The caravan roadshow circuit finishes its year on the New South Wales south coast in the first week of December, which makes it the last practical chance to walk a dealer floor before the summer holidays.
The Batemans Bay Caravan & Outdoor Leisure Roadshow runs from 4 to 6 December 2026 at Batemans Bay. It is one of a series of regional shows run through the year, and the format is consistent: vans, camper trailers, tow vehicles and camping gear, with dealers and accessory brands in one place.
Why a regional show is worth the drive
Metropolitan expos are enormous and take a full day to cover. A regional roadshow is smaller, easier to park at, and short enough that you can look at a shortlist properly rather than skimming a hundred vans. If you already know roughly what you want, this is the more efficient format.
If you are starting from nothing, the same floor still answers the first question — what does a $60,000 van look like next to a $90,000 one — without the crowd.
What to actually look at
- Payload and tow ball weight on anything you are considering. It is the number that decides whether your vehicle is legal, and it is printed on the compliance plate, not the brochure.
- Where the power lives. Battery capacity, where the Anderson or 12V outlets are, and whether the van is pre-wired for accessories.
- Roof and mounting surfaces. If you plan to run Starlink from the van, look at what the roof is made of and whether there is a rail, rack or flat panel to mount to.
The connectivity question
Most van buyers arrive thinking about the van and leave thinking about everything that goes in it. A Starlink Mini is now on that list for a lot of people, and the mounting decision is easier to make while you are standing next to the van rather than at home guessing.
Fibreglass and composite roofs will not hold a magnetic mount, which is the single most common surprise. If the roof is smooth and non-porous, a suction mount is the route. If there is a rail or rack, a clamp or roof bar mount works. The Setup Finder shortlists the options by mounting surface.
Planning the trip
Early December on the south coast is a good excuse to make a weekend of it. The New South Wales travel guide covers the region, and if you are travelling with a dish, check the camp's tree cover before you commit — a powered site under dense canopy is not a Starlink site.
This event sits in the Outcamp events calendar alongside the rest of the summer and 2027 show season.
Logistics
Dates: 4–6 December 2026. Location: Batemans Bay, NSW. Organiser details and any changes: Caravan & Outdoor Leisure Roadshows. Confirm times with the organiser before travelling.
Leave a comment (all fields required)