Off Grid Down Under by MDC
Off Grid Down Under is a brand-new adventure series brought to you by MDC Campers & Caravans, showcasing the very best of Australian travel—rugged landscapes, hidden gems, and real off-grid living. Each week, we take you to a new destination across the country, proving why MDC builds the toughest, most capable caravans on the Australian market. Tune in every Sunday at 4PM AEST on the MDC Campers & Caravans YouTube channel and get inspired to take the road less travelled.
Episodes
36 episodes
EP 47 | Sell Up, Quit Your Job, Hit the Road - Hapnin' Empty Nesters
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...
EP 46 | Inside Dometic: Testing Labs, Grey Market Warning & the Future of Off-Grid Tech
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 Com...
EP 45 | He's Reviewed Them All. Here's What He Really Thinks.
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 i...
EP 44 | They Took A Brand New Caravan on the Gibb River Road
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: ...
EP 43 | Hema Maps – The Incredible Story
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 episo...
EP 42 | The Road to 40,000+ Caravans: The Full MDC Story
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 ...
EP 41 - How Caravanning QLD Is Breaking The Mould
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 thi...
EP 40 - His Grandfather Built the First Land Rover. He Builds the Hitch on Your MDC
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...
EP 39 - Their Stories Will Change How You Travel
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'...
EP 38 - The Trip That Changed Everything
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...
EP 37 - Why 48V Changes Off-Grid Caravanning Forever | MDC XT MK4 Launch
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...
EP 36 — Nearly a Million Caravans on the Road: The State of the Industry
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 Directo...
EP 35 - The Great Aussie Lockout feat. Tony Crooke
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...
EP 34 - Why MDC Has Used the Same Electrical System for Years
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 ...
EP 33 - You’re Investing Emotional Capital
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 (Rec...
EP 32 - From Dream to Driveway: Real Caravan Stories with MDC Finance
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 ...
EP 31 - Inside the All-New Forte SR Series 2
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 ...
EP 30 - Why MDC Caravans are Manufactured Overseas
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, S...
EP 29 - What Causes Trailer Sway (And How Tuson Fixes It)
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....
EP 28 - How Women Are Breaking Into the 4WD Lifestyle | Girls Day Out 4x4 Edition
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 train...
EP 27 - UHF Radios, Convoy Communication & Off-Grid Safety | Tony Crooke (GME)
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 ...
EP 26 - Moreton Island Adventures With Real Customers
After an epic (and at times chaotic) trip to Moreton Island, we’re sitting down to unpack it all.Cass & Ant from InTwoTheView join Wayne and Sam to talk through the full adventure — towing the brand new Forbes 11, tackling...
EP 25 - MDC Christmas Gift Guide // What to Get Your Camping Addicted Friends
Struggling to find the perfect Christmas gift for the outdoor adventurer in your life? 🎄🔥In this episode of Off Grid Down Under, we break down our best Christmas gift ideas for those who live the off-grid, outdoor, and adve...
EP 24 - She Travelled Australia — Now She Helps Others Do the Same
Meet Nicole, the newest member of the MDC sales team — and a traveller who spent over a year exploring Australia, towing, camping, working remotely, and living full-time on the road with her husband, Gus. Her hands-on experience giv...
EP 23 - 4x4 Recovery Essentials Every Aussie Should Carry
In this episode of Off Grid Down Under, Sam sits down with Vaughan, Banksy, and Anya to break down everything you need to know about 4x4 recovery gear and techniques. From building your own recovery kit to understanding the difference ...