Caravan holidays put on hold

Updated March 26: This is the latest advice from the Caravan Industry Association of Australia re: caravan park and campground closures due to the coronavirus crisis.

One of Australia's biggest holiday park chains has banned all bookings for 'non essential' stays at its 160-plus park network around Australia, while state governments around Australia get set to close hundreds of campgrounds due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In response to stricter government measures designed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), BIG4 has effectively stopped caravan owners from taking a holiday at one of the BIG4 parks until further notice.

"Most of our BIG4 holiday parks currently remain open to provide essential travel to those in need. We care deeply about our owners, guests, and staff and are focused on providing a safe space for those who need access to the parks," it said on the BIG4 website.

"Therefore, we have had to make the difficult decision to no longer accept bookings or arrivals for non-essential travel at this time. This has also meant that parks have needed to close almost all in-park leisure facilities."

While short-stay holidays have been put on hold, full-time RV travellers or those currently on a road trip are classified as 'essential travel' and can still stay at the parks.

Other exemptions include those travelling for work or returning home from a trip, or those travelling "on compassionate grounds", such as needing to care for a sick or elderly relative.

"For guests who are needing to stay with us over the coming weeks and months, we will be supporting and encouraging self-distancing and hygiene measures, so you and your travelling companion/s remain safe, and for the safety of others," BIG4 said.

Those who already hold a 'non-essential' booking within the next 60 days are being asked to contact BIG4 to discuss their options.

Meanwhile, all 280-plus caravan parks in the Top Parks chain currently "remain open and it’s business as usual," according to the Top Parks website.

"Our park owners continue to monitor the situation and the safety of guests remains a priority," Top Parks said in a statement.

As of this week many state borders have been closed to non-essential travel, with quarantine restrictions in place, and Prime Minister Scott Morrison has advised “all non-essential travel should be cancelled."

The Caravan Industry Association of Australia is urging governments to keep caravan parks open as an 'essential service', estimating more than 100,000 people including full-time RV travellers either rely on them for on-the-road accommodation or as a permanent place of residence.

Some caravan parks around Australia have closed their doors in response to the coronavirus crisis, while others like Spicer Caravan Park in Parkes, NSW are only accepting fully self-contained RVs.

Remote, small towns like Robe in South Australia are also discouraging RV travellers from 'self-isolating' in the region for fear of spreading the virus in communities with limited medical facilities and supplies.

The Queensland Government is closing down around 470 campgrounds in the state while Victoria's Chief Health Officer has directed that campsites, caravan parks and camping grounds in Victoria will be closed to holidaymakers from midnight (March 25).

Meanwhile, park owners are pleading for caravanners and campers that have already booked and paid for holidays to "postpone, rather than cancel", with Dunbogan, NSW-based Diamond Waters Caravan Park recently posting on social media:

"Please consider postponing your travel instead of canceling. We are a small family owned business and are doing everything we can to remain open while we can! This keeps locals employed in this very uncertain time."

Related reading:

Push to keep caravan parks open

Coranavirus tips for RV travellers

FAQs: RV buying and COVID-19

Australian RV industry keeps rolling on