Victorian Supershow highs and lows

It's no longer Australia's biggest caravan show but the Victorian Caravan & Camping Supershow in mid-February is still a big deal.

Exhibitor numbers were down to 215 this year, but most of the big brands were in attendance and there were plenty of new releases and show specials to excite the tens of thousands of punters that rolled through the gates of the Melbourne Showgrounds over five days.

Key takeaway? Chinese-built 'vans are getting better equipped, more appealing and greater in number. This is backed up by the latest industry stats that show that of the 47,207 new RVs produced in or delivered to Australia in 2025, almost 50 per cent (23,244) came from overseas, mostly China.

What's next? 'Built here, backed here' stalwarts are already in a price war but how long until, like some other local builders, they're forced to offer an imported range in order to compete? Let's wait and see...

Crusader is another big Aussie manufacturer feeling the heat and just months after unveiling its new cut-price 'Chinese beating' caravan range, is now fitting airbag suspension as standard on its latest 2026 Dreamhaven Super X dirt roaders.

A big 22ft tandem axle, centre ensuite Super X couple's van displayed at the show was advertised at $96,700 which included the new airbags and optional Dometic air conditioner.

One of the best reasons to fork out for the $20 entry ticket (and $20 car parking) to the Vic Supershow is access to hundreds of show specials, and the pick of the show had to be the 'half price' Adria Adora 542 PH Sport we discovered almost hidden away on the Apollo stand.

Apollo was asking as much as $85,300 driveaway for the single axle, 19ft 11in lightweight Euro couple's van, during the height of COVID caravan fever.

But a canny buyer at the Supershow could have grabbed the 2024-plate 542 Sport on display for $55,990, or an identical 2023-plate van for just $46,990!

After a big procession of participants at last year's show, this year's promotional activities for the ambitious 'five star' RV Master program centred on the newest accredited manufacturer, Vacationer Caravans.

The Melbourne caravan builder is joining an exclusive club, with only three other fully accredited 'RV Masters' at the show, including Snowy River, Crusader and Royal Flair (Jayco recently pulled out of the program).

Caravan Industry Victoria CEO Daniel Sahlberg admitted that many of the 17 RV brands so far vying to be 'RV Masters' are struggling to meet the high standards set for the stringent four-pillar audit process, even after 18-plus months in some cases.

The extra in-house resources required for smaller staff-stretched businesses, not including the annual participation fee of $20,000, isn't helping matters.

"This was always about an industry improvement program, and setting a standard where there wasn't one before," Sahlberg told caravancampingsales at the show.

He says the eventual goal is to have 30 brands qualify as RV Masters -- fewer than half the 67 RV brands currently signed up to the less stringent industry-backed RVMAP compliance program.

Ford's new 4500kg caravan towing machine is already making a splash among the caravanning fraternity, and the Ranger Super Duty ute was out in force at the Supershow with one towing a 'van around the off-road course as part of the free educational shows.

Sydney's Suncamper motorhomes also had a Ranger Super Duty cab-chassis ute on its stand, as a teaser for a new off-road campervan that's expected to arrive in the second half of 2026. Melbourne rival Sunliner is also planning a Ranger Super Duty camper, so there should be a few turn-key options available soon.

The balloons were out for Nova Caravans and Retreat Caravans which were both celebrating 20th anniversaries, but not a birthday candle in sight at the Supreme Caravans stand, as the Melbourne manufacturer clocks its 40th year of production in 2026.

We were told the celebrations would ramp up around September to coincide with a big Supreme caravan owners' get-together. There might also be a special 'van to mark the occasion, like the 30th anniversary edition built in 2016.

With more than 200 exhibitors and thousands of 'vans it's often hard to attract the attention of punters at the Victorian Supershow.

One way around that is to have an eye-catching themed 'van, like the Design RV Retro CRX package unveiled at the show. Basically a sticker job that brought back memories of the Holden Sandman 'shaggin' wagon' of the 1970s, it also includes decals for the tow vehicle (a 'classic' LandCruiser in this case)

Melbourne's Urban Caravans was also kicking goals with an AFL-theme 20ft Tiger X-Terrain, with gun defender Ben Miller stopping by during the show to spruik the sporty make-over that included a yellow and black exterior and a Richmond FC embossed magazine pouch.

Two tow vehicles really caught our eye at the Supershow, including a one-of-a-kind Ford F-550 on the Canterbury Caravans stand, owned by an XTour Caravans' ambassador/influencer couple.

Making a D-MAX look like a Mini, the monster American pick-up is the only one in country of its type and has had a full make-over including new canopy and boat loader. We didn't ask the replacement value but we're guessing well north of half a million dollars!

Also standing out was a Denza B5 off-road wagon; another Chinese upstart brand with a feature-packed three tonne towing machine and eyes on the lucrative caravan touring market.

There was a noticeable 'hole' in the Motorhome Pavilion next to the Apollo stand, with Sunliner absent from the show for the first time in many years.

The 52-year old Melbourne motorhome specialist said on social media that a lack of MY26 display models caused its dealer, Melbourne RV to pull out at the last minute.

CIV's Daniel Sahlberg also told us that three products/brands were pulled from the show's line-up after failing pre-show compliance checks (usually related to pre-production models or prototypes). That's probably the reason Bruder's new ADX 'vans didn't make it to the show -- despite plenty of Bruder signage on the stand of Melbourne dealer Off Track RV.

Here at caravancampingsales HQ, we like to keep across the latest RV design and styling trends and the Vic Supershow provided a few hints on where the local brands are heading.

We're not sure if this is going to catch on but On The Move released a new slide-out kitchen module for its latest Traxx off-roader. We've seen a similar set-up on a locally-built Kokoda 'van this year, while the idea dates back a few years to some of the custom hybrids from Melbourne's Trailblazers RV.

Lifestyle had a double door shower, first seen on the Bruder EXP-8. We're also seeing more Zone 'clones', like the OTM Nitro with its 'pass through' external kitchen cabinetry straight out of a Zone Expedition.

As far as interior finishes go, we're seeing more textured wall panels and parquetry-style flooring, providing a premium lift to even entry-level 'vans.

Family caravans have gone off the boil after they had their time in the sun during the COVID boom, when it seemed every second family headed off on a Big Lap gap year.

But that didn't stop upmarket Melbourne brand Prime Edge from unveiling a ripper new family caravan at the Supershow, with a layout that will have the kids begging to go away at every opportunity.

The 23ft 9in Prime Edge Warrior on display was loaded up with off-road, off-grid and luxury gear, but the deal-sealer was the spacious floorplan, including an entry door for both 'parents' and 'kids' zones, and a big central ensuite to ensure plenty of privacy for young and old.

With two big rear bunks and lounge seating for playing video games on the big TV, it's more comfy teenage retreat than your typical shove-'em-down-the-back caravan kiddie sleeping area.

Priced at $161,000, the chief downside is the hefty 3091kg Tare/4500kg ATM and, with my kids grown up, the fact I no longer have a good reason to consider buying one...

For more on the 2026 Victorian Caravan & Camping Supershow, check out the articles below:

Second Lifestyle off-grid caravan arrives

Bold new OTM Traxx and Nitro break cover

Sharp pricing for first Snowy River motorhome

New EV-friendly Wollemi compact caravan arrives

Opus changes direction with new off-grid hybrids

Cruisemaster rolls out aftermarket caravan suspension

Evernew finally joins alloy-frame club

Nova releases flashy 20th Anniversary Vita 'van