Overlanda Caravans

Background

Overlanda Caravans is a local and trusted, family-owned and operated business based in Ararat, Victoria. The company was founded by Joe Sterpin in 1976. Joe was the owner/director until he retired in 2007. Gerald Hurkens, who started his cabinet-making apprenticeship with Joe in 1976, worked his way through the ranks and eventually took over ownership when Joe retired.

The company has over 50 years of manufacturing experience and specialises in both commercial/industrial caravans and leisure touring and off-road caravans. They also offer retro-styled caravans, which is an unusual niche offering.

Ownership & Structure

Overlanda is a family-owned business, now under the ownership of Gerald Hurkens who took over from founder Joe Sterpin in 2007. The business has maintained its regional roots in Ararat, Victoria, and operates as a custom manufacturer rather than a mass-production outfit.

Manufacturing

Overlanda is based at 7 Caledonian Court, Ararat, Victoria. The company crafts over 150 high-quality caravans annually, specialising in custom-built solutions for both rugged industrial use and leisure. Their product range includes commercial and industrial caravans (site accommodation, mining camp units), touring and off-road caravans, and retro-styled caravans. This diversification across commercial and leisure markets is unusual in the Australian caravan industry. They ship Australia-wide.

Market Position

Overlanda occupies a unique niche as a regional custom manufacturer with dual capability in commercial/industrial and leisure caravans. Their retro caravan range taps into the growing nostalgia market. Being based in regional Ararat rather than Melbourne’s caravan manufacturing precinct gives them a different operating cost structure.