Thinking about Buying a Caravan Park?
You’re in the right place! Get the right information before you make a costly mistake.
We’ve helped hundreds of Australians buy, build and grow successful caravan parks. Rogerson Kenny Business Accountants over 40 years experience working with caravan park owners.
Buying a caravan park is a big decision.
When buying a Caravan Park, what are you actually buying?
When you look at caravan parks for sale, the first question to ask is simple – what exactly are you buying?
Many first-time buyers skip this step and end up confused later.
There are two options…
Freehold Going Concern
You own the land and the business
Leasehold Business
You own the business only
Each option has different costs, risks, lending rules and long-term outcomes. Understanding this early avoids major mistakes.
Ready to learn more? Feeling unsure on the best options for you? Get confident in just one phone call.
How much can you borrow to buy a caravan park?
How much will banks lend to buy a caravan park, depends on the type of purchase. Freehold Going Concern usually sees banks lending up to 70% of the purchase price. Where as for Leasehold purchases a bank will typically lend 50% of the cost.
There are four key things lenders usually look at as part of the approval process
The strength of the business
Whether it's freehold or leasehold
How secure the cashflow is
Your experience and financial position
Caravan parks are valued differently to houses. The purchase price is usually based on the profit the business makes, influenced by location, park type, cashflow security and whether the park is freehold or leasehold.
Understanding how these factors interact is critical and why its important to have a specialist team behind you.
How Much Does a Caravan Park Actually Cost?
The short answer is it depends on what you are buying...
The rule of thumb for a Leasehold Park is that the purchase price is 25% ROI on the adjusted net profit.
For a Freehold Ongoign Concern, typically the valuation is calculated as 10-16% ROI of the adjusted net profit.
What Makes a Caravan Park ‘Good’ to Buy?
A good caravan park usually has…
Consistent Profits
Repeat Guests
Strong Location
Well Maintained Amenities
Room to Add Value
Expert guidance and support is critical in reviewing a park - so you can identify real potential and avoid problem parks.
Ready to get started?
Explore our Comprehensive Guide to Buying a Caravan Park – packed with expert tips and insights to set you up for success!
Get specialist advice to navigate the complexities of buying, operating and selling caravan parks with Rogerson Kenny Business Accountants
Download your ultimate guide to buying a caravan park.
Rogerson Kenny Business Accountants
From your first ‘what if’ through to settlement and ongoing business operations, we’re the advisors caravan park owners trust to guide every step of the way.
Turn the dream of owning a caravan park into a reality – with the right advice from day one.
Got Questions? We’ve Got Real Answers!
Specialist Advisors
Tourism Finance Experts
Industry Insights
Feeling Ready to Buy a Caravan Park?
First, Ask Yourself These Critical Questions
Do you have a basic understanding of the business model?
Have you answered all the right due diligence questions?
Do you have clarity on freehold vs leasehold?
Are your borrowing expectations realistic?
Do you have clear picture of operating costs?
Have you sought professional advice from someone who knows caravan parks?
Our team of directors are ready to have an obligation free chat and help you proceed with confidence.
Common Mistakes First-Time Buyers Make
These are the mistakes we see after buyers thought they were ready.
Realising too late they didn’t understand what they bought
Freehold, leasehold, management rights – the differences matter more than many buyers expect.
Relying on generic accountants or advisors
Caravan parks operate very differently to standard businesses and property investments.
Discovering the park’s “profit” doesn’t hold up under scrutiny
Adjusted net profit, owner add-backs and one-off costs are often misunderstood.
Overlooking lease terms that limit control or value (if leasehold)
Length of lease, rent reviews and conditions can materially affect long-term outcomes.
Assuming banks will treat it like a normal property purchase
Finance for caravan parks is specialised, and assumptions can quickly derail a deal.
Underestimating how hands-on the business really is
Staffing, maintenance and day-to-day operations are often more involved than expected.
How We Help
We don’t sell caravan parks. We help buyers understand them.
Our team includes accountants, advisors and finance brokers who specialise in tourism and accommodation businesses.
Reviewing financials
Understanding park value
Lender selection and loan structuring
Tax and business structure
Industry-specific advice
Planning your first 12 months of ownership
Ready to explore caravan park ownership?
Before you take the next step, talk with the team who specialise in caravan park accounting and finance.