The Brisbane caravan shows are a great place to compare models, walk through different layouts and get a clearer idea of what will suit the way you travel.
They can also become overwhelming very quickly.
After you have inspected ten caravans, spoken with several sales teams and looked at dozens of specifications, the details can start to blur. That impressive kitchen may distract you from a limited payload. A discounted package may include upgrades you do not need. A spacious display van may feel very different once the whole family steps inside.
Our advice is to arrive with a plan.
Know what your tow vehicle can handle, decide which features matter most and have a simple way to record what you see. You will find it much easier to compare caravans based on suitability rather than being swayed by the biggest display or loudest show offer.
Below, we have listed the upcoming Brisbane and South East Queensland caravan shows, followed by the practical tips we would give anyone attending with plans to buy.
Event information last updated July 2026. Dates, opening hours and ticket conditions can change, so check the official event website before attending.
Upcoming Brisbane Caravan and Camping Show Dates
Let’s Go Ipswich Caravan & RV Expo 2026
Dates: Friday 28 to Sunday 30 August 2026
Opening hours:
- Friday: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Sunday: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Venue: Willowbank Raceway
Address: 38 Champions Way, Willowbank QLD
The Let’s Go Ipswich Caravan & RV Expo brings caravans, motorhomes, campervans, camper trailers and outdoor products together at Willowbank Raceway.
It is a useful event for buyers who want to compare a broad mix of recreational vehicles without heading into central Brisbane. The extended Saturday opening hours also give you more time to inspect models without trying to rush through everything in one morning.
VANSafe masterclasses are scheduled throughout the event, covering subjects such as caravan weights, loading, GVM, GCM, ATM and towball mass. We recommend attending one of these sessions if you are still getting familiar with towing terminology. A clearer understanding of weights will make every conversation you have with a caravan manufacturer more useful.
Onsite camping is also available for visitors who want to make a weekend of the event.
Cleveland Caravan, Camping, Boating & 4×4 Expo 2026
Dates: Friday 18 to Sunday 20 September 2026
Opening hours:
- Friday: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Venue: Redland Showgrounds, Norm Price Park
Address: Corner of Smith and Long Streets, Cleveland QLD
The Cleveland Expo covers caravans, hybrid campers, camper trailers, motorhomes, boats, 4WD accessories and camping equipment.
This event may suit buyers researching more than the caravan itself. You can compare towing products, outdoor accessories and touring equipment during the same visit, which can help you get a better idea of the complete cost of setting yourself up.
Limited free parking is available near the venue. Children aged 16 and under receive free entry, making it a practical option for families who want to test layouts together.
Only licensed assistance animals are permitted, so leave pets at home.
Let’s Go Explore Caravan & RV Expo 2026
Dates: Thursday 29 October to Sunday 1 November 2026
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily
Venue: Brisbane Showgrounds
Address: 600 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills QLD
The Let’s Go Explore Caravan & RV Expo is the next major caravan show held within Brisbane itself.
Visitors can inspect caravans, camper trailers, motorhomes, campervans, slide-ons and camping equipment from a wide selection of manufacturers and suppliers.
Daily VANSafe sessions cover caravan and tow-vehicle weights, safe loading and towing techniques. Even experienced travellers can benefit from refreshing their understanding of weight limits, particularly if they are moving into a larger caravan or changing tow vehicles.
Eligible visitors who purchase tickets online can also receive free train travel to the Brisbane Showgrounds.
Let’s Go Queensland Caravan & Camping Supershow 2027
Dates: Wednesday 2 to Sunday 6 June 2027
Opening hours:
- Wednesday to Saturday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Venue: Brisbane Showgrounds
Address: 600 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills QLD
The Queensland Caravan & Camping Supershow is the largest event on the Brisbane caravan show calendar.
More than 200 exhibitors are expected to display caravans, motorhomes, campervans, off-road recreational vehicles, camper trailers, accessories and travel products.
The size of the event is both its biggest strength and the reason you need to prepare. You can compare a huge range of options in one place, but trying to see everything is rarely productive.
Our suggestion is to check the exhibitor map before you arrive, choose the manufacturers most relevant to your needs and leave some time for accessories, towing education and a second look at your favourite models.
Online ticket holders may also be eligible for free train travel to the Brisbane Showgrounds.
How You Can Get The Most Out Of Brisbane’s Caravan Shows
We’ve exhibited at Brisbane caravan shows for years, and one of the biggest challenges we see attendees face is staying focused. A caravan show is designed to grab your attention, and without a clear plan, it is easy to get distracted by flashy displays, limited-time offers and features that may not suit the way you actually travel. To get the most out of your visit, we recommend considering these tips before you walk through the gates.
Decide How You Want to Travel Before You Attend
You do not need to arrive knowing the exact model you want.
You should have a reasonable idea of how you plan to use it.
Before the show, ask yourself:
- How many people need permanent beds?
- Will you mainly take weekend trips or travel for several weeks?
- Are you likely to stay in caravan parks or spend more time off-grid?
- Will you stick to sealed roads or travel on gravel and rougher tracks?
- Do you need an internal shower and toilet?
- How much food, clothing and outdoor equipment will you carry?
- Would a lower pop-top be easier to tow and store?
- Where will the caravan be kept at home?
- What is your realistic purchase budget?
- What can your current vehicle legally tow?
These questions will remove a large number of unsuitable caravans before you begin comparing individual models.
We often see buyers focus on getting the largest caravan within their budget. Bigger is not always better.
Extra length can provide more storage and living space, but it also adds weight, affects towing and may make the caravan harder to store or manoeuvre. The right caravan is the one that gives you enough space and equipment without creating unnecessary compromises.
Bring Your Tow-Vehicle Details
One of the most useful things you can take to a caravan show is accurate information about your tow vehicle.
Do not rely on the advertised towing capacity alone. That number does not tell you whether the complete loaded combination will remain within every relevant weight limit.
Record your vehicle’s:
- Make, model and year
- Engine and transmission
- Maximum braked towing capacity
- Gross Vehicle Mass
- Gross Combination Mass
- Maximum towball download
- Accessories and modifications
- Expected passenger load
- Approximate luggage and equipment load
Bullbars, canopies, roof racks, fridges, passengers and luggage all add weight to the tow vehicle. That can reduce the amount of capacity available once the caravan is connected.
Our advice is to treat the vehicle and caravan as one system. The caravan may fall below the vehicle’s maximum towing capacity and still cause you to exceed another limit once everything is loaded.
Take the specifications with you, ask detailed questions and have the final combination checked by a qualified towing or weighing specialist before committing to a purchase.
The Simple Items That Make Caravan Comparisons Easier
You do not need much, but a few simple items can make the day far more productive.
Bring:
- Your tow-vehicle specifications
- A tape measure
- Measurements of your driveway, garage or storage area
- A phone for notes and approved photos
- A list of essential features
- A caravan comparison checklist
- Comfortable shoes
- Water and sun protection
- A realistic budget range
Take notes as you go.
After several inspections, it becomes surprisingly hard to remember which caravan had the larger payload, better storage or stronger electrical system. Photos help, but written notes explaining what you liked and disliked are even more useful.
We recommend giving each model a simple score for layout, weight, storage, power, water capacity, construction, inclusions and price. It will make your shortlist much clearer at the end of the day.
How to Compare Caravans Properly
A caravan can look impressive under display lighting and still be the wrong choice for your travel plans.
Try to use the same criteria for every model you inspect.
Start With the Layout
The floorplan needs to work when everyone is inside, not just when you are standing in the doorway.
Confirm whether the advertised berth count refers to permanent beds or includes a dinette that must be converted each night.
For family caravans, look closely at:
- Bunk dimensions
- Bunk access
- Safety rails
- Storage for each child
- Separation between the main bed and bunks
- Whether bedding can stay in place during travel
- How much living space remains when everyone is inside
For couples’ caravans, check bed access, mattress size and whether one person needs to climb over the other.
Do not be afraid to test the layout properly. Sit at the dinette together, lie on the bed and have one person stand in the kitchen while another moves through the caravan.
A layout can feel generous when you are the only person inside, then become cramped as soon as the whole family steps in.
Look Beyond the Tare Weight
Tare weight is one of the first figures many buyers notice, but it does not tell you what the caravan will weigh once it is ready for a trip.
Ask for the:
- Tare weight
- Aggregate Trailer Mass
- Gross Trailer Mass
- Towball mass
- Payload allowance
Then ask how the selected options will affect those figures.
Extra batteries, solar panels, air conditioning, larger water tanks, awnings and dealer-installed accessories can all increase the delivered weight before you add personal belongings.
We would never compare two caravans using tare weight alone. The more useful question is how much legal payload will remain once the caravan is built to your chosen specification.
Water, gas, food, clothing, tools, outdoor furniture and camping equipment can use that payload quickly.
Ask What “Off-Road” Really Means
Terms such as “off-road”, “semi-off-road” and “adventure” do not always mean the same thing across different manufacturers.
Rather than relying on the label, ask where the caravan is genuinely designed to travel.
Check:
- Chassis construction
- Suspension type
- Ground clearance
- Body and wall materials
- Underbody protection
- Water-line protection
- Dust sealing
- Warranty conditions for unsealed-road use
A rugged-looking exterior does not automatically mean a caravan is built for prolonged corrugations or remote tracks.
Tell the salesperson where you plan to travel and ask whether the caravan is designed and warranted for those conditions. Get the answer in writing where possible.
Compare the Complete Electrical System
Large battery and solar numbers look good on a brochure, but the full system matters more than any single figure.
Ask about:
- Battery type
- Usable battery capacity
- Total solar input
- Solar regulator capacity
- DC-to-DC charging
- Inverter size
- Battery monitoring
- Appliance power requirements
- Upgrade limitations
Think about what you expect to run.
Charging phones, operating lights and using a water pump requires far less power than running an induction cooktop, coffee machine, hair dryer or air conditioner.
Our advice is to describe a normal day of off-grid use and ask the manufacturer how the system will support it. That gives you a much more useful answer than simply asking whether the caravan is “off-grid capable”.
Check Water Capacity Against Your Travel Style
Water capacity should be considered in relation to the number of travellers and how you expect to camp.
A couple using caravan park amenities will have very different requirements from a family showering, cooking and washing dishes off-grid.
Check:
- Fresh water capacity
- Grey water capacity
- Drinking-water storage
- Hot-water system
- Shower size
- Toilet access
- Tank protection
- Water gauges
- External water connections
Ask whether the advertised capacity includes every tank and whether all water is readily usable.
A larger tank capacity can support longer stays, but it also adds considerable weight when full. Make sure the caravan still has enough payload for the rest of your gear.
Open the Storage
Storage often looks generous until you consider what needs to fit inside it.
Open every cupboard, drawer and external hatch you are permitted to access.
Think about where you would store:
- Food
- Clothing
- Bedding
- Camp chairs
- Outdoor tables
- Tools
- Barbecues
- Bikes and children’s equipment
- Recovery gear
Pay attention to the shape and accessibility of each compartment. A deep cupboard is not especially useful if half the space is difficult to reach.
It is also worth asking where heavier items should be stored. Poor weight distribution can affect how the caravan tows, so storage location matters as much as total volume.
Separate Standard Features From Upgrades
Display caravans are often fitted with optional equipment.
That is not a problem, but you need to know what is included in the advertised price.
Ask the salesperson to identify every upgrade on the display model, which may include:
- Extra batteries
- Additional solar panels
- Larger inverters
- Air conditioning
- Diesel heating
- Upgraded suspension
- External kitchens
- Larger water tanks
- Premium upholstery
- Different wheels and tyres
- Entertainment systems
Request a written quote for the exact caravan you inspected.
A low base price can look appealing until the features you assumed were standard are added back in.
Use the Caravan as You Would at Camp
A quick walk-through will not tell you whether the caravan will be comfortable after several days on the road.
Take a few minutes to use the space properly.
Sit at the dinette with everyone who will travel. Lie on the bed. Stand inside the shower. Sit on the toilet with the door closed. Open the fridge, cupboards and drawers while someone else moves through the caravan.
Check whether:
- Doors block walkways
- Storage remains accessible when beds are in use
- Two people can move through the kitchen area
- The dinette fits the whole family
- There is enough headroom
- Everyone has somewhere comfortable to sit during bad weather
We also suggest imagining a wet day.
It is easy to love a caravan when the awning is open and the whole campsite is available. The interior needs to remain functional when rain, wind or cold weather keeps everyone inside.
Questions We Recommend Asking Every Manufacturer
Ask the same core questions at every display so you can make a fair comparison.
- What is included in the displayed price?
- Which features are optional upgrades?
- What will this caravan weigh after my selected options are fitted?
- How much usable payload should remain?
- What towball mass should I expect when it is loaded?
- Which roads and conditions is this model designed for?
- Where is the caravan designed, assembled and tested?
- What does the warranty cover?
- Are corrugation and off-road-related issues covered?
- Where can servicing and warranty repairs be completed?
- Are parts readily available?
- What deposit is required?
- Is the deposit refundable?
- What is the estimated delivery timeframe?
- Can the specifications and delivery date be written into the contract?
Busy events can produce broad answers. Clear written details are more useful than verbal promises, especially when discussing weights, inclusions, warranty conditions and delivery dates.
Are Caravan Show Deals Actually Worth It?
Some caravan show deals offer genuine value.
Manufacturers may reduce upgrade costs, include accessories or package popular features together. That can be worthwhile when the included items match what you already need.
The mistake is judging the offer by the advertised saving alone.
Compare the full drive-away cost, including:
- Caravan base price
- Selected upgrades
- Freight
- Dealer delivery fees
- Registration
- Insurance
- Finance costs
- Towing accessories
- Vehicle upgrades
- Delivery timeframe
Ask yourself whether the bonus items improve the way you plan to travel.
A free entertainment upgrade may sound impressive, but it offers little practical value if your real priorities are more solar, extra water or a larger payload.
Our view is simple: a show deal is only a good deal when the caravan is already right for you.
Do not let an event deadline push you into choosing the wrong model.
Common Mistakes We See Buyers Make
Trying to Compare Every Type of Caravan
Inspecting camper trailers, compact hybrids, large touring caravans and motorhomes on the same day can leave you with more questions than answers.
Choose the general category that suits your needs, then compare models within it.
Being Distracted by the Interior Finish
Upholstery, lighting and benchtops influence how a caravan feels, but they should not distract you from the chassis, suspension, payload, electrical system and warranty.
Interior finishes can often be changed. Structural suitability cannot.
Ignoring the Delivered Weight
Brochure specifications may not reflect the weight of your final build.
Ask what the caravan is expected to weigh with the chosen options and how much payload will remain.
Assuming Every Off-Road Claim Is Equal
Ask what roads the caravan is designed for, what testing has been completed and whether the warranty supports your intended use.
Choosing the Caravan Before Checking the Vehicle
Do not assume you can solve every weight problem by buying a larger tow vehicle later.
Assess the complete setup and consider how the vehicle will be used when the caravan is not attached.
Relying on Verbal Promises
Any important inclusion, upgrade, delivery date or warranty commitment should be written into the contract.
Buying Because the Deal “Ends Today”
A caravan may shape how you travel for many years.
A short-term discount should never outweigh towing suitability, layout, build quality or after-sales support.
What to Do After the Show
Once you are home, reduce your shortlist to two or three caravans.
Compare the models again when you are away from the noise and sales activity of the event.
Look at:
- Final quoted price
- Delivered weight
- Expected payload
- Sleeping layout
- Construction
- Power capacity
- Water storage
- Standard inclusions
- Warranty
- Service support
- Delivery timeframe
We recommend arranging another inspection before making the final decision.
A showroom visit gives you more time to inspect the caravan, confirm the specifications and ask follow-up questions. You may notice things that were easy to miss in a crowded display.
This is also the right time to review warranty documents, speak with existing owners and have your towing combination checked independently.
Compare SWAG Caravans in Brisbane
SWAG offers hybrid caravans and hybrid pop-tops for couples and families, from compact 13-foot models through to larger 16-foot and 18-foot layouts.
Our Brisbane range is built for travellers who want more freedom without giving up the comforts that make longer trips enjoyable.
Couples can choose compact, easy-to-tow caravans with a comfortable bed, private ensuite and the power and water capacity needed for extended stays.
Families can step into practical four- and five-berth layouts with dedicated bunks, their own ensuite, generous storage and enough living space to make weekends away and long road trips feel far more comfortable.
Whether you are planning coastal escapes, remote camps or a long lap around Australia, we can help you find a caravan that gives you the comfort of home without holding you back from the places you want to reach.
Visiting our Brisbane showroom after the caravan show gives you time to:
- Compare suitable models side by side
- Inspect beds, bunks and storage
- Review caravan weights
- Discuss towing requirements
- Compare off-grid power and water systems
- Confirm current stock
- Discuss delivery expectations
- Receive a written quote for your preferred configuration
Our team can also help you narrow down which models are worth considering before you visit. That means less time looking at caravans that do not suit your tow vehicle, family size or travel plans.
Contact us today to learn more about our Brisbane caravan range, compare suitable models or arrange a showroom visit.
