Grey nomads are continuing to flock to Tasmania, with new data showing the Apple Isle’s domestic visitor numbers growing at a greater rate than any other state or territory last month.
According to the latest mobility data from Tourism Research Australia, it had the largest percentage increases in overnight trips, daytrips and nights by up to 9%.
Federal Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell told the Daily Mercury that tourism was a key economic driver for Tasmania, directly contributing billions of dollars to the local economy.
“This data shows the strength of Tasmania’s tourism industry, supporting more businesses, more jobs and more opportunities for the community,” Mr Farrell said. “It’s wonderful to see Tasmanian tourism growing strongly … whether it be wine tasting, heritage towns, feasting on famously good food, or exploring the natural wonders, Tasmania has something for everyone.”
Natural attractions like Cradle Mountain, and excellent camping options help draw grey nomads to Tassie in huge numbers. PIC: Kosta /Pexels
In 2023, caravan and camping accommodation in Tasmania grew by 7.4 per cent, or 30,000 visitors, for a fourth consecutive year of growth.
In the last four months, Launceston and the North, and the North-West tourism regions performed relatively better across all trip types, while the West Coast demonstrated the strongest growth in overnight trips and total nights.
Tasmanian Labor Senator Helen Polley said the federal government was working to support tourism in Tasmania and the around 43,000 locals it employs.
“The Australian caravan and camping industry contributes $23bn to our economy. It directly supports the Tasmanian tourism sector and the 50 caravan parks across our great state,” Senator Polley said.
Caravan Industry Association of Australia chief executive Stuart Lamont told the Daly Mercury that Tasmanian caravan parks had demonstrated a strong focus on developing the customer offering over the last couple of years.
“Through significant capital investment across the state, parks have transformed their product offering, ensuring there is something for everyone,” he said. “Seeing the tourism numbers uptick is a real pay back for the focus on customer experience and investment in park infrastructure shown by caravan parks in Tasmania.”
And G’day Group chief executive Grant Wilckens told the Mercury that the figures were a testament to the ongoing appeal of Tasmania as a top travel destination.
“Our holiday parks across the state have been bustling with visitors, with 20% more nights sold over the past three months compared with the prior year,” he said. “And forward bookings are showing this trend is likely to continue.”
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We went there for a month back in 2016.
It was OK but we wouldn’t bother again.
There’s too much to do & see on the “big island”. LOL.
The price of return fares on the ferry would pay for enough fuel to get from Melbourne to Darwin.
Wow Keith, surprising. We went there for three months and stayed two years! Still didn’t see it all. Can’t wait to get back there. But I do agree, there is a lot to see and do on this great land of ours.
While we were on our Tassie trip we drove one inland stretch of around 90kms, every tree had been clear felled as far as the eye could see.
Not a pretty site, an absolute environmental disaster.
We are currently here in tassie. 3 months so far. Finding tassie a bit over rated plus a lot of venues closed for winter. Unless you are into wineries, distillery, cider places or chocolates, see the history of tassie doesn’t take long. Plus most caravan parks are charged $50pn plus $1 ,for 5min or timed showers. It’s expensive in tassie. We personally feel the mainland has more to offer at a cheaper price
Absolutely what we found on our visit.
Over rated says it all.
Going over towards the end of October for seven weeks. Booked the spirit in Nov last year, then all the caravan parks just after Christmas. Missed out on three of our preferences, but managed to get a spot at others. Thank goodness for a small van. 20ft inc drawbar. Don’t think I would like to wing it these days with all the vans on the roads.
It is a shame that it is still so hard to get a ferry booking for a car and van. We have tried 2 years in a row, booking 9 months in advance and earliest booking we could get was with in winter or late autumn. Not the best time to visit Tassie. Thought the extra ferry would have made it easier? Maybe January 2026 if we book now? Ridiculous. And the cost for a long van was $2200 – one way!! No one goes one way do they?
But we loved our time there previously and everything is so close and just a short drive. Many picture perfect places to go.
No issues with destructive youth like WA or NT a safe destination.
Tassie has its unemployment & crime problems too.
Locals in Tassie once used to wait until the end of Jan to go bush to revisit our favourite off-grid haunts. Nowadays, that timeframe has lagged out to the end of March. Going anywhere near a half-reasonable spot is now a no-no. Sadly, we are in danger of being loved to death…. Tassie has everything except a desert, but our nearest neighbour is 3 parts full of it. After grey-nomading the whole of the northern isle over a decade (pre-covid) to escape the worst of our local winters, the attraction of a flamin’ vast stock paddock started to lose its allure. The cost of the ferry across the pond is indeed a huge one for inbound vanners. Moderate size campers can get away with the price of a standard car. Maybe we exclude larger rigs to places where they properly belong……
Larger rigs are becoming a real problem in many places.
I will wait till they either build a brige, or tunnel.
Can’t get a booking for car and van until march!
And it’s expensive to get them across.