Essentially glamping, these kooky beachside shantytowns may look a little unmanicured, but the benefits are inarguable. Photo: Hayley Nicholls.
What would you pay for your own place on the beach? For most of us, it’s a pipe dream.
But you might be surprised to learn that as little as $15,000 can buy you a place to put your head down directly fronting the world’s most beautiful beaches.
We bought our slice of paradise five years ago. A little retro tow-along caravan with a demountable annex attached and a fully enclosed deck to the front. There is no bathroom, and a rainwater-fed kitchen, but otherwise, most of the home comforts. Simple, functional, perfectly comfortable – and 50 metres to the beach.
On-site van ownership may not be for everyone, but it is an underrated lifestyle. Essentially glamping, these kooky beachside shantytowns may look a little unmanicured, but the benefits are inarguable.
Peak flexibility
The total flexibility to come and go makes ‘planning holidays’ feel like an oxymoron.
Suddenly spot a sunny weekend? Or your plans get cancelled and you find yourself free as a bird. Jump in the car and go coastal!
And on the flip side, without a 10 am checkout hanging over you, you can make the most of the day and pack up whenever it suits, weather permitting and mood depending.
You can even stay for happy hour, drive home early in the morning and be back in time for work.
With a view like this on your doorstep, does it matter if you don’t have all the creature comforts? Photo: Hayley Nicholls.
What packing?
Swimmers, pool toys and board games – oh my! All of your holiday goodies can be kept in the van, meaning all you have to pack are clothes. Or simply leave your holiday uniform down there too! We keep non-perishable food, towels in the cupboard and soft toys on the beds – allowing us to show up safe in the knowledge that the bare minimum is always on hand.
These holiday shacks are not a meticulously staged Airbnb. Like giant cubby houses, the on-site van can really be your home-away-from-home.
It takes a village
Neighbours are a tricky business, and it’s always luck of the draw. But when it comes to life in a caravan park, you might strike gold.
There’s something about the atmosphere: everyone is relaxed, and children are everywhere. The more time you spend there, the more familiar the faces become. Before you know it, you’re on first-name terms with half the park – and even more familiar with their kids.
I’ve lost count of how many Band-Aids I’ve handed out to little ones who’ve come off their bikes right outside our van. And my kids love the familiarity of being greeted by name almost everywhere they go. It really does start to feel like that elusive ‘village’ we were promised would help raise our children!
Bonus tip: Invest in a couple of quality UHF radios for your kids. It gives you that extra peace of mind while they embrace the freedom of park life – cruising around endlessly on their bikes and scooters on what feels like one big, rolling, community-wide playdate.
Some of the neighbours are absolutely delightful – if a little over-familiar! Photo: Hayley Nicholls.
It’s surprisingly handy to have a second home!
We love a family holiday, but sometimes it’s also a real treat to split up and enjoy one-on-one time with our kids. Or – even rarer – enjoy some time alone! This is made possible when you have a second home a short drive away. There’s no need to justify the cost-per-night, no big packing list, and none of the usual fuss that comes with booking a getaway.
There’s something incredibly comforting about knowing your beach shack is sitting there, ready whenever you are. Whether it’s for spontaneous quality time with another, or a much-needed solo reset, having a place to retreat to is a real privilege.
Other considerations
While the one-off cost of purchasing an on-site van or cabin starts low, there is also a high-end of the market. You can expect to pay anywhere from $10,000 to $150,000 – so it’s worth shopping around to figure out your personal preferences and ‘must-haves’.
Site fees typically range from $6000 to $9000 per year, depending on the park’s amenities and location.
Many caravan parks have a maximum stay per annum – typically around 180 nights – meaning you can’t live there.
Of course, owning an on-site van doesn’t mean you can’t ever travel elsewhere, but it does offer a wonderfully simple and affordable way to holiday more often. It provides the flexibility to take frequent low-budget, no-fuss mini-breaks that work alongside big trips and fancy resorts.
For us, it’s been a solid investment in making memories, making community connections, and accessing the laid-back South Coast lifestyle, making it well worth the midnight walk to the toilet block!
