Not every retiree wants to go on the road permanently, some just want to hop from one destination to another and back home again and, in that respect, the aptly-monikered KEA Nomad 2+1 three-berth is ideal for those who like to roam from place-to-place.

It’s also perfect for a couple with one child wanting to hit the road for 2-3 weeks, or grandparents wanting to take a grandchild away for a short holiday.

I only had a couple of days to check out the 7m (23ft) Nomad during a two-day sojourn in Victoria’s Mitchell Shire, so I left the grandkids at home and flew solo. I enjoyed exploring the region’s military and railway heritage, but the archetypal entry-level motorhome Nomad impressed just as much. RV Sales Centre (based in Braybrook, VIC) supplied the Nomad, and its sales and marketing manager Simon de la Mere told me he’s noticed many long-term motorhomers downsizing to the Nomad, as it’s easier to handle than a larger motorhome.

Indeed, I found that to be exactly the case while traversing Seymour and its surrounds. The Nomad’s base vehicle, a 2.2L turbodiesel Mercedes 313 LWB Sprinter, proved a super-smooth ride as I roamed the local tourist attractions including the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk, Seymour  Railway Heritage Centre, through the quaint township of Tallarook and also the Seymour Heritage Drive towards the Australian Light Horse Memorial Park and the Great Victorian Rail Trail. And with a seven-speed fully automatic gearbox, the agile Nomad has more than enough grunt, distributing maximum power of 95kW @ 3800rpm and maximum torque of 305Nm @ 1200-2400rpm.

I thought the Nomad was a pleasure to drive with its ergonomic swivel seating, which is also afforded to the passenger, and the  driver’s cabin has generous storage capacity with heaps of nooks and crannies for all your roadtrip gear.

Mine was only a short tour but the Nomad has the capacity to hit the bitumen and beyond for more than a few days given its battery (1x105Ah), solar (1x80W) and water levels (1x90L fresh; 1x110L grey). All of this is complemented by a roof-mounted Aircommand Sparrow reverse-cycle air-conditioner with a 2.4kW cooling capacity, and a gas hot water system. However, I found the Nomad’s external storage lacking somewhat.

There is ergonomic swivel seating up front

HOME-COOKED FEAST

I was stationed at the tranquil Big4 Seymour Holiday Park - along the picturesque Goulburn River - which does boast a comprehensive camp kitchen, but courtesy of the Nomad’s external slide-out barbecue, I easily whipped up an impromptu meal of lamb chops with a side-dish of salad. The separate cooking plate ensured everything was cleaned and put away in a jiffy. It bodes well for easy catering on the road.

Further to that, an external table with fold-down leg, to assist with meal preparation, is packed neatly away just inside the rear doors and, when needed, slides into position on the kerbside wall of the van.

I also appreciated the safety aspect of a single 9kg gas cylinder being concealed in a driver’s side hatch.

But I could just as easily have cooked up my feast in the Nomad’s compact and cleverly designed internal kitchen with its Dometic three-burner gas cooktop, sink with filtered water tap, 100L Waeco fridge-freezer and 700W Tiffany microwave. The galley also has excellent storage capacity, with user-friendly slide-out drawers, while a pantry cupboard is ideal for non-perishable items and I reckon the additional flip-up benchtop space is a real winner.

BRING A CROWD

The Nomad’s dining area quickly converts into separate sleeping quarters to make up the extra berths. First, the rear lounge, with minimal rearranging of the seat cushions, becomes a cosy double bed (2000x1780mm). Meanwhile, a passenger seat with a table behind the driver’s cabin  can be changed into a sideways-facing single fold-down stretcher-type bed (1850x800mm) that would comfortably accommodate a teenager or small adult. This seating and de-mountable table arrangement also allows you to catch up with any work commitments along the journey,  which certainly came in handy for yours truly.

The Nomad has a smart and spacious interior, with a bathroom with shower-toilet combo, washbasin and a 12V hatch and there’s also a deep compartment (robe) that’s made to measure for hanging clothes.

In-house entertainment is provided by a satellite television, built-in DVD player and AM/FM radio/CD player.

THE BOTTOM LINE

You could live or stay anywhere you want in the Nomad. It’s a quintessential home-away-from-home, albeit for relatively short stints.

I really liked its attention to detail and innovation, resulting in an external cooking facility (rare in a motorhome), intelligently designed internal kitchen, and pragmatic bedding configuration.

Obviously this KEA meets its brief, and will appeal to those who want to skip from campsite, to campsite and I reckon downsizing motorhoming retirees and a multitude of young couples (each with a little tacker in tow) will be queueing up to secure a quality RV at an enticing price.

HOLIDAY HAVEN

I took the KEA Nomad 2+1 three-berth motorhome to the Big4 Seymour Holiday Park to test it out and thoroughly enjoyed the serenity of this natural haven and the warm hospitality provided by managers Judy and Robert. 

Situated on the leafy banks of the iconic Goulburn River, and just over an hour’s drive north of Melbourne, the holiday park has a number of accommodation options including cabins (luxury, deluxe, standard, budget and small budget) and caravan/camping sites (drive-through powered, slab, grass powered and grass unpowered).

Set on seven tranquil, shaded acres close to town and public transport, the holiday park’s amenities were pristine and up-to-date, featuring a large camp kitchen with undercover barbecues and picnic tables, laundries with washing machines and dryers, ultra-clean amenities blocks and even a kiosk. It also has a children’s playground and giant jumping pillows.

And given its breathtaking scenery, the holiday park is a bird-watcher’s paradise that simply invites relaxation. You can take a paddle or fish on the river, or just stroll along its banks.

Situated in the Mitchell Shire, at the base of the Tallarook Ranges, Big4 Seymour is a great holiday spot to discover a region revered for its military history and railway heritage.

PROS

• Rear bedroom/rear lounge layout
• Versatile entry-level motorhome
• Cleverly designed compact kitchen
• Comfortable and easy to drive
• Fold-out single bed
• Panoramic side windows
• External slide-out barbecue

CONS

• Limited external storage
• Small fridge capacity

Category: Reviews
Written: Sun 01 Oct 2017
Printed: October, 2017
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