Caravan park occupancy rates continue to surge

Published: January 30, 2026

It will come as no surprise to most grey nomads, but a new study shows demand for caravan holiday park accommodation has hit record highs … with cabin occupancy faring particularly well.

Data from Caravan Industry Association of Australia’s Accommodation Insights – December 2025 report shows park occupancy reached all-time December highs across every accommodation category.

The December 2025 quarter also set new benchmarks for cabin, powered and unpowered site occupancy.

The key December 2025 statistics showed:

  • Powered site occupancy rose to 49%, up two percentage points on December 2024, while unpowered site bookings increased by one point to 26% – both new December highs.
  • Perth recorded the highest powered site occupancy at 85%, ahead of the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast (both 77%).
  • National cabin occupancy reached 64%, a record for the month and up one percentage point on December 2024.
  • The Gold Coast (87%) led cabin occupancy in December, followed by the Sunshine Coast (83%) and the NSW Central Coast (80%).
  • The December quarter of 2025 (three months to December 31) set a new Q4 benchmark across all categories. National cabin occupancy averaged 67%, up three points from a year earlier.

The Caravan Industry Association of Australia said the occupancy rates had been boosted by a strong response to its Road to a Million campaign, which promotes nearly 1,300 caravan holiday parks nationwide by offering guests an entry into the draw to ‘play for $1 million’ for every night stayed.

“The further you travel, the more entries you receive, encouraging caravanning consumers to enjoy the delights of a caravanning and camping holiday while pumping money into regional communities,” said Caravan Industry Association of Australia CEO Stuart Lamont.

  • Have you noticed caravan parks (and campsites in general) getting busier and busier? Comment below.

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86GTS
13 days ago

Yes over the past 15 years of our retirement RV ownership has exploded.
We used to stay in a caravan park occasionally but now its rarely.
We spend almost all of our time camped out in the bush mostly by ourselves.
It’s much more relaxing.

Len Sorrell
7 days ago

That is exactly why we do not travel during School holidays!

lost
7 days ago

it might be rislng but so is the price 2x 3 kids and well over a hundred dollars a nite

Gary Weir
6 days ago
Reply to  lost

Parks should have a family price where you get a discount for how many kids you have there and no charge for kids 5 and under. when we traveled with our children we had 4 kids to pay for as well as ourself. My wife and still travel now we don’t go to van parks we look for cheaper alternatives as to expensive for us. I feel sorry for the families with 4 kids like we had and wondered how much it is costing them if they stay for a week. We use to stay for the duration of the holidays.

Wrinkly Steve
6 days ago

I would like to see the break down of numbers in and out of school holiday times, age groups and family’s with & without kids i.e. couples/singles. we have been on the road since December and have certainly noticed a drop off since the end of school holidays in Caravan Parks, we use a combination of C/Parks & free camps, loving the life.

Gail
6 days ago

Soon it will be too expensive to travel & stay in caravan parks. Even the ordinary coastal parks without jumping pillows etc are well over $100 for 2 people in the high season. Cabins are more expensive than a motel room.

Barry
4 days ago

Owned 1 caravan , now have a 24 ft 5th wheeler , unfortunately the park costs and site availability are pushing me towards a motorhome , I like the idea of the freedom of not having to book in advance , plus the ability to park discreetly if we need to .

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