More and more Aussies are slinging essentials into their caravans and hitting the open road now the holidays are here, and a couple have revealed to Yahoo News how they save thousands while travelling around the country.

Bridie Clarke-Wells and her partner Jamie Wells often stay at private farms rather than camping grounds owned by state governments and the decision has saved them “thousands”.

“We have been travelling full-time for six months and have spent 67 nights at Caravan Overnight Farmstays,” Bridie told Yahoo News. “They are a really cost-effective option for us, and a bonus has been some of the property owners we’ve met, who have been incredibly welcoming.”

Caravanners use farm stays for fraction of cost of campsites

The couple use a platform that connects caravanners and farmers who are open to having visitors on their property to find locations to stay overnight, with a few different platforms available for use.

They only pay $25 a year to access one particular database and they then speak to farmers directly to agree on a nightly cost — which can be as little as $15.

“Each farmer sets up their page on the website, and they share their details, description of their farm, things of interest there and their location,” Debra Symes, owner of Caravan Overnight Farmstay, told Yahoo News. “Travellers contact the farmer and arrange to actually go to their place, and once they’re there, they pay the farmer for the privilege.”

Travellers need to be “self-contained”, meaning they must have a bathroom in their vehicle. However, there are no other prerequisites to making the most of the cheap accommodation.

“Farmers charge $15-$20 a night… it’s particularly great for young families who are travelling. They’re finding it really, really expensive to go to caravan parks all the time because the caravan parks charge per person, and they’re charging children. So when you’re looking at something like $130 a night for a family… it saves a lot of money in the long run,” Debra said.

There are 240 farms or sites on the platform, and every state and territory has options for campers.

“Travellers stay on goat farms, dairy farms, crop farms, wineries. They range from five acres to up to thousands of acres… you’ve got much more space around you.”

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.