Rising fuel prices are taking a toll on caravan tourism across Australia. In the Rural City of Wangaratta, caravan parks report a decline in visitors: Painter’s Island Holiday Park saw revenue drop 10% year-on-year, mainly due to cancellations by travellers from other states. Operators also note that suppliers are introducing fuel surcharges.
On the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, the Easter school holidays were 'slow': Port Lincoln's campground had vacant cabins, and bookings in Wallaroo fell by 25–30%. Meanwhile, Mount Gambier and Renmark saw steady visitor numbers thanks to warm weather and local travellers.
In Queensland, caravan park owners report mass cancellations after the Prime Minister's call to save fuel. At Longreach Caravan Park, at least 30 bookings were cancelled after the Big Red Bash festival was called off. Occupancy has hit record lows, with guests citing fuel uncertainty. The industry warns of possible closures and economic losses exceeding 943 million dollars.
A park operator in Tamworth reported a 50% drop in bookings over Easter, while demand for long-term cabin rentals remains stable. A Reflections Holidays survey found that 47.1% of travellers significantly adjust plans due to fuel costs, and 23.3% choose destinations closer to home.
