Five vintage van holiday stays around Australia
There’s something undeniably cute about an old caravan from the 1960s or ’70s especially for a weekend getaway.But let’s face it, would you really want to own one? Ongoing maintenance and storage issues might temper a love of laminex, velour, pastel-painted aluminium and curvaceous exteriors and then there’s the fact not everyone wants to tow.
Fortunately, help is at hand. If you prefer a home-away-from-home reeking of retro-elegance (and nothing else), why not stay in one of these vintage vans and save yourself all the hassle?
Hotel NO, Melbourne, Victoria
Is this the world’s coolest caravan park? Hotel NO’s six vintage Airstream vans sit atop a carpark in central Melbourne and are completely outfitted with a retro style that would make Austin Powers feel right at home. They surround a central common area with city nightscape views and one has a screened-off hot tub. If you want to stay in, there’s a free mini-bar and iPad with Netflix, or Flinders Lane is at your doorstep for a night out.
Koora Van Hire, Brooklyn, NSW
Spending a night or two in a funky retro van at the site of your choice sounds like a fun thing to do; having to drag one around the countryside is, for novices, a pain in the tow-ball. Luckily, Koora Van Hire can set up one of its two-tone, 1970s caravans at various spots around the Hawkesbury and Central Coast and all you have to do is pay and turn up. From 13 to 17 feet of aluminium-clad, burnt-orange velour-trimmed beauties there’s one for you and if you are into towing they can also be hired and taken away.
Retro RV, Australia-wide
Half caravan, half VW Kombi, fully lovable. Retro-cool barely begins to describe these fully re-engineered and pastel-painted Kombi campers from Retro RV that can be picked up in a number of locations around the country. With a double bed, dining table, outside awning and kitchenette, they are self-contained and swapping out the old dak-dak motor with a Subaru four has ensured performance and reliability. Relive your inner flower child, be the envy of your Insta-mates and drive away in one for your next holiday.
Moira the Vintage Van, Mylor, South Australia
Given she was born in 1978, Moira is getting on in years but has been so lovingly restored, outfitted and positioned you’ll fall in love with her too. Her owners have a hydrangea farm near Mylor in the Adelaide Hills and Moira is parked in a private spot overlooking an orchard. It is surrounded by decking to make the most of the view and even has an outside clawfoot bath for guests. There’s one queen-size bed inside, so bring someone special.
The Duchess Caravan, south-east Queensland
Although based near Tweed Heads on the Queensland/NSW border, the beauty of this gorgeous old 1974 Viscount caravan is her owners will deliver and set up The Duchess at any caravan park within a 40km radius. You and up to three others can just turn up and enjoy the semi-outdoor lifestyle and some coolly elegant ’70s décor with everything else needed inside the 19-footer.
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