State of the Industry: A New Chapter for Australian Caravans

Roadstar Concludes a Proud Era

Long-term Victorian manufacturer Roadstar Caravans has announced it is closing its doors at the end of November, with final stock clearing from the Somerton yard.

Established in the early 1970s and guided by the Nazim family since 2008, Roadstar built a proud reputation as a pioneer of Australian touring vans. From custom craftsmanship tailored to the outback to making headlines in 1991 when a custom build achieved a world towing speed record of 204km/h behind a turbocharged Ford Falcon, the brand leaves behind a rich legacy. Innovation remained at the heart of their work, featuring precision CNC-cut cabinetry and advanced composite construction in models like the capable Safari Tamer and the compact Little Ripper.

Great deals are on offer at the Somerton showroom, but all stock needs to be cleared by the end of November. An online auction via Gollant Auctioneers & Valuers is currently clearing the Somerton factory equipment and inventory.

AOR Transitions and Industry Governance

In what has been a distressing time for customers of Australian Off Road (AOR), a buyer for the business has not been found and all assets of the company are being sold off. Argus Auctioneers are currently running online auctions for 13 incomplete off-road campers and caravans, alongside hundreds of accessories, appliances, and components. A separate auction of all plant and equipment spells the end of manufacturing and any potential sale of the business as a going concern.

Following the sudden closure of the business, AOR went into administration in September. The directors blamed rising costs, product copying by rival builders and, ironically, Chinese imports. However, it has since been claimed by various owners that AOR was importing vans themselves.

For the 47 customers who paid a total of $2.25m for vans that were either unfinished or had not been started, the auction might bring some financial relief. However, with liabilities of over $14m—including $2.16m to the Australian Taxation Office—and high administrator fees, it is 

Following criticism of the online sale, Argus Auctioneers defended their role on their Facebook page, stating:

"We are aware that there are many consumers who have paid deposits and unfortunately end up in a creditor pool. We have spoken with a lot of them, and their situation and losses are devastating. Although we agree that it sounds unfair, there is also a line of suppliers who supplied all the products to build the vans that in many cases have huge debts they will not be able to recover. Please don’t direct your comments towards our company, our staff, or the many former staff who are now out of work who did absolutely nothing wrong."

Argus Auctioneers' plea for calm will not satisfy customers who stand to lose substantial deposits, and there will be continued calls for a legal response to the way the company was managed.

In what might end up being a cautionary tale for the industry, the administrator, DVT McLeod, has reported several matters to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). In reports to creditors, administrators stated that the company may have been trading while insolvent for up to three years (since June 2023).

Investigators also focused on pre-administration moves made by a director, including the transfer of trading names days before the closure and potential transfers of completed caravans and assets to parties known to the company. ASIC has acknowledged the statutory reporting but declined to comment publicly on whether an active enforcement investigation is underway.

Essential Caravans Focuses on Restructuring

The state of play with Essential Caravans moved along with the first creditors' meeting recently. On 21 October 2026, the company appointed Paul Allen and Glenn Franklin of PKF Melbourne as joint voluntary administrators.

The decision follows a period of consolidation where Essential Caravans closed its factory in Somerton, Victoria, to shift operations into Design RV’s established facility in Pakenham. While voluntary administration signals severe commercial pressure, the company has not gone into liquidation.

As part of the administration process, the initial creditors' meeting confirmed Essential Caravans' intent to continue trading and complete existing build orders while a financial assessment and corporate restructuring take place.

The critical next step for the business will be the second creditors' meeting in a few weeks. At this forum, creditors will vote on whether to hand control back to the directors, accept a Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA) to restructure debts, or officially move to liquidate the company's assets.

What About Design RV and Zone?

The commercial ties between Design RV and Essential Caravans are tightly woven around shared ownership, design, and factory facilities. Director Jamie Johnson holds significant ownership stakes in Essential Caravans alongside Design RV. When Design RV launched in 2019, it relied on Essential’s established build processes, technology, and buying power to establish its brand.

Despite the factory consolidation at Pakenham, Design RV operates under a separate corporate registration. Following Essential's administration announcement, Design RV issued a corporate statement confirming it is unaffected and in full production.

Zone RV is owned and operated by Adventure Zone RV Pty Ltd. Although Jamie Johnson spearheaded the acquisition and holds a major ownership stake, Adventure Zone RV is legally distinct from Essential Caravans and continues operation at its Coolum factory. 

Where to for Caravan Buyers?

As early as 18 months ago, Jayco Caravans owner Gerry Ryan was calling for caution in the Australian caravan scene. He suggested there were as many as 15,000 unsold vans in dealer yards across the country and predicted a rationalisation of caravan builders. His words were prophetic, and the industry has since seen several well-publicised brand closures.

The number of unsold dealer vans is still high, but rather than a sign of doom, caravan buyers should see it as a great opportunity. There has rarely been a better time to secure the right van at a discounted cost, and buying a stock van ensures immediate ownership. Even so, some buyers might be wary of losing warranty coverage if a builder goes bust. In most cases, key components such as appliances, the chassis, and the suspension are covered directly by their original manufacturers. Looking into third-party warranty insurance offers another practical fallback option.

Meanwhile, the global political landscape is more positive and fuel prices are coming down, although it will be a while before they return to normal. Much of the drop in caravan sales has been due to the fuel price shock brought on by the Middle East war, so hopefully for the industry we should see demand improve. All those iconic places are still waiting for us, and the many businesses that rely on tourism are ready to welcome us. Caravanning is the best way to see the country, and right now there are great deals on offer in dealerships. 

Ready to hit the road?

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