Caravanning and camping makes families happier

'More value than the cost'

THE growth of Australia's caravanning and camping industry has soared to an all-time high, according to the Caravan Industry Association of Australia.

It revealed that caravans were the fastest growing motor vehicle by registrations ... and this number was set to grow.

The association said that 85 percent of Australians have experienced caravanning or camping in their lifetime, with research showing this form of holiday made families happier.

"There is more to the value of camping and caravanning than the cost," chief executive Stuart Lamont explained.

"Camping and caravanning provide Australians with the opportunity to connect, not only with each other but with the world around them.

"And that’s something guaranteed to make you smile."

A 2011 report from the UK titled Real Richness concluded that campers were more happy, energised, optimistic and satisfied than non-campers.

Families that went camping felt closer and wealthier.

In the report, 79 percent of children who had never camped said they would like to, and 88 percent of campers said it was something every child should experience.

The report also found that campers had a higher than average fitness level for their age, that children were happier when camping and even suggested that camping made parents happier too.

In fact, 80 percent of kids who camped said they felt their parents were less stressed when camping.

The Caravan Industry Association of Australia believes that taking time out from daily life to enjoy a holiday together is an important part of building and nurturing the close relationships essential to a happy family life.

This could be as simple as a weekend away or a long-term planned escape.

It said caravanning and camping offered the best value a family could get out of a holiday.

They combined a variety of activities and the ability to create a real home away from home together, with the sense of community so treasured in caravan and holiday parks.

The ability to easily customise holidays according to needs was extraordinarily valuable, the association said.

Campers and caravanners came in groups of all shapes and sizes, and this was indicative of a holiday as flexible as they come.

"Camping families are happy families; no wonder Australia is the Lucky Country," it added..