Record turnout for Queensland rally

If you were hoping to attend this year’s National Caravan Clubs Rally in Rockhampton, Queensland, but are yet to register, you’d better get a wriggle on or you could miss out.

Only a handful of the 650 sites allocated at the Rockhampton Showground, where this year’s 15th National Caravan Rally will take place from September 23-October 2, are still available, more than five months before official registrations close.

Barbara Rutherford, secretary of the Combined Caravan Clubs of Queensland which has spent the last six years planning and organising the event, said the showground was “very close” to full capacity, with nearby sites including the local high school being considered to handle any overflow.  

The number of vans registered for this year’s pet-friendly rally has already passed the previous record of 634 set at the 7th National Caravan Rally at Nuriootpa, South Australia in 1989/90.

“We’re really pleased with the response,” she said. “We’re getting pretty close to being full.”

Due to Queensland’s searing summer heat and unpredictable rainfall, it will be the first time the National Caravan Rally has been held in spring rather than over the traditional December/January holiday period. It’s also the first time in 15 years the rally has been held in Queensland. 

The event has been held every three years since 1971 and is rotated around the various member states. It's only open to members of affiliated caravan clubs.

The registration fee of $375 includes a site with power and water and most on-site entertainment, but doesn’t cover any organised tours of the area’s attractions.

The last National Caravan Rally was held in Elmore, Victoria and attracted 421 vans from 64 clubs.