A Sunshine Coast woman has turned a modest side hustle into a thriving caravan hire business generating millions in revenue.
What started as a way to make use of a family caravan sitting idle after a 10-month lap of Australia has grown into Outback 2 Sea, a Sippy Downs-based operation that has recorded more than $2.5 million in bookings since launching in 2017.
Founded by former gymnastics coach Lauren Pullock, the business now manages a fleet of 18 caravans and has facilitated more than 2200 bookings, all through the Camplify platform.
The growth has been steady but significant, with the business expanding from a single van parked at the side of the family home to a full-scale operation run from a storage facility, supported by staff and contractors.
The concept is simple: customers can have a caravan delivered and set up at their chosen destination, removing the need for towing or complicated logistics. Popular locations include Cotton Tree, Rivershore, Caloundra Big 4 and Sixty6 Acres.
Operating predominantly across the Sunshine Coast and hinterland, the business also services trips as far as Rainbow Beach, Hervey Bay and beyond, depending on demand.
The company has also adopted a straightforward pricing model, with caravans starting from about $120 per day during off-peak periods and rising to $160 per day in peak seasons, regardless of the van selected. Optional extras, such as linen packages, are available for an additional fee, while most other inclusions are covered in the base price.
Ms Pullock said the idea came after her family returned from a life-changing caravanning adventure.
“We did a 10-month lap of Australia and from that I just thought this is such an amazing experience, especially for kids,” she said.
“They learn so much, they’re off screens, they’re outside and they’re seeing life in a completely different way.”
At the time, the family’s caravan was rarely being used, prompting her to explore alternatives.
“I didn’t want it to just sit in the backyard, which often happens,” she said.
“I thought I might get one or two hires a year – just a little bit of extra money.”
Instead, demand quickly outpaced expectations, with regular bookings and frequent enquiries prompting her to think bigger.
“I very quickly realised there was a lot more demand for this than I expected,” she said.
“That’s when I started thinking, if I had more vans, I could actually make something out of this.”
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Within months, the side hustle evolved into a more serious venture, with Ms Pullock taking on additional caravans through a management model, allowing other owners to list their vans while she handled bookings, maintenance and customer service.
“We basically ran it like an investment property but with caravans,” she said.
Over time she also began purchasing her own vans, building the fleet to its current size.
The business now averages about 380 bookings a year, with peak demand during the summer holiday period.
“September and January are definitely our busiest times, and we’re normally fully booked for most of December and January,” she said.
Despite the growth, Ms Pullock said maintaining a high level of service remained central to the business.
“As a mum, I know what it’s like to arrive somewhere tired with kids,” she said.
“My goal has always been that when families arrive, everything is set up for them so they can just walk in and relax.”
While most customers are locals, the business has also attracted interstate travellers and occasional international visitors, particularly from New Zealand.
Ms Pullock said the milestone of $2.5 million in revenue was still difficult to comprehend.
“It feels crazy to look at that number,” she said.
“In so many ways I still feel like I’m just a small business, because you’re so busy in the day-to-day that you don’t always stop and look at how far you’ve come.”
The business was recently recognised on the Camplify platform with a Legend Award, acknowledging its performance and high booking numbers.
Looking ahead, Ms Pullock said she had plans to expand but was keeping details under wraps for now.
“I don’t want to just stay exactly as we are,” she said.
“I’d like to build something bigger – more of a hub within the community.”
For now, she remains focused on continuing to grow the business while delivering the same experience that first inspired her journey.
“I try to get everyone into caravanning now,” she said.
“It’s something we’ve come to really love as a family.”
