Cost of living pressures impacting Tasmanians at caravan parks, Spirit of Tasmania remains a barrier

Tasmanians are cutting short their holiday pilgrimage one caravan park owner has found, as lack of availability on the Spirit of Tasmania remains an obstacle. How this summer bucks the norm.

Ava Magarey 6, Hugo Westbury 12, Layla Magarey 14, Ivy Westbury 10, Harper Magarey 12 and Judah Magarey 10 at Huon Valley Caravan Park. Picture: Chris Kidd

Cost of living pressures are keeping many Tasmanians from their annual holiday pilgrimage to caravan parks and those who do go are cutting their stays much shorter, one popular operator says.

Huon Valley Caravan Park co-owner Leanne Carter said business was “probably down 30 per cent” and it was “unheard of” for people to stay just two nights.

“It has been a very unusual season, some people are just staying two nights and that has never happened before,” she said.

“Many from the mainland have complained about how hard it is to get on and off the Spirits.”

Ms Carter estimated 70 per cent of her visitors were Tasmanians and numbers had dropped significantly.

“Cost of living rises are definitely affecting people,” she said.

Huon Valley Caravan Park co owner Rowen Carter holding a couple chicks in the farming display area. Picture: Chris Kidd

“Families who usually stay five or seven nights over Christmas/New Year and are just staying two or three nights.

“We offer gold cards which offer privileges and they are down too.

“We have about 50 gold card holders and normally have 30 here but we’ve only got two at the moment.

“We can’t do anything about cost of living but we’re in touch with the government all the time about the new (Bass Strait) Spirit ships.”

“We’re hanging out big time for them – they can’t come quick enough.”

Ms Carter said interstate visitors regularly complained about being unable to secure a berth on the Bass Strait ferries.

Harper Magarey 12 with Sassafras the sheep in the Huon Valley Caravan Park farming display area. Picture: Chris Kidd

“Some might want to stay six weeks but can’t get back until June or July.”

Richmond Caravan Park owner Ted Collins, who has run parks for 22 years, says he’s always full but agreed bookings from locals were down.

“We’ve possibly not got as many families this year because they’ve taken a hit with interest rates,” he said.

“They might have bought a big caravan when interest rates were two per cent and now they have to find that extra money.

“Some are doing it pretty tough and the cost of living is a big factor.”

Mr Collins said he was renting some of his 24 cabins to people currently working on the new Bridgewater Bridge.

On Tasmania’s East Coast the Orford Beachside Holiday Park is no longer open to the public and has permanently closed.

The Dover caravan park in the south is also believed to have shut to visitors.

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania CEO Amy Hills at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania CEO Amy Hills said she was working with the government to maximise opportunities for the touring market.

“Our hope is that our campervan and motorhome visitors head out to the regions and take some time to experience the local attractions and activities on offer, supporting regional jobs and economies,” she said.

“These can be things like hitting our mountain biking tracks, taking a hike or a local tour or visiting our world class eateries and artisan producers.

The arrival of the new Spirits have been delayed by up to seven weeks but should be here mid-year.