Tasmanian caravan registrations increase by 46 per cent between 2018 and 2023

The rise of the grey nomad continues, with increasing numbers of Tasmanians purchasing caravans. But what are the key factors driving the phenomenon?

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Caravan registrations have skyrocketed in Tasmania over the past five years, prompting calls for the state government to ensure there is adequate infrastructure to accommodate the growing hordes of grey nomads.

The number of caravans registered in the state has risen by 46 per cent since July 2018, increasing from 12,738 that year to 18,587 in July 2023.

Speaking to reporters at the Tasmanian Outdoor Boat and Caravan Show at the Launceston Silverdome on Sunday, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said it was a “massive increase” and “much bigger growth than in any other fleet”.

Caravan numbers are on the rise in Tasmania.

“When you get results like this one, it does validate not just the growing population but also the strength in the jobs market so that people are able to make these financial decisions,” he said.

The new $850m Spirit of Tasmania ferries will come into service between Devonport and the new terminal in Geelong in 2024 and will have vehicle lanes 60 per cent bigger than those on the existing vessels, able to accommodate greater numbers of passenger and freight vehicles.

The new ferries will have a passenger capacity of 1800, which is 400 more than the capacity of the current ships.

“This is great news for the so-called grey nomads, who are packed and ready to roll in record numbers,” Mr Ferguson said.

Southern Tasmania Caravan Club president Roger Geeves said pandemic-era travel restrictions would have driven the increase in caravan numbers.

“I think a lot of it is to do with Covid because people couldn’t travel [to the mainland],” he said.

Mr Geeves said the government should make caravan registration fees cheaper for concession card-holders and reduce Spirit fares for caravanners.

“We’ve worked all our lives and we’ve got ourselves into a position where we can go and enjoy the later years of our lives,” he said. “We love the camaraderie and the caravanning family.”

“It leads to better outcomes with health. And I think that’s a big thing for people in our age group.”

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

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania CEO Amy Hills said the new Spirits would be a “gamechanger” for the industry but the state needed to ensure it had the infrastructure to cope with the associated influx of grey nomads and find ways of convincing caravanners to stay in the regions for longer periods of time.

“We really need to be ready to capitalise on that and that includes being ready from an infrastructure perspective. Our roads need to be up to scratch, our campervan infrastructure [as well],” she said.

“That’s an absolute priority for us and for government between now and those new Spirits getting here.”