New statistics just released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics suggest that the grey nomad revolution is gathering momentum.
According to the ABS, there has been a 20.8% increase in the number of campervans registered in Australia between 2008 and 2013. In the past year alone, the number of registered campervans on our roads has risen by 2.9% to a healthy 54,101 vehicles. Campervans, as defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, are self-propelled motor vehicles containing an area primarily used for accommodation.
It is probably fair to assume that caravans have enjoyed a similar increase in popularity.
The Motor Vehicle Census (which does not include non-motorised caravans) reveals that there were almost 17.2 million motor vehicles, including motorcycles, registered in Australia in 2013. Interestingly, motorcycle registrations grew at a faster rate than any other type of vehicle over the past five years … up by more than 30%.
“There are now around three-quarters of a million motor cycles on the road, and just on 13 million cars,” said Sybille McKeown, ABS Director of Transport Statistics. “Once you add in trucks, campervans, buses and so on, there are over 17 million registered motor vehicles in Australia; up nearly 3% since last year.”
In Australia as a whole there were 750 motor vehicles per 1,000 estimated resident population, compared to 723 back in 2008. Tasmania had the greatest number of vehicles per 1,000 population of all states and territories in 2013 with 853, followed by Western Australia with 828 per 1,000 population.
It seems our taste is for newer rigs, as well. In 2013, the average age of all vehicles registered in Australia was 10 years for the fourth consecutive year. Over the five-year period from 2008, campervans recorded the largest decrease in average age … getting newer by 0.8 years.
Another interesting statistic and one that Outback-touring grey nomads may have helped to skew is the number of diesel vehicles on the road. The ABS says that diesel vehicles increased by 61% between 2008 and 2013.
For every campervan registered in Australia, there are approximately nine caravans.
Do you think the popularity of campervans among grey nomads is growing faster than caravans? Have you noticed the roads getting more crowded? Comment below.
I am a Motorhomer, just couldn’t be bothered with all the hassle of hitching up and levelling a van all the time and having to weigh everything to come under the GCM. Your weight allowance is so low living full time with a van and tug…… No way
I do think that despite the doom and gloom in the world of finance there will be a big increase in the numbers of full time travellers in the next five years too.
All of those born just after WW2 are coming to the end of their working life and about to retire and utilise the fruits of their labour.
The will become SKIDRO’s (Spending Kids Inheritance Driving Round Oz. Be it a motorhome ,caravan, or camper trailer. So the short answer is Yes there will be an even bigger increase in traffic of this sort.
If you’re going to do it, do it NOW while there is still space to do it in.
If you have a case of the “what if”s”, think about being ninety years old, with a doily over your lap, saying, “what if I had bought that caravan when I was 60?”
Yes after my divorce I met a lady and we are doing it (around OZ) while we are still young enough . We are both in our mid 50s.
My mum is 82 and says ” We were gonna ” but never did ..
We have met so many gonnas who never will on our travels.
You never know when your times up in this life so DO IT NOW.