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18. Dec/Jan 2016 RRP $5.95 CAMPING WITH The caravan born THE STARS NORMIE ROWE in the Space Age WHATEVER and why it failed take off HAPPENED TO PRISCILLA? CARAVANS IN THE MOVIES timetoroam.com.au Leyland's Australia On the road again in Beechworth Time to Roam_August2015.pdf 1 20/07/2015 12:03:19 PM Now you can explore all of our parks Nrth, South, East r West, we have you coverd. Folow us on . 2 timetoroam.com.au www.inlandwaters.com.au www.northcoastholidayparks.com.au www.southcoastparks.com.au Time to Roam_August2015.pdf 1 20/07/2015 12:03:19 PM Now you can explore all of our parks Nrth, South, East r West, we have you coverd. Folow us on . www.inlandwaters.com.au www.northcoastholidayparks.com.au www.southcoastparks.com.au upfront | contents 18 DEC/JAN 2016 upfront 07 / SUMMER OF SUCCESS Camping industry predicts great start to 2016 09 / LEGO DREAM COMES TRUE Life-size caravan smashes record 11 / VALE RICHARD DAVIS Farewell to an industry giant WHATEVER HAPPENED TO 12 / LETTERS & FEEDBACK Towing licence worth a re-think? PRISCILLA? features 14 / CARAVANS IN THE MOVIES Whatever happened to Priscilla? 18 / MURRUMBA STAR The caravan born in the Space Age on the roam 38 / RENO RESCUE Bessie has an extreme makeover 42 / VICTORIA’S EL DORADO 38 The Leylands journey to Beechworth BESSIE HAS AN EXTREME 56 / CELEBRITY CAMPER 49 / MY TOP FIVE Pop icon Normie Rowe MAKEOVER Safely sharing the coast with birds 52 / EAST COAST HOLIDAY JEWEL tried+tested The secret is out on this unspoilt playground 26 / LIVING EDGE VENETIAN 54 / FOOD AND FLAVOURS 54 Meet the luxury van called ‘Eric’ Shoalhaven: the perfect gourmet getaway THE PERFECT GOURMET 30 / WIRRAWAY EUROSTYLE GETAWAY 58 / AROUND THE SHOWS This 4x4 takes comfort to the max Rallies and Awards, who was there? 34 / PIONEER ARGYLE SE 62 / TRADES AND SERVICES Camper with style and substance ON THE COVER Murrumba Star Mini and EH Holden 40 / BUSINESS AND PRODUCTS 64 / WHAT’S ON photographed at East Ballina NSW. What kind of bike suits you? Australia’s best guide to regional events Photo by Paul A Broben 4 timetoroam.com.au 2015 MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR* For 20 years, Horizon Motorhomes have been crafting ‘built- in’ motorhomes using only the finest fixtures and fittings. This year we have been recognised for our passion and enthusiasm invested into developing Horizon Motorhomes as the RV with ‘Satisfaction Built- In’ – by being named Best Manufacturer of 2015 by the Caravan & Camping Industry Association NSW. To find out more about our range of award winning motorhomes visit our website or call 02 6681 1555. SOLD EXCLUSIVELY BY 299 River Street, Ballina NSW 2478 BALLINA CAMPERVAN02 6681 1555& MOTORHOME | [email protected] CENTRE horizonmotorhomes.com.au SGG Pty Ltd. Lic No. MD11739, MVRL23910 *Motorhomes, Campervans & 5th Wheelers upfront | welcome Editor’s desk In this issue we welcome to Mal and Laraine Leyland as they go back on the road in their first regular reporting gig in more than a decade. For their first Time to Roam feature, Australia’s specially designed by a nomad. “First Couple of Camping” headed off in their Finally there’s Australia’s most radical Horizon motorhome to Beechworth in Victoria. caravan renovation, a 1970s Viscount There they spent a few days soaking up completely transformed. Dare I ask, have they history and enjoying all the local attractions. gone too far? Let me know what t you think. We’re thrilled to have people of their I hope you enjoy this our 18th issue. experience discovering and sharing the Thank you for your support as we get set to really special stories from around the country embark on our fourth year of publishing. in a way only the Leylands know how. Best wishes to you and your family for a safe I really hope you enjoy Mal and and happy Christmas and holiday season. Laraine’s first ROAM feature. Don’t forget if you’d like to “Ask the Leylands” to visit Rod Bruem, [email protected] your area, please drop me a line. For caravan lovers there are three Time to Roam Australia welcomes great features to enjoy in this issue. The letters, photos and contributions first is Australia’s weirdest caravan, the from our readers on just about story of the Murrumba Star Mini. any subject that relates to We also have a review of one of the caravanning and camping. country’s brilliant new luxury caravans [email protected] Ph: 02 6621 2463 #18Executive Editor Seb Stephens Subscribe: Subscription form on page 66 or via the Editor website www.timetoroam.com.au Rod Bruem e [email protected] Time to Roam is published bi-monthly and Journalist Chris Ashton distributed by Time to Roam Australia Pty Ltd e [email protected] Australia’s favourite PO Box 999 Lismore NSW 2480 Travel Editors At Large We welcome letters and contributions caravan, camping and Mal and Laraine Leyland from our readers. travel magazine. Contributors Enquiries [email protected] Paul A Broben, David Cook, Richard Robertson, timetoroam.com.au National Sales Manager Oliver Pfeiffer, Cathy Wagner, Geoff Tangey Phill Terry Proudly Printed in Australia by m 0425 255 495 e [email protected] Time to Roam encourages recycling and Offset Alpine, Lidcombe NSW Environment is printed on paper sourced from ISO 14001 Certification applies to Offset Alpine Printing sustainable forests Distribution & Office Manager Design and Production Marianne Martin Mitch Morgan Design e [email protected] mitchmorgandesign.com Legal: Time to Roam is copyright, with editorial and advertisements the exclusive property of Time to Roam Australia Pty Australia Post Registered Print publication: Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher. 100009867 ABN 24160144525 6 timetoroam.com.au upfront | industry news Caravan Park Crisis: Action at last The NSW and WA Governments have both announced reviews of out-dated caravan park regulations, a move which could free up more spaces for tourists. It’s estimated as many as 10,000 visitor spaces have been lost over the past decade as parks have been redeveloped or used for low cost permanent housing. Duncan Gay Caravan Park researcher Rod Caldicott of Southern Cross University says government regulations are exacerbating the problem, Rego rip off: NSW still pondering relief making it difficult to open new parks. NSW has now followed WA in The NSW Government says it’s still considering a review of caravan and RV announcing a review, both proposing a rego costs, despite promising to act before the last state election. change of planning laws to streamline There’s a huge disparity in rego costs around the country with NSW and approval processes and cut red tape. ACT residents slugged the hardest. They pay hundreds of dollars more to The Caravan Camping Industry register caravans than Victorians, who pay a flat annual fee of $55. Association is closely involved in both Prior to the last state election, NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay reviews and members of the public are announced a proposal to bring NSW charges more in line with those in also invited to make submissions. Victoria. If accepted, rego costs could fall as much as 45 per cent. A spokesman for the Minister says the proposal is still being looked at. Slim Dusty’s caravan now on show NSW’s Mid North Coast has a major new cultural attraction with the long-awaited opening of the Slim Dusty Museum at Kempsey. Taking pride of place in the multi million dollar centre #18 is a late-1950s Orford caravan built for Slim and his wife Joy McKean. For 17 years the couple called a caravan home as they toured the country performing. The new museum captures the life and times of the celebrated Australian music legend, and is easily accessed from the Pacific Highway south Kempsey exit, with parking for RVs. Opening Slim Dusty Centre. (L-R) Dr. David Kirkpatrick, Daniel & Hugo Kirkpatrick, Joy McKean & Anne Kirkpatrick Joy McKean with the Orford caravan and “Old Purple”, Australia Post Registered Print publication: their 1971 Ford Fairlane ZD with 351,000 miles on the clock 100009867 ABN 24160144525 Photos by Julia Morrell Issue 18 Dec/Jan 2016 7 upfront | industry news Caravan for a cause: Harry’s House Harry’s House is a new mobile retreat family adventures,and complements giving a break to families with children the original Harry’s House Family undergoing cancer treatment. Retreat in Stockton Beach, NSW. The motorhome has been The Retreat is available free of named in memory of Harry Meyn, charge to families of children living with who died after being diagnosed cancer and is also open to families with a brain tumour at age six. grieving the loss of a child to cancer. Harry’s House offers relief to families Harry’s House is made possible by the facing the emotional and financial strain Harry Meyn Foundation, which relies on that often comes when children are donations to meet running costs. diagnosed and treated for cancer. harryshouse.com.au The Avida Ceduna is equipped for Know of a caravan or RV being used for a good cause? Share the story with our readers [email protected] Get set for a Best of the great New Year Australia’s caravan and camping industry is set for a Best named strong start to 2016 with record RV production and a NSW’s leading caravan industry low dollar boosting the appeal of holidays at home.