JANUARY 31:
Two caravanners trapped after rig rolled on Lachlan Valley Way in NSW. The 72-year-old man and 64-year-old woman were freed by emergency workers and are now recovering after being airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital. Police said they were travelling towards Cowra when the male driver of the LandCruiser lost control.

JANUARY 30:
Brisbane-based global RV company Apollo Tourism and Leisure, builders of the Windsor and Coromal brands of caravans, has warned shareholders of lower profits in the first half of the current financial year. It expects after-tax profits to be in the order of $10.5 million compared to $14.7 million in last year's first-half. "Although there has been positive growth in global rental revenue and higher RV sales volumes have been achieved, continued subdued global RV sales markets and low margins have contributed to reduced H1 FY20 earnings," it said in a statement.

JANUARY 30:
A German tourist, 66, has been charged with cause death by negligent driving after his motorhome collided head-on with a car on Tasmania's Huon Hwy at Dover.

JANUARY 30:
An increasing number of caravanners in the UK are now using a simulator to brush up on their reversing skills.

JANUARY 29:
Marlborough Motel & Caravan Park between Rockhampton and Mackay is looking for a backpacker for housekeeping and kitchen duties, saying: "If you looking for somewhere to work hard and save money for your next adventures, this is the place to be."

JANUARY 29:
Zone RV on the Sunshine Coast will throw open its new $8 million facility in Coolum Business Park at Quanda Road to the public on February 8 between 9am and 1pm. The off-road caravan manufacturer began as start-up business in 2015 and now employs more than 90 staff and pours nearly $40 million into the local economy.

JANUARY 28:
A funeral service for former NSW caravan park operator Stan Faraday, who died last week aged 78, will be held on Friday. The former owner of a successful taxi company ran the Rest A While Caravan Park in Gilgandra, near Dubbo, throughout the 1990s. The service will be held at 10.30am on January 31 at the Dubbo City Crematorium..

JANUARY 28:
Thieves made off with a twin-axle Regal caravan from a yard at Cobram in Victoria. The white and gold 19.6ft-long 2007 deluxe comfort tourer carried the Victorian registration R65598 and has alloy wheels. Its right-hand mudguard is slightly distorted and secured at the top by a black tech screw. It was stolen on January 26. Anyone with information is asked to contact police quoting reference number 22787165.

JANUARY 28:
About 60 New Age caravan owners spent the Australia Day weekend at Maleny Showgrounds in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, reporting that they poured over $6600 into the local economy.

JANUARY 28:
FreeSpirit Resort and Holiday Park Management Group is reportedly giving up its management role at the Treasure Island holiday resort on the Gold Coast, Darlington Beach on the Coffs Coast plus Ocean Beach on the NSW Central Coast and Merimbula Beach on the state's south coast.

JANUARY 28:
Man, 59, died when his car collided head-on with motorhome driven by 66-year-old German tourist on Tasmania's Huon Hwy at Dover.

JANUARY 27:
A new 73-site caravan park catering for larger RVs and rigs at Canberra Park in the nation's capital is expected to open in June. It will comprise a mix of powered drive-through and reverse-in sites together with amenities block and other facilities.

JANUARY 27:
Petitioners are calling for a change the NSW law to allow homeless bushfire victims to use caravans for as long as they need. Nearly 500 have signed an online change.org petition demanding the homeless be allowed to use their caravans as their home during rebuilding work. Organiser Brett Wilson said victims were being impacted by a law restricting use to two days at a time and no more than 60 days in total a year. "The rebuilding of homes may take longer than temporary accommodation will be available, and in some more remote it could take much longer," his petition to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says. "Where are those bushfire victims expected to live if this law is enacted and how are they expected to earn a living if farmers can't live on their property?"

JANUARY 27:
Cee and See caravan park at East Rockingham in WA is looking for a "highly motivated, friendly and energetic" management couple to take over the reins of the seaside park from February 14.

JANUARY 27:
Rangers are investigating reported sighting of crocodile near Coolooloi camping ground on Queensland's Fraser Island.

JANUARY 26:
Queenslander Grant Hunt, a non-executive director of Discovery Holiday Parks since 2014, was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in today's Australia Day Honours for his "significant services to the tourism and hospitality sectors". From its humble beginnings of just one park in 2004, Discovery Parks is now Australia's largest owner and operator of parks, with over 2500 powered and unpowered caravan and camping sites and 1500 cabins. Mr Hunt, who lives on the Gold Coast, is a board member of Tourism Australia and has been connected with numerous tourist concerns. He was the former owner of Hunt Tourism Services which offered specialist advice on nature-based tourism planning, development, management and marketing.

JANUARY 26:
The WA state government has granted a lease for the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation to build caravan and camping sites plus 25 glamping tents in the Pilbara's Millstream Chichester National Park.

JANUARY 25:
CRE Brokers is inviting expressions of interest from people interested in taking over the lease of Baw Baw Shire Council's 120-site riverfront Glen Cromie Caravan Park 100km north of Melbourne. The lease expires on August 29. "It is the intention of the Shire that the site continues to be used as holiday accommodation beyond that date," CRE's advertising material says.

JANUARY 24:
The Shire of Northam in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia has decided to allocate funds to provide a 24-hour camping site for self-contained caravans and motorhomes as part of its bid to become RV friendly. "There has been a number of enquiries from individuals and caravan and camping associations in respect to re-establishing a day site within the Northam town," a council report said.

JANUARY 24:
The NSW Caravan and Camping Industry Association will stage its first ever Illawarra Caravan Camping Lifestyle Expo next month. Over 100 exhibitors will display their latest products at the Kembla Grange Racecourse from February 14 to 16. Figures show that one in 15 families in the area own a recreational vehicle.

JANUARY 24:
A spectacular 58-second video showing a caravan coming to grief on Queensland's Bruce Highway has appeared on the 7NEWS Sunshine Coast Facebook page. It shows the caravan developing the "wobblies" while being overtaken by a truck on the highway near the Glasshouse Mountains in the Sunshine Coast's hinterland. Audio captures the discussion between two truckies as the drama unfolded. "Oh well, shit happens," says one.  No one was injured in the mishap.  To watch the video, click here. 

JANUARY 23:
Car towing caravan involved in accident on NSW's Pacific Highway at Moorland near Jericho Road on-ramp this afternoon. Emergency services were on scene but no further details were available. The accident came just days after another caravan flipped onto its side on the highway at Moorland (see photograph).
 

JANUARY 23:
Townsville's 91-site Coconut Glen caravan park at Bohle, which has been on the market for some years, has finally sold for about $2.5 million. A spokesperson at the park told Caravanning News today that it had been bought privately and its role as a caravan park would continue. Formerly owned by a trucking company, advertising material in 2018 described it as having "strong redevelopment potential".

JANUARY 23:
Erica Caravan Park in Victoria will hold its second annual Australia Day "hit and giggle" charity cricket match and sausage sizzle on January 26.

JANUARY 22:
Campervan & Motorhome Club of Australia will use $1.1 million grant from Road Safety Awareness and Enablers Fund to raise road safety awareness and education among RVers.

JANUARY 22:
Cairns Coconut holiday resort has lodged a development application with Cairns Regional Council for a major facelift at the popular family caravan park.

JANUARY 21:
Northbound lanes of Queensland's Bruce Highway near Glass House Mountains south of Nambour blocked after caravan rolled. No reports of injuries.

JANUARY 21:
A Victorian caravanner who scooped $433,000 in the weekend's TattsLotto says he plans to spend more time in his RV. The Beaconsfield father-of-two's best mate also pocketed the same amount from the shared entry. "I’m retired so I'll put a fair bit towards our super ... but we'll definitely be spending a bit more time in our caravan or on holiday," he said. The friends, who requested anonymity, have been playing Tattslotto together for 40 years, mainly using the same marked numbers. "But not long ago we decided to grab a QuickPick entry instead," the excited caravanner said.
 

JANUARY 20:
Emergency services attended a car and caravan accident on Moss Vale Road at Barrengarry in NSW. No furthur details available at present.

JANUARY 20:
Truckie and road safety advocate Rod Hannifey will fly to Alice Springs this week to film Truckright's next safety video featuring caravans and roadtrains.

JANUARY 18:
Two caravanners escaped unhurt after an accident on the Hume Hwy at Table Top in NSW left the roof of their caravan on the median strip.

JANUARY 18:
Tourist park chain Kui Parks is urging grey nomads and other caravanners to spend up to 14 days in recovering bushfire areas. "Stay in a caravan park, help the local businesses survive, as well as all those who rely on work there, plus buy locally, go to the pub and support the communities," it says.

JANUARY 17:
NSW police have warned caravanners and others to take extra care on the roads for the next few days after the storms were forecast for many parts of the state. "If the road conditions get dangerous – things like flash flooding, mud or landslides, debris or trees on the road – get off the road and wait somewhere away from trees, drains and low-lying areas and floodwaters," they said. "Those towing caravans, trailers and boats should also exercise added caution as roads will be slippery and visibility will be impacted."

JANUARY 17:
Work will begin next week on upgrades at Queensland's popular Apple Tree Creek rest area on the Bruce Highway north of Childers. The area is a winter favourite with southern grey nomads and other travellers heading north for the sunshine.

JANUARY 17:
Police are appealing for help in tracing a caravan stolen from the Brisbane suburb of Tingalpa. The Jayco, bearing Queensland registration plates 350UDV, and two boats were towed away from a business in Proprietary Street in the early hours of January 2. Investigations indicate the caravan has been modified and now bears stolen registration plates. It was spotted in the Darling Downs area around January 8. On January 10, a 35-year-old Logan Village man was arrested and charged with six counts of stealing, three counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, two counts of enter premises and commit indictable offence and two counts of enter premises with intent to commit an indictable offence. He will appear in the Brisbane Magistrates court on January 29. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the caravan and boats ‒ a black 1994 GS Marine Extreme and a green 2007 Polycraft Brumby ‒ should contact police.

JANUARY 17:
Tweed Shire Council in NSW has invited submissions on plans to extend Palms Village Caravan Park by rezoning adjoining land. They must be submitted before 4pm on February 10.

JANUARY 17:
District Council of Grant in South Australia is considering an application to open a centre for the display, sale and servicing of caravans in Sturm Road, Suttontown.

JANUARY 17:
Two caravanners taken to Marla Clinic with serious injuries after their rig rolled on Stuart Highway about 50km south of the SA medical centre last night.

JANUARY 15:
Shire of Cranbrook in WA to receive $150,000 grant from state's  Regional Economic Development program to expand accommodation facilities at Frankland River Caravan Park to help support tourism growth in the region.

JANUARY 15:
Caravanning Queensland has released dates for this year's round of free RV safety checks. Bookings are now being accepted for inspections during the first half of 2020. Venues will be "safe zones" where no fines or breaches will be issued. "It is purely an educational activity with the ultimate aim of ensuring that you are travelling safe and compliant," CQ explained.

JANUARY 14:
Devron Abdol has resigned as chief financial officer of tourist and lifestyle parks operator Aspen to "pursue an opportunity in a private family office".

JANUARY 14:
Coromal and Windsor caravan manufacturer and RV rental company Apollo Tourism and Leisure predicts that net profits are unlikely to reach last year's sum of $14.7 million due to the bushfires. In a statement, it said customer safety was "paramount" and its operational focus in recent weeks had been on ensuring their safety so they could continue to enjoy their Australian RV holiday adventures in areas not affected by the fires.

JANUARY 14:
Former PricewaterhouseCoopers Brisbane office managing partner Robert Baker joins Apollo Tourism and Leisure's board as member of its remuneration committee and governance and nominations committee.

JANUARY 13:
Grey nomads and other travellers heading to Tamworth's Country Music Festival, which kicks off on Sunday, have been urged by police to always lock their caravans and campervans or use portable alarms while away from their RVs.

JANUARY 13:
Apex Caravan Park at Ulverstone in Tasmania is planning to scrap five caravan sites and 25 powered camping sites to make way for 20 new holiday cabins.

JANUARY 13:
Heartless thieves have stolen a caravan which survived raging bushfires on NSW's South Coast. The 23ft Deeson RV disappeared from Highlands Avenue at Surf Beach last Thursday. The caravan, bearing NSW plates Z67759, was last seen at Howlong in NSW and could have been heading interstate. Anyone with information is urged to contact Batemans Bay police or their local police station.

JANUARY 12:
Fire crews called to a cabin fire at the Scamander Tourist Park in Tasmania.

JANUARY 12:
Queensland's Livingstone Shire Council is still looking for someone to take over the reins at its 61-site Keppel Sands Caravan Park on the Capricorn Coast. The original closing date for applications from "enthusiastic and motivated people" closed last October but the council has now extended the deadline to January 22. Incumbents David and Lynne Stretton are leaving at the end of their two-year contract.

JANUARY 10:
Queensland fire crews called to caravan fire on the Mount Perry to Gayndah road at Mingo. No further details available.

JANUARY 10:
Only freight, local residents and emergency services personnel will be ferried to SA's Kangaroo Island as bushfires continue to rage.

JANUARY 9:
Despite cancellations at other caravan parks due to the bushfires, singer-songwriters Gretta Ziller and Andrew Swift will round off their Great Australian Caravan Park Country Music Showcase Tour at Shoal Bay Holiday Park in NSW on January 16. Sponsored by Jayco, the alt-country and Americana artists had planned 20 shows at parks in Victoria and NSW before hitting the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Ten had to be cancelled as deadly bushfires raged in the two states. The 2020 Tamworth Country Music Festival, which runs from January 17 to 26, is a major destination for many grey nomads.

JANUARY 9:
Boy, 5, recovering after his bicycle and a 4WD collided at Yeppoon's Beachside caravan park on Queensland's Capricorn Coast.

JANUARY 9:
Denham Seaside Caravan Park on WA's Shark Bay is adding another 55 powered sites thanks to a Regional Economic Development grant.

JANUARY 8:
Peer-to-peer caravan hire & RV sharing service Camplify is offering bushfire victims free temporary accommodation. People requiring emergency accommodation can submit a request here or call Camplify on 1300 416 133.

JANUARY 8:
NSW's deadly bushfires are likely to cost Ingenia, which operates a chain of holiday and lifestyle parks, at least $2 million, it was revealed today. Three of its tourist parks on the state's South Coast ‒ Lake Conjola, Broulee and Ocean Lake ‒ have been seriously impacted.

JANUARY 7:
Queensland police have appealed for help in tracing a caravan stolen at Gympie. The white Gazelle, bearing Queensland registration 931QEM, disappeared from a property in Randwick Road at East Deep Creek between January 3 and 4. "Offenders would have had to hitch the caravan to a vehicle for it to be removed," Senior Constable Deb Page said. A fold-up boat trailer and satellite dish were mounted on the rear of the caravan. Police urge anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity or may have sighted the caravan to contact them, quoting reference number QP2000024873.

JANUARY 7:
Caravan parks in WA's Broome region bracing for onslaught of wild weather as Cyclone Blake approaches.

JANUARY 6:
Free or low cost camping areas are a necessity for outback towns wanting to benefit from modern travellers in fully self-contained caravans and motorhomes, according to Queensland Country Tourism chief executive Peter Homan.

JANUARY 6:
Holiday and lifestyle parks operator Aspen predicts an income hit of at least $500,000 as bushfires wreak havoc on the NSW South Coast. In a message to shareholders today, Aspen said: "The longer term impacts are difficult to predict given the considerable damage to the region, including loss of houses and businesses." It said none of its properties had been damaged by fire. "However, business is being materially impacted during this peak holiday season at our NSW South Coast properties, Barlings Beach and Tween Waters." Aspen said the longer term impacts were difficult to predict given the considerable damage to the region, including loss of houses and businesses. "Aspen maintains insurance over its properties assets and gross profits and may be able to successfully recover some of the losses, subject to review and assessment of our claim by our insurers," it added.

JANUARY 5:
Touch of déjà vu at Bendalong in NSW yesterday as fire drama hit local caravan parks. Twenty people were freed by fire crews as bushfires raged. Tourists were also forced to flee the town's caravan parks when bushfires struck in 2013.

JANUARY 4:
Queensland's Gladstone Regional Council formulates new strategy aimed at attracting more grey nomads and other RV travellers into its area.

JANUARY 4:
Western KI Caravan Park and Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary on SA's Kangaroo Island evacuated and "significantly impacted" as bushfire breaks through control lines.

JANUARY 3:
Three people injured in car and caravan rollover on Brisbane Valley Hwy at Biarra between Esk and Toogoolawah in Queensland. A woman was airlifted to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a serious condition while two young children were taken to Ipswich Hospital in a stable condition.

JANUARY 2: