13 Jul, 2023

Bushmaster Offroad Caravans: Rough, tough and ready to go

by Julija Zivanovic

Founded in 1994, Bushmaster Offroad Caravans has been making tough, offroad caravans for almost 30 years. Proudly Australian owned and made, founder and owner Terry Ryan strives to produce sturdy, practical offroad caravans that owners can enjoy for life. Terry’s philosophy when it comes to building caravans can be summed up in three key principles. Firstly, he takes the time to construct a limited number of caravans to the highest standard. Secondly, he uses the very best components he can access, using Australian made wherever he can. And thirdly, he includes every feature possible to create a unique caravanning experience.

A bit of background

The story starts with founder Terry Ryan, a New South Wales country boy who studied engineering, then cabinet making and wood carving. In 1980, Terry built his own suspension under a trailer to take camping and to carry his musical instruments to gigs around the country. To this day, the trailer is still used on a weekly basis and was the foundation of Bushmaster’s Rolling Thunder Suspension, which is used on its Wild Wheels caravan model. Terry was working in Brisbane selling caravans when his urge to work for himself took over. He started building his own offroad camper trailers, under the business name Koala, and before long he moved production to Bundaberg, further north along the coast. The business continued to grow and, in 1994, Bushmaster Offroad Caravans was born. In 2005, Terry moved the business to a Campbellfield factory in Melbourne, where he still works in the workshop personally building the high-quality caravans.

The range

The Bushmaster range includes four models — Ultimate Outback, Ironbark, Bluegum and Wild Wheels — some of which can be made in multiple sizes. Terry offers custom building, with the customer deciding the length of the van, the colour and all inclusions.

All Bushmaster caravan models proudly feature 96 standard inclusions. Some of these include a firewood carrying box on the rear bumper bar, full-width tunnel boot, external speakers, picnic table, rollout awning, space heater, double-glazed windows with fly screen and block-out screen, reverse cycle air-conditioner, front-loading washing machine, reversing camera and light and much, much more. They also offer a range of optional extras, like recliner chairs for the dinette, satellite TV, outside shower, bike carrying rack and much more.

Passion you can see

Terry says that his greatest joy, apart from making a living with his own ideas and hands, is answering his phone to a happy voice from a customer telling him about where they’ve travelled and how much they love their Bushmaster caravan. Terry’s passion about the caravans he builds can be seen all throughout the business, such as his dedication to road test every caravan himself before it is picked up. Terry goes one step further for his customers, setting up the caravan towing height to match the customer’s tow vehicle.

Bushmaster provides a five-year warranty on everything in the caravan. Plus, the aluminium frame and chassis and Simplicity load sharing offroad suspension, which are standard inclusions on all models, each have a lifetime warranty. Terry has put a lifetime of experience and passion into his vans and if there’s something that can add to the offroad touring experience, you can bet Terry’s thought of it.