Newcastle camping show 17th & 18th of Feb

[matt150]

Well I am off to the camping show in Newcastle tomorrow for a bit of a look. I shall post up some photo's of the gear tomorrow night if I get time.

[NewcastleKnight]

Just got back a very large collection of caravans, campers and motor homes.

Got myself a biji BBQ that's about it.

[gronk]

just come home from the show....much the same as all of them.....although was impressed with the general quality of the campers...mainly the soft floors...

As a side note, does anyone know much about Echo 4x4  ?.......they seem to be selling Conqueror campers but with their own signs on it.....have they bought them out  ??

[matt150]

Sounds like it might be worth the trip down to have a look.

Maybe we need a myswag stand so everyone can catch up and say g'day !

[outback jack]

Got myself a biji BBQ that's about it.

nk, you won't be disappointed with a biji 

[Stormchaser]

We went down today for a look and thought it was a little disorganised with displays all over the place not to mention $4.20 for a bottle of water. IMHO.
Nothing detremental the organisers here but you cant beat mother nature, the in field was still soggy after apparently a crap load of rain on wednesday night.
Talking to one of the salesman there they turned up on thursday morning to a bog hole and needed to be moved after another company got their 5th wheeler and a bobcat bogged on the in field so out come some extra gravel and walkway mats.

[NewcastleKnight]

There was a heap if rain on Wednesday night. Our pool collected about 2 inches of rain.

The smell was terrible in some spots.

Agree it was a little all over the place but like you said the weather stuffed them.

[NewcastleKnight]

Oh and yes, $4.20 for water was very ordinary.

[Fun Police]

We had a long day there.
Caught up with the Trackabout dealer from Gosford (John), looked at toilets, kitchens, solar, etc.

Looks like we're buying an extenda Great Aussie Camper!

The top three to us (in our price range and for features) were them, Customline and Lifestyle.

I think what swayed us was a few things, being quality of product, exceptional customer service, value for money, plus the facts that nothing was a problem and SWMBO is totally satisfied.

Just need to sort out the details and then weather the waiting game!

[CRW]

Was up there today, yes bit of a bog hole in the middle.  Food prices were atrocious but that's standard for these events

Gronk, didn't see you at the Adventure Trek stand

Ended up getting an Oztrail Mitchell King Swag and bag for $185, gotta be happy with that

Cheers

Carl

[Campfire]

I though the Hobie display was pretty good, I liked the Pro Angler, but do have my own kayak from a different brand which serves me well.

I was hunting around for bargains and walked away from the show with a Waeco Cool Ice 68 litre Esky for $160 ( show price), a big reduction from what I've seen elsewhere.

Caught up with Luke from Drifter had a bit of a yarn with him and it's great hear another home grown Aussie business going strong. I take my hat off to him......

While I have read the thread comments on GMC campers, I was curious to have a look at one close up and  see what the sales pitch was like......

I had a good look and crawl around a bunch of campers which looked like the conqueror camper ( Echo) I was very impressed with the quality and ruggedness of the build. Prices were good also.

Apart from the weather ( water/ mud/ smell in some areas), the show was really good.

I am planning to a big trip NW NSW this year ( fossicking & fishing) following the fossicking trail up through  to Lightening Ridge and then swing down around to Broken Hill on the return trip home. So the display for all tourist regions at the show was handy...

Surprised not to see the guy who sells the " Ozpig" at the show, usually he is a regular to the Maitland show etc.

On a final note, I'm happy to hear there is going to be a Hobie Dealer , kayak shop setting up in Newcastle ( Lake Macquarie), I could definitely see me upgrading my current kayak to a Pro Angler in a year or two.

It would have been great to see some camp oven demo's etc, always enjoy walking those exhibits where your smelling camp oven cooking.

I had such an enjoyable day and there was lots of great campers there.

Happy days everybody

Cheers

Campfire

[gronk]

Was up there today, yes bit of a bog hole in the middle.  Food prices were atrocious but that's standard for these events

Gronk, didn't see you at the Adventure Trek stand

Ended up getting an Oztrail Mitchell King Swag and bag for $185, gotta be happy with that

Cheers

Carl

Carl , its a wonder you didn't see us there....we hung around like a bad smell for 1 1/2 hrs.....even showed a few customers how the bed area folded up etc...at one stage I thought we had a couple signed up     .....

[Titfish]

Did anybody see the Korr lighting stand? It seems as though it moved due to the wet ground and we ended up not finding them before we had to leave. If they didn't set up then they might still do a show speial or simiilar if I can get onto them. The water was pricey but tasted bloody good as it got hotter. Hope everybody had a great day.

Cheers
Ken

[matt150]

I had an interesting hour and a half there today. First up we arrived at lunchtime with 3 hungry and cranky little brats to feed and tame.

Then just as I entered the caravan area, I blew the plug out of my thong. Well, now there was trouble to be had !. I carried out minus my thongs, until Craig from Johnno's campers noticed and helped me out with a few cable ties he stole from old mate at the powerfull 4x4 stand ! Now that's service with a smile...

Anyhow, we went on a mission to make a decision and the decision is made (minus the money , still working on that). Lifestyle Extenda Elite is shall be for our clan. The wifey was VERY impressed with the temp drop when she walked into the tent, with the tropical roof set up. I had a good talk to Ian and we think they can provide what we need. We just need to sort some damn money out first.. The new 150 has broken the bank, so to say. This new addition of a new Lifestyle camper will not be far behind the car, one way or another !

Here's a few happy snaps... (some are mine and a few from a mate who sent them to me from his visit yesterday to the show..)

[singo-26]

I did a short visit this arvo after working till 10 then visiting Mum in respite care. Arrived just on 3 with a mission, got free entry, had a wander around then bought the swag my young bloke has been saving for (mowing, cleaning etc) and was still $40 short of. Mission accomplished, he is rapt and guess where he is sleeping tonight.

[Mace]

bought the swag my young bloke has been saving for (mowing, cleaning etc)

Good to see hard work being rewarded.

If the little bloke in your signature pic is doing all that hard stuff then I think your pic needs upgrading!! 

Oh, and Matt, I think you did enough potential damage to the overdraft in 90 minutes.  Good you didnt stay much longer.

 

[singo-26]

Good to see hard work being rewarded.

If the little bloke in your signature pic is doing all that hard stuff then I think your pic needs upgrading!! 

Mitch is 10 and pretty keen, he has mowed about 3 acres here with the push mower over the last couple of weeks. Allen in the avatar is now 5 (about 3 in the pic), but I just like that pic.
 

[CRW]

I did a short visit this arvo after working till 10 then visiting Mum in respite care. Arrived just on 3 with a mission, got free entry, had a wander around then bought the swag my young bloke has been saving for (mowing, cleaning etc) and was still $40 short of. Mission accomplished, he is rapt and guess where he is sleeping tonight.

What swag did you get Steve

[singo-26]

I got a Mitchell king a couple of months ago and that is what he wanted (a Mitchell for Mitch).

It was your post yesterday that made me think he has worked enough to deserve it.

[matt150]

Good to see hard work being rewarded.

If the little bloke in your signature pic is doing all that hard stuff then I think your pic needs upgrading!! 

Oh, and Matt, I think you did enough potential damage to the overdraft in 90 minutes.  Good you didnt stay much longer.

 

I hear you Mace... unfortunately this little purchase will be cold hard cash savings.... no overdraft this this little toy !

[Fun Police]

Anyhow, we went on a mission to make a decision and the decision is made (minus the money , still working on that). Lifestyle Extenda Elite is shall be for our clan.

Good product.  Liked the Lifestyle range.  Wife didn't.  Hated the kitchen, plus a few more things.......which I won't go into......put it this way... she walked away and said "I don't want to deal with them"

Oh...and how good is the Snow Peak range of cookware from Luke at Drifta!!

My wife has already told Great Aussie, make sure you include a set of those in the kitchen!! 

[CRW]

I got a Mitchell king a couple of months ago and that is what he wanted (a Mitchell for Mitch).

It was your post yesterday that made me think he has worked enough to deserve it.

Glad to see hard work is rewarded.  Good lesson for youngsters these days.

Well done Steve, and Mitch

Cheers

Carl