Owner Awards 2025

Meet Australia's 2025 Owner of the Year Runner-Up: Terry & Danielle from Lismore

The 2025 Camplify Owner Awards celebrate the people who make our community brilliant – and this year's Runner-Up for Owner of the Year is a testament to what happens when passion meets purpose.

When Terry and Danielle listed their first caravan on Camplify, they had no idea they'd soon be running a thriving operation with five vans (and counting), managing another ten for fellow owners, and becoming a lifeline for their community during one of the Northern Rivers' darkest chapters. Their first booking? It landed within two hours of hitting "publish."

On how it all started...

Like many great Camplify stories, Terry and Danielle's began with a caravan sitting in the driveway. Terry had just finished up at his previous job and was exploring new opportunities – he'd even floated the idea of starting a storage business. Danielle wasn't convinced. Then they spotted a Camplify post looking for owners in the Northern Rivers region.

"We got in contact, and it just rolled from there," Terry says. That rolling hasn't stopped since. What started as one van has grown to five personally owned caravans – ranging from a compact Jayco Pop Top to spacious 22-foot triple bunk family vans – plus around ten managed vans for other owners in the region.

On stepping up when it mattered most...

When the 2022 floods devastated the Northern Rivers, Terry and Danielle didn't hesitate. They became key players in Camplify's Temporary At-Homes program, delivering caravans directly to families whose homes had been destroyed – backing vans into front yards where walls and kitchens no longer existed.

"It was heartbreaking to meet them," Terry recalls. "But on the other side of it, it was great to be able to provide them with accommodation at their same residence."

The vans they had available at the time were almost new. "Just the reaction on their faces when we backed those into their front yard was good."

Danielle, who Terry describes as "quite an emotional person," would work through their stories with families while Terry set up the vans. They still have one van placed with flood-affected residents today. The Camplify team nominated Terry specifically for this work – jumping in when the community needed it most, often loading vans for other owners who couldn't collect them themselves.

Their top tip for new owners...

Terry's advice is refreshingly practical: "Don't be in love with your van."

"Have an arm's length to it. If you're happy with someone to use the van, then you've got to expect a little bit of wear and tear here and there."

He learned this lesson through experience. Once he and Danielle accepted that minor repairs are simply part of the business, everything changed. Now, when a van comes back needing attention, they fix it and get it back out for the next hire. No stress, no drama.

On what makes their hires stand out...

Terry's approach to preparation is meticulous. Every single van that goes out gets a personal walk-through from Terry himself.

"Every cupboard's checked, every aspect we look at – make sure all the cleaning gear's stocked, all the toilet chemicals are there, every plate's there."

The philosophy? "I don't want to rock up on site and see fingerprints on the windows and mould in the fridge... I'm the guy that has presented this. So I'm the one that's got to cop it."

It's working. The reviews speak for themselves – five stars across the board, with hirers booking again for the following year before they've even unpacked.

Where they'd send you first...

Terry's a big fan of the Northern NSW coast. Yamba and Evans Head are regular delivery spots, with Blue Dolphin Holiday Park in Yamba getting a special mention.

"It's just got everything and being in the middle of town," he says.

They're particular about where their vans go – no off-road adventures – but every new caravan park delivery is a chance to check out somewhere fresh.

On whether it's all worth it...

"I'd say they're mad if they don't," Terry laughs when asked what he'd tell someone considering listing their van.

"Especially to keep your caravan rolling along – if it just sits in your driveway for 48 weeks out of 52, why not get it out there? Even if you only hire it two or three times a year, it's a couple of extra bucks in your pocket. And your van gets cleaned each time, it gets checked over. If there's any problems, it gets fixed. So when you do go to use it, it's good to go."

And yes, they still find time to hit the road themselves. With three kids in tow, the family's own Jayco Work and Play has seen Cairns and plenty of time down in Yamba with friends.

Ready to explore the Northern Rivers?

Whether you pick up or choose delivery, Terry and Danielle will have you sorted with a spotless van and genuine local knowledge. Check out their listings here.

Meet all our 2025 Owner Award winners here.

Interested in meeting the Owner who took the title of Owner of the Year? Meet Jono and Chris here.

Got an RV sitting in the driveway more than it's on the road? See how Terry and Danielle turned theirs into a thriving operation. Learn how to list your van.