Wonderland Solara 2026 Review

Over the past 12 years Melbourne's Wonderland RV has built its name on stylish, highly specified off-road tourers.

Continuing the quest for bolder and better, the new Solara hardtop caravan series launched earlier this year sits at the top of the Wonderland range, boasting new composite construction, big payloads and strong off-road, off-grid capability.

Priced from $158,318, the new Solara is available in nine different couples and bunks layouts ranging in body lengths from 18ft to 22ft, and for this review we checked out a 20ft 6in model that sits right in the middle.

Related: Another Wonderland show-stopper heading to Leisurefest

The Solara 20ft 6in is aimed squarely at couples who want a top-shelf off-road touring caravan experience. It has the running gear proven to get you to the outback and home again, along with a raft of features for extended touring comfort.

You always pay more for top shelf, and the Solara 20ft 6in starts at $170,127, with the optioned-up review van listed at $188,144. In this case you pay in weight, too.

All the added features (check the specs panel below for the full list) bring the tare to 2981kg (ATM is 4500kg), meaning you'll need a serious tow vehicle to hit the road.

The big manufacturing story here is the Melbourne caravan builder's move to full composite construction for its premium models.

The Solara uses XPS sandwich (core foam) panels for the walls and roof, along with a honeycomb floor. It’s a major shift away from Wonderland’s earlier CNC ‘jigsaw’ ply construction method, while the company continues to use aluminium-frame construction for its mid-spec vans.

Properly executed, full composite construction eliminates timber 'rot', improves insulation and cuts down the number of joins that can become potential leak points - a big industry issue.

Also adding to this is the 20ft 6in Solara's 'gas free' status; meaning there's no need for internal/external gas vents as the gas bottles are only for outside use.

The locally-made S&M steel chassis features a 150mm x 50mm x 4mm A-frame with double-box 100mm x 50mm x 3.2mm main rails. And the black textured polyurethane chassis coating matches the wall coating nicely.

Suspension is Queensland-built 4.5T rated Cruisemaster XT with Level 3 airbags. It’s great for adjusting ride height and levelling the 'van at camp. A Cruisemaster DO-45 off-road coupling has been optioned to match the re-rated 4500kg ATM.

Optional Tuson Electronic Sway Control is also fitted and works in conjunction with 12in electric drum brakes. The racy Dirty-Life Theory 16in wheels and meaty Cooper AT3 tyres in 285/75/R16 sizing complete the running gear.

While the interior oozes style (more on that later), the exterior wins on function and looks pretty sharp too, party thanks to the X-GUARD Protection Pack textured coating shielding vulnerable areas.

The front tunnel boot houses a huge slide-out table reminiscent of the trundle drawers found in the back of custom ute trays. It provides a fantastic work surface and contains pull-out drawers for plenty of storage.

White is a great colour choice for the table as it doesn’t get anywhere near as hot in the sun as black surfaces do.

The external pantry with drop-down table adds some very functional storage and meal space. It does protrude from the wall a little, but no more than the awning arms.

The front toolbox contains a Weber Baby Q, giving the option for gas-powered cooking or electric via the induction cooker. Or you can do both!

In front of the toolbox is a stylish storage bin divided into three compartments: one for the diesel tank for the water/space heater; one for two 4.5kg gas bottles used exclusively for external cooking; and the third one as a spare for firewood, etc.

A slim rear bar carries tapered jerry can holders, storage tubs and a single spare wheel.

Opening up the tall locker on the driver’s side exterior wall reveals a substantial integrated Victron power system, including dual 50A MPPT solar regulators, a 50A DC-DC charger and a 3000VA inverter/charger.

This works in conjunction with the Arizon 400Ah lithium battery and Arizon 1000W rooftop solar.

The 12V system matches the gas-free internal cooking approach, with enough inverter capacity for running coffee machines, air fryers, etc. Diesel looks after space heating and hot water rather than asking the battery system to do absolutely everything.

Water capacity is also substantial, with 190L of fresh water plus a separate 90L dedicated drinking-water supply, giving 280L in total. If we accept that none of the drinking water goes down the drain, the 100L grey water tank can capture about 53% of the freshwater.

The Thetford separation toilet helps stretch water further because it does not need flushing water like a conventional cassette toilet.

Wonderland has opted to uprate the ATM from 3500kg to 4500kg. Given the 2981kg tare or unloaded weight, the payload is a very generous 1519kg.

Keep in mind that you may not need or want to use all of this capacity. A tonne is a lot of payload and would bring the loaded weight to just under four tonne. This would open the scope of suitable tow vehicles, but you will still be at the big end of town.

Ball weight at tare is listed at 160kg, which is low as a percentage of tare. This will change once loaded with water, food, tools, clothes, etc. However, given the light front, buyers will need to carefully consider how much weight they put at the very rear of the 'van as this most effects handling dynamics.

Wonderland always seem to be on point with interior styling.

The colour palette in this customer 'van has an earthy warmth flowing through the layout, thanks to the choice of herringbone pattern floor, faux leather upholstery, and furniture doors. Some may call the colour scheme safe (or resale proof!), but I would call it timeless.

I guess you could call the layout timeless too, with a classic rear ensuite, mid kitchen/club lounge and front bed floorplan that won't upset too many buyers.

I like how the bedroom has double windows on both sides; they're much more versatile than single windows, and you can close the lower window blinds for privacy and fling the upper windows open for ventilation to get the best of both worlds.

Storage above, beside and below the bed is pretty good too, and I'm a fan of the generous space on the bedside drawers to place a book, glasses and whatever else you need.

Moving to the kitchen, the first thing that stands out is there's no traditional gas cooktop and oven. Instead, we have a modern gadget that covers most camp cooking needs: a Camec 4-in-1 cooker that includes a 900W microwave, built-in air fryer, convection oven, and grill.

Also supplied is a portable induction cooker and a Ninja air fryer that can be used either inside or outside. The swathe of electrical cooking appliances makes the most of the substantial electrical power on board.

The 220L Dometic fridge/freezer is dual-hinged, allowing the doors to be opened from both sides. It’s a great party trick, but I reckon also genuinely useful when two or more people are operating in a confined space.

The bathroom layout is classic too, with the vanity located centrally on the rear wall, the shower on the passenger side, and the Thetford separation toilet on the driver’s side.

Some separation toilets use access from inside the bathroom for the waste disposal process. A nice feature of this new Thetford unit is that the separated waste is still accessible from an external hatch.

A Destination RV 3.5kg front-loader washing machine completes the bathroom functionality.

Wonderland RV has been building custom caravans since 2014, focusing on high-end off-road tourers, and the Solara series is the latest iteration in its pursuit of the ideal 'van.

The classic 20ft 6in layout will be ideal for many couples, but the price and weight will not suit everyone.

But if you want to tour with uncompromising luxury and convenience, and you can muster the funds and the right tow vehicle, the Solara 20ft 6in is worth a very close look.

Price: from $170,127.30 plus dealer delivery and on-road costs.
As reviewed: $188,143.70 plus ORC
Options fitted: X-Guard protection, rear storage bar, Renegade outdoor kitchen, solid stone benchtops, Tuson ESC, bronze tapward, 4500kg ATM upgrade, DO-45 hitch, Engel 40L fridge, Ninja air fryer, Weber BabyQ
Travel length: 8700mm
External body length: 6310mm
Travel width: 2480mm
Travel height: 3100mm
Tare: 2981kg
ATM: 4500kg
Ball weight (Tare): 160kg
Body: XPS sandwich panel core foam frame, walls and roof; honeycomb floor
Chassis: 150x50x4mm A-frame, double-box 100x50x3.2mm; polyurethane texture coated, with DO-45 coupling
Suspension: 4.5T Cruisemaster XT Level 3 air bag
Brakes: 12in electric drum
ESC: Tuson Electronic Sway Control (optional)
Wheels: Dirty-Life Theory 16in, Cooper AT3 285/75/R16 tyres
Water: 190L fresh water, 90L dedicated drinking water, 100L grey water
Battery: Arizon 400Ah lithium
Solar: Arizon 1000W rooftop
Gas: 2 x 4.5kg
Hot water: Hydronic diesel water/space heater
Cooking: Camec multifunction cooker, Ninja air fryer and Weber Baby Q fitted
Fridge/freezer: Dometic dual-hinge 220L compressor
Microwave: Camec multifunction microwave/cooker
Toilet: Thetford separation
Shower: Indoor and outdoor
Lighting: Internal/external, including orange anti-bug LEDs
Air-conditioner: Dometic FreshJet
Washing machine: Destination RV 3.5kg front loader
TV: 24in Smart
Audio: Fusion audio, speakers and sound bar
Supplied by: Wonderland RV, Campbellfield, Victoria