Family camping is about creating memories together.
It is about discovering new destinations, sharing meals around the table, laughing over board games and finishing each day with stories about everything you have experienced.
But travelling as a family also means spending a lot of time together in a relatively compact space.
That is why the most successful family caravan layouts do more than simply provide enough beds. They create spaces that work at different times of the day, give every family member somewhere to feel comfortable and allow parents and children to enjoy the journey together without always feeling like they are living on top of one another.
That thinking is at the heart of the all-new Retreat 249DD.
A Family Caravan Designed Around Real Life
The Retreat 249DD has been designed with a family of four in mind.
Rather than treating the caravan as one shared room, the new floorplan creates two clearly defined zones: a dedicated rear sleeping area for the children and a generous main living and relaxation area for the family.
During the day, everyone can come together around the spacious lounge and dining area. It is a comfortable place to enjoy breakfast, plan the day ahead, play games, watch a movie or relax after returning from an adventure.
When bedtime arrives, the children can settle into their own rear retreat while the main living area remains available for the adults.
It is a practical difference that can transform the experience of travelling as a family.
A Dedicated Retreat for the Kids
Children love having somewhere that feels like their own.
The rear bunk area in the 249DD gives the kids a dedicated zone where they can sleep, relax and enjoy a little independence while remaining safely inside the family caravan.
On a rainy afternoon, it can become their quiet place to read, rest or unwind. At bedtime, it allows them to settle into a clearly defined sleeping area rather than feeling as though the entire family is sharing one room.
Giving children their own space can also help create more structure inside the caravan. The kids know where their zone begins, while the main living area remains a welcoming space for everybody.
The Whole Caravan Does Not Shut Down at Bedtime
One of the biggest challenges in a traditional family caravan is what happens after the children go to sleep.
Parents may still want to watch a movie, read, talk about the day or simply enjoy a little downtime. However, when the children are sleeping in the middle of the main living area, the entire caravan can effectively have the same bedtime.
The 249DD has been designed to provide a better solution.
With the children settled into the rear sleeping zone, the main lounge and dining area becomes a comfortable evening retreat for the adults.
Mum and dad can continue enjoying the caravan without disturbing the children and without having to end the evening before they are ready.
That separation can be particularly valuable during longer trips, when the caravan is not only somewhere to sleep but the family’s home on the road.
A Living Area That Brings Everyone Together
Creating separate zones does not mean separating the family.
At the centre of the 249DD is a generous living and dining area designed to bring everybody together when it matters.
It is the place where meals are shared, plans are made and stories are told. It can become a games room, a movie theatre, a dining room or simply a comfortable space to escape the weather.
The beautifully appointed kitchen sits alongside the main family area, making it easy to prepare meals while remaining connected with what the rest of the family is doing.
Instead of the person cooking feeling isolated, the kitchen becomes part of the family experience.
One Floorplan, Five Ways to Travel
The new 249DD is not limited to a single Retreat model.
Families can choose the layout across the complete Retreat range:
ERV 249DD
For families seeking Retreat’s most advanced all-electric, 48-volt off-grid platform and the ability to travel with significant power independence.
Daydream 249DD
For families looking for serious off-road and off-grid capability, premium appointments and a platform designed for more demanding adventures.
Fraser 249DD
For families seeking a strong combination of off-road ability, off-grid capability, comfort and contemporary design.
Whitsunday XE 249DD
For families wanting luxury off-grid touring with thoughtful inclusions and the flexibility to explore beyond the traditional holiday park.
Macquarie 249DD
For families looking for a comfortable, practical and well-appointed off-grid tourer that makes the Retreat lifestyle more accessible.
This means families do not have to choose between the layout that works for them and the model capability they need. They can begin with the 249DD family floorplan and then choose the Retreat model that matches their preferred destinations, tow vehicle, touring style and off-grid requirements. Retreat Caravans
Designed for Weekends and Longer Adventures
The benefits of the 249DD can be felt on almost any family trip.
For a weekend away, the dedicated zones make arriving, settling in and enjoying the caravan easier.
For school-holiday adventures, the generous living space gives the family somewhere comfortable to spend time when the weather changes.
For longer journeys, the separation between the children’s sleeping space and the main living area can help the caravan feel more like a genuine home on the road.
Whether your family is heading to a favourite coastal park, exploring regional Australia, chasing warmer weather or planning an extended lap, the 249DD has been designed to support the way families actually travel.
Built on the Retreat Foundation
The 249DD combines its new family-focused layout with the technology, construction and model-specific capabilities of the Retreat range.
RXP 2.0 wall construction is listed across all five Retreat models, while the power systems, suspension, solar capacity, appliances and touring specifications vary depending on which model is selected. Retreat is also celebrating its 20th anniversary during 2026. Retreat Caravans
This gives families the freedom to choose the right balance of comfort, off-grid performance and touring ability for their adventures.
Build Your Family’s 249DD
The best family caravan is not simply the one with the longest feature list.
It is the one that makes everyday travel easier, gives everyone somewhere to feel comfortable and helps the entire family enjoy more time together.
The new Retreat 249DD does exactly that.
It gives the children a space of their own, gives parents more flexibility and creates a generous central area where the whole family can reconnect.
Two zones. One family adventure.
Discover the new Retreat 249DD, select your preferred Retreat model and start building a caravan around the way your family really travels.
