By Jenel Hunt
It’s not just the past that has vintage caravanners enthralled.
Their transport might be in a ’60s and ’70s time warp, but with everything else they’re enthusiastically living in the present as they share their passion, make new friends, visit tourist destinations and enjoy the experience of being on the open road … that is, a 21st century open road that is undoubtedly vastly superior to what the caravans would have travelled over in their heyday.
About 150 caravans have been parked up at the Top of Town Caravan Park and Stanthorpe Showgrounds for the past week for the Vintage Caravan Nationals.
The vehicles towing these cuties range from today’s SUVs to chariots that are easily half a century old.
For a week, vintage vanners (and those who love the 1980s models) have been taking a deep dive into the district, from picking their own produce and touring the wineries to discovering historic sites and visiting natural attractions. They’ve also been further afield to Warwick and Tenterfield.
And when they haven’t been out and about, the caravanners have been visiting each other’s vans, enjoying happy hours and sausage sizzles, playing games and sitting in on vintage caravan talks.
Stanthorpe people had the chance to take a little wander into old-van-land on the weekend when the vans were open to the public, displaying colours, materials and all manner of interesting items of days gone by.
