Why caretakers are the unsung heroes of Australia’s caravan parks
Much more than groundskeepers caretakers are critical to experience, risk management and growth
By Dinuke de Coonghe, labour hire and recruitment professional
When families, grey nomads and adventure-seekers pull into a caravan or holiday park after hours on the road, they’re not just looking for a powered site or a clean cabin. They’re seeking connection, security, memorable experiences and comfort.
At the heart of delivering this experience, often unnoticed yet essential, are the caretakers.
Since the pandemic, caravan and holiday parks have witnessed a steady resurgence. Domestic travel preferences, a renewed appetite for regional exploration and lifestyle shifts have all contributed to the increasing popularity of these accommodation models. With this growth, however, comes the need for sustainable and agile workforce solutions to deliver on the promise of our caravan and holiday parks, one of the most critical being the placement of caretakers.
Caretakers are more than groundskeepers. They are stewards of the atmosphere, protectors of property and, frequently, the first point of contact for guests, making them the directors of guest experience. Their impact on a guest’s stay is immense, making them a critical touchpoint for operators seeking to deliver five-star memories in a three-star setting and contributing to the long-term strength of the park’s brand promise.
Why caretakers matter: Beyond the job description
Caretakers provide a consistent human presence. They know when a storm is coming, when the septic tank is near capacity, or when a child’s lost bike needs urgent finding. They’re often the reason guests return.
A recent industry snapshot revealed that more than 42 percent of guest complaints in regional parks stem from perceived neglect in maintenance, cleanliness or safety, all areas directly influenced by caretakers (Caravan Industry Association of Australia, 2024).
In contrast, parks with long-standing caretakers or caretaking couples consistently receive higher Net Promoter Scores and return bookings, especially in family-friendly and older person oriented destinations.
State-based dynamics and caretaker implications
Each Australian state presents unique challenges and opportunities in sourcing and managing caretakers effectively.
• New South Wales (NSW): With the state’s reliance on coastal and hinterland holiday parks, especially in areas like the South Coast and Byron Shire, natural disasters (for instance, floods and bushfires) place heightened expectations on caretakers to manage emergency protocols. In 2022, several parks faced evacuation complications due to a lack of on-site caretaker presence during off-peak hours.
• Victoria: Seasonal weather variability across the High Country and Great Ocean Road means caretakers must be multi-skilled in maintenance, safety and guest communication. Reports from 2023 show that parks with onsite caretaker couples during peak winter periods saw 30 percent fewer maintenance-related complaints compared to those without.
• Queensland: With a high volume of tourist traffic year-round, especially in regions like Sunshine and Fraser Coasts, the demand for bilingual or culturally sensitive caretakers has increased. Parks that employed caretakers with hospitality backgrounds in 2024 noted a 25 percent increase in guest satisfaction scores.
• Western Australia: Vast distances between regional parks mean caretakers often function as operational managers. During the 2023 WA blackout events, some inland parks without live-in caretakers faced delays in restoring services, costing thousands in refunds and reputational damage.
• South Australia: Many parks are located in remote or semi-remote areas such as the Eyre Peninsula. The challenge here is retention—caretakers leave prematurely due to isolation. However, partnerships with lifestyle-oriented recruitment channels have reduced turnover by up to 40 percent.
• Tasmania: As eco-tourism grows, particularly in parks near the Tarkine and East Coast, caretakers are now expected to possess conservation knowledge. Parks that included basic environmental awareness training in caretaker roles saw higher guest engagement in sustainability programmes.
• Northern Territory: The cultural landscape around parks near Indigenous communities requires a more nuanced, community-respectful approach. Caretakers who receive cultural safety training have played a vital role in ensuring harmony between guests, communities and park operations.
Strategic recruitment and the benefit of specialist placement
The diversity of expectations across states makes one thing clear: recruitment isn’t about simply filling a role. It’s about aligning the right people, with the right mindset and skills, to the park’s purpose and promise.
The majority of Australian park operators remain family-owned or operate under flat structures, making it difficult to keep pace with labour challenges while modernising their parks. As a result, recruiting caretakers has become not merely a reactive solution but a proactive and embedded part of the operational model.
By leveraging specialist recruitment services and platforms that understand the nuances of the caretaker economy, holiday parks can position themselves for long-term resilience and growth.
In doing so, they not only mitigate risks but unlock new layers of operational agility, ensuring every guest’s arrival is met with a park that feels safe, cared for, and ready to welcome. It is about matching culture with capability, not just competency.
Looking ahead from the operator’s lens
In today’s demanding experience economy, caretakers are no longer a cost centre. They are brand custodians, risk mitigators and key players in reputation management. Investing in their recruitment, training and wellbeing is not just a smart strategy, it is a business imperative.
Because when the lights go out, the pipes burst or the welcome feels a bit too cold, it is the caretaker, not a CRM system, who keeps your guests coming back and leaving five-star reviews.