Caravans: Victorians turn to holiday homes on wheels as coastal real estate prices surge

A post-lockdown lust for travel and skyrocketing property prices have pushed more people toward a nostalgic way of holidaying as an affordable alternative to traditional real estate.

More Victorians are buying up holiday homes on wheels this summer. The BIG4 Shepparton Park Life Holiday Park is one of many across the state recording rising demand.

Victorians have found an affordable alternative to buying a traditional holiday home along the coast or in the country, instead deciding to invest in a caravan.

Pent-up demand, the uncertainty of international travel and skyrocketing property prices in sea and tree-change destinations across the state has prompted more people to opt for a motor home this summer.

Caravan Industry Association of Australia chief executive Stuart Lamont said there had been an “insatiable appetite” for both mobile and fixed caravans since the onset of the pandemic.

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The family-friendly BIG4 Yarra Valley Park Lane holiday park has been in high demand.

Park managers says powered sites with ensuites have been the most popular.

“Especially as cruises have had their troubles, people are looking for an alternative,” Mr Lamont said.

“Many parks are located near metropolitan centres and in some of the most amazing natural locations.

“We had interest pre-Covid, but also we have the benefit of being largely (Covid-safe) outdoors, and it’s continued to be affordable – so it’s in a real sweet spot.”

He said caravans was particularly popular with downsizers who had freed up cash for their travels, while others were opting for movable motor homes in order to work on the road.

“Victoria is blessed, probably more so than some of the other states, because of Melbourne’s proximity to so many natural gems … from the Bellarine Peninsula, Gippsland and the south coast,” Mr Lamont added.

When purchasing a fixed caravan, buyers do not pay for a title and its subsequent land value.

Instead, the owners enter a leasing or hire agreement with the owner of their respective holiday park.

Victoria has plenty of holiday destinations in its own backyard, including Torquay. Picture: Alison Wynd

Park Lane general manager Josh Hellings said the average caravan could cost anywhere from $20,000 up to more than $100,000 for a top-of-the-range, luxury van.

But this was still just a fraction of the price of owning conventional real estate in Healesville, where one of his most popular parks is located.

A typical house in the scenic Yarra Valley suburb will set buyers back a median of $775,000.

“In terms of replacing the holiday house, (a caravan) could absolutely do that for you,” Mr Hellings said.

“And you have the added flexibility of being able to move around, combined with the extra facilities of a playground, splash pad or a pool (at a caravan park).”

He said kids especially “got so much out of it” from a social perspective, being able to make new friends in the communal spaces.

Lang Lang Caravan Park owner Cathy Fyfe said she now has a long waiting list of people keen to get their hands on a caravan. Picture: Rob Leeson

Inside the modern shared kitchen at BIG4 Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park.

There was even a TV in the recreation space.

The Healesville park was updated right before lockdown ended in 2020, now offering brand new powered sites, ensuites and cabins primed for families.

This was in addition to the other BIG4 Park Lane holiday parks in Bendigo, Shepparton, Wonthaggi and Traralgon.

“Yarra Valley is a real tree-change experience, where you wake up and there’s kangaroos and a giant goanna roaming around,” Mr Hellings added.

“(The interest) has been widespread, it’s not just families or your typical grey nomads.”

He said the business’ revenue had increased by more than 50 per cent in January 2021, “straight after Covid” and jumped another 4.5 per cent in January this year.

Dean Birkbeck and Cathy Fyfe took over management of the Lang Lang Caravan Park in March 2020.

Cathy and Dean also sell boatsheds, which have skyrocketed in popularity and price, too. Picture: Rob Leeson

At that stage, they were selling annual fixed caravans for about $20,000, now they’re selling for between $40,000-$50,000 for a deluxe caravan.

“Everything has pretty much doubled,” Ms Fyfe said.

“We also sell boatsheds, and who would’ve thought that people would pay $80,000 for a boatshed you can’t even sleep in.”

She said demand had mainly been from families, with about 15-20 people currently on a waiting list for a caravan.

“Our park is really about getting back to basics and nature,” Ms Fyfe said.

“(It’s somewhere) families can call in, and get away on a budget price.”

CARAVAN SALES THROUGH THE ROOF

While overseas travel is back on the cards, many Aussies are instead opting to explore their own backyard in off-road caravans.

A surge in domestic travel brought on by the pandemic has seen Jayco’s all-terrain caravan sales jump by 30 per cent as keen travellers make the most of open state borders.

“We have seen a significant increase in sales across all new and used RVs, with new people coming into the market that may not have considered caravanning before,” Jayco national sales manager Scott Jones said.

“With international travel and cruising trips off the cards for quite some time, people have been looking for new, safe, and affordable ways to travel our amazing country.”

Sales have surged so much the RV retailer has had to employ more staff to meet demand.

“Like all industries experiencing increased demand comes the potential for longer production lead times, we are looking at employing more staff to reduce this,” Mr Jones said.

“We currently have over 100 outstanding jobs available.”

Mr Jones said motorhomes provided a unique opportunity for travellers to see more of Australia’s iconic landmarks and landscapes.

He encouraged all Australians to get out and explore the regions at a time when so many communities had done it tough.

“Australian’s love exploring international and interstate destinations – places we have not visited before – yet so many of us have not ticked off the bucket list destinations in our very own backyard,” he said.

“The opportunities now to explore and travel in our own regional areas are huge. It also helps boost the local economy and help support businesses that may have been affected by the pandemic in the last 24 months.”

– Tayla Couacaud

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