Caravan parks have always been a top pick for a budget-conscious family holiday.
With affordable accommodation, nature on your doorstep, and a huge selection of kids' activities which can be enjoyed from the safety of the park, the benefits are hard to ignore.
Image Credit: Beachport Caravan Park, South Australia
However, if you’re setting off on a holiday park adventure for the very first time, it’s normal to have questions about how to budget for your getaway.
Should you be staying on a site or in a cabin? What time of year should you travel to get the best value and experiences? How can you juggle staying in a popular destination during the school holidays while still being able to relax and enjoy everything on your wishlist?
Image Credit: Discovery Parks - Jindabyne, New South Wales
Fear not. Here at G’day Parks, caravan parks are our bread and butter, so we know a thing or two about the costs you’ll need to account for. Read on for our inner-circle advice to help you start planning a certified legendary caravan park holiday.
QUESTIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS
How are you getting there and getting around?
Image Credit: Discovery Parks - Hadspen, Tasmania
Are you hopping in the car or getting on a plane to reach your holiday destination? If you’re flying, you’ll need to factor in airfares (which, for large families, can take a sizeable chunk out of your spending money).
As for road travel, allocate funds for fuel, potential vehicle maintenance, registration, and insurance. When estimating your fuel spend, make sure you’ve planned with a buffer in case prices spike while you’re away. (Tip: Driving slowly and economically will also save fuel dollars, so plan your driving routes carefully. The fastest way might not always be the most affordable.)
Image Credit: Discovery Parks - Ballina, New South Wales
Plus, let’s address the camping elephant in the room: if you’re investing in a caravan, that’s bound to incur a serious start-up cost (unless you’re lucky enough to be borrowing one from a family member or friend). You’ll also need to make space for maintenance and upkeep expenses, especially if you’re hitting the road for extended periods at a time. The flipside is that you’ll save in the long run, as site accommodation is cheaper than self-contained cabins, villas, and safari tents.
Even if you’re planning to stay on an unpowered campsite, you’ll still need to consider the price of your new tent or swags and camping gear.
How many people are travelling … and how do they like to travel?
Image Credit: Tawonga Tourist Park, Victoria
The more guests coming on the trip, the more each night of accommodation will cost. A great way to shave a few dollars off each night is to keep an eye out for deals on the G’day Parks app and website. A ‘Kids Stay Free’ deal could be perfect for your family.
Image Credit: Discovery Parks - Burrill Lake, Ulladulla, New South Wales
Also, let’s be real—it’s not a given that every member of the family likes to travel the same way or goes to bed at the same time. Sometimes, keeping the peace is worth paying a little bit extra! With that in mind, ask yourself honestly whether your kids (or you!) are going to need separate rooms or quiet chill out spaces. That may be the difference between booking a budget cabin where everyone’s in the same room or upgrading to a deluxe cabin with a few bedrooms.
How long are you going away, and are you booking camping sites or family-friendly accommodation?
Image Credit: Discovery Parks - Fraser Street, Hervey Bay, Queensland
Are you starting small with a weekend away, to see how you enjoy camping (spoiler alert: you’re going to love it!), or taking a week-long, adventure-packed holiday to properly dip your toes in the water?
Better yet, are you going all out for a few weeks on the road or setting aside a year for the famed ‘big lap’ around Australia?
Image Credit: Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park, Victoria
To state the obvious, the number of days you spend on holiday will dictate the rest of your budget. If you’re going to be on the road for a while, you may want to save by booking standard cabins or camping and caravan sites. If you’re only going away for a few nights and like a bit of luxury, you may be able to upgrade to your accommodation of choice (hello deluxe waterfront cabin where everyone has their own bedroom).
Keep tabs on our deals page, because you may be able to snap up a discount by staying consecutive nights in one location (which is extra handy on family road trips) or travelling midweek.
When are you travelling for your holiday park getaway?
Image Credit: Discovery Parks - Byron Bay, New South Wales
For most caravan parks, their busiest periods fall during school holidays and public holidays – particularly the summer/Christmas break – and as a result, rates all around the country trend upwards over those weeks.
That’s not a hard and fast rule, though. Sometimes, the climate is a factor. For example, in the Northern Territory or the Kimberley in Western Australia, the dry season (May to October) is the most popular time of year. There could also be a local festival or event that pushes up prices on a given weekend.
Image Credit: Discovery Parks - Katherine, Northern Territory
An easy way to save (and miss out on big crowds) is to schedule your next holiday during shoulder season or off-peak times, so make sure you research when your destination’s peak periods are and try to plan around them.
That said, there’s a reason why peak periods are popular. Sometimes, it’s the only time you can get off work and school—in which case, keep reading for other ways to save …
OUR TOP TIPS
Manage mealtimes wisely.
Image Credit: Discovery Parks - Dubbo, New South Wales
A huge bonus of staying in a caravan park is that they are equipped with free cooking facilities, like camp kitchens, BBQs, and even campfires.
On the other hand, if you’re desperate for a break from cooking duties on your holiday, that’s fair enough. Simply factor in the added price of takeaway and dining, which will probably be a little higher than your average weekly groceries. (Tip: It doesn’t hurt to ask at reception if they have any deals, discount vouchers, or arrangements with local restaurants.)
Image Credit: Discovery Parks - Byron Bay, New South Wales
Of course, it doesn’t have to be black and white. A happy medium between these two options is that many G’day Parks have their own on-site cafés, restaurants, or takeaway shops. These eateries often provide cheaper meals, with the added benefit of being just a short stroll from your accommodation. No need for delivery fees, either!
Load up on free or low-cost activities, from in-park features to national parks.
Image Credit: Brisbane Holiday Village, Queensland
As we’ve already touched on, a great thing about staying at a caravan park is that a bunch of activities are included in the cost of accommodation. Unlike most hotels, motels, or rentals, caravan parks offer fun features like heated pools, splash parks, bouncing pillows, playgrounds, hire equipment, games rooms, mini golf, kids' club programs, and the list goes on! This means the kids can play and make their own fun in a safe, enclosed space, and that has a big impact on both budget and peace of mind for parents. (Tip: If there are particular features you want to make sure the caravan park has, use our handy search filters.)
Image Credit: Discovery Parks - Mackay, Queensland
Another strategy is to prioritise free or low-cost things to see and do, like walking trails, pristine beaches, fishing days, water sports, and silo art expeditions. (Tip: If you think you’ll be visiting a bunch of national parks, it could be worth investing in a national park pass to lower the overall expense while you explore.)
By building out your itinerary with a range of free or low-cost activities located near the park, you can save a ton of money that can then go towards a few special activities or bucket list experiences.
Expect the unexpected on your next trip.
Image Credit: Discovery Parks - Lake Bonney, South Australia
No one likes to imagine things going wrong on holiday, but you've got to be prepared for hiccups along the way. Make sure your budget has room for not just surprise daily expenses, but also unexpected situations where you may need to tap into emergency funds.
Always keep a first aid kit on hand to manage the smaller scrapes. If you encounter more serious medical trouble, ensure you’ve got cash in the kitty to get the right care and attention. Consider whether or not you’ve got private health or ambulance cover when working out how much you need to set aside. Fingers crossed, you’ll never even need to use it, and can put it towards something special at the very end of your holiday.
Be realistic—and prepare to be flexible on the go.
Image Credit: Port Lincoln Tourist Park, South Australia
It’s easy to get stars in your eyes and dream big when planning your getaway, but there’s no fun in getting caught out on the road. Therefore, it’s important to set a realistic daily budget and stick to it. Track your spending as you go and adjust it as required.
Remember, being flexible on holiday doesn’t mean missing out. Often, when you have to compromise on something along the way, it means you get the chance to see and do things that you hadn’t first expected. These are often the hidden gems that become your favourite holiday memories.
Ready, set, budget!
Image Credit: Ashmore Palms Holiday Village, Queensland
With all these considerations and tips in your back pocket, hopefully you’re feeling ready to start your calculations.
Here’s one last game changer: save on your getaway by signing up for G’day Rewards. It only costs $50 for two full years of benefits, including deals with favourite Aussie brands, early access to sales, and a super-convenient accommodation discount. Members get 10% off every single stay (up to $50).
With careful planning and savvy decision making, you’ll be all set for your first family-friendly escape to a caravan park. We can’t wait to see you and your fam on the road, having the time of your lives!
Image Credit: Discovery Parks - Warrnambool, Victoria
