Many car enthusiasts know the thrill of finding an old car that has been sitting unknown in a shed for a countless number of years.
A good shed is second to none in protecting ageing goods from the harsh Australian climate conditions.

Having recently discovered this new hobby of old caravans, myself & others are experiencing the same thrill that applies to cars, when these old caravans turn up in farm sheds.

A good example of a long-term garaged caravan is one that was recently discovered in ‘Watheroo”, a tiny town in the backblocks of Western Australia.

The West Australian newspaper’s “caravans & camping” section recently featured a fellow from the West Australian town of Bridgetown who had built both a replica 1940’s caravan and a ‘teardrop’ style camper trailer. Hopefully, at a later date, details of his homemade projects will be added to this site.
His contact phone No was included in the article and consequently he received a call from a farmer in “Watheroo”.

The farmer owned a “Globe Trotter” caravan he purchased near new in the mid sixties from “Ravens Caravans” in the Perth suburb of Subiaco, and as he had no further use for it, offered the caravan for sale.

According to the license paper, it is a 1965 model. It measures 12 foot long in the old measure and is equipped with a gas refrigerator and two burner gas stove. Accommodation is for four.

I have no memorabilia on this model caravan, but do have some details on the 1960 model Globe Trotter caravan. The “Globe Trotter” series were built by “Globe Caravans” in South Australia.

Some observations of the caravan note a single only brake light in the centre of the rear of the caravan, the front overhead cupboards are open shelves only (no doors) and the water tank is a gravity fed unit that runs along the right side of the van with a simple tap over the sink (no pump required). The fridge is fuelled by gas only without the electric option.

The owner has been careful to store the caravan out of the weather for most of its life, and on close inspection, this is clearly evident.
The original “Globe Trotter” signwriting is still in place at the front of the van, the “Raven” caravan stickers on the front & rear are still in good readable condition. Overall the caravan is in a very sound state.

The caravan has the unusual combination of wooden sides with aluminium panelling on the front, rear and top.

It was originally towed by a 1961 EK Holden. The license papers record the weight of the van at 660 kgs, and if that is correct, the van would easily be towed by a grey motor Holden, or similar powered car.

As evident in the photos, the “Globe Trotter” has a real classic shape with nicely inverted front & rear panels.
This caravan will look a real ‘treat’ when on the road coupled to a car of the same period.
The new owner intends to tow the caravan with his immaculate 1963 EJ Holden.