The cost of living crunch is forcing millions of Australians to choose camping over hotels, with many families trading hotel rooms for tents to save money on their holidays. According to new research by Finder, 12% of 1006 survey respondents - equivalent to 2.6 million people - have gone camping in the past two years to save on accommodation costs. Almost a third (27%) of Australians say they haven't been on a holiday in more than two years. Finder's personal finance specialist, Taylor Blackburn, said many Australians had simply been priced out of traditional holidays. "Plenty of people are skipping flights and fancy resorts altogether as the cost-of-living crunch reshapes the way we holiday," Blackburn said. "For a growing number of households, the choice isn't between Bali or Byron anymore - it's camping or your own couch." Camping has long been a rite of passage for families, with many generations learning to connect with nature and one another without breaking the bank. "Many are now rediscovering that tradition out of necessity," Blackburn added. Rising costs mean many Australians are going years without a proper break. "Camping offers something many families are craving right now - a genuine escape that's affordable, flexible and doesn't come with a four-figure accommodation bill," Blackburn said. Finder's research showed that one in five (19%) Australians had gone camping just for fun in the last two years. Blackburn encouraged households to plan holidays by setting a realistic budget early and to choose options that don't derail their savings goals. "Opt for holidays you can afford upfront, not ones that add pressure to already tight budgets or put you into debt," Blackburn said. However, the cost of living crunch is not just affecting families' holiday plans. A survey conducted by the Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) at the time revealed the cost of living crisis had affected the travel plans of 58% of Australians. Of those surveyed, 38% said they would opt for shorter holidays than originally planned, while 31% said they would holiday in Australia rather than overseas. In January this year, the Caravan Industry Association of Australia revealed that demand for caravan holiday park accommodation had hit record highs. Data revealed that park occupancy reached all-time December highs across every accommodation category in 2025, setting new benchmarks for cabin, powered and unpowered site occupancy. The Gold Coast (87%) led cabin occupancy in December, followed by the Sunshine Coast (83%) and the NSW Central Coast (80%), the research revealed. Meanwhile, Perth recorded the highest powered site occupancy at 85%, ahead of the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast (both 77%).
