FOR many of us growing up in the 1950s and 1960s, Christmas holidays meant four weeks at a beachside caravan park. Caravanning was cheaper than staying in guest houses and more comfortable than camping in tents. With the upgrade of roads, local councils built caravan parks at beaches and coastal towns ideal for inexpensive family beach holidays.
While the newly-released Holdens and powerful American cars could pull large caravans, these were beyond the financial reach of many families. Instead, relatively low-powered English sedans pulling folding caravans and vanettes enabled cheap, self-contained holidays.
Many of the folding caravans of the era were merely tents on trailers, but the cleverly-designed Propert folding caravans, made in Vaucluse, offered large-van security and comfort in a compact form.
The commercial caravan industry really took off in Australia in the 1950s. It was then more common to build a caravan than buy one and ‘how-to’ books proliferated. The early marine-ply vans gradually disappeared as sleek aluminium-clad ones took over. Vans were typically fitted out with a Vulcan electric bench-top stove, a plastic sink with hand pump and lounges which converted to beds.
In the 1950s cars weren’t as reliable as today. Before setting off we’d call in at the service station to have the oil, water and tyres checked and pick up maps. Some families set off before dawn to beat the holiday traffic (what traffic?).
With virtually no freeways the roads were invariably winding, narrow and sometimes unsealed, ensuring at least one of the kids got car sick. Everyone was hot and bothered and towing the caravan was often a trial for Dad.
Nevertheless, it was all worthwhile once we reached the caravan park and settled in. It wasn’t long before the beach irresistibly beckoned us, with the sun sparkling on the waves.