Kilcunda couple make $650 extra a week from renting caravan
A Kilcunda couple has turned their caravan into a stylish, post-lockdown money making machine. Here’s how they did it.
Bass Coast News
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There’s no doubt COVID-19 financially hit Victorians hard but one Kilcunda couple decided to use the pandemic as an opportunity to make some extra cash.
While in lockdown, Tim Landells and Jess Wall read an article about an American woman who rented out her caravan and made enough money to pay for college.
The pair were fascinated with the idea and decided to purchase a caravan for $4500 a few weeks later.
“It took a while to find the right caravan because a lot of research was involved and you have to know what you’re looking for,” Mr Landells told The Bass Coast News.
“You had to make sure there’s no water damage or rust.”
A few weeks of renovation and $1000 later the pair placed their caravan, known as ‘Winnie’ the Windsor Windcheater, on a caravan booking website called Camplify.
“Two hours after putting it on Camplify, we got a message for an eight day booking and we couldn’t believe it,” Mr Landells said.
“We were stoked, it was so exciting.”
Following the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions in November, Camplify saw a 200 per cent surge in Victorian bookings.
“We’re seeing such high numbers of bookings for caravanning holidays that many of the small family van hiring businesses on our platform are expanding their fleets simply to keep up with the demand,” Camplify Founder and chief executive Justin Hales said.
“It’s clear there’s never been a better time for Aussies to embrace the van sharing economy for holiday-makers and van owners alike.”
The pair are currently making $650 a week renting out their caravan and it’s booked out for the next month.
Mr Landells, who is an environmental consultant and Ms Wall, who is a product photographer said the income from the caravan was great to have to supplement their full time salaries.
“We didn’t know how long lockdown would last so we wanted to have more of an income available to us,” Ms Wall said.
The beachy but modern interior was inspired by Pinterest and past The Block contestants Michael and Carlenne Duffy who also flip caravans.
The Kilcunda couple said seeing the end product was most rewarding.
“You put in all this hard work, so many hours of labour, so many late nights and seeing the end product was so rewarding,” Mr Landells said.
To find out more or to hit the road visit www.camplify.com
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