First vinyl, now caravans: inside the retro holiday trend taking over Australia

There is a quiet revolution rolling down Australia's highways, and it smells like retro upholstery, slow travel and pure nostalgia.

First came vinyl records, then film cameras, and now vintage caravans and recreational vehicles (RVs) are having a moment as families hark back to a simpler time.

But it's not just mum and dad and the kids taking to the road vintage-style.

In an age of hyper-connectivity, a growing wave of young Aussies is going analogue, swapping hotel check-ins for the charm of a 1970s caravan.

In the last five years, the number of pre-1980 retro and vintage caravans listed on camping rental platform Camplify has increased 110 per cent, with more than 1000 retro RVs now available to hire across the country.

Many of these have been lovingly restored to their former glory as people seek a nostalgic getaway.

Justin Hales, CEO and Founder of camping rental platform Camplify, says today's travellers want memorable experiences over another hotel stay.

And the listings on Camplify are truly memorable - some with their own personalities.

"One of my favourite things about our retro fleet is that almost every RV has a name. Whether it's Betty, Bilbo, Little Miss Sunshine or Queenie, every van has its own personality and story," Hales says.

"That's because these aren't anonymous rental vehicles, they're much-loved RVs that owners have spent years restoring, styling and making their own. They're a reflection of the people who own them, and travellers genuinely connect with that authenticity."

And it's not only older Aussies embracing styles from their youth - though grey nomads are definitely jumping on the trend.

"We're seeing more young couples and families choosing holidays that feel a little slower, a little simpler and much more memorable than checking into another hotel room," Hales says.

"They're looking for experiences with personality and authenticity, and our community of owners is perfectly placed to offer exactly that."

Reflections Holidays CEO Nick Baker says there is a "renewed interest" in older styles of caravanning and road tripping at the organisation's holiday parks across NSW.

"There's something about a vintage caravan that makes the journey feel like part of the holiday, rather than simply a way of getting from A to B," Baker tells Explore.

It's not just nostalgia; people are looking for a different kind of travel experience.

"It becomes something personal that you've created, rather than something you've simply bought. When you finally take it on the road, it becomes more than just a holiday - it's the chance to enjoy something you've built yourself and take it somewhere new."

Social media platform TikTok is awash with posts from young adults "going analogue".

In a bid to disconnect, this generation is turning to tactile hobbies like knitting, nostalgic technology like old cameras, cassette tapes and iPods - and now it's seeping into travel habits.

Data from RV booking platform Motorhome Republic shows a third of all campervan bookings made this year were by 18 to 34-year-olds, highlighting the generation's appetite for slower travel and off-grid adventures.