For a growing number of Australians, booking a hotel is no longer the automatic choice when planning a holiday. More Australians are choosing caravan parks over hotels as they look for flexibility, space and better value.
Instead, families, couples and road-trippers are increasingly choosing caravan parks. Not just for camping, but for cabins, powered sites and short regional getaways that offer more flexibility and better value. What was once seen as a budget alternative is now a deliberate travel decision.
The shift has been building for years, but recent travel patterns show it has moved firmly into the mainstream.
Cost Pressures Are Reshaping Holiday Choices
Rising accommodation costs, higher airfares and ongoing cost-of-living pressures are influencing how Australians plan their time away.
In many destinations, hotels require multiple rooms for families or larger groups, quickly driving up costs. Caravan parks, by contrast, often offer a single booking, whether that is a cabin or a powered site, that accommodates everyone together.
For many travellers, that difference alone is enough to change the decision.
Rather than spending most of their budget on accommodation, Australians are choosing stays that leave room for fuel, food, local attractions and longer trips.
What Travellers Are Actually Choosing Instead
The move away from hotels does not mean Australians are returning to basic camping.
Across the country, travellers are increasingly opting for:
- Self-contained cabins that suit families and couples
- Powered caravan sites for short breaks
- Drive-to holiday parks within a few hours of home
- Flexible stays that can be extended or shortened easily
This flexibility aligns with a growing preference for shorter, more frequent holidays, rather than one long annual trip.
Caravan Parks Have Evolved
Modern caravan parks look very different to what many travellers remember.
Many now feature:
- Family-friendly facilities such as splash parks and playgrounds
- Upgraded camp kitchens and communal areas
- A broader mix of cabin styles and price points
- Pet-friendly options that hotels often restrict
For travellers, this means caravan parks can deliver a relaxed, social holiday experience without giving up comfort. This is particularly true in regional and coastal destinations where hotel supply may be limited or expensive during peak periods.
Hotels vs Caravan Parks: A Practical Comparison
For many Australians, the choice now comes down to practicality rather than loyalty to a particular accommodation type.
Caravan parks often offer:
- More space for families
- Easier parking and access for vehicles and trailers
- Fewer restrictions around pets and outdoor living
- Locations closer to beaches, rivers and national parks
Hotels continue to suit city stays, business travel and short stopovers. But for leisure trips, especially those involving children, pets or road travel, caravan parks increasingly align better with how people want to travel.
Regional Travel Is Driving the Shift
Most caravan and camping holidays take place outside capital cities.
As Australians continue to favour regional and drive-based travel, caravan parks naturally fit that style of holiday. They allow travellers to avoid flights, travel at their own pace and explore smaller towns and attractions along the way.
This trend has played a significant role in supporting regional tourism, with caravan and camping stays contributing strongly to local economies across the country.
This trend has played a significant role in supporting regional tourism, with caravan and camping stays contributing strongly to local economies across the country, as recent travel data shows.
Flexibility Matters More Than Ever
Another factor shaping accommodation choice is flexibility.
Caravan parks often allow easier changes to length of stay, arrival times and site types. This is something travellers value when weather conditions, work schedules or road plans change at short notice. That adaptability has become increasingly important as Australians juggle work, family commitments and travel.
Who This Shift Suits Most
The strongest growth in caravan park stays is coming from:
- Families managing holiday budgets
- Couples travelling outside peak periods
- Pet owners avoiding hotel restrictions
- Travellers combining work with short breaks
- Road-trippers prioritising flexibility
Caravan parks also suit multi-generational travel. They allow grandparents, parents and children to stay close together while still having separate spaces, something traditional hotel layouts do not always support.
A Change in How Australians Think About Holidays
This shift reflects a broader trend of Australians choosing caravan parks over hotels as travel priorities continue to evolve.
Choosing a caravan park over a hotel is less about compromise and more about control.
Travellers are prioritising:
- Space over room service
- Flexibility over formality
- Experiences over extras
As long as accommodation costs remain high and domestic travel continues to dominate, caravan parks are likely to remain central to Australia’s holiday landscape.
For many Australians, skipping hotels is not a trend. It is simply the smarter way to travel right now.
