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Horizons by RAC Podcast

#19 The Rise of the Holiday Park: Why caravan parks are so 'yesterday'

Feb 18, 2026 · 57 min

For generations caravan parks have been at the heart of the West Aussie holiday - road trips, sandy feet, camp kitchens, and that unmatched sense of freedom, and today, they’ve evolved into a new era of modern holiday parks!

What’s driving the renaissance? Why are WA travellers hitting the road in record numbers? Are parks raising the bar - or are travellers demanding more? What do familiesexpect now that they didn’t a decade ago?

And as RAC invests in upgraded facilities and landmark destinations like Ningaloo Reef Resort, is itredefining the future of the great WA road trip? Chapters:

00:00 WA’s Iconic Holiday Parks: Why We’re Lucky

01:26 Childhood Memories: Freedom, Bikes & Beachside Vibes

03:48 Why WA Loves Road Trips & Holiday Parks05:56 From Caravan Parks to Modern Holiday Resorts

07:11 WA Geography, Seasonality & Picking Park Locations

09:50 Holiday Park vs Caravan Park: What’s Actually Different?

12:28 How Parks Have Evolved: Comfort, Safety & Multi-Gen Travel

16:56 Keeping Kids Busy (and Off Screens): Activities & School Holiday Programs

20:57 Post-COVID Boom: Staying Local, Standards & Repeat Visitors

24:22 WA Hotspots & Who’s Visiting 28:14 Family-Friendly Park Culture: Early Nights, Safe Spaces & Dolphin Mornings

29:16 Comfort vs Camping: Why Glamping Is Taking Off

33:23 Why RAC Got into Holiday Parks 

35:30 Big Investments & New Acquisitions

36:46 Coral Bay/Ningaloo Redevelopment38:48 Building Lightly: Environmental Design, Recycling and Solar Plans

40:28 Boosting Local Tourism

43:15 Who Works in the Parks: Lifestyle Staff, Backpackers and Moving Between Regions

45:20 What’s Next: Future Locations, Eco Stays, Self-Contained Cabins & 10-Year VisionGuests: Doreen Thomson (Senior Marketing Manager, Travel & Tourism), Dean Massie (General Manager, Operations) and Mark Weller (Chief Operating Officer).

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