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Share economy lures younger generation to campervaning

Campervans may traditionally be the domain of grey nomads but their grandchildren are giving them a more rock’n’roll image.

Millennials are taking smartly fitted-out campervans to music festivals.
Millennials are taking smartly fitted-out campervans to music festivals.

Campervans may traditionally be the domain of grey nomads but their grandchildren are giving them a more rock’n’roll image.

Built-in kitchens, wi-fi and other portable technology are just some of the additions to custom built vans, with music festivals a popular destination.

A kombi van with extras that is available for rent on Camplify.
A kombi van with extras that is available for rent on Camplify.

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“Weekend trips are really popular, a lot of people like to grab a Kombi and head to the beach or a park for the weekend,” said Justin Hales, the founder of peer-to-peer campervan hiring app, Camplify.

“But we see a spike in bookings when a festival is on, such as the Big Red Bash, Byron Bay Bluesfest and the Festival of the Sun. It allows people to upgrade their festival experience. They don’t have to stay in a traditional tent, they can have a bit more luxury.”

Cameron Donovan and Grace Baweja with their van Valerie.
Cameron Donovan and Grace Baweja with their van Valerie.

Known as the Airbnb of the camping world, Camplify has proven a big hit with millen­nials, with around 34 per cent of their users aged between 25 and 34.

And van owners who have a campervan parked idly in their driveway have the ­option to cash in on the trend.

Cameron Donovan, a 26-year-old Newcastle resident, listed his first campervan on Camplify in 2016.

The relative comfort of campavans is luring Millennials into camping.
The relative comfort of campavans is luring Millennials into camping.
Increasingly people are hiring campervans through share businesses such as Camplify for weekend trips away.
Increasingly people are hiring campervans through share businesses such as Camplify for weekend trips away.

He has ­recently listed a second ­vehicle, with plans for a third, having made $15,000 in the past 18 months.

He plans to use the profits to save for his first home.

Cameron’s campervans are booked out most weekends, with 25-40-year-olds his main demographic.

Check out the latest trends at The Caravan and Camping Outdoor Lifestyle Expo, which will be held at Sydney Showground, Homebush, Sept 20-23.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/share-economy-lures-younger-generation-to-campervaning/news-story/1a88f65ada2c97dd62f0d60ca5a7cfc0