I must admit that I arrived at the Bluewater Campers facility in the outer Melbourne suburb of Pakenham with the idea that I was coming to test yet another same-same imported camper. Yet to my pleasant surprise, I couldn't have been more incorrect. Bluewater Campers entered the market with imported products five years ago, but time and an understanding of customer wants and needs have seen them develop considerably. The Bluewater Murray is a refined camper built on simple principles. They offer a logical approach to providing a sensible array of high-quality, manufactured items on a durable and capable base, complete with all the essentials for extended off-road touring. They don’t try to fool you with a massive accumulation of low-quality features, as do some competitors.

Bluewater are the first to admit some imported manufacturing. Both the steel shell and the galvanised chassis, as well as other components for the suspension, are imported. Bluewater actually own its own facility in Fiji, where the tent is manufactured using premium Australian Wax Converters Dynaproofed canvas. They also manufacture a range of other camping, clothing and outdoor products as well as many accessories. It's pleasing to see that they are not taking any shortcuts and the quality is excellent, incorporating world-best products such as YKK zips and premium midge-mesh flyscreens. In other words, they carefully select their manufacturing to provide a premium finished product at very competitive prices, with maximum sensitivity to Australian preferences.

The Murray is a very compact camper that is jam-packed full of pleasant surprises. She’s a forward fold camper with added height in the tub, making a much more congenial, facilitating and inviting interior. It is also much simpler to erect than some I’ve had the displeasure to experience. In fact, she has a genuine overnight setup time of under five minutes (without annex). The tare weight is a pinch under 1500kg, which is quite reasonable considering the level of build quality and facility she provides. But fill up the twin stainless steel water tanks, with their combined 170-litre capacity, and add some camping and recovery gear, food, drinks, and personal equipment, and you have a serious off-road capable contender running close to the 1990 kg ATM.

Bluewater Campers Own Suspension

The Murray rides on Bluewaters' own independent trailing arm suspension, and is fitted in Australia using locally sourced Lovel coil springs and Pro-Ride shocks on either side. The shockers have been specially tailored to the trailer and are readily available as a spare part if necessary, or replaced with more generic alternatives in an emergency, which you shouldn’t have! Other locally sourced components include Timken bearings, 12" electric brakes and hubs from Axle Tech, plus Primal 16" alloy wheels with your choice of AT or MT tyres. There are four wind-down supports stabilising a strong box-section chassis. The welding all looks good, and all of the cabling and plumbing are well secured.

The day will come when you won't be able to use a standard wind-up or swivel jockey on undulating ground, and no doubt it will be at the worst possible time. Hence, I was pleased to find a strong and functional ARK XO, “X-Series” 750 kg-rated jockey wheel, which features a fully adjustable height as well as the ability to wind up in case you get stuck in an awkward position. Bluewater also features the Al-Ko off-road 3.5 tonne coupling, a handbrake, Anderson plug, strong checker plate, and a replaceable mesh stone shield. The fold-over assembly features its own winch for assistance, along with twin 4.5kg gas bottle retainers and twin jerry can holders.

Bluewater Murray Camper in the Bunyip State Park

Our destination was a camp in the Bunyip State Park in East Gippsland, Vic, but it was one of those drab, misty, rainy, grey-scale sort of days which just sucks the colour out of the world. Undeterred, we found a lovely little campsite and proceeded to assemble the unit. By the time I had unpacked my camera gear, Bluewater’s Robert Harley had surprised me by having the basic unit assembled, ready for an overnighter. This is a far more user-friendly camper than many of its competitors, featuring a sensible fold-over mechanism and easily adjustable poles and frame.

The Bluewater Lachlan's tent is built to last, with 18oz grade canvas on the roof and 14oz on the side walls and add-ons. The tropical roof is a standout feature, popping open automatically with the foldover and staying taut thanks to Bluewater's clever design.

I love the way the external awning supports are designed, with easy-to-use poles and spreaders that make setup a breeze. The annexe is also impressive, with a simple assembly process that can be done solo in around 10-15 minutes. The kit includes everything you need, including a Ripstop PVC floor, draft skirts, and an ensuite that's also easy to set up.

The attention to detail is evident in the design, with high-tensile, quick-clamp adjustable poles and C-clamp ends that make life easy and secure. It's the little things that count, and Bluewater has nailed it with this camper. The quality is top-notch, and it's clear that thought has been given to ensuring everything is secure and easy to use, even in challenging weather conditions.

What's Inside?

The Bluewater Murray's interior is a haven of camping comfort and practicality. The large, deep tub is a standout feature, offering ample storage and accessories to keep you organised. The access ladder is easy to use and has adjustable legs, making it simple to join the party inside.

The Queen bed up front is just the spot for a great night's sleep, or a nanny nap for that matter! It has a high-density eggshell foam mattress as standard, with terrific access from the main tub floor. With the convertible dinette, you can create a spacious bed that's perfect for families or groups. The seating area is designed with comfort in mind, avoiding the low-seating trap that can make you feel cramped.

The tent is well-designed, featuring numerous windows and high-quality midge mesh to keep bugs out. And when you want to open up, the large wall on the passenger side creates a fantastic flow from inside to outside living areas. The brekkie bar is a great touch, and the new mesh screens will be a welcome addition for keeping the bed area private.

Storage is plentiful, with ample space under the seating units, and the sound system and LED lighting enhance the ambience. The timber-look flooring is a nice touch, and the upholstery is both stylish and practical. Overall, the Bluewater Lachlan is a camper that's designed for comfort and enjoyment.

 What's Outside?

Let’s start the outside inspection from the passenger, or living side of the camper under the annexe. To the right-hand side of the doorway is the solid 316 stainless steel kitchen unit that slides out easily on a strong mechanism. Whilst we never used it, there is a support leg to help stabilise. The kitchenette features a plumbed and certified Dometic 3-burner stove with folding wind shields, a sink with pressurised cold water, an extendable benchtop, a large cutlery drawer with a division insert, a utensils drawer and a cabinet under the sink, plus easy, quick-connect plug-ins for the gas and water lines. It even comes with its own LED light on a flexible base to make cooking and cleaning easy, as the light fails.

To the left of the doorway is a compartment with two large sliding drawers, as well as a full-width pole storage locker. This would probably become the pantry in my camper. In front of that is a large fridge compartment with heavy-duty slides capable of housing up to a 110-litre fridge. (pictured with an 85 litre) This compartment features an internal fan to assist in cooling. It is worth noting that every external opening is well sealed with neatly rolled edges. They are all fully lined and feature automotive seals and premium compression locks to keep the dust out. There are sensor lights that activate automatically every time the doors are opened. – Again, nice touch, Bluewater.

Around the back of the trailer is a spare wheel and toolbox holder in its own cradle, with twin PVC fishing rod tubes or pole carriers. However, Robert informs me that there are slight modifications to this area arriving on newer models. There’s a toolbox big enough for a small chainsaw or generator, and big, bright LED taillights enclosed in checkerplate mountings.

The driver’s side of the trailer houses all the electrical components, lockable water fillers, and additional storage, including a large lockable compartment at the front. Next to it is the electrical switch box, with neatly laid-out and fused switches, an isolator, and an LED power indicator. The Murray doesn’t come with chargers and inverters as standard (can be opted), but it will charge the twin 100 AMP AGM batteries directly from the Anderson plug to the car or via a 120AMP solar panel supplied as part of the package. The batteries are in a further compartment near the rear of the trailer. Robert tells me that the twin batteries have lasted him for up to about five days between charges, depending on the climate, how often the fridge is opened, lighting, and service. There are numerous 12-volt outlets around the trailer for accessories.

Also on the passenger side are mounting points for adding a boat rack, canoe rack, or other options at any stage. Around the back are twin recovery points. We never assembled the ensuite due to yet another dose of Victorian winter rain, but the package comes complete with a portable gas hot water system and a toilet.

Passing the Crater Test! 

Bluewater Campers backs the Murray with a 5-year structural warranty plus 5 years on the manufactured canvas and the Lovell coil springs. All other parts come with a minimum 12-month warranty. (Some suppliers' warranties may apply.) It presents outstanding value for a trailer of these dimensions, quality, componentry and capability. We took it out and gave it a pounding on some rough ground, and it never even flinched. Then we found some really deep puddles, or should I say craters, to test entry and recovery angles, and she pulled through with flying colours.

Bluewater has displayed some good old Aussie inventiveness in combining a great selection of accessories with functional design and high-quality engineering and workmanship into the terrific package that is their “Murray”. They don’t claim to have reinvented the wheel – just perfected it to get you outback and comfortable!

 

Measuring Up

Hits

  • Terrific packaging

  • Easy set-up

  • Off-road capable

  • Aussie canvas

  • Great layout

 

Misses

  • No inverter or charger as standard

     

Specifications

Tare: 1480kg including all canvas and poles

ATM: 1990kg - Upgradeable to 2400 kg

Suspension: Bluewaters' own independent trailing arm suspension, including Lovell coil springs and dual Pro Ride custom shock absorbers on each side

Brakes: 12” electric

Coupling: AL KO off-road 3.5 tonne

Chassis: Full box section galvanised

Drawbar: 125x50x4 MM galvanised A-frame

Body: oven-baked 1.6mm zincalum panels with clear coat finishes

Wheel/tyre: 16” x 8 x 265 all-terrain or mud tyre

Style: Primal Alloy mag

 

Dimensions

Box size: 2100 x 1800        mmxmm

Length: (hitch to tail lights) 5.20 m overall

Tent size: 4200 X 1800 mm plus 4600 x 2400 mm annexe

 

Accessories

Gas cylinders: 2 x 4.5 kg brackets only   

Water: 2 x Stainless Steel Water Tanks 130lts and 40lts with 2 x 12 volt pumps

Cooktop: Dometic 3-burner

Kitchen: Stainless Steel Kitchenette with wind shields

Battery: 2 x 100 AMP AGM

 

Are You Still Shopping for the Perfect Camper or Van?

Check out our current selection of camper trailers for sale at OnlyVans.com.au. You can also narrow your search to Bluewater campers for sale.

If you're still in research mode, we have many other great deals on caravans for sale, including used caravans and caravans from private sellers. You can also find motorhomes for sale and pop-top caravans.

No matter how you like to travel, we've got you covered.   


Found your perfect purchase? Let’s make financing just as easy!

Work with Australia’s best-reviewed finance broker for a great deal and a stress-free experience. With 3,000+ glowing Google reviews, you can trust you're in good hands! See what our happy customers say in Credit One reviews, or jump right in and crunch the numbers with our handy loan repayment calculator. Your ideal financing solution is just a few clicks away!