Wonderland creates five-star apartment on wheels

Boutique custom caravan builder Wonderland RV is known for its eye-catching glamour-vans, but the Melbourne manufacturer has taken it to another level with a very special 25ft tandem axle family caravan displayed at this month's Melbourne Leisurefest at Sandown Racecourse.

Aside from a long list of desirable features, the 'apartment-on-wheels' Wonderland custom XTR 2500 four-berth 'van had something most big luxury family caravans don't; a second dinette, that doubles as a digital nomad workstation or school-on-the-road study desk.

In all, the lengthy interior floorplan comprises four distinct sections: a front parents 'bedroom' with north-south king bed; an adjoining 'living' area with L-shaped lounge/dinette and kitchen, alongside a 'work/study' area with cafe-style dinette and big double bunks complete with built-in drawers; and a full width rear ensuite with large shower, toilet and washing machine.

Adding to the upmarket, luxury hotel feel was bespoke furnishings and interior decorations supplied by Melbourne-based luxury textiles specialist Viotto, including custom-fit bed linen and soft furnishings designed to complement the stone white-on-white interior decor theme including a white kitchen sink and matching tap, and full leather taupe-coloured seat upholstery.

Off-road underpinnings included the top-spec Cruisemaster ATX airbag suspension, disc brakes, D0-45 coupling and 310 litre fresh and 100 litre grey water tanks, although there's a limit to how far off the beaten track you could drag a rig with a Tare of 3580kg, 320kg ball weight and ATM of up to 4500kg.

A matching set of super-sized appliances included a full size oven, 224L fridge/freezer and big ceiling-mounted Fusion speakers, while a Dometic slide-out external kitchen, full-width roll-out awning and front bike rack were fitted externally. Keeping it all running was a monster 600Ah lithium battery system with 1200W rooftop solar and 3000W inverter, managed by a Czone digital display.

Topping it off were on-trend' slate-grey Dibond body panels, with custom 'Love this land' stick-on artwork and auto-style ceramic paint protection.

Unlike some of the other Wonderland vans displayed at Leisurefest, the 25ft XTR 2500 didn't have a 'for sale' sticker or advertised price. However, it's believed it set its owners back around $200,000, with plans to take it on a lengthy trip towed behind their American truck.

The Wonderland 25 footer is the latest Melbourne-built glamour-van catering to cashed-up families contemplating 'gap years', or who just want to hit the road in style for a long period without sacrificing too many home comforts...

Related: Lotus unveils triple-axle glamour-van