Record RV sales

Sorry, this is part 2 of above

The last time we saw more than 20,000 'vans and RVs built in Australia was in 1980, so we really have witnessed something of a 'J Curve' in demand from then to now," he said.

"Only in the 1970s did we see higher figures, and many of those were built for on-site use in caravan parks and for mining towns and disaster relief accommodation.

"Growth in caravanning reflects the steadily improving quality and appointments of locally-made RVs, with owners realising they can travel with all the luxuries of home."

Most popular of the towable caravans and trailers were traditional caravans at 45 percent, followed by poptops at 27 percent and camper trailers at 19 percent.

Leading the non-towable slide-ons, fifth-wheelers, campervans and motorhomes were C Class units – built on light truck chassis and typically weighing 4500 to 5400kg – which accounted for 4.5 percent.

Mr Raven said local RVs and caravans were designed and built to suit Australia's unique conditions and meet all tastes and budgets.

"Although people may imagine that most 'vans and RVs are sold to 'grey nomads' spending their golden years on the road, caravans actually have a much more diverse appeal," he said.

"There have always been young families buying into economical family holidays, but there are also adventurers with off-road rigs and retirees doing the 'bucket list' one-off trip around Australia, and then discovering they have caught the habit long-term.

"The beauty of owning an RV is that people can go where they want to, when they want to and at their own pace ... and economically too."

Sort of funny isn't it - here we have an "explosion" in sales of caravans and campers and presumably tents and stuff as well, and apparently roughly 25% of new vehicles registered in Aust (higher/lower in some states) are 4WDs or AWDs and..................the prices on O/S holidays have gone so far down they're just about giving them away and yet caravan parks are disappearing faster than Julias credibility and keep out signs and gates are going up everywhere to restrict camping and.................according to the various tourism authorities the domestic tourist has gone elsehwere and tourism operators are going broke. So just maybe if some of the restrictions were removed and all the relevant Govt departments actually asked the "tourist" what they wanted - and I don't think it is 6 black rocks, 20 candles, some pan pipes and smelly oils at $400/night - then just maybe the areas outside the cities will gain some form of benefit from the so called "explosion" in sales. Given the rain and droughts over the last 12mths the country areas will be so desperate for us horrible types to visit they may just appreciate us for a change. rgds