The Gen Z FIFO Life – Queensland’s Cashed-Up Caravan Nomads
- Written by Karen Perry, JAWA Off Road Campers co-owner
Camping and caravanning are experiencing a boom. Increasingly, young people are looking for opportunities to travel far and wide, exploring all that the great outdoors has to offer.
According to the Caravan Industry Association of Australia, camping and caravanning trips increased a whopping 24% in the first quarter of 2023. In fact, the annual rolling total for trips now equates to 62.3 million nights and $11.2 billion on the road.
So what makes caravanning so popular? And how are Queensland’s FIFO workers making the most of a nomad lifestyle?
From FIFO to Caravanning
Taking advantage of an on-again-off-again rostering structure, many young FIFO employees are turning to the benefits of caravan travel. Why?
Working 10 days leads to 10 days off which offers plenty of time to hit the road and holiday near home. Instead of spending time off in a fly-out flat, workers take advantage of a FIFO petrol allowance and use breaks as an opportunity to discover new places.
From the stunning blue of the Capricorn coast to the rich reds and rusts of an outback getaway, there’s so much to see. A caravan offers the perfect second home on wheels, allowing FIFO workers to curate a nomad lifestyle that takes them all around the country.
The best part? Off-road caravans provide the ultimate flexibility so that travel has no limitations! That’s not to mention built-in accommodation with no extra fees and petrol partly paid for ahead of the journey.
The Van Life Trend
As more people begin to explore the benefits of van life, the trend only continues to grow.
Caravan nomads are no longer a group comprised of retirees and international travellers. Today, people from all walks of life are seeking an alternative lifestyle and a way around soaring rents and cost of living pressures.
Now #vanlife is more than just a travel choice. It’s a lifestyle – and a social media movement with over 12 billion hashtag views on TikTok alone. Interest is only set to rise, with young people leading the charge.
Choosing a Van
Choosing the right van is critical if you want to make the most of a nomad lifestyle and enjoy caravanning across Queensland (and the rest of the country). Think about the amenities and special features that matter most to you and consider what it will take to make your van a second home when you’re travelling.
About the Author
Karen Perry, affectionately known as ‘the Mothership’ by staff at the family-run business she owns with her husband, is a favourite on the shop floor and on tour at the caravan and camping shows with her happy and nurturing presence, working tirelessly to keep all the business cogs running smoothly. When she is not busy “on the job” Karen can be found indulging her passion for camping with her family and the extended JAWA family. Being part of a business that enables families to get outdoors, explore, and spend quality time together making memories is driven by a desire to inspire other Australian families to ‘journey Australia with attitude’
