If I have said it once, I would have said it a thousand times—the caravan and camping industry has long been, and continues to be, the lifeblood of regional tourism in Australia.

Our sector provides more holiday nights in regional Australia than any other commercial accommodation provider, and with a $10.7 billion contribution annually, caravan parks are not only places for families to reconnect but also vital engines of local prosperity.

The reason for the not so gentle reminder, our recent performance data confirms this fact—regional caravan parks are thriving, driven by natural attractions, quality customer experiences, and a renewed appreciation for the Australian outdoors.

For this edition, I want to explore top performing regions for the last quarter and look at those regions that have some hidden gifts.

Top performing regions

The latest Caravan Park Tourism Region Market Performance Report (August 2025) gives us a clear picture of where the industry is performing best. To do this properly, we’ve looked at both cabins, which reflect higher-yield accommodation, and powered sites, which highlight the traditional volume heart of our sector. Together, these measures give us a balanced view of Australia’s top-performing destinations.

1. The Whitsundays (Queensland)

The Whitsundays is excelling across cabins and powered sites, with 81 percent cabin occupancy and a remarkable 93 percent site occupancy across the region. From the sublime waters of the Great Barrier Reef, lush inland walking tracks, through to the relaxed lifestyle of Airlie Beach, the attraction for caravanners sell themselves, not to mention the weather.

Parks like BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort and NRMA Airlie Beach Holiday Park deliver resort-quality experiences. These parks are doing a fantastic job in matching the quality of the landscape to that of the customer experience, from waterparks for families through to first class amenities for caravanners stopping and propping. The holiday parks in the region have all performed strongly, ensuring the region continues to attract strong visitation.

2. Sunshine Coast (Queensland)

The Sunshine Coast blends 78 percent cabin occupancy with 91 percent site occupancy. The cosmopolitan lifestyle with easy access to services, the natural beauty of beaches through to the Glasshouse Mountains, and attractions like Australia Zoo and local food markets make it a magnet for families and retirees alike. Parks such as Ingenia Holidays Rivershore and BIG4 Maroochy River highlight how modern design and innovative offerings—from safari tents to riverside sites—keep this region near the top of the ladder.

3. Gold Coast (Queensland)

With 79 percent cabin occupancy and 90 percent site occupancy, the Gold Coast continues to be one of the country’s strongest all-round performers. Theme parks, surf beaches, and hinterland escapes appeal across all generations. Parks such as NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Resort and Tallebudgera Creek Tourist Park combine convenience with first-class facilities, proving why the Gold Coast continues to attract repeat visitors.

4. Tropical North Queensland

Recording 75 percent cabin occupancy and 81 percent site occupancy, this region demonstrates the strength of eco-driven tourism. With the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, and Cape Tribulation on its doorstep, it is a natural wonderland. Parks like BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut and Port Douglas Caravan Park add value by providing immersive family experiences and sustainability-driven offerings.

5. Australia’s Northwest (Western Australia)

While Queensland dominates the rankings, Western Australia’s Northwest leads the nation in cabins with 82 percent occupancy and a sector-best $233 RevPAR.

Though site occupancy is slightly lower at 71 percent, the Kimberley, Karijini, and Broome’s Cable Beach provide world-class adventure and highlight the appeal of a sector that is heavily connected with nature and cultural integration. Parks such as Discovery Parks – Broome, and Kimberleyland Waterfront Holiday Park show that even in frontier destinations, quality guest experiences are central.

Beyond the Top 5: Other notable regions

The strength of Queensland and northern WA demonstrate that Australian consumers have rekindled their love for exploration and adventure in a post-COVID environment. The willingness to travel and once again embrace the nomadic lifestyle not only supports these destination locations over winter but benefits all the transit routes which are visited on the journey.

The great thing that I appreciate in Australia is the diversity of experiences which are available in the regions, and are so often only reached through a driving holiday. Six other notable regions worthy of comment include:

• Snowy Mountains (NSW): With 92 percent cabin occupancy, driven by the winter ski season, this is a classic example of how seasonal tourism creates surges in performance.

• Central NSW: Achieving 65 percent site occupancy with strong RevPAR growth, Central NSW highlights the strength of inland regional tourism.

• Lakes (VIC): Recording 72 percent cabin occupancy and a 20ppt lift on last year, this lakeside destination is emerging as one of Victoria’s strongest performers.

• Mornington Peninsula (VIC): At 73 percent occupancy with a 50 percent ADR increase, this region reflects the pull of premium coastal escapes.

• Adelaide Hills (SA): Achieving 72 percent occupancy and an extraordinary 48 percent rise in RevPAR, the Adelaide Hills is benefiting from boutique, wine-driven tourism.

• Tasmania’s Northwest: Though smaller in scale, it posted 53 percent occupancy and 28 percent RevPAR growth, proof that Tasmania continues to attract travellers seeking rugged beauty and authenticity.

Together, these examples show that while some states dominate the “top five,” every corner of Australia is seeing parks play a vital role in attracting visitors, lengthening stays, and boosting local economies.

Customer experiences as the differentiator

What binds these regions together is not only their attractions but also their commitment to quality customer experience. Caravan Parks now are a direct reflection of the customer-centric, quality driven investment we have seen over the last decade—this is culminating in direct return on investment and an experience that Australian families, regardless of age, still flock to.

Importantly, not everything is about money—the results are a reflection of park owners, managers and staff caring about every interaction and every opportunity to make the customer the centre of a park experience whether it be food

trucks, camp kitchen singalongs, or high end luxury experiences—there is something to please everybody.

Taking Australia to the world

While our domestic market continues to grow, the global stage remains critical. This is why the Caravan Industry Association of Australia was proud to represent our sector (and the broader Australian tourism sector) at the recently held Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf—the largest caravan and camping trade show in the world. Our tourism stand (one of only two destinations from outside mainland Europe represented) showcased Australia’s natural wonders and the breadth of our accommodation offerings, reminding northern European audiences that few destinations can rival the diversity, safety, and unique appeal of a caravanning holiday in Australia.

There remains enormous potential to attract long-haul travellers seeking immersive, self-drive holidays. By connecting with international operators and travel media, we are positioning our industry not just as a domestic leader but as a global competitor in experiential tourism.

Looking ahead

The performance figures are a reminder that the caravan and camping industry continues to evolve and thrive. Yet they also highlight the importance of continued investment in infrastructure, workforce, and marketing to ensure we remain competitive both at home and abroad.

As Australians increasingly seek meaningful, value for money, and sustainable holidays, our sector is well placed to deliver. At the same time, international travellers are beginning to rediscover Australia as a caravan and camping destination of choice. By championing both customer experience and international promotion, we can ensure our parks remain vibrant community anchors and essential contributors to regional prosperity.

The message is clear: our top-performing regions are excelling because they combine natural assets with industry excellence. With strong collaboration across operators, state associations, and national leadership, the future of caravan and camping in Australia looks brighter than ever.