Farm or paddock motorhome stopover
Turn spare land into a simple overnight stop for motorhomes, with a few basic sites and a friendly welcome.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small, low-key stopover on land you already own or lease, such as a farm paddock or bush block. It has a handful of level sites, a basic toilet and water, and maybe a few power points. Travellers pay per night, and some stay a few days.
Your first three steps
- Call your local council to ask what approval is needed to host paying campers on your land
- Walk the property and mark out a few level, well-drained sites with safe access, plus a spot for toilets and water
- List the site on camping and motorhome apps and booking sites, with good photos and a clear price
Who pays
Grey nomads, motorhome and campervan travellers, and holiday-makers looking for a quieter alternative to a big caravan park.
How it makes money
A nightly fee per site or per vehicle. You can charge extra for power, firewood, fresh eggs or produce, and for longer stays.
Skills that help
- Friendly, welcoming host
- Basic property maintenance
- Simple online listing and booking admin
Watch out for
- Council planning approval or permits for camping on private land, which differ by state and council
- Public liability insurance that specifically covers paying guests
- Bushfire, flood and access risks on rural land, and any emergency plan your council may expect
- Wastewater and toilet rules, and whether you need a dump point
- Any electrical work for power points should be done by a licensed electrician
- Income from guests may need to be reported to the ATO, and GST once turnover reaches the threshold
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: farm or paddock motorhome stopover
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a farm motorhome stopover?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how many sites you set up and which basics you add, such as a toilet, water and power points. Electrical work for power points should be done by a licensed electrician.
How much can a motorhome stopover earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $2,500, depending on the number of sites, your nightly price and how often travellers stay. Check whether guest income needs to be reported to the ATO, and GST once turnover reaches the threshold.
Do I need approval to run a motorhome stopover on my land?
Check whether you need council planning approval or permits for camping on private land, as these differ by state and council. Also check public liability cover for paying guests, wastewater and toilet rules, and bushfire, flood and access risks.
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