Friday numbers were up on last year, she said, and her vox pop of exhibitors - of which there were 86 - seemed to show that people had come with the intention of spending money.

"They were impressed with what they'd been able to achieve on the Friday, and they'd got some great leads," said Mrs Biffin, who runs the expo with husband Grant.

"People are positive and looking forward to getting out on the road for their next adventure."

The car parks began to fill early on Saturday morning, and by 9.30am hundreds of people were strolling the site, checking out the sleek modern caravans and all manner of extras, from e-bikes and ladders to generators, hats and portable showers.

At shows like the Caravan, Camping and Outdoor Expo, it's not unusual for people to lob up to Larry Tofler - after admiring the nifty portable shower he invented - and let him know that they'd had the exact same idea.

After all, campers and caravanners have long sought the balm of a warm shower after a day of bushwalking or loafing about on a beach.

The only difference being that Mr Tofler, an eternal nomad, actually turned the idea into a reality, and named it the EverShower.

It took several years, requiring extended sorties overseas to establish relationships with manufacturers, and the resolve to carry on when things went wrong.

Mr Tofler said he was doing a brisk trade at the expo; pointing to the remaining stocks of the portable shower loaded into a van, he said he doubted he'd have enough for his next show, in Bathurst.

In the Lions Club of Cudal Cargo van ladies of a certain age were slinging sausage sandwiches and bacon and egg rolls; elsewhere the options included pizzas, donuts, Dagwood dogs and ice-creams.

Mary McMiles and Trudy Sharp were at the show for a browse.

"I'm just coming to see what accessories they've got for the van," said Mrs McMiles, who was attending for the second consecutive year and planning a trip north over winter.

She said the expo was "great for Orange" as it gave locals a chance to see a wide variety of products in one location.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: