Selling your Caravan Park Strategy

Thinking of Selling Your Caravan Park?
Let’s Talk Strategy.

Selling a caravan park is a strategic decision . The owning a caravan park is more than just a business—it’s a lifestyle. But when it comes time to move on, whether for retirement, a change of pace, or new opportunities, selling a park is not something you should rush. A well-prepared exit can maximise your return, reduce stress, and set up the next chapter of your life or legacy.

At Gartly Advisory, we’ve walked this road with many of our business clients. We know the traps, the timing, and the tricks to getting the best result.

Why Selling a Caravan Park Is Different

Selling a caravan park isn’t like selling a regular business. It blends hospitality, property, tourism, and compliance into one complex transaction. Buyers are purchasing not only a business but often a lifestyle, a community reputation, and a long-term investment.

Key Questions to Ask Before You begin selling a caravan park.

1. What am I selling in terms of my park—freehold, leasehold, or both?
2. What is my timeframe—do I need to sell now or can I plan ahead for a better result?
3. What upgrades or compliance issues need to be resolved before listing?
4. Have I obtained a professional valuation from a caravan park specialist?
5. Have I reviewed capital gains tax, GST, and SMSF implications with my accountant?
6. Do I have an up-to-date succession plan or will in place?
7. Is my business attractive to buyers (clean books, CRM, online reviews, occupancy trends)?
8. Is It Time to Exit? Questions to Reflect On

Has your passion for running the park changed over time?

1. Are you seeking more time for family, travel, or
   personal projects?
2. Is the business at a peak in value, offering an ideal time to exit?
3. Are you financially secure enough to enjoy the next stage of life?
4. Have you reached your personal or business goals?
5. Are you spending more time putting out fires than planning for the future?

Understanding your motivations and timing can help you make a confident decision about selling a caravan park.

Why Planning Matters

The earlier you start planning, the more options you have.

Planning your exit isn’t just about getting the best sale price—it’s about ensuring a smooth transition and making your park as appealing as possible to buyers. A last-minute decision to sell can leave money on the table and cause unnecessary stress. Planning gives you time to fix issues, boost performance, and structure the deal to minimise tax and maximise outcomes.

Financial Freedom Through Sale

For many park owners, selling represents more than just a transaction—it’s a gateway to financial freedom. A successful sale can:

• Fund retirement or semi-retirement lifestyle goals
• Allow you to pay off personal debt or reinvest elsewhere
• Enable early retirement or time with grandchildren
• Free up time for health, travel, or personal pursuits
• Reduce day-to-day business pressure and decision fatigue

Knowing how to structure your exit to unlock financial independence is what we do best.

 

Exit Strategies Beyond the Park

Exiting your caravan park business opens the door to new opportunities—both financial and lifestyle. Whether it’s launching a new venture, downsizing into a simpler business model, or finally ticking off the travel bucket list, your strategy should reflect your long-term goals. We help clients explore:

• Wealth transfer and estate planning options
• Reinvestment into income-generating assets
• Transitioning to advisory or part-time roles
• Structuring retirement income through SMSFs
• Planning lifestyle changes around your financial reality

Exit is not the end—it’s the beginning of something new. We help you plan that next step with confidence.

Your Exit Planning Process

A clear exit strategy ensures that the process of selling your park is structured and profitable. Your exit plan allows you to set the agenda, add value before a sale and plan for financial freedom. It can be an emotional time, and your years of hard work need to be recognised. The selling of a caravan park brings financial freedom but is also a massive lifestyle decision. Here are the key stages:

Assessment & Goal Setting

• Review your financials and personal goals.
• Define your ideal sale timeframe and desired outcome.

Business Review

• Evaluate strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and risks.
• Identify red flags that may deter buyers (e.g., compliance, lease issues).

Valuation & Tax Planning

• Obtain a professional valuation.
• Plan for capital gains tax, GST, and superannuation strategies.

Operational Improvements

• Streamline management processes.
• Tidy up records, upgrade amenities, and resolve tenant issues.

Marketing Readiness

• Prepare an information pack for potential buyers.
• Engage an experienced broker or agent.

Negotiation & Transition

• Manage buyer due diligence.
• Structure the deal (e.g., leasehold vs freehold, vendor finance, handover support).

Making Your Park Sale-Ready

Buyers want certainty, potential, and a clean operation. To prepare your park:

• Ensure your financials are clear, accurate, and up to date.
• Complete necessary repairs and cosmetic improvements.
• Review all regulatory obligations and rectify any issues.
• Update your marketing presence, including your website and online reviews.
• Provide clear documentation on operations, suppliers, and customer bookings.
• Reduce owner dependence by empowering key staff or systems.

First impressions count—a tidy, compliant, and professionally run park commands more interest and a higher price.

 

Driving Value with Financial Forecasting

One of the most powerful tools in boosting your park’s value before sale is a well-prepared financial forecast. A forecast shows buyers a clear, credible pathway to future earnings and gives them the confidence to pay a premium. We help clients:

• Build realistic 12–24 month financial forecasts
• Align budgeting with seasonal demand and occupancy patterns
• Highlight untapped revenue streams and cost savings
• Benchmark performance against industry standards
• Use forecasting to guide reinvestment or expansion strategies using the lead up to a sale to drive profit

Forecasting isn’t guesswork—it’s a story of potential. Drive profit, which leads to value and a better sale out come for you the owner

Tax Planning When Selling Your Park

The tax implications of selling your park can be significant—but with good advice, they can be managed. We help clients structure deals to minimise tax and ensure that sale of business proceeds is used as part of your wealth strategy . Key areas to consider:

• Capital Gains Tax (CGT): We assess your eligibility for small business CGT concessions.
• GST: Understand whether GST applies to your transaction and how to structure it as a ‘going concern’.
• SMSF Planning: If you’re retiring, we explore ways to use your SMSF to receive proceeds tax-effectively

Maximise Sale Value with These Actions

• Get a park-specific valuation
• Fix deferred maintenance
• Resolve long-term tenant issues
• Clarify lease terms and responsibilities
• Document all operational systems and handover plans
• Present your park’s lifestyle appeal, not just numbers

Gartly Advisory will work with your solicitor or financial planner to ensure every angle is covered.

Who is Geoff?

Geoff Gartly is more than just your accountant—he’s your strategic partner for a successful business exit. As a chartered accountant with over 35 years of experience, Geoff is also a certified exit planning adviser (CEPA), helping business owners unlock value and retire on their own terms.

His expertise spans taxation, superannuation, small business advisory, and succession planning. As a keen caravanner himself, Geoff understands the caravan park lifestyle and brings personal insight to every client conversation.

He’s travelled Australia, stayed in parks, and knows first-hand what makes a caravan park thrive—and what makes it a smart investment. His unique blend of financial acumen and on-the-ground experience ensures you’ll receive advice that’s both practical and tailored.

Geoff specialises in helping business owners who own a park or a
pub to consider their exit planning options. Exit planning can start
years before you sell or transition out of your business. With
Geoff’s support, your exit planning can be a smooth and enjoyable
process

Let’s talk about your future, your lifestyle,
and your park’s next chapter.

Let’s Catch Up Over a Coffee (or Zoom)
Whether you’re ready to sell or just starting to think about it, a
confidential chat with Geoff might be your smartest first step.

Testimonial

Geoff and the whole team at Gartly’s stand out as a reliable and dedicated accounting firm for small businesses. With their expertise, personalised approach, reliability, and commitment to client satisfaction, Gartly Advisory is a trusted partner. Their exceptional service make them a top choice for small business accounting needs.
Patrick Chipp