Look out grey nomads! Millennials hold Aussie caravanning crown

Ask anyone who drives the roads of Australia and they’ll tell you that grey nomads are the most enthusiastic group of caravanners in the country. But that stereotype has been overturned by new data that shows older Australians have been overtaken – cautiously! – by their offspring when it comes to caravanning and camping.

Millennials spend more money and more time travelling with caravan in tow or under the canvas than Baby Boomers, according to the latest numbers released by Tourism Research Australia. Instead of splurging on overseas holidays (another stereotype!), 25-to-34-year-olds spent $1.6 billion dollars visiting Australian caravan and camping grounds in the June quarter alone. This is compared to $1.3 billion in expenditure for 55-to-64-year-olds.

Millennials collectively spend more time on the road too, racking up a whopping eight million nights spent caravanning or camping over 2.5 million trips. Baby Boomers recorded far fewer trips at 1.9 million, however spent just over nine million nights caravanning or camping.

A Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA) spokesperson said the youngsters’ enthusiasm for hitching up a caravan or pitching a tent was down to two big trends: nature-based experiences and the share economy. Travel that allows holidaymakers to get closer to the environment was identified last year at ITB Berlin, the world’s biggest travel trade show, as one of the fastest growing areas of the travel market. And caravanning and camping fits the bill perfectly, according to the CIAA spokesperson.

“The share economy is also on the rise and appealing to young people as it offers an easy and convenient way to organise a caravan and camping holiday by renting an RV through an online sharing platform,” she told Starts at 60.

Baby Boomers played their part, by passing on their love of life on four wheels to their children.

“Our 2018 RV Consumer Report also demonstrated that people were more likely to purchase a caravan if they had camped as a child, so there is a clear connection between childhood experiences and adult experiences,” the CIAA spokesperson explained. “Camping is also one of the very few holiday types that encourages intergenerational travel, with it being common to see two or three generations present on the same campsite or in the same cabin at a park, which is a rewarding experience for the entire family.”

Caravanning remains a popular holiday choice for Aussies more generally, with the total number of nights spent on the road reaching a record 55 million in the three months to the end of June. The number of trips were also at a record high in the June quarter, breaking through the 13 million mark for the first time, resulting in a 17 per cent increase in expenditure to $7.9 billion.

It should be no surprise that Millennials are jumping on the caravan, err, bandwagon. A separate study by the CIAA found that campers and caravanners were happier, more satisfied, optimistic and energised than people who don’t go caravanning and camping. They were also less bored, frustrated and lonely than non-campers.

When it came to grey nomads specifically, 96 per cent told the CIAA study that their hobby made them happier and 95 per cent said it reduced their stress levels.

Travel at 60 will be at the Canberra Caravan and Camping Lifestyle Expo from October 25-28, joining 150 exhibitors showing off the latest in caravans, motorhomes, camper trailers, tents, outdoor gear and great destinations. Come and say hi to the Travel at 60 team at booth 473 at the Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC) from 9am-5pm each day!