On Sunday, the final day of the exhibit, show manager Jeff Leach said he expected a total of 8000 visitors for the weekend.

The show had changed its position within the showgrounds, switching from one end to the other.

“It’s been great to have the Wimmera River as a backdrop to all the caravans,” Mr Leach said.

“We’re very happy with the venue and the help from Horsham Agricultural Society. Just about the only thing we weren’t happy with was the rain, but you can’t help that.

“We’ll be back next year.”

Mr Leach said there had been about 150 caravans on display and 80 exhibitors, including stalls in Maydale Pavilion and the food court.

“We’ve seen younger families looking at caravans, couples aged in their thirties with children. Usually it’s the grey nomads who dominate,” he said.

“It’s become much more economical for a family to take their children around Victoria or Australia in a caravan.

“The prices have come down and the caravan parks have gotten better. There are a lot of first-time buyers.”

Out in the caravan displays, families could be seen browsing with young children.

Horsham’s Deb Nitschke said her family had never bought a caravan before.

“We’re just out looking to see what’s out there as we might buy one down the track,” she said.

Inside the pavilion there was all kinds of equipment on display, from fishing tackle and nets to electronic neck massagers and specialty mattresses for caravans. 

Hopetoun’s Terry Landrigan said the show was a lot bigger that during previous visit a few years ago.

“There seems to be more people here. We went to the food court first. That was new,” he said.

“We’re looking at equipment for our caravan and upgrading the dining area.

“It seems to be almost the same price to buy new.”