Off Grid Down Under by MDC

Where do the MDC team actually go when they escape? In this episode, Steve, Banksy, Nicole and Vaughan each share two of their favourite campsites from around the country — from remote WA fishing spots to hidden QLD bays that most people drive straight past. Whether you’re chasing land-based fish, a swimming hole close to Brisbane, or a truly remote desert camp, there’s something in here for every...

Buying a caravan in Australia? Before you compare floorplans and spec sheets, ask the questions that really matter: who stands behind the warranty, where the spare parts come from, and whether the company will still be answering the phone five years from now. Steve Zammit is joined by MDC founder and owner Vaughan Hindley, General Manager – Commercial & Product James Field, and MDC owner turne...

How did an Australian off-road caravan brand build a home in the biggest RV market in the world? MDC USA’s founder, product lead and US business manager tell the whole story, from the first showrooms in California to the brand new XT22HRT Off-Grid Extreme, the biggest MDC travel trailer ever built for America. Steve Zammit sits down with Vaughan Hindley (Founder & President, MDC USA), James Fi...

Pete spent 35 years as a Victorian police officer. Sonia ran clinical programs inside the prison system. Then they sold the house, bought a caravan, and drove away. That was three years ago — and they haven’t stopped since. Steve Zammit sits down with Pete and Sonia at the Queensland MDC Muster — right in the middle of the community atmosphere they’ve come to love — along with MDC’s Assistant Nati...

What does it take to pack up your life, ignore the doctors, and go live in a 13-foot caravan full time? Cain and Katrina from Hapnin' Empty Nesters know exactly — because they did it. When Cain received a heart transplant assessment, they faced a choice: wait or go. They went. Four years later, they're still on the road, building an audience on YouTube, and Cain has written two fantasy n...

What does it actually take to build appliances tough enough for the Australian outback? In this episode of Off Grid Down Under, Steve sits down with Damian Orleanski and Cain Dixon from Dometic Australia, along with MDC's General Manager of Commercial & Product, James Field, to pull back the curtain on one of Australia's most trusted caravan appliance partnerships. From the Dometic t...

One of Australia's most experienced caravan journalist sits down with the MDC crew at the QLD Muster — and he doesn't hold back.  Max Taylor has spent 20+ years reviewing caravans, running Caravan World Magazine, and building GoRV into one of Australia's most trusted independent RV media outlets. This is one of the most honest conversations we've had on the podcast. We get into...

Mandy and Rolly Heath are back — and this time, they've got 13,000 kilometres of stories to share. Since their last appearance on the show, they've taken Gold Class Caravan's AC17C through some of Australia's most iconic and demanding terrain: the Bungle Bungles by helicopter, Lake Argyle by Barbie boat, three nights in Broome, and then the full length of the Gibb River Road, w...

Australia is only covered by mobile phone signal across 30% of its landmass. If you're relying on Google Maps in the outback, you're relying on memory — and memory from a platform that's never physically driven those tracks. In this episode of Off Grid Down Under, Steve sits down with Sam Hayward, Chairman of HEMA Maps, alongside MDC's Banksy and Vaughan, to dig into 40+ years...

Almost twenty years ago, Vaughan Hindley started Market Direct Group with $5,000, a laptop, and a bulk lot of 12-volt camping jugs on eBay.  Today, MDC is one of Australia's most trusted off-road caravan brands — with 40,000+ units on the road, showrooms across the country, and a footprint in the United States. In this episode, Steve sits down with Vaughan (CEO & Founder), James Field (Ge...

What if a caravan expo wasn't just a place to buy a van — but a full festival weekend with onsite camping, motocross shows, fireworks, live music, and food trucks? That's exactly what Caravanning Queensland is bringing to Willowbank Raceway this August, and Steve sits down with the team behind it to find out how it all came together. Joining Steve are Ben Menzies, Business Development Ma...

What happens when the grandson of the man who built the original Land Rover starts making the hitches that go on the front of your caravan? You get Cruisemaster — and one of the most quietly impressive engineering stories in Australian off-road history. In this episode, Sam sits down with Andrew Goddard, Managing Director of Cruisemaster and AutoPacific Group, alongside MDC Managing Director Vaugh...

From remote tracks to breathtaking campsites, they share the real stories, hard lessons, and honest tips that only come from life fully on the road. Whether you're planning your first big trip or already out there chasing the horizon, this one's for you.  In this episode, we sit down with Daniel, Steve & Rolly who share their experiences of living off grid for long periods of time an...

For Mandy and Rolly, the open road wasn't just a holiday, it was a turning point. In this episode of Off Grid Down Under, the couple behind Memories Not Money share the story behind their lap of Australia, how time outdoors helped Rolly through a difficult mental health journey, and what they've learned about family, simplicity, and just getting out there.  One of our most honest and hea...

The wait is over. MDC has just launched the all-new XT MK4 range — eight models, 14 to 19 feet, and every single one built around a fully integrated Projecta 48V electrical system. This isn't just a power upgrade. It's a fundamentally different way to travel off-grid. Sam is joined by Shane Easton from Projecta, MDC General Manager James Field, and MDC Founder & Managing Director Vau...

Australia is approaching one million registered recreational vehicles on the road — so where is the industry actually headed?  In this episode, Sam sits down with Jason Plant, CEO of Caravanning Queensland (CTIAQ), alongside MDC Director Vaughan Hindley and National Sales Manager Wayne Chevis, to get a frank look at the state of caravanning in Australia right now. Jason's been in and around i...

Track closures, locked gates and restricted access to public land have become one of the biggest talking points in the Australian 4WD community. In this episode of the Off Grid Down Under podcast, we sit down with Tony Crooke from GME and the Outer Side podcast to discuss why more off-road tracks are being shut down across Australia — and what it means for the future of touring and recreation in A...

Fifteen years is a long time in any industry — so what does it take to keep a partnership that strong?  In this episode of the Off Grid Down Under Podcast, we sit down with Shane Easton from Projecta to unpack the relationship that powers every MDC caravan.  From the early days of basic battery chargers to the brand new Intelli-GRID Gen3 system rolling out in the Forté SR Series 2, we break down w...

In this episode of the Off Grid Down Under Podcast, we sit down with Stuart Lamont, CEO of the Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA), to unpack the standards shaping the Australian caravan industry. We dive deep into RVMAP (Recreational Vehicle Manufacturing Accreditation Program), salesperson accreditation, and what these actually mean for everyday buyers. If you’re thinking about buyi...

What really drives someone to buy a caravan? In this episode, we sit down with Candace from MDC’s in-house finance team—someone who’s helped countless Aussies turn their dream of caravan ownership into reality. But this isn’t about numbers or approvals. It’s about people. We dive into the stories behind the decisions—families chasing more time together, individuals stepping into van life, and ever...

In 2024, MDC entered the on-road touring market with the Forte SR range. Now, with the launch of the all-new Forte SR Series 2, we’re not just updating a lineup—we’re raising the standard for what customers should expect from an on-road caravan. In this episode of the Off Grid Down Under podcast, we’re joined by: • James Field – General Manager (Commercial & Product), MDC • Wayne Chevis – Assi...

At MDC Campers & Caravans, we’ve spent over 20 years building off-road caravans for Australian conditions — but there’s one question we hear all the time: Why do we manufacture overseas? In this episode of Off Grid Down Under, Sam sits down with Wayne, Steve, and James Field (General Manager – Commercial & Product) to break down exactly how MDC caravans are designed, built, and quality che...

If you tow a caravan or trailer, understanding sway could save your life. In this video, we break down exactly what trailer sway is, why it happens, and how the Tuson Sway Controller helps keep your rig stable and safe on the road. We’ll cover how the system works, when sway is most likely to occur, and most importantly — what you should do if it happens. We also talk through whether a sway contro...

Getting into the 4WD and off-grid lifestyle can feel intimidating — especially if you’ve never been shown the basics. In this episode of Off-Grid Down Under, we’re joined by Cassie from Girls Day Out 4x4 Edition, who runs dedicated training days helping women learn how to 4WD with confidence. Alongside Banksy from Beach2Bush Adventures and Anya from MDC, we explore what it really takes to step int...

UHF radios are one of the most important pieces of communication gear for travelling off-grid in Australia.   In this episode of the Off Grid Down Under podcast, we sit down with Tony Crooke from GME and the Outer Side podcast to talk about how UHF radios help keep travellers safe, connected and informed while exploring remote parts of the country.   We cover: • Why UHF radios are still essential...