Happy campers: Bye bye bach, hello caravan
Thrifters and drifters get their hands dirty as caravan demand booms. Maddison Northcott reports on this new trend.
With bach prices at a premium and a potential "bach tax’’ looming, more Kiwi holidaymakers are opting to gussy up caravans and campervans as their accommodation of choice.
‘‘Bach on wheels’’ sales have skyrocketed 63 per cent in the last five years, according to Trade Me figures.
Sales of caravans and motorhomes had grown year on year and the vehicles were ‘‘more popular than ever’’, Trade Me head of motors Alan Clark said. Last month, there was a 6.5 per cent increase in listings compared to the same time in
2017.
In early January, there were more than 1600 caravans and 1000 motorhomes for sale, including almost
500 in Canterbury, ranging from $5000 to $269,000.
Views for caravans and motorhomes in December 2018 were up 51 per cent on December 2017, and there were more than 83,000 searches for caravans on the site in one week alone this month.
Steph Hayward is among the growing number of travellers renovating and building caravans. She purchased a ‘‘classic’’ 1970s caravan from Trade Me last winter and ‘‘kitted it out’’ with a fresh paint job, white and grey interior, and bohemian touches.
Hand-sewn curtains with a pompom trim, a dreamcatcher, a black kitchen and solar panels completed the retro vibe.
Hayward, who used to be an avid tenter, said when her son was a newborn the family needed access to power so decided to take the ‘‘easy way out’’ and hired a caravan. Almost half her friends had given up tenting in favour of a decked out caravan, she said.
‘‘I always thought it was a bit of a cheat’s option but once we tried it, we kept going back and then decided to just get our own. I liked the idea of being able to go away and it not being a big mission to pack everything up.’’
After getting a professional to fix a few leaks, repair water damage and rewire the 4.5-metre caravan, she had it spray painted and set to work decorating the inside.
Christchurch builder Scott Righton, with the help of friend Denis Chapman who had already renovated a bus, spent about eight months building a bespoke 3.6m camper on his ute. Finding inspiration online, Righton drew up the plans, Chapman helped weld the frame, then the pair knocked it together.
The finished product is fully selfcontained and carries its own fresh water. Its double bed sits over the truck’s cab, while below is a full kitchen, solar power, and velvet bench seating.
Once on site, four jacks hold up the back end. Building it himself meant he could have it ‘‘exactly how [he] wanted it’’, and leave enough free space underneath to tow his boat.
Debbie Jefcoate, from Waikuku Beach Holiday Park, said more young families were bringing their caravans to the park. Many were imported, second-hand English caravans bought cheaply to replace older Kiwi models.
Caravans seemed to be ‘‘replacing the traditional Kiwi bach’’, offering a more affordable option that could be moved in bad weather, she said.
‘‘Beach or lakefront properties are too expensive for the average family to buy
. . . caravans, campervans, and motorhomes also offer flexibility that a bach doesn’t. Wherever you want to go, you simply take your holiday home with you.’’
Moeraki Boulders Holiday Park owner Alex Beley said about 70 per cent of the campground’s clientele had campervans, caravans and motorhomes and 30 per cent used tents.
Christchurch couple Elizabeth and Gary Cross have had their four-berth caravan for more than 20 years. Stored at a half sunny, half sheltered spot at Spencer Beach Holiday Park, in Spencerville (so Elizabeth could bask in the sun and Gary enjoy the shade), the caravan lifestyle suited them ‘‘just perfectly’’, Elizabeth Cross said.
After several years on the site, the caravan needed a fresh lick of paint and a tidy-up and the couple were measuring it up before bringing it home to complete the repairs.
When their two adult children were younger, they spent most summer holidays at Woodend Beach Holiday Park, letting them play all day and return only for dinner.
It operated more like a home away from home, never left Canterbury and was filled with mementoes from over the years.
‘‘We love getting out in nature and into the outdoors. If the weather’s good we’ll go for a swim or walk down the beach, we walk for miles. It’s not hard to fritter the day away,’’ she said.
Caroline Duke, who lives at Spencer Park with husband Jeff, said campervan life cost less than $200 a week, including power and rent.
If the pair won lotto they would consider leaving, but ‘‘the caravan would be coming with us’’, she said.
Canterbury Caravan Club secretary Petronella Spicer agreed caravaning was a cost-effective holiday option and let people stay off the beaten track.
‘‘Wherever you want to go, you simply take your holiday home with you.’’ Debbie Jefcoate