GENERATION CAMP: THE RISING TREND OF THE CARAVAN AND CAMPING HOLIDAY IN NEW SOUTH WALES

Camping is back, but not as you know it, as innovative tourism products such as pop-up glamping tents, retro caravans and luxury holiday parks attract next-gen campers.

NSW leads the Australian caravan and camping market with more than 3.9 million domestic caravan and camping visitors recorded in the year ending June 2016, an increase of 13% on the previous year. The trend continues with the Caravan Industry Association of Australia recording a national increase of 30% in caravan and 20% in campervan registrations since 2011.

Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer Sandra Chipchase said the rise of the caravan and camping holiday and the introduction of new services to cater to the modern traveller is great news for Regional NSW.

“The next generation of campers want to make lifelong holiday memories in the great outdoors with their friends and family,” Ms Chipchase said.

“NSW has some of the best, and most diverse caravan and camping experiences in Australia, many in close proximity to beautiful beaches, national parks and pristine bushland.”

Caravan & Camping Industry Association NSW Chief Executive Officer Lyndel Gray said, “NSW has a vibrant and innovative caravan and camping industry. Spending time outdoors, being active and connecting with nature has enormous benefits and there is no better way to achieve this than a caravan or camping holiday in NSW.”

Whether you are a first time camper or an “old hand” simply looking for something new, Destination NSW suggests these six modern ways to enjoy a caravan and camping experience in NSW over the warmer months:

Camp in a flash

Touted as ‘Australia’s premier pop-up hotel’, Flash Camp provides 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. Glampers will enjoy waking up in the middle of beautiful Sydney Harbour and feasting on food by the award-winning Three Blue Ducks team. Byron beachgoers will also have the opportunity to get involved, 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.

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, one fun option is to hire 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 with Van-Cityoffering 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.

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 offers luxe camping with delicious local food hampers including Bermagui bread and Tilba dairy. Try four-metre bell tents at your chosen “Glampsite” anywhere between Berry and Huskisson with Glamping Out. 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.

Go Retro

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

Simple Pleasures

The Simple Pleasures Camping Co takes the hassle out of camping. Offering all-inclusive glamping packages within NSW, 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.

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 festival events.

For more information on summer caravan and camping experiences you can’t miss in NSW visit www.visitnsw.com or www.caravan-camping.com.au

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