CLAIMS that caravanners have shunned Queensland's Gold Coast because of high fuel prices have been disputed by the local mayor.

Some reports insisted that caravan parks had seen a dramatic fall in visitor numbers as bowser prices hit an all-time high. One claimed that only 50 percent of southerners had migrated north for their annual stint in the winter sun.

But Mayor Ron Clarke said grey nomads were still heading to the holiday playground on the Queensland-New South Wales border in droves.

"I was surprised to read that petrol prices had apparently affected them," he said. "They're a strong market who have been coming to the Gold Coast for decades and the figures reflect they still love coming here."

Broadwater, Burleigh Beach, Kirra Beach, Ocean Beach and Tallebudgera Creek tourist parks have all reportedly increased their occupancy rates, with an 81 percent occupancy rate at the Main Beach tourist park. This was a rise of 14 percent over last year.

Jacobs Well tourist park reportedly fell from 44 percent to 36 percent.

Meanwhile, caravan parks and camping areas around south-west Queensland were bursting at the seams, according to an ABC Rural report.

Thargomindah Tourist Information Centre manager Jan Seery told the programme she had recorded a 25 percent increase in the number of tourists over last year.

She said with the high price of fuel, locals were baffled at the increase.

"I've spoken to the Paroo Shire, Cunnamulla, Quilpie and I have also spoken to Charleville and they're all saying the same, that they have been extremely busy over this season and they're surprised, just like I am, that the number of visitors hasn't decreased at all, it has increased," she said.

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