family of four into one of the smallest hard-walled campers on the market?

Avan has managed to do it -- just! -- with a family layout for its popular A-shaped folding-wall camper. At one end are two adult-size fixed bunk beds, with a dinete that converts to a double bed at the other, and a small kitchen and cabinet in between.

All with a Tare weight less than 1000kg and starting price under $30,000. Brilliant!

Further reading: Avan Cruiseliner 4 Bunk Review

Noosa ORV

The 16ft Noosa ORV (Off-Road) family hybrid blends the best of caravan and camper trailer living, with cooking outdoors and sleeping (queen bed and two bunks) and washing (combination shower/toilet) indoors.

Throw in some strong underpinnings and good ground clearance, along with plenty of battery power and water, and you'll be hitting those remote beach camping spots in no time...

Further reading: Noosa ORV Review

Caravelair Antares

This six berth, French-built 19ft caravan delivers a big family-friendly layout including kitchen, shower/toilet, twin bunks and two lounge/dinettes – one that converts to a double bed.

However, it's main party trick is a fully loaded (ATM) weight of just 1500kg -- most Aussie vans of similar size can’t boast a Tare weight that low!

For those with smaller tow vehicles, Adria's Aviva 472 PK Sport is another lightweight Euro van alternative that's perfect for young families on a budget.

Further reading: Caravelair Antares Review