Why Fraser Coast is investing in beachfront camping over cabins

More than $32 million in upgrades is bringing bigger sites, better facilities and more dog-friendly options to Fraser Coast’s council-owned caravan parks. But the focus remains on caravans and camping.

A beachfront campsite is a pretty good reason to hitch up the van. Being able to bring the dog, fit comfortably on your site and use amenities that have had some attention this century makes it even better.

That’s the thinking behind Fraser Coast Regional Council’s investment in its beachfront caravan parks. Council says it has spent more than $32 million redeveloping the parks, replacing ageing infrastructure and updating facilities for modern travellers. With the Pialba Caravan Park redevelopment now complete, following upgrades at Scarness and Burrum Heads, much of that work is already welcoming guests.

But beyond the new camp kitchens and larger sites, Council is taking a different approach to the cabin-focused upgrades seen at many tourist parks. Here, the investment is making more room for caravans and traditional camping, rather than introducing cabins and villas.

For many of our readers, myself included, who travel with our own accommodation on wheels (even if it’s a small one) that’s a welcome change of pace.

Keeping beachfront holidays focused on camping

Council operates four beachfront caravan parks at Pialba, Scarness, Torquay (in Hervey Bay) and Burrum Heads, offering a traditional coastal camping experience in some of the region’s most popular locations.

Fraser Coast Regional Council Major Projects spokesperson Cr Daniel Sanderson said caravanning and camping supported businesses and jobs across the region.

“Importantly, the parks retain their focus on caravanning and traditional camping rather than cabins and villas, allowing visitors to enjoy an authentic beachfront holiday that reflects the Fraser Coast’s relaxed coastal lifestyle,” he said.

Council adopted masterplans for the long-term renewal of all four parks in April 2022. Since then, it has completed major works at Scarness, Burrum Heads and now Pialba, with Torquay still in the planning stages.

Bigger sites and better facilities at Pialba

Council announced the completion of Pialba Caravan Park’s redevelopment on 19 October, with the final stage delivered ahead of schedule. The staged project began in June 2025 and has delivered 95 larger sites designed to accommodate modern caravans, motorhomes and other camping setups.

The work included replacement underground services, improved internal roads, landscaping, new amenities and toilets, a new camp kitchen and a redeveloped recreation zone. There’s also a dog-friendly section in the western half of the park, with conditions applying.

According to Cr Sanderson, the popularity of dog-friendly sites at Burrum Heads helped demonstrate the demand for that option.

“The popularity of the dog-friendly sites at Burrum Heads highlights the growing demand for pet-friendly travel, with many guests choosing the park specifically because they can bring their dogs,” he said.

Modernising the parks comes with a capacity trade-off

Larger sites and upgraded facilities take up space, and Council acknowledges the redevelopment program has meant changes to park layouts and, in some cases, fewer sites. At Pialba, the previous layout accommodated 208 sites. The redeveloped park has 95 – a reduction of 113 sites, or about 54 per cent. That is a substantial reduction in the number of places available to stay.

Council says the changes make room for larger caravans, modern facilities and improved infrastructure. And while some may see this as a negative, I personally welcome the news of larger sites and a less crowded caravan park.

It’s a balancing act that will be familiar to anyone who has tried manoeuvring a modern van into an older style caravan park that traditionally, has much smaller sites designed for the size of RVs in the era it was established. More room will improve the experience, but it does come at a cost to overall capacity.

Completed parks are recording more occupied nights

Council points to operating results at Scarness and Burrum Heads as evidence of demand for the upgraded parks.

Scarness, where redevelopment was completed in October 2024, now provides 82 sites. Its occupied site-nights increased from 17,217 in 2024/25 to 19,829 in 2025/26, a rise of approximately 15 per cent.

At Burrum Heads, where staged redevelopment finished in August 2025, the park now offers 56 sites. Occupied site-nights increased from 7,755 to 9,360 over the same financial years, up approximately 21 per cent.

The figures show increased use across those reporting periods, although they span redevelopment and reopening activity and should not be read as a direct comparison of two full years under identical operating conditions. Council also reports improved financial performance at the completed parks.

The benefits extend beyond the park gates

The case for investing in caravan parks goes well beyond what guests pay for their sites. Travellers also spend money at local cafes, restaurants, shops, attractions and tourism businesses. Council estimates that visitors staying at its beachfront parks injected around $28 million into the local economy in 2025/26.

That estimate is based on national caravan and camping expenditure averages, rather than a direct tally of spending by individual park guests. It nevertheless helps explain why Council sees the parks as more than standalone accommodation businesses. A well-used beachfront park can bring customers into surrounding businesses and give travellers a reason to stay longer or return.

“Council’s redevelopment program is designed to strengthen both commercial returns and broader economic benefits for the region,” Cr Sanderson said.

“Our ongoing investment is about keeping the Fraser Coast an attractive destination for caravanning and camping holidays, encouraging visitors to return and ensuring local businesses and the wider community continue to benefit for years to come.”

What’s next for Torquay Caravan Park?

With Pialba complete, planning and design are progressing for the proposed Torquay Caravan Park upgrade. Council says community consultation in 2025 showed 76 per cent support for retaining and upgrading the park. Funding is currently allocated in its 10-year capital works program for 2029/30 and 2030/31, subject to future budget approvals.

For now, the completed upgrades at Pialba, Scarness and Burrum Heads show the direction Council is taking with larger sites, renewed infrastructure, better shared facilities and more options for travellers bringing pets.

The reduction in site numbers is a significant part of that story. So is the decision to keep investing in places where a beachfront holiday still means arriving with your own van or tent. For caravanners who value that experience, Council’s commitment gives them a reason to keep the Fraser Coast on their touring map.

Find more information about the projects on Fraser Coast Regional Council’s beachfront caravan park redevelopment page.

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