Published 17 Mar 2026
The campervan market in Australia has grown over the past 20 years. Registrations have more than doubled from 40,000 in 2004 to 98,000 in 2024.
How many campervans are registered in Australia?
There are a total of 97,701 registered campervans in Australia as of 2024.
- This is a 3% increase from 94,811 in 2023 and a 40.1% increase from 69,753 in 2019.
- Campervan registrations increased by 144.5% over the past 20 years, rising from 39,947 in 2004.
How does campervan ownership vary by state?
Australia’s total campervan registrations increased from 55,757 in 2014 to 97,701 in 2024, a 75.2% increase.
- This growth is seen across most states and territories in Australia (except for a decrease in Western Australia and South Australia).
- There is a higher ownership rate in regional areas because of better storage and travel infrastructure.
Which states have the highest campervan ownership?
New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria have the highest campervan ownership.
- They account for over 85% of registered campervans in Australia and reported more than 85,000 registered campervans in 2024.
Which states have the lowest campervan ownership?
The Northern Territory, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory have lower campervan ownership due to smaller populations.
- Campervan ownership in the Northern Territory has decreased overall since 2014, but numbers increased by 14.6% in 2023.
- Campervansincreased from 3,673 in 2023 to 3,801 in 2024 in South Australia, a 3.5% year-on-year growth.
- Tasmania leads in campervan ownership per capita with about 44 campervans per 1,000 people.
Which states saw the largest increase since 2014?
New South Wales and Victoria show the largest increase over the past 10 years.
- New South Wales increased by 155.5% (from 12,538 to 32,038).
- Victoria grew by 100.7% (from 12,360 to 24,805).
| Registered Campervans Across Australia | ||
|---|---|---|
| State/Territory | 2023 | 2024 |
| New South Wales | 31,297 | 32,088 |
| Victoria | 24,222 | 24,805 |
| Queensland | 26,848 | 28,171 |
| South Australia | 3,673 | 3,801 |
| Western Australia | 1,958 | 1,939 |
| Tasmania | 5,857 | 5,885 |
| Northern Territory | 110 | 121 |
| Australian Capital Territory | 846 | 891 |
| Australia (Total) | 94,811 | 97,701 |
What are the demographics of campervan owners in Australia?
Campervan owners in Australia are diverse, including younger families, remote workers and retirees.
- Average Owner Age: The average campervan owner is around 33 years old (2018 study).
- Family Ownership: About 42% of campervan owners have children under 15.
- Income Range: Typical annual incomes are between A$48,000 and A$72,000.
- Household Ownership: Around 8% of households ( 1 in 12 Australian households) owned a campervan or caravan as of 2023.
What are the most popular campervan types in Australia?
Campervans range from small van conversions to big motorhomes.
- Campervan Conversions: Mid-sized vans with beds and kitchens. Popular models include Toyota HiAce High Top campers (budget friendly) and VW Transporter/Ford Transit conversions.
- Motorhomes: Larger coach-built campers with full amenities (bathroom and multiple beds). Built on truck or bus chassis (Iveco Daily, Mercedes Sprinter). More space and comfort for long-term touring or family travel.
- 4×4 Campervans: Specialised off-road campers (Toyota LandCruiser or Troop Carrier with camper fit-out) for those who want to go off the beaten track.
- Camper Trailers & Caravans: Caravans are by far the most common RV on the road (800k+), often preferred by those with a tow vehicle. Camper trailers (a hybrid of tent and trailer) are popular for off-road use.
- Electric Campervans: Fully electric campervans are rare in Australia (less than 1% uptake). While electric vans like the Ford E-Transit and LDV EV80 are available, fully electric camper conversions are still in trial stages.
How much does it cost to own a campervan in Australia?
Owning a campervan involves upfront and ongoing expenses.
Purchase Price
- New campervans – A$110,000 to A$150,000 as of 2024. Entry-level models can cost less while premium or custom-built models can cost more than A$150,000.
- Used campervans – A$40,000 to A$80,000. Older or smaller vans can cost less while well-maintained or converted vans can be priced higher.
Depreciation
- New units lose around 20-25% of their value in the first year and approximately 5-10% annually. Actual depreciation depends on brand, maintenance, mileage and market demand.
Maintenance & Running Costs
- Annual servicing, repairs, and consumables cost several hundred dollars annually.
- Fuel costs average A$16-A$30 per 100 km.
- Insurance costs A$500-A$800 annually.
- Registration fees cost A$100-A$600, varying by state.
- Storage costs can add A$500-A$1,000 per year if renting a space.
How long do Australians keep their campervans?
Ownership duration varies widely among campervan owners depending on lifestyle changes and the purpose of purchase.
- Long-Term Use: Many owners treat a campervan as a long-term investment and keep it for 5-10+ years.
- Short-Term: Some Australians buy a campervan for a specific long trip, like the “Big Lap” and may only keep it for 1-3 years before selling.
- Upgrade Cycle: Others upgrade regularly, trading up every 3-5 years to get the latest campervan features.
- Resale Value: A well-maintained campervan keeps about 50-60% of its new value after 5 years and 30-50% after 10 years.
How many campervans are sold each year in Australia?
Annual sales of Recreational Vehicles (RVs) have grown during the pandemic recovery period.
- Around 50,000 new RVs (caravans and campervans combined) were sold, with 3,000-5,000 being motorised campervans in 2022.
- Sales doubled from the mid-2010s to 2022, with a slight easing in 2023-2024, yet overall higher than 2014 levels.
Campervan and Caravan
89-90% of all RVs are traditional towable caravans. Self-propelled campervans and motorhomes make up the remaining 10-11%.
- There were 97,701 campervans and 803,739 caravans as of 2024, up 26.7% since 2019.
- With 4-5% annual growth pre-pandemic and 5.6% growth from 2021 to 2022, over 900,000 units are expected to be recorded by 2025.
How do purchase prices compare between the two?
Caravans
- New caravans – A$45,000-A$150,000+
- Average family caravan – A$55,000-A$65,000
Campervans
- Campervans cost more, with many models exceeding A$100,000.
What is the impact of campervan ownership on the tourism industry?
- Economic Impact: RV-related spending (manufacturing, sales and tourism services) contributed around A$27 billion annually.
- Travel Expenditure: Domestic travel spending by caravan/campervan users reached A$14.3 billion in 2023, up 36% from pre-pandemic levels.
- Regional Boost: 87% of spending is in regional areas, supporting local businesses and infrastructure.
- Rental Market: The rental sector grew at 43% per annum from 2018 to 2023 with a value of around A$185 million.
Other Resources
How many people travel in a campervan in Australia?
A large portion of Australians travel in campervans. Over 15.3 million caravan and camping trips (60.7 million camping nights) were taken in 2023.
- This is a 9.2% increase from 14 million trips in 2019.
- Campervan travel is popular for small groups (2-4 people) due to seatbelt regulations.
- Trip lengths can range from weekend getaways to multi-month trips.
Things To Do While Campervan Camping in Australia
- Explore national parks and campgrounds
- Go hiking and scenic bushwalking.
- See native wildlife and nature attractions
- Try fishing, boating, and other outdoor activities
- Take scenic coastal and regional road trips
Campervan hire in Australia
- Campervan hire in Brisbane
- Campervan hire in Cairns
- Coffs Harbour campervan rental
- Geelong campervan rental
- Campervan hire in Gold Coast
- Campervan hire in Noosa
- Sydney campervan rental
- Toowoomba campervan rental
- Campervan hire in Townsville
- Campervan hire in Wollongong
References
- Registered Campervans in Australia 2021–2024 (BITRE Road Vehicles, Australia) · bitre.gov.au
- Registered Campervans and Caravans in Australia 2004–2024 (ABS Motor Vehicle Census) · Australian Bureau of Statistics
- RV Sales and Caravan Statistics in Australia (2022–2024) · caravanstats.com.au
- Caravan and Camping Data (Tourism Research Australia) · Tourism Research Australia
