Caravan parks across regional Australia are reporting lower visitor numbers during the current travel season, with operators citing concerns about fuel prices, diesel availability, and recent weather disruptions as contributing factors affecting travel decisions.
The slowdown follows a spike in fuel prices after conflict escalated in the Middle East at the end of February. While petrol prices have largely returned to earlier levels, diesel prices have remained elevated, increasing travel costs for caravan owners, RV travelers, and long-haul tourists who rely on diesel-powered vehicles.
Annette Jones, owner of All Around Oz, said she and her husband Kev have noticed quieter roads and reduced activity while traveling across Western Australia. The couple, who have spent nearly three years traveling around the country, are currently heading north toward Gibb River Road.
“It has been quiet on the roads,” Annette said.
During a recent stay at Ocean View Caravan Park in Onslow, Jones said the park appeared significantly less occupied than during the same period in previous years.
“As we travel further north, the story is the same,” she wrote online. “The fuel fearmongering is really affecting our tourism industry.”
Audra Smith, president of the Shire of Ashburton, said bookings at the Ocean View Caravan Park were down 65% compared with the previous year. Nearby areas, including Tom Price, have also experienced a decline in visitation, with businesses reporting a 30% drop in travelers compared with 2025 levels.
Smith said the region would typically see caravan parks operating at or near capacity by this stage of the season, often with waiting lists for available sites. This year, however, occupancy levels across the northwest have remained below normal.
Kev Jones also noted that areas such as Cable Beach in Broome, which are usually heavily booked during the peak travel season, currently have open availability without advance reservations.
According to a report by Indonesia Kini, industry operators said the slowdown has been compounded by damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Narelle in late March, which disrupted Easter holiday travel and affected businesses in regional communities.
Smith said the combined effect of weather-related interruptions and concerns surrounding fuel supply had created a difficult start to the tourism season for rural operators.
“It really has set us back,” Smith said.
Smith also said that concerns about fuel shortages may not reflect current conditions in the region.
“We have fuel. Our towns are open. Our businesses are ready to welcome visitors,” Smith insisted.
According to Smith, some travelers are continuing with planned trips but limiting travel to major highways and larger population centers rather than visiting remote regional destinations. She said reduced visitation has had a direct economic impact on local businesses and tourism-dependent communities.
Annette Jones encouraged travelers to verify local conditions through community groups and tourism offices before changing travel plans.
“The rural communities need us more than ever,” she said. “You can’t put your life on hold.”
For caravan park operators, RV park owners, and tourism businesses, the current downturn highlights the sensitivity of regional tourism to fuel pricing, public perception, and weather-related disruptions.
Industry professionals may increasingly need to focus on proactive communication around accessibility, fuel availability, and local operating conditions to reassure travelers and maintain booking confidence during periods of uncertainty.