Revealed: How Aussies are dodging record-high property prices - realestate.com.au

[ad_1] As nationwide residence costs hit contemporary data, a brand new quarterly snapshot reveals caravans are shifting from vacation parks into the housing dialog – and a rising model has simply pulled off a historic double on the prime of the market.

Caravans are shifting gear from leisure buy to housing technique as extra Australians weigh life on the street in opposition to document property costs – with some properties on wheels nonetheless promoting for underneath $60,000.

By comparability, PropTrack knowledge reveals the worth of a median home moved nearer in direction of one million {dollars} ($935,000) in September, whereas a typical unit now prices nearly $700,000.

Into that backdrop lands the Q3 2025 RV Market Model Consideration Report from Retain Media, a broad learn on shopper curiosity throughout the leisure automobile sector based mostly on greater than 2.8 million search queries over the quarter.

The report charts a decisive reshuffle in model momentum and, crucially, underscores how affordability pressures in property are spilling into Australians’ automobile selections.

Snowy River’s historic double as shopper tastes shift

Whereas Jayco nonetheless leads the cost in terms of most looked for caravan model in Australia, semi-import Snowy River Caravans stood out from the group, taking the highest place for most-searched RV manufacturers in each the Imported and RVMAP classes for the primary time.

In keeping with the model’s web site, present inventory fashions begin at $54,990, with its studio-sized SRC-14 sequence together with all creature comforts a few single individual may want.

This consists of as small ensuite, a kitchen, a double wager, photo voltaic, and a TV unit.

<img class="styles__StyledImage-sc-17n6uwl-1 hlcJVa size-full wp-post- wp-image-1074947" loading="eager" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1074947" data-capiid="50d493743bbb600c3c4a75d021a3ce7d" width="535" height="588" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 535 588"%3E%3C/svg%3E" srcset="" alt="Supplied Real Estate Q3 2025 RV Market Brand Consideration Report results. Source: Retain Media"/> The double victory dislodges lengthy‑standing chief Market Direct Campervans in each classes and alerts a significant re‑score of the place worth and options are resonating with consumers.

Austrack and Ezytrail rounded out the highest 5 most search caravans nationally.

Crusader Caravans, which just lately launched a brand new model, Dreamhaven, with domestically made vans beginning at simply $68,990 ranked six overcall however claimed second spot within the Aussie-made class.

Different standard manufacturers rating within the total prime 10 included Avan, New Age Caravans, Avida, and Life-style Campers.

A property story on 4 wheels

With housing affordability stretched and rents elevated, caravans are not only a life-style fantasy for gray nomads.

A Cash.com.au survey discovered 21 per cent of house owners would think about downsizing all the best way right into a caravan if bills proceed to rise, whereas 13 per cent stated they'd fortunately swap bricks and mortar for a everlasting life on the street.

The generational breakdown is telling, with Gen Z main the cost, adopted by Millennials, Gen X and Child Boomers.

<img class="styles__StyledImage-sc-17n6uwl-1 hlcJVa size-full wp-post- wp-image-1074949" loading="eager" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1074949" data-capiid="4a87b48d5356af30430cccf52ac696d5" width="1280" height="720" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1280 720"%3E%3C/svg%3E" srcset="" alt="Supplied Real Estate Snowy River Caravan's SRC-14 series"/> Snowy River Caravan’s SRC-14 sequence.

<img class="styles__StyledImage-sc-17n6uwl-1 hlcJVa size-full wp-post- wp-image-1074950" loading="eager" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1074950" data-capiid="c47e8054374c132a56796ef79254ed5c" width="768" height="1024" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 768 1024"%3E%3C/svg%3E" srcset="" alt="Supplied Real Estate Snowy River Caravan's SRC-14 series"/> The studio-sized caravan sells for as little as $54,990.

Cash.com.au’s Finance Skilled, Fi Ahlstrom stated hovering home costs and rents are forcing individuals to rethink what ‘residence’ truly means.

“With housing so costly, particularly in our capital cities, individuals are taking a look at choices as soon as seen as only for holidays, like dwelling in a caravan,” she says.

“For some it’s a short-term repair whereas the price of dwelling is so excessive and for others it may grow to be everlasting. And with no actual aid on the cost-of-living entrance, we’re more likely to see this development develop.

“However, it’s price preserving in thoughts that caravans nonetheless include prices like web site charges, utilities, upkeep, registration and insurance coverage, however for a lot of they'll nonetheless work out far cheaper than conventional lease or a mortgage.”

Why model momentum now tracks liveability

What's fuelling the reshuffle on the prime of the RV market isn't just worth, however perceived worth in layouts and accreditation as caravans step right into a housing position.

Patrons centered on half‑time or full‑time dwelling are scrutinising insulation, air flow, off‑grid functionality, power storage, water capability and after‑gross sales help with larger depth than a vacation‑solely buyer. The RVMAP class outcomes, the place Snowy River has made its breakthrough and Crusader jumped into the highest three, recommend requirements and backing are climbing the precedence checklist alongside spec sheets and shiny interiors.

<img class="styles__StyledImage-sc-17n6uwl-1 hlcJVa size-full wp-post- wp-image-1074951" loading="eager" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1074951" data-capiid="f97b3fdab0d974c595e1ec6bc3a09487" width="1280" height="720" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1280 720"%3E%3C/svg%3E" srcset="" alt="Supplied Real Estate https://dreamhavencaravans.com.au/"/> Crusader Caravans are additionally proving standard with consumers.

There's additionally a transparent momentum impact at play. In an data panorama formed by search behaviour, small manufacturers that get the product‑advertising combine proper can break by means of rapidly, as Titanium’s 42.9 per cent relative leap demonstrates.

Conversely, a pause in new product cadence or a misinterpret on pricing in opposition to inclusions can present up as a speedy shift in consideration, as MDC’s quarter illustrates.