This past weekend, the Harvey Region team represented the Bunbury Geographe Region at the 2026 Perth Caravan & Camping Show, promoting the South West to thousands of potential visitors. As part of Australia’s South West’s display, we showcased local experiences, shared travel inspiration, and encouraged visitation to the Harvey Region and surrounding areas.
Across the weekend, we engaged with a broad audience — from first-time campers and young families to seasoned travellers and “lapper” veterans — providing local insights and distributing visitor information. Working alongside several South West representatives also created a great sense of regional collaboration and provided a chance to connect, share insights, and hear first-hand what’s happening across the region.
While attendance was down approximately 20%, the event still attracted 23,937 visitors, with over 200 exhibitors and more than 30 tourism stands. We had a strong volume of meaningful conversations and distributed a significant amount of collateral, reflecting continued interest in South West travel.
Here are our top takeaways from the conversations with attendees:
Proximity matters more than ever
While fuel prices were a consistent topic of conversation, it was clear that the appetite for travel hasn’t disappeared — it’s simply changing.
Travellers are looking closer to home, prioritising destinations that feel accessible, affordable, and low-risk. This presents a strong opportunity for our region. Being just 90 minutes from Perth, Harvey Region and the broader Bunbury Geographe area are perfectly positioned to meet this demand. There was a greater sense of “fuel security” in short-haul trips, and we should continue to lean into that messaging. Ease, proximity, and value are key.
The “WOW” factor is driving decisions
Across the board — particularly with content creators and long-term travellers — there is a strong desire for destinations that deliver a visual and emotional impact.
Experiences like the orca sightings in Bremer Bay and the striking coastlines of Esperance came up time and time again in conversations. These travellers are actively seeking unique, memorable moments, highly photogenic locations which means experiences that stand out on social media.
For our region, this is a reminder to continue identifying and promoting our own “wow” moments — whether that’s natural landscapes, hidden gems, or distinctive local experiences.
Dog-friendly travel is no longer niche
Another consistent theme across the weekend was the demand for dog-friendly options. Travellers are increasingly planning their holidays around their pets, and they’re seeking:
- Dog-friendly accommodation (including tourist parks and short-stay options).
- Cafés, wineries, and experiences that welcome dogs.
- Clear, easy-to-find information on where pets are allowed.
Encouragingly, more operators are adapting to meet this demand. If your business or experience is dog-friendly, now is the time to promote it. Make sure your offering is clearly communicated — and if you haven’t already, let us know so we can add that information to your listing.
Events like the Perth Caravan & Camping Show are a powerful reminder of the value of listening directly to our visitors. The desire to travel is still very much alive — but expectations are shifting. These insights will directly inform our approach, as we continue to position the Harvey Region around our key strengths — proximity, unique experiences, and a genuinely welcoming visitor offering.