The WA coastal city of Mandurah is the RV capital of Australia, according to a new report.
Of all postcodes identified in a report commissioned by the Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA), Mandurah had the highest number of caravan and campervan registrations recorded last year – a total of 4516 – a 4.4 per cent rise on the previous year.
So why do Mandurah residents have such high levels of RV ownership? Changing demographics may have something to do with it. Mandurah’s popularity as a sea change destination has resulted in rapid growth – it is now WA’s second biggest city.
Mandurah is also a renowned holiday haven and has twice taken out WA’s ‘Top Tourism Town’ gong.
Situated 73km south of Perth on the stunning WA coastline, the once sleepy fishing village has undergone an impressive transformation in recent years, and an ‘enlivening’ of the city has occurred.
Tourism officer Nadine Heinen says the city prides itself on its friendly and relaxed holiday atmosphere and is the perfect base for exploring the wider Peel Region; some 6600 square kilometres spanning the Indian Ocean coastline, rivers, estuaries and through native bushland to eastern escarpments.
Mandurah is also a water lover’s paradise.
Dolphins at play. Credit: Innospiring
“The Peel-Harvey estuary is twice the size of Sydney Harbour and is blessed with abundant wildlife, natural beauty and pristine,” Ms Heinen says, “And just 15 minutes south of Mandurah, 4WD enthusiasts find the closest southern locations from Perth where they can legally drive on the beach.”
Ms Heinen also points out that Mandurah and the Peel Region are unusually accommodating of travellers with pets.
“RV users don’t need to worry about boarding kennels costs when travelling through the Peel region. Many of the national parks and camping grounds here are pet-friendly. They can bring their dog and have a good time,” she says.
Interestingly though perhaps unsurprisingly, all of the locations that took out the top five spots in 2013 for combined campervan and caravan registrations in the CIAA’s report were regional areas.
Mandurah was followed by Queensland’s Bundaberg, the Fraser Coast and Toowoomba, with WA’s Albany taking fifth spot.
Victoria had the largest percentage of registered caravans at 27.3 per cent and Queensland had the highest percentage of registered campervans at 23.8 per cent.
Total combined campervan and caravan registrations in Australia reached a total of 528,869 as of January 2013.
