Grey nomads have become accustomed to sharing the road with lot more travellers since the Covid pandemic sparked a surge in caravan and camping interest … and it’s not just costal locations that are going to be affected this holiday season.
The ABC reports that, as the cost of living and holiday accommodation soars, more and more travellers are ditching the beach for a ‘more affordable’ bush getaway.
Southern Queensland Country Tourism chief executive Peter Homan said caravan parks – as well as hotels and motels – were now 95% full across the Darling Downs and south-west.
He told the ABC that the cost-of-living crisis had left travellers favouring a cheaper ‘more reasonable’ holiday closer to home this summer.
It's not just campsites in the coastal areas that are going to be popular this holiday season. PIC: Rosco
“Price is driving a lot of holiday intentions at the moment,” he said.
The ABC reports that, at the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast, a powered campsite over the Christmas period can set a traveller back by more than $100 a night, compared with $30 a night on the Darling and Western Downs.
At Steven Keating’s Chinchilla campsite, about 300 kilometres west of Brisbane, it is unusually busy.
“It’s usually a quiet period, but I think people are looking forward to the experience we have to offer,” he told the ABC. “The lead-up to Christmas and the weeks after are looking quite good.”
The ABC reports that the campground, which overlooks a creek full of rushing water thanks to a year of rain, has activities including kayaking, farm visits and a smoked meat cookout.
Mr Keating said cheap experiences out west were in abundance.
“Chinchilla is on the map now, ” he said. “It’s not just a place you pass through any more.”
And Gerald Searle, who owns a caravan park at Crows Nest, 45 kilometres north of Toowoomba, agreed that the high price of coastal van parks was giving a boost to country operators.
And, he told the ABC, that people were loving re-discovering traditional, country-style holidays like the ones they used to have.
“It’s economical, you can bring the tent, the caravan, Grandma and the family pet,” he said. “We’ve got water flowing through in the swimming holes, national parks … good old-fashioned holidays.”
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$100 per night for a powered site! Outrageous for my way of thinking. Will definitely look for more reasonably priced places when travelling. Would rather help the smaller communities rather than greedy consortium’s.
We tried to make a late booking for the Sunshine coast but it was booked out. Maybe that’s the real reason people are heading inland
We not long came back from Queensland trip. Mostly stayed in small CP outback owner operated. Always clean tidy, friendly and happy to share their knowledge of area. Each made it their own with little details in the place. Did some coastal day trips. Worked well for us.