AUSTRALIANS are known for their laid-back attitudes and love of the great outdoors, so it’s no wonder caravanning and camping is an increasingly popular choice.

New research released by the Caravan Industry Association of Australia highlights the continued growth and strength of the caravan and camping industry nationally.

Caravan registrations have experienced a higher rate of increase than any other vehicle type in the last two years, and research into the number of registered RVs or motorhomes in Australia shows a jump year on year of five percent (1).

In 2013 the number of registered RVs in Australia was 528,869, jumping from 502,025 the previous year.

Of these registered vehicles, 474,783 are towed (caravans, camper trailers, tent trailers, and other towed RVs) while 54,103 are motorised (i.e. motorhome or campervan) (2).

RV production statistics for May were up 7.4 percent over the same month in 2013.

They also showed the highest towables production in at least six years and the highest combined total since March, 2011 (3).

Caravanning and camping is a significant industry in Australia, accounting for $7 billion of expenditure annually and representing over 60 million visitor nights (4).

These numbers are not solely the product of the grey nomad market – though these consumers remain significant.

Industry data attributes this upsweep to younger families who are getting into the caravanning and camping spirit.

According to Tourism Research Australia, the largest consumer group in the industry is made up of 35 to 49-year-olds, who account for approximately 50 percent of all travel in the sector (5).

This is further backed by the Alliance Strategic Research finding that the key current user group is 35 to 49-year-olds, particularly families with children (6).

1: BDO Caravan & Campervan Data Report, 2014.
2: Ibid
3: Caravan Industry Association of Australia production statistics, July 2014.
4: Tourism Research Australia Caravan or Camping in Australia Snapshots, 2012.
5: Ibid
6: Alliance Strategic Research The Caravan and Park Industry, 2011.

Caravan Industry Association of Australia chairman Mark Lindsay is optimistic about the future of caravanning and camping in Australia.

"Every year we see more and more people getting involved and seeing the sensational sights Australia has to offer," he said.

"Whether they're doing a big trip in a caravan or motorhome, or just getting away for the weekend, Aussie families are making the most of the great outdoors."

Mr Lindsay sees a trend emerging of multi-generational families camping together or grandparents taking the grandkids for a week away.

"Gramping is a phenomenon we're seeing a lot of recently," he said.

"It's a great way to build inter-generational bonds, away from the routine of everyday life.

"Australia's love affair looks set to continue with a KPMG research report into caravanning and camping demographics completed in July, 2013, highlighting significant opportunities for the industry and finding the family demographic as the one most likely to grow into the future."

Caravanning and holiday parks industry facts:

• 67.8 million site nights were spent in the caravanning and camping sector in 2012, 45.3 million (67 percent) were in a caravan holiday park with above 40 sites (8)
• Expenditure by caravanning and camping consumers is approximately $7b annually (1)
• 90 percent of all site nights are in regional Australia (1).
• 90 percent of caravanning and camping activity is undertaken by Australian domestic travellers (1).
• The largest user group is 35 to 49-year-olds with approximately 50 percent of all travel in the sector (1).
• There are 170,000 powered and unpowered sites available nightly in Australia. At an average occupancy rate of 54 percent this means 86,000 sites go unused nightly around the country (9).
• There were 528,869 RVs registered in 2013. Of these, 474,783 are towed product (caravans, camper trailers, tent trailers and other towed RVs) while 54,103 are motorised (motorhome or campervan) (10)
• Caravan registrations increased 5.96 percent to January, 2012 – the highest recorded against other motor vehicle types (3)
• 85 percent of the Australian population has stayed in a caravan holiday park at least once in their life (1).
• For every $100 of caravan park revenue, $138 worth of direct economic benefit flows through the local economy (12).
• Local RV production in the year ending December, 2013, was 20,402 (19,441 towed, 961 motorised). It is estimated up to 10,000 units (mainly camping trailers) may also be imported on an annual basis.
7 KPMG The Impact of Demographic Change on the Future of the Caravan, Camping and Manufactured Housing / Manufactured Home Village Industry, July, 2013.
8 TRA Caravan or Camping in Australia Snapshots 2012.
9 BDO Economic Report Value of Commercial Caravan Park to a Local Community 2012
10 BDO Caravan and Campervan Data Report 2014.
11 Consumer Research Report 2011 - Alliance Strategic Research.
12 BDO Economic Report Value of Commercial Caravan Park to a Local Community 2012.