The value of camping to regional communities in Australia

Private-land camping is driving tourism expenditure out of major cities and into regional communities. It provides opportunities for landowners to start new small businesses and remain on their land.

In the Australian state of Queensland, Kate Matsen has quit her day job in town, to meet and greet campers full-time. Hold It Flats is a stunning 120 acre property located on the O’Connell River. Kate has welcomed hundreds of campers, and many families looking to get outside.

By giving rural landowners the chance to benefit directly from outdoor recreation, low-impact camping is bridging the rural-urban divide and helping rural communities to diversify their economies through tourism. 

At Hipcamp, 69% of Hosts report using the revenue generated from low-impact camping to reinvest in their properties. Hosts tell us that, they welcome campers as a way of sharing their land, their ‘hard work’, and compensating for property maintenance.

Low-impact camping is not only good for rural landowners but also great for rural economies. The average camper will go on to spend an estimated AU$425 in the local community they visit. 

In Australia alone, Hipcamp estimates to have contributed over AU$47 million in visitor expenditure in the past 12 months. This spending supports regional businesses, sustains local jobs, and contributes to thriving regional economies. 

Low-impact camping is an economic driver that helps rural communities maintain community values and leverage outdoor recreation to grow in a sustainable, environmentally-friendly way.

The Camping Advocacy Network is powered by Hipcamp, Inc.