Brian and Kerry Stewart have been startled recently by the high fees asked by some caravan parks … and have had to adjust their travel plans accordingly.
The couple – who travel in a 2016 Ford Ranger towing a Snowy River SR19 – prefer travelling along the coast as they both ‘love the beach life’. However, after recently forking out $296 for a four-night stay at a van park on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, they are having a bit of a re-think.
“As retirees, I doubt we’ll be back there at that price for off peak,” said Brian. “There’s plenty of other places to explore.”
Having been vanning for the past eight years, the couple has seen prices almost double in most of their favourite caravan parks since people started travelling again after the pandemic.
Brian and Kerry love the coast ... but will now be spending more time travellling inland.
“We, as retirees, are able to travel off-peak, but even those prices have gone from $45- $50 per night to $70-$80 per night, making us think twice about where we go from now on,” said Brian. “There are so many other places to see in regional towns, that will be our focus now, where pricing is at a level that we can accept as fair.”
The Stewarts say it is going to take ‘people power’ to give caravan parks pause about the amount they charge.
The couple have been caravanning for eight years.
“The more people that are prepared to shy away from the price hiked places, it’s more likely to have a downward effect on prices,” said Brian. “But whilst people are prepared to pay it, there will be no change.”
Brian and Kerry – who have been married 50 years – have always preferred staying in caravan parks ‘for the security aspect’, but that is another thing that might change going forward.
“Pricing now may force us to re-think that and make a few changes to the van to allow free camping on some occasions,” said Brian.
Higher prices notwithstanding, the couple says the challenges of life on the road are few and far between.
“The lifestyle is just one of ease and we chill at our own pace,” said Brian. “Booking places in advance most times ensures we have a place to have cocktail hour!”
The pair have also developed an efficient travel routine with Brian the main driver and Kerry the chief navigator and ‘site guide’. They share set-up and pack-up duties … including the all-important cross check.
So, all in all, it doesn’t sound like Brian and Kerry are about to park up the van any time soon.
“We love the fact that we take everything we need with us in the van … no packing and unpacking suitcases each night, and we sleep in our own bed,” said Brian. “And we get to meet so many new people with similar interests, which is nice.”
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Park prices on the coast are now ridiculous.
I now stay from the Kidman Way west, and with the floods I’m sure we’ll be appreciated more.
Brian & Kerry you are on the right track..I have been saying for ages that by reducing Bums on seats the greedy camp owners will have to look at coming back into line..
Maybe you could look more at staying in Showgrounds (which are very good and just as safe) or maybe 3 or 4 of your friends could start a convoy so that you feel safer when Freedom Camping…We often travel in pairs and have never had a problem with unwanted visitors …Cheers
Travel solo, it’s just as safe as being in a group if you use a bit of common sense.
Not only coastal caravan parks but those with water parks and jumping pillows. I would rather be by a river or a dam in the bush than crammed into an overpriced van park
The QLD & NSW coasts have been off my travels for 25 years as the Parks have been overpriced. The people running the parks are only there to take your money and cram you in to the state it is uncomfortable.
Inland regional communities are more friendly and welcome every dollar your spend and the overall experience is more enjoyable. This has been my experience living on the road for 20 years
I would never go to costal caravan park.Get in as many as they can and charge like a wound bull. I go to showgrounds plus i have notice they are getting a little exes.
The suggestions made by others regarding staying at showgrounds versus expensive caravan parks are well worth considering. We do a mixture of this depending on where we are travelling. Showgrounds usually have good basic amenities – all we ask for is that they are clean no matter whether in showgrounds or caravan parks. Another added bonus is that fees charged by showground committees stay within that community.
There are still a few coastal locations that are affordable if you do your research.
We do a lot of Outback travel, after the recent rains, the flies will be horrific.