NSW caravan and camping is breaking records with year-end data showing visitors spent 19.7 million nights in caravan and camping accommodation across the state, up 14 per cent on the previous year and five per cent on 2019 results.

Caravan and Camping Industry Association (NSW) CEO Lyndel Gray said: “These are fantastic results for our industry and show the endurance of caravan and camping as a mainstay of Australian holiday experiences.

“The NSW caravan and camping industry has achieved impressive success this year, reflecting the enormous investment and exceptional experiences offered by our holiday parks and campgrounds across the state.

“NSW is growing at a considerable pace, far outstripping other states in the number of nights spent in caravan and camping accommodation and taking the dominant place in the national market.

“Caravan and camping holidays have an enduring appeal and the industry continues to thrive as our businesses invest significantly in creating memorable holiday experiences.

“Holiday parks have become more than once-a-year destinations, they offer a wealth of attractions in some of the best locations where people can reconnect with nature or enjoy the local scene, making them ideal year-round destinations.

“This success has been underscored by an Australian based recreational vehicle manufacturing sector delivering high quality, innovative products which in the past year reached a peak not seen since the 1970’s with 31,289 units produced, up by 12% from the previous year.

The results for the year ending December 2023 show:

  • The 2023 year was the highest period of nights ever recorded in NSW
  • Visitors enjoyed 4.96 million caravan and camping trips up 6% on 2022 and 4% on 2019
  • Visitors spent 19.7 million caravan and camping nights in NSW up 14% on 2022 and 5% on 2019
  • The 30-54 years and over-55’s were the most engaged caravan and camping markets
  • NSW Intrastate travel continues to dominate, accounting for 74% of overnight trips and 68% of visitor nights.

Gray said the sector played a vital role in the success of Australia’s visitor economy, which delivers significant economic value to rural and regional communities, with caravan and camping visitors directly spending more than $3.5 billion in NSW.

“The CCIA is proud to represent the interests of the NSW caravan and camping industry and to support these businesses in achieving these incredible results now and into the future,” she said.

View the full NSW results here.

NSW Caravan Camping Holiday Supershow will be held at Rosehill Racecourse from 16-21 April 2024. Learn more here.

National results show sector's resilience

Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA) has also released its National Visitor Economy Report, the key quarter report on all the caravanning holiday statistics for the last three months.

CIAA said the December report has one big take-away: despite rising outbound international travel numbers in the baby boomer market, in both flight and cruising sectors caravanning in Australia has held its ground, demonstrating the industry’s resilience.

Despite the shift in the baby boomer market, numbers have remained stable. There were a total of 15.2 million overnight caravan and camping trips at year ending December 2023 - a small increase on the previous year but up nine per cent up on 2019.

CIAA CEO Stuart Lamont said: “Despite other markets rebounding post covid the caravanning and family park appeal remains as strong as ever. One of the biggest points is the number of families spending time in their caravans or in one of the industry’s many holiday parks.

“The caravan and camping sector are vitally important to Australia's visitor economy, particularly our regional and rural areas, looking at the latest figures it is easy to see these numbers will have a direct flow on effect to these areas.

“These visitors spend more than $8.1 billion directly in region whilst they travel which in turn supports local economies, job creation and regional communities.”

In total to December 2023, 60.6 million nights were spent in a caravan or in a park, up on 2019 numbers by 3 per cent.