Small Campground with Powered Sites
Run a small campground with powered and unpowered sites, amenities and bookings for tourists year-round.
- A$150k-800k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small, run-as-a-business campground with defined sites for tents, caravans and motorhomes. It usually has power and water hookups, amenity blocks, a dump point and a small office or camp kitchen.
Your first three steps
- Check the state and council rules for caravan parks and camping grounds, and speak to the council planning team early
- Visit several small campgrounds, note their prices, facilities and busy periods, and write a basic budget
- Talk to an accountant and a lender or broker about buying, leasing or developing a site, and get insurance quotes
Who pays
Holidaying families, caravanners and motorhome travellers, and sometimes workers or groups staying for a week or more.
How it makes money
Nightly and weekly site fees, higher rates for powered sites and peak seasons, plus extras like firewood, ice, gas bottles or a camp kiosk.
Skills that help
- Customer service and hosting
- Bookings and bookkeeping
- Maintenance and grounds upkeep
Watch out for
- Planning approval and caravan park or camping ground licensing, which differ by state and council
- Public liability and property insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire staff
- Amenity, wastewater, power and fire safety standards, check what applies to your site
- Seasonal income, bushfire and flood risk, and quiet periods that affect cash flow
- Register for an ABN, and check when GST registration is required
🔒 Full research report for Australia
Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.
Coming soonQuestions people ask
How much does it cost to start a small campground in Australia?
Startup costs are typically around $150,000 to $800,000, depending on the land, the number of sites, power and water hookups, and amenity buildings. These are estimates only, so get quotes and professional advice before committing.
How much can a small campground earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your location, site numbers, prices and seasonal demand. Expect to spend at least around 30 hours a week running it. These are estimates, not guarantees.
What licences and rules should I check for a campground?
Check planning approval and caravan park or camping ground licensing with your council and state. Also check insurance, including workers compensation if you hire staff, amenity, wastewater, power and fire safety standards, and ABN and GST.
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