Australia’s Caravan and Camping Capital
When it comes to hitching up, hitting the road and settling in somewhere scenic, travellers can’t get enough of New South Wales - and the state’s hardworking holiday park operators are helping keep it at the top of the touring map.
Their commitment to improving facilities, trying new ideas and creating memorable stays has helped NSW become Australia’s leading caravan and camping destination.
NSW officially ranked as the country’s most popular caravan and camping destination in 2025, attracting more than one in three domestic visitors. According to Tourism Research Australia, 5.5 million caravan and camping travellers visited the state and stayed a combined 18.2 million nights.
The North Coast was the biggest crowd-pleaser, attracting 26 per cent of visitors, followed by the South Coast at 17 per cent. The Murray and Hunter regions each welcomed 10 per cent, while Sydney accounted for eight per cent.
Caravan and Camping Industry Association NSW chief executive officer Wayne Lange said the shared commitment of operators to innovate and improve the visitor experience had helped put NSW at the top of Australia’s holiday wish list.
“It’s the shared commitment of holiday park operators to continually innovate and deliver exceptional experiences that has made NSW Australia’s leading caravan and camping destination,” he said.
The results arrived alongside the 2026 CCIA NSW Awards of Excellence, which celebrated some of the people and parks behind the state’s success.
BIG4 Tweed Billabong Holiday Park was named NSW Holiday Park of the Year in the fewer-than-100-sites category, while Discovery Holiday Parks Forster and Tathra Beach Eco Camp shared the title for parks with more than 100 sites.
Caravan parks also recorded their strongest year yet, generating $3.3 billion in revenue. That’s a lot of powered sites, camp kitchens and afternoon happy hours.
Mr Lange said caravan and camping remained at the heart of tourism across NSW, particularly in regional communities.
“Our sector delivers more holiday accommodation across regional areas than any other,” he said.
“Caravan and camping visitors support local businesses and connect with regional communities, creating memorable experiences in every corner of NSW.”
NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said caravan and camping holidays connected visitors with the state’s nature, culture and communities, while investment in scenic routes, rest stops and wayfinding encouraged longer stays and supported regional economies.
It wasn’t just NSW enjoying a bumper year. Australians took a record 17.3 million caravan and camping trips in 2025 - up 14 per cent on the previous year - and spent an impressive $12.6 billion along the way.
Regional Australia was also a big winner, with road-trippers helping to support local businesses and communities beyond the major cities.
