Aussie farmer lifts lid on ‘camping revolution’ as travellers chase nostalgic roots: 'Growing massively'

Fifth-generation farmer James Mackenzie says a 'camping revolution' is quietly changing the landscape of domestic travel. Source: Hipcamp/Mackenzies Mountain

Australians are increasingly turning their attention to domestic travel, choosing to explore their own backyard instead of overseas. In that shift, camping popularity has skyrocketed in recent times, and new data shows a strong demand for stripped-back, back-to-basics sites.

Fifth-generation farmer and campsite host James McKenzie believes Australia is, in fact, the middle of a quiet "camping revolution", driven by families and travellers seeking simplicity, affordability and time in the great outdoors. 

As the host of McKenzies Mountain Retreat, an off-grid set of properties between Byron Bay and the Gold Coast offering more than 100 campsites on private land, he said demand has exploded as traditional caravan parks become more and more commercialised and expensive.

In an interview with Yahoo News Australia, James argued that many council-run caravan parks have shifted away from basic camping in favour of cabins, water parks and resort-style facilities. 

A campsite host says Australians are increasingly opting for a return-to-basics style experience. Source: Hipcamp/Mackenzies Mountain

James thinks these changes have priced out ordinary families and stripped away what made camping appealing in the first place. 

"This really is a revolution," he said. 

"Going back to what used to be the case with council caravan parks, before they changed everything. 

"For decades, families booked the same sites years in advance. They’d come back every Christmas, have reunions, and stay connected. That was the lifeblood of these regions.

"What happened is that everyone tried to monetise everything. They jacked prices up, added cabins, water parks, trampolines, all the things people didn’t ask for."

James said what "people actually wanted", which was simple, affordable camping in nature, was eventually all but "stripped away". 

Now, he said that sites like his have allowed camping on private land and are opening up access to remote locations and natural environments that were previously unavailable to the public.

"People don’t want the bells and whistles," he said. 

"They want space, peace, and somewhere their kids can roam.

"People are desperate to disconnect. They want to turn the noise off and get back to something real."

James said repeat visitors are a defining feature of this major camping shift, with families returning to his sites again and again for the same experience.

He is increasingly seeing families with their phones off, children playing outdoors, swimming in rivers and spending time together.

James believes predictability, affordability and authenticity, rather than entertainment infrastructure, are what modern campers value most.

"I've had people come to my place nine times. Some come back five weekends in a row. They say, 'This is paradise'," he said. 

"I’ve done no advertising whatsoever, yet I’m one of the top Hipcamp hosts in the country. 

"That tells you something."

James said these platforms have opened up a whole new market. People can now access private land, remote locations, and waterfalls. 

"Places they would never normally see," he said. 

"These are some of the most incredible camping experiences you’ll find anywhere."

The trend is also intersecting with broader pressures, including housing affordability. 

James said seasonal workers and people between homes are increasingly turning to short-term camping as a temporary solution, particularly in regional areas where rental availability is limited. 

He argues existing planning rules in NSW have unintentionally supported this shift by allowing limited camping on working farms without complex approvals.

What's more, James said the surge in popularity also led to meaningful relationships, connections he — and his guests — may have otherwise never made. 

"Once people find a good place, that becomes their go-to," he said. 

"They plan birthdays, weddings, and even corporate events there. Camping like this isn’t a novelty — it becomes part of people’s lives." 

Mackenzies Mountain offers more than 100 sites across 500 acres. Source: Hipcamp/Mackenzies Mountain

Looking ahead, James expects demand for stripped-back, off-grid camping to continue growing, as Australians seek reliable, nature-based escapes they can return to year after year.

"It’s truly wonderful to see families just sitting there with their phones turned off," he said. 

"Easter weekend, there were about 60 kids playing cricket, swimming in the river, just being kids. That’s what camping is meant to be.

"This isn’t going away. It’s going to grow massively."

Data from Hipcamp shows that across the platform, bookings are up by 22 per cent Australia-wide. 

Across the states, NSW, Queensland, and Victoria have all seen increases between 20 and 30 per cent, while in Western Australia, bookings have soared by an incredible 41 per cent year on year. 

A representative for the platform confirmed much of James' sentiment, saying that "some of the strongest demand" is going to "very simple, off-grid stays on private land". 

This article originally appeared on Yahoo News Australia at https://au.news.yahoo.com/aussie-farmer-lifts-lid-on-camping-revolution-as-travellers-chase-nostalgic-roots-growing-massively-230023745.html

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