Caravanners roll into town, set to bring $150k boost for region

The convoy is estimated to invest $150,000 into the local economy and at no better time, with the tourism sector still recovering.

Bob and Claire Barnett find the best spot for their caravan. Queensland State Rally for caravans to be held at Pittsworth Showgrounds. Picture: Nev Madsen.

More than 200 caravan enthusiasts will roll into the small town of Pittsworth this week, and are estimated to support local businesses with a $150,000 boost.

And it comes at no better time after Covid-19 has hit the tourism economy of smaller towns hard.

State rally committee chair Greg Whitley said while caravanning was a growing industry and more and more people were opting for holidays on the road, the event had seen 15 caravans from New South Wales forced to cancel, due to lockdown.

“About 30 clubs affiliated with Caravan Clubs Queensland attend a state rally every three years and this will be the third time we’ve brought it to Pittsworth,” Mr Whitley said.

“I can’t speak more highly of the support we’ve received from the business community of Pittsworth and we estimate $150,000 will be spent in the Pittsworth community over the course of the week.”

Greg Whitley, chairman of Caravan Clubs of Queensland. Queensland State Rally for caravans to be held at Pittsworth Showgrounds. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Pittsworth District Alliance secretary Belinda McKinlay said the caravan rally was last held in Pittsworth in 2005 and it was exciting to welcome visitors back to the small town.

“To encourage supporting local businesses, they host a shop docket raffle barrel where caravanners add up how much they have spent during their stay,” Ms McKinlay said.

“Back in 2005, the total amount was $46,000 and we saw about 250 vans.

“The planning committee which involved three clubs and 25 vans also stayed here for about a week in early July and during that time $11,000 was spent.”

Ms McKinlay said the rally comes at no better time after the town’s tourism sector had been hit hard due to travel restrictions and lockdowns.

“We see a lot of vans pass through town but they don’t tend to stay,” she said.

“District Alliance had planned to get an RV strategy together but then Covid hit, but we hope to get that going in the coming months to keep people in Pittsworth for a little longer.

“We’re very happy to welcome visitors to Pittsworth and hope they enjoy their week-long stay.”

Bob and Claire Barnett find the best spot for their caravan. Queensland State Rally for caravans to be held at Pittsworth Showgrounds. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Among the visitors staying at the Pittsworth Showgrounds is husband and wife Bob and Claire Barnett, from Ipswich.

The couple who have been caravanning for more than four decades, are members of the Kookaburra Caravan Club and said Covid-19 had restricted their travel plans, along with many others.

“It definitely stifled us as our monthly rallies were cancelled, but we’re very lucky that it hasn’t stopped us from attending this event,” Mr Barnett said.

“We don’t classify ourselves as grey nomads – we’re more like short stay caravanners, but after this we plan to head across to Baramba to meet our family for school holidays.”

The week-long rally starts on Thursday and will feature live entertainment, industry seminars and exhibitions on road safety, health and caravans.

While the rally is strictly limited to ticketholders, the general public are welcome to attend the markets on Sunday.