Generation Camp: How camping became cool again

From pop up glamping tents on Sydney Harbour to luxury holiday parks and retro caravans, caravan and camping holidays have come a long way, with the sector now catering for a new generation of campers.

With a number of innovative tourism products and services attracting the next-gen camper, many in close proximity to beautiful beaches, national parks and pristine environments, NSW has some of the best, and most diverse, caravan and camping experiences in Australia.

Whether you fall into the “generation camp” demographic or are an experienced camper looking for something new, here are six ways to enjoy a caravan and camping experience in NSW over the warmer months:

1. Camp in a flash

Touted as ‘Australia’s premier pop-up hotel’, Flash Camp provide temporary luxury camping accommodation in a number of locations. Available at festivals including Splendour in the Grass and Falls Festival, the Flash Camp crew have also announced two exciting activations over the summer months. In early 2017, Flash Camp will hold a Clark Island Sydney Harbour pop up, where glampers will enjoy waking up in the middle of beautiful Sydney Harbour and feast on food by the award-winning Three Blue Ducks team. Byron beachgoers will also have the opportunity to flash, with Flash Camp setting up at the Byron Holiday Park from 18 December 2016 – 8 January 2017 to support the boom of tourists over the holiday period. The team from popular Newrybar eatery Harvest will be on site each day to keep glampers’ hunger at bay

2. All roads lead to Forbes

Looking for the ultimate roadtrip/music festival combo this Spring? Forbes music festival Vanfest, from 25 – 26 November 2016 is just the ticket. A five and a half hour drive from Sydney, we recommend hiring a Jucy or Apollo motorhome and splitting the roadtrip over two days with pit stops in the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, Orange and “The Dish” in Parkes. Once at Vanfest, you needn’t worry about accommodation being an issue with their Van-City offering a range of camping experiences including freestyle, lights-on, lights-off, pre-pitched and glamping. Holiday parks in town include BIG4 Forbes Holiday Park and Forbes River Meadow Caravan Park

3. The Glamp Coast

If you’re planning on travelling to the South Coast this Summer, then glamping should be on your radar. With a plethora of glamping operators now available down South, you’ll find it hard to choose. Tilba Lake Camp offer luxe camping with delicious local food hampers including Bermagui bread and Tilba dairy. Glamping Out Caravans offer 4m bell tents at your chosen “Glampsite” anywhere between Berry and Huskisson. Glamping trailblazers Paperbark Camp provide the ultimate luxury glamping experience, and for a safari tent experience then you can’t go past Tanja Lagoon Camp located in the beautiful Mimosa Rocks National Park

4. Go Retro

The Northern Rivers of NSW is the ultimate campground, offering stunning scenery surrounded by hinterland and endless coastline. RetroPod camping offer retro vintage caravans and tents for hire, which can be set up at a location of your choice in the Byron area. With set up, delivery, and gourmet Byron hampers provided, you’ll just need to choose a Byron Holiday Park and you’ll be ready to go retro

5. Simple Pleasures

The Simple Pleasures Camping Co take the hassle out of camping. Offering all-inclusive glamping packages, your five metre bell tent will come complete with carpet, an airbed, cookware and much more. In fact, the only decision you’ll need to make is where to set up camp – be it Treachery Camp in Seal Rocks, Lani’s Holiday Island at Wallis Lake, Bluey’s Beach or Booti Booti National Park

6. I’m going to Graceland

Graceland, Parkes NSW that is. A dedicated Graceland on the Green campsite will be available for festival-goers at the iconic Parkes Elvis Festival from 11-15 January 2017. With accommodation scarce over the festival, Graceland on the Green will offer comfortable tent accommodation at Northparkes Oval, complete with stretcher beds, mattresses and lighting. Regular shuttles will connect festival goers between Graceland on the Green and the festivals events.