The Wanderer
As part of Avida’s 60th anniversary, the manufacturer has produced several new models. One is the Beechworth, a 7.85-metre (25ft 9in) motorhome designed with two different bed configurations (two singles or an island double) and two body options: a C-class Luton peak or a B-class campervan-style model.
Newcastle-based Australian Motor Homes & Caravans (AusMHC) had a couple of Beechworth motorhomes on display during my visit and, since I hadn't seen a single-bed layout for a while, I opted for that version.
AusMHC general manager Chris Pippen says: “The Beechworth is a mid-range motorhome with dual rear wheels. It’s designed to be driven on a car licence. The thinking is that it’s a lighter version of Avida’s Esperance range and won’t require an LR truck licence.”
The Iveco Daily 50-180 underpinning the Beechworth has a GVM of 4,495 kilograms (the top weight threshold permitted on a standard car licence). Iveco Daily cab chassis are the top choice for many motorhome manufacturers, being slightly cheaper than the three-pointed star competition (Mercedes-Benz).
The Daily has the standard Iveco 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine, which delivers 132kW of power and a healthy maximum torque of 430Nm. With an eight-speed automatic gearbox, the Daily performs well and maintains road speeds under most driving conditions. It handles quite well and the general road noise isn’t too bad (for a motorhome), with a minimal amount of creaking and squeaking from the internal cabinetry.
Avida’s body construction method has remained largely unchanged over the years. The manufacturer uses a lightweight sandwich panel construction, featuring a onepiece floor and roof. The external walls are all dent- and hail-resistant fibreglass, and the entire structure is timber-free. Built tough, Avida reckons the roof is strong enough to walk on. Out of sight, the under-floor area has metal sheeting protection. The motorhome body has double-glazed acrylic windows and they’re a giveaway of the bedroom’s layout – two small rear windows for two single beds.
Unlike some motorhomes I’ve inspected recently, the Avida has a decent amount of external storage bins. At the rear of both sides, the compartments look deceptively larger than they are but still have generous capacity. The offside forward bin holds a pair of four-kilogram gas cylinders.
Stepping aboard the Beechworth reveals a simple but effective layout. The interior is very bright and shiny, thanks to the almost white finish and the large over-sink window and roof hatch.
The space above the cab has been left open except for a shelf around the edge. This user-friendly design makes it easy to get to and from the cab seats. Iveco’s swivelling seats turn to face the dining table and the two-seater lounge (fitted with seat belts). All form a neat dining/lounge area. The table doesn’t immediately reach the front passenger seat, but there’s an extendable section underneath – so four people can comfortably be seated for a meal. There’s a power point under the table and a reading light with USB charger.
Most of the motorhome’s electrics are located in the mid-offside bins. The 100Ah Lithium LiFePO4 battery is installed in the rear bin, and the major components are located on the front panel. Avida has designed a hinged panel that allows key electrical components, such as the external power connection and fuses, to be located on the outside. Behind the panel and easily accessible are the Victron Energy IP22 20A three-output charger, the Victron 30A regulator and a DC to DC 30A converter.
The Beechworth’s generous kitchen bench has a stainless-steel sink/drainer and a four-burner (three gas, one electric) hob with a grill. An oven is optional. Adjacent to the kitchen bench there’s a microwave above a Thetford 175-litre three-way absorption fridge.
The kitchen boasts excellent storage capacity, with six drawers, a wire-basket pantry, single cupboard and series of overhead lockers with shelves. A hinged benchtop extension expands into the doorway for extra preparation space when needed.
In keeping with the rest of the motorhome, the bathroom area is quite spacious – with a separate shower cubicle, Thetford cassette toilet and vanity cabinet. The shower cubicle is quite roomy and the cassette toilet has adequate elbow room. Even in the confined space of the cubicle, there’s a decent amount of cupboard, shelf and overhead locker storage. Additionally, there are large wall mirrors inside and outside the bathroom. The large window allows for great light and ventilation.
Single beds may not be everyone’s first choice, but in the confined space of a motorhome they offer some practical benefits. The space between the beds not only provides easy manoeuvrability, but also a relaxing seating area during the day.
Both the beds measure 1.91 x 0.74 metres (6ft 3in x 2ft 4in) and are longer than the average double bed in a motorhome or caravan. There are windows all around and an exceptional amount of cupboard and overhead cabinet space – considerably more than a double bed layout. There’s limited under-bed storage space.
The double bed version of the Beechworth is quite similar to the single bed version, except that instead of the single beds, there’s an east-west double bed with the bed head on the offside.
The Beechworth design has several pluses. One, you get the choice of Luton or non-Luton peak and single or double beds. For the length, the overall layout is reasonably practical with few compromises. Additionally, the general storage capacity, both inside and out, is better than average. Avida has done well with one of its 60th anniversary specials.
VEHICLE
MANUFACTURER AVIDA
MODEL BEECHWORTH B7862SB
BASE VEHICLE IVECO DAILY 50-180
TARE WEIGHT 3,690KG
GVM 4,495KG
PAYLOAD 805KG
LICENCE CAR
PASSENGERS 2 TO 4
MECHANICAL
ENGINE 3.0 LITRE TURBO DIESEL
POWER 132KW @ 3,500RPM
TORQUE 430NM @ 1500 RPM
GEARBOX EIGHT-SPEED GEARBOX
BRAKES ABS DISC
DIMENSIONS
EXTERNAL LENGTH 7.85M (25FT 9IN)
EXTERNAL WIDTH (INCL AWNING) 2.34M (7FT 7IN)
EXTERNAL HEIGHT 3.06M (10FT)
INTERNAL HEIGHT 2.02M (6FT 7IN)
BED SIZE 1.91M X 0.72M (6FT 3IN X 2FT 4IN)
EQUIPMENT
COOKTOP MOBICOOL 4 BURNER AND GRILL
FRIDGE THETFORD N4175A 175L THREE-WAY
MICROWAVE OVEN NCE
LIGHTING 12V LED
BATTERIES 1 X 100AH LITHIUM (OPTION TO
300AH)
SOLAR PANELS 420W (OPTION TO 840W)
AIR CONDITIONER WEBASTO ROOF MOUNT
TOILET THETFORD CASSETTE
SHOWER SEPARATE CUBICLE WITH SLIDING SCREEN
HOT WATER HEATER TRUMA 14L GAS /
ELECTRIC
HEATER WEBASTO DIESEL (OPTIONAL)
WATER TANK 1 X 100L
GREY TANK 1 X 100L
GAS CYLINDERS 2 X 4KG
PRICE: $210,990
Supplied by
Australian Motor Homes & Caravans
31 Pacific Highway
Bennetts Green NSW 2290
Ph: (02) 4948 0433
australianmotorhomes.com.au
Category: Reviews
Written: Tue 06 Jan 2026
Printed: January, 2026
Published By:
