Since Covid travel restrictions were lifted, the demand for domestic travel has surged, outstripping even the most optimistic of predictions.
The question now is … when will it end? Or perhaps even, will it ever end?
The Outback Queensland Tourism Association says the last two years have been bumper seasons, but it says the cost-of-living squeeze may finally start to slow things down.
“We don’t anticipate that it will be as huge in volume as it’s been in the last two years,” chief executive, Denise Brown, told the ABC. “Those interest rates are biting hard, and the cost of living is biting hard on people … people are still keen to do things, it’s just a matter of they’re just a bit more careful with their money.”
There are still plenty of vans on the open road. PIC: Cizza
Ms Brown said the return of cruise holidays, which were put on hold during the pandemic, was also likely to have an effect.
However, last year, it was thought that sky-high fuel process may significantly reduce the numbers of people on the road in caravans and motorhomes … but that certainly didn’t plan out as expected.
In Hughenden, small business owner, Jodie Coward, told the ABC the influx of travellers had done wonders for the town.
“Last year, there were two days in the peak where the information centre had 500 visitors a day,” Ms Coward said. “Our total town population is 1,100 people, so on any given day, our population increases by 50% … that’s crazy, so that’s how busy we are.”
And in Charters Towers, tourist van park owner Brad Chilton, said he was not worried about a dip in trade.
“The last two years have been the best we’ve ever had, and I think the next year will be a good one as well,” he told the ABC. “The main thing to consider is there’s a huge number of new RVs out there – people own these caravans and motorhomes, and obviously they’re going to use them … I think it’s here to stay, I really do!”
Another thing that many rural communities are hopeful about it is that the return of a full events schedule will attract even more visitors.
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I have been travelling all country area’s of Victoria and NSW for the last 3 months the pattern as of yesterday nearly all the traffic are heading south.
Sure is busy at the moment.
However looming increases in insurance premiums for van parks will lead to increase site fees and even closures, hard times just around the corners.
Need to rally against this instead of just accepting it. It will significantly jeopardise living options for thousands.
We only opened early March, a bit to early I think but the Pacific Motorway (470 metres away) seems very flush with Caravans/Campers, anything you can sleep in
Cheers Brad
We came down Newell Highway yesterday from Queensland (Darling Downs area) and there were plenty of caravans, campers and equal amount of 4WD’s with roof top tent or swags and tents on the roof heading north. Lots of people camping in caravan parks and saw a number of free campers near rivers and creeks on the way down. Some motels with No vacancy on way down, overnight stop at Gilgandra and a few motels with No vacancy and caravan parks busy here too!
Caravan Parks around Adelaide all full, considering people needing accommodation. Those of us financial enough to purchase a van in this housing crisis are moving from park to park whilst holding down important employment – interesting times!!