The Cranbourne Caravanning & Adventure Leisurefest runs May 8-10, 2026 at Cranbourne Racecourse, bringing a curated lineup of caravans, campers and outdoor gear to Melbourne’s south-east.
Caravan Industry Victoria says Melbourne’s south-east has become one of the state’s fastest-growing RV regions, with more than 5,600 registered recreational vehicles located across Cranbourne, Berwick, Clyde and surrounding suburbs alone.
It’s not trying to compete with the scale of the Supershow.
Instead, this is a smarter, more accessible version – built for people who actually want to compare vans, talk to dealers, and make decisions without fighting crowds all day.
This new caravan show on the Victorian calendar is aimed squarely at making things easier.
Tickets & Entry: One of the Most Affordable Shows Going
Tickets are already on sale:
– Adult: $15
– Concession: $13
Kids under 15 FREE when accompanied by a paying adult
That price point matters – especially for first-time buyers doing early research, families wanting a day out and travellers comparing options before EOFY
Who’s Attending: Strong Core Brands, Serious Buying Focus
For a first-year event, the exhibitor list is solid – with around 70 exhibitors and roughly 40 caravan brands expected.
Key brands confirmed include:
- JB Caravans
- New Age Caravans
- Traveller Caravans
- Jayco
- Crusader Caravans
- Lotus Caravans
- Nova Caravans
- Retreat Caravans
- Royal Flair
- Supreme & Essential
- Titanium Caravans
This is a strong, dealer-backed Australian lineup, with a clear focus on established manufacturers rather than unknown or emerging importers.
While smaller than the Victorian Supershow, the Cranbourne event is intentionally curated – giving buyers a better chance to properly compare major brands like JB, New Age, Traveller, Jayco, Lotus and Crusader without the chaos of a 200+ exhibitor supershow.
From compact $25,000 caravan pods through to premium off-grid touring vans, the event is designed to cater for everyone from first-time buyers to experienced travellers upgrading their setup.
Who’s Not Attending the Cranbourne Caravanning Show
That said, this isn’t a full supershow lineup – and a few familiar names won’t be at Cranbourne this year.
Brands including Avan, Great Aussie Caravans and Concept Caravans are absent from the exhibitor list, despite being regular fixtures at larger national events.
But that’s less about weakness – and more about positioning.
The Cranbourne Leisurefest has been designed as a smaller, more focused industry-run event, with a curated exhibitor mix rather than a “pack everyone in” approach. Being a CIAV-backed show also means exhibitors operate within stricter industry standards and dealer-backed expectations.
The reality is that many brands reserve their biggest launches and largest displays for national-scale supershows with massive foot traffic.
What Cranbourne offers instead is clarity.
You may not see every brand in the market, but the lineup that is attending consists largely of established, retail-backed manufacturers – making it easier for buyers to properly compare serious contenders without the chaos of a major supershow.
What You’ll Notice on the Ground
A Heavy Lean Toward Australian-Made Vans
Out of the ~40 brands attending, the majority are local manufacturers – giving buyers a strong look at Australian-built caravans.
Caravans First, Motorhomes Second
This is very much a caravan-focused show.
Motorhomes and campervans are limited, with only a small number of brands expected in that space.
Hybrids & Campers Still in the Mix
Expect around 10 hybrid and camper trailer displays, though not in the same volume as larger shows.
The Reality: Smaller Show, Better Conversations
Let’s be clear – this the Cranbourne Caravan Show isn’t a supershow.
Fewer brands – Smaller footprint – Less chaos
But that’s exactly where it wins. With a tighter exhibitor list, you’re far more likely to:
Get proper time inside vans, have meaningful conversations with dealers and compare layouts without pressure. And for buyers, that’s where real decisions get made.
Why This Show Matters in 2026
Caravan shows have shifted – they’re no longer just about browsing. They’re where serious buying decisions happen.
This event lands at a key time:
- New 2026 models are arriving
- Buyers are weighing price vs features more carefully
- EOFY deals are just around the corner
It’s less about spectacle – and more about clear, practical buying insight.
According to Caravan Industry Victoria CEO Daniel Sahlberg, the region’s strong RV ownership made Cranbourne a natural fit for a dedicated caravan and adventure event.
“We believe the inaugural Cranbourne Leisurefest will punch above its weight for a first show,” Sahlberg said.
More Than Just Caravans: Why Families Will Actually Enjoy It
One thing the Cranbourne Leisurefest is clearly pushing is that this isn’t just a “walk around looking at vans” type of show.
The event has been designed as a genuine family day out, with entertainment and activities running across the entire weekend.
For kids, one of the headline attractions will be the Peppa Pig ‘Muddy Puddles Show’, running twice daily across the event. There’ll also be:
- Marshmallow roasting
- Live music
- Food trucks
- Interactive family entertainment
- Dedicated rest and food areas throughout the grounds
That matters more than people think.
Planning Your Visit to Cranbourne Caravan Show
- Event: Cranbourne Caravanning & Adventure Leisurefest
- Dates: May 8–10, 2026
- Location: Cranbourne Racecourse, VIC
The Bottom Line
This isn’t the biggest caravan show in Australia. And it doesn’t pretend to be.
You won’t see every brand – and some big names are sitting this one out.
But what you will get is:
- A strong lineup of proven manufacturers
- A more relaxed, practical environment
- And a much clearer path to making a buying decision
With new 2026 model releases already arriving across the industry, the Cranbourne event lands at a key time for buyers looking to compare what’s new before EOFY season ramps up.
For anyone serious about caravanning in 2026, this is a smart place to start.
