On Thursday the RV Centre became the first distributor for 2017 Camper Trailer of the Year finalist Kelly Campers, which manufactures camper vans out of Bundaberg, Queensland.

“Australia is losing its manufacturing industry,” Mr Wright said.

“Campers is an area the overseas manufacturers are trying to come in on, but they don’t really understand the Australian conditions.”

Kelly Campers sales manager Todd Burrows delivered the first camper – a Glenrowan II – to the RV Centre on Thursday.

Marketed as “all Australian designed and Bundaberg manufactured”, Mr Burrows said the camper boasts a queen-width inner spring mattress, but is only as wide as 4WD.

The campers have previously only been sold direct and at camping shows.

The fridge, lighting and gas bottle are the only parts not made in Australia, Mr Burrows said.

“We’re a family-owned company … we’ve got to support Australian industries,” he said.

“It’s a shame to see our car industry going overseas.

“We need to support [manufacturing] or there’ll be no tradesman left.”

He said Dubbo was the perfect place to sell their product.

“It’s a pivotal point of travel,” he said.

“Most Australians have travelled the east coast and they tend to want to go inland a bit – Dubbo is such a hub for that.”

“We’re at the edge of the bush,” Mr Wright added.

“It’s amazing – probably 80 per cent of the people who come here, they want to go to the outback and get to some pretty inexcusable places. So as Todd said, if you can get your 4WD through, you can get your home base through.”

Visit www.dubborvcentre.com.au/ for more information.