Camper Trailer Australia Issue 155

It’s October already and time for the 4WD to get serviced, tyres rotated, and camper trailer repacked. You see, Melbourne Cup weekend is nearly upon us, which means Park Rangers are busy sorting the keys, ready to head out and begin unlocking gates; the Victorian High Country is about to be opened. There are plenty of towns eager to see some visitors and have some cash added to their economies. It’s been tough for a lot of them since before the start of the year, with bushfires having caused so much damage. By now they’ve had the chance to stock up, so take an empty esky and fill up on local produce — every little bit helps. A recent survey has revealed a real positive attitude towards local travel and tourism, with…

Previously I’ve written about tyres and shared my experience about choosing the right tyres for your vehicle and personal circumstances. With only a few exceptions, most new 4WDs are fitted with tyres designed for every day driving with little consideration for extensive use offroad, a weighed down vehicle or those that tow heavy rigs. Regardless of whether you take advantage of fitting better tyres, be them of more robust construction, larger size or not, one thing that’s most important is the regular management of their pressures. Quality 4WD tyres are designed for a variety of demanding Australian roads which can dish out some harsh punishment. These may include touring both on and offroad, where they may contend with long hours on searing hot highways, wet roads, rough corrugations, loose surfaces, rocks and…

Escaping to the remote outback — brilliant in theory, often daunting in practice. What if you get stranded, far from help? What if your camper falls to bits through the corrugations, and you’re forced to leave it behind? Oh boy, why not another trip to the Great Ocean Road this year instead? The way out of this conundrum is a suitable 4WD and a tough-as-nails camper that can sustain you far away from Woolworths, running water, power points, roadside assistance, and shelter. Arrange that and you can go further and pass obstacles that’d otherwise force a U-turn — thereby properly immersing yourself in the magic of the Australian bush. Terra Trek’s TT-E would have to be one of the most confidence-inspiring campers I’ve seen. If you’re wanting to go somewhere that doesn’t…

Tare 1050kg ATM 1800kg Payload 750kg Ball weight 90kg Suspension Unique cross-arm suspension with coils and Old Man Emu Nitrocharger shocks, adjustable trailing arms Brakes12in electric drum Coupling Cruisemaster DO35 Chassis/Drawbar 125 x 125 x 5mm hot dip galvanised ladder-style chassis, single-beam drawbar Body Aluminium Wheel/tyre285/75/16 Mud Terrains standard Style Expedition rooftop tent trailer DIMENSIONS Body dimensions 2900 (L) x 1910 (W) x 1900mm (H) Travel length 4300mm (hitch to spare tyre carrier) Mattress 190 x 140cm 100mm-thick foam mattress (125mm pocketspring optional) ACCESSORIES Water1 x 90L tank, and space for 4 x 20L jerry cans, Puretec carbon filter, HWS, showerhead Gas2 x 4.5kg bottles in cradles, not plumbed Kitchen 96L ARB Dual Zone fridge/freezer, slide-out with sink and shelf for high-pressure portable Coleman Gladiator two burner Battery1 x 100Ah lithium battery, REDARC RedVision BMS with DCDC and 240V charging (optional), 350W REDARC pure sine wave inverter PRICE AS STANDARD…

The Victorian High Country covers over 1.2 million acres and is part of the Great Dividing Range. It's an important meeting place for Indigenous people from all over south-eastern Australia who would gather at the highest plains for trade and ceremonies. The region was also important for the cattle farmers who fattened their herds on the plentiful feed. Now the High Country is a magnet for camping, 4WDing, fishing, hiking, horse riding and mountain biking. Being able to base camp and then explore the surrounding region is a great way to experience the High Country and, in some cases, throwing in a swag or tent to experience a sensational night or two camping atop a secluded mountain is something few get the chance to do. HOOKED FOR GOOD There are plenty of forestry…

The view from the crest of Mt Selwyn was dazzling. To the north, the indented skyline of The Horn on the plateau of Mt Buffalo could be seen, while to the west was the jagged outlines of Mt Cobbler and Mt Speculation. To the south, Mt Howitt stood proud, while to the east were the high snow plains of Hotham Heights and Falls Creek. In between and all around, the ridges, peaks and valleys of the Australian Alps and the Victorian High Country filled the scene from horizon to horizon. "We had been coming to this area for years, but we had never taken the Yarrabuck Track. That was a crazy oversight" We had been coming to this area of north-east Victoria for more years than I care to recount, but we…