iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 32 - Sep 07 2013

iMotorhome

32: September 07 2013

magazine

Issue

because getting there is half the fun...

BOUTIQUE

Beauty

Win!

$50 Caltex Fuel Card!

Wirraway’s small volume 260 SL is a real beauty...

Mr Versatile...

KEA NZ’s handy little campervan!

Spot on!

Toowoomba’s great dining experience...

Relax in Paradise

Australia’s Best Quality Motorhomes • Outstanding value for

money, competitively priced from $158,000.

• Unrivalled Safety including

rollover protection, auto-locking cabinetry and superior appliance mounting systems.

• Industry’s longest & most

comprehensive motorhome warranty.

• Built for Australian conditions.

• Models available with or without slide-outs.

• Superior finish with stylish new contoured exterior.

• Patented moulded bins for maximum storage capacity.

• Outstanding road handling & ride comfort.

• Genuine island queen beds and huge wardrobes.

• Spacious rear ensuites with separate toilet & shower.

• Market leading layouts & lifestyle features.

• Full living area slide-outs providing superior living space.

• Proven reliability of Paradise’s patented slide-outs.

Enjoy the prestige of owning Australia’s best quality motorhome Paradise Motor Homes

www.paradisemotorhomes.com.au

245 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters, Queensland, 4216

ph (07) 5597 4400 - email info@paradisemotorhomes.com.au Paradise Motor Homes products are protected by registered designs, patents and copyrights ™ © 2013

On my mind

3

ONLY CHANGE IS CONSTANT...

I

n the natural world, evolution is a painstakingly slow process. In business there isn’t that luxury. iMotorhome is evolving and over the coming months I’ll reveal some exciting developments that will help make the magazine and website more interesting, useful and relevant, but here’s where it begins:

Having listened to your feedback, iMotorhome classifieds are now free to private buyers!

Now, if you have a campervan or motorhome to sell as a private individual, you can place your ad via our website and run it until it sells. We’ve

also added a slideshow feature for viewing images and are working with our excellent new Web Guru to (hopefully) allow you to see how many views your ad has received.

thoughts please drop me a line to richard@imotorhome.com.au

We had a few teething problems with our classifieds and to those who emailed and/ or called I thank you for your patience. I’ll also be refunding your money as an act of good faith, because as much as I’d like to make a fortune from this (ad)venture – pardon the pun – I’d rather have you spread the good word about us!

Classifieds aside, finding our new Web Guru has been an interesting, if often frustrating, journey. On the advice of Guru Mk 1 we initially launched using a particular system designed and hosted by the software giant Adobe. That was fine and I quickly learned a lot about Content Management Systems – CMS in Web speak – which is the vaguely user-friendly back-end software that lets ordinary people update website content ‘and stuff.’

I’ll be continuing to look for ways to tweak the website and magazine, so if you have any

Web Guru Mk 1 worked when it suited her and being a big fish in a small town Web pond Continued...

awrvworld.com.au View today the new Sunliner Twist Limited Edition

5 Melrose Dr, Wodonga 3690

Ph: 02 6024 4222

Follow us on Facebook

Onmy my mind... mind On

4

...Continued

that often wasn’t when it suited me. I also don’t think expecting a reply to an email inside 24/36 hours is unreasonable, is it?

Web Guru Mk 11 came recommended by Adobe and was a lightyear ahead of small pond Guru Mk 1 – but also about the same distance away. They were also used to dealing with the very big fish that inhabit the corporate

pond, but to their credit took in this tiddler from the Bush and went to work. Apparently, big fish like lots of formal structure in their pond, so I couldn’t just email or call and say, “Hey, how about doing this...” It required a written brief, quotes and scheduling into their work flow.

And then waiting. Zzzzz.

Out of the blue Web Guru Mk 111 recently appeared

The iMotorhome Team

like a genie from a bottle, on recommendation from a trusted friend. Now, all my verbal/emailed wishes are his command. Fast, affordable, responsive and even proactive (can you believe?), he has restored my faith in small business in Australia. That’s enough change for now, thanks.

d r a h c Ri

Richard Robertson

Malcolm Street

Agnes Nielsen-Connolly

Publisher & Managing Editor

Consulting Editor

Design & Production Manager

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.

Agnes is an experienced and talented graphic designer with extensive experience across a wide range of disciplines, including travel and advertising.

richard@imotorhome.com.au

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.

malcolm@imotorhome.com.au

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.

agnes@imotorhome.com.au

Designing and producing iMotorhome issues since June 2012, Agnes does much of the behind-the scenes work to ensure every issue looks great and is easy to read.

©2013 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: info@imotorhome.com.au

LOVE YOUR FREEDOM. LOVE YOUR HORIZON.

What’s not to love about the Horizon Motorhomes range.

Inspired layouts with excellent living, sleeping and storage spaces.

Choose from six Horizon models, all passionately built by master craftsman using only the finest fixtures and fittings.

RE NT

S A CA OL ba MPE D EX llin RV CL a AN U 02 cam & M SIVE 66 pe OT LY 81 rs.c OR BY 15 om HO 55 .a ME u CE

horizonmotorhomes.com.au

IN

• •

Mercedes Benz and Fiat Ducato as base vehicles with options of two or four wheel drive Flexible sleeping layouts for singles, couples and friends Stunning well equipped kitchens, bathrooms with showers

BA LL

•

INSIDE EDISNI 3 ON MY MIND Only change is constant...

7 ON YOUR MIND 10 NEWS 14 TESTED 26 TESTED 36 PRODUCT REVIEW 41 CLASSIFIEDS 42 MOBILE TECH 46 ROADSIDE EATS 52 COOK-UP 54 NEXT ISSUE Have your say for a chance to win a $50 Caltex fuel card!

What’s happening in the RV world

Slide of the Times – Malcolm reviews Wirraway’s impressive 260 SL

Mr Versatile – Kea NZ’s small but capable VW camper

Going Glagla! – The first in a new series of product reviews

This week’s featured iMotorhome Classifieds

Apple Turnover – Your iPhone is now handier than ever!

Spot On! – Toowoomba’s Spotted Cow is well worth a visit

Stew On This – Italian beef stew for your next campfire dinner?

What’s coming up, plus our show calendar

6

On your mind

Hi Richard, I was recalling the frustration and time taken searching for particular items in the motorhome that had defied my memory. Surely I would have put it there, it’s only logical, but it wasn't there! So the search went on amongst so many items stored in all manner of places.

Fed up with the constant searching I sat down and drew a schematic/map of all the drawers, cupboards, lockers, under bed and other locations (fine arts degree not required). Labelling A,B,C and

7 It’s 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 – or ask – just drop a line to letters@imotorhome. com.au and we’ll share it with

our readers. We’ll also reward the most interesting, useful or thoughtful letter each issue with a $50 Caltex fuel card to help you on your way.

so on I attached a list of every item in each location. Now all I need to do is reference this list to know precisely where every hard-to-find item is.

The 'where the hell did I put that widget?' is replaced with a brief scan of the map/list.

Going through every item to compile the list was a journey of discovery in itself! There was stuff I didn't even know I had, plus embarrassing duplications! Now where the hell did I put that list??

Ha, that's great Robert and very handy. A $50 Caltex fuel voucher is heading your way – just don't forget where you put it!

Regards, Robert via email

sheets, clothes, rain gear computer cables, maps sleeping bags, pillows pasta, rice, plates

On your mind

8

Hi Richard, I just wonder why it is that many motorhome manufacturers insist on a 'fore-&aft' layout for gas bottle storage?

I have met many owners of newer models from a variety of manufacturers who have their gas bottles mounted one behind the other.

replaced I have a choice: remove the full bottle (usually at the rear) and put the new bottle at the back, or just shove the new one in the front spot. No matter which way I go, I have to remove both bottles – either now or at the next refill – because the bottle at the back runs out eventually.

Our first motorhome had sideby-side 9 kg bottles. Our second, which was a custom Coaster conversion, had two 4.5 kg bottles side-by-side. But our current motorhome, from a major manufacturer, has two 9 kg bottles mounted one behind the other in an underfloor bin. This means that when one bottle is

In our case there is room to have a wider gas bottle box to mount them side-by-side, it just wasn't done. Even the hatch covering the bottles is wide enough.

There is no need to modify the bodywork! Perhaps there is a good argument for having the designers of new motorhomes try living in the prototype long

enough to experience problems such as these...

Regards & God bless, Ray via email.

Hi Ray, couldn't agree with you more. The thought (or lack of it) that goes into many motorhome features – from the arrangement of gas bottles to the placement of power points and TV mounts – often leaves us scratching our heads.

Not sure there is an answer, but I do know that if more designers actually used the machines they design (and for more than a night or two) customers' lives would be easier. Thanks for writing!

01 | February 2013 timetoroam.com.au

Let the good times roll

La Dolce Vita Pr 25 int 50 Po 03 st Ap /0 pr 05 ov 58 ed

1969 Viscount RestoRing a classic

rv reviews Caravan, Camper +

| Camping with JaCk

| snakes + pets1 thompson Issue 01 February 2013

Australia’s most accessible Caravan/RV & Travel magazine.

20,000 copies per issue – estimated readership = 45,000 & growing.

Available nationally at over 600 outlets including Caravan/Holiday parks & Visitor Information centres.

‘Delivered to the places where people have time to relax and read’.

Also available at Caravan & RV Dealerships & Accessory stores.

PLUS the ‘live’ eMagazine read by over 3,000 per issue.

Visit www.timetoroam.com.au for the current and recent editions.

Subscription, advertising & editorial enquiries Ph 02 9695 7749 or info@timetoroam.com.au

On your mind

9

John and his easy-to-miss Suncamper Sydney on their recent adventures.

My husband John and I had a few silly moments on our recent trip. I especially get a laugh at his bad sense of direction in the caravan parks. Granted, we stay in lots of different setups, sometimes close to amenities and sometimes not. At Blackall, Qld, we were in view of the amenities block. John went off for his shower and while I was making the bed, I glanced out to see him looking very puzzled and as I later told him, it looked like he was waiting for a bus! I tapped the window (that’s how close we were) and over he

came. He had no idea where we Great story Pam but don’t worry, were parked!

John’s not alone. One evening in Bangkok Mrs iMotorhome The trouble is he usually gets up didn't see an elephant on the before dawn and one morning pavement on the other side of walked the whole way around the road, as she darted between a bigger park before he found the traffic to get across. She “Syd,” our 24 ft motorhome. We ended up standing about two now joke about him “Catching metres away from it, waiting for a bus...” Another morning when me, and it was very funny when he asked me the time I told him I shouted something about it it was 6.15 am. Off he went to above the street noise and she the shower and later realised replied, "What elephant?" So it was only 4.15 am, when it I pointed... wasn’t getting light! Oops.

Thanks, Pam via email.

News

10

v SUPPORT YOUR Lifestyle v may be drastically changed and we will have no choice but to stay in commercial caravan parks.

M

oTOURing is an informal association of the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA), the National Association of Caravan Clubs (NACC) and the Australasian Touring Caravan, Motorhome and Camping Club (ATCMCC), documented by means of a Memorandum of Understanding.

RV Lifestyle Support Fund

Many Members of CMCA and caravan club members of MoTOURing have encouraged the CMCA to establish a fund to help finance the activities involved in preserving and promoting freedom of choice camping. As a result, they are now launching an ‘RV Lifestyle Support Fund.’

Credit card payments can be made by phoning CMCA NHQ on 02 49 788 788.

The objective is to improve, enhance, promote and protect the interests of RV tourists by representation, under the name of MoTOURing Australia, to government and industry bodies.

Immediate Actions

The Fund is being established to raise voluntary contributions to enable MoTOURing Australia to pursue its objective. Contributions may be made by forwarding a cheque or money order to: CMCA (MoTOURing) PO Box 254 HRMC Warabrook, NSW 2310

When making payments, please state that they are for the RV Lifestyle Support Fund. The Fund will be jointly administered by CMCA and NACC.

Various stakeholders are already strenuously campaigning to hinder RV tourists’ rights to choose where and when they stay in overnight campgrounds, rest areas and/ or showgrounds. If ignored, the current lifestyle enjoyed by RVers

Members have voiced their desire to have the option to stay in either commercial or noncommercial accommodation and to utilise the lowest cost overnight accommodation that is available to them. These options may include a caravan park, showground, campground, rest area, RV Friendly Town™, or Destination.

Statistically, self-contained road based tourists stay in caravan parks one night in three. Therefore, savvy caravan park owners will go out of their way to attract as many members as they can, which, as business people, they should.

Already there are considerable restrictions being imposed on our freedom of choice philosophy.

After receiving four complaints from private caravan site owners about councils providing free or low priced overnight RV camping services, the Office of the Tasmanian Economic Regulator determined that council-provided camping services were in breach of competitive neutrality principles under the National Competition Policy (NCP) that government organisations are required to follow.

This meant that councils were forced to adhere to the principles of competitive neutrality and apply a ‘full cost attribution model’ approach when operating these services.

Continued...

News

11

Continued...

Many showgrounds in Queensland have been closed to RV tourists, despite the fact that commercial caravan parks are being used as accommodation bases for mining industry employees, leaving a shortage of available sites for tourists.

in city streets or car parks. We probably all know of other specific examples.

There are over 65,500 individual Members of CMCA, over 51,000 campervans and motorhomes and approximately 450,000 caravans registered in Australia. The majority Closer to home, Mudgee in of these RVers own self-contained NSW closed the showground to vehicles and want the freedom RV tourists, except for overflow to choose where they stay. They camping, which is charged at the are kindred souls who share and same rate as the caravan parks; and support a common lifestyle, and do Darwin in the Northern Territory is not wish to restrict their camping set to crack down hard on freedom to caravan parks. campers who park up for the night

CMCA Members are asked to support the RV Lifestyle Support Fund to the extent they are financially able. Members of NACC and ATCMCC are also being urged to contribute towards the Fund, which will be used to cover the significant costs incurred in campaigning for freedom of choice camping. The Fund and its objectives will be announced at the Annual General Meeting of the NACC on 24 September 2013 in Rockhampton, QLD and the Annual General Meeting of the CMCA on 23 October 2013 in Narrabri, NSW.

222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph: 03 9588 0077 info@trailblazersrv.com www.trailblazersrv.com

Slide On Campers New aerodynamic shape Improved fuel efficiency

.

Our lightweight construction suits many one tonne vehicles, including Mazda, Landcruiser, Ford Ranger single, extra and twin cab utes and light trucks.

Queen bed and robes

CafĂŠ dining option

L shape kitchen option

Hideaway bathroom option Shower & toilet combo

Full bathroom option

Trailblazers Slide On Campers are Australian designed and built for our conditions. With all the features of a luxury motorhome, a slide on can be easily removed to free up your vehicle. Touring holidays, fishing trips with the tinny behind and 4WD adventures in the outback are more fun with a versatile, manoeuvrable slide on, they even make great demountable site offices. With a range of models to choose from, all campers are built to order to enable you to choose from a range of features and options including appliances, interior finishes and fabrics.

Buy Factory Direct and SAVE

News

12

f Burdekin Tourism Increases f

M

ore tourists are reportedly discovering the natural beauty of the Burdekin in North Queensland, with a 5.5 per cent increase in numbers from April to July this year, according to Burdekin Shire Mayor Bill Lowis.

Cr Lowis said volunteers at the two Visitor Information Centres in the region had recorded an increase in visitors from 7450 to 7864. “This is a great result for the Burdekin as more tourists mean more dollars

and this is vital to keeping our local businesses alive,” he said.

“The Home Hill Comfort Stop has proved a real winner with the travelling public with numbers at the Home Hill VIC increasing 9.44 per cent. This year from April through to the end of July there were 4219 visitors pass through the Home Hill Information Centre, compared to 3855 last year for the same period.”

Cr Lowis said the success of the Comfort Stop was behind the rise in visitors to the Home Hill VIC. The Comfort Stop has been open for nine years now and we have seen visitor numbers to the region gradually increase as a result of Council building this facility. The Comfort Stop has free restrooms, showers, cooking facilities and dump. As well, self-contained motorhomes and caravans are permitted to park safely behind the building in Railway Avenue for up to 48 hours.

Cr Lowis said Home Hill’s listing by the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia as an RV Friendly Town also was a bonus for the town. “Being a RV Friendly Town means Home Hill gets promoted to thousands of mobile travellers as a great place to stay. People pull into Home Hill knowing that the town has everything they need, and the locals have a welcoming attitude.”

News

13

Y THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME?Z

when free-camped, this American motorhome will apparently have a solar-powered engine, although no details are available. But the Company says the sizable solar panels on the roof and awnings, plus hydrogen fuel cells, have been installed as a viable alternative power source.

The motorhome includes charging points for electric motorbikes and Segways, but the most impressive feature is its condensation capture technology, which generates water from air.

U

S-based Robrady Designs has created a luxurious yet ecologically sustainable motorhome concept that might one day make it into production.

At the very least, it points the way to future design trends and thinking in America.

Apart from anything else, the new design is slimmer than the traditional American RV and therefore more fuel efficient – a good selling point as fuel costs continue to climb. And while most of us are content with solar panels to charge the house batteries and keep the fridge running

This hugely ambitious project is still in the prototype stage and there is no indication of when to expect it on the streets. However, the development of such a revolutionary vehicle marks a small step for man, but one giant step for environmentally friendly RVs.

Day Test: Wirraway 260 SL

A Slide

14

of the Times!

There’s spacious living aplenty in Wirraway’s capacious 260 SL...

Review and images by Malcolm Street & Wirraway Campers

Day Test: Wirraway 260 SL

15

The almost full-length slideout greatly increases living room, but blocks access to bins when extended.

I

The Vehicle ike all the Wirraway range the 260 SL is based on a Mercedes Benz Sprinter 516 CDI cab-chassis, which comes with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 5250 kg. It should be noted that this is above the normal 5000 kg A good example is Wirraway specification for a Benz and Motorhomes, based in beautiful also, being above 4500 kg it Mildura on the mighty Murray requires an Light Rigid (LR) River, in the far northwestern truck licence to drive it. A point corner of Victoria. Under the of note is that the tare weight ownership of Rob Tonkin of 4230 kg gives the 260 SL a the company has found very good load capacity. a successful niche in the motorhome market for which Construction wise, the 260 SL it mostly builds a small range has a frame built from RHS of B-class motorhomes: the aluminium that supports a 12 ‘260s’. For this review I am mm plywood floor. Composite going to take a look at the 260 styrofoam/fibreglass vacuum SL model: that being a 260 sealed panels form-up the wall with a slide-out. structure, which includes Seitz n the world of motorhome manufacturers there are a number of smaller builders who turn out a well designed boutique product, but prefer to keep their manufacturing output at a controlled and manageable level.

L

double glazed hopper windows and a Dometic style door with opening top-half window. Also included, of course, is the slide-out that takes up more than two thirds of the offside wall. It's driven by a heavyduty electric motor that can be overridden by manual operation if needed. Two-pack epoxy paint is used on the entire body structure.

A standout feature of any Wirraway motorhome is its external storage. Instead of being conventional bins, most are drawer based, with some having a dust sealing lid – and all can be locked and unlocked remotely!

The external bin setup is a little different to the usual

Day Test: Wirraway 260 SL

16

Slide-out drawers rather than lift-up bin doors are a Wirraway trademark – and very practical. arrangement, but does mean minimal bending over for everything, including the gas cylinder bin and the storage for the 2 kVA generator. A slight problem with the offside bins, except for the one immediately under the bed, is that they are not readily accessible with the slide-out open. Selective packing is clearly called for.

However, on the nearside it also means a convenient table top for the adjoining slide-out BBQ. The BBQ is in the rear bin, alongside an automatic hose rewinder with a food grade hose and pressure delivery that allows for washing the motorhome or pumping water to or from another source, even a river. One of

The slideout barbecue uses the bin door as an added splash guard. the advantages of the BBQ’s location is that the top-hinged bin-lid prevents BBQ spatter and fumes from staining the side of the motorhome.

On the Road aving driven the 516 with its 120 kW / 360 Nm turbo diesel motor, I have to say that it does not lack in the motive power department. Undoubtedly

H

Day Test: Wirraway 260 SL

17

Beautiful Tasmanian Myrtle cabinetry is used throughout and adds a real feeling of quality.

140 kW V6 turbo diesel and seven speed auto.

Living Inside or the fit out of the 260 SL, Tasmanian Myrtle timber or laminate is used for all the interior cabinetry work and the end result is very pleasing to the eye. Large roof hatches, generous window space and a glossy white ceiling all contribute to a light, bright interior.

F An electric awing is standard, along with power operation of the slideout bins. the feature that makes the Benz stand out amongst its competitors is the super smooth five speed auto gearbox that kicks up and down through the gears on demand. Given its length of

7.9 m/26 ft, the 260 SL isn't a particularly demanding vehicle to drive and certainly does not show any quirks when rolling along. For those who like a little more grunt underfoot the option is the 519 CDI, with its

That increases greatly, of course, when the slide-out is opened. Built into the slideout from front to rear are a sideways facing lounge, fridge with microwave oven above and an east-west queensized bed. Across the rear of

Day Test: Wirraway 260 SL the motorhome is a full width bathroom and the kitchen fills the front nearside wall area.

Both driver and passenger seats swivel around and together with a removable table and the side lounge, they form up a neat dining/lounging area.

Lounging Around p front, it's quite easy getting in and out of the swivelled seats. Above the front seats the cab is fully opened up, but there are small cabinets on either side plus the trademark Wirraway clock in the middle. In conjunction with the sideways facing lounge, two tables are supplied: one square, for normal eating and the other, an hour glass shape for nibblies and drinks. Both tables can be stored behind the lounge seat. An additional feature behind the passenger seat is a small cabinet that can also be used for drinks or for a small laptop computer. For TV viewers, a flat screen TV is mounted on the mid nearside wall, thus able to be seen from either the seating area or the bed without too much difficulty.

U

Time to Eat ooking surprisingly small, but not really, is the kitchen bench. It comes with a Stoves-brand four burner cooktop, grill and oven, along with a stainless steel sink, sans drainer. Eight good sized drawers make up the storage, along with three overhead lockers. About the only thing not in abundance is

View from the lounge, with the slideout: Cavernous!

L

The lounge, fridge and bed are all in the driver’s side slideout.

18

Day Test: Wirraway 260 SL

Despite masses of living room with the slideout deployed, the Wirraway is an otherwise streamlined machine.

19

Day Test: Wirraway 260 SL

20 much bench top area. A nice little addition in the adjoining overhead lockers in the bedroom area is the LED-lit wine glass storage. Apart from being practical it adds a touch of class. As noted previously, the fridge and microwave oven are located on the opposite side.

Compact kitchen is well equipped but a bit short of bench space.

Sensible, spacious and more like a small apartment than a motorhome.

There’s plenty of storage space above the kitchen area.

After Hours fair bit of space is taken up by the bed, but it does have the full kit in terms of a bed head with overhead lockers, side wardrobes and bedside cabinets; nicely split to give a decent shelf area beside the bed. Two large drawers are fitted under the bed and that is in addition to the larger external drawer. In the nearside rear corner, a small cupboard fills a better function as a full length wall mirror. One of the assets of having the bed in the slide-out is that there is certainly plenty of walk around room.

A

Keeping Clean uite common in British/ European caravans and motorhomes is the circular shower cubicle that is fitted into the nearside corner of the bathroom. A concertina curtain can be used for privacy to close off the bathroom from the rest of the motorhome. Fitting into the rest of the bathroom is a Thetford ceramic cassette toilet and a small vanity area that includes a very contemporary looking blue wash basin above the bench.

Q

Day Test: Wirraway 260 SL

21 Venting is carried out by the fan hatch above the shower but there isn't one above the loo; a large window in the rear wall helps in this regard. Mirrored doors are fitted to all the overhead lockers but they are all non-angled, which makes them awkward for shorter persons.

The bedroom only needs a privacy screen to make it perfect!

From the bed: Plenty of room and easy bathroom access.

Bathroom is light and airy.

Electrics n motorhomes of the Wirraway’s calibre the electrics are always going to be quite sophisticated.

A control panel is located above the entry door, along with the hot water switch and Winegard TV antenna controls.

In addition, the timber panel beside the door has a few other essentials like the slideout switch, electric awning switch and both a 240V and 12V socket.

I

Contemporary blue hand basin is a nice feature.

Day Test: Wirraway 260 SL

22

Electrical controls above the door are well positioned.

Electric step switch and remote for the side bins.

All the lighting is energy efficient LEDs. Keeping the two 120 AH house batteries charged up are a 25 A smart charger, the vehicle alternator and 80 W solar panel. The latter might seem to have a low rating but the fridge is a three way unit and extra panels can be added.

Controlling all those items – in addition to security lighting, event timing and automatic

Euro-style circular shower is a neat fit.

filling of the drinking water tank – is an EC325 control panel and accompanying power supply. Being microprocessor controlled, it’s a case of set and forget if desired, but tech heads can certainly have a fiddle!

The Bottom Line s might be noticed, the Wirraway 260 SL is a motorhome packed with

A

features. Given the large offside slide-out, the accent inside is very much on spacious living.

That of course is accompanied by just about every feature available for comfortable and stylish motorhome travel, and there are few manufacturers with such a loyal and enthusiastic band of owners.

That in itself should tell you everything.

Day Test: Wirraway 260 SL

23

Wirraway is a boutique motorhome builder with a loyal and enthusiastic following, which speaks volumes for the business and its products.

Day Test: Wirraway 260 SL

24

Specifications Manufacturer

Wirraway Motor Homes

Model

Mercedes Benz Sprinter 516 CDI

Engine

2.2 litre turbo-diesel

Power

120 kW @ 3800 rpm

Torque

360 Nm @ 1400-2400 rpm

Gearbox

5-speed auto

Brakes

4 wheel disc ABS

Tare Weight

4230 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass

5250 kg

Licence

Light Rigid

Passengers

2

External Length

7.9 m (25 ft 11 in)

External Width

2.25 m (7 ft 5 in)

External Height

3.15 m (10 ft 4 in)

Internal Height

2.0 m (6 ft 6 in)

Rear Bed Size

1.83 m (6 ft) x 1.37 m (4 ft 6 in)

Cooktop

Stoves 4 burner cooktop/grill/oven

Fridge

Dometic RM 2555 150-litre AES

Microwave

Sharp Carousel

Lighting

12V LED

Batteries

2 x 120 AH

Gas

3 x 4.5 kg

Heater

Optional

Solar Panels

1 x 80 W

Air Conditioner

Air Command Ibis

Hot Water Heater

Truma 14-litre

Toilet

Thetford cassette

Shower

Separate cubicle

Fresh Water Tank

118-litre

Grey Water Tank

52-litre

Price

$245,000 on road VIC

Pros

• Spacious interior • Mercedes Benz cab-chassis • Well laid out front cab area when seats swivelled • Different table combinations • Bedroom cabinet layout • Water tank/hose setup • BBQ arrangement

Cons

• Storage bins under open slide-out • Small water capacity • Only one bathroom exhaust fan • One external wall light

Contact Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura VIC 3500

Click for Google Maps

Ph: (03) 5023 0230 W: www.wirraway.com.au E: wirraway@ncable.com.au

Day Test: Wirraway 260 SL

25

The Wirraway 260 SL is compact enough to get you to most places easily.

The Wirraway 260 SL

With it’s Full Length Slideout Room & Apartment Styled Layout !

From WIRRAWAY, “Australia’s Most Innovative Motorhomes” Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellence.

Our Motorhomes are our passion! Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the road.

New to our Range is the brilliant ‘live like a movie star’ Wirraway 260 SL, the latest in our 260 series; our EuroStyle 260 with it’s European styled interior and “The Motorhome of the Year”, the Wirraway 260.

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence, style and all the legendary design, electrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways.

Each Wirraway Model is unique! - All are a Must See!

View Our New Website to view All Models, Download Brochures &Virtual RealityTours For details contact: Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes, 6 Hynes Court, Mildura Vic 3500

Phone / Fax: (03) 50 230 230 - New Email: info@wirraway.com.au & New Website: www.wirraway.com.au On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 © Rex Willmer

Mini Touring Test: Kea VW 2 + 2

Mr

26

Versatile

KEA NZ’s little campervan packs a lot of versatility into a small and affordable package...

Review and images by Malcolm Street

Mini Touring Test: Kea VW 2 + 2

27

Easily at home on the open road, the little Kea makes exploring side roads and the like easy.

I

was planning a few days on the NZ ski slopes around Lake Wanaka, in the foothills of the Southern Alps, and needed a vehicle that was a bit more than a car but not necessarily a full motorhome. So I decided on one of Kea's VW-based 2+2 Flip-Top Deluxe campers.

If you are wondering about the 2+2 bit, it refers to the fact that although the camper is really designed for 2 people, it can seat 4 and even sleep 4. However, in the latter situation, two really have to be small children.

The Vehicle ea Campers in New Zealand builds a range of vehicles, from two berth campervans to six berth motorhomes, mostly for the rental market but also for private buyers. A slightly smaller range is available in Australia. The 2+2 Flip-Top Deluxe might seem a strange choice for a snow skiing holiday but do please read on.

K

This is one of the few rental campervans based on a Volkswagen T5 rather than one of the Japanese or Korean vans. It comes with a 103 kW 2.5-litre turbo-

diesel that drives through a six speed DSG auto gearbox.

That's the VW bit; Kea of course makes a few more changes. The most obvious being the flip-top roof, which is hinged at the rear with rubber clips above the driver and passenger doors to hold it down when driving. Apart from the roof, there's a water filler on the nearside, gas cylinder bin, complete with 4.5 kg gas cylinder on the offside and also a power lead connection socket. Note for Australians here: The power lead plugs and sockets are considerably larger than those used in Australia and certainly

Mini Touring Test: Kea VW 2 + 2

28

This is one of the few rental campervans based on a VW T5 rather than a Japanese or Korean van. cannot be used around the home. Have to say I think the socket is much neater than some I have seen on small NZ van conversions, many of which look like an stuck on afterthought.

On the Road

O

ne of the reasons I opted for the Kea Flip-Top Deluxe was because of its Volkswagen

T5 base vehicle. The 2.0 litre turbo-diesel was ideal for NZ mountain roads and delivered plenty of power when needed.

Driving – or should I say rolling – down the mountain, the engine braking in tandem with the DSG gearbox was very functional. Being slightly wider than its Toyota HiAce equivalent, the VW T5 is also a more stable proposition on steeply winding roads.

Another asset, not that I had to use them this particular trip, is that being front-wheel drive, it's much easier to fit snow chains (being able to turn the wheels). The additional benefit of course is that both the traction and steering are on the chainfitted wheels. Because of a misread kilometre figure I was unable to get an accurate fuel consumption reading but can

Mini Touring Test: Kea VW 2 + 2

29 cushion-fitted shelf area acts as both bed and storage.

Rear-hinged roof gives maximum headroom where you stand. tell you that we drove from Christchurch airport to Wanaka and return (a distance of circa 600 km) on considerably less than one 80-litre tank of fuel.

Living Inside

B

eing a relatively small vehicle there isn't a great deal of internal

space, but Kea has done a good job with the layout, particularly as it's designed to transport four people: two in the front and two in the belted day/night lounge behind. Most of the offside wall is taken up by kitchen bench top and fridge in the front area, and general storage towards the rear. In the rear area itself, the

There’s a surprising amount of room inside to just sit back and relax.

For general sitting around both the cab seats swivel and the day/night lounge also seats two comfortably. For dining, the single pole table looks to be slightly oddly located, but it meshes well with the swivelled front seats and by flipping the rear seat cushion over, it too can be used. For me, if this was a private vehicle, I'd be thinking about an any-whichway fitting (like a Zwaardvis) to give the table a bit more positional flexibility.

Generally, the interior light level is good, especially with the roof raised and the three canvas windows open. By

Mini Touring Test: Kea VW 2 + 2

30

VW’s T5 dash is a model of Euro design efficiency.

Table works well but an adjustable leg would be better.

Not sure how wine glasses would go in a crash!

night, there's a fluorescent light on either side, which means the lighting is basic but adequate. Just about all the electrical controls, along with both 240 and 12 V sockets, are located on a panel behind the driver's seat. A tad awkward to get to unless the driver's seat is pushed fully forward, but having them all centrally located is definitely convenient.

Naturally, this little camper does not have an on board shower and toilet. On their website Kea makes the point that Freedom Camping is not allowed as the vehicle is not fully self-contained. I did find it odd, therefore, that a rival company's campervans – clearly sans both shower and toilet – had a sticker that claimed "This vehicle

Mini Touring Test: Kea VW 2 + 2

31

Electrical controls behind drivers seat can be hard to reach.

Rear seat is approved for two passengers. fully self-contained." Hmmm.

Full marks to Kea for being honest!

Still on the topic of self contained; apart from the shower/toilet bit, this vehicle is self contained in every other respect, being fitted with a grey water tank and solar panels for keeping the house battery up to charge when mains supply is not available.

Time to Eat n a rig this size the catering department is going to be quite simple, but there’s nothing wrong with that. Fitted into the minimal benchtop are a two burner cooktop, avec lid, and a stainless steel sink.

Completing the picture is a 90 litre Vitrifrigo compressor

I

Cooker is neat but there’s no bench space. fridge. The sink has both a standard hot/cold water tap and filtered drinking water as well.

I should point out that since this is a rental vehicle all the

necessary cooking and eating utensils are supplied. That includes two wine glasses and a coffee plunger: those simple items adding an effective touch of class. All of the gear, except for the wine glasses

Mini Touring Test: Kea VW 2 + 2

32

Kea equips its rentals well. Storage space is easily accessed, too. mounted in their own wall rack, take up the shelved cupboard space and two drawers.

After Hours s you’d rightly expect, making up the main bed is quite a simple affair. I know that because I have actually camped out in one of these vehicles in times past. It's a matter of folding down the day/night lounge to give a flat bed (in conjunction with the cushion in the rear) and making up the bed with the supplied pillows, sleeping bags and blankets. When laid out the bed measures 2.0 m x 1.3 m (6 ft 7 in x 4 ft 3 in). For two people it is possible to

A

Bed allows sleeping either way around.

Wardrobe roller doors provide access without taking up space.

Mini Touring Test: Kea VW 2 + 2

33

With its rear hinged roof and wardrobe roller doors the Kea is very reminiscent of a Trakka Trakkadu.

Very reminiscent... leave the bed made-up when travelling and just use the front seats for everything else.

Many people don't believe it but there is a second bed in this van, in the roof area.

It measures 1.8 m x 1.3 m (5 ft 11 in x 4 ft 3 in) and will either suit two young children or one small adult. It's a bit tricky to get in and out of, so the sleeper(s) need to be a bit agile!

What We Think have to say that although one of my favourite Kea rigs for accommodation purposes is the four-berth motorhome, my very favourite for just about anything else is the 2+2 Flip-Top Deluxe

I

campervan, because it is a very versatile vehicle. It can certainly be used for its intended purpose of camping, but it can be equally well used as a people transport, load carrier or even the way I used it: as a sort of day vehicle.

Ideal for two people, it can easily carry an excessive amount of luggage like ski gear and has facilities such as the fridge and cooktop for meals when out. Anyone who has bought lunches at ski field restaurants will understand the good economics of those latter features! It's external dimensions also make it ideal for an around town vehicle.

All up, a very flexible and user friendly vehicle.

Fixed-position table could be improved.

Mini Touring Test: Kea VW 2 + 2

34

Specifications Manufacturer

Kea (NZ) Motorhome

Model

2+2 Flip-Top Deluxe Campervan

Base Vehicle

Volkswagen T5 Transporter

Engine

2.0-litre turbo-diesel

Power

103 kW @ 3500 rpm

Torque

340 Nm @ 1750-2500 rpm

Gearbox

Six speed DSG auto

Brakes

ABS disc

Tare Weight

1985 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass

2800 kg

Licence

Car

External Length

5.30 m (17 ft 5 in)

External Width

1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)

External Height

2.05 m (6 ft 9 in)

Internal Height

2.00 m (6 ft 8 in)

Rear Bed Size

2.0 m x 1.3 m (6 ft 8 in x 4 ft 9 in)

Upper Bed Size

Suitable for 1 adult or 2 children up to 10 yrs old

Cooktop

Smev 2 burner

Fridge

Virtrifrigo 90 litre 12/240 V

Microwave

n/a

Lighting

12 V Fluorescent

Batteries

1 x 100 AH

Solar Panel

62 W

Heater

Fan heater (240V)

Air Conditioner

n/a

Hot Water Heater

10-litre Marine 12 V/heat exchange

Toilet

n/a

Shower

n/a

Fresh Water Tank

65-litre

Grey Water Tank

55-litre

Gas Cylinders

1 x 4.5 kg

Kea Auckland

Price

For rental pricing contact Kea NZ

36 Richard Pearse Drive Mangere, 2022, NZ. Ph: 0800 52 00 52 W: nzrentals.keacampers.com E: keares@thlonline.com

Pros • • • • •

Well fitted out VW T5 base vehicle Swivelling front seats Rear bed easily made up Generally good internal storage space

Cons

• Minimal light fittings • Top bed awkward to get into • Single pole table mount

Contact Kea Christchurch

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

530-544 Memorial Avenue Christchurch 8053, NZ. Ph: 0800 52 00 50 W: nzrentals.keacampers.com E: keares@thlonline.com

Mini Touring Test: Kea VW 2 + 2

Because of its small size and versatility this is one of my favourite touring vehicles.

35

Product Test: Glagla Shoes

Going Glagla!

Glagla shoes are crazy, fun and perhaps the best things for your feet when the weather warms up...

36

Product Test: Glagla Shoes

37

On land or in water, Glaglas are right at home. They’re also super light to pack when you travel.

T

his is the first in a new series in iMotorhome: Real world product tests! In fact this is the first part of the first product test, because we’ll be testing these remarkable shoes all through the coming spring and summer and reporting back on their performance.

What are Glaglas, I hear you ask, and what makes them special? laglas – pronounced Glar Glars – are the brainchild of a clever French-Algerian engineer and entrepreneur, Karim Oumnia, whose company has, amongst other things, designed and manufactured the world’s lightest soccer boots. Now worn by the likes of Antonio Banderas,

G

Beyonce and even Mike Myers, Glagla shoes are super light and super cool – literally: They’re ventilated!

To quote from Company literature: lagla footwear are not just other shoes.

Thanks to its outsole structure, Glagla footwear allows for free air circulation throughout the shoe, thus keeping your feet cool. And their ultra lightweight structure provides Glagla shoes with a comfort comparable to barefoot walking.

G

In wearing Glagla's your foot temperature will drop by 6°C and your foot perspiration will be reduced by 50%.

Glagla shoes are not only perfectly suitable for outdoor

activities such as walking, travelling, sailing, cycling, but may also be used for indoor activities such as dancing, training at the gym, or any sport that causes feet to heat up…

And last but not least, you will love their easy care. Just throw them in the washing machine and then let them drip-dry.

So we’ll be putting them to the test in the crucible of the forthcoming Australian summer during motorhome tests, while we cycle, go for a walk or whatever.

Already, Mrs iMotorhome has taken hers to Hawaii and worn them from the soft lawns of the Pink Palace to the golden sands of Waikiki

Product Test: Glagla Shoes

Not only are the mesh tops ventilated, so are the soles. and even the harsh floors of a massive shopping mall, and has nothing but praise.

Indeed, because of their striking colour combination – called Tutti Frutti – she reported quite a lot of interest everywhere she went!

The good news, if you’re not

38

Glaglas come in a range of styles – and colours!

into standing out from the crowd, is that Glaglas come in a range of colours, from the discreet to the, um, Tutti Frutti, as well as a range of styles, including clogs.

From their nylon mesh uppers to their strong, ventilated soles, these shoes are in for

What? Glagla Classic Tutti Frutti sports shoes Why? Unique light weight and ventilated design Tip? Buy one size larger than you usually take!

Cost? $79.95 Where? www.glaglashoes.com.au

a lot of punishment in the months ahead. Will they stand up to our abuse, will they keep our feet cool and will we dare publish a photo of the two of us wearing them while riding our tandem? Only time will tell.

Stay tuned, dear reader, stay tuned...

Product Test: Glagla Shoes

Glaglas might just be the ultimate shoes for travellers.

39

40 magazine

iMotorhome

because getting there is half the fun...

iMotorhome Classifieds are for private sellers and dealers alike, and are now FREE for private sellers!

• Motorhomes and campervans only • unlimited words • Up to 12 photos per ad • New slideshow feature!

• Unlimited edits and updates • Selected ads appear in iMotorhome eMagazine • Advertise until sold

Visit www.imotorhome.com.au today

Classifieds: Snapshots

iMotorhome Featured Classifieds

41

Mobile Tech: Apple Maps

42

APPLE TURNOVER!

Apple’s iPhone Maps app now has turn-by-turn navigation...

Mobile Tech: Apple Maps

43 Multiple routes are offered, with Route 1 usually the quickest. (see left)

Apple Maps stores past places for easy revisits. (see right)

W

hen Apple launched its Maps app a year or so back it proved an unmitigated disaster. Apple Maps replaced Google Maps as the default mapping app on iPhones; both new and with the iOS 6 upgrade in early 2012. Towns turned up in the wrong place and

websites and blogs sprung up to catalogue the appalling list of errors that would have had Apple founder, Steve Jobs, turning in his neatly manicured grave. Some cited it as the beginning of the end of Apple in the post-Jobs era, but like premature reports of Mark Twain’s death, rumours

of Apple’s impending demise were greatly exaggerated.

Now all the excitement has died away – largely because everyone downloaded the Google Maps app in its place – I was interested to recently learn that the much maligned Apple mapping app

Mobile Tech: Apple Maps

44

Map displays are simple and easy to read, while Siri’s voice instructions are clear.

now features turn-by-turn directions, potentially making it a free in-car (and on foot, bike, etc) GPS for iPhone owners.

This sounded almost too good to be true, so I set out to investigate.

One Good Turn... he Apple Boffins have been quietly boffining away and the Maps app now seems to work

T

as effectively as the hugely popular Google Maps app it replaced.

includes the name of the next street you need to turn on to.

Unlike fully-featured GPS apps Where it really shines is in the like TomTom, for instance, ability to enter an address or there are no supplementary search for a business and features like red light cameras, have it navigate you there, turn distance to your destination by turn. Under the unwavering, or your speed displayed with if unhumours, guidance of Siri satellite precision; but as a (Apple’s inbuilt voice operated basic get-you-there GPS it personal assistant), Apple seemed to work a treat.

Maps now provides clear and Map displays are simple yet easy to follow directions that

Mobile Tech: Apple Maps

45

There are no extras like red light cameras, time-to-destination or speed. Regardless, the Maps app makes an excellent GPS that’s simple and easy to use.

clear and not only does Siri tell you the name of the next street to turn at or exit to take, it’s prominently displayed on the moving map page. You can also view the maps in landscape or portrait modes.

As an experiment I tried searching for our local cooperative – not the sort of small town business you’d think such a service would

know of – yet it found it straight away and offered me a choice of routes. The default route seems to be the best, but it’s nice to have options. The only downside is you need a telephone data signal to search/download the route, but the upside is Apple Maps works in most major countries and could easily be used as your sole in-vehicle GPS when you’re on holidays

(data download limitations not withstanding).

Considering this is a standard feature on new and most older iPhones now, Apple Map’s turn-by-turn GPS feature is a great inclusion that simply helps cement the iPhone’s position as the best and easiest to use smartphone (sorry Android/Windows Phone people, it just is).

Roadside Eats: Spotted Cow

SPOT ON

46

Toowoomba’s Spotted Cow pub is a great ‘spot’ for lunch or dinner...

Roadside Eats: Spotted Cow

47

Distinctive and fun, the Spotted Cow’s bistro is in the new extension at the rear.

A

bout a decade ago Mrs iMotorhome and I happened across the Spotted Cow in Toowoomba.

It was around lunchtime and we wandered in, more out of a love of cows than pubs or pub fare, but what we found was memorable: a bustling boutique restaurant and a bewildering banquet of beer.

The Spotted Cow has been a Toowoomba landmark for 121 years, originally opening for business in 1892 as the Sovereign Hotel – the very year the fledgling settlement was officially declared a township. Situated at the northern end of Ruthven Street, the Spotted Cow didn’t escape the ravages of the

Distinctive and fun, the Spotted Cow’s bistro is in the new extension at the re 2011 floods, but reopened as in Horizon’s 4WD Waratah good as new and considerably motorhome. enlarged.

The small restaurant section we originally dined in has Glad to see the place was been replaced by a sizable looking as good as ever, we extension at the rear, which is stopped by on our way back a bit of a shame as it feels less to Ballina at the end of our intimate and more pub/RSL Plenty Highway adventure

Roadside Eats: Spotted Cow

48

Hoergaarden beer mussels with citrus, chilli, garlic and ginger: Worth fighting over...

like. The good news is the Spotted Cow’s signature dish – a 1 kg pot of steamed black mussels from Tasmania’s Spring Bay for $24.90 – is still centre stage and still just as good as ever (if rather more expensive than we remember!)

Five versions are available: Provençale – tomato, herbs and coriander Bungalow – ginger, garlic, chilli and basil

Laksa – traditional with coriander and coconut creak Hoergaarden – Hoergaarden beer, citrus, chilli, garlic and ginger St Germain – white wine, chives, saffron and creamy garlic sauce.

On our original visit we had the Laksa – we love hot and spicy food – and it was where Mrs iMotorhome began

her love affair with cooking mussels at home (see Issue 29). This time around we tried the Hoergaarden, which is much more delicate, while the beer-based ‘base’ was good enough to drink!

We shared a kilo pot because we already had lunch prepared and waiting in the Waratah, but a kilo pot each would be the go normally.

Funnily enough, a couple pulled up in an old HiAce

Roadside Eats: Spotted Cow

49

The Spotted Cow is a Toowoomba landmark worth a visit for a meal or just a quick beer. Funny photos are optional . . .

Roadside Eats: Spotted Cow

50

In the bistro, meals of all types are on offer, but try the signature 1 kg pot of mussels. campervan right outside the window, while we were dining, and came in for a pot each.

Great minds!

Beer lovers will find the Spotted Cow’s Jersey Bar – cleverly named as a play on words to do with football jumpers and not the bovines – bursting with a huge range of brews from boutique Australian breweries as well as many imports. Just watch the prices, though. We each had a glass of Hoergaarden to

go with our matching mussels and they cost $12 each!

Mussels aside, the Spotted Cow does the usual lunch things like burgers, pizzas, steaks, salads, seafood and so on. Prices range from $6.50 for a ham or chicken sandwich with salad and grain mustard, to $24.90 for a seafood pizza with marinated calamari, tiger prawns and Queensland sea scallops with a hint of chilli and shaved pecorino. A Big Cow Lunch

T-Bone, with chips or potato and salad or vegetables and a choice of brandy and green peppercorn, mushroom or Diane sauces (or gravy) is $10.50, while Beer Battered Barramundi with chips and aioli costs $12.90.

The Spotted Cow is a fun and interesting place worth a visit next time you’re in Queensland’s Garden City.

Stop by for a meal or just a drink, but do drop in – it’s a great spot...

CONTACT DETAILS The Spotted Cow 296 Ruthven St (cnr Campbell St) Toowoomba. Qld. 4350.

T: (07) 4639 3264 W: spottedcow.com.au

Roadside Eats: Spotted Cow We both had a glass of Hoergaarden to match our mussels, but they cost $12 each.

Cheers!

51

Cook-up: Stew On This

pa

Ciam s s e J by

Stew On This!

Spring might be with us but there are still plenty of cool nights to enjoy this hearty Italian beef stew...

52

Cook-up: Stew On This

53

T

here’s nothing like a hearty stew on a cold night! This delicious Italian style beef stew is easy to prepare and makes a great meal while you’re on the road. We cooked it in a cast iron pot over an open fire and it will feed four people with some nice crusty bread.

Italian beef stew would also go well with rice!

Italian Beef Stew • 1/2 cup plain flour • 1.5 kg beef chuck steak, cut into 5 cm pieces • 60 ml olive oil (1/4 cup) • 100 g pancetta, coarsely chopped • 2 carrots, peeled, finely chopped (about the size of your thumb nail) • 2 celery sticks, finely chopped (about the size of your thumb nail) • 1 large potato, finely chopped (about the size of your thumb nail) • 1 large brown onion, finely chopped (about the size of your thumb nail) • 8 fresh button mushrooms, whole (about the size of a ten cent piece) • 3 garlic cloves, crushed • 250 ml (1 cup) dry white wine • 400 g can diced tomatoes • 500 ml (2 cups) beef stock • 1 tbs fresh rosemary, chopped • 1 tbs fresh sage, chopped • 2 tbs capers, rinsed, drained, chopped • 1/4 cup fresh continental parsley, chopped • ½ tsp crack black pepper

First... Place flour in a sealable plastic bag.

Season with salt and add the cracked black pepper. Add beef and shake to coat. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook the beef in 3 batches, for 2-3 minutes each or until browned. Transfer to a plate. Use a third of the oil for each batch to cook. You want to seal the meat at this stage to lock in the juices.

Then... Add the pancetta and cook for 3 minutes, then add the carrot, potato, celery, onion and garlic to the pan and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until browned. Stir in the wine, scraping the pan with a flat-edged wooden spoon to dislodge any bits that have cooked onto the base. (This is flavour) Stir in the beef, tomato, stock, rosemary and sage. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1 hour 20 minutes. Now add the mushrooms.

Uncover and simmer for 40 minutes or until the beef is tender and the sauce is thick.

Finally... Stir in the capers. Season with salt and pepper and top with parsley. Enjoy!

Next Issue

54

LONGREACH DOUBLE

N

ext issue will be a first for us: A new vehicle test and an owner review of the previous model.

SEP

SEP

September 13-156-8 20-22

SEP

6-8

Penrith Caravan Camping & Holiday Expo Penrith Panthers, Mulgoa Rd, Penrith. NSW. • Open daily 9:00-5:00 (closes Sunday 4:00) • Parking free • Adults $10 • Seniors $6 • Kids U16 free

www.penrith.supershow.com.au Click for Google Maps

Malcolm will give us his thoughts on Avida’s redesigned Longreach: A big C-class motorhome built on an Isuzu truck cab-chassis.

Substantially reengineered, the new Longreach is comprehensively equipped and one of the largest motorhomes available in Australia today.

To complement Malcolm’s yarn, keen reader Robert Davis will share his thoughts on the previous model Winnebago

September 13-15

SEP

13-15

Longreach. The two should make interesting reading!

We’ll continue our return to both Eats and Apps reviews, plus we have another greatbut-simple recipe you can easily whip up at home or on the road. Until then please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news, comments and a bit of fun. See you on September 21st!

SEP

SEP

20-22September 6-8

SEP

13-15 20-22

SEP

20-22

Orana Caravan, Camping, 4WD, Fish & Boat Show

Covi Motorhome, Caravan & Outdoor Supershow

Dubbo Showground, Cnr Fitzroy & Wingewarra Sts, Dubbo. NSW. • Open 09:00-5:00 daily (closes Sunday 4:00) • Free parking • Adults $15 • Seniors $11 • Kids U16 Free with adult

ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane, Auckland. NZ. • Open daily 9:00-5:00 (closes Sunday 4:00) • Parking $6 • Adults $16 • Multi-day pass $25 • Kids free

http://www.campingshow.com.au/cmsms/index. php?page=orana-2013 Click for Google Maps

http://www.supershow.co.nz

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 info@imotorhome.com.au and we’ll happily promote it in this calendar.

SEP

6-8