After five years of exploring New Zealand in our beloved “Bach on Wheels”, a German-imported Burstner motorhome, we decided it was finally time to turn our attention to our own backyard: Australia.
Late last year, we began the search for a new van that could match the quality and comfort of our Kiwi ride. Unfortunately, Australian regulations meant we couldn’t bring the Burstner across the ditch. So, we started looking locally. After months of inspecting countless models, we discovered TRAKKA just as they were launching their MY25 range. In December, we drove our brand-new Torino home to Melbourne.
Our first trip was a four-week shakedown in Tasmania in March.. an ideal way to get to know our new “Crowded House” (my wife Vicki is a proud Kiwi after all). By late May, we were ready for the big one: a lap of Australia, starting with the westward leg to Perth.
Over four months, we clocked up more than 19,000 km, staying at 33 different spots, which included campgrounds, roadside stops and remote bush hideaways. The highlights? Too many to list but here are a couple of standouts:
- The ever-impressive Nullarbor (we will never tire of it)
- Gnylmarung Campground on the stunning Dampier Peninsula
- The vibrant Darwin Festival (don’t miss the laksa!)
- Western Australia’s top-notch roads and traveller-friendly facilities
….and, remarkably, not hitting a single animal despite having no bull bars (and losing the $7 Shoo Roo someone gave us early on).
How did the Torino handle the journey? In a word: flawlessly.
We had high expectations after our German-engineered Burstner, but the TRAKKA Torino met (and often exceeded) them. A few highlights:
- The bed: So comfy we chose to sleep in the van even when staying with our daughter in Perth.
- The fridge: A 12V Freucamp with a decent freezer—far superior to the old 3-way model we had before.
- Cooking setup: Induction hotplates and a Ninja Woodfire electric BBQ (which doubles as an air fryer) made meals a breeze.
- Entertainment and connectivity: A compact 20” TV was more than enough, and while we brought a Starlink Mini, my trusty 7-year-old Telstra Netgear router gave us 90% coverage—crucial during footy season.
But the real game-changer? The Torino conversion is 100% electric. No gas. No generator. Just solar power, with occasional top-ups from the Fiat Ducato alternator.
We were skeptical at first, but after testing it in Tasmania, we were sold. The EcoFlow 48V PowerBank system (Trakka’s standard) delivered both 12V and 240V power seamlessly. We added the extra 5kW battery (for a total of 10kW) and brought a 220W external portable solar panel for cloudy days. Power was never an issue, even with daily coffee, toast, hairdryers and more.
Speaking of coffee.. Vicki takes hers seriously. We tested 12 different pods before settling on St Ali and Allpress as our favourites. For a budget option - Coles’ Daily St Medium Dark did the trick.
Another small consideration was the De Walt battery inflator I bought for those tough roads. Several other brands were not strong enough for the Ducato tyres.
The EcoFlow’s user interface deserves a special mention - intuitive and simple, unlike the overly complex systems we’ve seen in other vans.
So we did the whole trip around the country, without once plugging into 240V power, despite having to pay for it in several campground that didn’t have any unpowered sites! A genuine off-the-grid trip around Australia.
As for the Fiat Ducato? It just works. Smooth, reliable and with a turning circle like a Corolla. It’s no surprise Toyota re-badges it in Europe as the ProAce Max.
What really sets the Torino apart is TRAKKA attention to detail. Every nook and cranny is thoughtfully designed. The bathroom works brilliantly in a compact space and storage is tucked into every possible corner. It’s clear this is a company with decades of experience and a deep understanding of what travellers need.
And the support doesn’t stop once you drive off the lot.. TRAKKA’s after-sales service has been excellent.
Oh btw, no, TRAKKA didn’t pay us to say any of this (though we wouldn’t have said no). We just wanted to share our experience in the hope it helps others looking for a high-quality motorhome.
Happy travels!
Bruce & Vicki - TRAKKA Fam
