Just after the end of the second world war Australia experienced an era where the caravan was " king of the road ".
It seemed the perfect answer to the battling Australian family. Overseas travel was out of the question. Hotel accommodation too expensive. Simply attach the caravan to the family car - cram the kids into the back seat - and go and see wonderful places for very little expense.
About then a new phenomenon developed. Families found a place that met all their dreams and instead of further meanderings they put down holiday roots. They left their caravan permanently on that site and paid an annual site rental.
A new style of holiday developed. Christmas, Easter and long weekends saw the family travel to their favourite holiday spot and mix with the same friends who owned adjoining vans. BBQ meals were shared - the kids fraternised - and a new way of holiday life emerged.
That is now under threat up and down every section of the Australian coast. Councils are discovering that there is more money in erecting luxury cabins than simply hiring caravan sites. Site hiring fees are going through the roof.
Caravan parks in Wollongong are about to be hit with a thirty percent increase, taking annual site rental to $ 3,700. That is a lot of money for what is essentially just a parking spot, but there are restrictions that pose further limitations.
The rules do not allow the owner to rent that caravan to others, thus defraying the overhead costs - and it is becoming obvious that councils plan to get rid of vans and use the space for more lucrative holiday accommodation.
The number of caravan parks shrinks each year and the number of site spaces available for casual hire within such parks is being reduced annually. The time is fast coming when owning a caravan will become a liability because the only permanent parking spot available - will be the owner's backyard.
Farewell to a graceful era - and goodbye to the only holiday the " battler " family could afford !
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