The changing profile of caravanners in Australia

Caravanning has been a popular leisure activity in Australia for many decades. In recent years the profile of the industry has changed with a shift from family caravanning to retirees. This change has significant implications for the industry overall as well as the regional areas visited by caravanners. This paper reports on research designed to develop a profile of contemporary caravanning in Australia. One of the most significant findings was the homogeneity of the respondents. The largest groups of respondents were ‘empty nesters’, people who were retired or near retirement and who were attracted to three clusters of activities: nature; shopping and eating; and visiting heritage attractions. Another major finding of interest for regional areas was the relatively low daily expenditure on food and accommodation. The paper discusses a range of options that may be used by regional areas to boost their caravan sector.