Outdoor leisure show a one-stop-shop

IF you’re planning a family caravan or camping holiday, there’s only one place you need to be this weekend.

The Prince of Wales Showgrounds transforms into an outdoors wonderland when the annual Bendigo Caravan, Camping and Leisure Roadshow gets under way.

From 9am to 4pm today through to Sunday, everything a prospective camper will need will be on show; vehicles, caravans, motor homes, accessories, equipment and more.

And according to show director Jeff Leech, the event is basically a one-stop-shop for outdoors holidays.

“There’s over 500 caravans on display,” Mr Leech said.

He said the event’s major advantage was that it gathered virtually everything together in the one place, whereas going to a dealership meant being restricted to only one or several brands.

“But you can look at all the major brands, all the styles here,” he said.

“They can walk around the whole place and see all the major brands in one place, that’s the main thing.”

The range of vehicles and vans will include family vans, off-road vans, hybrids (an advancement on original camper trailers), teardrop appliances that can be towed behind a small car, motorhomes, and camper vans.

“And we’ve got heaps and heaps of accessories,” Mr Leech said. “We’ve got a whole supermarket of accessories for caravan, camping and four-wheel driving.”

A new feature at this year’s roadshow is Your Tow Weight, which throughout each day will offer free talks and advice on how best to pack a caravan and distribute the load to ensure it tows better.

Free children’s entertainment will include pizza-making, arts and crafts and a petting zoo, while entertainer Rick Evans will appear at the food court.

The roadshow is indoors and outdoors, at the two exhibition halls and outside on the main oval.

Admission is $18 adults, $15 concessions, and free for accompanied children under 16. Free parking will be available.