Austrack Campers annual revenue has climbed from $1m a year in 2015 to $170m in 2024

A Brisbane entrepreneur says it was memories of camping as a child which sparked an interest in purchasing a camper trailer business which he has turned into a $170m a year powerhouse.

Austrack Campers owner Linden Lawson at their Caboolture showroom,

For Linden Lawson, it was the memory of family camping trips that sparked his interest to become part of the boom camper trailer industry almost a decade ago.

With a background in hospitality and construction, the Brisbane entrepreneur discovered a small family business Austrack Campers in Caboolture which had been around since 2006.

“When I was growing up I went camping every couple of weeks and we now take my two girls for breaks in the country,” he said.

“So when I was looking for something new and this business was available for sale. It was something that interested me and I saw the potential in it.”

However, Mr Lawson said the business – which he purchased in late 2015, had to change to realise its full potential within the boom $23bn plus self-drive tourism sector.

“When I bought the business we were manufacturing in-house but everybody was starting to get into importing and we had to follow suit so we wouldn’t be left behind,” he said.

“We design the product and they’re built offshore. We bring them here in containers and we assemble them.”

Crucially, Austrack expanded its offering to appeal to a greater number of potential buyers.

“We try to have something for everybody. It’s certainly a growing market and covid helped that by giving people the opportunity to have a look at where they lived and what’s around them,” Mr Lawson said.

“We’ve been out of covid for a few years and people are still enjoying seeing the sites of Australia.

“At the start we had smaller camper trailers only and we moved to camper trailers and caravans that suited a broader range of customers.

“We try and build something that appeals to everyone from that adventurous guy who is 25 and likes going 4WDing and camping to the grey nomads who can hook up a 16-foot van and travel the country for as long as they like with all the comforts.”

Austrack Campers owner Linden Lawson at their Caboolture showroom.

The company offers a range of camper and hybrid caravans.

They range from the high-end hybrid caravans with a washing machine, microwave, oven, internal kitchen, external kitchen. AC, a separate toilet and shower which is self sufficient with lithium batteries and solar power costing for up to $85,000.

At the other end is a camper trailer for younger singles or young families for about $19,000 while Mr Lawson said the business sweet spot was the family market with the off-road camper which ranges in price between $50,000 to $60,000.

Born in Ingham in northern Queensland, Mr Lawson grew up in housing commission homes and lost both his parents aged nine.

He grew up in Geelong in Victoria and his first job was at McDonald’s. As soon as he got his licence he returned to Queensland and never left.

His higher schooling was a couple of trade certificates and … most importantly learning on the job.

“I’ve always looked at things differently from an early age, trying to make the best of something and bring it to it’s full potential. My first business was a floor and wall tiling business,” he said.

“I look at everything as an opportunity to do something great with. Not all opportunities are great ones, but they’re like buses, another one comes along very quickly.”

Austrack was that opportunity and Mr Lawson has built the company turnover from $1m when he bought it to $170m a year and it currently has a market share of about 9 per cent.

Importantly, Austrack has no debt despite negotiating the rocky terrain of the covid pandemic, the impact of the rising cost-of-living crisis and more.

The company currently has 11 eleven showrooms across Queensland, NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, and four production facilities across the country.

It has about 70 staff and a relationship with outdoor and camping store Anaconda expands its reach further.

Mr Lawson retains 100 per cent ownership of Austrack and also owns a broader range of off-road group of companies.

They include a specialist off-road trailer hitch and coupling business; off road suspension, electrical and mechanical upgrades, supply and development company and off-road and adventure equipment and supplies business; specialist finance operations supporting adventure, agricultural and vehicle finance and is a national distributor for ATV, UTV and agricultural and specialist off-road vehicles aligned with a major international brand.

Austrack Campers owner Linden Lawson is a finalist in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year award in the industry category.

To cap off a stellar rise Mr Lawson won the Northern Regions EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award and he is a finalist in the industry category in the national awards which will be revealed on October 24.

“It’s quite the honour. For me I just go about my day trying to do my best and achieve a great outcome for my family, my customers and my team. To be recognised for this and be nominated for just being me is quite surreal,” he said.

“Business has many challengers and sometimes you just need to look at things a little differently to got through them. Have a plan B.”

As for the future Mr Lawson said he has no plans other than to grow the business.

“I’m still very passionate about the opportunity I get to help families make great memories out camping,” he said.

“And with the business we will keep doing what we’re doing. Open some more showrooms. hire more people, design more products to suit the market.

“We want to continue to give people the opportunity to go out and create memories with their families.”