New figures from Tourism Research Australia show New South Wales remained Australia’s leading destination for domestic caravan and camping holidays in 2025, with 5.5 million domestic caravan and camping visitors traveling to the state during the year.
The result came as Australia recorded its largest year for domestic caravan and camping travel, with 17.3 million overnight trips nationally in 2025, a 14% increase from the previous year. Visitor expenditure reached $12.6 billion, up from $10.2 billion before the pandemic.
The Caravan Industry Association of Australia‘s 2026 State of the Industry Report provides further context for the sector’s performance, reporting that caravan parks generated a record $3.3 billion in revenue in 2025. That represented a 6.3%, or approximately $207 million, year-over-year increase.
In New South Wales, domestic caravan and camping visitors recorded 18.2 million nights in 2025. The North Coast accounted for the largest share of visits at 26%, followed by the South Coast at 17%, The Murray and Hunter regions at 10% each, and Sydney at 8%.
Demand was particularly strong toward the end of the year. Twenty-nine percent of travelers expressed interest in caravan and camping holidays during the December quarter, while 26% did so during the March quarter.
The demographic data also indicates that caravan and camping travel extends beyond the traditional perception of the market as being primarily made up of retirees. Forty-three percent of domestic caravan and camping visitors to NSW were employed full-time. The largest household income group reported annual earnings between $100,000 and $149,999.
For holiday park and campground operators, the figures point to a broad customer base that includes working households and travelers with relatively higher household incomes. This may have implications for how operators approach product development, marketing and amenities, particularly as demand continues to grow across different traveler segments.
International visitation also increased in 2025. Caravan and camping visitation to NSW rose 10.4% to 86,000 international visitors, who spent more than 801,500 nights in the state, representing a 24.3% increase from the previous year. The United Kingdom, Germany and New Zealand were the state’s leading international source markets. The North Coast, Hunter and South Coast were the most visited regions among these travelers.
The sector is also part of the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy, which aims to increase annual visitor expenditure to $91 billion by 2035. As part of efforts supporting that target, the NSW Government partnered with the Caravan & Camping Industry Association NSW on the fifth annual Feel More. Live More marketing campaign.
The campaign generated an estimated $31.2 million in bookings for the state’s 400 holiday parks during a period affected by fuel supply challenges, according to the Austrlasian Leisure Management. For operators, the result highlights the potential role of coordinated industry marketing in maintaining demand during periods of disruption.
The figures were announced alongside the 2026 CCIA NSW Awards of Excellence, which recognized holiday park operators across the state. BIG4 Tweed Billabong Holiday Park was named NSW Holiday Park of the Year for parks with fewer than 100 sites, while Discovery Holiday Parks Forster and Tathra Beach Eco Camp shared the award for parks with more than 100 sites.
NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper noted “NSW is Australia’s top destination for domestic caravan and camping trips and it’s exciting to see rising numbers of international visitors enjoying the state’s world-class holiday parks.
“Caravan and camping holidays offer immersive experiences that deepen connections with nature, culture and local communities, encouraging repeat visitation across the state.”
Caravan & Camping Industry Association (NSW) Chief Executive Wayne Lange said the sector continued to play a critical role in regional tourism and added “Caravan and camping is at the heart of tourism in NSW and our sector delivers more holiday accommodation across regional areas than any other.
“Caravan and camping visitors support local businesses and connect these visitors with regional communities, creating memorable experiences in every corner of NSW.”
With domestic trips, spending and park revenue all reaching record or near-record levels, the 2025 results provide operators with a broader picture of where demand is coming from and how the market is evolving. The combination of strong regional visitation, increased international stays and participation among working households suggests that NSW holiday parks are serving an increasingly diverse customer base.