If you've decided to sell your caravan, you've probably already opened Facebook Marketplace. Good — that's exactly where you should start. But if you only list it there, you'll likely spend the next few weeks drowning in "Is this still available?" messages while the serious buyers scroll past.
Here's what actually works in the Hunter and Newcastle market, based on how buyers behave right now.
Which Platform Should You Actually Use?
Facebook Marketplace generates the most raw enquiries by a significant margin. Sellers consistently report five to ten times the message volume compared to paid sites. The downside is quality — a large proportion of those messages are low-effort, scam-adjacent, or from buyers who have no intention of showing up. For a well-priced van in the $25,000–$60,000 range, expect to filter through a lot of noise before you find a serious buyer. That said, it's free, and in terms of sheer eyeballs on your listing, nothing comes close.
CaravanCampingSales has a reputation for attracting more serious buyers, but recent seller reviews tell a different story. Dozens of sellers report paying $150–$300 in listing fees and receiving zero genuine enquiries, while their free Facebook listing sold the van within days. It may still be worth listing here for higher-value vans ($80,000+) where buyers tend to do more deliberate research, but it shouldn't be your primary channel.
Gumtree sits somewhere in the middle — decent reach, lower scam volume than Facebook, and still free. Worth including but rarely the source of the winning buyer
The practical approach: List on Facebook first. If you haven't had a serious enquiry within two weeks at your asking price, reconsider the price before adding paid platforms.
Pricing Your Van Realistically
Overpricing is the single most common reason caravans sit unsold for months. Buyers in this market are well-researched — they've been watching listings for weeks before they contact you.
The most reliable way to price is to find five comparable listings currently active on Facebook and Gumtree, then set your price 5–10% above what you'd actually accept. That leaves room to negotiate without underselling.
A few benchmarks to calibrate against in the current Hunter/Newcastle market. A 2017–2019 Jayco Silverline in good condition typically lists between $38,000 and $48,000. A similar-era Snowy River or New Age Enduro off-road van will sit $10,000–$15,000 higher due to demand for off-road capability. Older vans (pre-2015) without solar or lithium upgrades often struggle above $25,000 regardless of brand.
Condition matters more than most sellers expect. Evidence of water damage — even minor — will kill a deal or trigger a significant price reduction. If there's any history of water ingress, disclose it upfront and price accordingly. Buyers will find it during inspection regardless.
Timing also affects what you can achieve — demand is typically strongest from January through April, when buyers are planning their year and motivated to commit. Listing in winter doesn't mean it won't sell, but expect a longer timeline.
Preparing the Van for Inspection
Buyers make quick judgments. A van that smells musty, has a dirty awning, or has a bathroom that needs a clean will be mentally discounted before the buyer has even checked the weights.
The basics: wash the exterior including the roof (where grime accumulates), clean windows inside and out, and clear out every personal item. A caravan that looks lived-in makes it harder for a buyer to picture themselves in it.
Beyond cleaning, do a functional check. Turn everything on — fridge, stove, air conditioning, hot water, all lights. If something doesn't work, either fix it or disclose it. Buyers who discover a non-working appliance during inspection will either walk or use it to negotiate hard on price.
Gather your paperwork before you list: purchase receipt, any service history, appliance manuals, and weight certificates if you have them. Buyers who ask for these documents are usually the serious ones.
For photos, shoot during the day with doors and windows open to maximise light. Photograph every part of the van: exterior from all four corners, interior layout, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, storage, and any upgrades. A listing with 20 good photos gets significantly more serious enquiries than one with four.
Managing Enquiries and Inspections
Set up a standard response you can send quickly to new enquiries. Something like: "Thanks for your interest — it's still available. Happy to arrange an inspection. What days suit you?" This filters out the time-wasters and moves serious buyers toward a face-to-face quickly.
For inspections, choose a location where the van is easy to access and well-lit. If it's stored at a facility, make sure you have enough time booked to allow the buyer to look thoroughly. A rushed inspection rarely leads to a sale.
Have the van ready to demonstrate. Gas bottles connected, power plugged in, fridge running cold. A buyer who can see that everything works is a buyer who doesn't have a reason to negotiate down.
The NSW Paperwork (Done Properly)
This is where a lot of private sales go wrong. In NSW, both the seller and buyer have legal obligations when a caravan changes hands.
As the seller, you must submit a Notice of Disposal within 14 days of the sale. The transfer fee for the buyer is $39 if completed on time, but rises to $182 if they miss the deadline. If you don't submit the Notice of Disposal promptly, you may remain legally liable for fines, tolls, or other offences the new owner incurs — including, in some circumstances, demerit points.
The process for transferring a caravan in NSW follows the same steps as transferring a car or motorcycle. You can complete the Notice of Disposal online through Service NSW — you'll need the buyer's name, address, and driver's licence details, plus the sale price. Keep your receipt and a copy of the Notice for your records.
Don't hand over the keys until you have the buyer's details in writing and payment cleared in your account.
When It's Worth Getting Help
For most people, the biggest friction in a private caravan sale isn't finding a buyer — it's the time it takes to manage the process. If you're working full-time, if the van is stored somewhere inconvenient, or if you've already had a frustrating experience with tyre-kickers, it may be worth working with someone who handles the listing, enquiries, inspections, and paperwork on your behalf.
At Boondock, that's exactly what we do for caravan and RV owners across Newcastle and the Hunter. We handle the whole process — so you can move on without spending your evenings answering messages.
Final Word
The used caravan market in the Hunter region is active, and well-presented vans at realistic prices do sell. The difference between a quick sale and a three-month listing is almost always pricing and presentation — not the platform. Get those two things right, and the rest of the process is manageable.
