CARAVANNING Queensland and Top Parks have been officially recognised as
holders of a new Guinness World Records title for the largest ever
LEGO caravan.
Guinness World Records adjudicator Brian Sobel announced the news
after inspecting the caravan at the Brisbane Holiday Village.
It beat the record set up in the UK by 73,472 bricks.
Built to celebrate the 50th annual Queensland Caravan, Camping & Touring
Supershow, it took a team of up to 20 adult fans of LEGO from
across Queensland and interstate to accomplish.
The project took 10 weeks to plan, over 20 weeks to build, more than
530-man hours and features 288,630 LEGO bricks held together by 70 litres
of glue.
The life-size replica of an iconic 1973 Viscount Royal
‒ Australia’s largest caravan manufacturer in the 70s
‒ and sits atop an original and functioning
Viscount chassis.
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Celebratory
cake to mark the achievement |
Caravanning Queensland general manager Jason Plant said his organisation
always wanted to do something on a grand scale, and building the world's
largest LEGO caravan was the perfect idea.
"It's fantastic to be part of a project that will connect two great family
activities – LEGO and holidaying – and shed a new light on caravanning and
camping in Queensland with a Guinness World Records
title," he said.
Head of Top Parks David Smith said as Australia's largest network of
independent parks, the company had thrown its support behind the project.
"The Viscount 'van symbolises the memories of many Australians, back in
the 70s and 80s, of a family caravanning and camping trip," he said.
"Manufacturing has come a long way since then, but you still can't go past
hooking a caravan on and exploring the outback."
It was hoped the caravan would hit the road, visiting key destinations in
his company's extensive network of parks, Mr Smith said.
"It's fair to say it will turn some heads, and we hope it will also
inspire people to make their own dream holidays a reality – no matter how
ambitious they may be."
Avid caravanner and LEGO builder Ben Craig said the project was not
without its difficulties, with the capabilities of LEGO bricks being
pushed with its large open interior.
"Overall, I'm really happy with the result. Let’s go camping," he quipped.
The caravan is fully equipped with a double bed, wardrobe, sink with
running water, stove, refrigerator, dinette, cupboards with sliding
drawers and operating tail-lights.