Been dreaming of a caravan? September 5 could be the day to start looking

There comes a point when talking about that great Australian road trip must turn into actually doing something about it.

Maybe you’ve spent years watching caravans disappear up the highway each winter and wondered what it would be like to join them. Perhaps there’s an ageing van sitting in the driveway that’s due for an upgrade.

Or retirement has finally created something most of us spent decades wishing we had more of… time.

Whatever the reason, Saturday, September 5 might be a good day to start looking.

Caravan and RV dealerships across New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland will throw open their doors for Dealer Open Day, giving Australians the chance to wander through the latest caravans, motorhomes and campers without an appointment — or the expectation that they need to buy one.

The idea is deliberately simple: come in, have a look, ask questions and get a clear picture of the caravan for you!

A chance to look before you leap

Buying an RV isn’t quite like ordering a new television online.

Layouts that look terrific on a screen can feel completely different once you’re standing inside them. Is there enough room around the bed? Can you live with that kitchen? Where will everything go? How easy is it to get in and out? And, importantly, what can your vehicle safely tow?

Dealer Open Day is designed to let prospective buyers work through those questions in person, compare different options and talk directly with people in the industry.

Participating dealerships will be holding activities on the day, while visitors can also scan a QR code for the chance to win one of three $5,000 cash prizes, with a winner in Queensland, NSW and Victoria. Entry is free and no purchase is required.

Australia’s love affair with the road isn’t going anywhere

The event arrives at an interesting time for Australian caravanning.

Despite cost-of-living pressures, Australians took 17.3 million caravan and camping trips in 2025, generating 57.9 million visitor nights and spending $12.6 billion.

Australia also has around 937,000 registered recreational vehicles, up four per cent in a year, while caravan parks generated a record $3.3 billion in revenue during 2025.

Travellers are changing some habits — taking shorter trips, staying closer to home and looking harder for value — but the appetite for getting out and seeing Australia remains remarkably resilient.

And regional Australia remains at the heart of it, accounting for 87 per cent of caravan and camping trips.

More than a one-day event

Dealer Open Day is the first major activation of the caravan industry’s new No Better Time initiative, a three-year, $3 million campaign aimed at helping Australians make more informed decisions about caravanning and RV ownership.

Its new consumer platform includes practical information about choosing an RV, towing, weights and safety, along with advice from people already living the caravanning life.

That’s particularly useful for anyone entering the market for the first time. The objective isn’t simply to sell more caravans, but to help people understand what they’re buying before they make what can be a substantial investment.

And perhaps that’s the best reason to make September 5 a reconnaissance mission rather than a shopping trip

Climb aboard. Sit at the table. Lie on the bed. Open the cupboards. Ask the awkward questions. Compare a motorhome with a caravan. Find out what your car can tow.

You don’t have to buy anything.

But that Australian road trip you’ve been talking about for years?

You might finally work out what you’re going to take.

Dealer Open Day is Saturday, September 5, at participating dealerships across NSW, Victoria and Queensland.

Find your nearest participating dealer and learn more about Dealer Open Day.