THE FRONT BOOT

Data from Hipcamp, the online platform that allows people to advertise camping sites on their own properties, indicates a rise in low-cost camping.

According to Hipcamp, the platform experienced a 14 per cent rise in national bookings year-on-year. Western Australia is leading the growth, with bookings up by 54 per cent in that state, followed by Victoria(+ 23 per cent), Tasmania(+ 16 per cent), New South Wales(+ 10 per cent), South Australia(+ 10 per cent), and Queensland(+ 3 per cent).

“ Camping continues to be one of the most affordable and rewarding ways to travel in Australia. We’ re seeing huge demand for simple, spacious stays – places where people can unplug, swim, cook on the fire, and reconnect with each other and the bush,” Hipcamp marketing manager Brooke Wood said.

Across the country, the top features campers searched for this year were pet-friendly sites and swimming access, while tents and swags remained the most commonly used setup.

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