Camper Trailer of the Year 2024 tour | NSW–Qld
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Time to read 16 min
In a first for Camper Trailer of the Year, we took the entrants on a tour to really get to know what it’s like to live with the camper trailers. Over six nights, we covered around 600km, tackling some challenging tracks, cooking, cleaning and sleeping with the campers to get you the real answers.
The CTOTY 2024 tour route
Starting in Narrabri, NSW, we planned our Camper Trailer of the Year presented by REDARC Electronics route to south-east Queensland to include as little time on the bitumen as possible. Our goal was to find epic shooting locations, testing tracks and some fun. With six campers, three judges, photographers and videographers plus the sponsors along for the ride, you can bet it was one hell of a journey. You too can take our trip by either downloading the track route to your Hema device or take notes and go explore!
Part 1 | Bike Territory to Mount Kaputar National Park, NSW
Bike Territory — ‘Castletop’ Narrabri, NSW
Located a short drive east of Narrabri, Bike Territory is a family-owned sheep and cattle property. Bordered on three sides by Mount Kaputar National Park, the 4047-hectare property is filled with wide open paddocks, ridges and easy access into the surrounding mountains.
The name says it all — this property is the ideal spot to bring your camper and offroad motorbikes and enjoy a weekend (or longer) of exploring the varied levels of tracks and hill climbs. There are three lookouts for fantastic views, and the office is conveniently close if you need a hand or some minor repair assistance.
Checking out the Marlin Ultimate Rear Fold
While we didn’t camp there during our visit, there are plenty of campsites around the property for small or large groups with amenities available (including hot showers to wash off the dust and/or mud). It’s not all camping under the stars either; if the weather looks like it’s taking a turn for the worse, The Hanger has a roof and a concrete floor to pull your camper into (organise this with the managers). Or if you prefer a bed, kitchen and bathroom, there’s the Shearers Quarters, The Cottage and the Farmhands House on offer and sleep between 10–28 people.
The Goldfields Grand Duke arriving at Bike Territory
Since we weren’t camping (or pulling out some bikes), you might be wondering why we were there. In a nutshell, we needed a picturesque location for photography and videography of the campers before we started covering them in mud and any chance for clean photos of the suspension disappeared. We weren’t completely successful, with rain making an appearance and turning the tracks into sludge. It was a bit of a fight getting up the hills with the campers in tow, but we managed.
Head to the Bike Territory website to find out more here.
A short breather before the photography and judging of the Stockman Rover 02 Ultra continues
Narrabri, NSW
We’ve done a deep dive on everything to see and do around Narrabri here, so we’ll keep it brief in this feature.
Our home base for the two nights in Narrabri was the Narrabri Big Sky Caravan Park, and the managers there — Tanya and Peter Insch — were endlessly helpful and not at all phased by us taking up the back corner of the park and their 13 cabins. The park is in a great spot for exploring the town, and within easy walking distance of a handful of restaurants and pubs for a meal.
Views of Mount Kaputar National Park
On our first night we headed over to the nearby Outback Shack for a quirky atmosphere and some great pub grub. But we saved the finer dining experience for the event dinner the next night, held at the Tourist Hotel (also within walking distance). The beautifully renovated art deco interior was a fantastic surprise for this small town, and the food and service were enjoyed by all. It was a great night for everyone to get together and chat before the event truly kicked into gear.
Apart from the first round of photography and videography, our main event in Narrabri was the public Showcase, which was held behind the Narrabri Region Visitor Information Centre. All six campers rolled in, freshly washed and ready to put their best face forward as we enticed visitors away from their Mother’s Day gatherings to check out the latest and greatest in the camper trailer industry. We had a great showing, with visitors from Narrabri and the surrounding towns keen to check out the campers, and many expressed appreciation for the range of styles on display.
REDARC Electronics at the Showcase
REDARC Electronics, the major sponsor of the event was in pride of place, both at its stand and within the campers themselves. “It was great to see five out of the six campers using REDARC,” Stewart Lofts, REDARC’s Key Account Manager commented. “The Showcase was fantastic, and the place was buzzing under the gum trees. The people who came along to see the event all had great questions and feedback regarding the REDARC products on display. The peoples’ interest in the campers themselves was great and I’m sure the manufacturers got some great feedback and even some ideas.”
As the vehicle partner for the event, Tough Dog 4WD Suspension had its kitted-out vehicle on display as well, ready to hit the tracks to show its true mettle once the tour began.
Our recovery partner, Tough Dog 4WD Suspension
One of the Showcase highlights was the launch of a new and exciting brand: X Series RV Australia. From the brains behind the successful Lumberjack RV campers, this new brand is dedicated to producing trailers that all have a true ‘X-Factor’ and the the X Series Surge mega-pod did not disappoint.
Once the Showcase wrapped up, it was action stations and the convoy of six campers, photographers, videographers, judges and Tough Dog headed off on the six-day tour north.
Mount Kaputar National Park, NSW
The tour was designed to take the campers along varied and often challenging terrains, and one of the first spots we visited was Barraba Track in Mount Kaputar National Park, just north-east of Narrabri. This national park is a great spot to visit if you enjoy immersing yourself in the NSW wilderness, with camping, four-wheel driving, hiking and much more on offer. Booking access to the park is very simple and operated through NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, which can be done online (nationalparks.nsw.gov.au) or by phone (02 6792 7300). It is $10.25 for a day use permit, which covers one vehicle and up to seven people. You’ll be provided with a code to open the gate to the track, and once in you’re good to go.
Views of Sawn Rocks from Mount Kaputar
Entry is free if you are walking or bike riding. There are no campgrounds along this track, but there are many throughout the park — bookings required.
Stephen and Steph Eals from Goldfields Campers had a great time along the Barraba Track — it was Steph’s first time towing on deep descents and she did a great job considering the tough conditions. “[CTOTY] was an exhilarating experience,” Stephen commented. “The Grand Duke was so great to relax in after some big days on the tracks, including Barraba Track, showcasing its exceptional robustness and versatility. This journey was the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the true capabilities and value for money of our camper and we couldn’t be prouder of its performance.”
Mount Kaputar summit
“Conditions were about as bad as we’d accept for a multi-trailer drive down Mount Kaputar,” Tim said. “It had rained two days before and had been on and off for the week, so the topsoil was saturated. We made it down the track but wouldn’t have fared so well trying to climb it that day.”
Part 2 | Copeton Dam to Emu Creek Retreat , NSW
Copeton Dam, NSW
Next up was Copeton, a small town in the Gwydir Shire that attracts visitors far and wide, all pointing their rigs (and boats) towards the massive Copeton Dam.
While boating and water sport enthusiasts have a great time on the water, Copeton Dam is truly all about the fishing. Murray cod is one of the main attractions, with sizes up to 130cm caught (keep limits are 55–75cm), but you’ll also find golden perch (yellow belly), silver perch, redfin and catfish.
The CTOTY 2024 convoy crossing Copeton Dam
We arrived late and set up camp at Reflections Copeton Waters – Holiday Park, on the western side of the dam, and managed to organise a barbecue before everyone bunked down for the night. The park is in a great spot and very spread out and is closer to bush camping than you’ll find at many other holiday parks, which is its main appeal. That said, it has all the amenities you need, small but affordable cabins, and a really good camp kitchen.
There was a blanket of serious fog the next morning, which didn’t lift until 10.30am, which gave Steve Eals from Goldfields plenty of time to stare longingly at the lake wishing he’d brought his boat and fishing rods with him. Once the fog lifted, we headed across the dam wall for some great convoy shots and low light photography before pointing our rigs towards The Gorge.
Spotting one of the locals
“Our drive to the Gorge was anything but gorgeous,” Tim commented. “Well, aside from the bit crossing the dam wall at Copeton which is a cracker when the light is right.
“We turned north, made our way to the B76 which links the major towns of Grafton and Moree and turned east.
“At Mann River, we turned off onto Jackadgery-Lilydale Road, swung past a great looking if popular free camp by the river and continued up the river to The Gorge. You might wonder why we’d overlook a free camp to pay to stay 25km up the road. Check out the view, it’s worth the $35 per car.”
The Gorge — Heifer Station, NSW
Tucked away in the rolling hills of northeast corner of NSW, The Gorge (or The Clarence Gorge, if you’re being formal) is a family owned and operated cattle station that covers more than 3364 hectares and enjoys around 10km of river frontage onto the Clarence River, including various waterfalls, rockpools and rapids. While the current owners bought the property in 2019, it was previously owned and run by one family for more than 120 years and has operated as a farm stay for the past 30 years.
Views of ‘Mum and Dads’ campsite and Clarence River at The Gorge
If bush camping with views of the river, hills and plenty of fishing opportunities sound like you — then The Gorge is the place to be. There are multiple elevated campsites with river views. We stayed at one of the best, named ‘Mum and Dads’. The ‘Island’ is another great option and during our stay we saw some offroad caravans parked up there who looked like they knew what they were doing and had commanding 360-degree views of the river.
There’s a spot to launch boats, canoes and similar, firewood for sale, and also a well-maintained farmhouse for rent — although why you wouldn’t want to camp here, who knows.
Beautiful foggy morning at The Gorge
Enjoying the easy access to the water
“What I loved about this year is that it was a true test of the campers — six days of living out of the campers, on and offroad travel, river crossings, pulling up at camp late and getting setup in the dark, using every component in the camper and essentially doing everything our customers do,” said Steve Brettoner from Marlin Campers. “And then there’s the fact the tour gave us all the chance to spend social time with other people in the industry who we don’t normally spend time with.”
And on that note, one of the biggest highlights of our stay at The Gorge was Kosta from Tough Dog cooking up a feast of lamb cutlets and sirloin steak for the entire group over an open fire, which is no easy feat. They were seriously good, and if there was a category for best campfire cooking, Kosta would win hands down.
Some of the best steak and lamb courtesy of Kosta at Tough Dog
The next morning, we enjoyed another blanket of fog, which made for some stunning shots given our elevated position. We won’t wax lyrical here — the pictures speak for themselves.
On the whole, everyone had a ball at The Gorge. It’s a great spot, and we can’t recommend it enough. Booking is easy, simply call 02 6647 2173 or head here to find out more.
Lunatic Hotel — Drake Village, NSW
It’s not a road trip without stopping in at some quirky hotels and pubs. Lunatic Hotel was one such, and while it was just a stopping point during the tour, it’s worth a visit if you’re travelling through Drake Village. The name itself is a large part of its appeal, but it’s also a chance to grab a meal and if you need a place to camp there are free unpowered campsites for up to 48hrs behind the hotel. All campers are encouraged to support their stay by making a purchase, such as a meal, in the hotel.
Emu Creek Retreat, NSW
The next challenge for our entrants took place at Emu Creek Retreat, a private property only 30km northeast of Dake Village first opened in 1992 that is now run by Frank and Lynne as a 4WD, camping and recreation park.
On the way to Emu Creek Retreat
The property hosts all sorts of 4WD events throughout the year and it’s also a great place for camping, bushwalking and fantastic views. But if you are a four-wheel driver, it is a bit of a mecca.
Enter the CTOTY convoy. We spent a night here, enjoying the amenities (hot showers and flush toilets are always a winner) and the fact that as a private property we could push the campers a bit further than we can on public land.
This is where we did most of our river crossings, putting each camper’s clearance and waterproofing to the test. The Upper Clarence River was slightly up due to recent rain, which made for some deep crossings. All the campers got to make a splash and received the tick of waterproof approval after repeated crossings.
We won’t name names but there was a lesson in how to remove a dead axle
The whole crew had a great time hitting the tracks and then heading back to the campground for a chance to relax and socialise.
“Emu Creek Retreat is a stunning spot for 4WDs, camping and recreation — it offers something for everyone,” commented Blake Jones from Tough Dog. “From picturesque camping spots by the river to 4WD tracks suitable for beginners and seasoned offroaders alike. The amenities at Emu Creek are top-notch, making it one of the best parks in Australia. The cleanliness is impeccable, a true testament to the pride the park owners take in maintaining it. Not to mention, they are incredibly friendly and always go above and beyond to ensure visitors have a fantastic time exploring the park.
“Most people find navigating the car park easy, but our camera crew had a different story to tell. A minor mishap with the Nissan Patrol turned into after dinner entertainment. Once the jokes had stopped, we set out to come up with a plan to safely pull the Patrol back onto the road without risk damaging the back of the car that was up close and personal with some rocks. We were able to recover the vehicle with a two line winch pull to achieve a lateral drag of the vehicle back onto all four wheels on the road.”
Phil Savory from Stockman Products was also a massive fan of this area (and the tour as a whole). “The scenery, 4WD tracks and a myriad of fantastic camp spots in this area were nothing but spectacular. Well-chosen team. We had a ball. I don’t think we put in a peg or raised a sweat the whole trip — just how touring should be! A special thanks to my old mate Reid McGowan and his 1960 ATOMIC coffee machine who kept everyone (especially the Victorians) in proper coffees every morning.”
Part 3 | Crossing the border and on to Janowen Hills 4WD Park, Qld
Emu Creek to the border
After Emu Creek, we continued north to Paddys Flat, then Koreelah and then Head Gate and Border House on the NSW/Qld border. While this might not be the first route your GPS will take you, it makes for a nicer border crossing than the bitumen because there’s a national park, bush and few cars around; scenic would be underselling it.
Our goal on the Queensland side was to head to Killarney via the Condamine Gorge, a popular run along the river of the same name that features a whopping 14 river crossings. Unfortunately for us, the local councils are trying to make the crossings safer (boo?) so most are either already concrete and those that are not are fast heading that way. Worse for us, roadworks were in full swing so the road wasn’t open at both ends. To avoid a massive detour, we took the bitumen route to Warwick for a resupply. To get road updates, including closures, hazards and any road works, head to the Southern Downs Regional Council Disaster Dashboard: disaster.sdrc.qld.gov.au, or head to the QldTraffic app or website.
On the way to Janowen Hills 4WD Park in south-east Qld
Killarney and Warwick, Qld
As mentioned, our tour took us via Killarney and Warwick, both of which are good spots to resupply and refuel as you continue north into Queensland. Killarney also has easy access to Cambanoora Gorge, various waterfalls and mountain views.
For a bigger town to stop in at, Warwick is only 40km west and has all the usual big-town culprits when it comes to supermarkets and shops to stock up your supplies. The town has a relaxed vibe, and if you’re looking for a good spot to pull up the camper, try Goomburra Valley Campground.
Click and collect was our friend this trip
Janowen Hills 4WD Park — Goomburra Valley, Qld
Our tour wrapped up at Janowen Hills 4WD Park in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, 40km northeast of Warwick.
Named for its owners, Jan and Owen, the park was opened in 2004 and covers approximately 404 hectares. Most of this hilly terrain is filled with rocky gullies, hills of various sizes and a large well-grassed area for camping beside the flowing creek. There are also more than 100 4WD tracks weaving through the property, rated either easy, medium, difficult or extreme. Gymkahana track is a favourite among 4x4 enthusiasts and features car wreckages, old tyres and trenches to test your skills. Please note, no motorbikes of any kind are permitted on the tracks.
Setting up the perfect shot
Camping fees are per person, per night. If you aren’t planning on staying you can purchase either a day visitor pass ($10 per vehicle) or a 4WD access pass ($35 per vehicle).
If you want a roof over your head, there are affordable holiday cabins for couples and families (sleeping either two or six people). Pricing will vary depending on the cabin.
The property also has a basic shop with supplies and meals, which was very convenient as we set down stakes for a few days. Our photographers and videographers were keen to make use of the cabins, as they had been swagging it the entire trip, while the rest of us made use of the campground.
Ted Airey and Matt Williams working with the Ultimate XTRK — the CTOTY 2024 winner
Much like Emu Creek Retreat, one of the perks of spending time on private properties — especially those designed for four-wheel driving — is that we can really put the campers to the test and see how they perform on tough, uneven and unsealed tracks, much more so than we can achieve in public spaces.
Jeb Wesener from Patriot Campers was stoked when he found out this is where the tour was wrapping up, as Janowen Hills is on his backdoor and is a great spot for pushing campers to their limits. "The X3 GEN2 is such an important milestone for Patriot Campers. We’ve packed in a decade of innovation. Features customers have asked for, features Justin and Sarah (the owners) have asked for and most importantly features that we know will change the camper trailer game. You can see why we were so excited to share GEN2 with this year’s judges. It was an exciting trip, that’s for sure.”
“Once again, the organisation of this event was outstanding by the CTOTY team,” said Alan Masters from Ultimate Off-Road Campers. “The new revised format over a longer time frame saw each entrant living, using and pushing their camper through its paces in varying conditions and locations. The comradery among entrants was both competitive as well as inclusive and at the end of each day of the competition, it was great to sit around the fire comparing notes and discussing the tracks and conditions we had seen that day. Job well done.”
The wrap
We made a heap of memories at CTOTY 2024. All of us saw new parts of the NSW and south-east Queensland backcountry that we want to see again — maybe with a bit more time to spare on the next trip.
Will we take CTOTY on the road again or move back to a static event? We’re hoping for more touring as we learned so much more about the campers and what it’s like to live with them while on the road, so bring on CTOTY 2025!
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