Page last updated: 27 May 2025
Glamping, where “glamorous” meets “camping,” has become increasingly popular in recent years in Australia. This modern take on camping lets you enjoy nature without sacrificing comfort or style.
Table of Contents
How many people go glamping in Australia?
15.3 million glamping trips have been taken in 2023, a 73% increase from 2010.
- 14 million glamping trips with more than 60 million nights spent in trips in 2019.
- Numbers dropped to 10.6 million trips in 2020 (during the pandemic), a 24% decrease from the previous year.
- 15 million trips were recorded in 2022, a 19% increase from 2021, showing the recovery after the pandemic.
- 15.3 million trips and 60.7 million nights in 2023, the highest numbers recorded so far.
Glamping Business Revenue
Specific breakdowns for glamping businesses are not available. However, caravans, cabins and similar tourist sites in Australia generated over A$553.24 million in 2024.
- Camping/cabin sites generated A$268.14 million in 2019 but dropped to A$234.34 million in 2020 (during the pandemic).
- A$313.02 million in 2021 (post-pandemic).
- A$427.43 million in 2022 and A$514.75 million in 2023, the highest recorded revenue.
- The revenue has continued to grow, reaching A$553.24 million in 2024.
Total Glamping Revenue by State
- New South Wales (NSW) has the highest spending in the category with A$202.99 million in revenue in 2024.
- Queensland (QLD) was second with A$105.31 million.
- South Australia (SA) industry revenue totalled A$92.80 million in 2024.
- Victoria (VIC) recorded A$71.03 million (popular in the state: regional retreats and eco-lodges).
- Tasmania (TAS): A$52.48 million (high occupancy).
- Western Australia (WA): A$15.02 million, with steady growth in coastal and national park accommodations.
- Northern Territory (NT): A$13.61 million (outback tourism).
How much do people spend while glamping each year?
People spend up to A$10.72 billion while glamping each year.
- Australians spent A$8.14 billion on glamping in 2019 (pre-pandemic), the highest spending recorded before pandemic.
- A$5.73 billion in 2020 (during the pandemic), a 29.6% decrease from the previous year.
- A$7.38 billion in 2021, a 28.8% increase from 2020.
- A$10.45 billion in 2022, a 41.6% increase as the economy continued to recover.
- Glamping expenditure reached A$10.72 billion in 2023, a 2.6% increase from the previous year.
How many camping, caravan and cabin sites are there in Australia?
There are reportedly 1,242,335 camping, caravan, and cabin sites in Australia as of January 2025.
- New South Wales (NSW) has 360,223 has the most camping, caravan, and cabin sites, with an occupancy rate of 65%.
- Queensland (QLD) has 297,077 sites, with an occupancy rate of 61%.
- South Australia (SA) has 176,542 sites, with an occupancy rate of 65%.
- Victoria (VIC) has 172,346 sites, an occupancy rate of 61%.
- Western Australia (WA) has 161,481 sites, with an occupancy rate of 61%.
- Northern Territory (NT) has 47,509 sites, with a lower occupancy rate of 17%.
- Tasmania (TAS) has 27,157 sites, with the highest occupancy rate of 83%.
Demographics of Glamping Travellers in Australia
Age Groups
Millennials (25-40) make up 42% of glamping travellers according to TRA.
- Families with kids make up 35% as they want comfortable outdoor experiences.
- Baby Boomers (60+) make up 18% as they are interested in soft adventures like luxury eco-retreats.
Gender Trends
Women make up 55% of glamping travellers.
- Solo female travellers make up 22% of women glamping as they want safety and comfort in structured accommodation.
- Men constitute 45% of glampers as they are interested in luxury outdoor accommodation according to CIAA data.
Income Levels
48% are high-end travellers (A$100,000+), preferring luxury glamping resorts and retreats.
- 30% are budget-conscious travellers, choosing eco-pods and safari tents.
Travel Preferences
- 80% travel with a partner, family or small group, 20% travel solo.
- 60% are weekend getaways. Most stays are 2-4 nights.
- 70% of bookings are in Spring and Autumn due to weather.
Why is glamping popular in Australia?
- Luxury and nature: Staying in comfort while exploring Australia’s landscapes.
- Post-pandemic outdoor travel boom: Open-air, nature-based holidays have become popular and boosted glamping demand.
- Eco-friendly accommodations: Sustainable, off-grid stays appealing to environmentally conscious travellers.
- Instagram-worthy experiences: Photogenic glamping spaces have been popularized because of social media appeal.
What are the top glamping destinations in Australia?
- Victoria sees 2.3 million glampers per year with Yarra Valley (vineyard glamping), Mornington Peninsula (hot springs + safari tents) and Great Ocean Road (coastal eco-lodges) as top glamping spots.
- New South Wales receives 3.1 million glampers per year visiting Blue Mountains (luxury wilderness tents), Byron Bay (coastal retreats), Jervis Bay (beachfront glamping at Paperbark Camp).
- Queensland sees 2.8 million glampers per year with Daintree Rainforest (eco-lodges), Whitsunday Islands (beachside tents) and the Scenic Rim (mountain hideaways).
- Northern Territory welcomes 850,000 glampers per year with Uluru (Longitude 131°, an ultra-luxury tented resort) and Kings Canyon (outback safari tents).
- Western Australia receives 1.9 million glampers per year visiting Ningaloo Reef (beachside safari tents), Margaret River (vineyard glamping) and Rottnest Island (eco-tent resorts).
Related Camping & Travel Resources
- Australian National Park Statistics
- Australian Camping Statistics
- Renting a Campervan in Australia (price comparison tool)
- Renting a Campervan in Sydney (prices)
- Renting a Campervan in Melbourne (prices)
- Renting a Campervan in Brisbane (prices)
- Renting a Campervan in Perth (prices)
- Renting a Campervan in Tasmania (prices)
Economic Impact of Glamping in Australia
Impact on Local Communities
- More than 90% of glamping nights are spent in regional Australia, injecting into rural economies.
- Each dollar spent at a glamping site generates $1.38 in local economic activity.
- Jobs supported: Thousands of jobs in eco-tourism, hospitality and adventure tourism.
Average Spend on Glamping Trips
- Glamping costs more than camping but less than luxury hotels.
- The average spend per trip (accommodation, food and activities) is A$701.
- Luxury glamping sites (like Longitude 131° near Uluru) can cost over A$1000 per night.
- Midrange glamping is A$200-A$350 per night.
How to choose the best glamping site?
There are many factors in choosing the most suitable glamping site:
- Location like beach, rainforest, outback or wine country.
- Accommodation types like safari tents, eco-pods, yurts or treehouses. These all offer different experiences.
- Amenities like heating, private bathroom, kitchen access and onsite dining.
- Budget is a big factor. Costs range from A$150 for basic, over A$500 for luxury and over A$1,000 per night for high-end sites.
- Family-friendly sites should have kid-friendly amenities and multiple sleeping options.
Best Seasons for Glamping
- Peak glamping seasons include Spring (Sep – Nov) and Autumn (Mar – May) with ideal temperatures across most regions.
- Winter (Jun – Aug) glamping works best in mild-climate regions like Queensland and the Northern Territory.
- Summer (Dec – Feb) is for coastal glamping but may be too hot for inland locations like Uluru.
What to expect from glamping?
- Luxury beds and linen – no sleeping bags or thin mattresses.
- Private bathroom – many have ensuite toilets and showers.
- Electricity and heating – most premium sites have powered tents and heating.
- Fine dining or self-catering – possible to have an onsite chef or private BBQ.
- Outdoor activities – hiking, wildlife spotting, stargazing or spa treatments.