Mobile homes of desire
Go exploring with these five-star camping options.
Patriot Camper X3
For those who like to get seriously off the bitumen, a purpose-built off-road camper trailer offers the ability to tackle tough outback tracks such as the Gibb River Road without disintegrating. They are smaller and easier to tow than caravans, but like Dr Who’s TARDIS, they can be surprisingly roomy when unpacked. The Australian-made Patriot X3 (above) measures 30sq m when expanded. Winner of the 2020 Camper Trailer of the Year, this piece of kit is ideal for going bush. It’s easy to set up, with space to sleep five and lots of room to escape the elements; luxury touches include hot water on tap, a tent heating system and a coffee machine. From about $70,000 for the standard model.
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SLRV Commander 8X8
Bigger than just about anything else on the road — or the average inner-city apartment for that matter — the Commander 8x8 (right) is Australia’s most expensive off-road motorhome. Each truck is bespoke, and they start at about $900,000; you can pay up to $2m for a double-storey model with all the bells and whistles. Built in Queensland on a military-spec truck chassis, the eight-wheel-drive, two-storey mansion on wheels is designed to go anywhere with the most advanced onboard power and battery systems available and a water filtration plant for the ultimate long-term, off-grid adventure. Inside, you’ll find all the comforts of home, including three airconditioners, two ovens, two fridges, three freezers, four smart TVs, dishwasher, washing machine, bathroom with separate shower and toilet and 10 beds.
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Oztent RV
After a long day on the road, a tent that one person can put up in less than a minute and is large enough to stand up in is worth its weight in gold. Granted, it may take you a couple of practice runs before you reach the magic 30-second milestone, and you’ll still need to peg it to the ground, but once you’ve mastered the process it really is quick and easy. The Oztent RV range (below left) features side and rear windows and a large awning that can also be attached to the back of your vehicle for ease of access in inclement weather. Smaller ones can also be used as rooftop tents. They’re waterproof, insectproof and robust enough to withstand most conditions. From about $999, rising to $1999 for a two-room model.
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Airstream International
Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks, Andy Garcia, Sandra Bullock, Sean Penn, Hugh Grant and Johnny Depp have all owned one, Matthew McConaughey has three. Neil Armstrong and his fellow Apollo 11 crew members were quarantined for three weeks in one after returning from the moon in 1969, and they’ve long been the movie stars’ dressing room of choice while on location. You too can hit the road, celebrity style, in an Airstream. Much more than a caravan, the silver-bullet trailers are a road trip icon. The aerodynamic shape and riveted styling, based on early aircraft aesthetics, have hardly changed since 1931 when the first models were built by company founder Wally Byam. Legend has it he created the unique aluminium trailer in response to his wife’s refusal to sleep on the ground or go camping without a kitchen. An Airstream may be authentically retro on the outside, but it’s entirely modern on the inside. Walls are silver and corners are curved. It’s long and narrow, with plenty of head room (Byam insisted the trailers be high enough for a Texan to walk around with his hat on), queen-size bed, ensuite and lots of storage space. From about $140,000.
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