Demand for caravans in Victoria booming post-Covid

The Andrews government is being urged to invest more in the caravan manufacturing industry as interest surges and wait times blow out for new buyers.

Caravan owner Mel Adams ready to hit the road with a Jayco Jpod-X caravan. Picture: David Caird

Victoria has been riding a post-pandemic boom in caravans and camping, with the industry urging governments to act now and capitalise on the surge.

The trend has also prompted calls to use the sector to boost and support the Commonwealth Games.

Caravan Industry Victoria chief Daniel Sahlberg said close to 96 per cent of the nation’s caravans are now made in the state as demand has soared following Covid restrictions being lifted.

Early data shows an extra 5000 caravans are being produced here each year than before Covid, with wait times for new buyers blowing out from four to six weeks to between 12 and 18 months.

Demand for caravan holidays has soared since Covid restrictions have been lifted.

But Mr Sahlberg said the state should be capitalising further on this trend and the tourism spending it was delivering.

“Victoria is the heartland of caravanning manufacturing, the industry is booming and has been for some time,” he said.

“We need greater support from the Victorian government to support and invest in this industry, which through Covid has absolutely gone gangbusters.”

“After Covid, people want to travel and escape. Caravans and camping presents an opportunity to capture this market.”

Victoria has been described as the heartland of caravanning manufacturing.

Mr Sahlberg said the priority should be building a strong caravan sector going forward because it was creating major economic benefits.

“We are a big industry in our own right … About 2.5 per cent of all Victorians own a caravan,” he said.

“With continued support, we could play a part in getting people around the country to come to Victoria for a host of events.

“The Commonwealth Games will also be in the regions, but one question is do they have the accommodation for every visitor?

“We think caravan and camping can provide a solution to that … Ideas include using showgrounds or racecourses into grounds for visitors.”

About 2.5 per cent of all Victorians own a caravan. Picture: David Caird

Rob Bury, 66, said he had been caravanning with his family since he was 10 because it allowed him to enjoy the outdoors.

He said he had definitely noticed a post-pandemic surge in interest.

“A lot of my friends are getting caravans for the first time or upgrading new ones after they see that the lifestyle is like.” Mr Bury said.

It is understood caravans and holiday parks provide more accommodation to domestic tourists than any other sector in Victoria.

The state government’s “Great Outdoors” program has so far provided $6.57 million in grants to improve experiences for these tourists.

“Camping and caravanning is increasingly popular across our state and we are supporting the industry to grow jobs and deliver more benefits to communities across regional Victoria,” a spokesman said.

“We’ve provided regional tourism accommodation operators significant funding to deliver better experiences and create more places to stay.”