Aussies roll out the awnings as caravan, camping trips surge post-pandemic

Australians are taking more caravan and camping holidays since the pandemic but they're pitching their tents near the coast rather than inland.

Over sixty per cent of caravan, camping and cabin sites were occupied in September 2024, a 27-per-cent increase on September 2019 levels, according to Tourism Research Australia (TRA).

There was a five per cent decrease compared with the highs of 2023.

Data shows caravan parks and commercial camping grounds in NSW had 3 million visitors in the year ending June 2024.

Reflections Holidays camping site bookings grew five per cent over the 2023-24 financial year with the majority of the growth going to parks near the coast rather than inland.

Reflections CEO, Nick Baker, said the cost-of-living continued to squeeze family budgets and many people were choosing to take trips closer to home as a cheaper alternative to travelling overseas. He expected business to remain solid this summer.

"At Reflections Holidays we have been seeing more and more Aussies choosing to take a domestic holiday over an international trip," Mr Baker said.

"It's obvious that a large factor in this decision is the cost of international travel, especially for families. The admin that goes into planning international travel also far outweighs that of an interstate trip."

Mr Baker said post-pandemic, many Aussies had realised how lucky they were in Australia resulting in "an uptick in holidaying at home".

"With so many beautiful locations to choose from, especially in NSW, packing up your car, kids and heading out on the road for your next holiday, for many, is far more desirable than a rush to the international airport - and also much more affordable," he said.

Meanwhile, Intrepid Travel ANZ managing director Brett Mitchell said Australians were not visiting outback Australia in the same numbers as they were during the pandemic and tour operators were struggling.

He said people were choosing to go overseas instead of to the outback.

Mr Mitchell said Intrepid's Australian tours were expected to drop five per cent in 2024 after a boom in 2023.

He is calling on the Australian government to implement a "regional dispersal strategy" to attract Australians and overseas holidaymakers back into outback Australia.

"There's no doubt funding has been an issue, funding towards tourism, Australia and the state tourism offices and regional tourism offices," he said, adding staffing and housing in outback towns also needed funding.

Mr Mitchell said when Aussies did visit the outback they were seeking more adventurous destinations such as Kakadu, Uluru, and Bungle Bungles.