Caravan World Issue 615

Our theme this month is Conscious Caravanning. It’s a wide-ranging issue, and we have some great reads from our writers offering thought-provoking ideas on reducing the impact of our travels. Being a conscious caravanner is more than the environmental cost because it includes our impact on our fellow travellers, both on the road and when camped. Check out Cathy Anderson’s Credit One story for a comprehensive check on recommended caravanning conduct. When thinking about the environment, it’s not too difficult to accept that towing a van uses a lot more fuel than driving a compact car. Unfortunately, with a background of bad news every day about the Delta strain, the latest reports from the IPCC on the world’s environmental health have taken a low profile. But it’s alarming reading, so maybe it’s…

Grapes of Mirth will be held in Queensland this year on 18 September, located at Ballandean Estate in the Granite Belt. This year’s lineup of comedians and wine lovers include star and co-creator of ABC show Rosehaven, Luke McGregor, nominee of the ‘Best Show’ at the 2021 Melbourne Comedy Festival; Nikki Britton, Britton’s co-host on NOVA podcast Mates Talking about Stuff; Harley Breen; Great Australian Bake Off host Mel Buttle; and three time nominee for ‘Best Show’ at the Melbourne Comedy Festival, Damien Power. Merrick Watts, Grapes of Mirth Head Clown and MC of the show, said he is eager to bring the event to Queensland’s premier wine region in the Granite Belt. “Having thoroughly sampled the local wines from the region, we can say they are a perfect match for the comedians,…

The Miles Back to the Bush Festival will take place from 9-12 September this year, offering travellers a family friendly event and plenty of fun. Since the 1950s, the Western Down Regional community of Miles and the smaller towns in the surrounding areas have come together biannually to celebrate the value of living in the bush. The regional town opens up for travellers to tour the fascinating and quirky vintage collections of local residents. With plenty of markets, a street parade, chances to discover the region’s history, a tractor pull and cooking demos, the Miles Back to the Bush Festival offers plenty to do over the four-day event, with kids 12 and under entering the Saturday 11 September main event for free. Other events include World Record whip cracker, Nathan ‘Whippy’ Griggs’ nighttime…

A Senate Inquiry is underway looking at whether plant-based proteins should be able to use the names beef, seafood, chicken and pork in their labelling and marketing. New research conducted by Pollinate has revealed that 61 per cent of the 1000 Australians in the national survey mistook at least one-plant based meat product as containing animal meat, with 51 per cent finding the packing used confusing. In an Australian first, the representative bodies for the nation’s meat, poultry, and seafood industries have united to call for truth in labelling and marketing. A spokesperson for the group said it is important that the issue is brought to people’s attention. “Australians are disproportionally impacted by misleading plant-based protein labelling with elderly, those with English as a second language, and low-income consumers more likely to mistake the…

Returning for its 150th year, the Stanthorpe Apple and Grape Harvest Festival — held every second year — will run from 25 February to 6 March 2022. The Festival coincides with the town of Stanthorpe’s anniversary of 150 years, and the event will combine the usual harvest with a celebration of the town, its people, and the stories of their history. Must-see events include the Food and Wine Fiesta from 4 to 6 March, Busking Championships on 26 February, the Italian Long Lunch on 27 February and the Grand Parade on 5 March. For some extravagance, the Apple and Grape Gala Ball will be held on 4 March for a must-do social event. Cellar doors to see grape harvest in action are open throughout the festival, along with tours of apple orchards. Accommodation…

Despite recent Australian lockdowns, Airbnb recently reported bookings increasing up to 52 per cent as COVID-19 restrictions ease around the world. To help holidaymakers in their planning, Money.co.uk utilised Forbes’ bucket list of the top 50 places in the world to visit and searched each destination and review score on Airbnb to create an overall average. Waikato, New Zealand, took out the top score, with an Airbnb popularity rating of 100, closely followed by Beijing, China at 98 and Kerry, Ireland at 96. Waikato is widely known for containing the longest river in New Zealand, the Waikato River, and the largest lake, Lake Taupo. With the suspended travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand to be reviewed in September, travel-hungry Aussies might have something to look forward to.…