2006 Van Nationals - Great Lakes, NSW (Nabiac, Forster/Tuncurry)
Easter - 14th to 17th April
Nabiac Showground
With only a short time to go, we have entrants coming from every Australian state (including 14 different van clubs) as well as a van owner from Florida, USA. If you own a van and live in NSW, this is an event not to be missed. Three hours from Sydney, compared to 10hrs (2005), 14hrs (2004) and 12 hrs (2003).The Great Lakes area has been one of the states most popular tourist destinations for many decades. An ideal destination to take the wife and kids or the girlfriend for the long weekend. The entry fee to the event is similar to basic camping fees at the Forster / Tuncurry caravan parks, but you get to party with 200 van enthusiasts, enjoy some entertainment, activities for the kids, get fed on Saturday night, Van Lights Show, Sound Off, Easter Bunny arrival and watch the drama unfold as we find out what will be the Best Van in Australia for 2006.
While the main focus has been on promoting the event to VANSw members who have yet to experience a van nats, we can assure the regular vanners and panie-owners that you will experience all the usual aspects that you have come to expect at the Easter event. Not bigger and better - just different.

For the early arrivals there is the opportunity to experience some local activities such as dolphin cruises, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, go-karting plus a pre-nats party at the Nabiac Hotel on the Thursday night before the official opening of the event.
For those unfamiliar with the Great Lakes region, it is based around the Forster area - between Newcastle and Taree. We will be based at the only council showground, 2 minutes from the Pacific Hwy in Nabiac.

The Saturday Cruise will start in Forster where we a planning to fill the Forster-Tuncurry Bridge with 79 vans - we already have more than 70% registered for the event. The cruise is expected to finish at the National Motorcycle Museum.

The Saturday night theme will be Super Heroes and Super Villains - even if you forget a costume, you put your underwear on the outside and steal a bedsheet for a cape...

Sunday is SHOW DAY. As daylight starts to fill the skies, vans will start to move from the camping area to the show arena. All types of vans have pre-entered, from Geminis to Bedfords, six "millennium" vans plus 14 vans previously not seen at a Van Nationals. These first time vans will be eligible for the Virgin Vans Awards. While the Top Van in Australia is crowned at this annual annual event, other vans will be competing for the title of Australia's Ugliest Van.

The Australian Van Nationals means many things to many of the entrants. To me, it is the once a year opportunity to get as many vans, at the one place, at the same time. When you are part of these events you will have a good time or a great time - it up to you. Van owners from all around Australia, and the world, think very similarly. After all, we make ugly commercial vehicles look like great vans. The Van Nats is also a people event. Wonder around the many campfires at night and for a chat with anyone. On many occasions I have seen the top van owners share their experiences with the first timers. These first timers are often referred to as Virgin Vanners, or Puppy Vanners by our Mexican (Victorian) neighbours.

If you have read this far, you are a true vanner. If you own a van and live within a days drive of the Great Lakes, come and experience the "culture" of Australian vanning. When the photos and reports are uploaded in May we don't want you to regret that you we not part of the 2006 Van Nats - Great Lakes, NSW

For entry enquiries go to www.2006vannats.com or contact Fres at [email protected]