Imotorhome Emagazine Issue 14

Transcript

iMotorhome 14: November 17 2012 .com.au Issue because getting there is half the fun... SURPRISING PINTO Sunliner’s compact Pinto 3 is worth reflecting on Suncamper Sapphire Winners are grinners... Tours of Delight! More US & Canada touring ideas On my mind... A s an whole, the RV industry is pretty mediocre at self promotion. Many companies – even household names – are relatively small, family-run businesses and PR is well down the list of must-dos. This is understandable, but keeping your name in the public gaze and letting customers (potential and existing) know what you’re up to is always a good thing. Even for a magazine like iMotorhome, finding news and interesting tidbits is hard, time consuming work. So this issue I’m throwing down the gauntlet to all manufacturers and suppliers to keep us – and therefore your customers – ‘in the loop’ with news of any kind. This can be as simple as staff appointments/changes or as major as new models, or anything in between. So how about it? Let us know and we’ll spread the word... Speaking of spreading the word, there seems to be a steadily increasing number of regional RV shows in Australia, usually intermixed with camping, recreational and other ‘lifestyle’ orientated activities. These are in addition to the established major Capital City shows, which run between about January and June. Shorter and more relaxed than their Big City counterparts, regional shows are also much more a family affair for locals, which helps explain the broader range of products and services exhibited. It’s good to see these shows becoming established and we’ll do our best to get to as many as possible, but if you know of any not listed in our back-page events calendar then please drop me a line. Speaking of lines, in this issue you’ll find a story on Werris Creek, near Tamworth; Australia’s or NSW’s first railway town, depending on who you ask! The township itself is neat if unremarkable (sorry folks), but the historic railway station is a gem and a must-see if you can make the Continued... • Campervans • Motorhomes • Caravans • Hobby Haulers • Campervans • Motorhomes • 4x4 Campers • Caravans • Camper Trailers • Off-Road Caravans • Pop-top Caravans • Hard-top Caravans • Campervans • Motorhomes 5 Melrose Dr, Wodonga 3690 • Ph: 02 6024 4222 • awrvworld.com.au 3 On my mind... ...Continued detour. Just as interesting and rather more poignant is the Australian Railway Memorial, adjacent to the northern end of the platform. Opened in 2005, it’s a tribute to those who have lost their lives ‘on-the-job’ since our railway system was first established. Also in this issue you’ll find Malcolm’s story on organised motorhome tours of the US and Canada. Malcolm said he was intrigued when researching some of the stops along the way, including Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort in Florida. He writes, “I did wonder about the Wilderness definition – the campsites have all the “essentials” like power, water, TV connection, charcoal grill and a high speed internet The iMotorhome Team connection. No worries about roughing it apparently!” Look up disneyworld.disney. go.com/resorts/campsitesat-fort-wilderness-resort/ to see how Americans rough it. While you’re online, visit www.pplmotorhomes.com and weep at the prices of used motorhomes in America. See you on Sat 1 December! d r a h c Ri Richard Robertson Malcolm Street Allan Whiting Publisher & Managing Editor Consulting Editor Technical Editor A long-time freelance RV, motoring and travel writer, Richard is a dedicated, longterm motorhome enthusiast. Unquestionably Australia and New Zealand’s best known RV journalist, Malcolm is a fixture at CMCA rallies and RV shows and is now in his second decade as a specialist RV writer. An experienced motoring writer when Japanese cars were a novelty, Allan’s career read’s like Australian motor writing royalty. [email protected] He has held senior editorial positions with some of the best know recreational vehicle magazines in Australia. Richard also has a passion for lifestyleenhancing technology, which is why he is the driving force behind the new iMotorhome eMagazine. [email protected] If it’s available on either side of the Tasman, Malcolm has probably driven it, slept in it, reported on it, knows how it’s made and can tell you just how good it really is. [email protected] Highly experienced in or on everything from motorcycles to B-doubles, Allan also runs www.outbacktravelaustralia. com – an invaluable free resource for anyone into four-wheel driving or touring remote corners of Australia. ©2012 iMotorhome. All rights reserved. Published by iMotorhome. ABN 34 142 547 719. PO Box 1738, Bowral. NSW. 2576. Contact us on 0414 604 368 or Email: [email protected] LOVE YOUR FREEDOM. LOVE YOUR HORIZON. Embrace your freedom in luxury and style with Horizon Motorhomes. Established in 1995, our motorhomes are built in, not bolted on, and use Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen Crafter and Fiat Ducato as base vehicles with the option of two or four wheel drive. A choice of five models with a huge selection of tailorable features allows you to personalise your motorhome to your travelling needs. Our quality interiors offer clever layouts to maximize storage and convenience, and our entire range is easy to drive and simple to park. Experience the difference. Test drive a Horizon Motorhome today. p. 02 6681 1555 • 299 River St, Ballina NSW 2478 www.ballinacampers.com.au INSIDE EDISNI 2 ON MY MIND 5 A challenge for the RV Industry (and other stuff)... 7 NEWS Happenings across the motorhome world, and beyond! 12 TESTED Winners are Grinners – Richard reviews Suncamper’s unusual Sapphire 26 SHOW FEATURE A Bayside Frolic with Malcolm! 32 TESTED Hi Ho Pinto - Malcolm takes us away in Sunliner’s interesting Pinto 3 43 TRAVEL 17 Country & Western to Calypso – More motorhome opportunities in the US & Canada FEATURE 50 21 On Ya Bike! Be sure you buy the right sort of bicycle... 56 TRAVEL 23 Line of Thought – Exploring Australia’s first railway town 62 MOBILE TECH Loo, loo, skip to the loo! 66 NEXT ISSUE What’s coming up, plus our show calendar Trakkaway 700 7 News... Trakka Strong Into 2013 T rakka is reporting strong forward orders for 2013 and that sales are coming from all parts of the Country, despite the company being Sydney-based and selling direct. Billing the business as a one-stop RV shop, Trakka’s Martin Poate said, “We’ve taken orders for builds in our production schedule well into February and March 2013, from places as diverse as Perth (WA), Port Elliot (SA), Sandy Bay (Tas), Melbourne (Vic), Nelson Bay (NSW) and Brisbane and Maroochydore (QLD), to name a few.” “All models are represented in these orders and customers are now being extremely selective, with great knowledge of the products. All have special wants and needs, which we can accommodate because we build specifically for them. Our production team even has a picture of each customer on the motorhome as it is being built, so the build comes to life!” Martin enthused. “It’s a part of how our team remains passionate and motivated, knowing that each vehicle is for a specific customer and not just going into stock somewhere.” To watch a Trakka Torino Remote coming to life specifically for Lindsay, Jill and their dog Sweetie, visit www.youtube.com/ watch?v=YNGORcAscn Y&feature=plcp. News... Xmas Deals at Suncamper “With massive savings, gear up for your summer road trip with all the accessories and spare parts you can imagine, or do all your Christmas shopping for the parents, grandparents, kids or grandkids with plenty of great gift ideas to choose from,” said Suncamper’s Cameron Harrison. S uncamper is celebrating a great year and getting into the Christmas spirit by offering 10% off all floor stock until 21 December. This includes new and used motorhomes as well as parts and accessories in stock. “We would also like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, a great New Year and the best of health for 2013.” Bendigo Leisurefest: A Feast of Firsts! ESC as either standard or optional equipment and ESC is one of several great Victorian-designed innovations making their first Bendigo appearance. V isitors to Bendigo’s 11th annual RV & Camping Leisurefest next week will see plenty of industry firsts, not just for Bendigo but in some cases for Australia. This will be the first show where almost all vans on show are available with AL-KO Electronic Stability Control (ESC) to make towing safer than ever before. AL-KO reports all major local manufacturers are now offering Newly arrived from Echuca is the Mozzi Boat Loader to make life easy for people who want to take a tinnie on their next trip and load or unload it easily in a matter of minutes. Two years in development, the Mozzi boat loader is made of aluminium with removable wheels, so the boat and trailer travel rightside-up, on top of a vehicle with all the fishing gear inside. It is also a usable roof-rack when not carrying a boat and is suitable for utes, dual cabs and SUVs. Also at Bendigo will be all the big brands of RVs with their new-season releases, along with information on great holiday destinations and the latest in tents, clothing, alternative power and accessories. Ticket prices remain at $10 for adults, $8 for concessions and free for kids under 15 (when accompanied by an adult) and there is ample free parking, plus free seminars and kids’ activities. Leisurefest runs from Friday to Sunday, 23-25 November, at Bendigo Racecourse, Epsom, and is open 9.30 am to 5pm on the Friday and Saturday and 9.30 am to 4 pm on the Sunday. See back page for a link to Google maps! 9 News... A Hairy Situation... M ovember has hit again and Suncamper staff are doing their bit to help out the great cause. For those of you that don’t know, Movember is all about bringing back the moustache, having fun and doing it for a serious cause; men's health, specifically prostate cancer and mental health. You can help out and donate too. If you’re feeling generous and want to support the great cause, along with Suncamper, click the link and follow the steps on the donate page, au.movember.com/donate/ News... EarthCruiser Heads OS! Bend, Oregon, to manufacture its Outback Explorer and Adventurer expedition-grade campers for the American market. The Outback is based on the Mitsubishi Fuso Canter 4x2 or 4x4 chassis, with 110 kW/370 Nm four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission and up to 14 tonnes gross vehicle weight. Q ueensland-based expedition vehicle specialist, EarthCruiser, is now ‘driving’ its business into a number of international markets. dealership in Mongolia, while the Australian-designed and manufactured EarthCruiser is also sold in other regions including North America, Britain, Spain, South Africa and Egypt. The Company recently signed a distribution deal with a large Now EarthCruiser has entered an agreement with Host industries of With prices starting at US$135,000, the campers can also be retrofitted to an existing chassis as a DIY option, or provided as a removable module. For information about EarthCruisers’ local models and operations visit www.earthcruiser.com.au 11 News... Classics Coming Up At Shannons Completely different, but also very desirable to own and restore, is a mid-engined 1970 Lotus Europa S2 Coupe in the same auction. Initially introduced in 1966, the Europa utilised an uprated, 61 kW 1.5-litre Renault 16 TL engine and four-speed gearbox, rotated 180 degrees and midmounted in a Lotus-designed fiberglass coupe body with a steel backbone chassis. The Series 2 Europa being auctioned was built in May 1970 and is presented in largely unmodified condition. Since coming to Australia as a kit car, its history has included one owner from 1982-2004 and it has been in the hands of its Tasmanian vendor since 2006. I f you’re a classic car buff with some spare cash, Shannons have two very different performance ‘project’ cars going under the hammer in their Melbourne Summer Classic Vehicle Auction on Monday, November 26. According to a press release, “Australian Muscle Car enthusiasts have already been excited by the prospect of restoring the 1974 Chrysler VJ Charger E48 Coupe that has been in its present ownership since 1998.” Believed to be one of only 154 VJ-model Chargers built with the E48 ‘Six-Pack’ triple Weber carburetor 265-CID engine, the Charger was sold new by Kew Chrysler and fitted with the desirable four-speed manual transmission and mandatory LSD rear end. It was once used as a daily driver, but in recent times it has seen little use and now apparently needs some TLC to bring its grey metallic paintwork and trim back to its former glory. Significant and rare as one of the last of the mighty Six-Pack Australian Chargers, this E48 is an important piece of Australian motoring history and would make an interesting and rewarding restoration project. Shannons expect it to sell in the $18,000$24,000 range. While the Europa’s interior is correct and tidy, Shannons says its body would benefit from a full repaint to return it to its former glory. Expect bids in the $12,000$16,000 range for this now-rare, fun and potentially stunning sports car. “These two project cars are amongst 43 rare and unusual vehicles in the auction, including seven with no reserve. The auction will also see a number of classic motorcycles – including two very desirable Ducatis – go under the hammer, along with a range of Heritage black and white number plates, headed by the Victorian triple-digit ‘385’.” Shannons says. Tested: Suncamper Sapphire WHo DARES GRINS Suncamper’s Sapphire put a smile on our dial... Review and images by Richard Robertson Tested: Suncamper Sapphire 13 Unmistakably Suncamper, the Sapphire is boxy but practical and built to go the distance. M any motorhomes have legal seating for four or more passengers, but in reality few see more than the cab seats occupied with any regularity – if at all. Additionally, many motorhomes (particularly older ones) have sideways-facing passenger seats with lap-belts or passenger seats well out of easy conversation distance from those up front. Suncamper’s four-berth Sapphire is an interesting attempt to address both those problems, while providing additional seating as comfortable and individually adjustable as those in the cab. The design – along with Suncamper’s sharp pricing – makes the Sapphire particularly attractive to motorhoming families or those who like to travel with friends. Old and New T he Sapphire tested here was a prototype with an mixed pedigree and while basically complete, some detail aspects are subject to change. These include hopper windows instead of sliding and a table for the extra passenger seats. Other detail changes to the type/size/style of appliances, etc, are also possible, but the basic design, layout and style of the Sapphire is complete. The test Sapphire rode on a Fiat Ducato cab-chassis that Tested: Suncamper Sapphire has since been superseded and is thus irrelevant to this review. New Sapphires will ride on the latest generation Fiat Ducato with a 3.0-litre 132 kW/400 Nm turbodiesel engine and a 6-speed manual transmission, with the option of Fiat’s 6-speed AMT automatic. Suncamper will also offer the Sapphire on a Ford Transit, Iveco Daily, Mercedes Benz Sprinter or Volkswagen Crafter cabchassis, although the price will vary with each of those. Like all new-gen Ducatos it will include dual front airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS) with discs all-round, electronic stability control (ESC), cab airconditioning, remote central locking, electric windows and (heated) side mirrors, cruise Swivelling cab seats provide extra seating flexibility. Prototype Sapphire’s superseded Fiat Ducato was still a great drive. Tested: Suncamper Sapphire 15 Sub 7.0-metre length makes the Sapphire a breeze for investigating interesting (and delicious) attractions along the way. control and more, including an integrated TomTom navigation system with Blue & Me bluetooth connectivity. It’s a comprehensive and desirable package with a high level of engineering and driving refinement. Body Lines compact C-Class motorhome measuring just 6.76-metres overall, the Sapphire follows Suncamper’s long-term design cues of flat sides/back finished in all-over white, with blue accents. Good overhead cupboard space with self-locking catches is a nice feature. A on a steel floor, with a singlepiece roof that helps reduce the possibility of water leaks in the long run. Fully insulated The Sapphire also follows with smooth outer wall panels Suncamper’s proven and interior plywood paneling, construction method of a all fittings are screwed to the sturdy welded aluminium frame aluminium framework, while cabinetry is vinyl-faced ply of glued-and-screwed (not stapled) construction. It’s a system developed over more than 30 years and Suncampers are well known within the industry for their durability and longevity. Tested: Suncamper Sapphire The Fiama wind-out awning doesn’t take long to set in position. Along with the Sapphire’s compact dimensions and keen pricing come a few compromises, like a single 120 AH house battery and relatively modest fresh and grey water capacities of 90-litres each. External storage, however, is quite reasonable for the vehicle’s size, with a little extra space in both the battery and gas-bottle storage bins, plus a decent-sized through-boot at the rear. You’d want to take care when packing anything else in with the battery and gas bottles that it didn’t/couldn’t interfere with them. A wind-out Fiama awning, electric entry-step, roof- mounted aircon, LED clearance light, a highmounted rear brake light are also included, along with Suncamper’s trademark steel rear bumper and protective tail light surrounds. These later items might’t look too pretty, but they work and are far more durable in the real world than the rear ends of many other motorhomes. What's the Plan? he Sapphire’s floor plan has an over-cab bed and a near-side kitchen that runs through to a u-shaped rear lounge (which has an electric bed overhead). There’s a mid-mounted off- T side bathroom and a pair of free-standing coach-style passenger seats behind the driver, opposite the kitchen and ahead of the bathroom. From a living point-of-view the design works well, thanks to a centre-positioned entry door that allows the chef to work undisturbed while others access the bathroom, rear lounge or fridge. The wraparound rear lounge – a New Zealand Back, Malcolm tells me – provides ample seating for four and a large central table, but best of all it places you right smack-bang in the middle of the view. With windows all around its a great Tested: Suncamper Sapphire 17 The ‘New Zealand Back’ warp-around rear lounge/dinette makes the most of any view. Note LED strip lighting behind pelmets. position that’s flooded with natural light and provides panoramic views of your surrounds. The Sapphire feature Suncamper’s new-look, highgloss cabinetry that provides a smart, modern finish that’s brought new life to its interiors. All cupboard doors and drawers have single pushbutton knob/handles that selflock when closed, which is a nice feature, too. Take a Seat! ithout doubt, the Sapphire’s distinguishing design element is its pair of W Tested: Suncamper Sapphire free-standing coach-style passenger seats immediately behind the cab, on the driver’s side. The concept is simple: keep your passengers close in proper, comfortable seating. Conversations on-the-move should be a snack, whilst parents could keep a close eye on youngsters to nip he-hit-me-first tantrums in the bud and ‘gently assist’ in the sharing of toys amongst sometimes-unwilling siblings. It also means you could use the Sapphire as an only vehicle, at a pinch, if you regularly needed to carry one or two extra passengers. Sapphire’s individual rear passenger seats are comfortable and innovative and would be ideal if you have kids or regularly travel with another couple. Both seats feature built-in lap/ sash seat belts and provide a small degree of individual recline; like an airline seat, only with a lot more legroom! In fact with the cab seats swivelled this front area makes a roomy and practical second lounge area, although in the prototype it lacked any sort of table to truly make it versatile. It will be interesting to see what table solution Suncamper’s designers come up with to really make the Sapphire stand out. Maybe a small flipup wall-mounted unit with a secondary, removable main table (a-la Trakka Trakkaway 700) could be the go? Add a small table and you’d have an excellent second lounge/dinette. Tested: Suncamper Sapphire Seating ‘down the back’ is a u-shaped lounge with cushions that lift to access rear boot storage, as well as the water heater. It’s comfortable and quite spacious, with a generous table that provides decent dining space. Interestingly, Sunliner has opted for concealed LED strip lighting behind panels above the windows – I was going to call them pellets but they don’t conceal the curtain tracks – but there are no overhead cupboards in this lounge area due to the electric roof bed. More on that later... Dinner Time... he kitchen is split in two by the entry door, with the main area between it and the cab and a secondary T The well equipped kitchen is split in two by the entry door. 19 Tested: Suncamper Sapphire U-shaped rear lounge/dinette has wrap-around windows that sit you in the view. Swivel-mounted TV can be watched from either end of the Sapphire. area between it and the rear lounge. Bench space in the main area is limited, thanks to a three-burner gas cooktop to the left and a single-bowl sink to the right. There’s a double cupboard beneath the cooktop, a single cupboard beneath the sink and a stack of four drawers in the centre. It’s a compact work space that should work well and is blessed with plenty of natural light from a window behind the cooker, the door window, and an overhead skylight. There’s also a rangehood above the cooker, beneath a set of double overhead cupboards. Aft of the entry door is a tall unit with a high-set benchtop, beneath which is a three-way 90-litre fridge with a microwave above it and a four basket slide-out panty. The fridge is set closest to the entry door, making it handy for people outside to grab a drink; the chef while creating a masterpiece at the cooker and/or those at the rear lounge – all without disturbing each other. A flat-screen LCD TV/DVD on a swivel mount is just above Tested: Suncamper Sapphire the bench-top and sits flushish against the wall when not in use. Between the TV and entry door is the hot water system switch, water tank gauge, a pair of 80s looking light switches and a double powerpoint, plus the TV power supply and aerial point. It’s all a little haphazard and will (hopefully) be tidied up on production vehicles. Finishing off this section is a pair of small cupboards, above the television. Cleaning Up he Sapphire’s midmounted bathroom is reasonably spacious and features and white-with-greyaccent moulded bathroom unit that looks very 2001: A Space Odyssey. T A generous hand basin with chrome flick-mixer tap occupies pride of place in one corner, while the hand-shower is wall-mounted, along with it’s own taps (which seem to be mounted very close to the mirror and could prove tricky to turn – another prototype issue, I’m thinking). There are various moulded plastic panels, cup holders and even a loo-paper cover, plus a moulded medicine cabinet and towel rail above the swivel cassette toilet. And I was pleased to see two drain holes in the moulded floor unit, so you won’t end up ankle deep when showering if you don’t get the vehicle perfectly Moulded bathroom unit looks good and has plenty of storage nooks and crannies. Thetford swivel-head cassette toilet can be positioned for optimal ‘convenience’... 21 Tested: Suncamper Sapphire The rear electric roof bed can be left made-up and when lowered, doesn’t require removal of the rear lounge cushions, table – or even the fruit bowl! level. There’s also an extractor fan in the bathroom ceiling hatch. Ni Night... hen the Sandman strikes, Sapphire occupants can choose between the front over-cab bed measuring 1990 mm x 1600 mm and a rear bed measuring 2011 mm x 1300 mm that lowers from the ceiling above the lounge. W Electrically operated from a wall switch, the rear bed is Tested: Suncamper Sapphire 23 The Sapphire’s over-cab bed is largest of the two and has plenty of headroom, natural light and fresh air, but reading lights at one end only. long but a bit narrow, but the good news is you don’t need to stow lounge cushions or even remove the dining table (or fruit bowl!); the bed stops automatically at just the right height. Like almost all C-Class motorhomes, the front bed requires the use of an aluminium ladder, which stows neatly behind the secondary front seats at other times. Access to the rear bed also requires scaling a bit of height, so maybe a small plastic step would be a good inclusion. Zealand Back lounge/dinette arrangement. Thoughts ’ve got to say I was rather impressed by the Suncamper Sapphire, despite the test vehicle’s prototype status and its superseded Fiat Ducato cab-chassis. To be honest, the ‘old’ Fiat with its smaller 2.3-litre turbo-diesel engine and manual gearbox still had plenty of get-up-and-go and I’m a real fan of the New There’s even an option to make the Sapphire a six-berth; with extra seat belts to the rear lounge, which then converts to another double bed (although the roof bed would have to be raised somewhat). Other options include a reversing camera, solar power, a bike rack and an external barbecue and/or shower, for example. I The basic design works well, though, and the Sapphire Tested: Suncamper Sapphire ... continued The Sapphire’s bulbous Luton Peak provides the cab with good shade and a measure of weather protection, too. could fill a niche for families and those who regularly travel as couples. It could also suit ‘normal’ buyers; just add a table to those second seats and you have a motorhome with a versatile floor plan in a compact and economical package. Suncamper builds good, sound motorhomes and hat’s off to them for giving me a protoype to test that’s already earmarked for change. Thumbs up, Suncamper: Good to see some innovative thinking and a bit of daring. Winners, they say, are grinners... Steel rear bumper and taillight surounds are more Suncamper trademarks. Tested: Suncamper Trakka Trakkaway Sapphire 700 Specifications Manufacturer Suncamper Model Sapphire Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato 180 Engine 3.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel Power 132 kW @ 4000 rpm Torque 400 Nm @ 1500 rpm Gearbox 6-speed automated manual Brakes ABS ventilated 4-wheel discs Tare Weight 3440 kg Gross Vehicle Mass 4490 kg Towing Capacity 2000 kg (braked) Licence Car Passengers 4 External Length 6.76 m (22 ft 2 in) External Width 2.32 m (7 ft 7 in) External Height 3.36 m (11 ft 0 in) Internal Height 2.07 m ( 6 ft 9 in) Front Bed Size 1.99 m x 1.60 m (6 ft 3 in x 5 ft 3 in) Rear Bed Size 2.10 m x 1.30 m (6 ft 11 in x 4 ft 3 in) Cooktop 3-burner gas Fridge 90 L LPG/12/240 V Microwave yes Lighting 12 V LED/Halogen/Fluoro Batteries 1 x 120 AH Gas 2 x 4 kg Solar Panels Optional Air Conditioner Roof Mounted Hot Water Heater 22 L gas/electric Toilet Thetford cassette Shower Wall-mounted with hand hose Fresh Water Tank 90-litres Grey Water Tank 90-litres Price A$ 129,990 drive-away NSW 25 Pros • Compact dimensions • Comfortable extra seating • Six-berth option • Rear lounge/dinette • Electric roof bed • Sound construction Cons • Rear bed a bit narrow Contact Suncamper 3/9 Sefton Rd Thornleigh. NSW. 2120. Click for Google Maps Ph: (02) 9484-3952 W: www.suncamper.com.au E: [email protected] Show Feature: Batemans Bay Airstream Caravans played the American retro theme... BAYSIDE frolics Bateman’s Bay Show a great success... Words and images by Malcolm Street Show Feature: Batemans Bay 27 Winnebago was well represented, while Trakka’s new Trakkaway 700 (below right) attracted plenty of attention O ver the weekend of 2 – 4 November I motored down the south coast of NSW to take a look at the South Coast Caravan, Camping and Holiday Expo, being held at Batemans Bay. If the crowds were any guide then it was certainly something of a success. Even if it did nothing more than create a bit of excitement for Recreational Vehicle travel, then all the participants deserve a pat on the back. Of course there were RVs of all shapes and description on display, but there were plenty for readers of this fine magazine to get excited about. Aquarius, A’van, Jayco, Frontline, Horizon, Trakka, Suncamper, Sunliner and Winnebago were all there in strength and had a generous number of vehicles on display. Show Feature: Batemans Bay Frontline’s VW campervans and Horizon’s Fiat van-conversion motorhomes (below) drew solid interest. Undoubtedly the innovation award went to the Trakka display, not so much for their new slide-out 700 model (which might well be an award contender), but for the camera that was set up in the motorhome to show people outside how the remote control bathroom and rear slide-out operated. Given that there is only limited space in any RV, it was a very good idea for a show display. It also, I would point out, entertained Dave Berry, watching show goers’ faces whilst he was playing with the remote control outside the motorhome... That bit of frivolity aside, the Batemans Bay show has only been going five years but it looks now to be a well established event, drawing people from not only the surrounding coastal area but Show Feature: Batemans Bay Sunliner , A’van and Suncamper all flew their flags and proved popular with visitors as far afield as Canberra. I’d have to say also that, apart from the Expo, spending a few days staying in the Batemans Bay area isn’t exactly a hardship, so I’m looking forward to 2013 already! 29 Show Feature: Batemans Bay Sunliner’s Ranger is a baby C-Class with 4WD option that can go just about anywhere. Paradise Motor Homes have Moved Paradise Motor Homes is excited to announce we have moved to the former Swagman premises located at 245 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters, Queensland. Our new headquarters houses a state-of-the-art production facility specially designed to meet the high demand for our new price-competitive Integrity Series. The exciting news for those wanting to trade will be the new 15,000sqm Paradise RV Sales & Service Division which will offer: • Paradise New & Used Sales • Consignment Listings • Annual Motorhome Body Servicing • Solar & GenSet Supply & Fitment • Tilta Car Trailers & A Frames • Trade-ins • Repairs to all makes & models • Insurance Repairs • Upgrades & modifications • RV Shop This exciting move into such a high profile and well-known location will delight you with its easy accessibility, improved parking and extended services. We look forward to seeing you at the new home of Paradise. Enjoy the prestige of owning Australia’s best quality motorhome Paradise Motor Homes www.paradisemotorhomes.com.au 245 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters, Queensland, 4216 , Australia ph (07) 5597 4400 - fax (07) 5597 5500 - email [email protected] Paradise Motor Homes products are protected by registered designs, patents and copyrights ™ © 2012 Tested: Sunliner Pinto HI HO PINTO! Upon reflection there's much to like about Sunliner's compact Pinto 3 Review and images: Malcolm Street Tested: Sunliner Pinto 33 The Pinto’s narrow design is evident here; a feature intended to boost the confidence of new motorhomers. B uilt very much in the Sunliner style, the Pinto 3 is built on a Fiat Ducato cab with a Fiat chassis, not the Al-Ko chassis sometimes used to increase the load capacity, so its GVM comes in at 4005 kg. Having a tare weight of 3400 kg gives it plenty of storage capacity, however, even with the lowerrated chassis. Onto the Fiat chassis, Sunliner fit a welded steel sub-chassis; the idea being that there is then a better weight distribution to the main chassis. Fibreglass composite panels which have a Poplar crossply/Duplo Foam core are used for the main body work, with fibreglass mouldings for the front nose cone and the mouldings at the rear. In both cases, although the front has a streamlining function, they are also decorative in taking away the boxy look that some motorhomes have. Apart from the offside bins for the gas cylinders and toilet cassette, the Pinto really only has one external bin – mid nearside – and it should hold all the essentials like hoses and power leads and maybe a couple of camping chairs Tested: Sunliner Pinto Rear entry door is unusual in a motorhome design. Swivelling cab seats (below) create an generous lounge area. something of an advantage, particularly with larger motorhomes. In the case of this Pinto, the 132 kW engine is well suited and powers the motorhome along quite well. Like most motorhomes these days, the Pinto comes with an auto gearbox, or more correctly, the Fiat six-speed automated manual transmission (AMT). Like many a manufacturer, Sunliner fit Dometic Seitz hopper windows. Large and double glazed, they perform the multiple functions of keeping heat in or out depending on the season, as well as supplying plenty of natural light and fresh air. On the Road t’s been mentioned before in these pages, but for some reason Fiat has chosen to only supply motorhome manufacturers with the most powerful Ducato engine – the 3.0-litre 132 kW/400 Nm, turbo-diesel. In my view this is I Like any motorhome, there are a few rattles when driving along but nothing out of the ordinary and nothing a towel in the right place wouldn’t fix. The cab is comfortable and nicely fitted out and the Fiat is always an enjoyable vehicle to drive. Tested: Sunliner Pinto 35 Inwards-facing lounges and a large table create an relatively expansive lounge/dining area. Electric roof bed still allows decent headroom, too. Living Inside tepping inside the Pinto reveals quite an interesting and flexible layout. Centre stage, literally and figuratively, is the electric bed. I am never sure of the correct term for these because they are actually a double bed that can be raised and lowered electrically, but the shorthand version is just electric, which might be very confusing to a poor speaker of English. But I’ve digressed. S The bed is located directly behind the driver’s cab. Although the electrically operated bed has by now been used in quite a few motorhome designs, mostly it’s been at the rear, with a club lounge underneath. This arrangement has a day set-up with two sideways facing lounges behind the driver’s cab. Both cabs seats swivel around, thus giving quite a spacious sort of lounge area. With the bed fully raised, the ceiling height is a respectable 1.87 m (6 ft 1.5 in) – a little lower than the rear area at 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) but still functional. That height is achieved in part by have a slightly lower Tested: Sunliner Pinto The electric bed can be left made up and moves into position at the touch of a button. floor level under the bed area but I stumbled over the small step twice in my short time in residence and I wondered if a sloped floor was a possibility? Between the sideways facing lounges, the moderately sized table is mounted on an everywhich-way mounting; not the Rolls Royce of table mounts, a Zwaardvis, but still something that worked quite well. is that is can be left made up, so there is no fiddling around when bed time comes. Bed reading lights always seem By night, the 1.85 m x 1.37 m to be a bit of a challenge with (6 ft 1 in x 4 ft 6 in) bed can be electric beds – never quite sure lowered into position with a flick why – and in this case there of a switch. It lowers down to are ceiling mounted lights but about seat cushion level but centrally rather than to one it’s major advantage, no doubt, side. Bed readers might like to Tested: Sunliner Pinto 37 Lounges are generous and provide plenty of room to entertain or stretch out. 190 L two-door fridge/ freezer is unusually large in a vehicle this size. under the sink but what some clever person has done is fit a whole drawer frame but only have half a drawer for cutlery, thus ensuring it fits neatly under the sink unit. Also, all the drawers have full metal runners. Above the kitchen bench, the overhead lockers have the Kitchen drawers are ingenious and very well designed. interesting feature of aluminium frames rather than the more consider taking an LED reading quite small, but is actually larger usual timber. than it looks. It does have a light with them or maybe a stainless steel sink and drainer, On the opposite side of the Kindle with reading light fitted Pinto 3 are a couple of other or maybe, for the sophisticated, also a three burner cooktop kitchen essentials, a 3-way and grill/oven. One thing that an iPad! 190-litre Dometic fridge, with Sunliner has done to improve Time to Eat a microwave oven above. things is to fit four drawers instead of cupboards, plus a In short, the kitchen area is he Pinto 3’s nearside wire basket slide-out pantry. quite compact, but still very kitchen bench gives the Normally there isn’t a drawer appearance of being functional. T Tested: Sunliner Pinto The rear corner bathroom works well and is quite spacious, with a seperate shower and loo. Keeping Clean F itted into the rear offside corner, the bathroom is a bit like the kitchen: larger than it looks and with enough room for a circular shower, Thetford cassette toilet, small wash basin and both upper and lower cupboard space. Not quite enough room to swing a cat (kitten perhaps? - Ed), but still very usable. Ventilation is handled by both a ceiling hatch and a largish window in the rear wall. Not square or rectangular in shape, the bathroom is an interesting take on what can be achieved by stepping out of the box, so to speak! 39 Tested: Sunliner Pinto Generous interior storage and Sunliner’s usual stylish finish, with good attention to detail, is evident throughout the Pinto 3. Bits and Pieces nternal storage is surprisingly good with a full height wardrobe next to the fridge and a multi-shelf cupboard filling the rear wall area not taken by the bathroom. That’s definitely a good idea because there are normally overhead lockers fitted above the lounge seats, which in this case really isn’t practical. I One area the Sunliner do very well usually is their electrical controls - in this case located above the doorway, along with the radio/CD player and easily reachable. What we think aving a bed that can be raised and lowered (electrically) might not suit everybody, but I would have to say that this layout certainly ticks a few boxes for those who desire a permanent bed (one that does not have to be made up every night), but don’t necessarily want a large motorhome. The Pinto 3 certainly offers a different layout to what is most commonly H available and is a nice step away from a full width rear bathroom, yet still offering all the essential features. Special Thanks Sunshine State RV 298 Nicklin Way Warana. Qld. 4575. Click for Google Maps Ph: 07 54936877 W: www.sunshinestaterv.com.au E: [email protected] Tested: Sunliner Pinto Compact and capable, Pinto 3 is also available on the Iveco Daily or Ford Transit cab-chassis. 41 Tested: Sunliner Pinto Specifications Manufacturer Sunliner Motorhomes Model Pinto 3 Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 180 Engine 3.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-diesel Power 132 kW @ 3500 rpm Torque 400 Nm @1 400 rpm Gearbox 6-speed AMT Brakes Disc ABS Tare Weight 3400 kg Gross Vehicle Mass 4005 kg Licence Car Passengers 3 External Length 6.88 m (22 ft 7 in) External Width 2.23 m (7 ft 4 in) External Height 3.09 m (10 ft 1 in) Internal Height 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) Bed Size 1.85 m x 1.37 m (6 ft 1 in x 4 ft 6 in) Lounge Size 1.88 m x 0.61 m (6 ft 2 in x 2 ft) Rear Bed Size Single (2) 2.0 m x 0.6 m (6 ft 7 in x 1 ft 11 in) Front Bed Size 1.75 m x 0.7 m (5 ft 9 in x 2 ft 4 in) Cooktop Thetford Triplex 3-burner & grill/oven Fridge Dometic RM 8551 190-litre Microwave LG Gas 2 x 4.0 kg Lighting 12 V Batteries 1 x 100 AH Solar Panels n/a Air Conditioner Air Command Ibis Hot Water Heater Truma 14-litre Toilet Thetford cassette Shower Separate cubicle Fresh Water Tank 120-litre Grey Water Tank 55-litre Price $134,990 on-road Queensland Pros • Good size bathroom • Plenty of internal storage • Window area on both sides of lounge area • Plenty of “day” living area Cons • Beige/brown colour scheme didn’t do a lot for me • No bed reading lights • Floor step just enough to trip over Contact Sunliner 2 Gatwick Rd Bayswater, Victoria. 3153. Ph: 1800 SUNLINER W: www.sunliner.com.au E: [email protected] Click for Google Maps Sunliner 2012 Return to luxury and style Available in dealerships now [email protected] www.sunliner.com.au 1800 SUNLINER Tested: USA Travel: United & Canada 2plus1 Premier 43 COUNTRY AND WESTERN TO CALYPSO Why not join an escorted motorhome tour of the US and Canada, with a few extra surprises thrown in? Words by Malcolm Street, images courtesy of Graeme Smythe. Travel: USA & Canada For Elvis fans – the Memorial Garden at Gracelands M iami, Nashville, Disney World, Cape Kennedy all bring to mind some glamorous, attractive and historic, not to mention musical, destinations in the USA. Similarly Jamaica, in particular and more generally the Caribbean, bring to mind a very exotic and stunning part of the world. If you have ever had any desires to see any of those places from a motorhome, at least the land based USA content that is, then the good news is Graeme Smyth from Harvey World Travel Menai has stitched together a tour that combines motorhome travel Disney World isn’t just for the children Travel: USA & Canada Cruise ship Freedom of the Seas with the added attraction of a short Caribbean cruise. Starting in Miami, the Nashville to Caribbean tour group picks up their pre-arranged 25 ft/7.62 m motorhomes and heads off for the sights of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. Similar to the Alaska/Canada tour mentioned in the last issue, it’s done in loose convoy formation. That is, destinations and RV parks are fixed each night but during the day participants can travel at their own pace. Key West, Florida It’s not all driving days either, because amongst everything else four nights are enjoyed at the remarkable Disney World Very well laid out RV Park at Destin Florida 45 Travel: USA & Canada Saturday night, French Quarter, New Orleans Deep Fried Crab – good southern food Wilderness Campground and three more are spent seeing the colourful sights and sounds of Nashville. Just a footnote here on the Wilderness Campground, I did wonder about the Wilderness definition – the campsites have all the Nothing like a drive through camp site “essentials” like power, water, TV connection, charcoal grill and a high speed internet connection. No worries about roughing it apparently! Space buffs are bound to enjoy a visit to Cape Kennedy, whilst francophones and jazz buffs can absorb the magic of New Orleans. After three weeks of pleasant travel it’s time to board the luxurious Freedom of the Seas for seven days of idyllic cruising around the Caribbean, taking in the sights of Labadee, Travel: USA & Canada Picturesque St Maarten – cruise destination Jamaica, Georgetown and Cozumel along the way. Sound like a tough call? All play and no work by the looks of it! Nova Scotia to Niagara f the southern US or maybe cruising really isn’t your thing, then how about a 28 day motorhome convoy tour of Eastern Canada, with a bit of the US thrown in as the starting and finishing points? From Boston, Massachusetts, the convoy tour heads north through picturesque Maine and across the Canadian border to unspoiled New Brunswick. Next are a few days in untamed Nova Scotia before heading to beautiful, quaint Prince Edward Island - Anne of Green Gables anyone? I Disney World RV Park amongst the trees Jack Daniel distillery at Lynchburg, Tennessee 47 Travel: USA Alaska & Canada Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City Maid of the Mist tour boat, Niagara Falls After touring the islands and a couple of ferry trips it’s across New Brunswick to brush up on “parlez vous Français” before taking in the sights of historic Quebec City, sprawling Montreal and the capital of Canada, Ottawa. No visit to this part of the world would be complete without a couple of day in lakefront Toronto and of course, that world famous attraction, Niagara Falls. As Rideau Canal, Ottawa any Canadian will tell you, the view is always better from their side! And it really is... Leaving the falls, it’s time to head back through the US states of New Hampshire and Massachusetts in order to return to Boston and hand the motorhome back. Like the aforementioned tours, the motorhomes and RV Parks are booked in advance and all that is needed is to arrive at the right place each day. Naturally everyone tries to get parked up for the night in time for happy hour and those other delights that go with motorhome travel – no matter which continent you’re touring on. Click for Google Maps FROM $11,00 per pe twin s rson hare 0 Feature ON YA BIKE! There’s more to choosing a bicycle than you might think... 51 Feature Mountain bikes are rugged and great for exploring, but are heavy and slow as a consequence. Their upright riding position is most comfortable, however. O ne of the drawbacks of motorhoming is the absence of a ‘second vehicle’ to jump into to buy that milk and bread nonmotorhoming people always believe you’ll forget, once in camp, and/or to simply explore your local area. Short of towing a small car or carrying a motorcycle somehow, a bicycle provides both cheap and easy transport that – most importantly – can deliver a significant health benefit at the same time. But not all bicycles are created equal and choosing the right style is more important than you might think. For example, there’s no point buying a Tour de France contender when all you want is to ride 500 metres to grab that darned milk and bread; but by the same token it’s pointless buying a bells- and-whistles mountain bike for the same mission. Like everything in our society, bicycles – I’ll call them Bikes from now on – come in a bewildering array of styles, shapes and sizes. In a future issue I’ll be looking at the new wave of electric bikes (eBikes): an exciting development for those looking for a helping hand as they ride. Broadly speaking, bikes fall in to three categories: Mountain, Road and Hybrid. Here’s a run through their pros and A road bike explained. Great for exercise, they’re unsuited to an RVer’s needs. Feature These two mountain bikes are ‘hardtails’, meaning they lack rear suspension. Disc brakes, both cable operated and hydraulic, are increasingly common. cons, but first let me explain something really important. Bike Gears 101 ikes in the lower price ranges these days are usually advertised as having 21 or 24 gears and occasionally 27. This is a bit of a misnomer, in the same way saying a 4WD like a Nissan Patrol comes with 10 gears, for example, instead of 5 plus a 2-speed transfer case. Let me explain... B The big sprockets the pedals attach to on any bike are known as ‘chain rings.’ The small ones at the rear wheel are individually called ‘sprockets’, but the group of them is called a ‘cassette’ (you might also hear ‘cluster’ used). A bike with 21 gears will have 3 chain rings of varying sizes up front and a cassette with 7 sprockets (of varying sizes) at the back wheel. Multiply 3 by 7 and you get 21. In bike-shop speak you’d talk about this bike being a ‘seven-speed triple’; meaning seven speeds in the main gear seat and a triple chain ring up-front. When the going is easy you use the biggest front chain ring and when it gets tough you use the smallest. When it’s somewhere in between you use the middle one. But that’s only part of the story. Assisting you down the back are the individual gears of the cassette, which provides a 53 Feature range of ratio options to finetune your pedaling effort. In practice you do most of your gear shifting with the multiple choices offered by the rear cassette set and only change the front gears (chain rings) when the terrain and/ or wind changes appreciably. So in reality, a ‘21-speed bike’ is really a 7-speed bike with 3 gear-range options, but the bottom line is the more gears you have the easier your riding will be. Mountain Bikes ough, rugged and near indestructible, mountain bikes are the favoured choice of RVers around the world. Characterised by suspension, fat tyres, wide handlebars and an upright riding position, they are the SUV of the cycling world and can go just about anywhere. T Mountain bikes have smaller diameter wheels than road bikes and fatter tyres that run at lower pressures. These keep you closer to the ground (good for confidence) and provide good traction on mixed surfaces, but all that rubber creates friction and friction takes effort to overcome. Your effort. Fat tyres make for slow progress, as do chunky tyre patterns that detract from ride comfort on hard surfaces. Mountain bikes are also heavy to cope with their intended usage, thus adding to your riding effort. These days they fall into two sub-categories: hardtail and full-suspension. Suspension on a bicycle is a double-edged sword. On the plus side it enhances overall ride comfort and reduces road shock through the handlebars; a particularly important consideration with older bones. Hardtails have front suspension On the down side it adds only and are the original style weight, complexity and when of mountain bike. Now the you’re riding (especially up hill), province of serious off-road every time it compresses under riders who cycle up hill as well the power stroke as you pedal, as down, they are also the it robs you of energy and cheapest style of mountain increases the overall pedalling bike. effort. Feature This ladies hybrid combines the best features of mountain and road bikes to create the ideal bike style for motorhomers. Dual-suspension mountain bikes are the smoothest riding bikes of all, with the rear suspension designed to cushion the impact of highspeed down-hill descents. They’re ideal if you catch the chairlift to the top of Thredbo and let gravity take you back down, but their added weight and complexity is a real drawback. So too is the increased riding effort, because every time you pedal the rear suspension will compress to some degree, robbing you of some forward motion. As an overall choice a mountain bike would be my second; its weight, slow speed and pedalling effort tarnishing it’s inherent strength, durability and wide gear range Road Bikes s a keen road cyclist I have to say a road bike makes little or no sense A in this application, despite being lighter and faster than any other type of bike. Narrow handlebars, a less relaxed riding position and narrow, high-pressure tyres that are unsuitable to anything other than smooth, hard road surfaces all add up to a lessthan-desirable package best kept for exercise and fun. Hybrids hybrid is generally accepted to be cross between a mountain and a road bike. Delivering lighter weight, faster speeds and easier riding, a hybrid promises (and largely delivers) the best of both worlds. A From a mountain bike a hybrid gets front suspension, wide handle bars and an upright riding position. It also picks up wide-range gearing. From a road bike a hybrid get larger diameter wheels, which are more stable at speed, and narrower tyres, which roll more easily yet are still suitable for a wide range of surfaces. Put the two together and you have a bike that’s lighter and faster than a mountain bike, yet more comfortable and durable than a road bike. Bolt on a rack and some lights and you have a machine that’s as at home riding across rough park after a late trip to the supermarket as it is pottering around the streets of a new town. The Bottom Line s you might have guessed, a hybrid is my preferred and recommended choice for an all-round bike best suited to the motorhoming lifestyle. A No matter your choice, the old axiom that the more you pay the more you get largely 55 Feature Specialised touring bikes, like this Vivente, have a rack/s, lights, mudguards, wide-range gears and can traverse a continent as easily as a car park. holds true. The more you pay the lighter and better built and equipped your bike will be. I’d also recommend buying a new bike from a local bike shop, not a supermarket, department store or car parts superstore. I’ve looked at the shoddy workmanship, welded components that should be solid metal and absolutely basic fittings (gears/brakes/ shifters) in bikes at these places that not only bode poorly for ease of riding and longevity, but also safety. Apart from far better quality from a bike shop, the bike will be fitted to your body size and ready to ride out the door. It will also be backed by a national warranty actually worth the paper it’s written on. brand hybrid can be yours for around $500 or less. The good news is that whatever bike you choose, if you ride it regularly it will help save you money and make you healthier. It will also provide cheap and reliable transport – just the thing Although most bikes are made you need when in Taiwan or China they’re not all you forget the created equal. But that doesn’t bread and milk. mean you have to spend a Again... fortune. A good quality name Travel: Werris Creek LINE OF THOUGHT Werris Creek’s railway heritage makes a fitting backdrop to an award-winning and moving memorial... ... Review and images by Richard Robertson Dramatic, towering sculptures dominate the Australian Railway Monument. 57 Travel: Werris Creek Werris Creek’s beautiful and one bustling platforms now host just two trains per day. Potted History A N ext time you’re near Tamworth, NSW, be sure to visit historic Werris Creek. Steeped in railway history, Werris Creek is also celebrated as our first railway town and is home to the unique Australian Railway Monument: a moving landscaped architectural memorial to those who died in the the service of Australia’s railways. ccording to Wikipedia, European settlers arrived in this part of the Liverpool Plains area in the 1830s and Weia Weia Creek Station was established by the Reverend Francis Vidal around 1841. By the 1870s there were 20 pastoral families occupying the valley and on the eastern side of the present townsite was Summer Hill station, belonging to John Single, after who the main street is now named. Geographically, Werris Creek is overlooked by the 380-metre Travel: Werris Creek tall Mount Terrible; known to locals as Terrible Billy. For the record books, on 18 July 1965 Werris Creek was blanketed by three inches of snow for the first – and only – time in recorded history. History on Track W erris Creek is 411 km north west from Sydney by rail. The town exists because of an 1877 act of Parliament to build a branch line from the then Great Northern Railway, west, to Gunnadah and beyond. January 1st 1878 saw the opening of the Werris Creek post office and between 1878 and 1880 the first railway station opened, although it was relocated to its current position within a year or two. The existing railway station is the third largest in NSW and opened in 1885. Now heritage listed, it was designed by a remarkable but largely forgotten champion of our early railway system: John Whitton. Whitton, a Yorkshireman, is considered the Father of NSW Railways and served as its engineer-in-charge between 1856 and 1899. Responsible for the construction of nearly 3500 km of new lines in NSW and Victoria, he was also the man behind the famous Zig-Zag railway in the Blue Mountains near Lithgow. Travel: Werris Creek Old locomotives never die, they just go to Werris Creek... An interesting design feature of Werris Creek station – which is still in use – is its triangular shape. The platforms are built inside the ‘V’ shape formed by the separation of the two lines, making transfer between trains a matter of strolling across the platform. In it’s heyday Werris Creek station was a hive of activity. Trains rumbled through at all hours and the Railway Refreshment Room provided meals and accommodation to hungry and tired travellers around the clock. These days a solitary CountryLink Xplorer train arrives and is divided at 3:34 every afternoon, with one part heading west to Moree and the other north to Armidale. Every morning at 59 11:29 the two halves rejoin and travel back to Sydney. couldn’t linger, so don’t make the same mistake! The township of Werris Creek, which is primarily a long strip on the eastern side of the railway line, sprung up because of all the railway activity. Even today the town is home to a major locomotive service centre and those thin steel tracks are the spine that binds the local community together. Beautifully designed in the classic Victorian style, the station – with its magnificent brickwork, ornate columns and wide, shady platforms – is a reminder of an age when style and substance were a matter of course for all our public buildings. As mentioned earlier, Werris Creek is the third largest railway station in NSW and a source of great pride for all locals. Monumental Effort lthough Werris Creek is still a working station it also houses the Rail Journeys Museum, which apparently is highly regarded and opens between 10 am and 4 pm daily. Unfortunately, I passed through too early and A The Australian Railway Monument, adjacent to the northern end of the station, is far from the dreary, monolithic edifice its name suggests. Opened in 2005 as a tribute Travel: Werris Creek to the more than 2000 rail workers who have died in the ‘line’ of service since trains first began operating in Australia, it’s a multi-million dollar project that incorporates much poignant symbolism. Built amphitheater-style, the central area is criss-crossed with paths representing the three railway lines branching out from Werris Creek: Northern, Southern and Western. Each disappears into a ‘cutting’, on which, in year order, are listed the names and occupations of those remembered. Towering 3.5-metre abstract sculptures of railway workers on-the-job stand silently by; watching over visitors and guarding the memories of the fallen. Quietly moving yet far from sombre of morose, the Australian Railway Monument is respectful and involving, inviting exploration and invoking introspection as you ponder the efforts and sacrifices made to build and maintain our national railway system. Stopping Over erris Creek township is fairly unremarkable, although the railway theme is nicely carried over into things W like street signs. There is no caravan park, nor any close by, but Camps Australia Wide lists the Laura Byrne Park rest area at Currabubula, about 14 km north of town on the Werris Creek Rd from Tamworth. From memory, Currabubula is quite a pretty little village and well worth a stopover in its own right. To find out more about the Liverpool Plains region visit http://www.visitquirindi.com. au, or www.visitnsw.com for information on any part of New South Wales. The Australian Railway Monument is a thoughtful and poignant tribute to the men of steel who blazed the railway across an inhospitable land... Travel: Werris Creek Workers keeping silent vigil: At 3.5-metres their size represents the triumph of the workers over their huge task – despite a sometimes terrible cost. 61 Mobile Tech... SKIP TO THE LOO My darlings, here’s an app you’ll be busting to get a hold of... i Phone owners are one step closer to never being caught short, thanks to Show The Loo: a free Australia-only app designed purely for your – convenience. Open the app and your iPhone’s in-built GPS zeros in on your current location, showing any nearby public toilets. If there’s more than one to choose from you can slide the map around with your finger and review them at your leisure. However, if time is of the essence just press the yellow I’m Busting button in the top lefthand corner and Show The Loo will show you the closest facility, along with any relevant information like opening hours, baby change facility (in case you’re not Mobile Tech... No matter where in Australia you are, if there’s a toilet nearby, Show The Loo will find it (hopefully). happy with your current baby, I guess) and so on. You can then press the Route button, choose between walking or driving, and up pops (perhaps not the clearest) directions to get you there. Of course, you can always just follow the map if that’s easier. 63 Mobile Tech... You can even refine your search with a range of useful criteria. Show The Loo also has a search facility to scour the countryside for the most convenient convenience. This is a fairly basic app, but so is its raison d'être. And let’s face it, when you’ve got to go you don’t want to have to jump through hoops to get there. Show The Loo suits iPhones or iPod touches, but won’t run on iPads (unlike a lot of iPhone apps) or any other platform. If you’re an Android user try installing the inspiringly-named Toilet/Bathroom Finder. It reportedly has a database of 60,000-plus facilities worldwide, which dare I say is a s..t load of toilets. The same app developer also has an Apple version called Restroom/ Bathroom/Toilet Finder, with the same global database. It seems whatever your mobile device, this company has you covered and for providing such a useful free service we’re certain they will soon be flushed with success. Sorry... 66 Next Issue... NEXT ISSUE C an you believe next issue comes out on December 1st? Where has the year gone? The plan, which as always shall remain flexible, is for Malcolm to bring you a write-up on a Kiwi KEA and for Richard to bring you a touring story in a Suncamper Sovereign Prestige. There should also be a write-up on the 11th annual Bendigo RV, Camping and Leisurefest, some delicious FEB November 9-118-10 NOV 9-11 NOV FEB NOV November 23-25 8-1023-25 9-11 NOV 23-25 roadside eats and a detailed look by resident technical boffin, Collyn Rivers, at the latest standards for gas appliances in all manner of recreational vehicles. See you in two weeks time and as always, please follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ and Twitter iMotorhome) (@iMotorhomeMag) in the mean time. Stay safe, too! February 8-10 FEB 8-10 NZ Motorhome & Caravan Show 11th Annual RV & Camping Leisurefest Newcastle Caravan, Camping & Holiday Expo CBS Canterbury Arena, Christchurch. NZ. • Open 9:00-5:00 daily (4:00 Sunday) • Free parking • Adults $12 • Kids U 12 Free Bendigo Racecourse Heinz St, Epsom. Vic. • 09:30-5:00 daily (4:00 pm Sun) Newcastle Entertainment Centre & Showground Broadmeadow, NSW, 2292. • Website: www. nzmotorhomeshow. co.nz Click for Google Maps • • • • Free parking Adults $10 Seniors $8 Kids U 15 free with adults • Website: www. leisurefest.com.au Click for Google Maps • Open 09:00-5:00 daily (4:00 pm Sun) • Free parking • Adults $10 • Seniors $6 • Kids U 16 free with adults • Website: www.newcastle. supershow.com.au Click for Google Maps 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 [email protected] and we’ll happily promote it in this calendar. NOV 9-11