Post on 22-Jul-2016
description
FreshEyre
Longtermer UpdateHow lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina is faring
Project PollyFirst impressions of our new project motorhomehellipAvidarsquos slide-out
Eyre features a fresh new floorplanhellip Travel
Hobart to Sydney ndash the final instalment
iMotorhome mag
azin
e
because getting there is half the fun
Issue 76 Jul 18 2015
Win$50 for the
best letter
The Most Recognised Name in Motorhomesreg
2015 motorhome range now available nationwide
Proudly Australian designed and built in our Brisbane factory
Accept no imitations
Find a Winnebago dealership near you Visit
wwwgowinnebagocomau
Licensee and authorised distributor of Winnebago Industries Inc Forest City Iowa USA
AUSTRALIA amp NEW ZEALAND
2014_iMotorhome_AprilMayJune_FullPage_240315indd 1 21042015 21454 PM
iMotorhome eMagazine is published twice monthly and available by free subscription from wwwimotorhomecomau
Your letters and contributions are always welcome
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Published by iMotorhomePO Box 1738 Bowral NSW 2576 Australia
ABN 34 142 547 719
T +614 14 604 368
E infoimotorhomecomau
W wwwimotorhomecomau
EditorialPublisherManaging Editor
Richard Robertson
T 0414 604 368
E richardimotorhomecomau
Roadtest Editor
Malcolm Street
E malcolmimotorhomecomau
Contributors
Jess Ciampa Emily Barker and Allan Whiting
Design and ProductionDesign amp Production Manager
Agnes Nielsen
E agnesimotorhomecomau
AdvertisingAdvertising Manager
This could be you
E advertisingimotorhomecomau
LegalAll content of iMotorhome eMagazine and website is copyright and cannot be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of content however no responsibility is accepted for any inconvenience andor loss arising from reading andor acting upon information contained within iMotorhome eMagazine or the iMotorhome website
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
About iMotorhome | 3
Caravan_MOT_3Models_AVIDAindd 1 250415 744 PM
ldquoI met my old lover on the street last night She seemed so glad to see me I just smiled And we talked about some old times and we drank ourselves some beers still crazy after all these yearshelliprdquo
Singer-songwriter Paul Simon penned these lyrics which came to mind this week when I also caught up unexpectedly with an old flame Irsquod seen her around but largely ignored her because of my commitments and the knowledge that getting involved again would cause some angst Still she regularly popped into my head and so when we finally couldnrsquot avoid each other any longer it was something of a relief ndash and I have to say she certainly made me smile again
Yes there was pain ndash largely caused by my situational ineptitude ndash but once that was cleared it was just so good to be with her and the angst was quickly forgotten We went out and spent a few hours catching up reminiscing over old times and although we didnrsquot have ourselves any beers there still seemed to be a degree of craziness after all these years
My titanium road bike ndash a Van Nicholas Mistral handmade in Holland ndash has sat rather forlornly at the back of my bike collection in the garage Missy (as shersquos known) had a flat rear tyre and Irsquod put off repairing it for months perhaps a year in fact Shersquos one of modest collection of bikes for all roads and seasons but was my first lsquogoodrsquo bike I bought her new about a year before starting iMotorhome but wersquod had a rocky start due to some componentry
issues and when a good used carbon-fibre Specialized Roubaix (Ruby or course) came along Missy was relegated to second place In the cycling world carbon-fibre bikes rule due to their light weight but titanium is exclusive and has a mystique that sets it apart so I was never going to sell her
Rubyrsquos my every-day bike and needed a rear tyre replacement After only putting it off for a day or so I got to work and the job was quickly done So quickly and easily in fact I thought Irsquod fix Missy while I was on a roll Ouch Obviously not pleased with being overlooked for so long Missy drew blood but Irsquom sure it was my fault Anyway with a new tube in place and a break in the weather we headed out together and it was like falling in love all over again
Why am I sharing this Because we all have neglected items tucked away that need just a little TLC to bring back to life Missy is just a bike but the principal works with people too A little bit of effort ndash some kind words or an apology perhaps ndash can bring a big reward If therersquos something or someone you need to lsquorepairrsquo things with get to it Therersquos still time to be crazy even after all these yearshellip
FArEwELL KEithOur advertising manager Keith Smyth has hung up his phone and decided to join wife Denise in retirement We wish them all the best and with a grandchild recently arrived Irsquom sure theyrsquoll both keep busy Think you can fill his shoes Call me
GEt toGEthErTherersquos still space at our inaugural iMotorhome get together in mid September Come and explore the remarkable ruins at Joadja Creek meet the iMotorhome team and spend a relaxed weekend with a small group of fellow motorhomers See page 10 for details
Old Flameshellip
on my mind | 5
RichardCaravan_MOT_3Models_AVIDAindd 1 250415 744 PM
6 | Content
3 About UsWho we are where and other legal stuff
64 Mobile TechFood Apps For Thought ndash every food lover will appreciate thesehellip
68 Next IssueWhatrsquos coming up and which shows are on soon
9 ResourcesFind back issues and more on our website
22 MarketplaceThe latest Marketplace offers
5 On my MindOld Flameshellip
14 NewsWhatrsquos happening in the wider RV world - and beyond
52 Travel Reader WritesRelocation Road Trip ndash the final instalment of a Hobart-to-Sydney rental relocation
24 Day Test Avida Eyre 2663 SLFresh Eyre ndash now therersquos a slide-out in Avidarsquos Eyre range
38 Project PollyFirst Impressions ndash so far so good
62 Product Review Camp Kitchen ndash for lovers of cooking in the great outdoors
11 On your MindShare your thoughts for the chance to win $50
67 Advertisers IndexAn A to Z of whorsquos in this issue
46 Longtermer Horizon CasuarinaA report card on our longterm Horizon Casuarina
Paradise Motor Homes wwwparadisemotorhomescomau 245 Brisbane Road Biggera Waters Queensland 4216ph (07) 5597 4400 - email infoparadisemotorhomescomau Paradise Motor Homes products are protected by registered designs patents and copyrights trade copy 2013
Australiarsquos Best Quality Motorhomes
Enjoy the prestige of owning Australiarsquos best quality motorhome
bull Outstanding value for money competitively priced from $158000
bull Unrivalled Safety including rollover protection auto-locking cabinetry and superior appliance mounting systems
bull Industryrsquos longest amp most comprehensive motorhome warranty
bull Built for Australian conditions
bull Models available with or without slide-outsbull Superior finish with stylish new contoured exterior bull Patented moulded bins for maximum storage capacitybull Outstanding road handling amp ride comfortbull Genuine island queen beds and huge wardrobes bull Spacious rear ensuites with separate toilet amp shower bull Market leading layouts amp lifestyle featuresbull Full living area slide-outs providing superior living space bull Proven reliability of Paradisersquos patented slide-outs
Relax in Paradise
Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA
iMotorhome
reso
urce
s
because getting there is half the fun
Ask a Question
Back Issues
Road Tests
SubscriptionMarketplace
Reader Survey
Reader Review
User Guide
Magazine Resources
Review and images by Malcolm Street
Dethleffs lsquobabyrsquo A-class is something to ogle athellip
Esprit de Cor Blimey
iMotorhome mag
azin
e
because getting there is half the fun
resources | 9
Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA
The inaugural iMotorhome get-together is being held at of one of Australiarsquos most interesting historical sites ndash Joadja Creek Set deep in a valley on the western fringe of the Southern Highlands of NSW this tranquil and picturesque location was once a thriving industrial centre and township complete with its own railway
Come and meet the iMotorhome team enjoy a guided site tour a tour of the recently completed Joadja Whisky Distillery and delight in an authentic Spanish tapas dinner followed by a few drinks by the camp fire
Wersquove booked out the valley for the weekend but space limited to about 20 motorhomes so book early and secure your spot
Date 11-13 September 2015
Location Joadja Creek Heritage Site NSW
Cost $59 per person
Whatrsquos Includedbull Entry fee
bull 2-nights non-powered camping (FriSat) with basic facilities available
bull Guided historic site tour by the owner
bull Tour of Joadja Whisky Distillery
bull Spanish tapas dinner on Saturday night
ExtrasExtra night (Sun) $6 per person
Beer with dinner $5 each
Wine with dinner $6 glass
Bookings
Email infoimotorhomecomau with your name and contact details and wersquoll put you on the list Payment via EFT required to confirm booking Space is limited so contact us today
Wersquove Booked Out The Valley
iMotorhome mag
azin
e
because getting there is half the fun
1 Due to licensing restrictions BYO is not available with the Saturday night dinner but okay at other times (like around the camp fire)
2 Access is via several kilometres of dirt road The final 2 km can be tricky after heavy rain and we reserve the right to reschedule or cancel the event due to weather conditions In either case a full refund would be offered
3 Access isnrsquot recommended for coach-sized motorhomes but anything up to about 9 m will be fine
Fine Print (please read)
Click for Google Maps
Now includes
Friday night
sausage sizzle
Our little Class-C motorhome came with two privacy curtains across the above-cabin bed which we didnt need or use So we made one long curtain from breathable mozzie net type material that we can tuck under the mattress Now we are more or less guaranteed a good nightrsquos sleep in our mozzie free enclosure
Cheers Steve
Looks like a good idea to me Steve and so simple Please accept this issuersquos $50 for sharing such a simple concept with our readers Irsquom sure others will find it very useful
Hi Richard hope you are well Attached are a couple of pictures for you taken on the maiden voyage in our new Swift Rio motorhome in Cornwall I have been making notes and will submit the owners report (warts and all) soon
Best Regards Ian
Thanks Ian I look forward to it Enjoy summer while it lasts wersquore in the depths of winter at present and Cornwall looks most inviting
Itrsquos only fitting that since Ed has his say in On My Mind you should be able to have yours too If you have anything to say ndash or ask ndash just drop a line to lettersimotorhomecomau and wersquoll share it with our readers Wersquoll also reward
the most interesting useful or thoughtful letter each issue with $50 to help you on your way
On The Flyhellip
Maiden Voyage
Win $50 for the best letteron your mind | 11
Wersquove Booked Out The Valley
Hi Richard I am not sure if this is interesting to you It seems not to be to Scam Watch or the website company Trovit While browsing motor homes on the internet and having my first coffee for the day about three weeks ago I found that someone is advertising the same motor home that we purchased one year ago
Theyrsquove used the same photos picture rego number and write up The address in the same area I contacted the previous owner and he agreed that it was definitely his photos and words and rego I was relieved when I tried to browse the rego number and nothing came up (we changed from NSW to SA registration thank goodness) How can we warn others of scams that we find And is there any one we can report them to have action taken Love the Mag and look forward to reading it when we are home
Cheers Dean
Good on you Chris They look like an excellent solution to the Fiat cupholder issue and at the right price Be sure to send us some photos when installed Dean I can well imagine how upsetting it would be to find someone advertising your motorhome You did the right thing by contacting Scam Watch and the website operator Irsquove contacted the website operator twice on your behalf but again with no response I also contacted the supposed seller again with no response Irsquom surprised Scam Watch wasnrsquot interested so I suggest you contact the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN) by clicking here Hopefully you might get some satisfaction there Good luck and please let me know if you hear anything Irsquoll do the same
Fiat Cup Holders
Scam Alert
12 | on your mind
I downloaded my copy of edition 75 minutes ago and have just ordered the Fiat Ducato cup Holders
Cheers Chris
Good on you Chris They look like an excellent solution to the Fiat cupholder issue and at the right price Be sure to send us some photos when installed
WINNEBAGO BIRDSVILLE
mdash U1191mdash
$108 374 Drive AwaySuit New buyer Only 24000kms
WINNEBAGO ESPERANCE mdash U1265 mdash
$124956 Drive AwayTow Bar Diesel Heater Low kms
TALVOR KEPPEL mdash TA5008 mdash
$117772 Drive AwayOnly 31000kms 6 berth U Shape
Club Lounge
PRE-OWNED
NEW
5 Melrose Drive Wodonga VIC | 02 6024 4222
We Sell Australia Wide Trade-Ins Welcome AWRVWORLDCOMAU
ArsquoVAN OVATION M8 mdash AV2099 mdash
$139355 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options
WINNEBAGO WHITEHAVEN mdash WB6005 mdash
$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$
SUNLINER HOLIDAY H531 mdash SU4040 mdash
$180575 Drive AwayIveco Slideout Bed Washing Machine
DEMO
Webasto Thermo amp Comfort Australia Pty Ltd 423-427 The Boulevarde Kirrawee NSW 2232 Freecall 1800 244 494 infowebastocomau wwwwebastocomau
Webasto ndash your gas free solution for independent travelling
Thermo Top ndashWater Heaters
DieselCook Top
Air Top ndashAir Heaters
Dual Top ndash Combination Heaters
Quiet powerful operation
Low power amp fuel consumption
Use whilst parked amp on the move
Compact and effi cient
Fast heat up times Can be combined with fan radiators to provide cabin heat
Heat amp hot water from one unit
Easy to use multi-function controller
Low power amp fuel consumption
High cooking power up to 1800 W
No naked fl ame and no fumes
Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface
RVCompressorFridges
AU
1325
2
Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers
Available as DC Only or ACDC
Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors
14 | News
WINNER
Following the debut of the Reverse Alert reverse-parking system at the Lismore Show recently we have a winner from those who watched the demonstration and entered
our online guessing competition
ldquoThe winner is Simon from Sandgate in Brisbane who has a Nissan Patrol and two kids aged six and eightrdquo said Ian Costelloe Reverse Alertrsquos Business Development Manager ldquoSimon said his Patrol has a big blind spot so hersquos very happyrdquo
Congratulations Simon wersquore sure yoursquoll love the system once installed If you missed your chance to win be sure to attend the Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show at Toowoomba Showgrounds from 31 July to 2 August Ian will be demonstrating the remarkable Reverse Alert system fitted to our very own Project Polly and wersquoll have a new competition running Donrsquot miss it
EUROPEAN AND CANADIAN RELOCATIONS
The iMoovacom website has spread its wings and is now offering limited opportunities for rental relocations in Europe At the time of writing relocations available included London to
Munich and Rome to Amsterdam both trips costing pound5 per day and allowing 4 days Canada is also on offer now with trips like Calgary to Yellowknife and Halifax to Toronto (which our roadtest editor Malcolm Street is currently experiencing) available at $25 per day
News | 15
FRONTLINE $1200 ACCESSORY OFFER
Frontline Campervans is offering more than $1200 worth of free accessories to buyers of one of its Volkswagen T5 campervans from stock before 31 August The offer
includes side and rear flyscreens plus an outdoor shower Vehicles are available in Sydney Ballina and the Gold CoastBrisbane To see exactly whatrsquos on offer click HERE
READYBRUTE
NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD
10 CHETWYND ST LOGANHOLME 4128 | P 07 3209 6654 | F 07 3209 6729 | E enquiriesnorthcoachcomauRELY ON THE COMPANY WITH EXPERIENCE FOR FITTING BACKUP amp SERVICING OF YOUR A-FRAME
DISTRIBUTORSQLD Loganholme 07 3209 7669 Cairns 07 4051 9375 Hattonvale 07 3333 1806 Bundaberg 1300 229 494NSW Newcastle 02 4948 0433 Penrith 02 4722 3444 Terry Hills 02 9986 2952VIC Ringwood 03 9879 3545 WodongaAlbury 02 6055 8555 Cambellfield 0393574555SA Victor Harbour 08 8552 1010WA Perth 08 9451 3580TAS Hobart 03 6331 2511
A-Frame Towing Specialists for over 15 years
CARRYING A COMPLETE RANGE OF BLUE OX AND READYBRUTE A-FRAMES
AND ACCESSORIES
PROTECT-A-TOW Easy to install and protect your towed vehiclefromstonesandmudThisproductfitsBlueOxandReadyBrute A-Frames and most other Brands
BLUE OX
16 | News
APOLLO NOW WIFI CONNECTED
Yoursquove come to expect WiFi in your hotel and even on cruise ships Now you can use it on your Great Aussie Road triprdquo says
Apollo Motorhome Holidays who has introduced portable WiFi routers for hire with campervans or motorhomes in its Australian fleet
According to CEO Luke Trouchet ldquoItrsquos rare to see a traveller in Australia or New Zealand without a smartphone at their fingertips ndash the humble travel guidebook has all but been replaced by travel websites and apps Wersquove responded to guest requests for WiFi routers so they can easily use their smart devices on the road and where their own mobile phone data coverage may not extendrdquo he said
Usage plans ranging from 60 MB to 3 GB from Australiarsquos largest carrier Telstra At $10 per day with a maximum charge of $50 per rental plus data usage the deal compares favourably with many hotel internet packages International travellers will be the biggest winners gaining access to the internet
at a fraction of the cost of most international data roaming charges
ldquoThe units are removable with re-chargeable batteries so they can be taken out of the rental vehicle allowing WiFi access down at the beach near the camp fire or on a rainforest walk for examplerdquo Mr Trouchet said
Also capitalising on the trend towards online tourism information Apollorsquos New Zealand operations recently launched a free App available to all guests with an iPhone or Android device
ldquoThe lsquoApollo NZ Travel Guidersquo makes sure travellers donrsquot miss a thing on their self-drive holiday with hundreds of points of interest detailed maps up to date local information and prices and a lsquotake me therersquo function to help plan driving routes This is an absolutely fantastic tool for a New Zealand driving holidayrdquo said Trouchet adding that the company is now considering the large undertaking of creating a similar application for Australia To find out more or book an Apollo holiday click HERE
wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit
From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days
Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities
Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone
12 DESTINATIONS
ONLY $999
FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places
Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability
bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation
bull Swing out stove for ease of use
bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty
bull ABS amp ESP safety systems
Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)
Outside Shower (worth over $360)
ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES
Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details
The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind
Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of
Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable
HURRY offer only available while stocks last
SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998
18 | News
Looking for a unique opportunity to create your dream motorhome The ex-mobile library vehicle for the Riverina Regional
Library is for sale and will be auctioned on 5 August in Wagga Wagga Reportedly in very good condition its details are
bull 2004 DAF 55250 pantech truck with 315400 km
bull Custom-built mobile library 10 m long x 25 m wide x 38 m high
bull 6 m x 2 m slide-outbull Fully electronic set-up operation (stabilisers
slide-out awning)bull 2 split-system air conditionersbull Disabled accessbull Automatic electric sliding entry-door
bull Awning over entry doorbull Built-in shelvingbull Kitchen area (sink fridge microwave oven)bull Two-bay IT deskAccording to Robert Knight Executive Director ndash Riverina Regional Library ldquoThis versatile vehicle has many years of life left as a mobile library or could be converted into a fantastic mobile home mobile office or anything else that your imagination can conjure up The vehicle will be auctioned at the Rundles Truck Auction on Wednesday 5 August in Wagga Wagga Check HERE for details or call Brian Plummer Support amp eServices Coordinator ndash Riverina Regional Library on 0417 221917
CONVERSION OPPORTUNITY
World First Collision Avoidance System
Reverse Alert is a world first automatic braking technology that can be applied to any vehicle ndash new or used
When the reverse gear is selected the rear sensors are activated If the sensors detect an object the brake is automatically applied - requiring no driver input
EXHIBITION AND DEMONSTRATIONS AT 2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure and Motoring Expo 31 July - 2 August 2015Toowoomba Showgrounds302 Glenvale Road Toowoomba QLD - Special show prices
- Speak directly with experts - See how the technology
works
For further information on this Australian invention visit
wwwreversealertaustraliacomau
REVERSE ALERTREVERSE ALERT Protect your investment
and the people around you
20 | News
From 1 September 2015 double demerit points will apply for second or subsequent mobile phone offences that are committed
by drivers within one year of an earlier offence
The first time you get an infringement notice for using a mobile phone while driving you will be allocated three demerit points If you use a mobile phone while driving again within 12 months of the first offence you will be allocated another 3 demerit points At that point you will also receive an additional three demerit points for it being within one year of the first offence That means nine demerit points in total for two infringements The mobile phone offences that could result in double demerit points being allocated are
bull any driver using a hand-held mobile phone
while driving (including when stopped in traffic or at traffic lights)
bull any use of mobile phones by learner and P1 provisional licence holders under 25 years of age and P1 probationary licence holders
You do not necessarily have to commit the same type of mobile phone offence a second or subsequent time to be allocated double demerit points any driver mobile phone offence counts For example the person could commit a first offence while a young driver by using a mobile phone on loudspeaker and commit a second offence by engaging in a phone call holding the phone in their hand Double demerit points are also applied all year round in Queensland to people who repeatedly commit certain speeding seatbelt and motorbike helmet offences
QUEENSLAND DRIVERS BE WARNED
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
News | 21
Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans
On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT
BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE
Expedition Vehicles
222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077
infotrailblazersrvcomwwwtrailblazersrvcom
COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS
EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS
LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO
A traveller suffered cuts to his arms hands and head after knife-wielding bogus police attempted to rob him in NSW
The terrified 53-year-old man was attacked when the men forced their way into his campervan parked in the Shellharbour suburb of Barrack Heights NSW The men were said to have identified themselves as police officers and produced what appeared to be police badges But when the victim asked for additional identification they forcibly put tape over his eyes and around his arms and legs They demanded money but fled empty handed when a relative of the man approached the RV from caravanningnewscom
BEWARE BOGUS POLICE
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
22 | imotorhome marketplace
Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can
look after everything
This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great
artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it
An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new
motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the
Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your
needs too
Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and
Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is
perfect for motorhomes
In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country
and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo
on our website too
Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and
built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from
24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information
T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau
T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom
T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau
T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau
T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau
Parkland RV Centre
Bony Mountain Folk Festival
iTech World Wellington Shire
Roberts RV World RV Specialists
We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes
Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety
Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric
cart or in your motorhome
T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau
T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau
Airbag Man Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V
power specialists
T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau
Battery Traders Super Store Taronga
Western Plains Zoo
imotorhome marketplace | 23
The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults
LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR RV OWNERS
The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km
in ideal conditions Super light
too at 108kg Folds away
quite compact for small storage
To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email
mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom
1
bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support
5th wheeler specialist
hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available
The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system - for those who enjoy a comfortable
nights sleep but hate making the bed All the comforts of home while you explore the extraordinary To order simply call (08) 9336 7714 or email infoduvalaycomau
wwwduvalaycomau
Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed
lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your
motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting
Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin
Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the
Australian market Click through to find out why theyrsquore fast becoming
Australiarsquos favourite tooT (02) 9011 8144W nomadicsolutionscomau
T 0411 616 617W tiffinmotorhomescomau
Nomadic Solutions Tiffin Motorhomes
SSoouutthheerrnnCCaammppeerrvvaannss
SSppiirriitt
sliding amp rear doorFLY SCREEN
shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229
Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13
wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
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FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR
MOTORHOMEStore those additional items up and out of
the way using our adjustable transportable and modular storage system
wwwskytrackscomau
Avidarsquos slide-out Eyre is a fresh design from Australiarsquos largest manufacturerhellip
24 | Day test Avida Eyre B7663 SL
Fresh Eyre
by Malcolm Street
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different Apart from being a sleek looking motorhome the original layout had a
very distinctive European look about it By that I mean it was a layout that generally used space in a very effective way and didnt have a great deal of empty space ndash if you understand the distinction
More recently Avida introduced an Eyre model with an kerbside slide-out It still uses much of the design from the original layout but naturally has more internal area when the slide-out is open
The Vehicle
Given the Eyre is rather a low-slung looking motorhome its no surprise it comes with a Fiat Ducato X295 cab
bolted to an AL-KO chassis The Ducato is the Multijet 180 variant with the 30-litre 132 kW400 Nm turbo diesel Like most of the rest of the Avida fleet the Eyre is built using a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof Moulded fibreglass is used for the front and rear panels while the walls are laminated together with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one piece floor has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underbody protection
Earlier Eyre designs did have a bit of a problem with external storage capacity but a large rear boot with doors on both sides and the rear wall plus two lockers on the kerb side works very well The 2 x 4 kg gas cylinders live in a locker on the other side just aft of the driverrsquos cab door Just a small issue to keep in mind is that if the side bin doors are open then
An editorial mix-up explains the Avida Eyre in this review not the Birdsville as promised last issue Apologies but the Eyre is technically more interesting while Avida claims it to be the ldquolowest profile motorhome in the marketrdquo
Day test | 25
the side windows cannot be opened or closed properly ndash not a major drama
The house batteries charger and 12 V fuses are in a compartment accessed via the rear boot just inside the kerb-side door About the only problem with this arrangement is it isnrsquot easy to get to the fuses
On The Road
Given the 3504 kg tare weight the Eyre SL is quite a nimble performer certainly on the open road and most of the time
around town except when the six-speed AMT
gearbox decides to dither around a bit in the lower gears Although the Ducato is the latest one from Fiat the review model still did not come with cup holders instead of the hinged compartment in the centre console
A better class of radioCD player does seem to be fitted these days One of the little features I liked about driving the Eyre was the ability to leave the Skyview hatch open when travelling It provides fresh air without the buffeting from open driverpassenger windows
Right The boot doorwindow conflict Below The slide-out is kitchen-only and doesnrsquot add much weight or complexity
Note the large side doors at the rear for the boot plus a door in the rear wall
26 | Day test
Living Inside
Compared to the non-slide-out model Eyre there isnt much
difference in the rear That means there is an island bed with a split bathroom ahead of it In the front though things are very different In the earlier (non-slide) model both the driver and passenger seats
swivel and mesh in with a sideways-facing seat behind the passenger and a forward-facing two-person lounge with table behind the driver That leaves space in the mid area opposite the entry door for the kitchen
But the slide-out changes all this For a start the entry door is moved slightly rearwards
while most of the kitchen ndash the cooker and two-door fridge ndash are now located in the slide-out Both cab seats swivel and theres an L-shaped lounge behind the passenger seat but the drivers seat is somewhat blocked by a kitchen bench
If more kitchen area is desirable the slide-out model is definitely the winner
Day test | 27
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
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31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
The Most Recognised Name in Motorhomesreg
2015 motorhome range now available nationwide
Proudly Australian designed and built in our Brisbane factory
Accept no imitations
Find a Winnebago dealership near you Visit
wwwgowinnebagocomau
Licensee and authorised distributor of Winnebago Industries Inc Forest City Iowa USA
AUSTRALIA amp NEW ZEALAND
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iMotorhome eMagazine is published twice monthly and available by free subscription from wwwimotorhomecomau
Your letters and contributions are always welcome
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Published by iMotorhomePO Box 1738 Bowral NSW 2576 Australia
ABN 34 142 547 719
T +614 14 604 368
E infoimotorhomecomau
W wwwimotorhomecomau
EditorialPublisherManaging Editor
Richard Robertson
T 0414 604 368
E richardimotorhomecomau
Roadtest Editor
Malcolm Street
E malcolmimotorhomecomau
Contributors
Jess Ciampa Emily Barker and Allan Whiting
Design and ProductionDesign amp Production Manager
Agnes Nielsen
E agnesimotorhomecomau
AdvertisingAdvertising Manager
This could be you
E advertisingimotorhomecomau
LegalAll content of iMotorhome eMagazine and website is copyright and cannot be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of content however no responsibility is accepted for any inconvenience andor loss arising from reading andor acting upon information contained within iMotorhome eMagazine or the iMotorhome website
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
About iMotorhome | 3
Caravan_MOT_3Models_AVIDAindd 1 250415 744 PM
ldquoI met my old lover on the street last night She seemed so glad to see me I just smiled And we talked about some old times and we drank ourselves some beers still crazy after all these yearshelliprdquo
Singer-songwriter Paul Simon penned these lyrics which came to mind this week when I also caught up unexpectedly with an old flame Irsquod seen her around but largely ignored her because of my commitments and the knowledge that getting involved again would cause some angst Still she regularly popped into my head and so when we finally couldnrsquot avoid each other any longer it was something of a relief ndash and I have to say she certainly made me smile again
Yes there was pain ndash largely caused by my situational ineptitude ndash but once that was cleared it was just so good to be with her and the angst was quickly forgotten We went out and spent a few hours catching up reminiscing over old times and although we didnrsquot have ourselves any beers there still seemed to be a degree of craziness after all these years
My titanium road bike ndash a Van Nicholas Mistral handmade in Holland ndash has sat rather forlornly at the back of my bike collection in the garage Missy (as shersquos known) had a flat rear tyre and Irsquod put off repairing it for months perhaps a year in fact Shersquos one of modest collection of bikes for all roads and seasons but was my first lsquogoodrsquo bike I bought her new about a year before starting iMotorhome but wersquod had a rocky start due to some componentry
issues and when a good used carbon-fibre Specialized Roubaix (Ruby or course) came along Missy was relegated to second place In the cycling world carbon-fibre bikes rule due to their light weight but titanium is exclusive and has a mystique that sets it apart so I was never going to sell her
Rubyrsquos my every-day bike and needed a rear tyre replacement After only putting it off for a day or so I got to work and the job was quickly done So quickly and easily in fact I thought Irsquod fix Missy while I was on a roll Ouch Obviously not pleased with being overlooked for so long Missy drew blood but Irsquom sure it was my fault Anyway with a new tube in place and a break in the weather we headed out together and it was like falling in love all over again
Why am I sharing this Because we all have neglected items tucked away that need just a little TLC to bring back to life Missy is just a bike but the principal works with people too A little bit of effort ndash some kind words or an apology perhaps ndash can bring a big reward If therersquos something or someone you need to lsquorepairrsquo things with get to it Therersquos still time to be crazy even after all these yearshellip
FArEwELL KEithOur advertising manager Keith Smyth has hung up his phone and decided to join wife Denise in retirement We wish them all the best and with a grandchild recently arrived Irsquom sure theyrsquoll both keep busy Think you can fill his shoes Call me
GEt toGEthErTherersquos still space at our inaugural iMotorhome get together in mid September Come and explore the remarkable ruins at Joadja Creek meet the iMotorhome team and spend a relaxed weekend with a small group of fellow motorhomers See page 10 for details
Old Flameshellip
on my mind | 5
RichardCaravan_MOT_3Models_AVIDAindd 1 250415 744 PM
6 | Content
3 About UsWho we are where and other legal stuff
64 Mobile TechFood Apps For Thought ndash every food lover will appreciate thesehellip
68 Next IssueWhatrsquos coming up and which shows are on soon
9 ResourcesFind back issues and more on our website
22 MarketplaceThe latest Marketplace offers
5 On my MindOld Flameshellip
14 NewsWhatrsquos happening in the wider RV world - and beyond
52 Travel Reader WritesRelocation Road Trip ndash the final instalment of a Hobart-to-Sydney rental relocation
24 Day Test Avida Eyre 2663 SLFresh Eyre ndash now therersquos a slide-out in Avidarsquos Eyre range
38 Project PollyFirst Impressions ndash so far so good
62 Product Review Camp Kitchen ndash for lovers of cooking in the great outdoors
11 On your MindShare your thoughts for the chance to win $50
67 Advertisers IndexAn A to Z of whorsquos in this issue
46 Longtermer Horizon CasuarinaA report card on our longterm Horizon Casuarina
Paradise Motor Homes wwwparadisemotorhomescomau 245 Brisbane Road Biggera Waters Queensland 4216ph (07) 5597 4400 - email infoparadisemotorhomescomau Paradise Motor Homes products are protected by registered designs patents and copyrights trade copy 2013
Australiarsquos Best Quality Motorhomes
Enjoy the prestige of owning Australiarsquos best quality motorhome
bull Outstanding value for money competitively priced from $158000
bull Unrivalled Safety including rollover protection auto-locking cabinetry and superior appliance mounting systems
bull Industryrsquos longest amp most comprehensive motorhome warranty
bull Built for Australian conditions
bull Models available with or without slide-outsbull Superior finish with stylish new contoured exterior bull Patented moulded bins for maximum storage capacitybull Outstanding road handling amp ride comfortbull Genuine island queen beds and huge wardrobes bull Spacious rear ensuites with separate toilet amp shower bull Market leading layouts amp lifestyle featuresbull Full living area slide-outs providing superior living space bull Proven reliability of Paradisersquos patented slide-outs
Relax in Paradise
Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA
iMotorhome
reso
urce
s
because getting there is half the fun
Ask a Question
Back Issues
Road Tests
SubscriptionMarketplace
Reader Survey
Reader Review
User Guide
Magazine Resources
Review and images by Malcolm Street
Dethleffs lsquobabyrsquo A-class is something to ogle athellip
Esprit de Cor Blimey
iMotorhome mag
azin
e
because getting there is half the fun
resources | 9
Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA
The inaugural iMotorhome get-together is being held at of one of Australiarsquos most interesting historical sites ndash Joadja Creek Set deep in a valley on the western fringe of the Southern Highlands of NSW this tranquil and picturesque location was once a thriving industrial centre and township complete with its own railway
Come and meet the iMotorhome team enjoy a guided site tour a tour of the recently completed Joadja Whisky Distillery and delight in an authentic Spanish tapas dinner followed by a few drinks by the camp fire
Wersquove booked out the valley for the weekend but space limited to about 20 motorhomes so book early and secure your spot
Date 11-13 September 2015
Location Joadja Creek Heritage Site NSW
Cost $59 per person
Whatrsquos Includedbull Entry fee
bull 2-nights non-powered camping (FriSat) with basic facilities available
bull Guided historic site tour by the owner
bull Tour of Joadja Whisky Distillery
bull Spanish tapas dinner on Saturday night
ExtrasExtra night (Sun) $6 per person
Beer with dinner $5 each
Wine with dinner $6 glass
Bookings
Email infoimotorhomecomau with your name and contact details and wersquoll put you on the list Payment via EFT required to confirm booking Space is limited so contact us today
Wersquove Booked Out The Valley
iMotorhome mag
azin
e
because getting there is half the fun
1 Due to licensing restrictions BYO is not available with the Saturday night dinner but okay at other times (like around the camp fire)
2 Access is via several kilometres of dirt road The final 2 km can be tricky after heavy rain and we reserve the right to reschedule or cancel the event due to weather conditions In either case a full refund would be offered
3 Access isnrsquot recommended for coach-sized motorhomes but anything up to about 9 m will be fine
Fine Print (please read)
Click for Google Maps
Now includes
Friday night
sausage sizzle
Our little Class-C motorhome came with two privacy curtains across the above-cabin bed which we didnt need or use So we made one long curtain from breathable mozzie net type material that we can tuck under the mattress Now we are more or less guaranteed a good nightrsquos sleep in our mozzie free enclosure
Cheers Steve
Looks like a good idea to me Steve and so simple Please accept this issuersquos $50 for sharing such a simple concept with our readers Irsquom sure others will find it very useful
Hi Richard hope you are well Attached are a couple of pictures for you taken on the maiden voyage in our new Swift Rio motorhome in Cornwall I have been making notes and will submit the owners report (warts and all) soon
Best Regards Ian
Thanks Ian I look forward to it Enjoy summer while it lasts wersquore in the depths of winter at present and Cornwall looks most inviting
Itrsquos only fitting that since Ed has his say in On My Mind you should be able to have yours too If you have anything to say ndash or ask ndash just drop a line to lettersimotorhomecomau and wersquoll share it with our readers Wersquoll also reward
the most interesting useful or thoughtful letter each issue with $50 to help you on your way
On The Flyhellip
Maiden Voyage
Win $50 for the best letteron your mind | 11
Wersquove Booked Out The Valley
Hi Richard I am not sure if this is interesting to you It seems not to be to Scam Watch or the website company Trovit While browsing motor homes on the internet and having my first coffee for the day about three weeks ago I found that someone is advertising the same motor home that we purchased one year ago
Theyrsquove used the same photos picture rego number and write up The address in the same area I contacted the previous owner and he agreed that it was definitely his photos and words and rego I was relieved when I tried to browse the rego number and nothing came up (we changed from NSW to SA registration thank goodness) How can we warn others of scams that we find And is there any one we can report them to have action taken Love the Mag and look forward to reading it when we are home
Cheers Dean
Good on you Chris They look like an excellent solution to the Fiat cupholder issue and at the right price Be sure to send us some photos when installed Dean I can well imagine how upsetting it would be to find someone advertising your motorhome You did the right thing by contacting Scam Watch and the website operator Irsquove contacted the website operator twice on your behalf but again with no response I also contacted the supposed seller again with no response Irsquom surprised Scam Watch wasnrsquot interested so I suggest you contact the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN) by clicking here Hopefully you might get some satisfaction there Good luck and please let me know if you hear anything Irsquoll do the same
Fiat Cup Holders
Scam Alert
12 | on your mind
I downloaded my copy of edition 75 minutes ago and have just ordered the Fiat Ducato cup Holders
Cheers Chris
Good on you Chris They look like an excellent solution to the Fiat cupholder issue and at the right price Be sure to send us some photos when installed
WINNEBAGO BIRDSVILLE
mdash U1191mdash
$108 374 Drive AwaySuit New buyer Only 24000kms
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$124956 Drive AwayTow Bar Diesel Heater Low kms
TALVOR KEPPEL mdash TA5008 mdash
$117772 Drive AwayOnly 31000kms 6 berth U Shape
Club Lounge
PRE-OWNED
NEW
5 Melrose Drive Wodonga VIC | 02 6024 4222
We Sell Australia Wide Trade-Ins Welcome AWRVWORLDCOMAU
ArsquoVAN OVATION M8 mdash AV2099 mdash
$139355 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options
WINNEBAGO WHITEHAVEN mdash WB6005 mdash
$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$
SUNLINER HOLIDAY H531 mdash SU4040 mdash
$180575 Drive AwayIveco Slideout Bed Washing Machine
DEMO
Webasto Thermo amp Comfort Australia Pty Ltd 423-427 The Boulevarde Kirrawee NSW 2232 Freecall 1800 244 494 infowebastocomau wwwwebastocomau
Webasto ndash your gas free solution for independent travelling
Thermo Top ndashWater Heaters
DieselCook Top
Air Top ndashAir Heaters
Dual Top ndash Combination Heaters
Quiet powerful operation
Low power amp fuel consumption
Use whilst parked amp on the move
Compact and effi cient
Fast heat up times Can be combined with fan radiators to provide cabin heat
Heat amp hot water from one unit
Easy to use multi-function controller
Low power amp fuel consumption
High cooking power up to 1800 W
No naked fl ame and no fumes
Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface
RVCompressorFridges
AU
1325
2
Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers
Available as DC Only or ACDC
Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors
14 | News
WINNER
Following the debut of the Reverse Alert reverse-parking system at the Lismore Show recently we have a winner from those who watched the demonstration and entered
our online guessing competition
ldquoThe winner is Simon from Sandgate in Brisbane who has a Nissan Patrol and two kids aged six and eightrdquo said Ian Costelloe Reverse Alertrsquos Business Development Manager ldquoSimon said his Patrol has a big blind spot so hersquos very happyrdquo
Congratulations Simon wersquore sure yoursquoll love the system once installed If you missed your chance to win be sure to attend the Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show at Toowoomba Showgrounds from 31 July to 2 August Ian will be demonstrating the remarkable Reverse Alert system fitted to our very own Project Polly and wersquoll have a new competition running Donrsquot miss it
EUROPEAN AND CANADIAN RELOCATIONS
The iMoovacom website has spread its wings and is now offering limited opportunities for rental relocations in Europe At the time of writing relocations available included London to
Munich and Rome to Amsterdam both trips costing pound5 per day and allowing 4 days Canada is also on offer now with trips like Calgary to Yellowknife and Halifax to Toronto (which our roadtest editor Malcolm Street is currently experiencing) available at $25 per day
News | 15
FRONTLINE $1200 ACCESSORY OFFER
Frontline Campervans is offering more than $1200 worth of free accessories to buyers of one of its Volkswagen T5 campervans from stock before 31 August The offer
includes side and rear flyscreens plus an outdoor shower Vehicles are available in Sydney Ballina and the Gold CoastBrisbane To see exactly whatrsquos on offer click HERE
READYBRUTE
NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD
10 CHETWYND ST LOGANHOLME 4128 | P 07 3209 6654 | F 07 3209 6729 | E enquiriesnorthcoachcomauRELY ON THE COMPANY WITH EXPERIENCE FOR FITTING BACKUP amp SERVICING OF YOUR A-FRAME
DISTRIBUTORSQLD Loganholme 07 3209 7669 Cairns 07 4051 9375 Hattonvale 07 3333 1806 Bundaberg 1300 229 494NSW Newcastle 02 4948 0433 Penrith 02 4722 3444 Terry Hills 02 9986 2952VIC Ringwood 03 9879 3545 WodongaAlbury 02 6055 8555 Cambellfield 0393574555SA Victor Harbour 08 8552 1010WA Perth 08 9451 3580TAS Hobart 03 6331 2511
A-Frame Towing Specialists for over 15 years
CARRYING A COMPLETE RANGE OF BLUE OX AND READYBRUTE A-FRAMES
AND ACCESSORIES
PROTECT-A-TOW Easy to install and protect your towed vehiclefromstonesandmudThisproductfitsBlueOxandReadyBrute A-Frames and most other Brands
BLUE OX
16 | News
APOLLO NOW WIFI CONNECTED
Yoursquove come to expect WiFi in your hotel and even on cruise ships Now you can use it on your Great Aussie Road triprdquo says
Apollo Motorhome Holidays who has introduced portable WiFi routers for hire with campervans or motorhomes in its Australian fleet
According to CEO Luke Trouchet ldquoItrsquos rare to see a traveller in Australia or New Zealand without a smartphone at their fingertips ndash the humble travel guidebook has all but been replaced by travel websites and apps Wersquove responded to guest requests for WiFi routers so they can easily use their smart devices on the road and where their own mobile phone data coverage may not extendrdquo he said
Usage plans ranging from 60 MB to 3 GB from Australiarsquos largest carrier Telstra At $10 per day with a maximum charge of $50 per rental plus data usage the deal compares favourably with many hotel internet packages International travellers will be the biggest winners gaining access to the internet
at a fraction of the cost of most international data roaming charges
ldquoThe units are removable with re-chargeable batteries so they can be taken out of the rental vehicle allowing WiFi access down at the beach near the camp fire or on a rainforest walk for examplerdquo Mr Trouchet said
Also capitalising on the trend towards online tourism information Apollorsquos New Zealand operations recently launched a free App available to all guests with an iPhone or Android device
ldquoThe lsquoApollo NZ Travel Guidersquo makes sure travellers donrsquot miss a thing on their self-drive holiday with hundreds of points of interest detailed maps up to date local information and prices and a lsquotake me therersquo function to help plan driving routes This is an absolutely fantastic tool for a New Zealand driving holidayrdquo said Trouchet adding that the company is now considering the large undertaking of creating a similar application for Australia To find out more or book an Apollo holiday click HERE
wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit
From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days
Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities
Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone
12 DESTINATIONS
ONLY $999
FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places
Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability
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Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)
Outside Shower (worth over $360)
ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES
Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details
The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind
Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of
Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable
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SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998
18 | News
Looking for a unique opportunity to create your dream motorhome The ex-mobile library vehicle for the Riverina Regional
Library is for sale and will be auctioned on 5 August in Wagga Wagga Reportedly in very good condition its details are
bull 2004 DAF 55250 pantech truck with 315400 km
bull Custom-built mobile library 10 m long x 25 m wide x 38 m high
bull 6 m x 2 m slide-outbull Fully electronic set-up operation (stabilisers
slide-out awning)bull 2 split-system air conditionersbull Disabled accessbull Automatic electric sliding entry-door
bull Awning over entry doorbull Built-in shelvingbull Kitchen area (sink fridge microwave oven)bull Two-bay IT deskAccording to Robert Knight Executive Director ndash Riverina Regional Library ldquoThis versatile vehicle has many years of life left as a mobile library or could be converted into a fantastic mobile home mobile office or anything else that your imagination can conjure up The vehicle will be auctioned at the Rundles Truck Auction on Wednesday 5 August in Wagga Wagga Check HERE for details or call Brian Plummer Support amp eServices Coordinator ndash Riverina Regional Library on 0417 221917
CONVERSION OPPORTUNITY
World First Collision Avoidance System
Reverse Alert is a world first automatic braking technology that can be applied to any vehicle ndash new or used
When the reverse gear is selected the rear sensors are activated If the sensors detect an object the brake is automatically applied - requiring no driver input
EXHIBITION AND DEMONSTRATIONS AT 2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure and Motoring Expo 31 July - 2 August 2015Toowoomba Showgrounds302 Glenvale Road Toowoomba QLD - Special show prices
- Speak directly with experts - See how the technology
works
For further information on this Australian invention visit
wwwreversealertaustraliacomau
REVERSE ALERTREVERSE ALERT Protect your investment
and the people around you
20 | News
From 1 September 2015 double demerit points will apply for second or subsequent mobile phone offences that are committed
by drivers within one year of an earlier offence
The first time you get an infringement notice for using a mobile phone while driving you will be allocated three demerit points If you use a mobile phone while driving again within 12 months of the first offence you will be allocated another 3 demerit points At that point you will also receive an additional three demerit points for it being within one year of the first offence That means nine demerit points in total for two infringements The mobile phone offences that could result in double demerit points being allocated are
bull any driver using a hand-held mobile phone
while driving (including when stopped in traffic or at traffic lights)
bull any use of mobile phones by learner and P1 provisional licence holders under 25 years of age and P1 probationary licence holders
You do not necessarily have to commit the same type of mobile phone offence a second or subsequent time to be allocated double demerit points any driver mobile phone offence counts For example the person could commit a first offence while a young driver by using a mobile phone on loudspeaker and commit a second offence by engaging in a phone call holding the phone in their hand Double demerit points are also applied all year round in Queensland to people who repeatedly commit certain speeding seatbelt and motorbike helmet offences
QUEENSLAND DRIVERS BE WARNED
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
News | 21
Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans
On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT
BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE
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LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO
A traveller suffered cuts to his arms hands and head after knife-wielding bogus police attempted to rob him in NSW
The terrified 53-year-old man was attacked when the men forced their way into his campervan parked in the Shellharbour suburb of Barrack Heights NSW The men were said to have identified themselves as police officers and produced what appeared to be police badges But when the victim asked for additional identification they forcibly put tape over his eyes and around his arms and legs They demanded money but fled empty handed when a relative of the man approached the RV from caravanningnewscom
BEWARE BOGUS POLICE
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
22 | imotorhome marketplace
Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can
look after everything
This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great
artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it
An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new
motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the
Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your
needs too
Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and
Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is
perfect for motorhomes
In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country
and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo
on our website too
Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and
built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from
24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information
T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau
T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom
T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau
T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau
T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau
Parkland RV Centre
Bony Mountain Folk Festival
iTech World Wellington Shire
Roberts RV World RV Specialists
We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes
Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety
Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric
cart or in your motorhome
T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau
T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau
Airbag Man Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V
power specialists
T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau
Battery Traders Super Store Taronga
Western Plains Zoo
imotorhome marketplace | 23
The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults
LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR RV OWNERS
The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km
in ideal conditions Super light
too at 108kg Folds away
quite compact for small storage
To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email
mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom
1
bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support
5th wheeler specialist
hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available
The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system - for those who enjoy a comfortable
nights sleep but hate making the bed All the comforts of home while you explore the extraordinary To order simply call (08) 9336 7714 or email infoduvalaycomau
wwwduvalaycomau
Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed
lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your
motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting
Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin
Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the
Australian market Click through to find out why theyrsquore fast becoming
Australiarsquos favourite tooT (02) 9011 8144W nomadicsolutionscomau
T 0411 616 617W tiffinmotorhomescomau
Nomadic Solutions Tiffin Motorhomes
SSoouutthheerrnnCCaammppeerrvvaannss
SSppiirriitt
sliding amp rear doorFLY SCREEN
shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229
Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13
wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR
MOTORHOMEStore those additional items up and out of
the way using our adjustable transportable and modular storage system
wwwskytrackscomau
Avidarsquos slide-out Eyre is a fresh design from Australiarsquos largest manufacturerhellip
24 | Day test Avida Eyre B7663 SL
Fresh Eyre
by Malcolm Street
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different Apart from being a sleek looking motorhome the original layout had a
very distinctive European look about it By that I mean it was a layout that generally used space in a very effective way and didnt have a great deal of empty space ndash if you understand the distinction
More recently Avida introduced an Eyre model with an kerbside slide-out It still uses much of the design from the original layout but naturally has more internal area when the slide-out is open
The Vehicle
Given the Eyre is rather a low-slung looking motorhome its no surprise it comes with a Fiat Ducato X295 cab
bolted to an AL-KO chassis The Ducato is the Multijet 180 variant with the 30-litre 132 kW400 Nm turbo diesel Like most of the rest of the Avida fleet the Eyre is built using a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof Moulded fibreglass is used for the front and rear panels while the walls are laminated together with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one piece floor has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underbody protection
Earlier Eyre designs did have a bit of a problem with external storage capacity but a large rear boot with doors on both sides and the rear wall plus two lockers on the kerb side works very well The 2 x 4 kg gas cylinders live in a locker on the other side just aft of the driverrsquos cab door Just a small issue to keep in mind is that if the side bin doors are open then
An editorial mix-up explains the Avida Eyre in this review not the Birdsville as promised last issue Apologies but the Eyre is technically more interesting while Avida claims it to be the ldquolowest profile motorhome in the marketrdquo
Day test | 25
the side windows cannot be opened or closed properly ndash not a major drama
The house batteries charger and 12 V fuses are in a compartment accessed via the rear boot just inside the kerb-side door About the only problem with this arrangement is it isnrsquot easy to get to the fuses
On The Road
Given the 3504 kg tare weight the Eyre SL is quite a nimble performer certainly on the open road and most of the time
around town except when the six-speed AMT
gearbox decides to dither around a bit in the lower gears Although the Ducato is the latest one from Fiat the review model still did not come with cup holders instead of the hinged compartment in the centre console
A better class of radioCD player does seem to be fitted these days One of the little features I liked about driving the Eyre was the ability to leave the Skyview hatch open when travelling It provides fresh air without the buffeting from open driverpassenger windows
Right The boot doorwindow conflict Below The slide-out is kitchen-only and doesnrsquot add much weight or complexity
Note the large side doors at the rear for the boot plus a door in the rear wall
26 | Day test
Living Inside
Compared to the non-slide-out model Eyre there isnt much
difference in the rear That means there is an island bed with a split bathroom ahead of it In the front though things are very different In the earlier (non-slide) model both the driver and passenger seats
swivel and mesh in with a sideways-facing seat behind the passenger and a forward-facing two-person lounge with table behind the driver That leaves space in the mid area opposite the entry door for the kitchen
But the slide-out changes all this For a start the entry door is moved slightly rearwards
while most of the kitchen ndash the cooker and two-door fridge ndash are now located in the slide-out Both cab seats swivel and theres an L-shaped lounge behind the passenger seat but the drivers seat is somewhat blocked by a kitchen bench
If more kitchen area is desirable the slide-out model is definitely the winner
Day test | 27
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
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Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
iMotorhome eMagazine is published twice monthly and available by free subscription from wwwimotorhomecomau
Your letters and contributions are always welcome
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Published by iMotorhomePO Box 1738 Bowral NSW 2576 Australia
ABN 34 142 547 719
T +614 14 604 368
E infoimotorhomecomau
W wwwimotorhomecomau
EditorialPublisherManaging Editor
Richard Robertson
T 0414 604 368
E richardimotorhomecomau
Roadtest Editor
Malcolm Street
E malcolmimotorhomecomau
Contributors
Jess Ciampa Emily Barker and Allan Whiting
Design and ProductionDesign amp Production Manager
Agnes Nielsen
E agnesimotorhomecomau
AdvertisingAdvertising Manager
This could be you
E advertisingimotorhomecomau
LegalAll content of iMotorhome eMagazine and website is copyright and cannot be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of content however no responsibility is accepted for any inconvenience andor loss arising from reading andor acting upon information contained within iMotorhome eMagazine or the iMotorhome website
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
About iMotorhome | 3
Caravan_MOT_3Models_AVIDAindd 1 250415 744 PM
ldquoI met my old lover on the street last night She seemed so glad to see me I just smiled And we talked about some old times and we drank ourselves some beers still crazy after all these yearshelliprdquo
Singer-songwriter Paul Simon penned these lyrics which came to mind this week when I also caught up unexpectedly with an old flame Irsquod seen her around but largely ignored her because of my commitments and the knowledge that getting involved again would cause some angst Still she regularly popped into my head and so when we finally couldnrsquot avoid each other any longer it was something of a relief ndash and I have to say she certainly made me smile again
Yes there was pain ndash largely caused by my situational ineptitude ndash but once that was cleared it was just so good to be with her and the angst was quickly forgotten We went out and spent a few hours catching up reminiscing over old times and although we didnrsquot have ourselves any beers there still seemed to be a degree of craziness after all these years
My titanium road bike ndash a Van Nicholas Mistral handmade in Holland ndash has sat rather forlornly at the back of my bike collection in the garage Missy (as shersquos known) had a flat rear tyre and Irsquod put off repairing it for months perhaps a year in fact Shersquos one of modest collection of bikes for all roads and seasons but was my first lsquogoodrsquo bike I bought her new about a year before starting iMotorhome but wersquod had a rocky start due to some componentry
issues and when a good used carbon-fibre Specialized Roubaix (Ruby or course) came along Missy was relegated to second place In the cycling world carbon-fibre bikes rule due to their light weight but titanium is exclusive and has a mystique that sets it apart so I was never going to sell her
Rubyrsquos my every-day bike and needed a rear tyre replacement After only putting it off for a day or so I got to work and the job was quickly done So quickly and easily in fact I thought Irsquod fix Missy while I was on a roll Ouch Obviously not pleased with being overlooked for so long Missy drew blood but Irsquom sure it was my fault Anyway with a new tube in place and a break in the weather we headed out together and it was like falling in love all over again
Why am I sharing this Because we all have neglected items tucked away that need just a little TLC to bring back to life Missy is just a bike but the principal works with people too A little bit of effort ndash some kind words or an apology perhaps ndash can bring a big reward If therersquos something or someone you need to lsquorepairrsquo things with get to it Therersquos still time to be crazy even after all these yearshellip
FArEwELL KEithOur advertising manager Keith Smyth has hung up his phone and decided to join wife Denise in retirement We wish them all the best and with a grandchild recently arrived Irsquom sure theyrsquoll both keep busy Think you can fill his shoes Call me
GEt toGEthErTherersquos still space at our inaugural iMotorhome get together in mid September Come and explore the remarkable ruins at Joadja Creek meet the iMotorhome team and spend a relaxed weekend with a small group of fellow motorhomers See page 10 for details
Old Flameshellip
on my mind | 5
RichardCaravan_MOT_3Models_AVIDAindd 1 250415 744 PM
6 | Content
3 About UsWho we are where and other legal stuff
64 Mobile TechFood Apps For Thought ndash every food lover will appreciate thesehellip
68 Next IssueWhatrsquos coming up and which shows are on soon
9 ResourcesFind back issues and more on our website
22 MarketplaceThe latest Marketplace offers
5 On my MindOld Flameshellip
14 NewsWhatrsquos happening in the wider RV world - and beyond
52 Travel Reader WritesRelocation Road Trip ndash the final instalment of a Hobart-to-Sydney rental relocation
24 Day Test Avida Eyre 2663 SLFresh Eyre ndash now therersquos a slide-out in Avidarsquos Eyre range
38 Project PollyFirst Impressions ndash so far so good
62 Product Review Camp Kitchen ndash for lovers of cooking in the great outdoors
11 On your MindShare your thoughts for the chance to win $50
67 Advertisers IndexAn A to Z of whorsquos in this issue
46 Longtermer Horizon CasuarinaA report card on our longterm Horizon Casuarina
Paradise Motor Homes wwwparadisemotorhomescomau 245 Brisbane Road Biggera Waters Queensland 4216ph (07) 5597 4400 - email infoparadisemotorhomescomau Paradise Motor Homes products are protected by registered designs patents and copyrights trade copy 2013
Australiarsquos Best Quality Motorhomes
Enjoy the prestige of owning Australiarsquos best quality motorhome
bull Outstanding value for money competitively priced from $158000
bull Unrivalled Safety including rollover protection auto-locking cabinetry and superior appliance mounting systems
bull Industryrsquos longest amp most comprehensive motorhome warranty
bull Built for Australian conditions
bull Models available with or without slide-outsbull Superior finish with stylish new contoured exterior bull Patented moulded bins for maximum storage capacitybull Outstanding road handling amp ride comfortbull Genuine island queen beds and huge wardrobes bull Spacious rear ensuites with separate toilet amp shower bull Market leading layouts amp lifestyle featuresbull Full living area slide-outs providing superior living space bull Proven reliability of Paradisersquos patented slide-outs
Relax in Paradise
Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA
iMotorhome
reso
urce
s
because getting there is half the fun
Ask a Question
Back Issues
Road Tests
SubscriptionMarketplace
Reader Survey
Reader Review
User Guide
Magazine Resources
Review and images by Malcolm Street
Dethleffs lsquobabyrsquo A-class is something to ogle athellip
Esprit de Cor Blimey
iMotorhome mag
azin
e
because getting there is half the fun
resources | 9
Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA
The inaugural iMotorhome get-together is being held at of one of Australiarsquos most interesting historical sites ndash Joadja Creek Set deep in a valley on the western fringe of the Southern Highlands of NSW this tranquil and picturesque location was once a thriving industrial centre and township complete with its own railway
Come and meet the iMotorhome team enjoy a guided site tour a tour of the recently completed Joadja Whisky Distillery and delight in an authentic Spanish tapas dinner followed by a few drinks by the camp fire
Wersquove booked out the valley for the weekend but space limited to about 20 motorhomes so book early and secure your spot
Date 11-13 September 2015
Location Joadja Creek Heritage Site NSW
Cost $59 per person
Whatrsquos Includedbull Entry fee
bull 2-nights non-powered camping (FriSat) with basic facilities available
bull Guided historic site tour by the owner
bull Tour of Joadja Whisky Distillery
bull Spanish tapas dinner on Saturday night
ExtrasExtra night (Sun) $6 per person
Beer with dinner $5 each
Wine with dinner $6 glass
Bookings
Email infoimotorhomecomau with your name and contact details and wersquoll put you on the list Payment via EFT required to confirm booking Space is limited so contact us today
Wersquove Booked Out The Valley
iMotorhome mag
azin
e
because getting there is half the fun
1 Due to licensing restrictions BYO is not available with the Saturday night dinner but okay at other times (like around the camp fire)
2 Access is via several kilometres of dirt road The final 2 km can be tricky after heavy rain and we reserve the right to reschedule or cancel the event due to weather conditions In either case a full refund would be offered
3 Access isnrsquot recommended for coach-sized motorhomes but anything up to about 9 m will be fine
Fine Print (please read)
Click for Google Maps
Now includes
Friday night
sausage sizzle
Our little Class-C motorhome came with two privacy curtains across the above-cabin bed which we didnt need or use So we made one long curtain from breathable mozzie net type material that we can tuck under the mattress Now we are more or less guaranteed a good nightrsquos sleep in our mozzie free enclosure
Cheers Steve
Looks like a good idea to me Steve and so simple Please accept this issuersquos $50 for sharing such a simple concept with our readers Irsquom sure others will find it very useful
Hi Richard hope you are well Attached are a couple of pictures for you taken on the maiden voyage in our new Swift Rio motorhome in Cornwall I have been making notes and will submit the owners report (warts and all) soon
Best Regards Ian
Thanks Ian I look forward to it Enjoy summer while it lasts wersquore in the depths of winter at present and Cornwall looks most inviting
Itrsquos only fitting that since Ed has his say in On My Mind you should be able to have yours too If you have anything to say ndash or ask ndash just drop a line to lettersimotorhomecomau and wersquoll share it with our readers Wersquoll also reward
the most interesting useful or thoughtful letter each issue with $50 to help you on your way
On The Flyhellip
Maiden Voyage
Win $50 for the best letteron your mind | 11
Wersquove Booked Out The Valley
Hi Richard I am not sure if this is interesting to you It seems not to be to Scam Watch or the website company Trovit While browsing motor homes on the internet and having my first coffee for the day about three weeks ago I found that someone is advertising the same motor home that we purchased one year ago
Theyrsquove used the same photos picture rego number and write up The address in the same area I contacted the previous owner and he agreed that it was definitely his photos and words and rego I was relieved when I tried to browse the rego number and nothing came up (we changed from NSW to SA registration thank goodness) How can we warn others of scams that we find And is there any one we can report them to have action taken Love the Mag and look forward to reading it when we are home
Cheers Dean
Good on you Chris They look like an excellent solution to the Fiat cupholder issue and at the right price Be sure to send us some photos when installed Dean I can well imagine how upsetting it would be to find someone advertising your motorhome You did the right thing by contacting Scam Watch and the website operator Irsquove contacted the website operator twice on your behalf but again with no response I also contacted the supposed seller again with no response Irsquom surprised Scam Watch wasnrsquot interested so I suggest you contact the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN) by clicking here Hopefully you might get some satisfaction there Good luck and please let me know if you hear anything Irsquoll do the same
Fiat Cup Holders
Scam Alert
12 | on your mind
I downloaded my copy of edition 75 minutes ago and have just ordered the Fiat Ducato cup Holders
Cheers Chris
Good on you Chris They look like an excellent solution to the Fiat cupholder issue and at the right price Be sure to send us some photos when installed
WINNEBAGO BIRDSVILLE
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$108 374 Drive AwaySuit New buyer Only 24000kms
WINNEBAGO ESPERANCE mdash U1265 mdash
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TALVOR KEPPEL mdash TA5008 mdash
$117772 Drive AwayOnly 31000kms 6 berth U Shape
Club Lounge
PRE-OWNED
NEW
5 Melrose Drive Wodonga VIC | 02 6024 4222
We Sell Australia Wide Trade-Ins Welcome AWRVWORLDCOMAU
ArsquoVAN OVATION M8 mdash AV2099 mdash
$139355 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options
WINNEBAGO WHITEHAVEN mdash WB6005 mdash
$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$
SUNLINER HOLIDAY H531 mdash SU4040 mdash
$180575 Drive AwayIveco Slideout Bed Washing Machine
DEMO
Webasto Thermo amp Comfort Australia Pty Ltd 423-427 The Boulevarde Kirrawee NSW 2232 Freecall 1800 244 494 infowebastocomau wwwwebastocomau
Webasto ndash your gas free solution for independent travelling
Thermo Top ndashWater Heaters
DieselCook Top
Air Top ndashAir Heaters
Dual Top ndash Combination Heaters
Quiet powerful operation
Low power amp fuel consumption
Use whilst parked amp on the move
Compact and effi cient
Fast heat up times Can be combined with fan radiators to provide cabin heat
Heat amp hot water from one unit
Easy to use multi-function controller
Low power amp fuel consumption
High cooking power up to 1800 W
No naked fl ame and no fumes
Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface
RVCompressorFridges
AU
1325
2
Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers
Available as DC Only or ACDC
Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors
14 | News
WINNER
Following the debut of the Reverse Alert reverse-parking system at the Lismore Show recently we have a winner from those who watched the demonstration and entered
our online guessing competition
ldquoThe winner is Simon from Sandgate in Brisbane who has a Nissan Patrol and two kids aged six and eightrdquo said Ian Costelloe Reverse Alertrsquos Business Development Manager ldquoSimon said his Patrol has a big blind spot so hersquos very happyrdquo
Congratulations Simon wersquore sure yoursquoll love the system once installed If you missed your chance to win be sure to attend the Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show at Toowoomba Showgrounds from 31 July to 2 August Ian will be demonstrating the remarkable Reverse Alert system fitted to our very own Project Polly and wersquoll have a new competition running Donrsquot miss it
EUROPEAN AND CANADIAN RELOCATIONS
The iMoovacom website has spread its wings and is now offering limited opportunities for rental relocations in Europe At the time of writing relocations available included London to
Munich and Rome to Amsterdam both trips costing pound5 per day and allowing 4 days Canada is also on offer now with trips like Calgary to Yellowknife and Halifax to Toronto (which our roadtest editor Malcolm Street is currently experiencing) available at $25 per day
News | 15
FRONTLINE $1200 ACCESSORY OFFER
Frontline Campervans is offering more than $1200 worth of free accessories to buyers of one of its Volkswagen T5 campervans from stock before 31 August The offer
includes side and rear flyscreens plus an outdoor shower Vehicles are available in Sydney Ballina and the Gold CoastBrisbane To see exactly whatrsquos on offer click HERE
READYBRUTE
NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD
10 CHETWYND ST LOGANHOLME 4128 | P 07 3209 6654 | F 07 3209 6729 | E enquiriesnorthcoachcomauRELY ON THE COMPANY WITH EXPERIENCE FOR FITTING BACKUP amp SERVICING OF YOUR A-FRAME
DISTRIBUTORSQLD Loganholme 07 3209 7669 Cairns 07 4051 9375 Hattonvale 07 3333 1806 Bundaberg 1300 229 494NSW Newcastle 02 4948 0433 Penrith 02 4722 3444 Terry Hills 02 9986 2952VIC Ringwood 03 9879 3545 WodongaAlbury 02 6055 8555 Cambellfield 0393574555SA Victor Harbour 08 8552 1010WA Perth 08 9451 3580TAS Hobart 03 6331 2511
A-Frame Towing Specialists for over 15 years
CARRYING A COMPLETE RANGE OF BLUE OX AND READYBRUTE A-FRAMES
AND ACCESSORIES
PROTECT-A-TOW Easy to install and protect your towed vehiclefromstonesandmudThisproductfitsBlueOxandReadyBrute A-Frames and most other Brands
BLUE OX
16 | News
APOLLO NOW WIFI CONNECTED
Yoursquove come to expect WiFi in your hotel and even on cruise ships Now you can use it on your Great Aussie Road triprdquo says
Apollo Motorhome Holidays who has introduced portable WiFi routers for hire with campervans or motorhomes in its Australian fleet
According to CEO Luke Trouchet ldquoItrsquos rare to see a traveller in Australia or New Zealand without a smartphone at their fingertips ndash the humble travel guidebook has all but been replaced by travel websites and apps Wersquove responded to guest requests for WiFi routers so they can easily use their smart devices on the road and where their own mobile phone data coverage may not extendrdquo he said
Usage plans ranging from 60 MB to 3 GB from Australiarsquos largest carrier Telstra At $10 per day with a maximum charge of $50 per rental plus data usage the deal compares favourably with many hotel internet packages International travellers will be the biggest winners gaining access to the internet
at a fraction of the cost of most international data roaming charges
ldquoThe units are removable with re-chargeable batteries so they can be taken out of the rental vehicle allowing WiFi access down at the beach near the camp fire or on a rainforest walk for examplerdquo Mr Trouchet said
Also capitalising on the trend towards online tourism information Apollorsquos New Zealand operations recently launched a free App available to all guests with an iPhone or Android device
ldquoThe lsquoApollo NZ Travel Guidersquo makes sure travellers donrsquot miss a thing on their self-drive holiday with hundreds of points of interest detailed maps up to date local information and prices and a lsquotake me therersquo function to help plan driving routes This is an absolutely fantastic tool for a New Zealand driving holidayrdquo said Trouchet adding that the company is now considering the large undertaking of creating a similar application for Australia To find out more or book an Apollo holiday click HERE
wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit
From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days
Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities
Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone
12 DESTINATIONS
ONLY $999
FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places
Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability
bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation
bull Swing out stove for ease of use
bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty
bull ABS amp ESP safety systems
Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)
Outside Shower (worth over $360)
ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES
Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details
The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind
Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of
Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable
HURRY offer only available while stocks last
SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998
18 | News
Looking for a unique opportunity to create your dream motorhome The ex-mobile library vehicle for the Riverina Regional
Library is for sale and will be auctioned on 5 August in Wagga Wagga Reportedly in very good condition its details are
bull 2004 DAF 55250 pantech truck with 315400 km
bull Custom-built mobile library 10 m long x 25 m wide x 38 m high
bull 6 m x 2 m slide-outbull Fully electronic set-up operation (stabilisers
slide-out awning)bull 2 split-system air conditionersbull Disabled accessbull Automatic electric sliding entry-door
bull Awning over entry doorbull Built-in shelvingbull Kitchen area (sink fridge microwave oven)bull Two-bay IT deskAccording to Robert Knight Executive Director ndash Riverina Regional Library ldquoThis versatile vehicle has many years of life left as a mobile library or could be converted into a fantastic mobile home mobile office or anything else that your imagination can conjure up The vehicle will be auctioned at the Rundles Truck Auction on Wednesday 5 August in Wagga Wagga Check HERE for details or call Brian Plummer Support amp eServices Coordinator ndash Riverina Regional Library on 0417 221917
CONVERSION OPPORTUNITY
World First Collision Avoidance System
Reverse Alert is a world first automatic braking technology that can be applied to any vehicle ndash new or used
When the reverse gear is selected the rear sensors are activated If the sensors detect an object the brake is automatically applied - requiring no driver input
EXHIBITION AND DEMONSTRATIONS AT 2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure and Motoring Expo 31 July - 2 August 2015Toowoomba Showgrounds302 Glenvale Road Toowoomba QLD - Special show prices
- Speak directly with experts - See how the technology
works
For further information on this Australian invention visit
wwwreversealertaustraliacomau
REVERSE ALERTREVERSE ALERT Protect your investment
and the people around you
20 | News
From 1 September 2015 double demerit points will apply for second or subsequent mobile phone offences that are committed
by drivers within one year of an earlier offence
The first time you get an infringement notice for using a mobile phone while driving you will be allocated three demerit points If you use a mobile phone while driving again within 12 months of the first offence you will be allocated another 3 demerit points At that point you will also receive an additional three demerit points for it being within one year of the first offence That means nine demerit points in total for two infringements The mobile phone offences that could result in double demerit points being allocated are
bull any driver using a hand-held mobile phone
while driving (including when stopped in traffic or at traffic lights)
bull any use of mobile phones by learner and P1 provisional licence holders under 25 years of age and P1 probationary licence holders
You do not necessarily have to commit the same type of mobile phone offence a second or subsequent time to be allocated double demerit points any driver mobile phone offence counts For example the person could commit a first offence while a young driver by using a mobile phone on loudspeaker and commit a second offence by engaging in a phone call holding the phone in their hand Double demerit points are also applied all year round in Queensland to people who repeatedly commit certain speeding seatbelt and motorbike helmet offences
QUEENSLAND DRIVERS BE WARNED
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
News | 21
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The terrified 53-year-old man was attacked when the men forced their way into his campervan parked in the Shellharbour suburb of Barrack Heights NSW The men were said to have identified themselves as police officers and produced what appeared to be police badges But when the victim asked for additional identification they forcibly put tape over his eyes and around his arms and legs They demanded money but fled empty handed when a relative of the man approached the RV from caravanningnewscom
BEWARE BOGUS POLICE
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
22 | imotorhome marketplace
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Avidarsquos slide-out Eyre is a fresh design from Australiarsquos largest manufacturerhellip
24 | Day test Avida Eyre B7663 SL
Fresh Eyre
by Malcolm Street
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different Apart from being a sleek looking motorhome the original layout had a
very distinctive European look about it By that I mean it was a layout that generally used space in a very effective way and didnt have a great deal of empty space ndash if you understand the distinction
More recently Avida introduced an Eyre model with an kerbside slide-out It still uses much of the design from the original layout but naturally has more internal area when the slide-out is open
The Vehicle
Given the Eyre is rather a low-slung looking motorhome its no surprise it comes with a Fiat Ducato X295 cab
bolted to an AL-KO chassis The Ducato is the Multijet 180 variant with the 30-litre 132 kW400 Nm turbo diesel Like most of the rest of the Avida fleet the Eyre is built using a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof Moulded fibreglass is used for the front and rear panels while the walls are laminated together with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one piece floor has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underbody protection
Earlier Eyre designs did have a bit of a problem with external storage capacity but a large rear boot with doors on both sides and the rear wall plus two lockers on the kerb side works very well The 2 x 4 kg gas cylinders live in a locker on the other side just aft of the driverrsquos cab door Just a small issue to keep in mind is that if the side bin doors are open then
An editorial mix-up explains the Avida Eyre in this review not the Birdsville as promised last issue Apologies but the Eyre is technically more interesting while Avida claims it to be the ldquolowest profile motorhome in the marketrdquo
Day test | 25
the side windows cannot be opened or closed properly ndash not a major drama
The house batteries charger and 12 V fuses are in a compartment accessed via the rear boot just inside the kerb-side door About the only problem with this arrangement is it isnrsquot easy to get to the fuses
On The Road
Given the 3504 kg tare weight the Eyre SL is quite a nimble performer certainly on the open road and most of the time
around town except when the six-speed AMT
gearbox decides to dither around a bit in the lower gears Although the Ducato is the latest one from Fiat the review model still did not come with cup holders instead of the hinged compartment in the centre console
A better class of radioCD player does seem to be fitted these days One of the little features I liked about driving the Eyre was the ability to leave the Skyview hatch open when travelling It provides fresh air without the buffeting from open driverpassenger windows
Right The boot doorwindow conflict Below The slide-out is kitchen-only and doesnrsquot add much weight or complexity
Note the large side doors at the rear for the boot plus a door in the rear wall
26 | Day test
Living Inside
Compared to the non-slide-out model Eyre there isnt much
difference in the rear That means there is an island bed with a split bathroom ahead of it In the front though things are very different In the earlier (non-slide) model both the driver and passenger seats
swivel and mesh in with a sideways-facing seat behind the passenger and a forward-facing two-person lounge with table behind the driver That leaves space in the mid area opposite the entry door for the kitchen
But the slide-out changes all this For a start the entry door is moved slightly rearwards
while most of the kitchen ndash the cooker and two-door fridge ndash are now located in the slide-out Both cab seats swivel and theres an L-shaped lounge behind the passenger seat but the drivers seat is somewhat blocked by a kitchen bench
If more kitchen area is desirable the slide-out model is definitely the winner
Day test | 27
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
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31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
Caravan_MOT_3Models_AVIDAindd 1 250415 744 PM
ldquoI met my old lover on the street last night She seemed so glad to see me I just smiled And we talked about some old times and we drank ourselves some beers still crazy after all these yearshelliprdquo
Singer-songwriter Paul Simon penned these lyrics which came to mind this week when I also caught up unexpectedly with an old flame Irsquod seen her around but largely ignored her because of my commitments and the knowledge that getting involved again would cause some angst Still she regularly popped into my head and so when we finally couldnrsquot avoid each other any longer it was something of a relief ndash and I have to say she certainly made me smile again
Yes there was pain ndash largely caused by my situational ineptitude ndash but once that was cleared it was just so good to be with her and the angst was quickly forgotten We went out and spent a few hours catching up reminiscing over old times and although we didnrsquot have ourselves any beers there still seemed to be a degree of craziness after all these years
My titanium road bike ndash a Van Nicholas Mistral handmade in Holland ndash has sat rather forlornly at the back of my bike collection in the garage Missy (as shersquos known) had a flat rear tyre and Irsquod put off repairing it for months perhaps a year in fact Shersquos one of modest collection of bikes for all roads and seasons but was my first lsquogoodrsquo bike I bought her new about a year before starting iMotorhome but wersquod had a rocky start due to some componentry
issues and when a good used carbon-fibre Specialized Roubaix (Ruby or course) came along Missy was relegated to second place In the cycling world carbon-fibre bikes rule due to their light weight but titanium is exclusive and has a mystique that sets it apart so I was never going to sell her
Rubyrsquos my every-day bike and needed a rear tyre replacement After only putting it off for a day or so I got to work and the job was quickly done So quickly and easily in fact I thought Irsquod fix Missy while I was on a roll Ouch Obviously not pleased with being overlooked for so long Missy drew blood but Irsquom sure it was my fault Anyway with a new tube in place and a break in the weather we headed out together and it was like falling in love all over again
Why am I sharing this Because we all have neglected items tucked away that need just a little TLC to bring back to life Missy is just a bike but the principal works with people too A little bit of effort ndash some kind words or an apology perhaps ndash can bring a big reward If therersquos something or someone you need to lsquorepairrsquo things with get to it Therersquos still time to be crazy even after all these yearshellip
FArEwELL KEithOur advertising manager Keith Smyth has hung up his phone and decided to join wife Denise in retirement We wish them all the best and with a grandchild recently arrived Irsquom sure theyrsquoll both keep busy Think you can fill his shoes Call me
GEt toGEthErTherersquos still space at our inaugural iMotorhome get together in mid September Come and explore the remarkable ruins at Joadja Creek meet the iMotorhome team and spend a relaxed weekend with a small group of fellow motorhomers See page 10 for details
Old Flameshellip
on my mind | 5
RichardCaravan_MOT_3Models_AVIDAindd 1 250415 744 PM
6 | Content
3 About UsWho we are where and other legal stuff
64 Mobile TechFood Apps For Thought ndash every food lover will appreciate thesehellip
68 Next IssueWhatrsquos coming up and which shows are on soon
9 ResourcesFind back issues and more on our website
22 MarketplaceThe latest Marketplace offers
5 On my MindOld Flameshellip
14 NewsWhatrsquos happening in the wider RV world - and beyond
52 Travel Reader WritesRelocation Road Trip ndash the final instalment of a Hobart-to-Sydney rental relocation
24 Day Test Avida Eyre 2663 SLFresh Eyre ndash now therersquos a slide-out in Avidarsquos Eyre range
38 Project PollyFirst Impressions ndash so far so good
62 Product Review Camp Kitchen ndash for lovers of cooking in the great outdoors
11 On your MindShare your thoughts for the chance to win $50
67 Advertisers IndexAn A to Z of whorsquos in this issue
46 Longtermer Horizon CasuarinaA report card on our longterm Horizon Casuarina
Paradise Motor Homes wwwparadisemotorhomescomau 245 Brisbane Road Biggera Waters Queensland 4216ph (07) 5597 4400 - email infoparadisemotorhomescomau Paradise Motor Homes products are protected by registered designs patents and copyrights trade copy 2013
Australiarsquos Best Quality Motorhomes
Enjoy the prestige of owning Australiarsquos best quality motorhome
bull Outstanding value for money competitively priced from $158000
bull Unrivalled Safety including rollover protection auto-locking cabinetry and superior appliance mounting systems
bull Industryrsquos longest amp most comprehensive motorhome warranty
bull Built for Australian conditions
bull Models available with or without slide-outsbull Superior finish with stylish new contoured exterior bull Patented moulded bins for maximum storage capacitybull Outstanding road handling amp ride comfortbull Genuine island queen beds and huge wardrobes bull Spacious rear ensuites with separate toilet amp shower bull Market leading layouts amp lifestyle featuresbull Full living area slide-outs providing superior living space bull Proven reliability of Paradisersquos patented slide-outs
Relax in Paradise
Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA
iMotorhome
reso
urce
s
because getting there is half the fun
Ask a Question
Back Issues
Road Tests
SubscriptionMarketplace
Reader Survey
Reader Review
User Guide
Magazine Resources
Review and images by Malcolm Street
Dethleffs lsquobabyrsquo A-class is something to ogle athellip
Esprit de Cor Blimey
iMotorhome mag
azin
e
because getting there is half the fun
resources | 9
Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA
The inaugural iMotorhome get-together is being held at of one of Australiarsquos most interesting historical sites ndash Joadja Creek Set deep in a valley on the western fringe of the Southern Highlands of NSW this tranquil and picturesque location was once a thriving industrial centre and township complete with its own railway
Come and meet the iMotorhome team enjoy a guided site tour a tour of the recently completed Joadja Whisky Distillery and delight in an authentic Spanish tapas dinner followed by a few drinks by the camp fire
Wersquove booked out the valley for the weekend but space limited to about 20 motorhomes so book early and secure your spot
Date 11-13 September 2015
Location Joadja Creek Heritage Site NSW
Cost $59 per person
Whatrsquos Includedbull Entry fee
bull 2-nights non-powered camping (FriSat) with basic facilities available
bull Guided historic site tour by the owner
bull Tour of Joadja Whisky Distillery
bull Spanish tapas dinner on Saturday night
ExtrasExtra night (Sun) $6 per person
Beer with dinner $5 each
Wine with dinner $6 glass
Bookings
Email infoimotorhomecomau with your name and contact details and wersquoll put you on the list Payment via EFT required to confirm booking Space is limited so contact us today
Wersquove Booked Out The Valley
iMotorhome mag
azin
e
because getting there is half the fun
1 Due to licensing restrictions BYO is not available with the Saturday night dinner but okay at other times (like around the camp fire)
2 Access is via several kilometres of dirt road The final 2 km can be tricky after heavy rain and we reserve the right to reschedule or cancel the event due to weather conditions In either case a full refund would be offered
3 Access isnrsquot recommended for coach-sized motorhomes but anything up to about 9 m will be fine
Fine Print (please read)
Click for Google Maps
Now includes
Friday night
sausage sizzle
Our little Class-C motorhome came with two privacy curtains across the above-cabin bed which we didnt need or use So we made one long curtain from breathable mozzie net type material that we can tuck under the mattress Now we are more or less guaranteed a good nightrsquos sleep in our mozzie free enclosure
Cheers Steve
Looks like a good idea to me Steve and so simple Please accept this issuersquos $50 for sharing such a simple concept with our readers Irsquom sure others will find it very useful
Hi Richard hope you are well Attached are a couple of pictures for you taken on the maiden voyage in our new Swift Rio motorhome in Cornwall I have been making notes and will submit the owners report (warts and all) soon
Best Regards Ian
Thanks Ian I look forward to it Enjoy summer while it lasts wersquore in the depths of winter at present and Cornwall looks most inviting
Itrsquos only fitting that since Ed has his say in On My Mind you should be able to have yours too If you have anything to say ndash or ask ndash just drop a line to lettersimotorhomecomau and wersquoll share it with our readers Wersquoll also reward
the most interesting useful or thoughtful letter each issue with $50 to help you on your way
On The Flyhellip
Maiden Voyage
Win $50 for the best letteron your mind | 11
Wersquove Booked Out The Valley
Hi Richard I am not sure if this is interesting to you It seems not to be to Scam Watch or the website company Trovit While browsing motor homes on the internet and having my first coffee for the day about three weeks ago I found that someone is advertising the same motor home that we purchased one year ago
Theyrsquove used the same photos picture rego number and write up The address in the same area I contacted the previous owner and he agreed that it was definitely his photos and words and rego I was relieved when I tried to browse the rego number and nothing came up (we changed from NSW to SA registration thank goodness) How can we warn others of scams that we find And is there any one we can report them to have action taken Love the Mag and look forward to reading it when we are home
Cheers Dean
Good on you Chris They look like an excellent solution to the Fiat cupholder issue and at the right price Be sure to send us some photos when installed Dean I can well imagine how upsetting it would be to find someone advertising your motorhome You did the right thing by contacting Scam Watch and the website operator Irsquove contacted the website operator twice on your behalf but again with no response I also contacted the supposed seller again with no response Irsquom surprised Scam Watch wasnrsquot interested so I suggest you contact the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN) by clicking here Hopefully you might get some satisfaction there Good luck and please let me know if you hear anything Irsquoll do the same
Fiat Cup Holders
Scam Alert
12 | on your mind
I downloaded my copy of edition 75 minutes ago and have just ordered the Fiat Ducato cup Holders
Cheers Chris
Good on you Chris They look like an excellent solution to the Fiat cupholder issue and at the right price Be sure to send us some photos when installed
WINNEBAGO BIRDSVILLE
mdash U1191mdash
$108 374 Drive AwaySuit New buyer Only 24000kms
WINNEBAGO ESPERANCE mdash U1265 mdash
$124956 Drive AwayTow Bar Diesel Heater Low kms
TALVOR KEPPEL mdash TA5008 mdash
$117772 Drive AwayOnly 31000kms 6 berth U Shape
Club Lounge
PRE-OWNED
NEW
5 Melrose Drive Wodonga VIC | 02 6024 4222
We Sell Australia Wide Trade-Ins Welcome AWRVWORLDCOMAU
ArsquoVAN OVATION M8 mdash AV2099 mdash
$139355 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options
WINNEBAGO WHITEHAVEN mdash WB6005 mdash
$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$
SUNLINER HOLIDAY H531 mdash SU4040 mdash
$180575 Drive AwayIveco Slideout Bed Washing Machine
DEMO
Webasto Thermo amp Comfort Australia Pty Ltd 423-427 The Boulevarde Kirrawee NSW 2232 Freecall 1800 244 494 infowebastocomau wwwwebastocomau
Webasto ndash your gas free solution for independent travelling
Thermo Top ndashWater Heaters
DieselCook Top
Air Top ndashAir Heaters
Dual Top ndash Combination Heaters
Quiet powerful operation
Low power amp fuel consumption
Use whilst parked amp on the move
Compact and effi cient
Fast heat up times Can be combined with fan radiators to provide cabin heat
Heat amp hot water from one unit
Easy to use multi-function controller
Low power amp fuel consumption
High cooking power up to 1800 W
No naked fl ame and no fumes
Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface
RVCompressorFridges
AU
1325
2
Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers
Available as DC Only or ACDC
Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors
14 | News
WINNER
Following the debut of the Reverse Alert reverse-parking system at the Lismore Show recently we have a winner from those who watched the demonstration and entered
our online guessing competition
ldquoThe winner is Simon from Sandgate in Brisbane who has a Nissan Patrol and two kids aged six and eightrdquo said Ian Costelloe Reverse Alertrsquos Business Development Manager ldquoSimon said his Patrol has a big blind spot so hersquos very happyrdquo
Congratulations Simon wersquore sure yoursquoll love the system once installed If you missed your chance to win be sure to attend the Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show at Toowoomba Showgrounds from 31 July to 2 August Ian will be demonstrating the remarkable Reverse Alert system fitted to our very own Project Polly and wersquoll have a new competition running Donrsquot miss it
EUROPEAN AND CANADIAN RELOCATIONS
The iMoovacom website has spread its wings and is now offering limited opportunities for rental relocations in Europe At the time of writing relocations available included London to
Munich and Rome to Amsterdam both trips costing pound5 per day and allowing 4 days Canada is also on offer now with trips like Calgary to Yellowknife and Halifax to Toronto (which our roadtest editor Malcolm Street is currently experiencing) available at $25 per day
News | 15
FRONTLINE $1200 ACCESSORY OFFER
Frontline Campervans is offering more than $1200 worth of free accessories to buyers of one of its Volkswagen T5 campervans from stock before 31 August The offer
includes side and rear flyscreens plus an outdoor shower Vehicles are available in Sydney Ballina and the Gold CoastBrisbane To see exactly whatrsquos on offer click HERE
READYBRUTE
NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD
10 CHETWYND ST LOGANHOLME 4128 | P 07 3209 6654 | F 07 3209 6729 | E enquiriesnorthcoachcomauRELY ON THE COMPANY WITH EXPERIENCE FOR FITTING BACKUP amp SERVICING OF YOUR A-FRAME
DISTRIBUTORSQLD Loganholme 07 3209 7669 Cairns 07 4051 9375 Hattonvale 07 3333 1806 Bundaberg 1300 229 494NSW Newcastle 02 4948 0433 Penrith 02 4722 3444 Terry Hills 02 9986 2952VIC Ringwood 03 9879 3545 WodongaAlbury 02 6055 8555 Cambellfield 0393574555SA Victor Harbour 08 8552 1010WA Perth 08 9451 3580TAS Hobart 03 6331 2511
A-Frame Towing Specialists for over 15 years
CARRYING A COMPLETE RANGE OF BLUE OX AND READYBRUTE A-FRAMES
AND ACCESSORIES
PROTECT-A-TOW Easy to install and protect your towed vehiclefromstonesandmudThisproductfitsBlueOxandReadyBrute A-Frames and most other Brands
BLUE OX
16 | News
APOLLO NOW WIFI CONNECTED
Yoursquove come to expect WiFi in your hotel and even on cruise ships Now you can use it on your Great Aussie Road triprdquo says
Apollo Motorhome Holidays who has introduced portable WiFi routers for hire with campervans or motorhomes in its Australian fleet
According to CEO Luke Trouchet ldquoItrsquos rare to see a traveller in Australia or New Zealand without a smartphone at their fingertips ndash the humble travel guidebook has all but been replaced by travel websites and apps Wersquove responded to guest requests for WiFi routers so they can easily use their smart devices on the road and where their own mobile phone data coverage may not extendrdquo he said
Usage plans ranging from 60 MB to 3 GB from Australiarsquos largest carrier Telstra At $10 per day with a maximum charge of $50 per rental plus data usage the deal compares favourably with many hotel internet packages International travellers will be the biggest winners gaining access to the internet
at a fraction of the cost of most international data roaming charges
ldquoThe units are removable with re-chargeable batteries so they can be taken out of the rental vehicle allowing WiFi access down at the beach near the camp fire or on a rainforest walk for examplerdquo Mr Trouchet said
Also capitalising on the trend towards online tourism information Apollorsquos New Zealand operations recently launched a free App available to all guests with an iPhone or Android device
ldquoThe lsquoApollo NZ Travel Guidersquo makes sure travellers donrsquot miss a thing on their self-drive holiday with hundreds of points of interest detailed maps up to date local information and prices and a lsquotake me therersquo function to help plan driving routes This is an absolutely fantastic tool for a New Zealand driving holidayrdquo said Trouchet adding that the company is now considering the large undertaking of creating a similar application for Australia To find out more or book an Apollo holiday click HERE
wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit
From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days
Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities
Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone
12 DESTINATIONS
ONLY $999
FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places
Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability
bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation
bull Swing out stove for ease of use
bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty
bull ABS amp ESP safety systems
Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)
Outside Shower (worth over $360)
ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES
Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details
The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind
Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of
Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable
HURRY offer only available while stocks last
SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998
18 | News
Looking for a unique opportunity to create your dream motorhome The ex-mobile library vehicle for the Riverina Regional
Library is for sale and will be auctioned on 5 August in Wagga Wagga Reportedly in very good condition its details are
bull 2004 DAF 55250 pantech truck with 315400 km
bull Custom-built mobile library 10 m long x 25 m wide x 38 m high
bull 6 m x 2 m slide-outbull Fully electronic set-up operation (stabilisers
slide-out awning)bull 2 split-system air conditionersbull Disabled accessbull Automatic electric sliding entry-door
bull Awning over entry doorbull Built-in shelvingbull Kitchen area (sink fridge microwave oven)bull Two-bay IT deskAccording to Robert Knight Executive Director ndash Riverina Regional Library ldquoThis versatile vehicle has many years of life left as a mobile library or could be converted into a fantastic mobile home mobile office or anything else that your imagination can conjure up The vehicle will be auctioned at the Rundles Truck Auction on Wednesday 5 August in Wagga Wagga Check HERE for details or call Brian Plummer Support amp eServices Coordinator ndash Riverina Regional Library on 0417 221917
CONVERSION OPPORTUNITY
World First Collision Avoidance System
Reverse Alert is a world first automatic braking technology that can be applied to any vehicle ndash new or used
When the reverse gear is selected the rear sensors are activated If the sensors detect an object the brake is automatically applied - requiring no driver input
EXHIBITION AND DEMONSTRATIONS AT 2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure and Motoring Expo 31 July - 2 August 2015Toowoomba Showgrounds302 Glenvale Road Toowoomba QLD - Special show prices
- Speak directly with experts - See how the technology
works
For further information on this Australian invention visit
wwwreversealertaustraliacomau
REVERSE ALERTREVERSE ALERT Protect your investment
and the people around you
20 | News
From 1 September 2015 double demerit points will apply for second or subsequent mobile phone offences that are committed
by drivers within one year of an earlier offence
The first time you get an infringement notice for using a mobile phone while driving you will be allocated three demerit points If you use a mobile phone while driving again within 12 months of the first offence you will be allocated another 3 demerit points At that point you will also receive an additional three demerit points for it being within one year of the first offence That means nine demerit points in total for two infringements The mobile phone offences that could result in double demerit points being allocated are
bull any driver using a hand-held mobile phone
while driving (including when stopped in traffic or at traffic lights)
bull any use of mobile phones by learner and P1 provisional licence holders under 25 years of age and P1 probationary licence holders
You do not necessarily have to commit the same type of mobile phone offence a second or subsequent time to be allocated double demerit points any driver mobile phone offence counts For example the person could commit a first offence while a young driver by using a mobile phone on loudspeaker and commit a second offence by engaging in a phone call holding the phone in their hand Double demerit points are also applied all year round in Queensland to people who repeatedly commit certain speeding seatbelt and motorbike helmet offences
QUEENSLAND DRIVERS BE WARNED
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
News | 21
Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans
On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT
BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE
Expedition Vehicles
222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077
infotrailblazersrvcomwwwtrailblazersrvcom
COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS
EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS
LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO
A traveller suffered cuts to his arms hands and head after knife-wielding bogus police attempted to rob him in NSW
The terrified 53-year-old man was attacked when the men forced their way into his campervan parked in the Shellharbour suburb of Barrack Heights NSW The men were said to have identified themselves as police officers and produced what appeared to be police badges But when the victim asked for additional identification they forcibly put tape over his eyes and around his arms and legs They demanded money but fled empty handed when a relative of the man approached the RV from caravanningnewscom
BEWARE BOGUS POLICE
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
22 | imotorhome marketplace
Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can
look after everything
This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great
artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it
An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new
motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the
Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your
needs too
Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and
Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is
perfect for motorhomes
In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country
and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo
on our website too
Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and
built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from
24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information
T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau
T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom
T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau
T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau
T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau
Parkland RV Centre
Bony Mountain Folk Festival
iTech World Wellington Shire
Roberts RV World RV Specialists
We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes
Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety
Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric
cart or in your motorhome
T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau
T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau
Airbag Man Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V
power specialists
T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau
Battery Traders Super Store Taronga
Western Plains Zoo
imotorhome marketplace | 23
The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults
LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR RV OWNERS
The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km
in ideal conditions Super light
too at 108kg Folds away
quite compact for small storage
To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email
mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom
1
bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support
5th wheeler specialist
hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available
The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system - for those who enjoy a comfortable
nights sleep but hate making the bed All the comforts of home while you explore the extraordinary To order simply call (08) 9336 7714 or email infoduvalaycomau
wwwduvalaycomau
Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed
lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your
motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting
Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin
Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the
Australian market Click through to find out why theyrsquore fast becoming
Australiarsquos favourite tooT (02) 9011 8144W nomadicsolutionscomau
T 0411 616 617W tiffinmotorhomescomau
Nomadic Solutions Tiffin Motorhomes
SSoouutthheerrnnCCaammppeerrvvaannss
SSppiirriitt
sliding amp rear doorFLY SCREEN
shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229
Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13
wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR
MOTORHOMEStore those additional items up and out of
the way using our adjustable transportable and modular storage system
wwwskytrackscomau
Avidarsquos slide-out Eyre is a fresh design from Australiarsquos largest manufacturerhellip
24 | Day test Avida Eyre B7663 SL
Fresh Eyre
by Malcolm Street
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different Apart from being a sleek looking motorhome the original layout had a
very distinctive European look about it By that I mean it was a layout that generally used space in a very effective way and didnt have a great deal of empty space ndash if you understand the distinction
More recently Avida introduced an Eyre model with an kerbside slide-out It still uses much of the design from the original layout but naturally has more internal area when the slide-out is open
The Vehicle
Given the Eyre is rather a low-slung looking motorhome its no surprise it comes with a Fiat Ducato X295 cab
bolted to an AL-KO chassis The Ducato is the Multijet 180 variant with the 30-litre 132 kW400 Nm turbo diesel Like most of the rest of the Avida fleet the Eyre is built using a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof Moulded fibreglass is used for the front and rear panels while the walls are laminated together with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one piece floor has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underbody protection
Earlier Eyre designs did have a bit of a problem with external storage capacity but a large rear boot with doors on both sides and the rear wall plus two lockers on the kerb side works very well The 2 x 4 kg gas cylinders live in a locker on the other side just aft of the driverrsquos cab door Just a small issue to keep in mind is that if the side bin doors are open then
An editorial mix-up explains the Avida Eyre in this review not the Birdsville as promised last issue Apologies but the Eyre is technically more interesting while Avida claims it to be the ldquolowest profile motorhome in the marketrdquo
Day test | 25
the side windows cannot be opened or closed properly ndash not a major drama
The house batteries charger and 12 V fuses are in a compartment accessed via the rear boot just inside the kerb-side door About the only problem with this arrangement is it isnrsquot easy to get to the fuses
On The Road
Given the 3504 kg tare weight the Eyre SL is quite a nimble performer certainly on the open road and most of the time
around town except when the six-speed AMT
gearbox decides to dither around a bit in the lower gears Although the Ducato is the latest one from Fiat the review model still did not come with cup holders instead of the hinged compartment in the centre console
A better class of radioCD player does seem to be fitted these days One of the little features I liked about driving the Eyre was the ability to leave the Skyview hatch open when travelling It provides fresh air without the buffeting from open driverpassenger windows
Right The boot doorwindow conflict Below The slide-out is kitchen-only and doesnrsquot add much weight or complexity
Note the large side doors at the rear for the boot plus a door in the rear wall
26 | Day test
Living Inside
Compared to the non-slide-out model Eyre there isnt much
difference in the rear That means there is an island bed with a split bathroom ahead of it In the front though things are very different In the earlier (non-slide) model both the driver and passenger seats
swivel and mesh in with a sideways-facing seat behind the passenger and a forward-facing two-person lounge with table behind the driver That leaves space in the mid area opposite the entry door for the kitchen
But the slide-out changes all this For a start the entry door is moved slightly rearwards
while most of the kitchen ndash the cooker and two-door fridge ndash are now located in the slide-out Both cab seats swivel and theres an L-shaped lounge behind the passenger seat but the drivers seat is somewhat blocked by a kitchen bench
If more kitchen area is desirable the slide-out model is definitely the winner
Day test | 27
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
ldquoI met my old lover on the street last night She seemed so glad to see me I just smiled And we talked about some old times and we drank ourselves some beers still crazy after all these yearshelliprdquo
Singer-songwriter Paul Simon penned these lyrics which came to mind this week when I also caught up unexpectedly with an old flame Irsquod seen her around but largely ignored her because of my commitments and the knowledge that getting involved again would cause some angst Still she regularly popped into my head and so when we finally couldnrsquot avoid each other any longer it was something of a relief ndash and I have to say she certainly made me smile again
Yes there was pain ndash largely caused by my situational ineptitude ndash but once that was cleared it was just so good to be with her and the angst was quickly forgotten We went out and spent a few hours catching up reminiscing over old times and although we didnrsquot have ourselves any beers there still seemed to be a degree of craziness after all these years
My titanium road bike ndash a Van Nicholas Mistral handmade in Holland ndash has sat rather forlornly at the back of my bike collection in the garage Missy (as shersquos known) had a flat rear tyre and Irsquod put off repairing it for months perhaps a year in fact Shersquos one of modest collection of bikes for all roads and seasons but was my first lsquogoodrsquo bike I bought her new about a year before starting iMotorhome but wersquod had a rocky start due to some componentry
issues and when a good used carbon-fibre Specialized Roubaix (Ruby or course) came along Missy was relegated to second place In the cycling world carbon-fibre bikes rule due to their light weight but titanium is exclusive and has a mystique that sets it apart so I was never going to sell her
Rubyrsquos my every-day bike and needed a rear tyre replacement After only putting it off for a day or so I got to work and the job was quickly done So quickly and easily in fact I thought Irsquod fix Missy while I was on a roll Ouch Obviously not pleased with being overlooked for so long Missy drew blood but Irsquom sure it was my fault Anyway with a new tube in place and a break in the weather we headed out together and it was like falling in love all over again
Why am I sharing this Because we all have neglected items tucked away that need just a little TLC to bring back to life Missy is just a bike but the principal works with people too A little bit of effort ndash some kind words or an apology perhaps ndash can bring a big reward If therersquos something or someone you need to lsquorepairrsquo things with get to it Therersquos still time to be crazy even after all these yearshellip
FArEwELL KEithOur advertising manager Keith Smyth has hung up his phone and decided to join wife Denise in retirement We wish them all the best and with a grandchild recently arrived Irsquom sure theyrsquoll both keep busy Think you can fill his shoes Call me
GEt toGEthErTherersquos still space at our inaugural iMotorhome get together in mid September Come and explore the remarkable ruins at Joadja Creek meet the iMotorhome team and spend a relaxed weekend with a small group of fellow motorhomers See page 10 for details
Old Flameshellip
on my mind | 5
RichardCaravan_MOT_3Models_AVIDAindd 1 250415 744 PM
6 | Content
3 About UsWho we are where and other legal stuff
64 Mobile TechFood Apps For Thought ndash every food lover will appreciate thesehellip
68 Next IssueWhatrsquos coming up and which shows are on soon
9 ResourcesFind back issues and more on our website
22 MarketplaceThe latest Marketplace offers
5 On my MindOld Flameshellip
14 NewsWhatrsquos happening in the wider RV world - and beyond
52 Travel Reader WritesRelocation Road Trip ndash the final instalment of a Hobart-to-Sydney rental relocation
24 Day Test Avida Eyre 2663 SLFresh Eyre ndash now therersquos a slide-out in Avidarsquos Eyre range
38 Project PollyFirst Impressions ndash so far so good
62 Product Review Camp Kitchen ndash for lovers of cooking in the great outdoors
11 On your MindShare your thoughts for the chance to win $50
67 Advertisers IndexAn A to Z of whorsquos in this issue
46 Longtermer Horizon CasuarinaA report card on our longterm Horizon Casuarina
Paradise Motor Homes wwwparadisemotorhomescomau 245 Brisbane Road Biggera Waters Queensland 4216ph (07) 5597 4400 - email infoparadisemotorhomescomau Paradise Motor Homes products are protected by registered designs patents and copyrights trade copy 2013
Australiarsquos Best Quality Motorhomes
Enjoy the prestige of owning Australiarsquos best quality motorhome
bull Outstanding value for money competitively priced from $158000
bull Unrivalled Safety including rollover protection auto-locking cabinetry and superior appliance mounting systems
bull Industryrsquos longest amp most comprehensive motorhome warranty
bull Built for Australian conditions
bull Models available with or without slide-outsbull Superior finish with stylish new contoured exterior bull Patented moulded bins for maximum storage capacitybull Outstanding road handling amp ride comfortbull Genuine island queen beds and huge wardrobes bull Spacious rear ensuites with separate toilet amp shower bull Market leading layouts amp lifestyle featuresbull Full living area slide-outs providing superior living space bull Proven reliability of Paradisersquos patented slide-outs
Relax in Paradise
Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA
iMotorhome
reso
urce
s
because getting there is half the fun
Ask a Question
Back Issues
Road Tests
SubscriptionMarketplace
Reader Survey
Reader Review
User Guide
Magazine Resources
Review and images by Malcolm Street
Dethleffs lsquobabyrsquo A-class is something to ogle athellip
Esprit de Cor Blimey
iMotorhome mag
azin
e
because getting there is half the fun
resources | 9
Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA
The inaugural iMotorhome get-together is being held at of one of Australiarsquos most interesting historical sites ndash Joadja Creek Set deep in a valley on the western fringe of the Southern Highlands of NSW this tranquil and picturesque location was once a thriving industrial centre and township complete with its own railway
Come and meet the iMotorhome team enjoy a guided site tour a tour of the recently completed Joadja Whisky Distillery and delight in an authentic Spanish tapas dinner followed by a few drinks by the camp fire
Wersquove booked out the valley for the weekend but space limited to about 20 motorhomes so book early and secure your spot
Date 11-13 September 2015
Location Joadja Creek Heritage Site NSW
Cost $59 per person
Whatrsquos Includedbull Entry fee
bull 2-nights non-powered camping (FriSat) with basic facilities available
bull Guided historic site tour by the owner
bull Tour of Joadja Whisky Distillery
bull Spanish tapas dinner on Saturday night
ExtrasExtra night (Sun) $6 per person
Beer with dinner $5 each
Wine with dinner $6 glass
Bookings
Email infoimotorhomecomau with your name and contact details and wersquoll put you on the list Payment via EFT required to confirm booking Space is limited so contact us today
Wersquove Booked Out The Valley
iMotorhome mag
azin
e
because getting there is half the fun
1 Due to licensing restrictions BYO is not available with the Saturday night dinner but okay at other times (like around the camp fire)
2 Access is via several kilometres of dirt road The final 2 km can be tricky after heavy rain and we reserve the right to reschedule or cancel the event due to weather conditions In either case a full refund would be offered
3 Access isnrsquot recommended for coach-sized motorhomes but anything up to about 9 m will be fine
Fine Print (please read)
Click for Google Maps
Now includes
Friday night
sausage sizzle
Our little Class-C motorhome came with two privacy curtains across the above-cabin bed which we didnt need or use So we made one long curtain from breathable mozzie net type material that we can tuck under the mattress Now we are more or less guaranteed a good nightrsquos sleep in our mozzie free enclosure
Cheers Steve
Looks like a good idea to me Steve and so simple Please accept this issuersquos $50 for sharing such a simple concept with our readers Irsquom sure others will find it very useful
Hi Richard hope you are well Attached are a couple of pictures for you taken on the maiden voyage in our new Swift Rio motorhome in Cornwall I have been making notes and will submit the owners report (warts and all) soon
Best Regards Ian
Thanks Ian I look forward to it Enjoy summer while it lasts wersquore in the depths of winter at present and Cornwall looks most inviting
Itrsquos only fitting that since Ed has his say in On My Mind you should be able to have yours too If you have anything to say ndash or ask ndash just drop a line to lettersimotorhomecomau and wersquoll share it with our readers Wersquoll also reward
the most interesting useful or thoughtful letter each issue with $50 to help you on your way
On The Flyhellip
Maiden Voyage
Win $50 for the best letteron your mind | 11
Wersquove Booked Out The Valley
Hi Richard I am not sure if this is interesting to you It seems not to be to Scam Watch or the website company Trovit While browsing motor homes on the internet and having my first coffee for the day about three weeks ago I found that someone is advertising the same motor home that we purchased one year ago
Theyrsquove used the same photos picture rego number and write up The address in the same area I contacted the previous owner and he agreed that it was definitely his photos and words and rego I was relieved when I tried to browse the rego number and nothing came up (we changed from NSW to SA registration thank goodness) How can we warn others of scams that we find And is there any one we can report them to have action taken Love the Mag and look forward to reading it when we are home
Cheers Dean
Good on you Chris They look like an excellent solution to the Fiat cupholder issue and at the right price Be sure to send us some photos when installed Dean I can well imagine how upsetting it would be to find someone advertising your motorhome You did the right thing by contacting Scam Watch and the website operator Irsquove contacted the website operator twice on your behalf but again with no response I also contacted the supposed seller again with no response Irsquom surprised Scam Watch wasnrsquot interested so I suggest you contact the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN) by clicking here Hopefully you might get some satisfaction there Good luck and please let me know if you hear anything Irsquoll do the same
Fiat Cup Holders
Scam Alert
12 | on your mind
I downloaded my copy of edition 75 minutes ago and have just ordered the Fiat Ducato cup Holders
Cheers Chris
Good on you Chris They look like an excellent solution to the Fiat cupholder issue and at the right price Be sure to send us some photos when installed
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$139355 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options
WINNEBAGO WHITEHAVEN mdash WB6005 mdash
$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$
SUNLINER HOLIDAY H531 mdash SU4040 mdash
$180575 Drive AwayIveco Slideout Bed Washing Machine
DEMO
Webasto Thermo amp Comfort Australia Pty Ltd 423-427 The Boulevarde Kirrawee NSW 2232 Freecall 1800 244 494 infowebastocomau wwwwebastocomau
Webasto ndash your gas free solution for independent travelling
Thermo Top ndashWater Heaters
DieselCook Top
Air Top ndashAir Heaters
Dual Top ndash Combination Heaters
Quiet powerful operation
Low power amp fuel consumption
Use whilst parked amp on the move
Compact and effi cient
Fast heat up times Can be combined with fan radiators to provide cabin heat
Heat amp hot water from one unit
Easy to use multi-function controller
Low power amp fuel consumption
High cooking power up to 1800 W
No naked fl ame and no fumes
Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface
RVCompressorFridges
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Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers
Available as DC Only or ACDC
Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors
14 | News
WINNER
Following the debut of the Reverse Alert reverse-parking system at the Lismore Show recently we have a winner from those who watched the demonstration and entered
our online guessing competition
ldquoThe winner is Simon from Sandgate in Brisbane who has a Nissan Patrol and two kids aged six and eightrdquo said Ian Costelloe Reverse Alertrsquos Business Development Manager ldquoSimon said his Patrol has a big blind spot so hersquos very happyrdquo
Congratulations Simon wersquore sure yoursquoll love the system once installed If you missed your chance to win be sure to attend the Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show at Toowoomba Showgrounds from 31 July to 2 August Ian will be demonstrating the remarkable Reverse Alert system fitted to our very own Project Polly and wersquoll have a new competition running Donrsquot miss it
EUROPEAN AND CANADIAN RELOCATIONS
The iMoovacom website has spread its wings and is now offering limited opportunities for rental relocations in Europe At the time of writing relocations available included London to
Munich and Rome to Amsterdam both trips costing pound5 per day and allowing 4 days Canada is also on offer now with trips like Calgary to Yellowknife and Halifax to Toronto (which our roadtest editor Malcolm Street is currently experiencing) available at $25 per day
News | 15
FRONTLINE $1200 ACCESSORY OFFER
Frontline Campervans is offering more than $1200 worth of free accessories to buyers of one of its Volkswagen T5 campervans from stock before 31 August The offer
includes side and rear flyscreens plus an outdoor shower Vehicles are available in Sydney Ballina and the Gold CoastBrisbane To see exactly whatrsquos on offer click HERE
READYBRUTE
NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD
10 CHETWYND ST LOGANHOLME 4128 | P 07 3209 6654 | F 07 3209 6729 | E enquiriesnorthcoachcomauRELY ON THE COMPANY WITH EXPERIENCE FOR FITTING BACKUP amp SERVICING OF YOUR A-FRAME
DISTRIBUTORSQLD Loganholme 07 3209 7669 Cairns 07 4051 9375 Hattonvale 07 3333 1806 Bundaberg 1300 229 494NSW Newcastle 02 4948 0433 Penrith 02 4722 3444 Terry Hills 02 9986 2952VIC Ringwood 03 9879 3545 WodongaAlbury 02 6055 8555 Cambellfield 0393574555SA Victor Harbour 08 8552 1010WA Perth 08 9451 3580TAS Hobart 03 6331 2511
A-Frame Towing Specialists for over 15 years
CARRYING A COMPLETE RANGE OF BLUE OX AND READYBRUTE A-FRAMES
AND ACCESSORIES
PROTECT-A-TOW Easy to install and protect your towed vehiclefromstonesandmudThisproductfitsBlueOxandReadyBrute A-Frames and most other Brands
BLUE OX
16 | News
APOLLO NOW WIFI CONNECTED
Yoursquove come to expect WiFi in your hotel and even on cruise ships Now you can use it on your Great Aussie Road triprdquo says
Apollo Motorhome Holidays who has introduced portable WiFi routers for hire with campervans or motorhomes in its Australian fleet
According to CEO Luke Trouchet ldquoItrsquos rare to see a traveller in Australia or New Zealand without a smartphone at their fingertips ndash the humble travel guidebook has all but been replaced by travel websites and apps Wersquove responded to guest requests for WiFi routers so they can easily use their smart devices on the road and where their own mobile phone data coverage may not extendrdquo he said
Usage plans ranging from 60 MB to 3 GB from Australiarsquos largest carrier Telstra At $10 per day with a maximum charge of $50 per rental plus data usage the deal compares favourably with many hotel internet packages International travellers will be the biggest winners gaining access to the internet
at a fraction of the cost of most international data roaming charges
ldquoThe units are removable with re-chargeable batteries so they can be taken out of the rental vehicle allowing WiFi access down at the beach near the camp fire or on a rainforest walk for examplerdquo Mr Trouchet said
Also capitalising on the trend towards online tourism information Apollorsquos New Zealand operations recently launched a free App available to all guests with an iPhone or Android device
ldquoThe lsquoApollo NZ Travel Guidersquo makes sure travellers donrsquot miss a thing on their self-drive holiday with hundreds of points of interest detailed maps up to date local information and prices and a lsquotake me therersquo function to help plan driving routes This is an absolutely fantastic tool for a New Zealand driving holidayrdquo said Trouchet adding that the company is now considering the large undertaking of creating a similar application for Australia To find out more or book an Apollo holiday click HERE
wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit
From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days
Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities
Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone
12 DESTINATIONS
ONLY $999
FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places
Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability
bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation
bull Swing out stove for ease of use
bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty
bull ABS amp ESP safety systems
Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)
Outside Shower (worth over $360)
ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES
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Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable
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18 | News
Looking for a unique opportunity to create your dream motorhome The ex-mobile library vehicle for the Riverina Regional
Library is for sale and will be auctioned on 5 August in Wagga Wagga Reportedly in very good condition its details are
bull 2004 DAF 55250 pantech truck with 315400 km
bull Custom-built mobile library 10 m long x 25 m wide x 38 m high
bull 6 m x 2 m slide-outbull Fully electronic set-up operation (stabilisers
slide-out awning)bull 2 split-system air conditionersbull Disabled accessbull Automatic electric sliding entry-door
bull Awning over entry doorbull Built-in shelvingbull Kitchen area (sink fridge microwave oven)bull Two-bay IT deskAccording to Robert Knight Executive Director ndash Riverina Regional Library ldquoThis versatile vehicle has many years of life left as a mobile library or could be converted into a fantastic mobile home mobile office or anything else that your imagination can conjure up The vehicle will be auctioned at the Rundles Truck Auction on Wednesday 5 August in Wagga Wagga Check HERE for details or call Brian Plummer Support amp eServices Coordinator ndash Riverina Regional Library on 0417 221917
CONVERSION OPPORTUNITY
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Reverse Alert is a world first automatic braking technology that can be applied to any vehicle ndash new or used
When the reverse gear is selected the rear sensors are activated If the sensors detect an object the brake is automatically applied - requiring no driver input
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REVERSE ALERTREVERSE ALERT Protect your investment
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20 | News
From 1 September 2015 double demerit points will apply for second or subsequent mobile phone offences that are committed
by drivers within one year of an earlier offence
The first time you get an infringement notice for using a mobile phone while driving you will be allocated three demerit points If you use a mobile phone while driving again within 12 months of the first offence you will be allocated another 3 demerit points At that point you will also receive an additional three demerit points for it being within one year of the first offence That means nine demerit points in total for two infringements The mobile phone offences that could result in double demerit points being allocated are
bull any driver using a hand-held mobile phone
while driving (including when stopped in traffic or at traffic lights)
bull any use of mobile phones by learner and P1 provisional licence holders under 25 years of age and P1 probationary licence holders
You do not necessarily have to commit the same type of mobile phone offence a second or subsequent time to be allocated double demerit points any driver mobile phone offence counts For example the person could commit a first offence while a young driver by using a mobile phone on loudspeaker and commit a second offence by engaging in a phone call holding the phone in their hand Double demerit points are also applied all year round in Queensland to people who repeatedly commit certain speeding seatbelt and motorbike helmet offences
QUEENSLAND DRIVERS BE WARNED
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
News | 21
Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans
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A traveller suffered cuts to his arms hands and head after knife-wielding bogus police attempted to rob him in NSW
The terrified 53-year-old man was attacked when the men forced their way into his campervan parked in the Shellharbour suburb of Barrack Heights NSW The men were said to have identified themselves as police officers and produced what appeared to be police badges But when the victim asked for additional identification they forcibly put tape over his eyes and around his arms and legs They demanded money but fled empty handed when a relative of the man approached the RV from caravanningnewscom
BEWARE BOGUS POLICE
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
22 | imotorhome marketplace
Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can
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This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great
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An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new
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Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your
needs too
Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and
Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is
perfect for motorhomes
In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country
and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo
on our website too
Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and
built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from
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T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau
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We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes
Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety
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cart or in your motorhome
T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau
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imotorhome marketplace | 23
The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults
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1
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wwwduvalaycomau
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shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229
Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13
wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
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FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR
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Avidarsquos slide-out Eyre is a fresh design from Australiarsquos largest manufacturerhellip
24 | Day test Avida Eyre B7663 SL
Fresh Eyre
by Malcolm Street
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different Apart from being a sleek looking motorhome the original layout had a
very distinctive European look about it By that I mean it was a layout that generally used space in a very effective way and didnt have a great deal of empty space ndash if you understand the distinction
More recently Avida introduced an Eyre model with an kerbside slide-out It still uses much of the design from the original layout but naturally has more internal area when the slide-out is open
The Vehicle
Given the Eyre is rather a low-slung looking motorhome its no surprise it comes with a Fiat Ducato X295 cab
bolted to an AL-KO chassis The Ducato is the Multijet 180 variant with the 30-litre 132 kW400 Nm turbo diesel Like most of the rest of the Avida fleet the Eyre is built using a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof Moulded fibreglass is used for the front and rear panels while the walls are laminated together with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one piece floor has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underbody protection
Earlier Eyre designs did have a bit of a problem with external storage capacity but a large rear boot with doors on both sides and the rear wall plus two lockers on the kerb side works very well The 2 x 4 kg gas cylinders live in a locker on the other side just aft of the driverrsquos cab door Just a small issue to keep in mind is that if the side bin doors are open then
An editorial mix-up explains the Avida Eyre in this review not the Birdsville as promised last issue Apologies but the Eyre is technically more interesting while Avida claims it to be the ldquolowest profile motorhome in the marketrdquo
Day test | 25
the side windows cannot be opened or closed properly ndash not a major drama
The house batteries charger and 12 V fuses are in a compartment accessed via the rear boot just inside the kerb-side door About the only problem with this arrangement is it isnrsquot easy to get to the fuses
On The Road
Given the 3504 kg tare weight the Eyre SL is quite a nimble performer certainly on the open road and most of the time
around town except when the six-speed AMT
gearbox decides to dither around a bit in the lower gears Although the Ducato is the latest one from Fiat the review model still did not come with cup holders instead of the hinged compartment in the centre console
A better class of radioCD player does seem to be fitted these days One of the little features I liked about driving the Eyre was the ability to leave the Skyview hatch open when travelling It provides fresh air without the buffeting from open driverpassenger windows
Right The boot doorwindow conflict Below The slide-out is kitchen-only and doesnrsquot add much weight or complexity
Note the large side doors at the rear for the boot plus a door in the rear wall
26 | Day test
Living Inside
Compared to the non-slide-out model Eyre there isnt much
difference in the rear That means there is an island bed with a split bathroom ahead of it In the front though things are very different In the earlier (non-slide) model both the driver and passenger seats
swivel and mesh in with a sideways-facing seat behind the passenger and a forward-facing two-person lounge with table behind the driver That leaves space in the mid area opposite the entry door for the kitchen
But the slide-out changes all this For a start the entry door is moved slightly rearwards
while most of the kitchen ndash the cooker and two-door fridge ndash are now located in the slide-out Both cab seats swivel and theres an L-shaped lounge behind the passenger seat but the drivers seat is somewhat blocked by a kitchen bench
If more kitchen area is desirable the slide-out model is definitely the winner
Day test | 27
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
6 | Content
3 About UsWho we are where and other legal stuff
64 Mobile TechFood Apps For Thought ndash every food lover will appreciate thesehellip
68 Next IssueWhatrsquos coming up and which shows are on soon
9 ResourcesFind back issues and more on our website
22 MarketplaceThe latest Marketplace offers
5 On my MindOld Flameshellip
14 NewsWhatrsquos happening in the wider RV world - and beyond
52 Travel Reader WritesRelocation Road Trip ndash the final instalment of a Hobart-to-Sydney rental relocation
24 Day Test Avida Eyre 2663 SLFresh Eyre ndash now therersquos a slide-out in Avidarsquos Eyre range
38 Project PollyFirst Impressions ndash so far so good
62 Product Review Camp Kitchen ndash for lovers of cooking in the great outdoors
11 On your MindShare your thoughts for the chance to win $50
67 Advertisers IndexAn A to Z of whorsquos in this issue
46 Longtermer Horizon CasuarinaA report card on our longterm Horizon Casuarina
Paradise Motor Homes wwwparadisemotorhomescomau 245 Brisbane Road Biggera Waters Queensland 4216ph (07) 5597 4400 - email infoparadisemotorhomescomau Paradise Motor Homes products are protected by registered designs patents and copyrights trade copy 2013
Australiarsquos Best Quality Motorhomes
Enjoy the prestige of owning Australiarsquos best quality motorhome
bull Outstanding value for money competitively priced from $158000
bull Unrivalled Safety including rollover protection auto-locking cabinetry and superior appliance mounting systems
bull Industryrsquos longest amp most comprehensive motorhome warranty
bull Built for Australian conditions
bull Models available with or without slide-outsbull Superior finish with stylish new contoured exterior bull Patented moulded bins for maximum storage capacitybull Outstanding road handling amp ride comfortbull Genuine island queen beds and huge wardrobes bull Spacious rear ensuites with separate toilet amp shower bull Market leading layouts amp lifestyle featuresbull Full living area slide-outs providing superior living space bull Proven reliability of Paradisersquos patented slide-outs
Relax in Paradise
Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA
iMotorhome
reso
urce
s
because getting there is half the fun
Ask a Question
Back Issues
Road Tests
SubscriptionMarketplace
Reader Survey
Reader Review
User Guide
Magazine Resources
Review and images by Malcolm Street
Dethleffs lsquobabyrsquo A-class is something to ogle athellip
Esprit de Cor Blimey
iMotorhome mag
azin
e
because getting there is half the fun
resources | 9
Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA
The inaugural iMotorhome get-together is being held at of one of Australiarsquos most interesting historical sites ndash Joadja Creek Set deep in a valley on the western fringe of the Southern Highlands of NSW this tranquil and picturesque location was once a thriving industrial centre and township complete with its own railway
Come and meet the iMotorhome team enjoy a guided site tour a tour of the recently completed Joadja Whisky Distillery and delight in an authentic Spanish tapas dinner followed by a few drinks by the camp fire
Wersquove booked out the valley for the weekend but space limited to about 20 motorhomes so book early and secure your spot
Date 11-13 September 2015
Location Joadja Creek Heritage Site NSW
Cost $59 per person
Whatrsquos Includedbull Entry fee
bull 2-nights non-powered camping (FriSat) with basic facilities available
bull Guided historic site tour by the owner
bull Tour of Joadja Whisky Distillery
bull Spanish tapas dinner on Saturday night
ExtrasExtra night (Sun) $6 per person
Beer with dinner $5 each
Wine with dinner $6 glass
Bookings
Email infoimotorhomecomau with your name and contact details and wersquoll put you on the list Payment via EFT required to confirm booking Space is limited so contact us today
Wersquove Booked Out The Valley
iMotorhome mag
azin
e
because getting there is half the fun
1 Due to licensing restrictions BYO is not available with the Saturday night dinner but okay at other times (like around the camp fire)
2 Access is via several kilometres of dirt road The final 2 km can be tricky after heavy rain and we reserve the right to reschedule or cancel the event due to weather conditions In either case a full refund would be offered
3 Access isnrsquot recommended for coach-sized motorhomes but anything up to about 9 m will be fine
Fine Print (please read)
Click for Google Maps
Now includes
Friday night
sausage sizzle
Our little Class-C motorhome came with two privacy curtains across the above-cabin bed which we didnt need or use So we made one long curtain from breathable mozzie net type material that we can tuck under the mattress Now we are more or less guaranteed a good nightrsquos sleep in our mozzie free enclosure
Cheers Steve
Looks like a good idea to me Steve and so simple Please accept this issuersquos $50 for sharing such a simple concept with our readers Irsquom sure others will find it very useful
Hi Richard hope you are well Attached are a couple of pictures for you taken on the maiden voyage in our new Swift Rio motorhome in Cornwall I have been making notes and will submit the owners report (warts and all) soon
Best Regards Ian
Thanks Ian I look forward to it Enjoy summer while it lasts wersquore in the depths of winter at present and Cornwall looks most inviting
Itrsquos only fitting that since Ed has his say in On My Mind you should be able to have yours too If you have anything to say ndash or ask ndash just drop a line to lettersimotorhomecomau and wersquoll share it with our readers Wersquoll also reward
the most interesting useful or thoughtful letter each issue with $50 to help you on your way
On The Flyhellip
Maiden Voyage
Win $50 for the best letteron your mind | 11
Wersquove Booked Out The Valley
Hi Richard I am not sure if this is interesting to you It seems not to be to Scam Watch or the website company Trovit While browsing motor homes on the internet and having my first coffee for the day about three weeks ago I found that someone is advertising the same motor home that we purchased one year ago
Theyrsquove used the same photos picture rego number and write up The address in the same area I contacted the previous owner and he agreed that it was definitely his photos and words and rego I was relieved when I tried to browse the rego number and nothing came up (we changed from NSW to SA registration thank goodness) How can we warn others of scams that we find And is there any one we can report them to have action taken Love the Mag and look forward to reading it when we are home
Cheers Dean
Good on you Chris They look like an excellent solution to the Fiat cupholder issue and at the right price Be sure to send us some photos when installed Dean I can well imagine how upsetting it would be to find someone advertising your motorhome You did the right thing by contacting Scam Watch and the website operator Irsquove contacted the website operator twice on your behalf but again with no response I also contacted the supposed seller again with no response Irsquom surprised Scam Watch wasnrsquot interested so I suggest you contact the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN) by clicking here Hopefully you might get some satisfaction there Good luck and please let me know if you hear anything Irsquoll do the same
Fiat Cup Holders
Scam Alert
12 | on your mind
I downloaded my copy of edition 75 minutes ago and have just ordered the Fiat Ducato cup Holders
Cheers Chris
Good on you Chris They look like an excellent solution to the Fiat cupholder issue and at the right price Be sure to send us some photos when installed
WINNEBAGO BIRDSVILLE
mdash U1191mdash
$108 374 Drive AwaySuit New buyer Only 24000kms
WINNEBAGO ESPERANCE mdash U1265 mdash
$124956 Drive AwayTow Bar Diesel Heater Low kms
TALVOR KEPPEL mdash TA5008 mdash
$117772 Drive AwayOnly 31000kms 6 berth U Shape
Club Lounge
PRE-OWNED
NEW
5 Melrose Drive Wodonga VIC | 02 6024 4222
We Sell Australia Wide Trade-Ins Welcome AWRVWORLDCOMAU
ArsquoVAN OVATION M8 mdash AV2099 mdash
$139355 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options
WINNEBAGO WHITEHAVEN mdash WB6005 mdash
$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$
SUNLINER HOLIDAY H531 mdash SU4040 mdash
$180575 Drive AwayIveco Slideout Bed Washing Machine
DEMO
Webasto Thermo amp Comfort Australia Pty Ltd 423-427 The Boulevarde Kirrawee NSW 2232 Freecall 1800 244 494 infowebastocomau wwwwebastocomau
Webasto ndash your gas free solution for independent travelling
Thermo Top ndashWater Heaters
DieselCook Top
Air Top ndashAir Heaters
Dual Top ndash Combination Heaters
Quiet powerful operation
Low power amp fuel consumption
Use whilst parked amp on the move
Compact and effi cient
Fast heat up times Can be combined with fan radiators to provide cabin heat
Heat amp hot water from one unit
Easy to use multi-function controller
Low power amp fuel consumption
High cooking power up to 1800 W
No naked fl ame and no fumes
Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface
RVCompressorFridges
AU
1325
2
Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers
Available as DC Only or ACDC
Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors
14 | News
WINNER
Following the debut of the Reverse Alert reverse-parking system at the Lismore Show recently we have a winner from those who watched the demonstration and entered
our online guessing competition
ldquoThe winner is Simon from Sandgate in Brisbane who has a Nissan Patrol and two kids aged six and eightrdquo said Ian Costelloe Reverse Alertrsquos Business Development Manager ldquoSimon said his Patrol has a big blind spot so hersquos very happyrdquo
Congratulations Simon wersquore sure yoursquoll love the system once installed If you missed your chance to win be sure to attend the Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show at Toowoomba Showgrounds from 31 July to 2 August Ian will be demonstrating the remarkable Reverse Alert system fitted to our very own Project Polly and wersquoll have a new competition running Donrsquot miss it
EUROPEAN AND CANADIAN RELOCATIONS
The iMoovacom website has spread its wings and is now offering limited opportunities for rental relocations in Europe At the time of writing relocations available included London to
Munich and Rome to Amsterdam both trips costing pound5 per day and allowing 4 days Canada is also on offer now with trips like Calgary to Yellowknife and Halifax to Toronto (which our roadtest editor Malcolm Street is currently experiencing) available at $25 per day
News | 15
FRONTLINE $1200 ACCESSORY OFFER
Frontline Campervans is offering more than $1200 worth of free accessories to buyers of one of its Volkswagen T5 campervans from stock before 31 August The offer
includes side and rear flyscreens plus an outdoor shower Vehicles are available in Sydney Ballina and the Gold CoastBrisbane To see exactly whatrsquos on offer click HERE
READYBRUTE
NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD
10 CHETWYND ST LOGANHOLME 4128 | P 07 3209 6654 | F 07 3209 6729 | E enquiriesnorthcoachcomauRELY ON THE COMPANY WITH EXPERIENCE FOR FITTING BACKUP amp SERVICING OF YOUR A-FRAME
DISTRIBUTORSQLD Loganholme 07 3209 7669 Cairns 07 4051 9375 Hattonvale 07 3333 1806 Bundaberg 1300 229 494NSW Newcastle 02 4948 0433 Penrith 02 4722 3444 Terry Hills 02 9986 2952VIC Ringwood 03 9879 3545 WodongaAlbury 02 6055 8555 Cambellfield 0393574555SA Victor Harbour 08 8552 1010WA Perth 08 9451 3580TAS Hobart 03 6331 2511
A-Frame Towing Specialists for over 15 years
CARRYING A COMPLETE RANGE OF BLUE OX AND READYBRUTE A-FRAMES
AND ACCESSORIES
PROTECT-A-TOW Easy to install and protect your towed vehiclefromstonesandmudThisproductfitsBlueOxandReadyBrute A-Frames and most other Brands
BLUE OX
16 | News
APOLLO NOW WIFI CONNECTED
Yoursquove come to expect WiFi in your hotel and even on cruise ships Now you can use it on your Great Aussie Road triprdquo says
Apollo Motorhome Holidays who has introduced portable WiFi routers for hire with campervans or motorhomes in its Australian fleet
According to CEO Luke Trouchet ldquoItrsquos rare to see a traveller in Australia or New Zealand without a smartphone at their fingertips ndash the humble travel guidebook has all but been replaced by travel websites and apps Wersquove responded to guest requests for WiFi routers so they can easily use their smart devices on the road and where their own mobile phone data coverage may not extendrdquo he said
Usage plans ranging from 60 MB to 3 GB from Australiarsquos largest carrier Telstra At $10 per day with a maximum charge of $50 per rental plus data usage the deal compares favourably with many hotel internet packages International travellers will be the biggest winners gaining access to the internet
at a fraction of the cost of most international data roaming charges
ldquoThe units are removable with re-chargeable batteries so they can be taken out of the rental vehicle allowing WiFi access down at the beach near the camp fire or on a rainforest walk for examplerdquo Mr Trouchet said
Also capitalising on the trend towards online tourism information Apollorsquos New Zealand operations recently launched a free App available to all guests with an iPhone or Android device
ldquoThe lsquoApollo NZ Travel Guidersquo makes sure travellers donrsquot miss a thing on their self-drive holiday with hundreds of points of interest detailed maps up to date local information and prices and a lsquotake me therersquo function to help plan driving routes This is an absolutely fantastic tool for a New Zealand driving holidayrdquo said Trouchet adding that the company is now considering the large undertaking of creating a similar application for Australia To find out more or book an Apollo holiday click HERE
wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit
From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days
Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities
Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone
12 DESTINATIONS
ONLY $999
FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places
Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability
bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation
bull Swing out stove for ease of use
bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty
bull ABS amp ESP safety systems
Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)
Outside Shower (worth over $360)
ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES
Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details
The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind
Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of
Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable
HURRY offer only available while stocks last
SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998
18 | News
Looking for a unique opportunity to create your dream motorhome The ex-mobile library vehicle for the Riverina Regional
Library is for sale and will be auctioned on 5 August in Wagga Wagga Reportedly in very good condition its details are
bull 2004 DAF 55250 pantech truck with 315400 km
bull Custom-built mobile library 10 m long x 25 m wide x 38 m high
bull 6 m x 2 m slide-outbull Fully electronic set-up operation (stabilisers
slide-out awning)bull 2 split-system air conditionersbull Disabled accessbull Automatic electric sliding entry-door
bull Awning over entry doorbull Built-in shelvingbull Kitchen area (sink fridge microwave oven)bull Two-bay IT deskAccording to Robert Knight Executive Director ndash Riverina Regional Library ldquoThis versatile vehicle has many years of life left as a mobile library or could be converted into a fantastic mobile home mobile office or anything else that your imagination can conjure up The vehicle will be auctioned at the Rundles Truck Auction on Wednesday 5 August in Wagga Wagga Check HERE for details or call Brian Plummer Support amp eServices Coordinator ndash Riverina Regional Library on 0417 221917
CONVERSION OPPORTUNITY
World First Collision Avoidance System
Reverse Alert is a world first automatic braking technology that can be applied to any vehicle ndash new or used
When the reverse gear is selected the rear sensors are activated If the sensors detect an object the brake is automatically applied - requiring no driver input
EXHIBITION AND DEMONSTRATIONS AT 2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure and Motoring Expo 31 July - 2 August 2015Toowoomba Showgrounds302 Glenvale Road Toowoomba QLD - Special show prices
- Speak directly with experts - See how the technology
works
For further information on this Australian invention visit
wwwreversealertaustraliacomau
REVERSE ALERTREVERSE ALERT Protect your investment
and the people around you
20 | News
From 1 September 2015 double demerit points will apply for second or subsequent mobile phone offences that are committed
by drivers within one year of an earlier offence
The first time you get an infringement notice for using a mobile phone while driving you will be allocated three demerit points If you use a mobile phone while driving again within 12 months of the first offence you will be allocated another 3 demerit points At that point you will also receive an additional three demerit points for it being within one year of the first offence That means nine demerit points in total for two infringements The mobile phone offences that could result in double demerit points being allocated are
bull any driver using a hand-held mobile phone
while driving (including when stopped in traffic or at traffic lights)
bull any use of mobile phones by learner and P1 provisional licence holders under 25 years of age and P1 probationary licence holders
You do not necessarily have to commit the same type of mobile phone offence a second or subsequent time to be allocated double demerit points any driver mobile phone offence counts For example the person could commit a first offence while a young driver by using a mobile phone on loudspeaker and commit a second offence by engaging in a phone call holding the phone in their hand Double demerit points are also applied all year round in Queensland to people who repeatedly commit certain speeding seatbelt and motorbike helmet offences
QUEENSLAND DRIVERS BE WARNED
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
News | 21
Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans
On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT
BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE
Expedition Vehicles
222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077
infotrailblazersrvcomwwwtrailblazersrvcom
COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS
EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS
LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO
A traveller suffered cuts to his arms hands and head after knife-wielding bogus police attempted to rob him in NSW
The terrified 53-year-old man was attacked when the men forced their way into his campervan parked in the Shellharbour suburb of Barrack Heights NSW The men were said to have identified themselves as police officers and produced what appeared to be police badges But when the victim asked for additional identification they forcibly put tape over his eyes and around his arms and legs They demanded money but fled empty handed when a relative of the man approached the RV from caravanningnewscom
BEWARE BOGUS POLICE
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
22 | imotorhome marketplace
Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can
look after everything
This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great
artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it
An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new
motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the
Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your
needs too
Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and
Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is
perfect for motorhomes
In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country
and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo
on our website too
Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and
built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from
24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information
T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau
T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom
T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau
T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau
T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau
Parkland RV Centre
Bony Mountain Folk Festival
iTech World Wellington Shire
Roberts RV World RV Specialists
We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes
Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety
Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric
cart or in your motorhome
T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau
T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau
Airbag Man Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V
power specialists
T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau
Battery Traders Super Store Taronga
Western Plains Zoo
imotorhome marketplace | 23
The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults
LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR RV OWNERS
The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km
in ideal conditions Super light
too at 108kg Folds away
quite compact for small storage
To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email
mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom
1
bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support
5th wheeler specialist
hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available
The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system - for those who enjoy a comfortable
nights sleep but hate making the bed All the comforts of home while you explore the extraordinary To order simply call (08) 9336 7714 or email infoduvalaycomau
wwwduvalaycomau
Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed
lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your
motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting
Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin
Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the
Australian market Click through to find out why theyrsquore fast becoming
Australiarsquos favourite tooT (02) 9011 8144W nomadicsolutionscomau
T 0411 616 617W tiffinmotorhomescomau
Nomadic Solutions Tiffin Motorhomes
SSoouutthheerrnnCCaammppeerrvvaannss
SSppiirriitt
sliding amp rear doorFLY SCREEN
shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229
Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13
wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR
MOTORHOMEStore those additional items up and out of
the way using our adjustable transportable and modular storage system
wwwskytrackscomau
Avidarsquos slide-out Eyre is a fresh design from Australiarsquos largest manufacturerhellip
24 | Day test Avida Eyre B7663 SL
Fresh Eyre
by Malcolm Street
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different Apart from being a sleek looking motorhome the original layout had a
very distinctive European look about it By that I mean it was a layout that generally used space in a very effective way and didnt have a great deal of empty space ndash if you understand the distinction
More recently Avida introduced an Eyre model with an kerbside slide-out It still uses much of the design from the original layout but naturally has more internal area when the slide-out is open
The Vehicle
Given the Eyre is rather a low-slung looking motorhome its no surprise it comes with a Fiat Ducato X295 cab
bolted to an AL-KO chassis The Ducato is the Multijet 180 variant with the 30-litre 132 kW400 Nm turbo diesel Like most of the rest of the Avida fleet the Eyre is built using a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof Moulded fibreglass is used for the front and rear panels while the walls are laminated together with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one piece floor has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underbody protection
Earlier Eyre designs did have a bit of a problem with external storage capacity but a large rear boot with doors on both sides and the rear wall plus two lockers on the kerb side works very well The 2 x 4 kg gas cylinders live in a locker on the other side just aft of the driverrsquos cab door Just a small issue to keep in mind is that if the side bin doors are open then
An editorial mix-up explains the Avida Eyre in this review not the Birdsville as promised last issue Apologies but the Eyre is technically more interesting while Avida claims it to be the ldquolowest profile motorhome in the marketrdquo
Day test | 25
the side windows cannot be opened or closed properly ndash not a major drama
The house batteries charger and 12 V fuses are in a compartment accessed via the rear boot just inside the kerb-side door About the only problem with this arrangement is it isnrsquot easy to get to the fuses
On The Road
Given the 3504 kg tare weight the Eyre SL is quite a nimble performer certainly on the open road and most of the time
around town except when the six-speed AMT
gearbox decides to dither around a bit in the lower gears Although the Ducato is the latest one from Fiat the review model still did not come with cup holders instead of the hinged compartment in the centre console
A better class of radioCD player does seem to be fitted these days One of the little features I liked about driving the Eyre was the ability to leave the Skyview hatch open when travelling It provides fresh air without the buffeting from open driverpassenger windows
Right The boot doorwindow conflict Below The slide-out is kitchen-only and doesnrsquot add much weight or complexity
Note the large side doors at the rear for the boot plus a door in the rear wall
26 | Day test
Living Inside
Compared to the non-slide-out model Eyre there isnt much
difference in the rear That means there is an island bed with a split bathroom ahead of it In the front though things are very different In the earlier (non-slide) model both the driver and passenger seats
swivel and mesh in with a sideways-facing seat behind the passenger and a forward-facing two-person lounge with table behind the driver That leaves space in the mid area opposite the entry door for the kitchen
But the slide-out changes all this For a start the entry door is moved slightly rearwards
while most of the kitchen ndash the cooker and two-door fridge ndash are now located in the slide-out Both cab seats swivel and theres an L-shaped lounge behind the passenger seat but the drivers seat is somewhat blocked by a kitchen bench
If more kitchen area is desirable the slide-out model is definitely the winner
Day test | 27
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
Paradise Motor Homes wwwparadisemotorhomescomau 245 Brisbane Road Biggera Waters Queensland 4216ph (07) 5597 4400 - email infoparadisemotorhomescomau Paradise Motor Homes products are protected by registered designs patents and copyrights trade copy 2013
Australiarsquos Best Quality Motorhomes
Enjoy the prestige of owning Australiarsquos best quality motorhome
bull Outstanding value for money competitively priced from $158000
bull Unrivalled Safety including rollover protection auto-locking cabinetry and superior appliance mounting systems
bull Industryrsquos longest amp most comprehensive motorhome warranty
bull Built for Australian conditions
bull Models available with or without slide-outsbull Superior finish with stylish new contoured exterior bull Patented moulded bins for maximum storage capacitybull Outstanding road handling amp ride comfortbull Genuine island queen beds and huge wardrobes bull Spacious rear ensuites with separate toilet amp shower bull Market leading layouts amp lifestyle featuresbull Full living area slide-outs providing superior living space bull Proven reliability of Paradisersquos patented slide-outs
Relax in Paradise
Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA
iMotorhome
reso
urce
s
because getting there is half the fun
Ask a Question
Back Issues
Road Tests
SubscriptionMarketplace
Reader Survey
Reader Review
User Guide
Magazine Resources
Review and images by Malcolm Street
Dethleffs lsquobabyrsquo A-class is something to ogle athellip
Esprit de Cor Blimey
iMotorhome mag
azin
e
because getting there is half the fun
resources | 9
Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA
The inaugural iMotorhome get-together is being held at of one of Australiarsquos most interesting historical sites ndash Joadja Creek Set deep in a valley on the western fringe of the Southern Highlands of NSW this tranquil and picturesque location was once a thriving industrial centre and township complete with its own railway
Come and meet the iMotorhome team enjoy a guided site tour a tour of the recently completed Joadja Whisky Distillery and delight in an authentic Spanish tapas dinner followed by a few drinks by the camp fire
Wersquove booked out the valley for the weekend but space limited to about 20 motorhomes so book early and secure your spot
Date 11-13 September 2015
Location Joadja Creek Heritage Site NSW
Cost $59 per person
Whatrsquos Includedbull Entry fee
bull 2-nights non-powered camping (FriSat) with basic facilities available
bull Guided historic site tour by the owner
bull Tour of Joadja Whisky Distillery
bull Spanish tapas dinner on Saturday night
ExtrasExtra night (Sun) $6 per person
Beer with dinner $5 each
Wine with dinner $6 glass
Bookings
Email infoimotorhomecomau with your name and contact details and wersquoll put you on the list Payment via EFT required to confirm booking Space is limited so contact us today
Wersquove Booked Out The Valley
iMotorhome mag
azin
e
because getting there is half the fun
1 Due to licensing restrictions BYO is not available with the Saturday night dinner but okay at other times (like around the camp fire)
2 Access is via several kilometres of dirt road The final 2 km can be tricky after heavy rain and we reserve the right to reschedule or cancel the event due to weather conditions In either case a full refund would be offered
3 Access isnrsquot recommended for coach-sized motorhomes but anything up to about 9 m will be fine
Fine Print (please read)
Click for Google Maps
Now includes
Friday night
sausage sizzle
Our little Class-C motorhome came with two privacy curtains across the above-cabin bed which we didnt need or use So we made one long curtain from breathable mozzie net type material that we can tuck under the mattress Now we are more or less guaranteed a good nightrsquos sleep in our mozzie free enclosure
Cheers Steve
Looks like a good idea to me Steve and so simple Please accept this issuersquos $50 for sharing such a simple concept with our readers Irsquom sure others will find it very useful
Hi Richard hope you are well Attached are a couple of pictures for you taken on the maiden voyage in our new Swift Rio motorhome in Cornwall I have been making notes and will submit the owners report (warts and all) soon
Best Regards Ian
Thanks Ian I look forward to it Enjoy summer while it lasts wersquore in the depths of winter at present and Cornwall looks most inviting
Itrsquos only fitting that since Ed has his say in On My Mind you should be able to have yours too If you have anything to say ndash or ask ndash just drop a line to lettersimotorhomecomau and wersquoll share it with our readers Wersquoll also reward
the most interesting useful or thoughtful letter each issue with $50 to help you on your way
On The Flyhellip
Maiden Voyage
Win $50 for the best letteron your mind | 11
Wersquove Booked Out The Valley
Hi Richard I am not sure if this is interesting to you It seems not to be to Scam Watch or the website company Trovit While browsing motor homes on the internet and having my first coffee for the day about three weeks ago I found that someone is advertising the same motor home that we purchased one year ago
Theyrsquove used the same photos picture rego number and write up The address in the same area I contacted the previous owner and he agreed that it was definitely his photos and words and rego I was relieved when I tried to browse the rego number and nothing came up (we changed from NSW to SA registration thank goodness) How can we warn others of scams that we find And is there any one we can report them to have action taken Love the Mag and look forward to reading it when we are home
Cheers Dean
Good on you Chris They look like an excellent solution to the Fiat cupholder issue and at the right price Be sure to send us some photos when installed Dean I can well imagine how upsetting it would be to find someone advertising your motorhome You did the right thing by contacting Scam Watch and the website operator Irsquove contacted the website operator twice on your behalf but again with no response I also contacted the supposed seller again with no response Irsquom surprised Scam Watch wasnrsquot interested so I suggest you contact the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN) by clicking here Hopefully you might get some satisfaction there Good luck and please let me know if you hear anything Irsquoll do the same
Fiat Cup Holders
Scam Alert
12 | on your mind
I downloaded my copy of edition 75 minutes ago and have just ordered the Fiat Ducato cup Holders
Cheers Chris
Good on you Chris They look like an excellent solution to the Fiat cupholder issue and at the right price Be sure to send us some photos when installed
WINNEBAGO BIRDSVILLE
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$108 374 Drive AwaySuit New buyer Only 24000kms
WINNEBAGO ESPERANCE mdash U1265 mdash
$124956 Drive AwayTow Bar Diesel Heater Low kms
TALVOR KEPPEL mdash TA5008 mdash
$117772 Drive AwayOnly 31000kms 6 berth U Shape
Club Lounge
PRE-OWNED
NEW
5 Melrose Drive Wodonga VIC | 02 6024 4222
We Sell Australia Wide Trade-Ins Welcome AWRVWORLDCOMAU
ArsquoVAN OVATION M8 mdash AV2099 mdash
$139355 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options
WINNEBAGO WHITEHAVEN mdash WB6005 mdash
$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$
SUNLINER HOLIDAY H531 mdash SU4040 mdash
$180575 Drive AwayIveco Slideout Bed Washing Machine
DEMO
Webasto Thermo amp Comfort Australia Pty Ltd 423-427 The Boulevarde Kirrawee NSW 2232 Freecall 1800 244 494 infowebastocomau wwwwebastocomau
Webasto ndash your gas free solution for independent travelling
Thermo Top ndashWater Heaters
DieselCook Top
Air Top ndashAir Heaters
Dual Top ndash Combination Heaters
Quiet powerful operation
Low power amp fuel consumption
Use whilst parked amp on the move
Compact and effi cient
Fast heat up times Can be combined with fan radiators to provide cabin heat
Heat amp hot water from one unit
Easy to use multi-function controller
Low power amp fuel consumption
High cooking power up to 1800 W
No naked fl ame and no fumes
Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface
RVCompressorFridges
AU
1325
2
Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers
Available as DC Only or ACDC
Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors
14 | News
WINNER
Following the debut of the Reverse Alert reverse-parking system at the Lismore Show recently we have a winner from those who watched the demonstration and entered
our online guessing competition
ldquoThe winner is Simon from Sandgate in Brisbane who has a Nissan Patrol and two kids aged six and eightrdquo said Ian Costelloe Reverse Alertrsquos Business Development Manager ldquoSimon said his Patrol has a big blind spot so hersquos very happyrdquo
Congratulations Simon wersquore sure yoursquoll love the system once installed If you missed your chance to win be sure to attend the Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show at Toowoomba Showgrounds from 31 July to 2 August Ian will be demonstrating the remarkable Reverse Alert system fitted to our very own Project Polly and wersquoll have a new competition running Donrsquot miss it
EUROPEAN AND CANADIAN RELOCATIONS
The iMoovacom website has spread its wings and is now offering limited opportunities for rental relocations in Europe At the time of writing relocations available included London to
Munich and Rome to Amsterdam both trips costing pound5 per day and allowing 4 days Canada is also on offer now with trips like Calgary to Yellowknife and Halifax to Toronto (which our roadtest editor Malcolm Street is currently experiencing) available at $25 per day
News | 15
FRONTLINE $1200 ACCESSORY OFFER
Frontline Campervans is offering more than $1200 worth of free accessories to buyers of one of its Volkswagen T5 campervans from stock before 31 August The offer
includes side and rear flyscreens plus an outdoor shower Vehicles are available in Sydney Ballina and the Gold CoastBrisbane To see exactly whatrsquos on offer click HERE
READYBRUTE
NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD
10 CHETWYND ST LOGANHOLME 4128 | P 07 3209 6654 | F 07 3209 6729 | E enquiriesnorthcoachcomauRELY ON THE COMPANY WITH EXPERIENCE FOR FITTING BACKUP amp SERVICING OF YOUR A-FRAME
DISTRIBUTORSQLD Loganholme 07 3209 7669 Cairns 07 4051 9375 Hattonvale 07 3333 1806 Bundaberg 1300 229 494NSW Newcastle 02 4948 0433 Penrith 02 4722 3444 Terry Hills 02 9986 2952VIC Ringwood 03 9879 3545 WodongaAlbury 02 6055 8555 Cambellfield 0393574555SA Victor Harbour 08 8552 1010WA Perth 08 9451 3580TAS Hobart 03 6331 2511
A-Frame Towing Specialists for over 15 years
CARRYING A COMPLETE RANGE OF BLUE OX AND READYBRUTE A-FRAMES
AND ACCESSORIES
PROTECT-A-TOW Easy to install and protect your towed vehiclefromstonesandmudThisproductfitsBlueOxandReadyBrute A-Frames and most other Brands
BLUE OX
16 | News
APOLLO NOW WIFI CONNECTED
Yoursquove come to expect WiFi in your hotel and even on cruise ships Now you can use it on your Great Aussie Road triprdquo says
Apollo Motorhome Holidays who has introduced portable WiFi routers for hire with campervans or motorhomes in its Australian fleet
According to CEO Luke Trouchet ldquoItrsquos rare to see a traveller in Australia or New Zealand without a smartphone at their fingertips ndash the humble travel guidebook has all but been replaced by travel websites and apps Wersquove responded to guest requests for WiFi routers so they can easily use their smart devices on the road and where their own mobile phone data coverage may not extendrdquo he said
Usage plans ranging from 60 MB to 3 GB from Australiarsquos largest carrier Telstra At $10 per day with a maximum charge of $50 per rental plus data usage the deal compares favourably with many hotel internet packages International travellers will be the biggest winners gaining access to the internet
at a fraction of the cost of most international data roaming charges
ldquoThe units are removable with re-chargeable batteries so they can be taken out of the rental vehicle allowing WiFi access down at the beach near the camp fire or on a rainforest walk for examplerdquo Mr Trouchet said
Also capitalising on the trend towards online tourism information Apollorsquos New Zealand operations recently launched a free App available to all guests with an iPhone or Android device
ldquoThe lsquoApollo NZ Travel Guidersquo makes sure travellers donrsquot miss a thing on their self-drive holiday with hundreds of points of interest detailed maps up to date local information and prices and a lsquotake me therersquo function to help plan driving routes This is an absolutely fantastic tool for a New Zealand driving holidayrdquo said Trouchet adding that the company is now considering the large undertaking of creating a similar application for Australia To find out more or book an Apollo holiday click HERE
wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit
From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days
Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities
Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone
12 DESTINATIONS
ONLY $999
FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places
Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability
bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation
bull Swing out stove for ease of use
bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty
bull ABS amp ESP safety systems
Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)
Outside Shower (worth over $360)
ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES
Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details
The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind
Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of
Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable
HURRY offer only available while stocks last
SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998
18 | News
Looking for a unique opportunity to create your dream motorhome The ex-mobile library vehicle for the Riverina Regional
Library is for sale and will be auctioned on 5 August in Wagga Wagga Reportedly in very good condition its details are
bull 2004 DAF 55250 pantech truck with 315400 km
bull Custom-built mobile library 10 m long x 25 m wide x 38 m high
bull 6 m x 2 m slide-outbull Fully electronic set-up operation (stabilisers
slide-out awning)bull 2 split-system air conditionersbull Disabled accessbull Automatic electric sliding entry-door
bull Awning over entry doorbull Built-in shelvingbull Kitchen area (sink fridge microwave oven)bull Two-bay IT deskAccording to Robert Knight Executive Director ndash Riverina Regional Library ldquoThis versatile vehicle has many years of life left as a mobile library or could be converted into a fantastic mobile home mobile office or anything else that your imagination can conjure up The vehicle will be auctioned at the Rundles Truck Auction on Wednesday 5 August in Wagga Wagga Check HERE for details or call Brian Plummer Support amp eServices Coordinator ndash Riverina Regional Library on 0417 221917
CONVERSION OPPORTUNITY
World First Collision Avoidance System
Reverse Alert is a world first automatic braking technology that can be applied to any vehicle ndash new or used
When the reverse gear is selected the rear sensors are activated If the sensors detect an object the brake is automatically applied - requiring no driver input
EXHIBITION AND DEMONSTRATIONS AT 2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure and Motoring Expo 31 July - 2 August 2015Toowoomba Showgrounds302 Glenvale Road Toowoomba QLD - Special show prices
- Speak directly with experts - See how the technology
works
For further information on this Australian invention visit
wwwreversealertaustraliacomau
REVERSE ALERTREVERSE ALERT Protect your investment
and the people around you
20 | News
From 1 September 2015 double demerit points will apply for second or subsequent mobile phone offences that are committed
by drivers within one year of an earlier offence
The first time you get an infringement notice for using a mobile phone while driving you will be allocated three demerit points If you use a mobile phone while driving again within 12 months of the first offence you will be allocated another 3 demerit points At that point you will also receive an additional three demerit points for it being within one year of the first offence That means nine demerit points in total for two infringements The mobile phone offences that could result in double demerit points being allocated are
bull any driver using a hand-held mobile phone
while driving (including when stopped in traffic or at traffic lights)
bull any use of mobile phones by learner and P1 provisional licence holders under 25 years of age and P1 probationary licence holders
You do not necessarily have to commit the same type of mobile phone offence a second or subsequent time to be allocated double demerit points any driver mobile phone offence counts For example the person could commit a first offence while a young driver by using a mobile phone on loudspeaker and commit a second offence by engaging in a phone call holding the phone in their hand Double demerit points are also applied all year round in Queensland to people who repeatedly commit certain speeding seatbelt and motorbike helmet offences
QUEENSLAND DRIVERS BE WARNED
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
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On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
News | 21
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A traveller suffered cuts to his arms hands and head after knife-wielding bogus police attempted to rob him in NSW
The terrified 53-year-old man was attacked when the men forced their way into his campervan parked in the Shellharbour suburb of Barrack Heights NSW The men were said to have identified themselves as police officers and produced what appeared to be police badges But when the victim asked for additional identification they forcibly put tape over his eyes and around his arms and legs They demanded money but fled empty handed when a relative of the man approached the RV from caravanningnewscom
BEWARE BOGUS POLICE
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
22 | imotorhome marketplace
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imotorhome marketplace | 23
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Avidarsquos slide-out Eyre is a fresh design from Australiarsquos largest manufacturerhellip
24 | Day test Avida Eyre B7663 SL
Fresh Eyre
by Malcolm Street
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different Apart from being a sleek looking motorhome the original layout had a
very distinctive European look about it By that I mean it was a layout that generally used space in a very effective way and didnt have a great deal of empty space ndash if you understand the distinction
More recently Avida introduced an Eyre model with an kerbside slide-out It still uses much of the design from the original layout but naturally has more internal area when the slide-out is open
The Vehicle
Given the Eyre is rather a low-slung looking motorhome its no surprise it comes with a Fiat Ducato X295 cab
bolted to an AL-KO chassis The Ducato is the Multijet 180 variant with the 30-litre 132 kW400 Nm turbo diesel Like most of the rest of the Avida fleet the Eyre is built using a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof Moulded fibreglass is used for the front and rear panels while the walls are laminated together with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one piece floor has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underbody protection
Earlier Eyre designs did have a bit of a problem with external storage capacity but a large rear boot with doors on both sides and the rear wall plus two lockers on the kerb side works very well The 2 x 4 kg gas cylinders live in a locker on the other side just aft of the driverrsquos cab door Just a small issue to keep in mind is that if the side bin doors are open then
An editorial mix-up explains the Avida Eyre in this review not the Birdsville as promised last issue Apologies but the Eyre is technically more interesting while Avida claims it to be the ldquolowest profile motorhome in the marketrdquo
Day test | 25
the side windows cannot be opened or closed properly ndash not a major drama
The house batteries charger and 12 V fuses are in a compartment accessed via the rear boot just inside the kerb-side door About the only problem with this arrangement is it isnrsquot easy to get to the fuses
On The Road
Given the 3504 kg tare weight the Eyre SL is quite a nimble performer certainly on the open road and most of the time
around town except when the six-speed AMT
gearbox decides to dither around a bit in the lower gears Although the Ducato is the latest one from Fiat the review model still did not come with cup holders instead of the hinged compartment in the centre console
A better class of radioCD player does seem to be fitted these days One of the little features I liked about driving the Eyre was the ability to leave the Skyview hatch open when travelling It provides fresh air without the buffeting from open driverpassenger windows
Right The boot doorwindow conflict Below The slide-out is kitchen-only and doesnrsquot add much weight or complexity
Note the large side doors at the rear for the boot plus a door in the rear wall
26 | Day test
Living Inside
Compared to the non-slide-out model Eyre there isnt much
difference in the rear That means there is an island bed with a split bathroom ahead of it In the front though things are very different In the earlier (non-slide) model both the driver and passenger seats
swivel and mesh in with a sideways-facing seat behind the passenger and a forward-facing two-person lounge with table behind the driver That leaves space in the mid area opposite the entry door for the kitchen
But the slide-out changes all this For a start the entry door is moved slightly rearwards
while most of the kitchen ndash the cooker and two-door fridge ndash are now located in the slide-out Both cab seats swivel and theres an L-shaped lounge behind the passenger seat but the drivers seat is somewhat blocked by a kitchen bench
If more kitchen area is desirable the slide-out model is definitely the winner
Day test | 27
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
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Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA
iMotorhome
reso
urce
s
because getting there is half the fun
Ask a Question
Back Issues
Road Tests
SubscriptionMarketplace
Reader Survey
Reader Review
User Guide
Magazine Resources
Review and images by Malcolm Street
Dethleffs lsquobabyrsquo A-class is something to ogle athellip
Esprit de Cor Blimey
iMotorhome mag
azin
e
because getting there is half the fun
resources | 9
Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA
The inaugural iMotorhome get-together is being held at of one of Australiarsquos most interesting historical sites ndash Joadja Creek Set deep in a valley on the western fringe of the Southern Highlands of NSW this tranquil and picturesque location was once a thriving industrial centre and township complete with its own railway
Come and meet the iMotorhome team enjoy a guided site tour a tour of the recently completed Joadja Whisky Distillery and delight in an authentic Spanish tapas dinner followed by a few drinks by the camp fire
Wersquove booked out the valley for the weekend but space limited to about 20 motorhomes so book early and secure your spot
Date 11-13 September 2015
Location Joadja Creek Heritage Site NSW
Cost $59 per person
Whatrsquos Includedbull Entry fee
bull 2-nights non-powered camping (FriSat) with basic facilities available
bull Guided historic site tour by the owner
bull Tour of Joadja Whisky Distillery
bull Spanish tapas dinner on Saturday night
ExtrasExtra night (Sun) $6 per person
Beer with dinner $5 each
Wine with dinner $6 glass
Bookings
Email infoimotorhomecomau with your name and contact details and wersquoll put you on the list Payment via EFT required to confirm booking Space is limited so contact us today
Wersquove Booked Out The Valley
iMotorhome mag
azin
e
because getting there is half the fun
1 Due to licensing restrictions BYO is not available with the Saturday night dinner but okay at other times (like around the camp fire)
2 Access is via several kilometres of dirt road The final 2 km can be tricky after heavy rain and we reserve the right to reschedule or cancel the event due to weather conditions In either case a full refund would be offered
3 Access isnrsquot recommended for coach-sized motorhomes but anything up to about 9 m will be fine
Fine Print (please read)
Click for Google Maps
Now includes
Friday night
sausage sizzle
Our little Class-C motorhome came with two privacy curtains across the above-cabin bed which we didnt need or use So we made one long curtain from breathable mozzie net type material that we can tuck under the mattress Now we are more or less guaranteed a good nightrsquos sleep in our mozzie free enclosure
Cheers Steve
Looks like a good idea to me Steve and so simple Please accept this issuersquos $50 for sharing such a simple concept with our readers Irsquom sure others will find it very useful
Hi Richard hope you are well Attached are a couple of pictures for you taken on the maiden voyage in our new Swift Rio motorhome in Cornwall I have been making notes and will submit the owners report (warts and all) soon
Best Regards Ian
Thanks Ian I look forward to it Enjoy summer while it lasts wersquore in the depths of winter at present and Cornwall looks most inviting
Itrsquos only fitting that since Ed has his say in On My Mind you should be able to have yours too If you have anything to say ndash or ask ndash just drop a line to lettersimotorhomecomau and wersquoll share it with our readers Wersquoll also reward
the most interesting useful or thoughtful letter each issue with $50 to help you on your way
On The Flyhellip
Maiden Voyage
Win $50 for the best letteron your mind | 11
Wersquove Booked Out The Valley
Hi Richard I am not sure if this is interesting to you It seems not to be to Scam Watch or the website company Trovit While browsing motor homes on the internet and having my first coffee for the day about three weeks ago I found that someone is advertising the same motor home that we purchased one year ago
Theyrsquove used the same photos picture rego number and write up The address in the same area I contacted the previous owner and he agreed that it was definitely his photos and words and rego I was relieved when I tried to browse the rego number and nothing came up (we changed from NSW to SA registration thank goodness) How can we warn others of scams that we find And is there any one we can report them to have action taken Love the Mag and look forward to reading it when we are home
Cheers Dean
Good on you Chris They look like an excellent solution to the Fiat cupholder issue and at the right price Be sure to send us some photos when installed Dean I can well imagine how upsetting it would be to find someone advertising your motorhome You did the right thing by contacting Scam Watch and the website operator Irsquove contacted the website operator twice on your behalf but again with no response I also contacted the supposed seller again with no response Irsquom surprised Scam Watch wasnrsquot interested so I suggest you contact the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN) by clicking here Hopefully you might get some satisfaction there Good luck and please let me know if you hear anything Irsquoll do the same
Fiat Cup Holders
Scam Alert
12 | on your mind
I downloaded my copy of edition 75 minutes ago and have just ordered the Fiat Ducato cup Holders
Cheers Chris
Good on you Chris They look like an excellent solution to the Fiat cupholder issue and at the right price Be sure to send us some photos when installed
WINNEBAGO BIRDSVILLE
mdash U1191mdash
$108 374 Drive AwaySuit New buyer Only 24000kms
WINNEBAGO ESPERANCE mdash U1265 mdash
$124956 Drive AwayTow Bar Diesel Heater Low kms
TALVOR KEPPEL mdash TA5008 mdash
$117772 Drive AwayOnly 31000kms 6 berth U Shape
Club Lounge
PRE-OWNED
NEW
5 Melrose Drive Wodonga VIC | 02 6024 4222
We Sell Australia Wide Trade-Ins Welcome AWRVWORLDCOMAU
ArsquoVAN OVATION M8 mdash AV2099 mdash
$139355 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options
WINNEBAGO WHITEHAVEN mdash WB6005 mdash
$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$
SUNLINER HOLIDAY H531 mdash SU4040 mdash
$180575 Drive AwayIveco Slideout Bed Washing Machine
DEMO
Webasto Thermo amp Comfort Australia Pty Ltd 423-427 The Boulevarde Kirrawee NSW 2232 Freecall 1800 244 494 infowebastocomau wwwwebastocomau
Webasto ndash your gas free solution for independent travelling
Thermo Top ndashWater Heaters
DieselCook Top
Air Top ndashAir Heaters
Dual Top ndash Combination Heaters
Quiet powerful operation
Low power amp fuel consumption
Use whilst parked amp on the move
Compact and effi cient
Fast heat up times Can be combined with fan radiators to provide cabin heat
Heat amp hot water from one unit
Easy to use multi-function controller
Low power amp fuel consumption
High cooking power up to 1800 W
No naked fl ame and no fumes
Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface
RVCompressorFridges
AU
1325
2
Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers
Available as DC Only or ACDC
Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors
14 | News
WINNER
Following the debut of the Reverse Alert reverse-parking system at the Lismore Show recently we have a winner from those who watched the demonstration and entered
our online guessing competition
ldquoThe winner is Simon from Sandgate in Brisbane who has a Nissan Patrol and two kids aged six and eightrdquo said Ian Costelloe Reverse Alertrsquos Business Development Manager ldquoSimon said his Patrol has a big blind spot so hersquos very happyrdquo
Congratulations Simon wersquore sure yoursquoll love the system once installed If you missed your chance to win be sure to attend the Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show at Toowoomba Showgrounds from 31 July to 2 August Ian will be demonstrating the remarkable Reverse Alert system fitted to our very own Project Polly and wersquoll have a new competition running Donrsquot miss it
EUROPEAN AND CANADIAN RELOCATIONS
The iMoovacom website has spread its wings and is now offering limited opportunities for rental relocations in Europe At the time of writing relocations available included London to
Munich and Rome to Amsterdam both trips costing pound5 per day and allowing 4 days Canada is also on offer now with trips like Calgary to Yellowknife and Halifax to Toronto (which our roadtest editor Malcolm Street is currently experiencing) available at $25 per day
News | 15
FRONTLINE $1200 ACCESSORY OFFER
Frontline Campervans is offering more than $1200 worth of free accessories to buyers of one of its Volkswagen T5 campervans from stock before 31 August The offer
includes side and rear flyscreens plus an outdoor shower Vehicles are available in Sydney Ballina and the Gold CoastBrisbane To see exactly whatrsquos on offer click HERE
READYBRUTE
NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD
10 CHETWYND ST LOGANHOLME 4128 | P 07 3209 6654 | F 07 3209 6729 | E enquiriesnorthcoachcomauRELY ON THE COMPANY WITH EXPERIENCE FOR FITTING BACKUP amp SERVICING OF YOUR A-FRAME
DISTRIBUTORSQLD Loganholme 07 3209 7669 Cairns 07 4051 9375 Hattonvale 07 3333 1806 Bundaberg 1300 229 494NSW Newcastle 02 4948 0433 Penrith 02 4722 3444 Terry Hills 02 9986 2952VIC Ringwood 03 9879 3545 WodongaAlbury 02 6055 8555 Cambellfield 0393574555SA Victor Harbour 08 8552 1010WA Perth 08 9451 3580TAS Hobart 03 6331 2511
A-Frame Towing Specialists for over 15 years
CARRYING A COMPLETE RANGE OF BLUE OX AND READYBRUTE A-FRAMES
AND ACCESSORIES
PROTECT-A-TOW Easy to install and protect your towed vehiclefromstonesandmudThisproductfitsBlueOxandReadyBrute A-Frames and most other Brands
BLUE OX
16 | News
APOLLO NOW WIFI CONNECTED
Yoursquove come to expect WiFi in your hotel and even on cruise ships Now you can use it on your Great Aussie Road triprdquo says
Apollo Motorhome Holidays who has introduced portable WiFi routers for hire with campervans or motorhomes in its Australian fleet
According to CEO Luke Trouchet ldquoItrsquos rare to see a traveller in Australia or New Zealand without a smartphone at their fingertips ndash the humble travel guidebook has all but been replaced by travel websites and apps Wersquove responded to guest requests for WiFi routers so they can easily use their smart devices on the road and where their own mobile phone data coverage may not extendrdquo he said
Usage plans ranging from 60 MB to 3 GB from Australiarsquos largest carrier Telstra At $10 per day with a maximum charge of $50 per rental plus data usage the deal compares favourably with many hotel internet packages International travellers will be the biggest winners gaining access to the internet
at a fraction of the cost of most international data roaming charges
ldquoThe units are removable with re-chargeable batteries so they can be taken out of the rental vehicle allowing WiFi access down at the beach near the camp fire or on a rainforest walk for examplerdquo Mr Trouchet said
Also capitalising on the trend towards online tourism information Apollorsquos New Zealand operations recently launched a free App available to all guests with an iPhone or Android device
ldquoThe lsquoApollo NZ Travel Guidersquo makes sure travellers donrsquot miss a thing on their self-drive holiday with hundreds of points of interest detailed maps up to date local information and prices and a lsquotake me therersquo function to help plan driving routes This is an absolutely fantastic tool for a New Zealand driving holidayrdquo said Trouchet adding that the company is now considering the large undertaking of creating a similar application for Australia To find out more or book an Apollo holiday click HERE
wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit
From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days
Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities
Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone
12 DESTINATIONS
ONLY $999
FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places
Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability
bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation
bull Swing out stove for ease of use
bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty
bull ABS amp ESP safety systems
Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)
Outside Shower (worth over $360)
ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES
Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details
The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind
Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of
Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable
HURRY offer only available while stocks last
SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998
18 | News
Looking for a unique opportunity to create your dream motorhome The ex-mobile library vehicle for the Riverina Regional
Library is for sale and will be auctioned on 5 August in Wagga Wagga Reportedly in very good condition its details are
bull 2004 DAF 55250 pantech truck with 315400 km
bull Custom-built mobile library 10 m long x 25 m wide x 38 m high
bull 6 m x 2 m slide-outbull Fully electronic set-up operation (stabilisers
slide-out awning)bull 2 split-system air conditionersbull Disabled accessbull Automatic electric sliding entry-door
bull Awning over entry doorbull Built-in shelvingbull Kitchen area (sink fridge microwave oven)bull Two-bay IT deskAccording to Robert Knight Executive Director ndash Riverina Regional Library ldquoThis versatile vehicle has many years of life left as a mobile library or could be converted into a fantastic mobile home mobile office or anything else that your imagination can conjure up The vehicle will be auctioned at the Rundles Truck Auction on Wednesday 5 August in Wagga Wagga Check HERE for details or call Brian Plummer Support amp eServices Coordinator ndash Riverina Regional Library on 0417 221917
CONVERSION OPPORTUNITY
World First Collision Avoidance System
Reverse Alert is a world first automatic braking technology that can be applied to any vehicle ndash new or used
When the reverse gear is selected the rear sensors are activated If the sensors detect an object the brake is automatically applied - requiring no driver input
EXHIBITION AND DEMONSTRATIONS AT 2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure and Motoring Expo 31 July - 2 August 2015Toowoomba Showgrounds302 Glenvale Road Toowoomba QLD - Special show prices
- Speak directly with experts - See how the technology
works
For further information on this Australian invention visit
wwwreversealertaustraliacomau
REVERSE ALERTREVERSE ALERT Protect your investment
and the people around you
20 | News
From 1 September 2015 double demerit points will apply for second or subsequent mobile phone offences that are committed
by drivers within one year of an earlier offence
The first time you get an infringement notice for using a mobile phone while driving you will be allocated three demerit points If you use a mobile phone while driving again within 12 months of the first offence you will be allocated another 3 demerit points At that point you will also receive an additional three demerit points for it being within one year of the first offence That means nine demerit points in total for two infringements The mobile phone offences that could result in double demerit points being allocated are
bull any driver using a hand-held mobile phone
while driving (including when stopped in traffic or at traffic lights)
bull any use of mobile phones by learner and P1 provisional licence holders under 25 years of age and P1 probationary licence holders
You do not necessarily have to commit the same type of mobile phone offence a second or subsequent time to be allocated double demerit points any driver mobile phone offence counts For example the person could commit a first offence while a young driver by using a mobile phone on loudspeaker and commit a second offence by engaging in a phone call holding the phone in their hand Double demerit points are also applied all year round in Queensland to people who repeatedly commit certain speeding seatbelt and motorbike helmet offences
QUEENSLAND DRIVERS BE WARNED
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
News | 21
Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans
On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT
BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE
Expedition Vehicles
222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077
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EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS
LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO
A traveller suffered cuts to his arms hands and head after knife-wielding bogus police attempted to rob him in NSW
The terrified 53-year-old man was attacked when the men forced their way into his campervan parked in the Shellharbour suburb of Barrack Heights NSW The men were said to have identified themselves as police officers and produced what appeared to be police badges But when the victim asked for additional identification they forcibly put tape over his eyes and around his arms and legs They demanded money but fled empty handed when a relative of the man approached the RV from caravanningnewscom
BEWARE BOGUS POLICE
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
22 | imotorhome marketplace
Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can
look after everything
This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great
artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it
An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new
motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the
Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your
needs too
Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and
Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is
perfect for motorhomes
In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country
and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo
on our website too
Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and
built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from
24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information
T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau
T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom
T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau
T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau
T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau
Parkland RV Centre
Bony Mountain Folk Festival
iTech World Wellington Shire
Roberts RV World RV Specialists
We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes
Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety
Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric
cart or in your motorhome
T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau
T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau
Airbag Man Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V
power specialists
T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau
Battery Traders Super Store Taronga
Western Plains Zoo
imotorhome marketplace | 23
The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults
LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR RV OWNERS
The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km
in ideal conditions Super light
too at 108kg Folds away
quite compact for small storage
To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email
mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom
1
bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support
5th wheeler specialist
hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available
The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system - for those who enjoy a comfortable
nights sleep but hate making the bed All the comforts of home while you explore the extraordinary To order simply call (08) 9336 7714 or email infoduvalaycomau
wwwduvalaycomau
Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed
lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your
motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting
Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin
Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the
Australian market Click through to find out why theyrsquore fast becoming
Australiarsquos favourite tooT (02) 9011 8144W nomadicsolutionscomau
T 0411 616 617W tiffinmotorhomescomau
Nomadic Solutions Tiffin Motorhomes
SSoouutthheerrnnCCaammppeerrvvaannss
SSppiirriitt
sliding amp rear doorFLY SCREEN
shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229
Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13
wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR
MOTORHOMEStore those additional items up and out of
the way using our adjustable transportable and modular storage system
wwwskytrackscomau
Avidarsquos slide-out Eyre is a fresh design from Australiarsquos largest manufacturerhellip
24 | Day test Avida Eyre B7663 SL
Fresh Eyre
by Malcolm Street
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different Apart from being a sleek looking motorhome the original layout had a
very distinctive European look about it By that I mean it was a layout that generally used space in a very effective way and didnt have a great deal of empty space ndash if you understand the distinction
More recently Avida introduced an Eyre model with an kerbside slide-out It still uses much of the design from the original layout but naturally has more internal area when the slide-out is open
The Vehicle
Given the Eyre is rather a low-slung looking motorhome its no surprise it comes with a Fiat Ducato X295 cab
bolted to an AL-KO chassis The Ducato is the Multijet 180 variant with the 30-litre 132 kW400 Nm turbo diesel Like most of the rest of the Avida fleet the Eyre is built using a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof Moulded fibreglass is used for the front and rear panels while the walls are laminated together with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one piece floor has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underbody protection
Earlier Eyre designs did have a bit of a problem with external storage capacity but a large rear boot with doors on both sides and the rear wall plus two lockers on the kerb side works very well The 2 x 4 kg gas cylinders live in a locker on the other side just aft of the driverrsquos cab door Just a small issue to keep in mind is that if the side bin doors are open then
An editorial mix-up explains the Avida Eyre in this review not the Birdsville as promised last issue Apologies but the Eyre is technically more interesting while Avida claims it to be the ldquolowest profile motorhome in the marketrdquo
Day test | 25
the side windows cannot be opened or closed properly ndash not a major drama
The house batteries charger and 12 V fuses are in a compartment accessed via the rear boot just inside the kerb-side door About the only problem with this arrangement is it isnrsquot easy to get to the fuses
On The Road
Given the 3504 kg tare weight the Eyre SL is quite a nimble performer certainly on the open road and most of the time
around town except when the six-speed AMT
gearbox decides to dither around a bit in the lower gears Although the Ducato is the latest one from Fiat the review model still did not come with cup holders instead of the hinged compartment in the centre console
A better class of radioCD player does seem to be fitted these days One of the little features I liked about driving the Eyre was the ability to leave the Skyview hatch open when travelling It provides fresh air without the buffeting from open driverpassenger windows
Right The boot doorwindow conflict Below The slide-out is kitchen-only and doesnrsquot add much weight or complexity
Note the large side doors at the rear for the boot plus a door in the rear wall
26 | Day test
Living Inside
Compared to the non-slide-out model Eyre there isnt much
difference in the rear That means there is an island bed with a split bathroom ahead of it In the front though things are very different In the earlier (non-slide) model both the driver and passenger seats
swivel and mesh in with a sideways-facing seat behind the passenger and a forward-facing two-person lounge with table behind the driver That leaves space in the mid area opposite the entry door for the kitchen
But the slide-out changes all this For a start the entry door is moved slightly rearwards
while most of the kitchen ndash the cooker and two-door fridge ndash are now located in the slide-out Both cab seats swivel and theres an L-shaped lounge behind the passenger seat but the drivers seat is somewhat blocked by a kitchen bench
If more kitchen area is desirable the slide-out model is definitely the winner
Day test | 27
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
iMotorhome
reso
urce
s
because getting there is half the fun
Ask a Question
Back Issues
Road Tests
SubscriptionMarketplace
Reader Survey
Reader Review
User Guide
Magazine Resources
Review and images by Malcolm Street
Dethleffs lsquobabyrsquo A-class is something to ogle athellip
Esprit de Cor Blimey
iMotorhome mag
azin
e
because getting there is half the fun
resources | 9
Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA
The inaugural iMotorhome get-together is being held at of one of Australiarsquos most interesting historical sites ndash Joadja Creek Set deep in a valley on the western fringe of the Southern Highlands of NSW this tranquil and picturesque location was once a thriving industrial centre and township complete with its own railway
Come and meet the iMotorhome team enjoy a guided site tour a tour of the recently completed Joadja Whisky Distillery and delight in an authentic Spanish tapas dinner followed by a few drinks by the camp fire
Wersquove booked out the valley for the weekend but space limited to about 20 motorhomes so book early and secure your spot
Date 11-13 September 2015
Location Joadja Creek Heritage Site NSW
Cost $59 per person
Whatrsquos Includedbull Entry fee
bull 2-nights non-powered camping (FriSat) with basic facilities available
bull Guided historic site tour by the owner
bull Tour of Joadja Whisky Distillery
bull Spanish tapas dinner on Saturday night
ExtrasExtra night (Sun) $6 per person
Beer with dinner $5 each
Wine with dinner $6 glass
Bookings
Email infoimotorhomecomau with your name and contact details and wersquoll put you on the list Payment via EFT required to confirm booking Space is limited so contact us today
Wersquove Booked Out The Valley
iMotorhome mag
azin
e
because getting there is half the fun
1 Due to licensing restrictions BYO is not available with the Saturday night dinner but okay at other times (like around the camp fire)
2 Access is via several kilometres of dirt road The final 2 km can be tricky after heavy rain and we reserve the right to reschedule or cancel the event due to weather conditions In either case a full refund would be offered
3 Access isnrsquot recommended for coach-sized motorhomes but anything up to about 9 m will be fine
Fine Print (please read)
Click for Google Maps
Now includes
Friday night
sausage sizzle
Our little Class-C motorhome came with two privacy curtains across the above-cabin bed which we didnt need or use So we made one long curtain from breathable mozzie net type material that we can tuck under the mattress Now we are more or less guaranteed a good nightrsquos sleep in our mozzie free enclosure
Cheers Steve
Looks like a good idea to me Steve and so simple Please accept this issuersquos $50 for sharing such a simple concept with our readers Irsquom sure others will find it very useful
Hi Richard hope you are well Attached are a couple of pictures for you taken on the maiden voyage in our new Swift Rio motorhome in Cornwall I have been making notes and will submit the owners report (warts and all) soon
Best Regards Ian
Thanks Ian I look forward to it Enjoy summer while it lasts wersquore in the depths of winter at present and Cornwall looks most inviting
Itrsquos only fitting that since Ed has his say in On My Mind you should be able to have yours too If you have anything to say ndash or ask ndash just drop a line to lettersimotorhomecomau and wersquoll share it with our readers Wersquoll also reward
the most interesting useful or thoughtful letter each issue with $50 to help you on your way
On The Flyhellip
Maiden Voyage
Win $50 for the best letteron your mind | 11
Wersquove Booked Out The Valley
Hi Richard I am not sure if this is interesting to you It seems not to be to Scam Watch or the website company Trovit While browsing motor homes on the internet and having my first coffee for the day about three weeks ago I found that someone is advertising the same motor home that we purchased one year ago
Theyrsquove used the same photos picture rego number and write up The address in the same area I contacted the previous owner and he agreed that it was definitely his photos and words and rego I was relieved when I tried to browse the rego number and nothing came up (we changed from NSW to SA registration thank goodness) How can we warn others of scams that we find And is there any one we can report them to have action taken Love the Mag and look forward to reading it when we are home
Cheers Dean
Good on you Chris They look like an excellent solution to the Fiat cupholder issue and at the right price Be sure to send us some photos when installed Dean I can well imagine how upsetting it would be to find someone advertising your motorhome You did the right thing by contacting Scam Watch and the website operator Irsquove contacted the website operator twice on your behalf but again with no response I also contacted the supposed seller again with no response Irsquom surprised Scam Watch wasnrsquot interested so I suggest you contact the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN) by clicking here Hopefully you might get some satisfaction there Good luck and please let me know if you hear anything Irsquoll do the same
Fiat Cup Holders
Scam Alert
12 | on your mind
I downloaded my copy of edition 75 minutes ago and have just ordered the Fiat Ducato cup Holders
Cheers Chris
Good on you Chris They look like an excellent solution to the Fiat cupholder issue and at the right price Be sure to send us some photos when installed
WINNEBAGO BIRDSVILLE
mdash U1191mdash
$108 374 Drive AwaySuit New buyer Only 24000kms
WINNEBAGO ESPERANCE mdash U1265 mdash
$124956 Drive AwayTow Bar Diesel Heater Low kms
TALVOR KEPPEL mdash TA5008 mdash
$117772 Drive AwayOnly 31000kms 6 berth U Shape
Club Lounge
PRE-OWNED
NEW
5 Melrose Drive Wodonga VIC | 02 6024 4222
We Sell Australia Wide Trade-Ins Welcome AWRVWORLDCOMAU
ArsquoVAN OVATION M8 mdash AV2099 mdash
$139355 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options
WINNEBAGO WHITEHAVEN mdash WB6005 mdash
$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$
SUNLINER HOLIDAY H531 mdash SU4040 mdash
$180575 Drive AwayIveco Slideout Bed Washing Machine
DEMO
Webasto Thermo amp Comfort Australia Pty Ltd 423-427 The Boulevarde Kirrawee NSW 2232 Freecall 1800 244 494 infowebastocomau wwwwebastocomau
Webasto ndash your gas free solution for independent travelling
Thermo Top ndashWater Heaters
DieselCook Top
Air Top ndashAir Heaters
Dual Top ndash Combination Heaters
Quiet powerful operation
Low power amp fuel consumption
Use whilst parked amp on the move
Compact and effi cient
Fast heat up times Can be combined with fan radiators to provide cabin heat
Heat amp hot water from one unit
Easy to use multi-function controller
Low power amp fuel consumption
High cooking power up to 1800 W
No naked fl ame and no fumes
Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface
RVCompressorFridges
AU
1325
2
Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers
Available as DC Only or ACDC
Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors
14 | News
WINNER
Following the debut of the Reverse Alert reverse-parking system at the Lismore Show recently we have a winner from those who watched the demonstration and entered
our online guessing competition
ldquoThe winner is Simon from Sandgate in Brisbane who has a Nissan Patrol and two kids aged six and eightrdquo said Ian Costelloe Reverse Alertrsquos Business Development Manager ldquoSimon said his Patrol has a big blind spot so hersquos very happyrdquo
Congratulations Simon wersquore sure yoursquoll love the system once installed If you missed your chance to win be sure to attend the Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show at Toowoomba Showgrounds from 31 July to 2 August Ian will be demonstrating the remarkable Reverse Alert system fitted to our very own Project Polly and wersquoll have a new competition running Donrsquot miss it
EUROPEAN AND CANADIAN RELOCATIONS
The iMoovacom website has spread its wings and is now offering limited opportunities for rental relocations in Europe At the time of writing relocations available included London to
Munich and Rome to Amsterdam both trips costing pound5 per day and allowing 4 days Canada is also on offer now with trips like Calgary to Yellowknife and Halifax to Toronto (which our roadtest editor Malcolm Street is currently experiencing) available at $25 per day
News | 15
FRONTLINE $1200 ACCESSORY OFFER
Frontline Campervans is offering more than $1200 worth of free accessories to buyers of one of its Volkswagen T5 campervans from stock before 31 August The offer
includes side and rear flyscreens plus an outdoor shower Vehicles are available in Sydney Ballina and the Gold CoastBrisbane To see exactly whatrsquos on offer click HERE
READYBRUTE
NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD
10 CHETWYND ST LOGANHOLME 4128 | P 07 3209 6654 | F 07 3209 6729 | E enquiriesnorthcoachcomauRELY ON THE COMPANY WITH EXPERIENCE FOR FITTING BACKUP amp SERVICING OF YOUR A-FRAME
DISTRIBUTORSQLD Loganholme 07 3209 7669 Cairns 07 4051 9375 Hattonvale 07 3333 1806 Bundaberg 1300 229 494NSW Newcastle 02 4948 0433 Penrith 02 4722 3444 Terry Hills 02 9986 2952VIC Ringwood 03 9879 3545 WodongaAlbury 02 6055 8555 Cambellfield 0393574555SA Victor Harbour 08 8552 1010WA Perth 08 9451 3580TAS Hobart 03 6331 2511
A-Frame Towing Specialists for over 15 years
CARRYING A COMPLETE RANGE OF BLUE OX AND READYBRUTE A-FRAMES
AND ACCESSORIES
PROTECT-A-TOW Easy to install and protect your towed vehiclefromstonesandmudThisproductfitsBlueOxandReadyBrute A-Frames and most other Brands
BLUE OX
16 | News
APOLLO NOW WIFI CONNECTED
Yoursquove come to expect WiFi in your hotel and even on cruise ships Now you can use it on your Great Aussie Road triprdquo says
Apollo Motorhome Holidays who has introduced portable WiFi routers for hire with campervans or motorhomes in its Australian fleet
According to CEO Luke Trouchet ldquoItrsquos rare to see a traveller in Australia or New Zealand without a smartphone at their fingertips ndash the humble travel guidebook has all but been replaced by travel websites and apps Wersquove responded to guest requests for WiFi routers so they can easily use their smart devices on the road and where their own mobile phone data coverage may not extendrdquo he said
Usage plans ranging from 60 MB to 3 GB from Australiarsquos largest carrier Telstra At $10 per day with a maximum charge of $50 per rental plus data usage the deal compares favourably with many hotel internet packages International travellers will be the biggest winners gaining access to the internet
at a fraction of the cost of most international data roaming charges
ldquoThe units are removable with re-chargeable batteries so they can be taken out of the rental vehicle allowing WiFi access down at the beach near the camp fire or on a rainforest walk for examplerdquo Mr Trouchet said
Also capitalising on the trend towards online tourism information Apollorsquos New Zealand operations recently launched a free App available to all guests with an iPhone or Android device
ldquoThe lsquoApollo NZ Travel Guidersquo makes sure travellers donrsquot miss a thing on their self-drive holiday with hundreds of points of interest detailed maps up to date local information and prices and a lsquotake me therersquo function to help plan driving routes This is an absolutely fantastic tool for a New Zealand driving holidayrdquo said Trouchet adding that the company is now considering the large undertaking of creating a similar application for Australia To find out more or book an Apollo holiday click HERE
wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit
From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days
Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities
Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone
12 DESTINATIONS
ONLY $999
FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places
Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability
bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation
bull Swing out stove for ease of use
bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty
bull ABS amp ESP safety systems
Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)
Outside Shower (worth over $360)
ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES
Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details
The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind
Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of
Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable
HURRY offer only available while stocks last
SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998
18 | News
Looking for a unique opportunity to create your dream motorhome The ex-mobile library vehicle for the Riverina Regional
Library is for sale and will be auctioned on 5 August in Wagga Wagga Reportedly in very good condition its details are
bull 2004 DAF 55250 pantech truck with 315400 km
bull Custom-built mobile library 10 m long x 25 m wide x 38 m high
bull 6 m x 2 m slide-outbull Fully electronic set-up operation (stabilisers
slide-out awning)bull 2 split-system air conditionersbull Disabled accessbull Automatic electric sliding entry-door
bull Awning over entry doorbull Built-in shelvingbull Kitchen area (sink fridge microwave oven)bull Two-bay IT deskAccording to Robert Knight Executive Director ndash Riverina Regional Library ldquoThis versatile vehicle has many years of life left as a mobile library or could be converted into a fantastic mobile home mobile office or anything else that your imagination can conjure up The vehicle will be auctioned at the Rundles Truck Auction on Wednesday 5 August in Wagga Wagga Check HERE for details or call Brian Plummer Support amp eServices Coordinator ndash Riverina Regional Library on 0417 221917
CONVERSION OPPORTUNITY
World First Collision Avoidance System
Reverse Alert is a world first automatic braking technology that can be applied to any vehicle ndash new or used
When the reverse gear is selected the rear sensors are activated If the sensors detect an object the brake is automatically applied - requiring no driver input
EXHIBITION AND DEMONSTRATIONS AT 2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure and Motoring Expo 31 July - 2 August 2015Toowoomba Showgrounds302 Glenvale Road Toowoomba QLD - Special show prices
- Speak directly with experts - See how the technology
works
For further information on this Australian invention visit
wwwreversealertaustraliacomau
REVERSE ALERTREVERSE ALERT Protect your investment
and the people around you
20 | News
From 1 September 2015 double demerit points will apply for second or subsequent mobile phone offences that are committed
by drivers within one year of an earlier offence
The first time you get an infringement notice for using a mobile phone while driving you will be allocated three demerit points If you use a mobile phone while driving again within 12 months of the first offence you will be allocated another 3 demerit points At that point you will also receive an additional three demerit points for it being within one year of the first offence That means nine demerit points in total for two infringements The mobile phone offences that could result in double demerit points being allocated are
bull any driver using a hand-held mobile phone
while driving (including when stopped in traffic or at traffic lights)
bull any use of mobile phones by learner and P1 provisional licence holders under 25 years of age and P1 probationary licence holders
You do not necessarily have to commit the same type of mobile phone offence a second or subsequent time to be allocated double demerit points any driver mobile phone offence counts For example the person could commit a first offence while a young driver by using a mobile phone on loudspeaker and commit a second offence by engaging in a phone call holding the phone in their hand Double demerit points are also applied all year round in Queensland to people who repeatedly commit certain speeding seatbelt and motorbike helmet offences
QUEENSLAND DRIVERS BE WARNED
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
News | 21
Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans
On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT
BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE
Expedition Vehicles
222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077
infotrailblazersrvcomwwwtrailblazersrvcom
COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS
EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS
LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO
A traveller suffered cuts to his arms hands and head after knife-wielding bogus police attempted to rob him in NSW
The terrified 53-year-old man was attacked when the men forced their way into his campervan parked in the Shellharbour suburb of Barrack Heights NSW The men were said to have identified themselves as police officers and produced what appeared to be police badges But when the victim asked for additional identification they forcibly put tape over his eyes and around his arms and legs They demanded money but fled empty handed when a relative of the man approached the RV from caravanningnewscom
BEWARE BOGUS POLICE
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
22 | imotorhome marketplace
Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can
look after everything
This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great
artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it
An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new
motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the
Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your
needs too
Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and
Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is
perfect for motorhomes
In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country
and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo
on our website too
Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and
built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from
24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information
T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau
T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom
T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau
T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau
T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau
Parkland RV Centre
Bony Mountain Folk Festival
iTech World Wellington Shire
Roberts RV World RV Specialists
We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes
Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety
Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric
cart or in your motorhome
T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau
T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau
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imotorhome marketplace | 23
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Avidarsquos slide-out Eyre is a fresh design from Australiarsquos largest manufacturerhellip
24 | Day test Avida Eyre B7663 SL
Fresh Eyre
by Malcolm Street
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different Apart from being a sleek looking motorhome the original layout had a
very distinctive European look about it By that I mean it was a layout that generally used space in a very effective way and didnt have a great deal of empty space ndash if you understand the distinction
More recently Avida introduced an Eyre model with an kerbside slide-out It still uses much of the design from the original layout but naturally has more internal area when the slide-out is open
The Vehicle
Given the Eyre is rather a low-slung looking motorhome its no surprise it comes with a Fiat Ducato X295 cab
bolted to an AL-KO chassis The Ducato is the Multijet 180 variant with the 30-litre 132 kW400 Nm turbo diesel Like most of the rest of the Avida fleet the Eyre is built using a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof Moulded fibreglass is used for the front and rear panels while the walls are laminated together with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one piece floor has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underbody protection
Earlier Eyre designs did have a bit of a problem with external storage capacity but a large rear boot with doors on both sides and the rear wall plus two lockers on the kerb side works very well The 2 x 4 kg gas cylinders live in a locker on the other side just aft of the driverrsquos cab door Just a small issue to keep in mind is that if the side bin doors are open then
An editorial mix-up explains the Avida Eyre in this review not the Birdsville as promised last issue Apologies but the Eyre is technically more interesting while Avida claims it to be the ldquolowest profile motorhome in the marketrdquo
Day test | 25
the side windows cannot be opened or closed properly ndash not a major drama
The house batteries charger and 12 V fuses are in a compartment accessed via the rear boot just inside the kerb-side door About the only problem with this arrangement is it isnrsquot easy to get to the fuses
On The Road
Given the 3504 kg tare weight the Eyre SL is quite a nimble performer certainly on the open road and most of the time
around town except when the six-speed AMT
gearbox decides to dither around a bit in the lower gears Although the Ducato is the latest one from Fiat the review model still did not come with cup holders instead of the hinged compartment in the centre console
A better class of radioCD player does seem to be fitted these days One of the little features I liked about driving the Eyre was the ability to leave the Skyview hatch open when travelling It provides fresh air without the buffeting from open driverpassenger windows
Right The boot doorwindow conflict Below The slide-out is kitchen-only and doesnrsquot add much weight or complexity
Note the large side doors at the rear for the boot plus a door in the rear wall
26 | Day test
Living Inside
Compared to the non-slide-out model Eyre there isnt much
difference in the rear That means there is an island bed with a split bathroom ahead of it In the front though things are very different In the earlier (non-slide) model both the driver and passenger seats
swivel and mesh in with a sideways-facing seat behind the passenger and a forward-facing two-person lounge with table behind the driver That leaves space in the mid area opposite the entry door for the kitchen
But the slide-out changes all this For a start the entry door is moved slightly rearwards
while most of the kitchen ndash the cooker and two-door fridge ndash are now located in the slide-out Both cab seats swivel and theres an L-shaped lounge behind the passenger seat but the drivers seat is somewhat blocked by a kitchen bench
If more kitchen area is desirable the slide-out model is definitely the winner
Day test | 27
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
The inaugural iMotorhome get-together is being held at of one of Australiarsquos most interesting historical sites ndash Joadja Creek Set deep in a valley on the western fringe of the Southern Highlands of NSW this tranquil and picturesque location was once a thriving industrial centre and township complete with its own railway
Come and meet the iMotorhome team enjoy a guided site tour a tour of the recently completed Joadja Whisky Distillery and delight in an authentic Spanish tapas dinner followed by a few drinks by the camp fire
Wersquove booked out the valley for the weekend but space limited to about 20 motorhomes so book early and secure your spot
Date 11-13 September 2015
Location Joadja Creek Heritage Site NSW
Cost $59 per person
Whatrsquos Includedbull Entry fee
bull 2-nights non-powered camping (FriSat) with basic facilities available
bull Guided historic site tour by the owner
bull Tour of Joadja Whisky Distillery
bull Spanish tapas dinner on Saturday night
ExtrasExtra night (Sun) $6 per person
Beer with dinner $5 each
Wine with dinner $6 glass
Bookings
Email infoimotorhomecomau with your name and contact details and wersquoll put you on the list Payment via EFT required to confirm booking Space is limited so contact us today
Wersquove Booked Out The Valley
iMotorhome mag
azin
e
because getting there is half the fun
1 Due to licensing restrictions BYO is not available with the Saturday night dinner but okay at other times (like around the camp fire)
2 Access is via several kilometres of dirt road The final 2 km can be tricky after heavy rain and we reserve the right to reschedule or cancel the event due to weather conditions In either case a full refund would be offered
3 Access isnrsquot recommended for coach-sized motorhomes but anything up to about 9 m will be fine
Fine Print (please read)
Click for Google Maps
Now includes
Friday night
sausage sizzle
Our little Class-C motorhome came with two privacy curtains across the above-cabin bed which we didnt need or use So we made one long curtain from breathable mozzie net type material that we can tuck under the mattress Now we are more or less guaranteed a good nightrsquos sleep in our mozzie free enclosure
Cheers Steve
Looks like a good idea to me Steve and so simple Please accept this issuersquos $50 for sharing such a simple concept with our readers Irsquom sure others will find it very useful
Hi Richard hope you are well Attached are a couple of pictures for you taken on the maiden voyage in our new Swift Rio motorhome in Cornwall I have been making notes and will submit the owners report (warts and all) soon
Best Regards Ian
Thanks Ian I look forward to it Enjoy summer while it lasts wersquore in the depths of winter at present and Cornwall looks most inviting
Itrsquos only fitting that since Ed has his say in On My Mind you should be able to have yours too If you have anything to say ndash or ask ndash just drop a line to lettersimotorhomecomau and wersquoll share it with our readers Wersquoll also reward
the most interesting useful or thoughtful letter each issue with $50 to help you on your way
On The Flyhellip
Maiden Voyage
Win $50 for the best letteron your mind | 11
Wersquove Booked Out The Valley
Hi Richard I am not sure if this is interesting to you It seems not to be to Scam Watch or the website company Trovit While browsing motor homes on the internet and having my first coffee for the day about three weeks ago I found that someone is advertising the same motor home that we purchased one year ago
Theyrsquove used the same photos picture rego number and write up The address in the same area I contacted the previous owner and he agreed that it was definitely his photos and words and rego I was relieved when I tried to browse the rego number and nothing came up (we changed from NSW to SA registration thank goodness) How can we warn others of scams that we find And is there any one we can report them to have action taken Love the Mag and look forward to reading it when we are home
Cheers Dean
Good on you Chris They look like an excellent solution to the Fiat cupholder issue and at the right price Be sure to send us some photos when installed Dean I can well imagine how upsetting it would be to find someone advertising your motorhome You did the right thing by contacting Scam Watch and the website operator Irsquove contacted the website operator twice on your behalf but again with no response I also contacted the supposed seller again with no response Irsquom surprised Scam Watch wasnrsquot interested so I suggest you contact the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN) by clicking here Hopefully you might get some satisfaction there Good luck and please let me know if you hear anything Irsquoll do the same
Fiat Cup Holders
Scam Alert
12 | on your mind
I downloaded my copy of edition 75 minutes ago and have just ordered the Fiat Ducato cup Holders
Cheers Chris
Good on you Chris They look like an excellent solution to the Fiat cupholder issue and at the right price Be sure to send us some photos when installed
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Club Lounge
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NEW
5 Melrose Drive Wodonga VIC | 02 6024 4222
We Sell Australia Wide Trade-Ins Welcome AWRVWORLDCOMAU
ArsquoVAN OVATION M8 mdash AV2099 mdash
$139355 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options
WINNEBAGO WHITEHAVEN mdash WB6005 mdash
$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$
SUNLINER HOLIDAY H531 mdash SU4040 mdash
$180575 Drive AwayIveco Slideout Bed Washing Machine
DEMO
Webasto Thermo amp Comfort Australia Pty Ltd 423-427 The Boulevarde Kirrawee NSW 2232 Freecall 1800 244 494 infowebastocomau wwwwebastocomau
Webasto ndash your gas free solution for independent travelling
Thermo Top ndashWater Heaters
DieselCook Top
Air Top ndashAir Heaters
Dual Top ndash Combination Heaters
Quiet powerful operation
Low power amp fuel consumption
Use whilst parked amp on the move
Compact and effi cient
Fast heat up times Can be combined with fan radiators to provide cabin heat
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Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface
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Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers
Available as DC Only or ACDC
Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors
14 | News
WINNER
Following the debut of the Reverse Alert reverse-parking system at the Lismore Show recently we have a winner from those who watched the demonstration and entered
our online guessing competition
ldquoThe winner is Simon from Sandgate in Brisbane who has a Nissan Patrol and two kids aged six and eightrdquo said Ian Costelloe Reverse Alertrsquos Business Development Manager ldquoSimon said his Patrol has a big blind spot so hersquos very happyrdquo
Congratulations Simon wersquore sure yoursquoll love the system once installed If you missed your chance to win be sure to attend the Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show at Toowoomba Showgrounds from 31 July to 2 August Ian will be demonstrating the remarkable Reverse Alert system fitted to our very own Project Polly and wersquoll have a new competition running Donrsquot miss it
EUROPEAN AND CANADIAN RELOCATIONS
The iMoovacom website has spread its wings and is now offering limited opportunities for rental relocations in Europe At the time of writing relocations available included London to
Munich and Rome to Amsterdam both trips costing pound5 per day and allowing 4 days Canada is also on offer now with trips like Calgary to Yellowknife and Halifax to Toronto (which our roadtest editor Malcolm Street is currently experiencing) available at $25 per day
News | 15
FRONTLINE $1200 ACCESSORY OFFER
Frontline Campervans is offering more than $1200 worth of free accessories to buyers of one of its Volkswagen T5 campervans from stock before 31 August The offer
includes side and rear flyscreens plus an outdoor shower Vehicles are available in Sydney Ballina and the Gold CoastBrisbane To see exactly whatrsquos on offer click HERE
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A-Frame Towing Specialists for over 15 years
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AND ACCESSORIES
PROTECT-A-TOW Easy to install and protect your towed vehiclefromstonesandmudThisproductfitsBlueOxandReadyBrute A-Frames and most other Brands
BLUE OX
16 | News
APOLLO NOW WIFI CONNECTED
Yoursquove come to expect WiFi in your hotel and even on cruise ships Now you can use it on your Great Aussie Road triprdquo says
Apollo Motorhome Holidays who has introduced portable WiFi routers for hire with campervans or motorhomes in its Australian fleet
According to CEO Luke Trouchet ldquoItrsquos rare to see a traveller in Australia or New Zealand without a smartphone at their fingertips ndash the humble travel guidebook has all but been replaced by travel websites and apps Wersquove responded to guest requests for WiFi routers so they can easily use their smart devices on the road and where their own mobile phone data coverage may not extendrdquo he said
Usage plans ranging from 60 MB to 3 GB from Australiarsquos largest carrier Telstra At $10 per day with a maximum charge of $50 per rental plus data usage the deal compares favourably with many hotel internet packages International travellers will be the biggest winners gaining access to the internet
at a fraction of the cost of most international data roaming charges
ldquoThe units are removable with re-chargeable batteries so they can be taken out of the rental vehicle allowing WiFi access down at the beach near the camp fire or on a rainforest walk for examplerdquo Mr Trouchet said
Also capitalising on the trend towards online tourism information Apollorsquos New Zealand operations recently launched a free App available to all guests with an iPhone or Android device
ldquoThe lsquoApollo NZ Travel Guidersquo makes sure travellers donrsquot miss a thing on their self-drive holiday with hundreds of points of interest detailed maps up to date local information and prices and a lsquotake me therersquo function to help plan driving routes This is an absolutely fantastic tool for a New Zealand driving holidayrdquo said Trouchet adding that the company is now considering the large undertaking of creating a similar application for Australia To find out more or book an Apollo holiday click HERE
wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit
From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days
Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities
Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone
12 DESTINATIONS
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The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind
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Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable
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SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998
18 | News
Looking for a unique opportunity to create your dream motorhome The ex-mobile library vehicle for the Riverina Regional
Library is for sale and will be auctioned on 5 August in Wagga Wagga Reportedly in very good condition its details are
bull 2004 DAF 55250 pantech truck with 315400 km
bull Custom-built mobile library 10 m long x 25 m wide x 38 m high
bull 6 m x 2 m slide-outbull Fully electronic set-up operation (stabilisers
slide-out awning)bull 2 split-system air conditionersbull Disabled accessbull Automatic electric sliding entry-door
bull Awning over entry doorbull Built-in shelvingbull Kitchen area (sink fridge microwave oven)bull Two-bay IT deskAccording to Robert Knight Executive Director ndash Riverina Regional Library ldquoThis versatile vehicle has many years of life left as a mobile library or could be converted into a fantastic mobile home mobile office or anything else that your imagination can conjure up The vehicle will be auctioned at the Rundles Truck Auction on Wednesday 5 August in Wagga Wagga Check HERE for details or call Brian Plummer Support amp eServices Coordinator ndash Riverina Regional Library on 0417 221917
CONVERSION OPPORTUNITY
World First Collision Avoidance System
Reverse Alert is a world first automatic braking technology that can be applied to any vehicle ndash new or used
When the reverse gear is selected the rear sensors are activated If the sensors detect an object the brake is automatically applied - requiring no driver input
EXHIBITION AND DEMONSTRATIONS AT 2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure and Motoring Expo 31 July - 2 August 2015Toowoomba Showgrounds302 Glenvale Road Toowoomba QLD - Special show prices
- Speak directly with experts - See how the technology
works
For further information on this Australian invention visit
wwwreversealertaustraliacomau
REVERSE ALERTREVERSE ALERT Protect your investment
and the people around you
20 | News
From 1 September 2015 double demerit points will apply for second or subsequent mobile phone offences that are committed
by drivers within one year of an earlier offence
The first time you get an infringement notice for using a mobile phone while driving you will be allocated three demerit points If you use a mobile phone while driving again within 12 months of the first offence you will be allocated another 3 demerit points At that point you will also receive an additional three demerit points for it being within one year of the first offence That means nine demerit points in total for two infringements The mobile phone offences that could result in double demerit points being allocated are
bull any driver using a hand-held mobile phone
while driving (including when stopped in traffic or at traffic lights)
bull any use of mobile phones by learner and P1 provisional licence holders under 25 years of age and P1 probationary licence holders
You do not necessarily have to commit the same type of mobile phone offence a second or subsequent time to be allocated double demerit points any driver mobile phone offence counts For example the person could commit a first offence while a young driver by using a mobile phone on loudspeaker and commit a second offence by engaging in a phone call holding the phone in their hand Double demerit points are also applied all year round in Queensland to people who repeatedly commit certain speeding seatbelt and motorbike helmet offences
QUEENSLAND DRIVERS BE WARNED
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
News | 21
Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans
On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT
BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE
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LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO
A traveller suffered cuts to his arms hands and head after knife-wielding bogus police attempted to rob him in NSW
The terrified 53-year-old man was attacked when the men forced their way into his campervan parked in the Shellharbour suburb of Barrack Heights NSW The men were said to have identified themselves as police officers and produced what appeared to be police badges But when the victim asked for additional identification they forcibly put tape over his eyes and around his arms and legs They demanded money but fled empty handed when a relative of the man approached the RV from caravanningnewscom
BEWARE BOGUS POLICE
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
22 | imotorhome marketplace
Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can
look after everything
This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great
artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it
An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new
motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the
Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your
needs too
Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and
Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is
perfect for motorhomes
In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country
and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo
on our website too
Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and
built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from
24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information
T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau
T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom
T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau
T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau
T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau
Parkland RV Centre
Bony Mountain Folk Festival
iTech World Wellington Shire
Roberts RV World RV Specialists
We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes
Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety
Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric
cart or in your motorhome
T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau
T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau
Airbag Man Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V
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T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau
Battery Traders Super Store Taronga
Western Plains Zoo
imotorhome marketplace | 23
The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults
LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR RV OWNERS
The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km
in ideal conditions Super light
too at 108kg Folds away
quite compact for small storage
To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email
mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom
1
bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support
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hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available
The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system - for those who enjoy a comfortable
nights sleep but hate making the bed All the comforts of home while you explore the extraordinary To order simply call (08) 9336 7714 or email infoduvalaycomau
wwwduvalaycomau
Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed
lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your
motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting
Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin
Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the
Australian market Click through to find out why theyrsquore fast becoming
Australiarsquos favourite tooT (02) 9011 8144W nomadicsolutionscomau
T 0411 616 617W tiffinmotorhomescomau
Nomadic Solutions Tiffin Motorhomes
SSoouutthheerrnnCCaammppeerrvvaannss
SSppiirriitt
sliding amp rear doorFLY SCREEN
shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229
Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13
wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR
MOTORHOMEStore those additional items up and out of
the way using our adjustable transportable and modular storage system
wwwskytrackscomau
Avidarsquos slide-out Eyre is a fresh design from Australiarsquos largest manufacturerhellip
24 | Day test Avida Eyre B7663 SL
Fresh Eyre
by Malcolm Street
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different Apart from being a sleek looking motorhome the original layout had a
very distinctive European look about it By that I mean it was a layout that generally used space in a very effective way and didnt have a great deal of empty space ndash if you understand the distinction
More recently Avida introduced an Eyre model with an kerbside slide-out It still uses much of the design from the original layout but naturally has more internal area when the slide-out is open
The Vehicle
Given the Eyre is rather a low-slung looking motorhome its no surprise it comes with a Fiat Ducato X295 cab
bolted to an AL-KO chassis The Ducato is the Multijet 180 variant with the 30-litre 132 kW400 Nm turbo diesel Like most of the rest of the Avida fleet the Eyre is built using a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof Moulded fibreglass is used for the front and rear panels while the walls are laminated together with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one piece floor has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underbody protection
Earlier Eyre designs did have a bit of a problem with external storage capacity but a large rear boot with doors on both sides and the rear wall plus two lockers on the kerb side works very well The 2 x 4 kg gas cylinders live in a locker on the other side just aft of the driverrsquos cab door Just a small issue to keep in mind is that if the side bin doors are open then
An editorial mix-up explains the Avida Eyre in this review not the Birdsville as promised last issue Apologies but the Eyre is technically more interesting while Avida claims it to be the ldquolowest profile motorhome in the marketrdquo
Day test | 25
the side windows cannot be opened or closed properly ndash not a major drama
The house batteries charger and 12 V fuses are in a compartment accessed via the rear boot just inside the kerb-side door About the only problem with this arrangement is it isnrsquot easy to get to the fuses
On The Road
Given the 3504 kg tare weight the Eyre SL is quite a nimble performer certainly on the open road and most of the time
around town except when the six-speed AMT
gearbox decides to dither around a bit in the lower gears Although the Ducato is the latest one from Fiat the review model still did not come with cup holders instead of the hinged compartment in the centre console
A better class of radioCD player does seem to be fitted these days One of the little features I liked about driving the Eyre was the ability to leave the Skyview hatch open when travelling It provides fresh air without the buffeting from open driverpassenger windows
Right The boot doorwindow conflict Below The slide-out is kitchen-only and doesnrsquot add much weight or complexity
Note the large side doors at the rear for the boot plus a door in the rear wall
26 | Day test
Living Inside
Compared to the non-slide-out model Eyre there isnt much
difference in the rear That means there is an island bed with a split bathroom ahead of it In the front though things are very different In the earlier (non-slide) model both the driver and passenger seats
swivel and mesh in with a sideways-facing seat behind the passenger and a forward-facing two-person lounge with table behind the driver That leaves space in the mid area opposite the entry door for the kitchen
But the slide-out changes all this For a start the entry door is moved slightly rearwards
while most of the kitchen ndash the cooker and two-door fridge ndash are now located in the slide-out Both cab seats swivel and theres an L-shaped lounge behind the passenger seat but the drivers seat is somewhat blocked by a kitchen bench
If more kitchen area is desirable the slide-out model is definitely the winner
Day test | 27
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
Our little Class-C motorhome came with two privacy curtains across the above-cabin bed which we didnt need or use So we made one long curtain from breathable mozzie net type material that we can tuck under the mattress Now we are more or less guaranteed a good nightrsquos sleep in our mozzie free enclosure
Cheers Steve
Looks like a good idea to me Steve and so simple Please accept this issuersquos $50 for sharing such a simple concept with our readers Irsquom sure others will find it very useful
Hi Richard hope you are well Attached are a couple of pictures for you taken on the maiden voyage in our new Swift Rio motorhome in Cornwall I have been making notes and will submit the owners report (warts and all) soon
Best Regards Ian
Thanks Ian I look forward to it Enjoy summer while it lasts wersquore in the depths of winter at present and Cornwall looks most inviting
Itrsquos only fitting that since Ed has his say in On My Mind you should be able to have yours too If you have anything to say ndash or ask ndash just drop a line to lettersimotorhomecomau and wersquoll share it with our readers Wersquoll also reward
the most interesting useful or thoughtful letter each issue with $50 to help you on your way
On The Flyhellip
Maiden Voyage
Win $50 for the best letteron your mind | 11
Wersquove Booked Out The Valley
Hi Richard I am not sure if this is interesting to you It seems not to be to Scam Watch or the website company Trovit While browsing motor homes on the internet and having my first coffee for the day about three weeks ago I found that someone is advertising the same motor home that we purchased one year ago
Theyrsquove used the same photos picture rego number and write up The address in the same area I contacted the previous owner and he agreed that it was definitely his photos and words and rego I was relieved when I tried to browse the rego number and nothing came up (we changed from NSW to SA registration thank goodness) How can we warn others of scams that we find And is there any one we can report them to have action taken Love the Mag and look forward to reading it when we are home
Cheers Dean
Good on you Chris They look like an excellent solution to the Fiat cupholder issue and at the right price Be sure to send us some photos when installed Dean I can well imagine how upsetting it would be to find someone advertising your motorhome You did the right thing by contacting Scam Watch and the website operator Irsquove contacted the website operator twice on your behalf but again with no response I also contacted the supposed seller again with no response Irsquom surprised Scam Watch wasnrsquot interested so I suggest you contact the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN) by clicking here Hopefully you might get some satisfaction there Good luck and please let me know if you hear anything Irsquoll do the same
Fiat Cup Holders
Scam Alert
12 | on your mind
I downloaded my copy of edition 75 minutes ago and have just ordered the Fiat Ducato cup Holders
Cheers Chris
Good on you Chris They look like an excellent solution to the Fiat cupholder issue and at the right price Be sure to send us some photos when installed
WINNEBAGO BIRDSVILLE
mdash U1191mdash
$108 374 Drive AwaySuit New buyer Only 24000kms
WINNEBAGO ESPERANCE mdash U1265 mdash
$124956 Drive AwayTow Bar Diesel Heater Low kms
TALVOR KEPPEL mdash TA5008 mdash
$117772 Drive AwayOnly 31000kms 6 berth U Shape
Club Lounge
PRE-OWNED
NEW
5 Melrose Drive Wodonga VIC | 02 6024 4222
We Sell Australia Wide Trade-Ins Welcome AWRVWORLDCOMAU
ArsquoVAN OVATION M8 mdash AV2099 mdash
$139355 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options
WINNEBAGO WHITEHAVEN mdash WB6005 mdash
$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$
SUNLINER HOLIDAY H531 mdash SU4040 mdash
$180575 Drive AwayIveco Slideout Bed Washing Machine
DEMO
Webasto Thermo amp Comfort Australia Pty Ltd 423-427 The Boulevarde Kirrawee NSW 2232 Freecall 1800 244 494 infowebastocomau wwwwebastocomau
Webasto ndash your gas free solution for independent travelling
Thermo Top ndashWater Heaters
DieselCook Top
Air Top ndashAir Heaters
Dual Top ndash Combination Heaters
Quiet powerful operation
Low power amp fuel consumption
Use whilst parked amp on the move
Compact and effi cient
Fast heat up times Can be combined with fan radiators to provide cabin heat
Heat amp hot water from one unit
Easy to use multi-function controller
Low power amp fuel consumption
High cooking power up to 1800 W
No naked fl ame and no fumes
Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface
RVCompressorFridges
AU
1325
2
Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers
Available as DC Only or ACDC
Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors
14 | News
WINNER
Following the debut of the Reverse Alert reverse-parking system at the Lismore Show recently we have a winner from those who watched the demonstration and entered
our online guessing competition
ldquoThe winner is Simon from Sandgate in Brisbane who has a Nissan Patrol and two kids aged six and eightrdquo said Ian Costelloe Reverse Alertrsquos Business Development Manager ldquoSimon said his Patrol has a big blind spot so hersquos very happyrdquo
Congratulations Simon wersquore sure yoursquoll love the system once installed If you missed your chance to win be sure to attend the Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show at Toowoomba Showgrounds from 31 July to 2 August Ian will be demonstrating the remarkable Reverse Alert system fitted to our very own Project Polly and wersquoll have a new competition running Donrsquot miss it
EUROPEAN AND CANADIAN RELOCATIONS
The iMoovacom website has spread its wings and is now offering limited opportunities for rental relocations in Europe At the time of writing relocations available included London to
Munich and Rome to Amsterdam both trips costing pound5 per day and allowing 4 days Canada is also on offer now with trips like Calgary to Yellowknife and Halifax to Toronto (which our roadtest editor Malcolm Street is currently experiencing) available at $25 per day
News | 15
FRONTLINE $1200 ACCESSORY OFFER
Frontline Campervans is offering more than $1200 worth of free accessories to buyers of one of its Volkswagen T5 campervans from stock before 31 August The offer
includes side and rear flyscreens plus an outdoor shower Vehicles are available in Sydney Ballina and the Gold CoastBrisbane To see exactly whatrsquos on offer click HERE
READYBRUTE
NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD
10 CHETWYND ST LOGANHOLME 4128 | P 07 3209 6654 | F 07 3209 6729 | E enquiriesnorthcoachcomauRELY ON THE COMPANY WITH EXPERIENCE FOR FITTING BACKUP amp SERVICING OF YOUR A-FRAME
DISTRIBUTORSQLD Loganholme 07 3209 7669 Cairns 07 4051 9375 Hattonvale 07 3333 1806 Bundaberg 1300 229 494NSW Newcastle 02 4948 0433 Penrith 02 4722 3444 Terry Hills 02 9986 2952VIC Ringwood 03 9879 3545 WodongaAlbury 02 6055 8555 Cambellfield 0393574555SA Victor Harbour 08 8552 1010WA Perth 08 9451 3580TAS Hobart 03 6331 2511
A-Frame Towing Specialists for over 15 years
CARRYING A COMPLETE RANGE OF BLUE OX AND READYBRUTE A-FRAMES
AND ACCESSORIES
PROTECT-A-TOW Easy to install and protect your towed vehiclefromstonesandmudThisproductfitsBlueOxandReadyBrute A-Frames and most other Brands
BLUE OX
16 | News
APOLLO NOW WIFI CONNECTED
Yoursquove come to expect WiFi in your hotel and even on cruise ships Now you can use it on your Great Aussie Road triprdquo says
Apollo Motorhome Holidays who has introduced portable WiFi routers for hire with campervans or motorhomes in its Australian fleet
According to CEO Luke Trouchet ldquoItrsquos rare to see a traveller in Australia or New Zealand without a smartphone at their fingertips ndash the humble travel guidebook has all but been replaced by travel websites and apps Wersquove responded to guest requests for WiFi routers so they can easily use their smart devices on the road and where their own mobile phone data coverage may not extendrdquo he said
Usage plans ranging from 60 MB to 3 GB from Australiarsquos largest carrier Telstra At $10 per day with a maximum charge of $50 per rental plus data usage the deal compares favourably with many hotel internet packages International travellers will be the biggest winners gaining access to the internet
at a fraction of the cost of most international data roaming charges
ldquoThe units are removable with re-chargeable batteries so they can be taken out of the rental vehicle allowing WiFi access down at the beach near the camp fire or on a rainforest walk for examplerdquo Mr Trouchet said
Also capitalising on the trend towards online tourism information Apollorsquos New Zealand operations recently launched a free App available to all guests with an iPhone or Android device
ldquoThe lsquoApollo NZ Travel Guidersquo makes sure travellers donrsquot miss a thing on their self-drive holiday with hundreds of points of interest detailed maps up to date local information and prices and a lsquotake me therersquo function to help plan driving routes This is an absolutely fantastic tool for a New Zealand driving holidayrdquo said Trouchet adding that the company is now considering the large undertaking of creating a similar application for Australia To find out more or book an Apollo holiday click HERE
wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit
From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days
Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities
Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone
12 DESTINATIONS
ONLY $999
FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places
Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability
bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation
bull Swing out stove for ease of use
bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty
bull ABS amp ESP safety systems
Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)
Outside Shower (worth over $360)
ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES
Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details
The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind
Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of
Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable
HURRY offer only available while stocks last
SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998
18 | News
Looking for a unique opportunity to create your dream motorhome The ex-mobile library vehicle for the Riverina Regional
Library is for sale and will be auctioned on 5 August in Wagga Wagga Reportedly in very good condition its details are
bull 2004 DAF 55250 pantech truck with 315400 km
bull Custom-built mobile library 10 m long x 25 m wide x 38 m high
bull 6 m x 2 m slide-outbull Fully electronic set-up operation (stabilisers
slide-out awning)bull 2 split-system air conditionersbull Disabled accessbull Automatic electric sliding entry-door
bull Awning over entry doorbull Built-in shelvingbull Kitchen area (sink fridge microwave oven)bull Two-bay IT deskAccording to Robert Knight Executive Director ndash Riverina Regional Library ldquoThis versatile vehicle has many years of life left as a mobile library or could be converted into a fantastic mobile home mobile office or anything else that your imagination can conjure up The vehicle will be auctioned at the Rundles Truck Auction on Wednesday 5 August in Wagga Wagga Check HERE for details or call Brian Plummer Support amp eServices Coordinator ndash Riverina Regional Library on 0417 221917
CONVERSION OPPORTUNITY
World First Collision Avoidance System
Reverse Alert is a world first automatic braking technology that can be applied to any vehicle ndash new or used
When the reverse gear is selected the rear sensors are activated If the sensors detect an object the brake is automatically applied - requiring no driver input
EXHIBITION AND DEMONSTRATIONS AT 2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure and Motoring Expo 31 July - 2 August 2015Toowoomba Showgrounds302 Glenvale Road Toowoomba QLD - Special show prices
- Speak directly with experts - See how the technology
works
For further information on this Australian invention visit
wwwreversealertaustraliacomau
REVERSE ALERTREVERSE ALERT Protect your investment
and the people around you
20 | News
From 1 September 2015 double demerit points will apply for second or subsequent mobile phone offences that are committed
by drivers within one year of an earlier offence
The first time you get an infringement notice for using a mobile phone while driving you will be allocated three demerit points If you use a mobile phone while driving again within 12 months of the first offence you will be allocated another 3 demerit points At that point you will also receive an additional three demerit points for it being within one year of the first offence That means nine demerit points in total for two infringements The mobile phone offences that could result in double demerit points being allocated are
bull any driver using a hand-held mobile phone
while driving (including when stopped in traffic or at traffic lights)
bull any use of mobile phones by learner and P1 provisional licence holders under 25 years of age and P1 probationary licence holders
You do not necessarily have to commit the same type of mobile phone offence a second or subsequent time to be allocated double demerit points any driver mobile phone offence counts For example the person could commit a first offence while a young driver by using a mobile phone on loudspeaker and commit a second offence by engaging in a phone call holding the phone in their hand Double demerit points are also applied all year round in Queensland to people who repeatedly commit certain speeding seatbelt and motorbike helmet offences
QUEENSLAND DRIVERS BE WARNED
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
News | 21
Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans
On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT
BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE
Expedition Vehicles
222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077
infotrailblazersrvcomwwwtrailblazersrvcom
COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS
EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS
LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO
A traveller suffered cuts to his arms hands and head after knife-wielding bogus police attempted to rob him in NSW
The terrified 53-year-old man was attacked when the men forced their way into his campervan parked in the Shellharbour suburb of Barrack Heights NSW The men were said to have identified themselves as police officers and produced what appeared to be police badges But when the victim asked for additional identification they forcibly put tape over his eyes and around his arms and legs They demanded money but fled empty handed when a relative of the man approached the RV from caravanningnewscom
BEWARE BOGUS POLICE
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
22 | imotorhome marketplace
Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can
look after everything
This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great
artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it
An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new
motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the
Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your
needs too
Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and
Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is
perfect for motorhomes
In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country
and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo
on our website too
Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and
built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from
24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information
T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau
T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom
T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau
T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau
T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau
Parkland RV Centre
Bony Mountain Folk Festival
iTech World Wellington Shire
Roberts RV World RV Specialists
We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes
Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety
Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric
cart or in your motorhome
T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau
T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau
Airbag Man Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V
power specialists
T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau
Battery Traders Super Store Taronga
Western Plains Zoo
imotorhome marketplace | 23
The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults
LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR RV OWNERS
The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km
in ideal conditions Super light
too at 108kg Folds away
quite compact for small storage
To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email
mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom
1
bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support
5th wheeler specialist
hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available
The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system - for those who enjoy a comfortable
nights sleep but hate making the bed All the comforts of home while you explore the extraordinary To order simply call (08) 9336 7714 or email infoduvalaycomau
wwwduvalaycomau
Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed
lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your
motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting
Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin
Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the
Australian market Click through to find out why theyrsquore fast becoming
Australiarsquos favourite tooT (02) 9011 8144W nomadicsolutionscomau
T 0411 616 617W tiffinmotorhomescomau
Nomadic Solutions Tiffin Motorhomes
SSoouutthheerrnnCCaammppeerrvvaannss
SSppiirriitt
sliding amp rear doorFLY SCREEN
shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229
Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13
wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR
MOTORHOMEStore those additional items up and out of
the way using our adjustable transportable and modular storage system
wwwskytrackscomau
Avidarsquos slide-out Eyre is a fresh design from Australiarsquos largest manufacturerhellip
24 | Day test Avida Eyre B7663 SL
Fresh Eyre
by Malcolm Street
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different Apart from being a sleek looking motorhome the original layout had a
very distinctive European look about it By that I mean it was a layout that generally used space in a very effective way and didnt have a great deal of empty space ndash if you understand the distinction
More recently Avida introduced an Eyre model with an kerbside slide-out It still uses much of the design from the original layout but naturally has more internal area when the slide-out is open
The Vehicle
Given the Eyre is rather a low-slung looking motorhome its no surprise it comes with a Fiat Ducato X295 cab
bolted to an AL-KO chassis The Ducato is the Multijet 180 variant with the 30-litre 132 kW400 Nm turbo diesel Like most of the rest of the Avida fleet the Eyre is built using a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof Moulded fibreglass is used for the front and rear panels while the walls are laminated together with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one piece floor has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underbody protection
Earlier Eyre designs did have a bit of a problem with external storage capacity but a large rear boot with doors on both sides and the rear wall plus two lockers on the kerb side works very well The 2 x 4 kg gas cylinders live in a locker on the other side just aft of the driverrsquos cab door Just a small issue to keep in mind is that if the side bin doors are open then
An editorial mix-up explains the Avida Eyre in this review not the Birdsville as promised last issue Apologies but the Eyre is technically more interesting while Avida claims it to be the ldquolowest profile motorhome in the marketrdquo
Day test | 25
the side windows cannot be opened or closed properly ndash not a major drama
The house batteries charger and 12 V fuses are in a compartment accessed via the rear boot just inside the kerb-side door About the only problem with this arrangement is it isnrsquot easy to get to the fuses
On The Road
Given the 3504 kg tare weight the Eyre SL is quite a nimble performer certainly on the open road and most of the time
around town except when the six-speed AMT
gearbox decides to dither around a bit in the lower gears Although the Ducato is the latest one from Fiat the review model still did not come with cup holders instead of the hinged compartment in the centre console
A better class of radioCD player does seem to be fitted these days One of the little features I liked about driving the Eyre was the ability to leave the Skyview hatch open when travelling It provides fresh air without the buffeting from open driverpassenger windows
Right The boot doorwindow conflict Below The slide-out is kitchen-only and doesnrsquot add much weight or complexity
Note the large side doors at the rear for the boot plus a door in the rear wall
26 | Day test
Living Inside
Compared to the non-slide-out model Eyre there isnt much
difference in the rear That means there is an island bed with a split bathroom ahead of it In the front though things are very different In the earlier (non-slide) model both the driver and passenger seats
swivel and mesh in with a sideways-facing seat behind the passenger and a forward-facing two-person lounge with table behind the driver That leaves space in the mid area opposite the entry door for the kitchen
But the slide-out changes all this For a start the entry door is moved slightly rearwards
while most of the kitchen ndash the cooker and two-door fridge ndash are now located in the slide-out Both cab seats swivel and theres an L-shaped lounge behind the passenger seat but the drivers seat is somewhat blocked by a kitchen bench
If more kitchen area is desirable the slide-out model is definitely the winner
Day test | 27
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
Hi Richard I am not sure if this is interesting to you It seems not to be to Scam Watch or the website company Trovit While browsing motor homes on the internet and having my first coffee for the day about three weeks ago I found that someone is advertising the same motor home that we purchased one year ago
Theyrsquove used the same photos picture rego number and write up The address in the same area I contacted the previous owner and he agreed that it was definitely his photos and words and rego I was relieved when I tried to browse the rego number and nothing came up (we changed from NSW to SA registration thank goodness) How can we warn others of scams that we find And is there any one we can report them to have action taken Love the Mag and look forward to reading it when we are home
Cheers Dean
Good on you Chris They look like an excellent solution to the Fiat cupholder issue and at the right price Be sure to send us some photos when installed Dean I can well imagine how upsetting it would be to find someone advertising your motorhome You did the right thing by contacting Scam Watch and the website operator Irsquove contacted the website operator twice on your behalf but again with no response I also contacted the supposed seller again with no response Irsquom surprised Scam Watch wasnrsquot interested so I suggest you contact the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN) by clicking here Hopefully you might get some satisfaction there Good luck and please let me know if you hear anything Irsquoll do the same
Fiat Cup Holders
Scam Alert
12 | on your mind
I downloaded my copy of edition 75 minutes ago and have just ordered the Fiat Ducato cup Holders
Cheers Chris
Good on you Chris They look like an excellent solution to the Fiat cupholder issue and at the right price Be sure to send us some photos when installed
WINNEBAGO BIRDSVILLE
mdash U1191mdash
$108 374 Drive AwaySuit New buyer Only 24000kms
WINNEBAGO ESPERANCE mdash U1265 mdash
$124956 Drive AwayTow Bar Diesel Heater Low kms
TALVOR KEPPEL mdash TA5008 mdash
$117772 Drive AwayOnly 31000kms 6 berth U Shape
Club Lounge
PRE-OWNED
NEW
5 Melrose Drive Wodonga VIC | 02 6024 4222
We Sell Australia Wide Trade-Ins Welcome AWRVWORLDCOMAU
ArsquoVAN OVATION M8 mdash AV2099 mdash
$139355 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options
WINNEBAGO WHITEHAVEN mdash WB6005 mdash
$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$
SUNLINER HOLIDAY H531 mdash SU4040 mdash
$180575 Drive AwayIveco Slideout Bed Washing Machine
DEMO
Webasto Thermo amp Comfort Australia Pty Ltd 423-427 The Boulevarde Kirrawee NSW 2232 Freecall 1800 244 494 infowebastocomau wwwwebastocomau
Webasto ndash your gas free solution for independent travelling
Thermo Top ndashWater Heaters
DieselCook Top
Air Top ndashAir Heaters
Dual Top ndash Combination Heaters
Quiet powerful operation
Low power amp fuel consumption
Use whilst parked amp on the move
Compact and effi cient
Fast heat up times Can be combined with fan radiators to provide cabin heat
Heat amp hot water from one unit
Easy to use multi-function controller
Low power amp fuel consumption
High cooking power up to 1800 W
No naked fl ame and no fumes
Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface
RVCompressorFridges
AU
1325
2
Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers
Available as DC Only or ACDC
Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors
14 | News
WINNER
Following the debut of the Reverse Alert reverse-parking system at the Lismore Show recently we have a winner from those who watched the demonstration and entered
our online guessing competition
ldquoThe winner is Simon from Sandgate in Brisbane who has a Nissan Patrol and two kids aged six and eightrdquo said Ian Costelloe Reverse Alertrsquos Business Development Manager ldquoSimon said his Patrol has a big blind spot so hersquos very happyrdquo
Congratulations Simon wersquore sure yoursquoll love the system once installed If you missed your chance to win be sure to attend the Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show at Toowoomba Showgrounds from 31 July to 2 August Ian will be demonstrating the remarkable Reverse Alert system fitted to our very own Project Polly and wersquoll have a new competition running Donrsquot miss it
EUROPEAN AND CANADIAN RELOCATIONS
The iMoovacom website has spread its wings and is now offering limited opportunities for rental relocations in Europe At the time of writing relocations available included London to
Munich and Rome to Amsterdam both trips costing pound5 per day and allowing 4 days Canada is also on offer now with trips like Calgary to Yellowknife and Halifax to Toronto (which our roadtest editor Malcolm Street is currently experiencing) available at $25 per day
News | 15
FRONTLINE $1200 ACCESSORY OFFER
Frontline Campervans is offering more than $1200 worth of free accessories to buyers of one of its Volkswagen T5 campervans from stock before 31 August The offer
includes side and rear flyscreens plus an outdoor shower Vehicles are available in Sydney Ballina and the Gold CoastBrisbane To see exactly whatrsquos on offer click HERE
READYBRUTE
NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD
10 CHETWYND ST LOGANHOLME 4128 | P 07 3209 6654 | F 07 3209 6729 | E enquiriesnorthcoachcomauRELY ON THE COMPANY WITH EXPERIENCE FOR FITTING BACKUP amp SERVICING OF YOUR A-FRAME
DISTRIBUTORSQLD Loganholme 07 3209 7669 Cairns 07 4051 9375 Hattonvale 07 3333 1806 Bundaberg 1300 229 494NSW Newcastle 02 4948 0433 Penrith 02 4722 3444 Terry Hills 02 9986 2952VIC Ringwood 03 9879 3545 WodongaAlbury 02 6055 8555 Cambellfield 0393574555SA Victor Harbour 08 8552 1010WA Perth 08 9451 3580TAS Hobart 03 6331 2511
A-Frame Towing Specialists for over 15 years
CARRYING A COMPLETE RANGE OF BLUE OX AND READYBRUTE A-FRAMES
AND ACCESSORIES
PROTECT-A-TOW Easy to install and protect your towed vehiclefromstonesandmudThisproductfitsBlueOxandReadyBrute A-Frames and most other Brands
BLUE OX
16 | News
APOLLO NOW WIFI CONNECTED
Yoursquove come to expect WiFi in your hotel and even on cruise ships Now you can use it on your Great Aussie Road triprdquo says
Apollo Motorhome Holidays who has introduced portable WiFi routers for hire with campervans or motorhomes in its Australian fleet
According to CEO Luke Trouchet ldquoItrsquos rare to see a traveller in Australia or New Zealand without a smartphone at their fingertips ndash the humble travel guidebook has all but been replaced by travel websites and apps Wersquove responded to guest requests for WiFi routers so they can easily use their smart devices on the road and where their own mobile phone data coverage may not extendrdquo he said
Usage plans ranging from 60 MB to 3 GB from Australiarsquos largest carrier Telstra At $10 per day with a maximum charge of $50 per rental plus data usage the deal compares favourably with many hotel internet packages International travellers will be the biggest winners gaining access to the internet
at a fraction of the cost of most international data roaming charges
ldquoThe units are removable with re-chargeable batteries so they can be taken out of the rental vehicle allowing WiFi access down at the beach near the camp fire or on a rainforest walk for examplerdquo Mr Trouchet said
Also capitalising on the trend towards online tourism information Apollorsquos New Zealand operations recently launched a free App available to all guests with an iPhone or Android device
ldquoThe lsquoApollo NZ Travel Guidersquo makes sure travellers donrsquot miss a thing on their self-drive holiday with hundreds of points of interest detailed maps up to date local information and prices and a lsquotake me therersquo function to help plan driving routes This is an absolutely fantastic tool for a New Zealand driving holidayrdquo said Trouchet adding that the company is now considering the large undertaking of creating a similar application for Australia To find out more or book an Apollo holiday click HERE
wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit
From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days
Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities
Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone
12 DESTINATIONS
ONLY $999
FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places
Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability
bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation
bull Swing out stove for ease of use
bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty
bull ABS amp ESP safety systems
Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)
Outside Shower (worth over $360)
ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES
Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details
The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind
Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of
Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable
HURRY offer only available while stocks last
SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998
18 | News
Looking for a unique opportunity to create your dream motorhome The ex-mobile library vehicle for the Riverina Regional
Library is for sale and will be auctioned on 5 August in Wagga Wagga Reportedly in very good condition its details are
bull 2004 DAF 55250 pantech truck with 315400 km
bull Custom-built mobile library 10 m long x 25 m wide x 38 m high
bull 6 m x 2 m slide-outbull Fully electronic set-up operation (stabilisers
slide-out awning)bull 2 split-system air conditionersbull Disabled accessbull Automatic electric sliding entry-door
bull Awning over entry doorbull Built-in shelvingbull Kitchen area (sink fridge microwave oven)bull Two-bay IT deskAccording to Robert Knight Executive Director ndash Riverina Regional Library ldquoThis versatile vehicle has many years of life left as a mobile library or could be converted into a fantastic mobile home mobile office or anything else that your imagination can conjure up The vehicle will be auctioned at the Rundles Truck Auction on Wednesday 5 August in Wagga Wagga Check HERE for details or call Brian Plummer Support amp eServices Coordinator ndash Riverina Regional Library on 0417 221917
CONVERSION OPPORTUNITY
World First Collision Avoidance System
Reverse Alert is a world first automatic braking technology that can be applied to any vehicle ndash new or used
When the reverse gear is selected the rear sensors are activated If the sensors detect an object the brake is automatically applied - requiring no driver input
EXHIBITION AND DEMONSTRATIONS AT 2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure and Motoring Expo 31 July - 2 August 2015Toowoomba Showgrounds302 Glenvale Road Toowoomba QLD - Special show prices
- Speak directly with experts - See how the technology
works
For further information on this Australian invention visit
wwwreversealertaustraliacomau
REVERSE ALERTREVERSE ALERT Protect your investment
and the people around you
20 | News
From 1 September 2015 double demerit points will apply for second or subsequent mobile phone offences that are committed
by drivers within one year of an earlier offence
The first time you get an infringement notice for using a mobile phone while driving you will be allocated three demerit points If you use a mobile phone while driving again within 12 months of the first offence you will be allocated another 3 demerit points At that point you will also receive an additional three demerit points for it being within one year of the first offence That means nine demerit points in total for two infringements The mobile phone offences that could result in double demerit points being allocated are
bull any driver using a hand-held mobile phone
while driving (including when stopped in traffic or at traffic lights)
bull any use of mobile phones by learner and P1 provisional licence holders under 25 years of age and P1 probationary licence holders
You do not necessarily have to commit the same type of mobile phone offence a second or subsequent time to be allocated double demerit points any driver mobile phone offence counts For example the person could commit a first offence while a young driver by using a mobile phone on loudspeaker and commit a second offence by engaging in a phone call holding the phone in their hand Double demerit points are also applied all year round in Queensland to people who repeatedly commit certain speeding seatbelt and motorbike helmet offences
QUEENSLAND DRIVERS BE WARNED
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
News | 21
Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans
On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT
BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE
Expedition Vehicles
222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077
infotrailblazersrvcomwwwtrailblazersrvcom
COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS
EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS
LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO
A traveller suffered cuts to his arms hands and head after knife-wielding bogus police attempted to rob him in NSW
The terrified 53-year-old man was attacked when the men forced their way into his campervan parked in the Shellharbour suburb of Barrack Heights NSW The men were said to have identified themselves as police officers and produced what appeared to be police badges But when the victim asked for additional identification they forcibly put tape over his eyes and around his arms and legs They demanded money but fled empty handed when a relative of the man approached the RV from caravanningnewscom
BEWARE BOGUS POLICE
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
22 | imotorhome marketplace
Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can
look after everything
This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great
artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it
An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new
motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the
Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your
needs too
Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and
Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is
perfect for motorhomes
In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country
and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo
on our website too
Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and
built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from
24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information
T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau
T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom
T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau
T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau
T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau
Parkland RV Centre
Bony Mountain Folk Festival
iTech World Wellington Shire
Roberts RV World RV Specialists
We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes
Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety
Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric
cart or in your motorhome
T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau
T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau
Airbag Man Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V
power specialists
T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau
Battery Traders Super Store Taronga
Western Plains Zoo
imotorhome marketplace | 23
The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults
LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR RV OWNERS
The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km
in ideal conditions Super light
too at 108kg Folds away
quite compact for small storage
To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email
mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom
1
bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support
5th wheeler specialist
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FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR
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wwwskytrackscomau
Avidarsquos slide-out Eyre is a fresh design from Australiarsquos largest manufacturerhellip
24 | Day test Avida Eyre B7663 SL
Fresh Eyre
by Malcolm Street
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different Apart from being a sleek looking motorhome the original layout had a
very distinctive European look about it By that I mean it was a layout that generally used space in a very effective way and didnt have a great deal of empty space ndash if you understand the distinction
More recently Avida introduced an Eyre model with an kerbside slide-out It still uses much of the design from the original layout but naturally has more internal area when the slide-out is open
The Vehicle
Given the Eyre is rather a low-slung looking motorhome its no surprise it comes with a Fiat Ducato X295 cab
bolted to an AL-KO chassis The Ducato is the Multijet 180 variant with the 30-litre 132 kW400 Nm turbo diesel Like most of the rest of the Avida fleet the Eyre is built using a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof Moulded fibreglass is used for the front and rear panels while the walls are laminated together with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one piece floor has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underbody protection
Earlier Eyre designs did have a bit of a problem with external storage capacity but a large rear boot with doors on both sides and the rear wall plus two lockers on the kerb side works very well The 2 x 4 kg gas cylinders live in a locker on the other side just aft of the driverrsquos cab door Just a small issue to keep in mind is that if the side bin doors are open then
An editorial mix-up explains the Avida Eyre in this review not the Birdsville as promised last issue Apologies but the Eyre is technically more interesting while Avida claims it to be the ldquolowest profile motorhome in the marketrdquo
Day test | 25
the side windows cannot be opened or closed properly ndash not a major drama
The house batteries charger and 12 V fuses are in a compartment accessed via the rear boot just inside the kerb-side door About the only problem with this arrangement is it isnrsquot easy to get to the fuses
On The Road
Given the 3504 kg tare weight the Eyre SL is quite a nimble performer certainly on the open road and most of the time
around town except when the six-speed AMT
gearbox decides to dither around a bit in the lower gears Although the Ducato is the latest one from Fiat the review model still did not come with cup holders instead of the hinged compartment in the centre console
A better class of radioCD player does seem to be fitted these days One of the little features I liked about driving the Eyre was the ability to leave the Skyview hatch open when travelling It provides fresh air without the buffeting from open driverpassenger windows
Right The boot doorwindow conflict Below The slide-out is kitchen-only and doesnrsquot add much weight or complexity
Note the large side doors at the rear for the boot plus a door in the rear wall
26 | Day test
Living Inside
Compared to the non-slide-out model Eyre there isnt much
difference in the rear That means there is an island bed with a split bathroom ahead of it In the front though things are very different In the earlier (non-slide) model both the driver and passenger seats
swivel and mesh in with a sideways-facing seat behind the passenger and a forward-facing two-person lounge with table behind the driver That leaves space in the mid area opposite the entry door for the kitchen
But the slide-out changes all this For a start the entry door is moved slightly rearwards
while most of the kitchen ndash the cooker and two-door fridge ndash are now located in the slide-out Both cab seats swivel and theres an L-shaped lounge behind the passenger seat but the drivers seat is somewhat blocked by a kitchen bench
If more kitchen area is desirable the slide-out model is definitely the winner
Day test | 27
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
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Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
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Club Lounge
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NEW
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We Sell Australia Wide Trade-Ins Welcome AWRVWORLDCOMAU
ArsquoVAN OVATION M8 mdash AV2099 mdash
$139355 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options
WINNEBAGO WHITEHAVEN mdash WB6005 mdash
$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$
SUNLINER HOLIDAY H531 mdash SU4040 mdash
$180575 Drive AwayIveco Slideout Bed Washing Machine
DEMO
Webasto Thermo amp Comfort Australia Pty Ltd 423-427 The Boulevarde Kirrawee NSW 2232 Freecall 1800 244 494 infowebastocomau wwwwebastocomau
Webasto ndash your gas free solution for independent travelling
Thermo Top ndashWater Heaters
DieselCook Top
Air Top ndashAir Heaters
Dual Top ndash Combination Heaters
Quiet powerful operation
Low power amp fuel consumption
Use whilst parked amp on the move
Compact and effi cient
Fast heat up times Can be combined with fan radiators to provide cabin heat
Heat amp hot water from one unit
Easy to use multi-function controller
Low power amp fuel consumption
High cooking power up to 1800 W
No naked fl ame and no fumes
Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface
RVCompressorFridges
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Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers
Available as DC Only or ACDC
Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors
14 | News
WINNER
Following the debut of the Reverse Alert reverse-parking system at the Lismore Show recently we have a winner from those who watched the demonstration and entered
our online guessing competition
ldquoThe winner is Simon from Sandgate in Brisbane who has a Nissan Patrol and two kids aged six and eightrdquo said Ian Costelloe Reverse Alertrsquos Business Development Manager ldquoSimon said his Patrol has a big blind spot so hersquos very happyrdquo
Congratulations Simon wersquore sure yoursquoll love the system once installed If you missed your chance to win be sure to attend the Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show at Toowoomba Showgrounds from 31 July to 2 August Ian will be demonstrating the remarkable Reverse Alert system fitted to our very own Project Polly and wersquoll have a new competition running Donrsquot miss it
EUROPEAN AND CANADIAN RELOCATIONS
The iMoovacom website has spread its wings and is now offering limited opportunities for rental relocations in Europe At the time of writing relocations available included London to
Munich and Rome to Amsterdam both trips costing pound5 per day and allowing 4 days Canada is also on offer now with trips like Calgary to Yellowknife and Halifax to Toronto (which our roadtest editor Malcolm Street is currently experiencing) available at $25 per day
News | 15
FRONTLINE $1200 ACCESSORY OFFER
Frontline Campervans is offering more than $1200 worth of free accessories to buyers of one of its Volkswagen T5 campervans from stock before 31 August The offer
includes side and rear flyscreens plus an outdoor shower Vehicles are available in Sydney Ballina and the Gold CoastBrisbane To see exactly whatrsquos on offer click HERE
READYBRUTE
NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD
10 CHETWYND ST LOGANHOLME 4128 | P 07 3209 6654 | F 07 3209 6729 | E enquiriesnorthcoachcomauRELY ON THE COMPANY WITH EXPERIENCE FOR FITTING BACKUP amp SERVICING OF YOUR A-FRAME
DISTRIBUTORSQLD Loganholme 07 3209 7669 Cairns 07 4051 9375 Hattonvale 07 3333 1806 Bundaberg 1300 229 494NSW Newcastle 02 4948 0433 Penrith 02 4722 3444 Terry Hills 02 9986 2952VIC Ringwood 03 9879 3545 WodongaAlbury 02 6055 8555 Cambellfield 0393574555SA Victor Harbour 08 8552 1010WA Perth 08 9451 3580TAS Hobart 03 6331 2511
A-Frame Towing Specialists for over 15 years
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BLUE OX
16 | News
APOLLO NOW WIFI CONNECTED
Yoursquove come to expect WiFi in your hotel and even on cruise ships Now you can use it on your Great Aussie Road triprdquo says
Apollo Motorhome Holidays who has introduced portable WiFi routers for hire with campervans or motorhomes in its Australian fleet
According to CEO Luke Trouchet ldquoItrsquos rare to see a traveller in Australia or New Zealand without a smartphone at their fingertips ndash the humble travel guidebook has all but been replaced by travel websites and apps Wersquove responded to guest requests for WiFi routers so they can easily use their smart devices on the road and where their own mobile phone data coverage may not extendrdquo he said
Usage plans ranging from 60 MB to 3 GB from Australiarsquos largest carrier Telstra At $10 per day with a maximum charge of $50 per rental plus data usage the deal compares favourably with many hotel internet packages International travellers will be the biggest winners gaining access to the internet
at a fraction of the cost of most international data roaming charges
ldquoThe units are removable with re-chargeable batteries so they can be taken out of the rental vehicle allowing WiFi access down at the beach near the camp fire or on a rainforest walk for examplerdquo Mr Trouchet said
Also capitalising on the trend towards online tourism information Apollorsquos New Zealand operations recently launched a free App available to all guests with an iPhone or Android device
ldquoThe lsquoApollo NZ Travel Guidersquo makes sure travellers donrsquot miss a thing on their self-drive holiday with hundreds of points of interest detailed maps up to date local information and prices and a lsquotake me therersquo function to help plan driving routes This is an absolutely fantastic tool for a New Zealand driving holidayrdquo said Trouchet adding that the company is now considering the large undertaking of creating a similar application for Australia To find out more or book an Apollo holiday click HERE
wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit
From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days
Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities
Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone
12 DESTINATIONS
ONLY $999
FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places
Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability
bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation
bull Swing out stove for ease of use
bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty
bull ABS amp ESP safety systems
Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)
Outside Shower (worth over $360)
ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES
Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details
The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind
Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of
Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable
HURRY offer only available while stocks last
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18 | News
Looking for a unique opportunity to create your dream motorhome The ex-mobile library vehicle for the Riverina Regional
Library is for sale and will be auctioned on 5 August in Wagga Wagga Reportedly in very good condition its details are
bull 2004 DAF 55250 pantech truck with 315400 km
bull Custom-built mobile library 10 m long x 25 m wide x 38 m high
bull 6 m x 2 m slide-outbull Fully electronic set-up operation (stabilisers
slide-out awning)bull 2 split-system air conditionersbull Disabled accessbull Automatic electric sliding entry-door
bull Awning over entry doorbull Built-in shelvingbull Kitchen area (sink fridge microwave oven)bull Two-bay IT deskAccording to Robert Knight Executive Director ndash Riverina Regional Library ldquoThis versatile vehicle has many years of life left as a mobile library or could be converted into a fantastic mobile home mobile office or anything else that your imagination can conjure up The vehicle will be auctioned at the Rundles Truck Auction on Wednesday 5 August in Wagga Wagga Check HERE for details or call Brian Plummer Support amp eServices Coordinator ndash Riverina Regional Library on 0417 221917
CONVERSION OPPORTUNITY
World First Collision Avoidance System
Reverse Alert is a world first automatic braking technology that can be applied to any vehicle ndash new or used
When the reverse gear is selected the rear sensors are activated If the sensors detect an object the brake is automatically applied - requiring no driver input
EXHIBITION AND DEMONSTRATIONS AT 2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure and Motoring Expo 31 July - 2 August 2015Toowoomba Showgrounds302 Glenvale Road Toowoomba QLD - Special show prices
- Speak directly with experts - See how the technology
works
For further information on this Australian invention visit
wwwreversealertaustraliacomau
REVERSE ALERTREVERSE ALERT Protect your investment
and the people around you
20 | News
From 1 September 2015 double demerit points will apply for second or subsequent mobile phone offences that are committed
by drivers within one year of an earlier offence
The first time you get an infringement notice for using a mobile phone while driving you will be allocated three demerit points If you use a mobile phone while driving again within 12 months of the first offence you will be allocated another 3 demerit points At that point you will also receive an additional three demerit points for it being within one year of the first offence That means nine demerit points in total for two infringements The mobile phone offences that could result in double demerit points being allocated are
bull any driver using a hand-held mobile phone
while driving (including when stopped in traffic or at traffic lights)
bull any use of mobile phones by learner and P1 provisional licence holders under 25 years of age and P1 probationary licence holders
You do not necessarily have to commit the same type of mobile phone offence a second or subsequent time to be allocated double demerit points any driver mobile phone offence counts For example the person could commit a first offence while a young driver by using a mobile phone on loudspeaker and commit a second offence by engaging in a phone call holding the phone in their hand Double demerit points are also applied all year round in Queensland to people who repeatedly commit certain speeding seatbelt and motorbike helmet offences
QUEENSLAND DRIVERS BE WARNED
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
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On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
News | 21
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A traveller suffered cuts to his arms hands and head after knife-wielding bogus police attempted to rob him in NSW
The terrified 53-year-old man was attacked when the men forced their way into his campervan parked in the Shellharbour suburb of Barrack Heights NSW The men were said to have identified themselves as police officers and produced what appeared to be police badges But when the victim asked for additional identification they forcibly put tape over his eyes and around his arms and legs They demanded money but fled empty handed when a relative of the man approached the RV from caravanningnewscom
BEWARE BOGUS POLICE
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
22 | imotorhome marketplace
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imotorhome marketplace | 23
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FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR
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Avidarsquos slide-out Eyre is a fresh design from Australiarsquos largest manufacturerhellip
24 | Day test Avida Eyre B7663 SL
Fresh Eyre
by Malcolm Street
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different Apart from being a sleek looking motorhome the original layout had a
very distinctive European look about it By that I mean it was a layout that generally used space in a very effective way and didnt have a great deal of empty space ndash if you understand the distinction
More recently Avida introduced an Eyre model with an kerbside slide-out It still uses much of the design from the original layout but naturally has more internal area when the slide-out is open
The Vehicle
Given the Eyre is rather a low-slung looking motorhome its no surprise it comes with a Fiat Ducato X295 cab
bolted to an AL-KO chassis The Ducato is the Multijet 180 variant with the 30-litre 132 kW400 Nm turbo diesel Like most of the rest of the Avida fleet the Eyre is built using a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof Moulded fibreglass is used for the front and rear panels while the walls are laminated together with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one piece floor has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underbody protection
Earlier Eyre designs did have a bit of a problem with external storage capacity but a large rear boot with doors on both sides and the rear wall plus two lockers on the kerb side works very well The 2 x 4 kg gas cylinders live in a locker on the other side just aft of the driverrsquos cab door Just a small issue to keep in mind is that if the side bin doors are open then
An editorial mix-up explains the Avida Eyre in this review not the Birdsville as promised last issue Apologies but the Eyre is technically more interesting while Avida claims it to be the ldquolowest profile motorhome in the marketrdquo
Day test | 25
the side windows cannot be opened or closed properly ndash not a major drama
The house batteries charger and 12 V fuses are in a compartment accessed via the rear boot just inside the kerb-side door About the only problem with this arrangement is it isnrsquot easy to get to the fuses
On The Road
Given the 3504 kg tare weight the Eyre SL is quite a nimble performer certainly on the open road and most of the time
around town except when the six-speed AMT
gearbox decides to dither around a bit in the lower gears Although the Ducato is the latest one from Fiat the review model still did not come with cup holders instead of the hinged compartment in the centre console
A better class of radioCD player does seem to be fitted these days One of the little features I liked about driving the Eyre was the ability to leave the Skyview hatch open when travelling It provides fresh air without the buffeting from open driverpassenger windows
Right The boot doorwindow conflict Below The slide-out is kitchen-only and doesnrsquot add much weight or complexity
Note the large side doors at the rear for the boot plus a door in the rear wall
26 | Day test
Living Inside
Compared to the non-slide-out model Eyre there isnt much
difference in the rear That means there is an island bed with a split bathroom ahead of it In the front though things are very different In the earlier (non-slide) model both the driver and passenger seats
swivel and mesh in with a sideways-facing seat behind the passenger and a forward-facing two-person lounge with table behind the driver That leaves space in the mid area opposite the entry door for the kitchen
But the slide-out changes all this For a start the entry door is moved slightly rearwards
while most of the kitchen ndash the cooker and two-door fridge ndash are now located in the slide-out Both cab seats swivel and theres an L-shaped lounge behind the passenger seat but the drivers seat is somewhat blocked by a kitchen bench
If more kitchen area is desirable the slide-out model is definitely the winner
Day test | 27
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
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Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
Webasto Thermo amp Comfort Australia Pty Ltd 423-427 The Boulevarde Kirrawee NSW 2232 Freecall 1800 244 494 infowebastocomau wwwwebastocomau
Webasto ndash your gas free solution for independent travelling
Thermo Top ndashWater Heaters
DieselCook Top
Air Top ndashAir Heaters
Dual Top ndash Combination Heaters
Quiet powerful operation
Low power amp fuel consumption
Use whilst parked amp on the move
Compact and effi cient
Fast heat up times Can be combined with fan radiators to provide cabin heat
Heat amp hot water from one unit
Easy to use multi-function controller
Low power amp fuel consumption
High cooking power up to 1800 W
No naked fl ame and no fumes
Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface
RVCompressorFridges
AU
1325
2
Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers
Available as DC Only or ACDC
Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors
14 | News
WINNER
Following the debut of the Reverse Alert reverse-parking system at the Lismore Show recently we have a winner from those who watched the demonstration and entered
our online guessing competition
ldquoThe winner is Simon from Sandgate in Brisbane who has a Nissan Patrol and two kids aged six and eightrdquo said Ian Costelloe Reverse Alertrsquos Business Development Manager ldquoSimon said his Patrol has a big blind spot so hersquos very happyrdquo
Congratulations Simon wersquore sure yoursquoll love the system once installed If you missed your chance to win be sure to attend the Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show at Toowoomba Showgrounds from 31 July to 2 August Ian will be demonstrating the remarkable Reverse Alert system fitted to our very own Project Polly and wersquoll have a new competition running Donrsquot miss it
EUROPEAN AND CANADIAN RELOCATIONS
The iMoovacom website has spread its wings and is now offering limited opportunities for rental relocations in Europe At the time of writing relocations available included London to
Munich and Rome to Amsterdam both trips costing pound5 per day and allowing 4 days Canada is also on offer now with trips like Calgary to Yellowknife and Halifax to Toronto (which our roadtest editor Malcolm Street is currently experiencing) available at $25 per day
News | 15
FRONTLINE $1200 ACCESSORY OFFER
Frontline Campervans is offering more than $1200 worth of free accessories to buyers of one of its Volkswagen T5 campervans from stock before 31 August The offer
includes side and rear flyscreens plus an outdoor shower Vehicles are available in Sydney Ballina and the Gold CoastBrisbane To see exactly whatrsquos on offer click HERE
READYBRUTE
NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD
10 CHETWYND ST LOGANHOLME 4128 | P 07 3209 6654 | F 07 3209 6729 | E enquiriesnorthcoachcomauRELY ON THE COMPANY WITH EXPERIENCE FOR FITTING BACKUP amp SERVICING OF YOUR A-FRAME
DISTRIBUTORSQLD Loganholme 07 3209 7669 Cairns 07 4051 9375 Hattonvale 07 3333 1806 Bundaberg 1300 229 494NSW Newcastle 02 4948 0433 Penrith 02 4722 3444 Terry Hills 02 9986 2952VIC Ringwood 03 9879 3545 WodongaAlbury 02 6055 8555 Cambellfield 0393574555SA Victor Harbour 08 8552 1010WA Perth 08 9451 3580TAS Hobart 03 6331 2511
A-Frame Towing Specialists for over 15 years
CARRYING A COMPLETE RANGE OF BLUE OX AND READYBRUTE A-FRAMES
AND ACCESSORIES
PROTECT-A-TOW Easy to install and protect your towed vehiclefromstonesandmudThisproductfitsBlueOxandReadyBrute A-Frames and most other Brands
BLUE OX
16 | News
APOLLO NOW WIFI CONNECTED
Yoursquove come to expect WiFi in your hotel and even on cruise ships Now you can use it on your Great Aussie Road triprdquo says
Apollo Motorhome Holidays who has introduced portable WiFi routers for hire with campervans or motorhomes in its Australian fleet
According to CEO Luke Trouchet ldquoItrsquos rare to see a traveller in Australia or New Zealand without a smartphone at their fingertips ndash the humble travel guidebook has all but been replaced by travel websites and apps Wersquove responded to guest requests for WiFi routers so they can easily use their smart devices on the road and where their own mobile phone data coverage may not extendrdquo he said
Usage plans ranging from 60 MB to 3 GB from Australiarsquos largest carrier Telstra At $10 per day with a maximum charge of $50 per rental plus data usage the deal compares favourably with many hotel internet packages International travellers will be the biggest winners gaining access to the internet
at a fraction of the cost of most international data roaming charges
ldquoThe units are removable with re-chargeable batteries so they can be taken out of the rental vehicle allowing WiFi access down at the beach near the camp fire or on a rainforest walk for examplerdquo Mr Trouchet said
Also capitalising on the trend towards online tourism information Apollorsquos New Zealand operations recently launched a free App available to all guests with an iPhone or Android device
ldquoThe lsquoApollo NZ Travel Guidersquo makes sure travellers donrsquot miss a thing on their self-drive holiday with hundreds of points of interest detailed maps up to date local information and prices and a lsquotake me therersquo function to help plan driving routes This is an absolutely fantastic tool for a New Zealand driving holidayrdquo said Trouchet adding that the company is now considering the large undertaking of creating a similar application for Australia To find out more or book an Apollo holiday click HERE
wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit
From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days
Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities
Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone
12 DESTINATIONS
ONLY $999
FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places
Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability
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bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty
bull ABS amp ESP safety systems
Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)
Outside Shower (worth over $360)
ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES
Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details
The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind
Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of
Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable
HURRY offer only available while stocks last
SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998
18 | News
Looking for a unique opportunity to create your dream motorhome The ex-mobile library vehicle for the Riverina Regional
Library is for sale and will be auctioned on 5 August in Wagga Wagga Reportedly in very good condition its details are
bull 2004 DAF 55250 pantech truck with 315400 km
bull Custom-built mobile library 10 m long x 25 m wide x 38 m high
bull 6 m x 2 m slide-outbull Fully electronic set-up operation (stabilisers
slide-out awning)bull 2 split-system air conditionersbull Disabled accessbull Automatic electric sliding entry-door
bull Awning over entry doorbull Built-in shelvingbull Kitchen area (sink fridge microwave oven)bull Two-bay IT deskAccording to Robert Knight Executive Director ndash Riverina Regional Library ldquoThis versatile vehicle has many years of life left as a mobile library or could be converted into a fantastic mobile home mobile office or anything else that your imagination can conjure up The vehicle will be auctioned at the Rundles Truck Auction on Wednesday 5 August in Wagga Wagga Check HERE for details or call Brian Plummer Support amp eServices Coordinator ndash Riverina Regional Library on 0417 221917
CONVERSION OPPORTUNITY
World First Collision Avoidance System
Reverse Alert is a world first automatic braking technology that can be applied to any vehicle ndash new or used
When the reverse gear is selected the rear sensors are activated If the sensors detect an object the brake is automatically applied - requiring no driver input
EXHIBITION AND DEMONSTRATIONS AT 2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure and Motoring Expo 31 July - 2 August 2015Toowoomba Showgrounds302 Glenvale Road Toowoomba QLD - Special show prices
- Speak directly with experts - See how the technology
works
For further information on this Australian invention visit
wwwreversealertaustraliacomau
REVERSE ALERTREVERSE ALERT Protect your investment
and the people around you
20 | News
From 1 September 2015 double demerit points will apply for second or subsequent mobile phone offences that are committed
by drivers within one year of an earlier offence
The first time you get an infringement notice for using a mobile phone while driving you will be allocated three demerit points If you use a mobile phone while driving again within 12 months of the first offence you will be allocated another 3 demerit points At that point you will also receive an additional three demerit points for it being within one year of the first offence That means nine demerit points in total for two infringements The mobile phone offences that could result in double demerit points being allocated are
bull any driver using a hand-held mobile phone
while driving (including when stopped in traffic or at traffic lights)
bull any use of mobile phones by learner and P1 provisional licence holders under 25 years of age and P1 probationary licence holders
You do not necessarily have to commit the same type of mobile phone offence a second or subsequent time to be allocated double demerit points any driver mobile phone offence counts For example the person could commit a first offence while a young driver by using a mobile phone on loudspeaker and commit a second offence by engaging in a phone call holding the phone in their hand Double demerit points are also applied all year round in Queensland to people who repeatedly commit certain speeding seatbelt and motorbike helmet offences
QUEENSLAND DRIVERS BE WARNED
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
News | 21
Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans
On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT
BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE
Expedition Vehicles
222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077
infotrailblazersrvcomwwwtrailblazersrvcom
COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS
EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS
LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO
A traveller suffered cuts to his arms hands and head after knife-wielding bogus police attempted to rob him in NSW
The terrified 53-year-old man was attacked when the men forced their way into his campervan parked in the Shellharbour suburb of Barrack Heights NSW The men were said to have identified themselves as police officers and produced what appeared to be police badges But when the victim asked for additional identification they forcibly put tape over his eyes and around his arms and legs They demanded money but fled empty handed when a relative of the man approached the RV from caravanningnewscom
BEWARE BOGUS POLICE
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
22 | imotorhome marketplace
Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can
look after everything
This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great
artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it
An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new
motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the
Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your
needs too
Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and
Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is
perfect for motorhomes
In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country
and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo
on our website too
Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and
built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from
24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information
T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau
T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom
T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau
T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau
T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau
Parkland RV Centre
Bony Mountain Folk Festival
iTech World Wellington Shire
Roberts RV World RV Specialists
We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes
Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety
Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric
cart or in your motorhome
T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau
T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau
Airbag Man Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V
power specialists
T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau
Battery Traders Super Store Taronga
Western Plains Zoo
imotorhome marketplace | 23
The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults
LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR RV OWNERS
The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km
in ideal conditions Super light
too at 108kg Folds away
quite compact for small storage
To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email
mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom
1
bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support
5th wheeler specialist
hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available
The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system - for those who enjoy a comfortable
nights sleep but hate making the bed All the comforts of home while you explore the extraordinary To order simply call (08) 9336 7714 or email infoduvalaycomau
wwwduvalaycomau
Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed
lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your
motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting
Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin
Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the
Australian market Click through to find out why theyrsquore fast becoming
Australiarsquos favourite tooT (02) 9011 8144W nomadicsolutionscomau
T 0411 616 617W tiffinmotorhomescomau
Nomadic Solutions Tiffin Motorhomes
SSoouutthheerrnnCCaammppeerrvvaannss
SSppiirriitt
sliding amp rear doorFLY SCREEN
shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229
Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13
wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR
MOTORHOMEStore those additional items up and out of
the way using our adjustable transportable and modular storage system
wwwskytrackscomau
Avidarsquos slide-out Eyre is a fresh design from Australiarsquos largest manufacturerhellip
24 | Day test Avida Eyre B7663 SL
Fresh Eyre
by Malcolm Street
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different Apart from being a sleek looking motorhome the original layout had a
very distinctive European look about it By that I mean it was a layout that generally used space in a very effective way and didnt have a great deal of empty space ndash if you understand the distinction
More recently Avida introduced an Eyre model with an kerbside slide-out It still uses much of the design from the original layout but naturally has more internal area when the slide-out is open
The Vehicle
Given the Eyre is rather a low-slung looking motorhome its no surprise it comes with a Fiat Ducato X295 cab
bolted to an AL-KO chassis The Ducato is the Multijet 180 variant with the 30-litre 132 kW400 Nm turbo diesel Like most of the rest of the Avida fleet the Eyre is built using a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof Moulded fibreglass is used for the front and rear panels while the walls are laminated together with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one piece floor has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underbody protection
Earlier Eyre designs did have a bit of a problem with external storage capacity but a large rear boot with doors on both sides and the rear wall plus two lockers on the kerb side works very well The 2 x 4 kg gas cylinders live in a locker on the other side just aft of the driverrsquos cab door Just a small issue to keep in mind is that if the side bin doors are open then
An editorial mix-up explains the Avida Eyre in this review not the Birdsville as promised last issue Apologies but the Eyre is technically more interesting while Avida claims it to be the ldquolowest profile motorhome in the marketrdquo
Day test | 25
the side windows cannot be opened or closed properly ndash not a major drama
The house batteries charger and 12 V fuses are in a compartment accessed via the rear boot just inside the kerb-side door About the only problem with this arrangement is it isnrsquot easy to get to the fuses
On The Road
Given the 3504 kg tare weight the Eyre SL is quite a nimble performer certainly on the open road and most of the time
around town except when the six-speed AMT
gearbox decides to dither around a bit in the lower gears Although the Ducato is the latest one from Fiat the review model still did not come with cup holders instead of the hinged compartment in the centre console
A better class of radioCD player does seem to be fitted these days One of the little features I liked about driving the Eyre was the ability to leave the Skyview hatch open when travelling It provides fresh air without the buffeting from open driverpassenger windows
Right The boot doorwindow conflict Below The slide-out is kitchen-only and doesnrsquot add much weight or complexity
Note the large side doors at the rear for the boot plus a door in the rear wall
26 | Day test
Living Inside
Compared to the non-slide-out model Eyre there isnt much
difference in the rear That means there is an island bed with a split bathroom ahead of it In the front though things are very different In the earlier (non-slide) model both the driver and passenger seats
swivel and mesh in with a sideways-facing seat behind the passenger and a forward-facing two-person lounge with table behind the driver That leaves space in the mid area opposite the entry door for the kitchen
But the slide-out changes all this For a start the entry door is moved slightly rearwards
while most of the kitchen ndash the cooker and two-door fridge ndash are now located in the slide-out Both cab seats swivel and theres an L-shaped lounge behind the passenger seat but the drivers seat is somewhat blocked by a kitchen bench
If more kitchen area is desirable the slide-out model is definitely the winner
Day test | 27
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
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Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
EUROPEAN AND CANADIAN RELOCATIONS
The iMoovacom website has spread its wings and is now offering limited opportunities for rental relocations in Europe At the time of writing relocations available included London to
Munich and Rome to Amsterdam both trips costing pound5 per day and allowing 4 days Canada is also on offer now with trips like Calgary to Yellowknife and Halifax to Toronto (which our roadtest editor Malcolm Street is currently experiencing) available at $25 per day
News | 15
FRONTLINE $1200 ACCESSORY OFFER
Frontline Campervans is offering more than $1200 worth of free accessories to buyers of one of its Volkswagen T5 campervans from stock before 31 August The offer
includes side and rear flyscreens plus an outdoor shower Vehicles are available in Sydney Ballina and the Gold CoastBrisbane To see exactly whatrsquos on offer click HERE
READYBRUTE
NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD
10 CHETWYND ST LOGANHOLME 4128 | P 07 3209 6654 | F 07 3209 6729 | E enquiriesnorthcoachcomauRELY ON THE COMPANY WITH EXPERIENCE FOR FITTING BACKUP amp SERVICING OF YOUR A-FRAME
DISTRIBUTORSQLD Loganholme 07 3209 7669 Cairns 07 4051 9375 Hattonvale 07 3333 1806 Bundaberg 1300 229 494NSW Newcastle 02 4948 0433 Penrith 02 4722 3444 Terry Hills 02 9986 2952VIC Ringwood 03 9879 3545 WodongaAlbury 02 6055 8555 Cambellfield 0393574555SA Victor Harbour 08 8552 1010WA Perth 08 9451 3580TAS Hobart 03 6331 2511
A-Frame Towing Specialists for over 15 years
CARRYING A COMPLETE RANGE OF BLUE OX AND READYBRUTE A-FRAMES
AND ACCESSORIES
PROTECT-A-TOW Easy to install and protect your towed vehiclefromstonesandmudThisproductfitsBlueOxandReadyBrute A-Frames and most other Brands
BLUE OX
16 | News
APOLLO NOW WIFI CONNECTED
Yoursquove come to expect WiFi in your hotel and even on cruise ships Now you can use it on your Great Aussie Road triprdquo says
Apollo Motorhome Holidays who has introduced portable WiFi routers for hire with campervans or motorhomes in its Australian fleet
According to CEO Luke Trouchet ldquoItrsquos rare to see a traveller in Australia or New Zealand without a smartphone at their fingertips ndash the humble travel guidebook has all but been replaced by travel websites and apps Wersquove responded to guest requests for WiFi routers so they can easily use their smart devices on the road and where their own mobile phone data coverage may not extendrdquo he said
Usage plans ranging from 60 MB to 3 GB from Australiarsquos largest carrier Telstra At $10 per day with a maximum charge of $50 per rental plus data usage the deal compares favourably with many hotel internet packages International travellers will be the biggest winners gaining access to the internet
at a fraction of the cost of most international data roaming charges
ldquoThe units are removable with re-chargeable batteries so they can be taken out of the rental vehicle allowing WiFi access down at the beach near the camp fire or on a rainforest walk for examplerdquo Mr Trouchet said
Also capitalising on the trend towards online tourism information Apollorsquos New Zealand operations recently launched a free App available to all guests with an iPhone or Android device
ldquoThe lsquoApollo NZ Travel Guidersquo makes sure travellers donrsquot miss a thing on their self-drive holiday with hundreds of points of interest detailed maps up to date local information and prices and a lsquotake me therersquo function to help plan driving routes This is an absolutely fantastic tool for a New Zealand driving holidayrdquo said Trouchet adding that the company is now considering the large undertaking of creating a similar application for Australia To find out more or book an Apollo holiday click HERE
wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit
From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days
Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities
Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone
12 DESTINATIONS
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FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places
Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability
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Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)
Outside Shower (worth over $360)
ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES
Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details
The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind
Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of
Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable
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SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998
18 | News
Looking for a unique opportunity to create your dream motorhome The ex-mobile library vehicle for the Riverina Regional
Library is for sale and will be auctioned on 5 August in Wagga Wagga Reportedly in very good condition its details are
bull 2004 DAF 55250 pantech truck with 315400 km
bull Custom-built mobile library 10 m long x 25 m wide x 38 m high
bull 6 m x 2 m slide-outbull Fully electronic set-up operation (stabilisers
slide-out awning)bull 2 split-system air conditionersbull Disabled accessbull Automatic electric sliding entry-door
bull Awning over entry doorbull Built-in shelvingbull Kitchen area (sink fridge microwave oven)bull Two-bay IT deskAccording to Robert Knight Executive Director ndash Riverina Regional Library ldquoThis versatile vehicle has many years of life left as a mobile library or could be converted into a fantastic mobile home mobile office or anything else that your imagination can conjure up The vehicle will be auctioned at the Rundles Truck Auction on Wednesday 5 August in Wagga Wagga Check HERE for details or call Brian Plummer Support amp eServices Coordinator ndash Riverina Regional Library on 0417 221917
CONVERSION OPPORTUNITY
World First Collision Avoidance System
Reverse Alert is a world first automatic braking technology that can be applied to any vehicle ndash new or used
When the reverse gear is selected the rear sensors are activated If the sensors detect an object the brake is automatically applied - requiring no driver input
EXHIBITION AND DEMONSTRATIONS AT 2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure and Motoring Expo 31 July - 2 August 2015Toowoomba Showgrounds302 Glenvale Road Toowoomba QLD - Special show prices
- Speak directly with experts - See how the technology
works
For further information on this Australian invention visit
wwwreversealertaustraliacomau
REVERSE ALERTREVERSE ALERT Protect your investment
and the people around you
20 | News
From 1 September 2015 double demerit points will apply for second or subsequent mobile phone offences that are committed
by drivers within one year of an earlier offence
The first time you get an infringement notice for using a mobile phone while driving you will be allocated three demerit points If you use a mobile phone while driving again within 12 months of the first offence you will be allocated another 3 demerit points At that point you will also receive an additional three demerit points for it being within one year of the first offence That means nine demerit points in total for two infringements The mobile phone offences that could result in double demerit points being allocated are
bull any driver using a hand-held mobile phone
while driving (including when stopped in traffic or at traffic lights)
bull any use of mobile phones by learner and P1 provisional licence holders under 25 years of age and P1 probationary licence holders
You do not necessarily have to commit the same type of mobile phone offence a second or subsequent time to be allocated double demerit points any driver mobile phone offence counts For example the person could commit a first offence while a young driver by using a mobile phone on loudspeaker and commit a second offence by engaging in a phone call holding the phone in their hand Double demerit points are also applied all year round in Queensland to people who repeatedly commit certain speeding seatbelt and motorbike helmet offences
QUEENSLAND DRIVERS BE WARNED
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
News | 21
Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans
On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT
BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE
Expedition Vehicles
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LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO
A traveller suffered cuts to his arms hands and head after knife-wielding bogus police attempted to rob him in NSW
The terrified 53-year-old man was attacked when the men forced their way into his campervan parked in the Shellharbour suburb of Barrack Heights NSW The men were said to have identified themselves as police officers and produced what appeared to be police badges But when the victim asked for additional identification they forcibly put tape over his eyes and around his arms and legs They demanded money but fled empty handed when a relative of the man approached the RV from caravanningnewscom
BEWARE BOGUS POLICE
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
22 | imotorhome marketplace
Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can
look after everything
This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great
artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it
An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new
motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the
Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your
needs too
Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and
Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is
perfect for motorhomes
In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country
and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo
on our website too
Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and
built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from
24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information
T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau
T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom
T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau
T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau
T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau
Parkland RV Centre
Bony Mountain Folk Festival
iTech World Wellington Shire
Roberts RV World RV Specialists
We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes
Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety
Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric
cart or in your motorhome
T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau
T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau
Airbag Man Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V
power specialists
T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau
Battery Traders Super Store Taronga
Western Plains Zoo
imotorhome marketplace | 23
The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults
LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR RV OWNERS
The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km
in ideal conditions Super light
too at 108kg Folds away
quite compact for small storage
To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email
mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom
1
bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support
5th wheeler specialist
hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available
The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system - for those who enjoy a comfortable
nights sleep but hate making the bed All the comforts of home while you explore the extraordinary To order simply call (08) 9336 7714 or email infoduvalaycomau
wwwduvalaycomau
Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed
lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your
motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting
Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin
Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the
Australian market Click through to find out why theyrsquore fast becoming
Australiarsquos favourite tooT (02) 9011 8144W nomadicsolutionscomau
T 0411 616 617W tiffinmotorhomescomau
Nomadic Solutions Tiffin Motorhomes
SSoouutthheerrnnCCaammppeerrvvaannss
SSppiirriitt
sliding amp rear doorFLY SCREEN
shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229
Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13
wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR
MOTORHOMEStore those additional items up and out of
the way using our adjustable transportable and modular storage system
wwwskytrackscomau
Avidarsquos slide-out Eyre is a fresh design from Australiarsquos largest manufacturerhellip
24 | Day test Avida Eyre B7663 SL
Fresh Eyre
by Malcolm Street
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different Apart from being a sleek looking motorhome the original layout had a
very distinctive European look about it By that I mean it was a layout that generally used space in a very effective way and didnt have a great deal of empty space ndash if you understand the distinction
More recently Avida introduced an Eyre model with an kerbside slide-out It still uses much of the design from the original layout but naturally has more internal area when the slide-out is open
The Vehicle
Given the Eyre is rather a low-slung looking motorhome its no surprise it comes with a Fiat Ducato X295 cab
bolted to an AL-KO chassis The Ducato is the Multijet 180 variant with the 30-litre 132 kW400 Nm turbo diesel Like most of the rest of the Avida fleet the Eyre is built using a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof Moulded fibreglass is used for the front and rear panels while the walls are laminated together with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one piece floor has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underbody protection
Earlier Eyre designs did have a bit of a problem with external storage capacity but a large rear boot with doors on both sides and the rear wall plus two lockers on the kerb side works very well The 2 x 4 kg gas cylinders live in a locker on the other side just aft of the driverrsquos cab door Just a small issue to keep in mind is that if the side bin doors are open then
An editorial mix-up explains the Avida Eyre in this review not the Birdsville as promised last issue Apologies but the Eyre is technically more interesting while Avida claims it to be the ldquolowest profile motorhome in the marketrdquo
Day test | 25
the side windows cannot be opened or closed properly ndash not a major drama
The house batteries charger and 12 V fuses are in a compartment accessed via the rear boot just inside the kerb-side door About the only problem with this arrangement is it isnrsquot easy to get to the fuses
On The Road
Given the 3504 kg tare weight the Eyre SL is quite a nimble performer certainly on the open road and most of the time
around town except when the six-speed AMT
gearbox decides to dither around a bit in the lower gears Although the Ducato is the latest one from Fiat the review model still did not come with cup holders instead of the hinged compartment in the centre console
A better class of radioCD player does seem to be fitted these days One of the little features I liked about driving the Eyre was the ability to leave the Skyview hatch open when travelling It provides fresh air without the buffeting from open driverpassenger windows
Right The boot doorwindow conflict Below The slide-out is kitchen-only and doesnrsquot add much weight or complexity
Note the large side doors at the rear for the boot plus a door in the rear wall
26 | Day test
Living Inside
Compared to the non-slide-out model Eyre there isnt much
difference in the rear That means there is an island bed with a split bathroom ahead of it In the front though things are very different In the earlier (non-slide) model both the driver and passenger seats
swivel and mesh in with a sideways-facing seat behind the passenger and a forward-facing two-person lounge with table behind the driver That leaves space in the mid area opposite the entry door for the kitchen
But the slide-out changes all this For a start the entry door is moved slightly rearwards
while most of the kitchen ndash the cooker and two-door fridge ndash are now located in the slide-out Both cab seats swivel and theres an L-shaped lounge behind the passenger seat but the drivers seat is somewhat blocked by a kitchen bench
If more kitchen area is desirable the slide-out model is definitely the winner
Day test | 27
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
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Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
16 | News
APOLLO NOW WIFI CONNECTED
Yoursquove come to expect WiFi in your hotel and even on cruise ships Now you can use it on your Great Aussie Road triprdquo says
Apollo Motorhome Holidays who has introduced portable WiFi routers for hire with campervans or motorhomes in its Australian fleet
According to CEO Luke Trouchet ldquoItrsquos rare to see a traveller in Australia or New Zealand without a smartphone at their fingertips ndash the humble travel guidebook has all but been replaced by travel websites and apps Wersquove responded to guest requests for WiFi routers so they can easily use their smart devices on the road and where their own mobile phone data coverage may not extendrdquo he said
Usage plans ranging from 60 MB to 3 GB from Australiarsquos largest carrier Telstra At $10 per day with a maximum charge of $50 per rental plus data usage the deal compares favourably with many hotel internet packages International travellers will be the biggest winners gaining access to the internet
at a fraction of the cost of most international data roaming charges
ldquoThe units are removable with re-chargeable batteries so they can be taken out of the rental vehicle allowing WiFi access down at the beach near the camp fire or on a rainforest walk for examplerdquo Mr Trouchet said
Also capitalising on the trend towards online tourism information Apollorsquos New Zealand operations recently launched a free App available to all guests with an iPhone or Android device
ldquoThe lsquoApollo NZ Travel Guidersquo makes sure travellers donrsquot miss a thing on their self-drive holiday with hundreds of points of interest detailed maps up to date local information and prices and a lsquotake me therersquo function to help plan driving routes This is an absolutely fantastic tool for a New Zealand driving holidayrdquo said Trouchet adding that the company is now considering the large undertaking of creating a similar application for Australia To find out more or book an Apollo holiday click HERE
wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit
From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days
Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities
Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone
12 DESTINATIONS
ONLY $999
FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places
Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability
bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation
bull Swing out stove for ease of use
bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty
bull ABS amp ESP safety systems
Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)
Outside Shower (worth over $360)
ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES
Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details
The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind
Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of
Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable
HURRY offer only available while stocks last
SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998
18 | News
Looking for a unique opportunity to create your dream motorhome The ex-mobile library vehicle for the Riverina Regional
Library is for sale and will be auctioned on 5 August in Wagga Wagga Reportedly in very good condition its details are
bull 2004 DAF 55250 pantech truck with 315400 km
bull Custom-built mobile library 10 m long x 25 m wide x 38 m high
bull 6 m x 2 m slide-outbull Fully electronic set-up operation (stabilisers
slide-out awning)bull 2 split-system air conditionersbull Disabled accessbull Automatic electric sliding entry-door
bull Awning over entry doorbull Built-in shelvingbull Kitchen area (sink fridge microwave oven)bull Two-bay IT deskAccording to Robert Knight Executive Director ndash Riverina Regional Library ldquoThis versatile vehicle has many years of life left as a mobile library or could be converted into a fantastic mobile home mobile office or anything else that your imagination can conjure up The vehicle will be auctioned at the Rundles Truck Auction on Wednesday 5 August in Wagga Wagga Check HERE for details or call Brian Plummer Support amp eServices Coordinator ndash Riverina Regional Library on 0417 221917
CONVERSION OPPORTUNITY
World First Collision Avoidance System
Reverse Alert is a world first automatic braking technology that can be applied to any vehicle ndash new or used
When the reverse gear is selected the rear sensors are activated If the sensors detect an object the brake is automatically applied - requiring no driver input
EXHIBITION AND DEMONSTRATIONS AT 2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure and Motoring Expo 31 July - 2 August 2015Toowoomba Showgrounds302 Glenvale Road Toowoomba QLD - Special show prices
- Speak directly with experts - See how the technology
works
For further information on this Australian invention visit
wwwreversealertaustraliacomau
REVERSE ALERTREVERSE ALERT Protect your investment
and the people around you
20 | News
From 1 September 2015 double demerit points will apply for second or subsequent mobile phone offences that are committed
by drivers within one year of an earlier offence
The first time you get an infringement notice for using a mobile phone while driving you will be allocated three demerit points If you use a mobile phone while driving again within 12 months of the first offence you will be allocated another 3 demerit points At that point you will also receive an additional three demerit points for it being within one year of the first offence That means nine demerit points in total for two infringements The mobile phone offences that could result in double demerit points being allocated are
bull any driver using a hand-held mobile phone
while driving (including when stopped in traffic or at traffic lights)
bull any use of mobile phones by learner and P1 provisional licence holders under 25 years of age and P1 probationary licence holders
You do not necessarily have to commit the same type of mobile phone offence a second or subsequent time to be allocated double demerit points any driver mobile phone offence counts For example the person could commit a first offence while a young driver by using a mobile phone on loudspeaker and commit a second offence by engaging in a phone call holding the phone in their hand Double demerit points are also applied all year round in Queensland to people who repeatedly commit certain speeding seatbelt and motorbike helmet offences
QUEENSLAND DRIVERS BE WARNED
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
News | 21
Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans
On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT
BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE
Expedition Vehicles
222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077
infotrailblazersrvcomwwwtrailblazersrvcom
COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS
EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS
LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO
A traveller suffered cuts to his arms hands and head after knife-wielding bogus police attempted to rob him in NSW
The terrified 53-year-old man was attacked when the men forced their way into his campervan parked in the Shellharbour suburb of Barrack Heights NSW The men were said to have identified themselves as police officers and produced what appeared to be police badges But when the victim asked for additional identification they forcibly put tape over his eyes and around his arms and legs They demanded money but fled empty handed when a relative of the man approached the RV from caravanningnewscom
BEWARE BOGUS POLICE
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
22 | imotorhome marketplace
Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can
look after everything
This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great
artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it
An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new
motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the
Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your
needs too
Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and
Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is
perfect for motorhomes
In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country
and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo
on our website too
Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and
built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from
24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information
T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau
T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom
T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau
T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau
T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau
Parkland RV Centre
Bony Mountain Folk Festival
iTech World Wellington Shire
Roberts RV World RV Specialists
We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes
Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety
Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric
cart or in your motorhome
T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau
T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau
Airbag Man Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V
power specialists
T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau
Battery Traders Super Store Taronga
Western Plains Zoo
imotorhome marketplace | 23
The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults
LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR RV OWNERS
The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km
in ideal conditions Super light
too at 108kg Folds away
quite compact for small storage
To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email
mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom
1
bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support
5th wheeler specialist
hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available
The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system - for those who enjoy a comfortable
nights sleep but hate making the bed All the comforts of home while you explore the extraordinary To order simply call (08) 9336 7714 or email infoduvalaycomau
wwwduvalaycomau
Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed
lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your
motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting
Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin
Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the
Australian market Click through to find out why theyrsquore fast becoming
Australiarsquos favourite tooT (02) 9011 8144W nomadicsolutionscomau
T 0411 616 617W tiffinmotorhomescomau
Nomadic Solutions Tiffin Motorhomes
SSoouutthheerrnnCCaammppeerrvvaannss
SSppiirriitt
sliding amp rear doorFLY SCREEN
shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229
Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13
wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR
MOTORHOMEStore those additional items up and out of
the way using our adjustable transportable and modular storage system
wwwskytrackscomau
Avidarsquos slide-out Eyre is a fresh design from Australiarsquos largest manufacturerhellip
24 | Day test Avida Eyre B7663 SL
Fresh Eyre
by Malcolm Street
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different Apart from being a sleek looking motorhome the original layout had a
very distinctive European look about it By that I mean it was a layout that generally used space in a very effective way and didnt have a great deal of empty space ndash if you understand the distinction
More recently Avida introduced an Eyre model with an kerbside slide-out It still uses much of the design from the original layout but naturally has more internal area when the slide-out is open
The Vehicle
Given the Eyre is rather a low-slung looking motorhome its no surprise it comes with a Fiat Ducato X295 cab
bolted to an AL-KO chassis The Ducato is the Multijet 180 variant with the 30-litre 132 kW400 Nm turbo diesel Like most of the rest of the Avida fleet the Eyre is built using a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof Moulded fibreglass is used for the front and rear panels while the walls are laminated together with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one piece floor has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underbody protection
Earlier Eyre designs did have a bit of a problem with external storage capacity but a large rear boot with doors on both sides and the rear wall plus two lockers on the kerb side works very well The 2 x 4 kg gas cylinders live in a locker on the other side just aft of the driverrsquos cab door Just a small issue to keep in mind is that if the side bin doors are open then
An editorial mix-up explains the Avida Eyre in this review not the Birdsville as promised last issue Apologies but the Eyre is technically more interesting while Avida claims it to be the ldquolowest profile motorhome in the marketrdquo
Day test | 25
the side windows cannot be opened or closed properly ndash not a major drama
The house batteries charger and 12 V fuses are in a compartment accessed via the rear boot just inside the kerb-side door About the only problem with this arrangement is it isnrsquot easy to get to the fuses
On The Road
Given the 3504 kg tare weight the Eyre SL is quite a nimble performer certainly on the open road and most of the time
around town except when the six-speed AMT
gearbox decides to dither around a bit in the lower gears Although the Ducato is the latest one from Fiat the review model still did not come with cup holders instead of the hinged compartment in the centre console
A better class of radioCD player does seem to be fitted these days One of the little features I liked about driving the Eyre was the ability to leave the Skyview hatch open when travelling It provides fresh air without the buffeting from open driverpassenger windows
Right The boot doorwindow conflict Below The slide-out is kitchen-only and doesnrsquot add much weight or complexity
Note the large side doors at the rear for the boot plus a door in the rear wall
26 | Day test
Living Inside
Compared to the non-slide-out model Eyre there isnt much
difference in the rear That means there is an island bed with a split bathroom ahead of it In the front though things are very different In the earlier (non-slide) model both the driver and passenger seats
swivel and mesh in with a sideways-facing seat behind the passenger and a forward-facing two-person lounge with table behind the driver That leaves space in the mid area opposite the entry door for the kitchen
But the slide-out changes all this For a start the entry door is moved slightly rearwards
while most of the kitchen ndash the cooker and two-door fridge ndash are now located in the slide-out Both cab seats swivel and theres an L-shaped lounge behind the passenger seat but the drivers seat is somewhat blocked by a kitchen bench
If more kitchen area is desirable the slide-out model is definitely the winner
Day test | 27
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places
Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability
bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation
bull Swing out stove for ease of use
bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty
bull ABS amp ESP safety systems
Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)
Outside Shower (worth over $360)
ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES
Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details
The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind
Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of
Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable
HURRY offer only available while stocks last
SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998
18 | News
Looking for a unique opportunity to create your dream motorhome The ex-mobile library vehicle for the Riverina Regional
Library is for sale and will be auctioned on 5 August in Wagga Wagga Reportedly in very good condition its details are
bull 2004 DAF 55250 pantech truck with 315400 km
bull Custom-built mobile library 10 m long x 25 m wide x 38 m high
bull 6 m x 2 m slide-outbull Fully electronic set-up operation (stabilisers
slide-out awning)bull 2 split-system air conditionersbull Disabled accessbull Automatic electric sliding entry-door
bull Awning over entry doorbull Built-in shelvingbull Kitchen area (sink fridge microwave oven)bull Two-bay IT deskAccording to Robert Knight Executive Director ndash Riverina Regional Library ldquoThis versatile vehicle has many years of life left as a mobile library or could be converted into a fantastic mobile home mobile office or anything else that your imagination can conjure up The vehicle will be auctioned at the Rundles Truck Auction on Wednesday 5 August in Wagga Wagga Check HERE for details or call Brian Plummer Support amp eServices Coordinator ndash Riverina Regional Library on 0417 221917
CONVERSION OPPORTUNITY
World First Collision Avoidance System
Reverse Alert is a world first automatic braking technology that can be applied to any vehicle ndash new or used
When the reverse gear is selected the rear sensors are activated If the sensors detect an object the brake is automatically applied - requiring no driver input
EXHIBITION AND DEMONSTRATIONS AT 2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure and Motoring Expo 31 July - 2 August 2015Toowoomba Showgrounds302 Glenvale Road Toowoomba QLD - Special show prices
- Speak directly with experts - See how the technology
works
For further information on this Australian invention visit
wwwreversealertaustraliacomau
REVERSE ALERTREVERSE ALERT Protect your investment
and the people around you
20 | News
From 1 September 2015 double demerit points will apply for second or subsequent mobile phone offences that are committed
by drivers within one year of an earlier offence
The first time you get an infringement notice for using a mobile phone while driving you will be allocated three demerit points If you use a mobile phone while driving again within 12 months of the first offence you will be allocated another 3 demerit points At that point you will also receive an additional three demerit points for it being within one year of the first offence That means nine demerit points in total for two infringements The mobile phone offences that could result in double demerit points being allocated are
bull any driver using a hand-held mobile phone
while driving (including when stopped in traffic or at traffic lights)
bull any use of mobile phones by learner and P1 provisional licence holders under 25 years of age and P1 probationary licence holders
You do not necessarily have to commit the same type of mobile phone offence a second or subsequent time to be allocated double demerit points any driver mobile phone offence counts For example the person could commit a first offence while a young driver by using a mobile phone on loudspeaker and commit a second offence by engaging in a phone call holding the phone in their hand Double demerit points are also applied all year round in Queensland to people who repeatedly commit certain speeding seatbelt and motorbike helmet offences
QUEENSLAND DRIVERS BE WARNED
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
News | 21
Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans
On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT
BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE
Expedition Vehicles
222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077
infotrailblazersrvcomwwwtrailblazersrvcom
COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS
EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS
LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO
A traveller suffered cuts to his arms hands and head after knife-wielding bogus police attempted to rob him in NSW
The terrified 53-year-old man was attacked when the men forced their way into his campervan parked in the Shellharbour suburb of Barrack Heights NSW The men were said to have identified themselves as police officers and produced what appeared to be police badges But when the victim asked for additional identification they forcibly put tape over his eyes and around his arms and legs They demanded money but fled empty handed when a relative of the man approached the RV from caravanningnewscom
BEWARE BOGUS POLICE
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
22 | imotorhome marketplace
Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can
look after everything
This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great
artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it
An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new
motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the
Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your
needs too
Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and
Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is
perfect for motorhomes
In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country
and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo
on our website too
Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and
built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from
24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information
T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau
T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom
T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau
T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau
T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau
Parkland RV Centre
Bony Mountain Folk Festival
iTech World Wellington Shire
Roberts RV World RV Specialists
We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes
Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety
Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric
cart or in your motorhome
T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau
T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau
Airbag Man Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V
power specialists
T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau
Battery Traders Super Store Taronga
Western Plains Zoo
imotorhome marketplace | 23
The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults
LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR RV OWNERS
The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km
in ideal conditions Super light
too at 108kg Folds away
quite compact for small storage
To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email
mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom
1
bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support
5th wheeler specialist
hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available
The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system - for those who enjoy a comfortable
nights sleep but hate making the bed All the comforts of home while you explore the extraordinary To order simply call (08) 9336 7714 or email infoduvalaycomau
wwwduvalaycomau
Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed
lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your
motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting
Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin
Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the
Australian market Click through to find out why theyrsquore fast becoming
Australiarsquos favourite tooT (02) 9011 8144W nomadicsolutionscomau
T 0411 616 617W tiffinmotorhomescomau
Nomadic Solutions Tiffin Motorhomes
SSoouutthheerrnnCCaammppeerrvvaannss
SSppiirriitt
sliding amp rear doorFLY SCREEN
shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229
Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13
wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR
MOTORHOMEStore those additional items up and out of
the way using our adjustable transportable and modular storage system
wwwskytrackscomau
Avidarsquos slide-out Eyre is a fresh design from Australiarsquos largest manufacturerhellip
24 | Day test Avida Eyre B7663 SL
Fresh Eyre
by Malcolm Street
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different Apart from being a sleek looking motorhome the original layout had a
very distinctive European look about it By that I mean it was a layout that generally used space in a very effective way and didnt have a great deal of empty space ndash if you understand the distinction
More recently Avida introduced an Eyre model with an kerbside slide-out It still uses much of the design from the original layout but naturally has more internal area when the slide-out is open
The Vehicle
Given the Eyre is rather a low-slung looking motorhome its no surprise it comes with a Fiat Ducato X295 cab
bolted to an AL-KO chassis The Ducato is the Multijet 180 variant with the 30-litre 132 kW400 Nm turbo diesel Like most of the rest of the Avida fleet the Eyre is built using a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof Moulded fibreglass is used for the front and rear panels while the walls are laminated together with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one piece floor has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underbody protection
Earlier Eyre designs did have a bit of a problem with external storage capacity but a large rear boot with doors on both sides and the rear wall plus two lockers on the kerb side works very well The 2 x 4 kg gas cylinders live in a locker on the other side just aft of the driverrsquos cab door Just a small issue to keep in mind is that if the side bin doors are open then
An editorial mix-up explains the Avida Eyre in this review not the Birdsville as promised last issue Apologies but the Eyre is technically more interesting while Avida claims it to be the ldquolowest profile motorhome in the marketrdquo
Day test | 25
the side windows cannot be opened or closed properly ndash not a major drama
The house batteries charger and 12 V fuses are in a compartment accessed via the rear boot just inside the kerb-side door About the only problem with this arrangement is it isnrsquot easy to get to the fuses
On The Road
Given the 3504 kg tare weight the Eyre SL is quite a nimble performer certainly on the open road and most of the time
around town except when the six-speed AMT
gearbox decides to dither around a bit in the lower gears Although the Ducato is the latest one from Fiat the review model still did not come with cup holders instead of the hinged compartment in the centre console
A better class of radioCD player does seem to be fitted these days One of the little features I liked about driving the Eyre was the ability to leave the Skyview hatch open when travelling It provides fresh air without the buffeting from open driverpassenger windows
Right The boot doorwindow conflict Below The slide-out is kitchen-only and doesnrsquot add much weight or complexity
Note the large side doors at the rear for the boot plus a door in the rear wall
26 | Day test
Living Inside
Compared to the non-slide-out model Eyre there isnt much
difference in the rear That means there is an island bed with a split bathroom ahead of it In the front though things are very different In the earlier (non-slide) model both the driver and passenger seats
swivel and mesh in with a sideways-facing seat behind the passenger and a forward-facing two-person lounge with table behind the driver That leaves space in the mid area opposite the entry door for the kitchen
But the slide-out changes all this For a start the entry door is moved slightly rearwards
while most of the kitchen ndash the cooker and two-door fridge ndash are now located in the slide-out Both cab seats swivel and theres an L-shaped lounge behind the passenger seat but the drivers seat is somewhat blocked by a kitchen bench
If more kitchen area is desirable the slide-out model is definitely the winner
Day test | 27
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
18 | News
Looking for a unique opportunity to create your dream motorhome The ex-mobile library vehicle for the Riverina Regional
Library is for sale and will be auctioned on 5 August in Wagga Wagga Reportedly in very good condition its details are
bull 2004 DAF 55250 pantech truck with 315400 km
bull Custom-built mobile library 10 m long x 25 m wide x 38 m high
bull 6 m x 2 m slide-outbull Fully electronic set-up operation (stabilisers
slide-out awning)bull 2 split-system air conditionersbull Disabled accessbull Automatic electric sliding entry-door
bull Awning over entry doorbull Built-in shelvingbull Kitchen area (sink fridge microwave oven)bull Two-bay IT deskAccording to Robert Knight Executive Director ndash Riverina Regional Library ldquoThis versatile vehicle has many years of life left as a mobile library or could be converted into a fantastic mobile home mobile office or anything else that your imagination can conjure up The vehicle will be auctioned at the Rundles Truck Auction on Wednesday 5 August in Wagga Wagga Check HERE for details or call Brian Plummer Support amp eServices Coordinator ndash Riverina Regional Library on 0417 221917
CONVERSION OPPORTUNITY
World First Collision Avoidance System
Reverse Alert is a world first automatic braking technology that can be applied to any vehicle ndash new or used
When the reverse gear is selected the rear sensors are activated If the sensors detect an object the brake is automatically applied - requiring no driver input
EXHIBITION AND DEMONSTRATIONS AT 2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure and Motoring Expo 31 July - 2 August 2015Toowoomba Showgrounds302 Glenvale Road Toowoomba QLD - Special show prices
- Speak directly with experts - See how the technology
works
For further information on this Australian invention visit
wwwreversealertaustraliacomau
REVERSE ALERTREVERSE ALERT Protect your investment
and the people around you
20 | News
From 1 September 2015 double demerit points will apply for second or subsequent mobile phone offences that are committed
by drivers within one year of an earlier offence
The first time you get an infringement notice for using a mobile phone while driving you will be allocated three demerit points If you use a mobile phone while driving again within 12 months of the first offence you will be allocated another 3 demerit points At that point you will also receive an additional three demerit points for it being within one year of the first offence That means nine demerit points in total for two infringements The mobile phone offences that could result in double demerit points being allocated are
bull any driver using a hand-held mobile phone
while driving (including when stopped in traffic or at traffic lights)
bull any use of mobile phones by learner and P1 provisional licence holders under 25 years of age and P1 probationary licence holders
You do not necessarily have to commit the same type of mobile phone offence a second or subsequent time to be allocated double demerit points any driver mobile phone offence counts For example the person could commit a first offence while a young driver by using a mobile phone on loudspeaker and commit a second offence by engaging in a phone call holding the phone in their hand Double demerit points are also applied all year round in Queensland to people who repeatedly commit certain speeding seatbelt and motorbike helmet offences
QUEENSLAND DRIVERS BE WARNED
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
News | 21
Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans
On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT
BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE
Expedition Vehicles
222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077
infotrailblazersrvcomwwwtrailblazersrvcom
COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS
EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS
LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO
A traveller suffered cuts to his arms hands and head after knife-wielding bogus police attempted to rob him in NSW
The terrified 53-year-old man was attacked when the men forced their way into his campervan parked in the Shellharbour suburb of Barrack Heights NSW The men were said to have identified themselves as police officers and produced what appeared to be police badges But when the victim asked for additional identification they forcibly put tape over his eyes and around his arms and legs They demanded money but fled empty handed when a relative of the man approached the RV from caravanningnewscom
BEWARE BOGUS POLICE
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
22 | imotorhome marketplace
Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can
look after everything
This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great
artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it
An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new
motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the
Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your
needs too
Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and
Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is
perfect for motorhomes
In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country
and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo
on our website too
Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and
built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from
24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information
T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau
T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom
T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau
T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau
T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau
Parkland RV Centre
Bony Mountain Folk Festival
iTech World Wellington Shire
Roberts RV World RV Specialists
We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes
Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety
Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric
cart or in your motorhome
T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau
T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau
Airbag Man Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V
power specialists
T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau
Battery Traders Super Store Taronga
Western Plains Zoo
imotorhome marketplace | 23
The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults
LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR RV OWNERS
The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km
in ideal conditions Super light
too at 108kg Folds away
quite compact for small storage
To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email
mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom
1
bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support
5th wheeler specialist
hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available
The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system - for those who enjoy a comfortable
nights sleep but hate making the bed All the comforts of home while you explore the extraordinary To order simply call (08) 9336 7714 or email infoduvalaycomau
wwwduvalaycomau
Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed
lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your
motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting
Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin
Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the
Australian market Click through to find out why theyrsquore fast becoming
Australiarsquos favourite tooT (02) 9011 8144W nomadicsolutionscomau
T 0411 616 617W tiffinmotorhomescomau
Nomadic Solutions Tiffin Motorhomes
SSoouutthheerrnnCCaammppeerrvvaannss
SSppiirriitt
sliding amp rear doorFLY SCREEN
shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229
Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13
wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR
MOTORHOMEStore those additional items up and out of
the way using our adjustable transportable and modular storage system
wwwskytrackscomau
Avidarsquos slide-out Eyre is a fresh design from Australiarsquos largest manufacturerhellip
24 | Day test Avida Eyre B7663 SL
Fresh Eyre
by Malcolm Street
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different Apart from being a sleek looking motorhome the original layout had a
very distinctive European look about it By that I mean it was a layout that generally used space in a very effective way and didnt have a great deal of empty space ndash if you understand the distinction
More recently Avida introduced an Eyre model with an kerbside slide-out It still uses much of the design from the original layout but naturally has more internal area when the slide-out is open
The Vehicle
Given the Eyre is rather a low-slung looking motorhome its no surprise it comes with a Fiat Ducato X295 cab
bolted to an AL-KO chassis The Ducato is the Multijet 180 variant with the 30-litre 132 kW400 Nm turbo diesel Like most of the rest of the Avida fleet the Eyre is built using a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof Moulded fibreglass is used for the front and rear panels while the walls are laminated together with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one piece floor has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underbody protection
Earlier Eyre designs did have a bit of a problem with external storage capacity but a large rear boot with doors on both sides and the rear wall plus two lockers on the kerb side works very well The 2 x 4 kg gas cylinders live in a locker on the other side just aft of the driverrsquos cab door Just a small issue to keep in mind is that if the side bin doors are open then
An editorial mix-up explains the Avida Eyre in this review not the Birdsville as promised last issue Apologies but the Eyre is technically more interesting while Avida claims it to be the ldquolowest profile motorhome in the marketrdquo
Day test | 25
the side windows cannot be opened or closed properly ndash not a major drama
The house batteries charger and 12 V fuses are in a compartment accessed via the rear boot just inside the kerb-side door About the only problem with this arrangement is it isnrsquot easy to get to the fuses
On The Road
Given the 3504 kg tare weight the Eyre SL is quite a nimble performer certainly on the open road and most of the time
around town except when the six-speed AMT
gearbox decides to dither around a bit in the lower gears Although the Ducato is the latest one from Fiat the review model still did not come with cup holders instead of the hinged compartment in the centre console
A better class of radioCD player does seem to be fitted these days One of the little features I liked about driving the Eyre was the ability to leave the Skyview hatch open when travelling It provides fresh air without the buffeting from open driverpassenger windows
Right The boot doorwindow conflict Below The slide-out is kitchen-only and doesnrsquot add much weight or complexity
Note the large side doors at the rear for the boot plus a door in the rear wall
26 | Day test
Living Inside
Compared to the non-slide-out model Eyre there isnt much
difference in the rear That means there is an island bed with a split bathroom ahead of it In the front though things are very different In the earlier (non-slide) model both the driver and passenger seats
swivel and mesh in with a sideways-facing seat behind the passenger and a forward-facing two-person lounge with table behind the driver That leaves space in the mid area opposite the entry door for the kitchen
But the slide-out changes all this For a start the entry door is moved slightly rearwards
while most of the kitchen ndash the cooker and two-door fridge ndash are now located in the slide-out Both cab seats swivel and theres an L-shaped lounge behind the passenger seat but the drivers seat is somewhat blocked by a kitchen bench
If more kitchen area is desirable the slide-out model is definitely the winner
Day test | 27
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
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Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
World First Collision Avoidance System
Reverse Alert is a world first automatic braking technology that can be applied to any vehicle ndash new or used
When the reverse gear is selected the rear sensors are activated If the sensors detect an object the brake is automatically applied - requiring no driver input
EXHIBITION AND DEMONSTRATIONS AT 2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure and Motoring Expo 31 July - 2 August 2015Toowoomba Showgrounds302 Glenvale Road Toowoomba QLD - Special show prices
- Speak directly with experts - See how the technology
works
For further information on this Australian invention visit
wwwreversealertaustraliacomau
REVERSE ALERTREVERSE ALERT Protect your investment
and the people around you
20 | News
From 1 September 2015 double demerit points will apply for second or subsequent mobile phone offences that are committed
by drivers within one year of an earlier offence
The first time you get an infringement notice for using a mobile phone while driving you will be allocated three demerit points If you use a mobile phone while driving again within 12 months of the first offence you will be allocated another 3 demerit points At that point you will also receive an additional three demerit points for it being within one year of the first offence That means nine demerit points in total for two infringements The mobile phone offences that could result in double demerit points being allocated are
bull any driver using a hand-held mobile phone
while driving (including when stopped in traffic or at traffic lights)
bull any use of mobile phones by learner and P1 provisional licence holders under 25 years of age and P1 probationary licence holders
You do not necessarily have to commit the same type of mobile phone offence a second or subsequent time to be allocated double demerit points any driver mobile phone offence counts For example the person could commit a first offence while a young driver by using a mobile phone on loudspeaker and commit a second offence by engaging in a phone call holding the phone in their hand Double demerit points are also applied all year round in Queensland to people who repeatedly commit certain speeding seatbelt and motorbike helmet offences
QUEENSLAND DRIVERS BE WARNED
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
News | 21
Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans
On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT
BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE
Expedition Vehicles
222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077
infotrailblazersrvcomwwwtrailblazersrvcom
COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS
EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS
LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO
A traveller suffered cuts to his arms hands and head after knife-wielding bogus police attempted to rob him in NSW
The terrified 53-year-old man was attacked when the men forced their way into his campervan parked in the Shellharbour suburb of Barrack Heights NSW The men were said to have identified themselves as police officers and produced what appeared to be police badges But when the victim asked for additional identification they forcibly put tape over his eyes and around his arms and legs They demanded money but fled empty handed when a relative of the man approached the RV from caravanningnewscom
BEWARE BOGUS POLICE
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
22 | imotorhome marketplace
Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can
look after everything
This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great
artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it
An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new
motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the
Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your
needs too
Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and
Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is
perfect for motorhomes
In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country
and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo
on our website too
Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and
built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from
24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information
T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau
T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom
T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau
T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau
T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau
Parkland RV Centre
Bony Mountain Folk Festival
iTech World Wellington Shire
Roberts RV World RV Specialists
We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes
Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety
Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric
cart or in your motorhome
T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau
T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau
Airbag Man Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V
power specialists
T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau
Battery Traders Super Store Taronga
Western Plains Zoo
imotorhome marketplace | 23
The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults
LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR RV OWNERS
The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km
in ideal conditions Super light
too at 108kg Folds away
quite compact for small storage
To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email
mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom
1
bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support
5th wheeler specialist
hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available
The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system - for those who enjoy a comfortable
nights sleep but hate making the bed All the comforts of home while you explore the extraordinary To order simply call (08) 9336 7714 or email infoduvalaycomau
wwwduvalaycomau
Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed
lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your
motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting
Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin
Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the
Australian market Click through to find out why theyrsquore fast becoming
Australiarsquos favourite tooT (02) 9011 8144W nomadicsolutionscomau
T 0411 616 617W tiffinmotorhomescomau
Nomadic Solutions Tiffin Motorhomes
SSoouutthheerrnnCCaammppeerrvvaannss
SSppiirriitt
sliding amp rear doorFLY SCREEN
shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229
Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13
wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR
MOTORHOMEStore those additional items up and out of
the way using our adjustable transportable and modular storage system
wwwskytrackscomau
Avidarsquos slide-out Eyre is a fresh design from Australiarsquos largest manufacturerhellip
24 | Day test Avida Eyre B7663 SL
Fresh Eyre
by Malcolm Street
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different Apart from being a sleek looking motorhome the original layout had a
very distinctive European look about it By that I mean it was a layout that generally used space in a very effective way and didnt have a great deal of empty space ndash if you understand the distinction
More recently Avida introduced an Eyre model with an kerbside slide-out It still uses much of the design from the original layout but naturally has more internal area when the slide-out is open
The Vehicle
Given the Eyre is rather a low-slung looking motorhome its no surprise it comes with a Fiat Ducato X295 cab
bolted to an AL-KO chassis The Ducato is the Multijet 180 variant with the 30-litre 132 kW400 Nm turbo diesel Like most of the rest of the Avida fleet the Eyre is built using a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof Moulded fibreglass is used for the front and rear panels while the walls are laminated together with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one piece floor has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underbody protection
Earlier Eyre designs did have a bit of a problem with external storage capacity but a large rear boot with doors on both sides and the rear wall plus two lockers on the kerb side works very well The 2 x 4 kg gas cylinders live in a locker on the other side just aft of the driverrsquos cab door Just a small issue to keep in mind is that if the side bin doors are open then
An editorial mix-up explains the Avida Eyre in this review not the Birdsville as promised last issue Apologies but the Eyre is technically more interesting while Avida claims it to be the ldquolowest profile motorhome in the marketrdquo
Day test | 25
the side windows cannot be opened or closed properly ndash not a major drama
The house batteries charger and 12 V fuses are in a compartment accessed via the rear boot just inside the kerb-side door About the only problem with this arrangement is it isnrsquot easy to get to the fuses
On The Road
Given the 3504 kg tare weight the Eyre SL is quite a nimble performer certainly on the open road and most of the time
around town except when the six-speed AMT
gearbox decides to dither around a bit in the lower gears Although the Ducato is the latest one from Fiat the review model still did not come with cup holders instead of the hinged compartment in the centre console
A better class of radioCD player does seem to be fitted these days One of the little features I liked about driving the Eyre was the ability to leave the Skyview hatch open when travelling It provides fresh air without the buffeting from open driverpassenger windows
Right The boot doorwindow conflict Below The slide-out is kitchen-only and doesnrsquot add much weight or complexity
Note the large side doors at the rear for the boot plus a door in the rear wall
26 | Day test
Living Inside
Compared to the non-slide-out model Eyre there isnt much
difference in the rear That means there is an island bed with a split bathroom ahead of it In the front though things are very different In the earlier (non-slide) model both the driver and passenger seats
swivel and mesh in with a sideways-facing seat behind the passenger and a forward-facing two-person lounge with table behind the driver That leaves space in the mid area opposite the entry door for the kitchen
But the slide-out changes all this For a start the entry door is moved slightly rearwards
while most of the kitchen ndash the cooker and two-door fridge ndash are now located in the slide-out Both cab seats swivel and theres an L-shaped lounge behind the passenger seat but the drivers seat is somewhat blocked by a kitchen bench
If more kitchen area is desirable the slide-out model is definitely the winner
Day test | 27
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
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2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
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last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
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31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
20 | News
From 1 September 2015 double demerit points will apply for second or subsequent mobile phone offences that are committed
by drivers within one year of an earlier offence
The first time you get an infringement notice for using a mobile phone while driving you will be allocated three demerit points If you use a mobile phone while driving again within 12 months of the first offence you will be allocated another 3 demerit points At that point you will also receive an additional three demerit points for it being within one year of the first offence That means nine demerit points in total for two infringements The mobile phone offences that could result in double demerit points being allocated are
bull any driver using a hand-held mobile phone
while driving (including when stopped in traffic or at traffic lights)
bull any use of mobile phones by learner and P1 provisional licence holders under 25 years of age and P1 probationary licence holders
You do not necessarily have to commit the same type of mobile phone offence a second or subsequent time to be allocated double demerit points any driver mobile phone offence counts For example the person could commit a first offence while a young driver by using a mobile phone on loudspeaker and commit a second offence by engaging in a phone call holding the phone in their hand Double demerit points are also applied all year round in Queensland to people who repeatedly commit certain speeding seatbelt and motorbike helmet offences
QUEENSLAND DRIVERS BE WARNED
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
News | 21
Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans
On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT
BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE
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infotrailblazersrvcomwwwtrailblazersrvcom
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EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS
LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO
A traveller suffered cuts to his arms hands and head after knife-wielding bogus police attempted to rob him in NSW
The terrified 53-year-old man was attacked when the men forced their way into his campervan parked in the Shellharbour suburb of Barrack Heights NSW The men were said to have identified themselves as police officers and produced what appeared to be police badges But when the victim asked for additional identification they forcibly put tape over his eyes and around his arms and legs They demanded money but fled empty handed when a relative of the man approached the RV from caravanningnewscom
BEWARE BOGUS POLICE
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment
Sty led Layout
From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL
the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways
Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours
For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer
22 | imotorhome marketplace
Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can
look after everything
This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great
artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it
An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new
motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the
Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your
needs too
Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and
Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is
perfect for motorhomes
In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country
and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo
on our website too
Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and
built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from
24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information
T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau
T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom
T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau
T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau
T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau
Parkland RV Centre
Bony Mountain Folk Festival
iTech World Wellington Shire
Roberts RV World RV Specialists
We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes
Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety
Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric
cart or in your motorhome
T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau
T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau
Airbag Man Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V
power specialists
T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau
Battery Traders Super Store Taronga
Western Plains Zoo
imotorhome marketplace | 23
The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults
LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR RV OWNERS
The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km
in ideal conditions Super light
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quite compact for small storage
To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email
mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom
1
bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support
5th wheeler specialist
hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available
The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system - for those who enjoy a comfortable
nights sleep but hate making the bed All the comforts of home while you explore the extraordinary To order simply call (08) 9336 7714 or email infoduvalaycomau
wwwduvalaycomau
Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed
lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your
motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting
Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin
Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the
Australian market Click through to find out why theyrsquore fast becoming
Australiarsquos favourite tooT (02) 9011 8144W nomadicsolutionscomau
T 0411 616 617W tiffinmotorhomescomau
Nomadic Solutions Tiffin Motorhomes
SSoouutthheerrnnCCaammppeerrvvaannss
SSppiirriitt
sliding amp rear doorFLY SCREEN
shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229
Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13
wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR
MOTORHOMEStore those additional items up and out of
the way using our adjustable transportable and modular storage system
wwwskytrackscomau
Avidarsquos slide-out Eyre is a fresh design from Australiarsquos largest manufacturerhellip
24 | Day test Avida Eyre B7663 SL
Fresh Eyre
by Malcolm Street
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different Apart from being a sleek looking motorhome the original layout had a
very distinctive European look about it By that I mean it was a layout that generally used space in a very effective way and didnt have a great deal of empty space ndash if you understand the distinction
More recently Avida introduced an Eyre model with an kerbside slide-out It still uses much of the design from the original layout but naturally has more internal area when the slide-out is open
The Vehicle
Given the Eyre is rather a low-slung looking motorhome its no surprise it comes with a Fiat Ducato X295 cab
bolted to an AL-KO chassis The Ducato is the Multijet 180 variant with the 30-litre 132 kW400 Nm turbo diesel Like most of the rest of the Avida fleet the Eyre is built using a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof Moulded fibreglass is used for the front and rear panels while the walls are laminated together with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one piece floor has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underbody protection
Earlier Eyre designs did have a bit of a problem with external storage capacity but a large rear boot with doors on both sides and the rear wall plus two lockers on the kerb side works very well The 2 x 4 kg gas cylinders live in a locker on the other side just aft of the driverrsquos cab door Just a small issue to keep in mind is that if the side bin doors are open then
An editorial mix-up explains the Avida Eyre in this review not the Birdsville as promised last issue Apologies but the Eyre is technically more interesting while Avida claims it to be the ldquolowest profile motorhome in the marketrdquo
Day test | 25
the side windows cannot be opened or closed properly ndash not a major drama
The house batteries charger and 12 V fuses are in a compartment accessed via the rear boot just inside the kerb-side door About the only problem with this arrangement is it isnrsquot easy to get to the fuses
On The Road
Given the 3504 kg tare weight the Eyre SL is quite a nimble performer certainly on the open road and most of the time
around town except when the six-speed AMT
gearbox decides to dither around a bit in the lower gears Although the Ducato is the latest one from Fiat the review model still did not come with cup holders instead of the hinged compartment in the centre console
A better class of radioCD player does seem to be fitted these days One of the little features I liked about driving the Eyre was the ability to leave the Skyview hatch open when travelling It provides fresh air without the buffeting from open driverpassenger windows
Right The boot doorwindow conflict Below The slide-out is kitchen-only and doesnrsquot add much weight or complexity
Note the large side doors at the rear for the boot plus a door in the rear wall
26 | Day test
Living Inside
Compared to the non-slide-out model Eyre there isnt much
difference in the rear That means there is an island bed with a split bathroom ahead of it In the front though things are very different In the earlier (non-slide) model both the driver and passenger seats
swivel and mesh in with a sideways-facing seat behind the passenger and a forward-facing two-person lounge with table behind the driver That leaves space in the mid area opposite the entry door for the kitchen
But the slide-out changes all this For a start the entry door is moved slightly rearwards
while most of the kitchen ndash the cooker and two-door fridge ndash are now located in the slide-out Both cab seats swivel and theres an L-shaped lounge behind the passenger seat but the drivers seat is somewhat blocked by a kitchen bench
If more kitchen area is desirable the slide-out model is definitely the winner
Day test | 27
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
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Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
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31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
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68 | Next issue
News | 21
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The terrified 53-year-old man was attacked when the men forced their way into his campervan parked in the Shellharbour suburb of Barrack Heights NSW The men were said to have identified themselves as police officers and produced what appeared to be police badges But when the victim asked for additional identification they forcibly put tape over his eyes and around his arms and legs They demanded money but fled empty handed when a relative of the man approached the RV from caravanningnewscom
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the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260
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22 | imotorhome marketplace
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Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and
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We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes
Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety
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imotorhome marketplace | 23
The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults
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wwwskytrackscomau
Avidarsquos slide-out Eyre is a fresh design from Australiarsquos largest manufacturerhellip
24 | Day test Avida Eyre B7663 SL
Fresh Eyre
by Malcolm Street
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different Apart from being a sleek looking motorhome the original layout had a
very distinctive European look about it By that I mean it was a layout that generally used space in a very effective way and didnt have a great deal of empty space ndash if you understand the distinction
More recently Avida introduced an Eyre model with an kerbside slide-out It still uses much of the design from the original layout but naturally has more internal area when the slide-out is open
The Vehicle
Given the Eyre is rather a low-slung looking motorhome its no surprise it comes with a Fiat Ducato X295 cab
bolted to an AL-KO chassis The Ducato is the Multijet 180 variant with the 30-litre 132 kW400 Nm turbo diesel Like most of the rest of the Avida fleet the Eyre is built using a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof Moulded fibreglass is used for the front and rear panels while the walls are laminated together with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one piece floor has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underbody protection
Earlier Eyre designs did have a bit of a problem with external storage capacity but a large rear boot with doors on both sides and the rear wall plus two lockers on the kerb side works very well The 2 x 4 kg gas cylinders live in a locker on the other side just aft of the driverrsquos cab door Just a small issue to keep in mind is that if the side bin doors are open then
An editorial mix-up explains the Avida Eyre in this review not the Birdsville as promised last issue Apologies but the Eyre is technically more interesting while Avida claims it to be the ldquolowest profile motorhome in the marketrdquo
Day test | 25
the side windows cannot be opened or closed properly ndash not a major drama
The house batteries charger and 12 V fuses are in a compartment accessed via the rear boot just inside the kerb-side door About the only problem with this arrangement is it isnrsquot easy to get to the fuses
On The Road
Given the 3504 kg tare weight the Eyre SL is quite a nimble performer certainly on the open road and most of the time
around town except when the six-speed AMT
gearbox decides to dither around a bit in the lower gears Although the Ducato is the latest one from Fiat the review model still did not come with cup holders instead of the hinged compartment in the centre console
A better class of radioCD player does seem to be fitted these days One of the little features I liked about driving the Eyre was the ability to leave the Skyview hatch open when travelling It provides fresh air without the buffeting from open driverpassenger windows
Right The boot doorwindow conflict Below The slide-out is kitchen-only and doesnrsquot add much weight or complexity
Note the large side doors at the rear for the boot plus a door in the rear wall
26 | Day test
Living Inside
Compared to the non-slide-out model Eyre there isnt much
difference in the rear That means there is an island bed with a split bathroom ahead of it In the front though things are very different In the earlier (non-slide) model both the driver and passenger seats
swivel and mesh in with a sideways-facing seat behind the passenger and a forward-facing two-person lounge with table behind the driver That leaves space in the mid area opposite the entry door for the kitchen
But the slide-out changes all this For a start the entry door is moved slightly rearwards
while most of the kitchen ndash the cooker and two-door fridge ndash are now located in the slide-out Both cab seats swivel and theres an L-shaped lounge behind the passenger seat but the drivers seat is somewhat blocked by a kitchen bench
If more kitchen area is desirable the slide-out model is definitely the winner
Day test | 27
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
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Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
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68 | Next issue
22 | imotorhome marketplace
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Avidarsquos slide-out Eyre is a fresh design from Australiarsquos largest manufacturerhellip
24 | Day test Avida Eyre B7663 SL
Fresh Eyre
by Malcolm Street
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different Apart from being a sleek looking motorhome the original layout had a
very distinctive European look about it By that I mean it was a layout that generally used space in a very effective way and didnt have a great deal of empty space ndash if you understand the distinction
More recently Avida introduced an Eyre model with an kerbside slide-out It still uses much of the design from the original layout but naturally has more internal area when the slide-out is open
The Vehicle
Given the Eyre is rather a low-slung looking motorhome its no surprise it comes with a Fiat Ducato X295 cab
bolted to an AL-KO chassis The Ducato is the Multijet 180 variant with the 30-litre 132 kW400 Nm turbo diesel Like most of the rest of the Avida fleet the Eyre is built using a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof Moulded fibreglass is used for the front and rear panels while the walls are laminated together with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one piece floor has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underbody protection
Earlier Eyre designs did have a bit of a problem with external storage capacity but a large rear boot with doors on both sides and the rear wall plus two lockers on the kerb side works very well The 2 x 4 kg gas cylinders live in a locker on the other side just aft of the driverrsquos cab door Just a small issue to keep in mind is that if the side bin doors are open then
An editorial mix-up explains the Avida Eyre in this review not the Birdsville as promised last issue Apologies but the Eyre is technically more interesting while Avida claims it to be the ldquolowest profile motorhome in the marketrdquo
Day test | 25
the side windows cannot be opened or closed properly ndash not a major drama
The house batteries charger and 12 V fuses are in a compartment accessed via the rear boot just inside the kerb-side door About the only problem with this arrangement is it isnrsquot easy to get to the fuses
On The Road
Given the 3504 kg tare weight the Eyre SL is quite a nimble performer certainly on the open road and most of the time
around town except when the six-speed AMT
gearbox decides to dither around a bit in the lower gears Although the Ducato is the latest one from Fiat the review model still did not come with cup holders instead of the hinged compartment in the centre console
A better class of radioCD player does seem to be fitted these days One of the little features I liked about driving the Eyre was the ability to leave the Skyview hatch open when travelling It provides fresh air without the buffeting from open driverpassenger windows
Right The boot doorwindow conflict Below The slide-out is kitchen-only and doesnrsquot add much weight or complexity
Note the large side doors at the rear for the boot plus a door in the rear wall
26 | Day test
Living Inside
Compared to the non-slide-out model Eyre there isnt much
difference in the rear That means there is an island bed with a split bathroom ahead of it In the front though things are very different In the earlier (non-slide) model both the driver and passenger seats
swivel and mesh in with a sideways-facing seat behind the passenger and a forward-facing two-person lounge with table behind the driver That leaves space in the mid area opposite the entry door for the kitchen
But the slide-out changes all this For a start the entry door is moved slightly rearwards
while most of the kitchen ndash the cooker and two-door fridge ndash are now located in the slide-out Both cab seats swivel and theres an L-shaped lounge behind the passenger seat but the drivers seat is somewhat blocked by a kitchen bench
If more kitchen area is desirable the slide-out model is definitely the winner
Day test | 27
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
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31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
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68 | Next issue
imotorhome marketplace | 23
The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults
LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR RV OWNERS
The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km
in ideal conditions Super light
too at 108kg Folds away
quite compact for small storage
To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email
mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom
1
bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support
5th wheeler specialist
hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available
The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system - for those who enjoy a comfortable
nights sleep but hate making the bed All the comforts of home while you explore the extraordinary To order simply call (08) 9336 7714 or email infoduvalaycomau
wwwduvalaycomau
Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed
lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your
motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting
Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin
Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the
Australian market Click through to find out why theyrsquore fast becoming
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shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229
Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13
wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
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FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR
MOTORHOMEStore those additional items up and out of
the way using our adjustable transportable and modular storage system
wwwskytrackscomau
Avidarsquos slide-out Eyre is a fresh design from Australiarsquos largest manufacturerhellip
24 | Day test Avida Eyre B7663 SL
Fresh Eyre
by Malcolm Street
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different Apart from being a sleek looking motorhome the original layout had a
very distinctive European look about it By that I mean it was a layout that generally used space in a very effective way and didnt have a great deal of empty space ndash if you understand the distinction
More recently Avida introduced an Eyre model with an kerbside slide-out It still uses much of the design from the original layout but naturally has more internal area when the slide-out is open
The Vehicle
Given the Eyre is rather a low-slung looking motorhome its no surprise it comes with a Fiat Ducato X295 cab
bolted to an AL-KO chassis The Ducato is the Multijet 180 variant with the 30-litre 132 kW400 Nm turbo diesel Like most of the rest of the Avida fleet the Eyre is built using a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof Moulded fibreglass is used for the front and rear panels while the walls are laminated together with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one piece floor has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underbody protection
Earlier Eyre designs did have a bit of a problem with external storage capacity but a large rear boot with doors on both sides and the rear wall plus two lockers on the kerb side works very well The 2 x 4 kg gas cylinders live in a locker on the other side just aft of the driverrsquos cab door Just a small issue to keep in mind is that if the side bin doors are open then
An editorial mix-up explains the Avida Eyre in this review not the Birdsville as promised last issue Apologies but the Eyre is technically more interesting while Avida claims it to be the ldquolowest profile motorhome in the marketrdquo
Day test | 25
the side windows cannot be opened or closed properly ndash not a major drama
The house batteries charger and 12 V fuses are in a compartment accessed via the rear boot just inside the kerb-side door About the only problem with this arrangement is it isnrsquot easy to get to the fuses
On The Road
Given the 3504 kg tare weight the Eyre SL is quite a nimble performer certainly on the open road and most of the time
around town except when the six-speed AMT
gearbox decides to dither around a bit in the lower gears Although the Ducato is the latest one from Fiat the review model still did not come with cup holders instead of the hinged compartment in the centre console
A better class of radioCD player does seem to be fitted these days One of the little features I liked about driving the Eyre was the ability to leave the Skyview hatch open when travelling It provides fresh air without the buffeting from open driverpassenger windows
Right The boot doorwindow conflict Below The slide-out is kitchen-only and doesnrsquot add much weight or complexity
Note the large side doors at the rear for the boot plus a door in the rear wall
26 | Day test
Living Inside
Compared to the non-slide-out model Eyre there isnt much
difference in the rear That means there is an island bed with a split bathroom ahead of it In the front though things are very different In the earlier (non-slide) model both the driver and passenger seats
swivel and mesh in with a sideways-facing seat behind the passenger and a forward-facing two-person lounge with table behind the driver That leaves space in the mid area opposite the entry door for the kitchen
But the slide-out changes all this For a start the entry door is moved slightly rearwards
while most of the kitchen ndash the cooker and two-door fridge ndash are now located in the slide-out Both cab seats swivel and theres an L-shaped lounge behind the passenger seat but the drivers seat is somewhat blocked by a kitchen bench
If more kitchen area is desirable the slide-out model is definitely the winner
Day test | 27
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
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Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
Avidarsquos slide-out Eyre is a fresh design from Australiarsquos largest manufacturerhellip
24 | Day test Avida Eyre B7663 SL
Fresh Eyre
by Malcolm Street
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different Apart from being a sleek looking motorhome the original layout had a
very distinctive European look about it By that I mean it was a layout that generally used space in a very effective way and didnt have a great deal of empty space ndash if you understand the distinction
More recently Avida introduced an Eyre model with an kerbside slide-out It still uses much of the design from the original layout but naturally has more internal area when the slide-out is open
The Vehicle
Given the Eyre is rather a low-slung looking motorhome its no surprise it comes with a Fiat Ducato X295 cab
bolted to an AL-KO chassis The Ducato is the Multijet 180 variant with the 30-litre 132 kW400 Nm turbo diesel Like most of the rest of the Avida fleet the Eyre is built using a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof Moulded fibreglass is used for the front and rear panels while the walls are laminated together with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one piece floor has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underbody protection
Earlier Eyre designs did have a bit of a problem with external storage capacity but a large rear boot with doors on both sides and the rear wall plus two lockers on the kerb side works very well The 2 x 4 kg gas cylinders live in a locker on the other side just aft of the driverrsquos cab door Just a small issue to keep in mind is that if the side bin doors are open then
An editorial mix-up explains the Avida Eyre in this review not the Birdsville as promised last issue Apologies but the Eyre is technically more interesting while Avida claims it to be the ldquolowest profile motorhome in the marketrdquo
Day test | 25
the side windows cannot be opened or closed properly ndash not a major drama
The house batteries charger and 12 V fuses are in a compartment accessed via the rear boot just inside the kerb-side door About the only problem with this arrangement is it isnrsquot easy to get to the fuses
On The Road
Given the 3504 kg tare weight the Eyre SL is quite a nimble performer certainly on the open road and most of the time
around town except when the six-speed AMT
gearbox decides to dither around a bit in the lower gears Although the Ducato is the latest one from Fiat the review model still did not come with cup holders instead of the hinged compartment in the centre console
A better class of radioCD player does seem to be fitted these days One of the little features I liked about driving the Eyre was the ability to leave the Skyview hatch open when travelling It provides fresh air without the buffeting from open driverpassenger windows
Right The boot doorwindow conflict Below The slide-out is kitchen-only and doesnrsquot add much weight or complexity
Note the large side doors at the rear for the boot plus a door in the rear wall
26 | Day test
Living Inside
Compared to the non-slide-out model Eyre there isnt much
difference in the rear That means there is an island bed with a split bathroom ahead of it In the front though things are very different In the earlier (non-slide) model both the driver and passenger seats
swivel and mesh in with a sideways-facing seat behind the passenger and a forward-facing two-person lounge with table behind the driver That leaves space in the mid area opposite the entry door for the kitchen
But the slide-out changes all this For a start the entry door is moved slightly rearwards
while most of the kitchen ndash the cooker and two-door fridge ndash are now located in the slide-out Both cab seats swivel and theres an L-shaped lounge behind the passenger seat but the drivers seat is somewhat blocked by a kitchen bench
If more kitchen area is desirable the slide-out model is definitely the winner
Day test | 27
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
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Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
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31-02JUL-AUG
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Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
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68 | Next issue
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different Apart from being a sleek looking motorhome the original layout had a
very distinctive European look about it By that I mean it was a layout that generally used space in a very effective way and didnt have a great deal of empty space ndash if you understand the distinction
More recently Avida introduced an Eyre model with an kerbside slide-out It still uses much of the design from the original layout but naturally has more internal area when the slide-out is open
The Vehicle
Given the Eyre is rather a low-slung looking motorhome its no surprise it comes with a Fiat Ducato X295 cab
bolted to an AL-KO chassis The Ducato is the Multijet 180 variant with the 30-litre 132 kW400 Nm turbo diesel Like most of the rest of the Avida fleet the Eyre is built using a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof Moulded fibreglass is used for the front and rear panels while the walls are laminated together with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one piece floor has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underbody protection
Earlier Eyre designs did have a bit of a problem with external storage capacity but a large rear boot with doors on both sides and the rear wall plus two lockers on the kerb side works very well The 2 x 4 kg gas cylinders live in a locker on the other side just aft of the driverrsquos cab door Just a small issue to keep in mind is that if the side bin doors are open then
An editorial mix-up explains the Avida Eyre in this review not the Birdsville as promised last issue Apologies but the Eyre is technically more interesting while Avida claims it to be the ldquolowest profile motorhome in the marketrdquo
Day test | 25
the side windows cannot be opened or closed properly ndash not a major drama
The house batteries charger and 12 V fuses are in a compartment accessed via the rear boot just inside the kerb-side door About the only problem with this arrangement is it isnrsquot easy to get to the fuses
On The Road
Given the 3504 kg tare weight the Eyre SL is quite a nimble performer certainly on the open road and most of the time
around town except when the six-speed AMT
gearbox decides to dither around a bit in the lower gears Although the Ducato is the latest one from Fiat the review model still did not come with cup holders instead of the hinged compartment in the centre console
A better class of radioCD player does seem to be fitted these days One of the little features I liked about driving the Eyre was the ability to leave the Skyview hatch open when travelling It provides fresh air without the buffeting from open driverpassenger windows
Right The boot doorwindow conflict Below The slide-out is kitchen-only and doesnrsquot add much weight or complexity
Note the large side doors at the rear for the boot plus a door in the rear wall
26 | Day test
Living Inside
Compared to the non-slide-out model Eyre there isnt much
difference in the rear That means there is an island bed with a split bathroom ahead of it In the front though things are very different In the earlier (non-slide) model both the driver and passenger seats
swivel and mesh in with a sideways-facing seat behind the passenger and a forward-facing two-person lounge with table behind the driver That leaves space in the mid area opposite the entry door for the kitchen
But the slide-out changes all this For a start the entry door is moved slightly rearwards
while most of the kitchen ndash the cooker and two-door fridge ndash are now located in the slide-out Both cab seats swivel and theres an L-shaped lounge behind the passenger seat but the drivers seat is somewhat blocked by a kitchen bench
If more kitchen area is desirable the slide-out model is definitely the winner
Day test | 27
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
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Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
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31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
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68 | Next issue
the side windows cannot be opened or closed properly ndash not a major drama
The house batteries charger and 12 V fuses are in a compartment accessed via the rear boot just inside the kerb-side door About the only problem with this arrangement is it isnrsquot easy to get to the fuses
On The Road
Given the 3504 kg tare weight the Eyre SL is quite a nimble performer certainly on the open road and most of the time
around town except when the six-speed AMT
gearbox decides to dither around a bit in the lower gears Although the Ducato is the latest one from Fiat the review model still did not come with cup holders instead of the hinged compartment in the centre console
A better class of radioCD player does seem to be fitted these days One of the little features I liked about driving the Eyre was the ability to leave the Skyview hatch open when travelling It provides fresh air without the buffeting from open driverpassenger windows
Right The boot doorwindow conflict Below The slide-out is kitchen-only and doesnrsquot add much weight or complexity
Note the large side doors at the rear for the boot plus a door in the rear wall
26 | Day test
Living Inside
Compared to the non-slide-out model Eyre there isnt much
difference in the rear That means there is an island bed with a split bathroom ahead of it In the front though things are very different In the earlier (non-slide) model both the driver and passenger seats
swivel and mesh in with a sideways-facing seat behind the passenger and a forward-facing two-person lounge with table behind the driver That leaves space in the mid area opposite the entry door for the kitchen
But the slide-out changes all this For a start the entry door is moved slightly rearwards
while most of the kitchen ndash the cooker and two-door fridge ndash are now located in the slide-out Both cab seats swivel and theres an L-shaped lounge behind the passenger seat but the drivers seat is somewhat blocked by a kitchen bench
If more kitchen area is desirable the slide-out model is definitely the winner
Day test | 27
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
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Visit Website
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Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
Living Inside
Compared to the non-slide-out model Eyre there isnt much
difference in the rear That means there is an island bed with a split bathroom ahead of it In the front though things are very different In the earlier (non-slide) model both the driver and passenger seats
swivel and mesh in with a sideways-facing seat behind the passenger and a forward-facing two-person lounge with table behind the driver That leaves space in the mid area opposite the entry door for the kitchen
But the slide-out changes all this For a start the entry door is moved slightly rearwards
while most of the kitchen ndash the cooker and two-door fridge ndash are now located in the slide-out Both cab seats swivel and theres an L-shaped lounge behind the passenger seat but the drivers seat is somewhat blocked by a kitchen bench
If more kitchen area is desirable the slide-out model is definitely the winner
Day test | 27
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
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31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
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68 | Next issue
All the electrics in the Eyre are controlled from a touch panel found at the end of the overhead lockers by the entry door which is quite convenient Also to be found there is the radioCD player
Lounging Around
The cab seats and lounge are all on the same level so theres no problem using the Zwaardvis mounted table that sits
between them For two people the most accommodating arrangement is for one person in the passenger seat and the other on the lounge behind it
A flat screen TV is mounted on the wall by the entry door and given the layout of the loungecab seats thats probably the best place for it Due to the kitchen bench extension behind the drivers seat the front area does have a slightly cramped feel about it even with the big hatch above the cab
Below The kitchen design limits cab access especially to the driverrsquos seat and when the table is in place Bottom With the slide-out retracted aisle space is adequate if a bit of a squeeze
28 | Day test
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
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31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
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68 | Next issue
The kitchen return has this handy pantry unit but using it when the driverrsquos seat is occupied would be difficult
Day test | 29
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
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Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
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Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
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Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
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TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
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Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
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14-16AUG
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68 | Next issue
With the slide-out extended therersquos quite good living room plus easy access through to the bathroom and bedroom
Time To Eat
What the slide-out does give with this layout is more kitchen space and more room to move in it Theres a
nominal amount of bench space with some extra to be found behind the cooktop There is however only one drawer due to the inverter microwave being below the cooktop
Additional storage is provided by the bench extension which also houses both a round sink and separate drainer Beneath the cupboard is split with a shelved area and a slightly awkward to get at wire basket pantry Extra shelves are fitted in the space above the sink drainer
After Hours
Undoubtedly the most European looking area in this motorhome is the bedroom The island bed measures a full 195
m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft) but has a slightly rounded shape and sits a fair height off the floor Thats no problem because there are quite wide steps on either side all fitted with LED strip lighting so you dont trip over in the dark
Instead of the usual bedhead array of cabinetry there are just two side wardrobes with recessed compartments at bed level which replace bed side cabinets One additional feature is the mirror behind the bed good for motorhome users but awkward for photographers trying to get a photo of the bed
At first glance there doesrsquot appear to be much in the way of bedroom storage but that is because most is located under the bed Lifting the bed base gives access to an almost walk-in wardrobe with a shelved area two drawers and a hanging rack ndash although that can really
30 | Day test
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
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68 | Next issue
only be used with the bed raised Itrsquos a clever arrangement and one that includes strip lights that come on automatically when the bed base is lifted
Keeping Clean
The individual shower and toilet cubicles are quite small but thatrsquos really just a design compromise to accommodate
the layout of the rest of the motorhome There is just enough room in the shower to turn around without banging elbows while across the way the toilet cubicle has both cassette toilet and small wash basin vanity
Fortunately the cassette toilet is the swivel variety so there are no elbow banging issues either It might sound like Irsquom being a bit critical of the size but since I am someone who doesnt need oversized amenities in a motorhome I reckon its okay For privacy in
Below The bathroom is split with the main cubicle on the kerb side complete with vanity window and swivel-head cassette toilet If left open the door closes off the bathroombed area for privacy Bottom The shower cubicle sits across the aisle and provides easy access from the bedroom
Day test | 31
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
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31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
the bedroombathroom area the curved door of the toilet cubicle can be fully opened to close off the aisle
What I Think
I am going to pontificate here for a bit Having seen both the Eyre without slide-out and this model with the slide-out I think the non-
slide-out model is the better design However for you its certainly going to come down to personal preference in the end
I think that the non slide-out design was cleverer in the way space was used Sure it was a bit tighter inside especially around the kitchen but it could carry four people and integrated the cab area into the rest of the motorhome very well The slide-out design certainly adds more kitchen space and room generally but the way its done closes off the front seating area somewhat
Above The queen bed sits in a bright and airy bedroom Note the recesses in the wardrobes in lieu of bedside tables Below The bed is raised but has sweeping stairs on both sides complete with LED strip lighting
32 | Day test
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
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last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
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68 | Next issue
In the Avida range of motorhomes the Eyre is a bit different
Day test | 33
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
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Visit Website
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Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
Above The bed lifts easily to reveal this quite remarkable walk-in wardrobe Therersquos a wide hanging rack plus a surprising amount of general storage space Left The over-cab SkyView hatch is a great inclusion and can be left partially open when driving
34 | Day test
Like so many motorhome designs it really comes down to how you travel If more kitchen area is desirable then the slide-out model is definitely the winner However if that is not such an issue then the non slide-out model really doesnt have any disadvantages and indeed carries some advantages
Whichever way I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking ndash building European design into an Australian motorhome
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
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31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
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68 | Next issue
SpecificationsManufacturer Avida
Model Eyre B7663 SL
Class B
Berths 2
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 X295 Al-Ko
Engine 30 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power 132 kW 3500 rpm
Torque 400 Nm 1400 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed automated manual (AMT)
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3504 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg
Gross Combined Mass 5995 kg
Towing capacity 1500 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 2
External Length 760 m (24 ft 11 in)
External Width 243 m (8 ft)
External Height 279 m (9 ft 2 in)
Internal Height 198 m (6 ft 6 in)
Main Bed Size 195 m x 153 m (6 ft 5 in x 5 ft)
Luton Bed Size Not applicable
Dinette Bed Size Not applicable
Cooktop Dometic 4 burner and grill
Fridge Dometic RMD 8555 190 L 3-way
Microwave Panasonic Inverter
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels Optional
Air Conditioner Dometic roof mount
Space Heater Optional
Hot Water Truma 14 L
Toilet Dometic cassette
Shower Separate cubicle
Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg
Water Tank 124 L
Grey Water Tank 124 L
Price (on road NSW) $152490
bull Good sized external bin storage with easy access
bull Stylish looking motorhome inside and out
bull New Fiat Ducato cab-chassisbull AL-KO chassisbull Island bed with under-bed
wardrobebull Spacious kitchenbull Front seats all on same level
bull Cab awkward to accessbull Swivelled drivers seat blockedbull Only one drawer in kitchenbull 12 V fuses difficult to accessbull Slide out operation a bit
creaky
Pros
Cons
Manufacturer
Supplied By
Avida RV
Thanks to Australian Motor Homes
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750 T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomauW wwwavidarvcomau
31 Pacific HighwayBennetts Green NSW 2290T (02) 4948 0433E enquiriesaustralianmotorhomescomau
W wwwaustralianmotorhomescomau
Day test | 35
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
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68 | Next issue
36 | Day test
I reckon the Eyre layout as a concept is quite clever thinking
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
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Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
First ImpressionsThey say they count and so far so goodhellipby Richard Robertson
Itrsquos funny how time dims memories Since starting iMotorhome Irsquove been testing new vehicles built on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes
Benz Sprinter Early on there were a handful of Ford Transits but theyrsquove faded from popularity largely due to Fordrsquos stubbornfoolish refusal to provide an automatic transmission option Note to Ford In the world of motorhomes buyers donrsquot want to change gearshellip
The Transit was also getting pretty long in the tooth Commercial vehicles run in roughly 10 years production cycles and the fourth generation Transit of which Polly is one was introduced in 2000 There was a facelift in 2006
ndash Polly is a 2010 model ndash but Ford stuck to its manual gearbox-only guns so itrsquos little wonder the Transit essentially vanished from the face of the RV world There is a new Transit out now but amazingly it STILL only comes with a manual transmission so donrsquot expect to see any Transit-based motorhomes unless theyrsquore a custom build Pity
Transit Reprised
I bought Polly sight unseen relying on Apollo Motorhomesrsquo word shersquod be as-described Apollo sells something like 300 ex-rental
vehicles a year and tells me most are pre-sold
38 | Project Polly
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
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31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
from the website description before arriving at their Brisbane depot for a service and pre-sale makeover Not all go to private buyers some are wholesaled to dealers around the country who get a mechanically sound vehicle at a knock-down price thatrsquos ready to put on the sales lot
In my time Irsquove had an ex-police motorcycle and car and an ex-rental car and both ex-police vehicles proved to be pigs in a poke We still have the former police car and it is serving us well now but not without more than its fair share of issues early on If yoursquore ever tempted to buy one ndash donrsquot The ex-rental car ndash a Manga ndash wasnrsquot with us long enough to reveal any problems It was bought by friends who seem to have had a trouble free run thank goodness
So itrsquos not without some ndash okay a lot ndash of trepidation that Irsquove plunged into ex-rental motorhome ownership My experiences so far have been a fleeting There was a first drive when handing it over to the guys from Reverse Alert Australia to fit their system Then I drove
Above The Transitrsquos 24 L turbo-diesel still holds its own in terms of performance and economy Below Flying the flag Polly in her iMotorhome livery ndash for now at least
Project Polly | 39
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
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31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
her home from Brisbane for the registration changeover and sign writing before once again handing her over to Reverse Alert As they say so far so good
First Impressions
Itrsquos always good when something exceeds expectations Polly has certainly lsquobeen aroundrsquo in her first five years There are minor body
paint chips bumps and bruises but overall shersquos pretty straight Inside the dark timber colour scheme is offset by bright and almost gaudy cushions and curtains I hope whoever chose the decor originally has moved on to a new career for Apollorsquos sakehellip
Apollorsquos conversions are carried out by Talvor itrsquos wholly-owned in-house motorhome manufacturing business Talvor builds for the motorhome rental market and it shows After 5 years and 260000 km the cabinetry and general interior are still solid and in good working order Thatrsquos the good news On the other side of the coin shersquos pretty basic Not equipment wise but in design thoughtfulnessexecution
Speaking of equipment Polly came quite well kitted out She has a bathroom with shower and toilet or course but itrsquos absolutely basic The individual hot and cold taps are earmarked for replacement by a flick mixer tap at an early stage The kitchen has a three-burner gas cooker and a round sink both with glass lids in a single unit set in the benchtop close to the sliding side door Therersquos a small 80 L under-bench Waeco 12240 V compressor fridge an externally venting rangehood and a microwave but only a single drawer and two largely useless cupboards Oh yes therersquos a small slide-out metal pantry that will be relocated to a much better position when we shelve the cupboards Interestingly therersquos a small hotel-style safe bolted to the floor under the driverrsquos side bed but you almost need to lie on your stomach to access it I do sometimes wonder how often the people who design motorhomes actually use them ndash if ever
Top to bottom The old mattresses are thin tired ndash and going Cookersink unit is neat and all we need Flimsy crockery rack will follow the mattresses
40 | Project Polly
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
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Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
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Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
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68 | Next issue
A Heron spilt-system airconditioner with heating mode is mounted in an overhead cupboard next to the full height wardrobe facing the kitchen Its compressor unit lives in a cupboard below A 19-inch TVDVD is fixed rearwards facing to the wardrobe end panel while lighting is limited to one fixture just inside the sliding side door and four reading lights over the bedsdinette Two of these have already been replaced with LEDs and the others will soon follow suit The house battery is a single 100 AH item while the hot water system is a Suburban 22 litre gas-only unit connected to a smallish 45 kg cylinder that also supplies the cooker Fresh water capacity is a
reasonable 86 litres while grey is 60 Because of its rental market design there is no mains water connector and no awning or outside light The lack of the former is a bugger but the absence of the awning pleases me no end as I personally hate awnings with a passion (just ask Mrs iM and Malcolm) Irsquod like a light thoughhellip
In The Cab
Jumping behind the wheel was like meeting a good friend I hadrsquot seen for a long time I was surprised by just how well equipped
and technologically advanced a five year old Transit is especially this one as an ex-rental I
The Heron 22 kW air-conditioner has a 15 kW heating element so as long as we have mains power we can stay comfortable When I cranked up the TV aerial it felt like it hadnrsquot been used since new Quite likely Irsquom thinkinghellip
Project Polly | 41
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
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31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
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68 | Next issue
wasnrsquot expecting the leather wrapped steering wheel cruise control hill holder electronic traction control electronic stability control height adjustable headlights or a reversing camera and rear parking sensors Anti-lock brakes and steering-wheel mounted audio controls were on my list of expectations as were remote central locking electric windows a CD sound system with auxiliary input and cab airconditioning
But perhaps the first thing to grab my attention was the plethora of cup holders ndash theyre everywhere After struggling for years with Fiat Ducatos to find any place to safely and conveniently hold a coffee or bottle of water the Transitrsquos four cup holders and two bottle holders on the dash are heaven Also highly impressive are the deep long sun visors that fill the windscreen to the corners of the A-pillar and cover the whole of the side window when swung across Imagine that Fiat still has much to learnhellip
I expected the seats to be a bit crushed and uncomfortable after thousands of tourist bottoms had holidayed in them but that was not the case Sadly theyrsquore fixed and swivelling the passenger seat to provide an extra seating area is a Project Polly priority While a swivel base is readily available Talvor has located the house battery beneath the passenger seat and it wonrsquot be a straightforward job We might have to relocate the battery
Interestingly the overall layout is almost identical to the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Casuarina wersquove been using as our longterm test vehicle with the exception of Polly having through access via the back doors because therersquos no boot Therersquos no overhead cupboard across the back above the bed heads either It will be interesting to compare them in the long run for practicality and liveability
I wasnrsquot expecting a leather-wrapped steering wheel or cruise control Dual airbags are a valuable inclusion and I like the stubby gear lever being dash-mounted up out of the way
42 | Project Polly
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
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Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
Two old dinosaurs Why are people so unkindhellip
On The Road
Polly is a long wheelbase XM-series Transit Jumbo van thatrsquos 650 m (21 ft 4 in) long 197 m (6 ft 6 in) wide excluding mirrors
and 27 m (8 ft 10 in) tall allowing for the roof hatch and TV aerial Gross weight (GVM) is 3550 kg while the tare escapes me for the moment ndash I was sure I had a photo ndash but is around the 2700 kg mark I think
Power comes from a 24 L Duratorq TDCi engine and drives through a 6-speed manual gearbox TD means Turbo Diesel and Ci is Ford-speak for Common-rail Injection which marks it as a late model technology engine Power is 103 kW 3500 rpm while torque is 375 Nm 2000 revs Although outright power is down on current engines the torque figure is surprisingly competitive
Compared to lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina Polly is also almost identical dimensionally Where she
differs markedly is in the amount of rear overhang (more) engine capacity (24 L v 30 L) drive configuration (rear-wheel v front-wheel) and gearbox (manual v auto) They really are apples and oranges but I have to say that for an old lsquoapplersquo Polly acquits herself quite well
On the road the gearbox shifts smoothly and the engine which at around 260000 km should be about half-life is also smooth and sweet The clutch takes up nicely and the dashboard-mounted gear lever is conveniently out of the way when you want to slip between the seats into the living area While the engine runs out of steam quite quickly in the lower gears ndash a combination of lowish overall gearing and the modest kilowatt output ndash in the higher gears it pulls strongly Thatrsquos when the healthy toque output is put to good use and at peak torque ndash 2000 rpm ndash shersquos sitting on 100 kmh in sixth gear while 110 kmh is about 2750 rpm Those are indicated speeds and like most vehicles optimistic (by about 5 kmh
Project Polly | 43
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
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Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
according to the GPS) Unusually the odometer is absolutely spot on
The Long Drive Home
Having driven the Horizon Casuarina from Ballina to home via the roadwork nightmare they call the Pacific Highway
I was in no hurry to repeat the experience Instead I opted for the New England Highway which although a little longer and with lots of hills is a far easier and more enjoyable drive I also think itrsquos a more scenic drive and I particularly like the towns from the Queensland border down to Muswellbrook
Polly was empty save for about 20 kg of luggage but there was a 225 kg box trailer behind and I thought if I could average 80 kmh Irsquod get about 800 km lsquodown the trackrsquo before needing a rest probably for the night She had other plans
Heading out through suburban Brisbane and Ipswich then turning south west onto the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick I was
surprised ndash very surprised ndash by how well she was running Holding the 100 kmh speed limit using cruise control was no problem and I didnrsquot really notice the trailer which sat rock steady and right in the middle of the reversing camerarsquos screen (the camera isnrsquot connected to reverse just activated by an on-off button) Cunninghamrsquos Gap proved an anti-climax as Polly whizzed up without being pushed and in no time ndash ish ndash I was stopping for the first of the dayrsquos coffees at Warwick
Stanthorpe WallangarraTenterfield and Deepwater slipped by before a fuel and lunch stop in Glenn Innes After earlier fuelling up near Ipswich and climbing up ranges towing a trailer Polly had averaged 1245 L100 km or 227 mpg She was running as well as any new motorhome and just as comfortably while the direct drive of the manual gearbox meant there was no delay between putting my foot down and the vehicle accelerating You might think sixth gear would be a very tall overdrive but thatrsquos not the case On the open road I was surprised how easily Polly pulled sixth up some considerable inclines even when using cruise and without
44 | Project Polly
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
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68 | Next issue
putting my foot down to give her a head start
Guyra Armidale and Uralla rolled by before more coffee in Tamworth then on through Wallabadah Willow Tree and Murrundi as night fell The first signs of fatigue appeared but the coffee must have kicked in because they soon passed as did Scone Muswellbrook and Singleton my dinner stop I could smell home and I think Polly could too Soon we were on the M1 Freeway and after more coffee at the awful Caltex service centre at Wyong we hit Sydney then followed the M7 around to the 24-hour Woolies service station at Prestons for a big drink ndash of diesel Wersquod covered 644 km since the top-up in Glen Innes and used 7222 litres of diesel for an average of 112 L100 km (252 mpg) Despite the comparatively small 80 L fuel tank there was still about 80 km range showing on the trip computer which would have been about right The last time I relied on a Transitrsquos trip computer for an accurate range figure is left us stranded on the Hume Highway having lost the last 100 km indicated in about 40 km actual Needless to say Irsquom not very trusting these dayshellip
Home and Hosed
Irsquod left Brisbane at 830 that morning and pulled up at my front gate at 1120 pm Total distance driven was 1099 km and total coffee
consumed was well never mind Polly didnrsquot miss a beat and my backside was neither sore nor sorry She had proven herself as capable and comfortable as any new motorhome ndash albeit with a few more interior rattles over the rough stuff ndash and in the morning I hosed off the bugs the only sign of the previous dayrsquos travels
The journey had gone better than expected ndash without a hitch in fact ndash and my fears of having bought a lemon evaporate For the moment at least Next issue Irsquoll talk about the buying process what you get for your money and what Apollo does to aid adopters of its retirees Stay tuned
Project Polly | 45
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
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31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
Kerbside EatsHeading to the city for a night on the townhellip
46 | longtermer Update Horizon motorhomes Casuarina
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
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Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
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68 | Next issue
The combination of winter and a hectic work roster for Mrs iMotorhome has once again limited our ability to get away
The lack of a diesel-fired heater hasnrsquot helped either but we did manage an unusual night out last Saturday which highlighted yet another use for a motorhome ndash especially a compact one
The GoodFood website recently ran a story on the 10 best places for pizza in Sydney One place in particular caught my eye It read
One of Sydneys best pizzas is made on a truck Let that sink in for a bit A long-term labour of love project for three mates two of whom were once chefs at the great Gigi Pizzeria in Newtown Happy as Larry was almost a restaurant in Darlinghurst before the team decided to grow wheels instead The truck itself is a marvel a heavy hauler decked
out with an enormous woodfired oven while still allowing up to six staff to move around inside
The business ndash Happy As Larry ndash turns out to be just four months old I looked them up on the Happy As Larry Facebook page which told me where they were going to be parked and messaged them saying we were going to join them for dinner on Saturday It seems Saturday and Sunday nights they can be found at one of the regular haunts ndash a carpark in Bexley not far from Sydney Airport
Storms were rolling in from the west as we headed up to Sydney a half-bottle of red tucked neatly away in a kitchen drawer The Bexley carpark turned out to be behind shops and the Bexley Branch Library We found the big truck parked in a corner making the most of open space at the rear of the library
longtermer Update | 47
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
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Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
buildings There they had set up outdoor gas heaters and dozens of plastic milk crates with plywood tops which double as seats and tables Very clever The place was a hive of activity around 7 pm as I slid lsquoourrsquo Horizon Casuarina into a single spot alongside and just slightly ahead of the truck
Music was pumping and a crowd of 30 or so people of all ages were making the most of the crate seattables and heaters and either tucking into pizzas or waiting patiently for them Chris aka Larry quickly spotted me taking photos (although I wasnrsquot the only one) and we got chatting about the truck and business Interestingly Chrisrsquo greatest excitement was over our longterm Horizon Casuarina as he said his father always wanted a motorhome and dreamed of travelling Australia We showed Chris through and he was amazed saying he couldnrsquot believe you could get a shower and toilet into something this size Needless to say Dad is now a subscriber Welcome
Top You canrsquot get much closer to the ocean than this Shellharbourrsquos main street is just a few minutes walk away too Above What tourist town would be complete without gift shops
Above The huge wood-fire pizza oven bakes at 400ordmC and in just 60 seconds Below Having a motorhome meant we could pull out real wine glasses when everyone else was drinking from plastic Cheers
48 | longtermer Update
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
Above A team of up to six takes orders creates cooks and serves the pizzas Right Chris (left) is the main man ndash and as Happy as Larry Bottom Our longterm Horizon Casuarina was dwarfed by the truck and its shipping container body
True Roadside Eats
The truckrsquos body is a cleverly modified 20 ft shipping container with the kerb-side finished with large perspex windows
that allow an uninterrupted view of the staff hard at work while providing them with a measure of ventilation Theyrsquoll need it because pride of place is taken by a custom brick oven from Naples fired by wood that creates baking temperatures of 400ordm C Pizzas are made from largely Italian-sourced ingredients ndash the dough tomatoes and fior di latte (mozzarella) ndash while the high temperature lsquoblast cooksrsquo them in about 60 seconds
And what pizzas they are We tried the two Happy As Larry signatures prawn and truffle followed by Nutella calzone
longtermer Update | 49
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
Black truffle pate fior di latte prawns cherry tomatoes oyster mushrooms aromatised olive oil parsley seat salt and cracked pepper were our main coursersquos ingredients The pizzas arenrsquot big ndash maybe 12 inches ndash and we could easily have scoffed one each of these $19 beauties However there was desserthellip
Imagine a pizza smothered in rich chocolatey Nutella then folded in half and wood fired dusted with icing sugar and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream Bellissimo (for $14)
Other pizzas on the menu were the Margherita Bianca Marinara ($14 each) Mixed Mushroom ($15) and ndash believe it or not ndash Lasagne ($17) Itrsquos not an extensive menu but it does include homemade lemonade ($5) and three shakes for $7 each Lychee amp Mint Watermelon amp Strawberry and Nutella
Rain rain go awayhellip
We were the only people sitting under one of the outdoor gas heaters to have wine in proper glasses with our
pizza And when the rains came we were the only ones with proper undercover seating ndash all courtesy of the Casuarina Being able to travel with the comforts and conveniences of home certainly has its advantages As does the small size of a van like this had we been in anything bigger we would probably have had to park out on the street
A fierce thunderstorm dispersed the crowd who up until that time had been having a great time sitting under the stars and keeping warm by the heaters as they ate drank and made merry The storm dispersed us too and followed us home for quite a while ndash what is it with this motorhome and rain ndash but well before any carriages could turn to pumpkins we were home and fast asleep
A Nutella-filled calzone for dessert Yum
50 | longtermer Update
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
Although it was only a night out lsquoCassiersquo proved her worth Again Wersquoll miss her when shersquos gone which wonrsquot be long now Shersquos quiet on the freeway comfortable economical and just plain funeasy to live with And she takes us to all the best places ndash who could ask for anything more
Above Four slices of dessert heaven ndash with ice cream Right Chris loved the Casuarina His father has always had aspirations of touring Australia by motorhome Maybe one day
longtermer Update | 51
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
52 | travel reader writes
Relocation Road TripThe final instalment of a Hobart to Sydney rental relocation adventurehellip
By Dave amp Kathy Boxwell
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
Below Cradle Mountain with a dusting of snow Bottom Tassie is full of places you can easily pull over be it for a cuppa or an overnight stayhellip
travel | 53
W e headed back towards Maydena and on to Derwent Bridge via Hamilton basically tracing the
winding route of the Derwent River to the bottom end of Lake St Clair This was our only trip disaster A genuine red cordial moment Kath had decided to put the cordial in the fridge for safety whereupon it fell over and unclipped the cap unnoticed until we arrived in Derwent Bridge It was all over the floor down the step and up the outside of the motorhome A couple of days before I had commented that the floor was very slippery and that carpet might be better Kath had kindly pointed out the error of my ways and said something along the lines of ldquoArenrsquot you glad we didnrsquot have carpetrdquo
We took advantage of a powered site in the National Park to refill the water tank (after cleaning up the cordial) and to do some laundry An interesting aside was that the floor was much less slippery after the red cordial incident so if you are looking for a handyman fix for slippery floors in motorhomes take my advice wash the floor in red cordial and rinse thoroughly It does a great job
We had a coffee in front of the fire at the local cafeacutevisitors centreNational Park office and then I went for a bit of a fish before dark again without success
The Wall
T hursday morning we went into Derwent Bridge to refuel and visited lsquoThe Wallrsquo A fantastic artistic tribute to Tasmaniarsquos
history carved in Huon Pine panels about 27 metres high and some 50 metres long It was created by Greg Duncan over a decade without any Government assistance and the wood carving is so intricate and detailed itrsquos amazing The figures are so lifelike you forget yoursquore looking at timber panels the details of veins on the back of the menrsquos hands boot buckles and creases in shirts are so clearly
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
portrayed Itrsquos a work in progress and not yet complete and unfortunately you canrsquot take photos due to copyright but you can buy an excellent photographic book as a keepsake It shows the work of the Hydroelectric Scheme and the early timber getters with their horse drays wildlife and birds and a particularly poignant scene of a young wife receiving a telegram of her husbandrsquos death visiting his grave and packing up her belongings on the horse drawn dray to move on There are also some static art displays around the perimeter of the main feature that will have you looking closely to see whether they are real or carved out of timber This is a must-see in Derwent Bridge
Heading Westhellip
We headed to Strahan via Queenstown where we were able to use a dump point as there are
no dump facilities in Derwent Bridge in the National Park Apparently there used to be but in light of environmental concerns this has now been discontinued
Queenstown is a fascinating place that is slowly but surely recovering from the ravages of mining smelters and bushfires Itrsquos an eerie place without trees but they do make pizza in the main street which was very welcome on a cool cloudy day We sought out some Tasmanian salmon and apple cider at the local supermarket keen to rekindle some past memories and headed to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour
Convict-era ruins Sarah Island
54 | travel
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
We booked on a Gordon River cruise for the next day (courtesy of FlyBuys) and found a nice free camp overlooking Ocean Beach Again we parked with the nose pointing to the way out and were joined by another motorhome we crossed paths with frequently
Friday morning and we joined the river cruise for a fascinating full day learning about the early harbour and its entry through Hells Gates and the convict penal colony on Sarah Island that pre-dates Port Arthur The Round Earth Theatre Company provided an excellent and entertaining history of Sarah Islandrsquos convict and ship building history with the last ship built there used by convicts to escape to South America
On the way to Sarah Island we cruised past numerous Atlantic salmon and sea trout farms in the cool clean waters of Macquarie Harbour This is a vital new industry for the area and is environmentally supervised and regulated We then ventured up-river to the Gordon below Franklin World Heritage area
Top to bottom History lesson the easy way Re-boarding our river cruise Magnificent sunset over the Gordon River
travel | 55
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
with a full buffet lunch and a walk amongst the rainforest area of Huon pine celery top pine and other magnificent rainforest vegetation Some of the trees predate the birth of Christ We finished up at an old working sawmill on the harbour shores that shows a bit more local history and the links with Huon pine a fantastic and aromatic timber used originally for boat building
We headed to the outskirts of Strahan and had a bit of a fish off a small jetty where I caught an Australian salmon We camped the night in the area with a fantastic pink sunset over the water Life truly is good
Mountain Bound
Saturday we headed towards Cradle Mountain via Zeehan and Rosebery which are old West Coast mining towns
There is an interesting museum of metallurgy and mining at Zeehan with outdoor displays including an old blacksmiths shop vehicle museum and locomotive display in a massive
covered area The town itself is interesting and features well-preserved historic buildings
By the time we got to Cradle Mountain the rain was at a 45 degree angle and we caught the shuttle bus to Dove Lake but the rain was such we couldnrsquot even see the lake let alone Cradle Mountain Tasmaniarsquos most iconic mountain We ventured back and booked in to a powered site at the caravan park as we needed to refill with water and do some more washing and with the weather closing in we thought there might be others thinking of staying overnight in the hope of seeing the mountain the next day This turned out to be a very good move because the weather turned very cold overnight with snow forecast down to 1100 metres and we certainly gave the blow heater a good work out
But before settling in for the night we visited Devils at Cradle Park Arriving at 400 pm we only had a short visit but there was a nighttime education tour happening later so while we waited we had a cuppa in the car park and
Ticking all the boxes Sunshine Cradle Mountain with snow and the lake and boat shed for effect
56 | travel
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
feasted on Tassie Salmon on crackers with Camembert cheese Did I mention I love motorhomes and their convenience
We toured the Tassie Devil park and received some insightful information on this iconic carnivorous mammal that is so threatened in the wild by a terrible facial cancer Apparently the disease has been genetically traced to one female devil and since 1995 some 85 per cent of the wild devil population has been wiped out It is now on the endangered list although there are some isolated pocket on peninsulas where devils occur in the wild and which are natural sanctuaries and there has been a sanctuary established in NSW in order to protect and preserve this iconic animal so it doesnrsquot go the way of the Tassie tiger or Thylacine Quolls are also on display and proved fascinating as we observed their nighttime feeding antics
Sunday dawned clear and cold day and a light dusting of snow had fallen on trees cars and also Cradle Mountain Yippee ndash what a sight
Cradle Mountain had turned it on again for us just as it had 13 years ago We caught the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake and ventured on a short walk to the boat shed for the obligatory photos of the lake and shed with Cradle Mountain towering in the background As our knees were not up to it we decided against the longer walk and headed back to pick up the motorhome and continue our adventure
We drove to Sheffield ndash the town of murals ndash to sample Tasmaniarsquos famous scallop pies then continued to Railton famous for its unusual topiary throughout the town From there it was up to Latrobe to visit House of Anvers a Belgian chocolate and fudge maker Yum Did we indulge Of coursehellip
Catching The Spirit
With a few hours to go before catching the Spirit of Tasmania to the mainland we motored up to Penguin and found
a nice little grassy spot overlooking the beach
Tassie Devils are highly endangered due to the spread of a so-far incurable mouth tumour
travel | 57
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
for some afternoon tea Did I mention I love motorhomes
We drove back to Devonport and boarded the ship We found our lsquoocean reclinersrsquo and enjoyed dinner looking over the harbour before departing in darkness and leaving this beautiful and fascinating island State behind Trying to sleep semi-reclined in the rolling waves of Bass Strait wasnrsquot that good what between old mate across the aisle snoring and some chatterboxes who decided that because they couldnrsquot sleep at 5 am no one else should either Note to self Pay the extra next time and grab a cabin upgrade
Monday morning we docked in Port Melbourne at daylight and had an early breakfast before
departing the ship We visited some of Kathrsquos relatives in Melbourne for second breakfast and mid-afternoon headed off to Lakes Entrance and a nearby free camp
Tuesday morning saw us on the way to Orbost and Cann River then Bombala and Cooma through the Monaro Plains We stopped in Orbost on the Snowy River and found a dump point not listed in our Camps 7 book We also supported the local community by fuelling up and buying some groceries This was a very scenic route in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees and we stopped just out of Nimmitabel for some ham and cheese toasties cooked in the frypan for lunch We ventured on and headed through Cooma and
Getting ready to board Rental motorhomes are a regular sight on the Bass Strait crossing
58 | travel
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
Queanbeyan before stopping at Goulburn to refuel For some reason Kath wasnrsquot that keen on stopping in Belanglo State Forest on a wet wild and windy night so we stopped at a free camp just outside Mittagong
Wednesday morning we made it home to the Blue Mountains and dropped off our gear gave the motorhome a quick spruce-up and delivered it to Taren Point in Sydneyrsquos south Mission accomplished one motorhome relocated from Hobart to Sydney and we had a fun trip to boot Would we do it again In a heartbeat
Thoughts
W e were quite impressed with the number of free camps and dump points available in Tasmania
Obviously the Tasmanianrsquos understand the value of the tourism dollar Theyrsquore also a friendly and fiercely independent bunch thatrsquos willing to cater for tourism needs We are certainly planning to visit again but hopefully next time in our own motorhome
Postscript Our original thought for holidays was to go tent camping at Forster We realised when we got back this coincided with the once-in-a-decade storms that hit the Hunter region and we would have been packing up a soggy tent Have I mentioned that I really like motorhomes
travel | 59
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
60 | travel
Fast FactsHerersquos a total of our actual travel costs which were pretty close to our original budget We did the whole holiday for just a bit more than the cost of a normal motorhome rental which would have been $2700 Relocations ndash even if you buy extra days ndash are certainly great value
Tassie Relocation Holiday
Air fares ndash two adults $55720
Motorhome relocation ndash 7 days $50 $35000
Motorhome extra days ndash 5 days $150 $75000
Fuel ndash average $132 per litre $50000
Travel insurance $10704
Ferry Travel ndash extra ocean recliner seat $12600
Accommodation ndash mostly free camping but allow 3-4 nights $11400
Spending ndash attractions occasional takeaway coffee etc $30000
Food ndash rest of meals $20000
Total $300424
Relocation contact Apollo Rentals
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
travel | 61
Dobull Take out travel insurance ndash recommended
by the hirer
bull Book a cabin on the overnight ferry A bed is nicer than a recliner seat
bull Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide 7 (version 8 is now available) to find the free camping spots and dump points (the WikiCamps Australia app is also a must-have ndash Ed)
bull Be security conscious and park your vehicle overnight with a way out ndash just in case
bull Keep an eye out for interesting scenery and stop and take photos
bull Be aware of not creating a nuisance but there are places not listed where you can overnight Eg roadwork stockpiles
bull Keep a journal it makes putting the photos together easier and gives you some nice memories
bull Have a rough itinerary but be flexible and change if you want
bull Stay in park accommodation every couple of days do your laundry and top up water amp empty out etc
bull Enjoy the freedom
Dontbull Take the ocean recliner seat It can be an
uncomfortable night if you are not used to it
bull Fret about getting to places You have your accommodation and meals with you so it doesnrsquot matter
bull Try and travel too much Allow about 250 km max a day Stay an extra day in a place if you get sick of driving
bull Stress Remember it is meant to enjoyable
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
A Coleman Powerhouse Dual-fuel stove was our faithful servant for many years but eventually the time came time for a
replacement After 15 years of hard bush work it just plain wore out
We then tried camping with a couple of butane-can single-burner stoves we picked up in a hardware store for around twenty dollars eachThey were fine in mild weather but butane boils at zero degrees so on frosty mornings in the desert the butane stubbornly remained liquid and the stoves didnrsquot want to light Yes we know you can take a gas can to bed with you to keep it warm but if you forget therersquos no morning coffee unless you can prod some life out of last nightrsquos camp fire
Then we spotted Colemanrsquos Eventemp AL-3 Instastart stove with full size griddle and grease cup The stove is a clever design because the two round burners are separated by a rectangular burner and with all three alight and the griddle on top therersquos even heat over the entire plate Cooking a bacon and egg reviver for six people is simple The stove lid and a pair of folding side plates form a wind break and wersquove cooked successfully without a flame-out in 20 knots of breeze
The stove uses easily portable disposable LPG canisters that vary in price but are usually around $8-10 each These have no external valves or projections and theyrsquore cylindrical so theyrsquore very easy to pack The canister attaches
62 | Product review
Camp KitchenVersatile and portable solutions for those who love to cook outdoorshellipby Allan Whiting outbacktravelaustraliacomau
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
to the stove by way of a rigid pipe connector that incorporates a pressure valve As backup the stove comes with a conventional flexible hose that can screw to a normal LPG bottle
The canister needs to be rigidly attached to the stove and doesnrsquot sit on the stove stand We were concerned the canisterrsquos hanging weight might cause a problem but wersquove had no difficulty to date Canister life has been excellent We did a two-week trip on one canister and a three-week trip using one and a half so we now know how many back ups we need to carry The stove with full size griddle and grease cup retails for around $279
Complementing the stove is a Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen which disappears into a tiny case The sides of the case open out to form the serving table top The stove-stand opens on one side of the table top and a slip-on cooking-tool frame clicks in place to hold tongs spoons and the like
A light pole with a snap hook on the top clicks together and slides into a socket on the kitchen frame A woven string lsquoshelfrsquo clips under the table to hold pans and plates The folding kitchen retails for around $99
This Coleman camping stove and kitchen combo has done three years of bush trips with us and has proved to be the best arrangement wersquove ever had The kitchen is quick to erect functional and easy to clean and pack away If the new stove and folding kitchen work as well as the liquid-fuel unit and folding stand we had for years wersquoll get excellent bush service from them So far theyrsquove proved to be very user-friendly
Product review | 63
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
64 | Mobile tech
By Emily Barker
Food Apps For Thought
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
It may be my inner grizzly bear coming out but there is something about winter that makes me want to head for the kitchen ndash and stay
there There has been a dramatic shift in the food world recently and if yoursquore not a Master Chef in the making or declaring the ruling status of your kitchen you might be caught up in the paleo rush or even spending your days foraging for everything organic sustainable and bee friendly
No matter what your tastes though one thing is for certain ndash itrsquos never been easier to source healthy wholesome foods in our supermarkets and local stores Australia is indeed a lucky country For those simply interested in good food with nothing too fancy in the name or preparation and without the attached baggage of ideologies then these apps are ideal Whether you are equipped with a complete kitchen or a barbecue I believe great food comes from great ingredients a little inspiration and a dash of adventure It also need not cost the earth Enjoy
Meat CutsSize 253 MBCost Free
Meat amp Livestock Australia is no novice when it comes to digital technology Meat Cuts is their third app released in Australia and it certainly fits their brief of ldquoKnocking down purchasing barriers by increasing public knowledgerdquo This app is simple and fresh pretty much how you want most things Unfortunately meat today is expensive and while most of us might like the idea of equating red meat with seared rib fillet or filet mignon truth is it can get costly What Meat amp Livestock Australia is trying to achieve is to educate the public about the variety of cuts available and the most appropriate cooking method for each Chuck steak may be classed as a lsquosteakrsquo but throw one of those on the grill and no one is a happy camper Slow cook it into beef Guinness and mushroom pie however and itrsquos everyones favourite
Mobile tech | 65
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
Meat Cuts looks at the various cuts of beef veal lamb and goat It explains where on the animal each cut originates its individual characteristics the most suitable cooking methods and why It also recommends substitute cuts for various dishes and boasts 107 delicious recipes from Osso Buco to the perfect lsquoslip off the bonersquo winter-warmer lamb stew In terms of a kitchen aid this app should give anyone the confidence to shop cook and serve some wonderfully hearty meals with a price tag a little easier to swallow For those who take their steak seriously (and perfectly cooked) itrsquos also worthwhile checking out Meat amp Livestock Australiarsquos other app SteakMate guaranteed to revolutionise the humble barbecue
Leggos Loves ItalianSize 301 MBCost Free
Rich creamy soups crisp crostini pizza calzones pasta Mediterranean vegetables every which-way delectable seafood and meat dishes to dream over I may be getting a little carried away but thatrsquos the effect this app has on me Irsquom usually skeptical when an app remains untouched for over a year but it seems Leggorsquos got it right the first time Incredibly enough this app when displayed on the iPad is atmospherically inspirational Rich beautiful imagery a clear crisp interface and recipes that are not only easy to read and follow but are also genuinely authentically wholesome oh and did I mention the music Itrsquos entirely optional but try it Verdi Rossini Mozart Vivaldi Puccini Respighi ndash Italian is a passionate food and with such fine company what could possibly go wrong
The many health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been widely recognised by medical professionals Itrsquos good food made well and enjoyed completely The range of recipes in this app is suited to many different situations skill levels and tastes There is also a range of tools within the app including a pasta serving guide a
pasta timer specific for individual types including fresh and dried plus a shopping list In terms of an app produced by a brand to promote its products Leggorsquos has blown the competition out of the water And unlike many brand-associated apps this one is entirely free ndash no subscriptions or expansion packs required
Worth A Mention
When it comes to shopping cooking and preparing meals there are many valuable apps to choose from You
can literally plan a meal find a recipe order the ingredients and have them delivered straight to your door if you wish Finding the right assortment of apps is simply a matter of figuring out your requirements
The Sustainable Seafood Guide is a wonderful Australian app for those equally passionate about their seafood and oceans Love Food Hate Waste is a UK app designed to help people cook with the ingredients they already have on hand in an effort to reduce waste It also has a handy meal planner shopping list and access to hundreds of recipes The POI Palm Oil Barcode Scanner on the other hand is useful for those concerned with the ethical status of the products they consume and there is soon to be released a barcode scanner app to finally solve country of origin labelling issues once and for all Then there are the apps designed to take the leg work out of finding a place to eat Restaurateurs beware the people have a voice but thatrsquos a whole new story
66 | Mobile tech
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
Advertisers index | 67
AirBag Man 22
Albury Wodonga RV World 13
Australian Motor Homes 37
Avida 4
Battery Traders Super Store 22
Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22
Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23
Duvalay 23
eBook Traveller 16
e-Twow Electric Scooters 23
Horizon Motorhomes 17
iMotorhome 10
iTech World 22
Nomadic Solutions 23
Northcoach Equipment 18
Outback Travel Australia 18
Ozcape Campers 23
Paradise Motor Homes 7
Parkland RV Centre 22
Reverse Alert Australia 19
Robertrsquos RV World 22
RV Specialists 22
Southern Spirit Campervans 23
Skytracks 23
Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22
Tiffin Motorhomes 23
TrailblazersRV 21
Trakka 8
Webasto 14
Wellington Shire 22
Winnebago 2
Winjana RV 23
Wirraway Motor Homes 20
Advertisers Index
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue
Aug 14-16
Border RV amp Camping Expo
Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily
(400 last day)bull Parking $12
(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult
Jul 31-Aug 02
2015 Queensland Outdoor Adventure Show
Toowoomba ShowgroundsGlenvale Rd Toowoomba Qld 4350bull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids Free with adult
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Aug 07-09
Mid North Coast Caravan amp Camping Show
Wauchope Showgrounds Beechwood RdWauchope NSW 2446 bull Open 900-500 daily (400
last day)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general
Drop us a line at infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar
Malcolmrsquos in the USA trying his hand at a rental relocation but one with a difference ndash Halifax to Toronto Hersquos promised to
send photos of his travels and we hope to bring you a review of his rental vehicle which might well be a smaller Euro-style vehicle Speaking of Euro style next issue wersquore going to do something a little different and show you a high-top European VW T5
ndash complete with bathroom and sleeping for three
Reader Alan Price shares his adventures from the Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong in the Victorian High Country while we bring you a light hearted look at a special roadside residence for very small people ndash also in Victoria
Therersquoll be one of the last reports on our long term Horizon Casuarina plus a look at the pros and cons of buying an ex-rental motorhome in our Project Polly update
Issue 77 will be out on Saturday 1 August Until then why not join our more than 26000 Facebook
Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai
Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more See you soon
Oh Canada
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website
Click for Google Maps
Click for Google Maps
Visit Website Visit Website
31-02JUL-AUG
14-16AUG
07-09AUG
68 | Next issue