Van Jam-style caravan show returns

Fresh caravan shows keep popping up around the country, with the latest announcement a new industry-run three-day event in the fast-growing Queensland town of Ipswich, around 40km south-west of Brisbane.

Ipswich already has an annual RV show (the 4x4 & Caravan Expo on October 16-18 at the Ipswich Showgrounds), run by GTR Events, but the new Ipswich show organised by state industry association Caravanning Queensland (also behind this week's Queensland Supershow) is set to take place before that on August 28-30, at the Sunshine State's revhead central, Willowbank Raceway.

Caravanning Queensland last tried to put on a show at the popular motorsport venue in 2023, before cancelling it at the last minute.

Like the stillborn Van Jam 23, the 2026 Let's Go Ipswich Caravan and RV Expo will feature live music, evening entertainment and on-site camping, to make it more of a Birdsville Big Bash-style destination event than a traditional in-and-out caravan show. Other proposed activities include cooking demonstrations, kid-friendly entertainment, and motocross and off-road demonstrations.

The new event continues a trend of bringing the 'show to the people', with many new smaller RV shows being established in major growth corridors, like the recently held inaugural Cranbourne Leisurefest.

Not to mention a current 'battle' going on for both entry ticket and exhibitor fees, being waged by the state industry associations and privately run companies that put on RV events, to the extent that some places are now 'doubling up' with rival shows.

"We're introducing a new show (in Ipswich)," Caravanning Queensland CEO Jason Plant recently told GoRV. "It's a big growing area of south-east Queeensland (with) a lot of families moving into that area."

"It's a different type of event," he continued. "It's a caravan show but it also has on-site camping, night time entertainment and music. We're trialling something different to your traditional caravan show, and I think if you can take it to the regions and those local communities people will attend."

There are few other details on the Caravanning Queensland website about the new Ipswich event which kicks off in less than three months' time, apart from a mention of free Vansafe Masterclasses taking place over the week-end.

Meanwhile, Willowbank Raceway will get a taste of the camping life this week-end when a Hardkorr camper trailer valued at $25,000 is given away as a prize at the 58th Gulf Western Oil Winternationals. 

Related: Top-10 motorhomes at the Sydney Supershow