Captured Travel Forget five-star hotels and luxury resorts. A growing number of young Australians are embracing a slower, simpler style of travel, swapping conventional accommodation for vintage caravans and campervans packed with character.
According to Camplify, Australia’s largest RV sharing platform, demand for retro caravans is on the rise as travellers seek nostalgic road trips, analogue holidays and unique places to stay that offer far more personality than a standard hotel room.
From colourful Kombis and lovingly restored Viscounts to teardrop caravans and vintage-inspired campers, the trend is being driven by travellers looking to disconnect from busy lives and reconnect with the outdoors.
Slow travel is back
The appeal goes beyond aesthetics.
Camplify says many travellers are choosing vintage caravans because they create memorable experiences rather than simply providing somewhere to sleep. Milestone celebrations, music festivals, bucket-list road trips and family holidays inspired by childhood memories are among the biggest reasons people are booking retro RVs.
Unlike traditional rentals, many of the caravans are privately owned and lovingly restored, each with its own personality — and often its own name. Travellers can tow the vans themselves or have many of them delivered and fully set up at campsites around Australia.
According to Camplify founder and CEO Justin Hales, today’s travellers are increasingly prioritising experiences over conventional accommodation.
‘We’re seeing more young couples and families choosing holidays that feel a little slower, a little simpler and much more memorable than checking into another hotel room,’ he says.
Nostalgia on wheels
For Andrew Campbell and Savannah Sissons, founders of Koora Van Hire in New South Wales, the demand for vintage caravans has become the foundation of a thriving small business.
Their growing fleet of restored retro caravans is regularly delivered to destinations across the Central Coast, Blue Mountains and Glenworth Valley, while also appearing in weddings, photo shoots and film productions.
Campbell says the appeal is simple.
‘People would stop us everywhere we travelled to tell us how nice it was to see something different,’ he says. ‘Today, our most common guests are young couples and young families. They love the character, craftsmanship and nostalgia that comes with staying in a vintage caravan.’
Vintage style meets modern comfort
The retro revival isn’t limited to restored classics.
Queensland manufacturer Goldy Caravans is producing brand-new caravans inspired by vintage styling while incorporating all the comforts expected by modern travellers.
The colourful caravans combine nostalgic design with contemporary features, attracting couples, families and solo travellers looking for accommodation that stands out from the crowd.
Many owners are also listing their caravans through Camplify when they aren’t travelling, helping offset ownership costs while allowing more Australians to experience the retro caravanning lifestyle.
Some of Australia’s coolest caravans
Camplify’s collection includes hundreds of unique vintage-inspired caravans and campervans across the country, many of which are also pet friendly.
Popular options include Frankie Blue and Betty in New South Wales, Little Miss Sunshine in Victoria, Bilby the Bus in Queensland and Velma in the Australian Capital Territory. Whether it’s a classic Kombi, a beautifully restored Viscount or a quirky teardrop trailer, each offers travellers an experience that’s as memorable as the destination itself.
As Australians continue embracing slower, more meaningful travel, it seems the retro caravan revival is only just getting started.