Caravan Travel

No longer the sole preserve of grey nomads, caravanning is an affordable, accessible way for people of all ages to enjoy the Australian outdoors. Besides saving on accommodation and transport, you can prepare meals on the road.

'With the current economic climate, people are looking for cheaper travel alternatives,' says Tony Bellamy, of the Recreational Vehicle Manufacturer's Association of Australia (RVMAA) and Roadstar Caravans. 'Turmoil, terrorism and the value of the dollar are making people question going overseas for holidays.' Caravan culture Hit the road for a great Aussie holiday, travelling in the luxury you deserve Tony says the caravan industry has grown about 13% a year since the mid-1990s. He believes the growth will continue as our population ages and the number of retirees doubles in the next decade.

In the Drivers Seat
It isn't just retirees taking to the road. Recent research by the Caravan RV & Accommodation Industry of Australia (CRVA) uncovered surprising results about who's using caravans. 'There's a perception that the majority of people are over 50, but we found the biggest user group is aged 35 to 49,' says Ben Yates, from the CRVA. He explains the research also revealed that the camping sector is becoming more popular with 18 to 24 year olds.

'The industry has changed in recent years. Caravan parks have invested in infrastructure such as kids crèches and parks, swimming pools, and cabins for families who don't want to tow a van,' says Ben. 'There's something for everyone. Younger people love camping, families like cabins and the over-50s enjoy towing, but they all congregate in the same place.'