The Complete Guide to Australian Caravan & Camping Shows in 2026
Buying Guides Editor's Pick

The Complete Guide to Australian Caravan & Camping Shows in 2026

C
Camplify Xchange
·24 March 2026· 7 min read

From the massive Victorian Supershow to regional expos in every state, Australia's 2026 caravan show calendar is packed. Here's your guide to every major show, what to expect, and how to make the most of your visit.

Australia's caravan and camping show calendar is one of the most active in the world — fitting for a country where over 700,000 registered recreational vehicles hit the road each year. From the spectacular Victorian Supershow spanning five days at Melbourne Showgrounds to regional expos in Tamworth, Maryborough, and Busselton, 2026 is packed with events for buyers, owners, dreamers, and upgrade-seekers alike.

Whether you're considering your first caravan purchase, looking at a specific new model, hunting for show-only deals on accessories, or simply soaking up the lifestyle inspiration, this guide covers what you need to know.


Why Attend a Caravan Show at All?

In an age when you can browse thousands of listings online, caravan shows offer something no screen can replicate: the ability to walk through, touch, sit in, and compare dozens of caravans side by side in a single afternoon.

The key benefits:

Side-by-side comparison — you can walk from a Jayco Journey to a New Age Manta Ray to a Crusader Savannah within minutes, comparing layout, build quality, and features in person.

Show-only deals — manufacturers and dealers use major shows to move stock. Show specials can include genuine price reductions, free accessory packs, discounted finance, or upgrade inclusions that aren't available any other time of year.

Expert access — brand representatives, experienced dealers, and product specialists are available for genuine conversation. You can ask detailed questions about weight ratings, compliance, specifications, and options that a salesperson at a dealership might not be able to answer on the spot.

Accessories and aftermarket — every major show includes a significant accessories section covering everything from solar and lithium systems to kitchenware, awnings, camp furniture, and recovery gear.

Destination inspiration — tourism bodies, caravan parks, and holiday destinations attend most shows, making it easy to plan your next trip while you're in the mood.


The 2026 Major Show Calendar

Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow

Dates: 18–22 February 2026 Venue: Melbourne Showgrounds Why go: This is consistently one of the largest caravan events in the Southern Hemisphere — five full days covering 60,000+ square metres of displays. Every major Australian brand attends. If you're buying in Victoria in 2026, this is the single event where you can see the widest range of new stock, compare prices, and secure the best show deals.

What to expect: 200+ exhibitors, live demonstrations, expert seminars, family entertainment, show specials on new vans, and access to finance and insurance representatives on site.


Let's Go Caravan & Camping Lifestyle Show — Adelaide

Dates: 25 February – 1 March 2026 Venue: Adelaide Showground, Wayville Why go: SA's biggest caravan show is an excellent event for buyers focused on South Australian dealers and models suited to SA and NT touring conditions. Strong representation of off-road vans and outback-capable setups. Good timing to secure deals before the Easter camping rush.


RAC Perth Caravan & Camping Show

Dates: 19–22 March 2026 Venue: Claremont Showground Why go: Western Australia's premier RV event. Particularly valuable for buyers looking for caravans suited to WA conditions — long distances between towns, remote coastal camping, unsealed outback roads. Strong off-road van representation. The RAC's involvement also means strong insurance and roadside assistance presence for members.


NSW Caravan, Camping & Holiday Supershow

Dates: 28 April – 3 May 2026 Venue: Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, Sydney Why go: NSW's biggest show — the last of the major capital city supershows for the year. Timing at the end of April is ideal for buyers wanting to be set up before the winter camping season. Strong representation from NSW dealers with local expertise on caravan parks, national parks, and coastal routes.


Let's Go Queensland Caravan & Camping Supershow

Dates: 3–7 June 2026 Venue: Brisbane Showgrounds Why go: Queensland's flagship event. Five days covering everything from entry-level camper trailers to premium motorhomes. Strong tropical and coastal touring influence given Queensland's diverse camping destinations.


Newcastle Caravan Camping Lifestyle Expo

Dates: 30 January – 1 February 2026 Venue: Newcastle Entertainment Centre & Showgrounds Why go: The Hunter Valley is one of Australia's most active caravanning regions. This is a strong regional show for NSW buyers outside Sydney, with a more relaxed atmosphere than the capital city supershows. Good for first-time buyers wanting expert access without the crowds.


Let's Go Gold Coast Caravan & Outdoor Expo

Dates: 6–8 February 2026 Venue: People First Stadium, Carrara Why go: A focused three-day event with strong QLD dealer representation. Good timing for buyers looking to buy before the cooler weather camping season.


Let's Go Sunshine Coast Caravan & Outdoor Expo

Dates: 21–23 August 2026 Venue: Nambour Showgrounds Why go: A popular mid-year regional event for Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay buyers.


Border Caravan & Camping Leisurefest

Dates: 27–29 March 2026 Venue: Wodonga Racecourse, VIC/NSW border Why go: Serves the Albury-Wodonga region and surrounding areas in both NSW and VIC. Good regional show for buyers in the border region.


Regional Shows Throughout the Year

Beyond the major capital city supershows, 2026 features dozens of regional expos across Australia:

  • Tamworth Caravan & Camping Expo — 26–28 June 2026, AELEC
  • Wollongong (Illawarra) Caravan Show — 10–12 July 2026, Kembla Grange
  • Rockhampton Caravan Show — 10–12 July 2026, Rockhampton Showgrounds
  • Maryborough Caravan Show — 17–19 July 2026, Maryborough Showgrounds
  • Toowoomba Caravan Show — 24–26 July 2026, Toowoomba Showgrounds
  • Shepparton Caravan Show — 14–16 August 2026, Shepparton Showgrounds
  • Scoresby (Melbourne east) Leisurefest — 7–9 August 2026

Regional shows are often underrated. They have smaller crowds, more relaxed dealer access, and can offer strong deals from local dealers wanting to move stock without the overhead of the big city events.


How to Get the Most From a Caravan Show

Plan Your Visit in Advance

Major shows have 200+ exhibitors. Without a plan, you'll cover maybe a third of the floor and be too exhausted to make good decisions. Before you go:

  • Download the show floor map
  • List the specific brands or van types you want to see
  • Write down your top 5 questions for each manufacturer
  • Know your tow vehicle's towing capacity, GVM, and payload — dealers will ask

Know Your Numbers

You cannot make an informed buying decision without knowing what your tow vehicle can actually handle. Bring:

  • Tow vehicle owner's manual or a note of maximum towing capacity and tow ball mass limit
  • Current tow vehicle weight (or GVM minus your estimated load)

Don't Buy on Day One

For first-time buyers especially: use your first show visit as research, not buying. Walk the floor, collect brochures, ask questions, compare layouts. Come back on a later day to negotiate. Show deals are usually available across multiple days, not just on Day 1.

Take Photos and Notes

After visiting 15–20 vans, they start to blur. Photograph the compliance plate, price tag, and your favourite interior features in each van you're seriously considering. Make notes immediately after exiting each van.

Connect With Camplify Xchange

For vans that have been on the Camplify hire platform, you can often try before you buy — hire the exact van you're considering before committing. Search Camplify Xchange for listings with verified hire history.


Note: Show dates are confirmed at time of writing (March 2026) but are subject to change. Always check official show websites before travelling.

Tagscaravan showsevents2026Australiabuying
C
Written by
Camplify Xchange

Part of the Camplify Xchange editorial team, sharing expert RV advice for Australian adventurers.