Caravan Registrations Have Increased by 30% in Australia

Caravan Industry Association of Australia has released the BDO Caravan and Campervan Data Report for 2016 that highlights the growing popularity of caravanning and camping around Australia.

The number of caravans and campervans on Australia’s roads has been steadily increasing over the last five years, with caravan registrations growing by a whopping 30% since 2011 and campervans growing by 20%.

Combined registrations of caravan and campervans peaked at a record high of 615,301 for the year ending January 2016. This represents 4.9% growth on the previous year and makes recreational vehicles the fastest growing vehicle registrations by type in the country.

This total number is made up of 554,344 caravans and 60,957 campervans, a ratio of 90% caravans and 10% campervans that has remained largely the same in the last year.

The average age of registered campervans is 17.8 years and a very basic analysis of the averages indicates that potentially two thirds of campervans on the road will be due for replacement in the coming years – a good thing for manufacturing in Australia.

Breaking it down further, 65% of campervans used diesel fuel and 74% had a tare weight of between 1,000 and 5,000 kilograms. In the caravan segment, 67% weigh less that 1.5 tonnes, however, the largest growth in the last year has been in the 2 to 2.5 tonne range, indicating a trend towards bigger rigs or ones that are loaded with all the mod cons.

Caravan Industry Association of Australia says the report highlights the increasing demand for the caravanning and camping lifestyle in Australia, which bodes well for regional communities that benefit from tourism generated by this sector.

The full report is available to Caravan Industry Association of Australia contributors upon request to research@caravanindustry.com.au