About Us

Gawler Caravan Centre: Over 60 Years of Adventure

It all started with a single family holiday.

Gawler Caravan Centre began life soon after 1962 when the successful business of ‘Phillips Welding Service’ in First Street Gawler, South Australia was established. The business operated under that name between 1962 and 1970. After buying a caravan for their own getaways, founders Bob & Elaine Phillips found themselves continually loaning it to friends. Seeing a clear local need, they bought a second caravan to hire out. Before long, caravans became their main focus & the welding business was sold.

Decades of Expansion By 1970, the booming business had outgrown its original footprint. The team moved to larger premises in Willaston (the northern area of Gawler) and opened a dedicated sales yard on Adelaide Road (opposite the Gawler Racecourse). In 1976, the workshop found its current home on Para Road in Evanston (the southern area of Gawler, behind Xavier College Evanston, formally St Brigid’s Primary School, & Gawler & District College B-12, formally Gawler High School), providing several hectares of space to service a growing community of caravanners.

In 1988, Bob and Elaine sold the Adelaide Road yard with plans to semi-retire. However, the caravan lifestyle is hard to leave behind. In 1991, their sons Michael and Ken re-joined the business, kicking off an expansion that brought a sprawling new modern workshop, a dedicated spare parts shop, and a new sales yard to the Evanston site.

Modern Solutions, Traditional Service Following Bob's passing in 2017, Michael was appointed Managing Director, while Elaine remained an active, integral part of the business until taking her well-deserved retirement a few years ago. Today, the company continues to honour its family roots by delivering the same genuine, old-fashioned service that has been its trademark for more than six decades.

Today, Gawler Caravan Centre is a bustling hub for travellers from all over Australia. Constantly adapting to changing trends in caravan design and construction, the company offers an ever-expanding range of modern products, alongside comprehensive caravan servicing and repairs. Whether you are a seasoned traveller or buying your first van, the friendly and experienced staff at Gawler Caravan Centre are always ready to offer first-hand, practical advice to get you on your way.