The Nomad … news, views, comment, opinion

March 31

The Next Big Thing
The age-old tourist trap question “Is big beautiful?” is back on the agenda thanks to the arrival of the … wait for it … ‘giant meat ant’ in an Outback Queensland town.
Okay, we’ve had the Big Banana, Big Pineapple and a whole host of other big objects which are supposed to lure visitors by the squillion … but do they really work?
I guess the good folk of Augathella, north-east of Charleville in the Sunshine state's south-west are about to find out. The Murweh Shire Council, which commissioned an artist to build a meat ant for a new $250,000 tourist park, says the ant is now in place and should draw thousands of extra visitors.
"It's about five-metres long, crawling down a branch which will actually be a very big bridge pylon," said council CEO Chris Blanche. "It just looks terrific and it will be the only one in the world.”
Mr Blanche reckons it will mean the town will be able to boast an icon as big as the Big Pineapple and the Big Banana.
"People laugh and that but they are known and we would like to get Augathella really on the map,” he told the ABC.
I guess it’s worth a try.
Apparently, the ant's connection with Augathella goes back several decades to a local football team.
"The teams did have a reputation for being very tough on the football field," he said. "The story, as I understand it, is one of the locals said, 'they're as tough as meat ants' and from there, that became the mascot for the team … the meat ants themselves, they are a pretty tough creature.”
Oh, and as a point of trivia, the meat ant is one of the only known natural enemies of the cane toad.
Okay, the big question. Will this new attraction make you more likely to visit Augathella? Do you think the big thing phenomenon is a bit of a cringe? Or are you a secret big thing freak with dozens of pics of the icons stashed away? Email your thoughts here.

***

March 25

Drama at the Prom
Hundreds of stranded campers have had to be rescued from Victoria’s iconic Wilsons Promontory National Park after heavy rain cut access roads.
Now, the race is on to re-open the park before the Easter long weekend.
 Around 400 campers were stranded in the Park after heavy rain on Tuesday night cut the main access road to Tidal River and isolated southern walking tracks.
The ABC says four helicopters were used to rescue campers from Oberon Bay near Tidal River, from the beach at Sealers Cove, and from the Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse.
Those rescued were airlifted to the Yanakie Airfield then bussed to the nearby town of Foster.
District Chief Ranger with Park Victoria, Craig Stubbings, said the main access bridge to Tidal River is extensively damaged and the Mt Oberon car park remains isolated due to landslides.
"We had 370mm of rain through that section of the park and Darby River was severely flooded and it took the bridge with it," he said.
VicRoads engineers have inspected the bridge and crews are working to try and re-open it as soon as possible.
"VicRoads are looking at it and they had a team in yesterday making an assessment on it,” Mr Stubbings said. “They're looking at whether we can have a temporary structure put across but it's still too early to tell."
With the Easter long weekend just weeks away, local tourism operators are hopeful the park will reopened sooner rather than later.
"We understand the importance of Wilsons Promontory to the local tourism community and also to the state of Victoria,” Mr Stubbings said. ”We want to assure them that we're working as hard as we can to get the park open again and we'll be looking to hold some tourism forums with the local community in the next week to ensure they're fully informed of what's going on."
Wow! More high drama, courtesy of Mother Nature. What a year!
Were you stranded in Wilsons Prom? Have you ever been cut off by flooding? Email here to share your experiences. 

***

March 22
Another horrific accident, which has left a 69-year-old man with burns to 30 per cent of his body, has again highlighted the need for us all to take when dealing with gas.
The victim was flown to Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital in a critical condition with burns to his face, neck, chest, arms and back following an explosion at the Euroa Caravan Park in Victoria,
Shane Sutton from the Country Fire Authority says a motorhome was damaged in the explosion.
"The explosion damaged the vehicle extensively on the outside of the vehicle and there was a small fire that started on the inside of the vehicle," he said.
Euroa police said the man was pulled from the motorhome by other campers at the park after they heard an explosion and noticed the van was on fire.
Police told the Shepparton News that initial investigations pointed to a gas explosion and Country Fire Authority personnel would be investigating further.
While the exact cause of this accident is yet to be established, we already know enough to encourage us to be extra cautious. Travelling Australia in a caravan or a motorhome is no small undertaking and things can, and do, go wrong. Let’s do all we can to minimise the risks ... whether we are driving , cooking or taking a bushwalk. Please be careful.

March 21
Going to the Dogs
We know there are grey nomads who like to pick fruit as they travel, or to fossick, or to pick up casual caretaking jobs, or to set themselves up as mobile hairdressers or welders … but are we also the new breed of sheepdog handlers?
Well, the president of the National Sheep Dog Trials Association, Peter Welch, certainly thinks so. He says sheepdog trials have become increasingly popular with retired suburbanites, to the point where former city-folk are dominating the events.
''They can get themselves a dog and travel around the circuit in a caravan,” he told the Canberra Times. “A good broken-in dog can go for as much as $4000, but the pups are only $400 or so.”
Mr Welch was talking at last weekend’s final of the trials in the national’s capital, which drew competitors and spectators from far and wide.
John Hyland told the newspaper the finals was his first sheepdog trial and he had only become aware of the event since retiring recently from the public service.
''It's just great to do something different. I was looking for something to become involved with since leaving work and the sheep trials fit the bill,'' he said.
As well as the event itself, Mr Hyland said he enjoyed the quiet country atmosphere and the camaraderie.
Hmmm! It certainly does sound like a pursuit that would appeal to many grey nomads … but are such active, working dogs really suited to life on the road?
Incidentally, for those of you considering the possibility and are new to the whole thing, sheepdog trials involve handlers giving instructions to their dogs, which must precisely herd a flock of sheep across the competition area and into a pen.
If nothing else, it is a fantastic spectator sport and the precision and skill of both the dogs and the handlers is something to marvel at.
Are you a grey nomad sheepdog handler? Do you think it is a suitable ‘hobby’ for grey nomads? Do you enjoy the spectacle of sheepdog trials? What unusual pursuits have you seen fellow grey nomads indulge in? Email us here to share your experiences.

***

March 18

It’s been quite a year for outback travel with Mother Nature at its most unpredictable and its most damaging.
Fingers crossed however the worst is now behind us and certainly there are some encouraging signs. In South Australia, for example, the Transport Department says some outback roads are slowly reopening, after rain cut off access routes five weeks ago.
The Oodnadatta Track is now open to four-wheel drives to Hamilton Station, as well as the road to Coober Pedy. However, the Birdsville Track is still closed from further downpours last week.
The department's regional manager, Jeff Dodd, told the ABC  that it is hoping to conduct further repairs before more rain comes.
"It only takes probably 10 or 20 millimetres of rain in some areas to actually close these roads and then we have to wait for them to dry out before we can get them open,” he said. “So yes it doesn't take too much rain to change the conditions out there very quickly."
So, we’ve noticed, Jeff. So we’ve noticed!
How has the weather affected you travel plans over the past few months, and how have you adapted? Email us here to share. 

***

March 17

The push by many tourist-hungry councils to lure grey nomads into their communities by offering cut-price RV accommodation has not always been warmly received by locals.
Of course, the fact that many nearby caravan park owners object will come as no surprise, but there are others too who don't rush out to greet us with open arms.
Indeed, one of the smallest communities on Queesnalnd’s Fraser Coast has been torn in two by a proposal that would see overnight RV camping introduced at the local sports and recreation grounds.
Situated smack bang in the centre of Bauple, which is just off the Bruce Highway, the sports and recreation ground has been submitted on behalf of more than 260 residents to the Fraser Coast Regional Council as the “perfect place” to accommodate grey nomads and, in turn, stimulate the local economy.
However, according to a report in the Fraser Coast Chronicle, a number of parents with children at Bauple Primary School are strongly opposed to the idea – they say they don’t want their children to see travellers “walking around in their underwear” as they travel to and from school.
Gad Zeus! Walking around in the underwear! Which one of you bounders is guilty?
Joking apart, the saga reached boiling point this week when a dozen frustrated residents fronted a Fraser Coast council meeting to have their say during public presentation time, which was held before councillors started to discuss matters on the agenda.
“I think it’s a very good area in the centre of town that is large enough to accommodate everybody,” said Mark Bromet, owner of Macadamia House tourist attraction. “This is a golden opportunity … we have to bring capital into the town – without it you can’t build a community.”
Mr Bromet’s daughter Yolande told councillors they should consider that Bauple was the first tourist route of the Fraser Coast.
“This council is happy to spend $220,000 on the two RV sites in Tiaro but for Bauple, nothing,” Ms Bromet said. “It seems curious particularly since Tiaro Landcare advised that Petrie Park in Tiaro is being affected by excess in RV users and potentially endangering the turtle habitat. If Petrie Park is a problem, wouldn’t it be logical to have an RV campsite at Bauple?”
Now, that sounds fair enough to me. I would like to think that grey nomads would bring benefits to the community …  and not necessarily purely financial. But what about this wandering around in our underwear business? How have we earned this terrible reputation? Do you see fellow grey nomads dressed inappropriately before breakfast? Are you, heaven forbid, one of the offenders? Email here to confess. And, more broadly, what is the most suitable time to get fully dressed to face another action-packed day on the road?

***

March 16

Gosh, those long hours driving through the Outback can get pretty dull, can’t they? Even, if you are sharing the adventure with the love of your life, the conversation can run dry as the kilometres rack up. But fear not, grey nomads, technology is here to save the day.
Remember the Knight Rider car, Kitt, from the ‘70s TV show? The one declaring "scanner indicating danger ahead", "your reflexes are slow" or "I shall activate a turbo-boost"?
Well, a similarly futuristic car might hit the road sooner than you think, according to industry experts.
Many cars are already connected to computer systems, making drivers' and passengers' lives both more comfortable and safer. But until now they have mainly been receiving information, so as yet they are not really engaging in dialogues.
BMW's so-called Connected Drive concept, currently on show at the Geneva motor show, aims to change that. The BBC reports that BMW's system brings together more than 50 communication functions. They include sophisticated satellite navigation systems and a self-drive technology that helps the car move safely from the fast lane to the hard shoulder on its own if the driver has a heart attack.
There are also more trivial technologies such as wireless links between the car's entertainment systems and home computers.
The argument is that cars that communicate with the world around them are safer, more entertaining and more comfortable.
"It's the way you get information into and out of the car and what you can do with the information that is important," says Klaus Draeger, BMW's head of research and development. "Whereas satellite navigation may initially be about comfort and efficiency, once it starts identifying obstacles, it becomes a safety issue as well."
In future, your car will not only spot possible traffic hold-ups, it will also be able to calculate whether any delays on alternative routes make them even slower.
The system will be helped by information received from other cars, which will be sending information about the road ahead back to you.
For instance, if drivers of other cars are suddenly using their window wipers and their brakes, the system might conclude that the road they are driving on is wet and slippery and perhaps that visibility is reduced. It will then warn you, before communicating your response to other system users.
Other features include close connectivity between a driver's desktop computer and the computer in the car. The car will also synchronise your emails, which can be read out aloud, or let you respond to Facebook messages while waiting for traffic lights to turn green. Uh oh! Does that mean there will be no escape from the ‘real world’.
Parking the car can be done with the assistance of a bird's-eye view of the car on a screen - or remotely, while you are standing outside the car watching it glide into a parking space.
Other carmakers are also making their cars more intuitive and better connected with the world around them.
Recent models from Mercedes will tell you when you seem tired and when the car in front is slowing down. Volvo, meanwhile, is trying to make its cars' electronics easier to understand and use.
The list of applications goes on and on and over time it will get even longer, according to Tim Routsis, chief executive of engineering company Cosworth.
"The younger generation is always connected when they are at home or in the office, and increasingly they want the same in their cars," he says.
Giving them what they want is not an easy task, however, not least because of the safety implications of introducing some of these technologies to drivers whose attention should be on the road. Some applications may improve safety, but others may distract, so a major challenge will relate to how and when communication should take place..
Wow! I wonder how this emerging technology might eventually help caravanners. Will it detect early ‘swaying’, will it be able to warn you of an approaching road train, will it be able to tell you if upcoming caravan parks are booked out?
Hmmm! Or will it just take an important element of uncertainty and adventure out of your trip? I guess it begs the question … do you really want to stay connected when you are in on the Big Lap? Do you want a computer to park your giant rig in that tight spot or do you want to show off your skills? And, crucially, do you want an in-vehicle computer babbling way to you uninvited when you are trying to soak up the atmosphere of the road? Email us here to share your thoughts.  

***

March 15

I guess it would be unrealistic to expect our beautiful country and beautiful coastline to survive unscathed the rapacious appetites of developers and opportunity-seeking entrepreneurs, but sometimes the scale and the speed of the changes does shock.
With coastal van parks disappearing at a rate of knots to be built on, a gas plant planned for one of the most beautiful parts of the Kimberley, and a deep sea port probably on its way in at South Australia’s magnificent Lipson Cove, you do start to wonder ... what next?
Well, try this for size, Victoria’s national parks may be opened up to hotels, restaurants and tourist facilities under a plan to boost visitor arrivals from China and India.
According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, the state government's efficiency watchdog has bluntly warned that tourism across Victoria will stagnate unless current ''slow and cumbersome'' laws preventing private development in national parks are dumped.
A draft report by the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission also recommends Parks Victoria be overhauled to become what it calls a ''sophisticated landlord''.
That means the government authority - responsible for protecting the state's 45 national parks and 13 marine parks - would be given new responsibilities to find ''strategic opportunities'' for developers, help with applications to develop private tourist facilities and regulate licensed tour operators.
Now, that sounds scary ... and possibly the beginning of the end for some of the state’s pristine national parks.
The recommendations, which outraged environment groups but were applauded by the business sector and will be considered by the government, singled out the Great Ocean Road, the Yarra Valley and the Mornington Peninsula as examples of areas where tourism opportunities were being missed because of restrictions on private development.
''The Victorian government should publicly announce the private sector will be allowed to propose developments in Victoria's national parks when there is a net public benefit, with regard to economic, environmental and social impacts,'' the report said.
Deborah Cope, the commissioner in charge of the inquiry, said  restrictions were holding back investment and limiting the state's ability to attract international visitors.
''The commission does not agree with the current regulatory scheme, which effectively assumes that tourism-related developments must be incompatible with environmental, heritage and social outcomes,'' Ms Cope said.
However, Victorian National Parks Association executive director Matt Ruchel said the report was simplistic and failed to recognise that Victoria had the highest proportion of private land ownership in Australia.
''The core reason for national parks and the reason why people like them is it is about the protection of natural values - not whether you can get a latte there,'' Mr Ruchel said. ''There is a danger of killing the goose that lays the golden egg.''
The report follows anger over the state government's decision to allow a trial of alpine cattle grazing.
Victoria Tourism Industry Council chief executive Todd Blake said the report supported the industry's view that there were unnecessary barriers to tourism investment.
''Some of these unnecessary barriers are founded in the outdated assumption that environmental outcomes, community aspirations, agricultural production and tourism development cannot co-exist in a balanced and sustainable manner,'' Mr Blake said. ''These barriers must be broken down if Victoria's tourism industry is to adapt to new markets, remain vibrant, competitive and a major economic contributor to the state.''
The report singled out China and India as tourism markets that would benefit.
Wow! I wonder what future generations looking mournfully at pictures of long-lost beauty spots in this magnificent country of ours will make of the decisions being made now by those who should know better and I wonder what they will think of us for allowing to happen!
Hmmm! So, what do you look forward to most when you visit a national park ...  staring in amazement at the awe-inspiring natural beauty ... or enjoying an over-priced professionally made flat white? Email us here to vote.

***

March 14

As a way of encouraging more grey nomads to visit its regional areas, Queensland is considering funding a host of new attractions … but will what they have in mind be enough to lure us in?
The State Government has allocated $400,000 to investigate the feasibility of 20 new tourism projects, including a south-west Queensland dinosaur museum and a desert walk.
Certainly, the Sunshine State has taken an absolute battering from Mother Nature over the past few months and there is growing concern about both the short-term and long-term impact the floods and cyclones will have on the state’s crucially important tourism industry.
Put simply, they need us to visit, and that is particularly true in regional areas … so what have they got in mind?
Well, a total of $30,000 will go to investigate a proposed natural history museum at Eromanga in the remote south-west, and a proposed desert walk near the Simpson Desert, near Birdsville, has also won $10,000 in funding.
Project spokesman Stuart McKenzie told the ABC it was hoped to build a dinosaur museum where tourists can watch fossils being unearthed.
“It's a great visual feast ... to see ancient bones coming out of the rock,” he said.
Hmmmm! I wonder if they’ll need to ‘throw in’ a couple of extra T-Rex skulls now and again just to make sure visitors stay interested over the course of a 10-year dig. It works at fossicking outlets where you buy a bucket which invariably contains an opal or two.
Other potential projects include a possible expansion of a long-time grey nomad favourite, the Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach, which has also been granted $30,000 to look at options.
Another project spokesman Rodney Seccombe says tourism operators cannot be complacent.
"We've got to keep slightly changing things, bring something new in," he said.
Too right, Rodney! And are you open to suggestions? Have any of you got any ideas for new attractions in regional Queensland, or improvements to current ones that would enhance the grey nomad experience, and perhaps lure you to a certain area. Email them here to share and perhaps we can pass some of your suggestions along.

***

March 8

Many tourism authorities must perform a difficult balancing act between attracting grey nomads to their communities and keeping caravan park operators happy ... and they are facing increasing pressure to clamp down on free campers.
Tasmania, where the $320 million grey nomad industry is growing by about 10 per cent a year, is a classic battleground.
For obvious reasons, the state has become a hot spot for grey nomads and other travellers, with caravanners and motorhomers spending an average 40 nights in the state.
"It is a very important market for us here in Tasmania," said Tourism Tasmania's director of infrastructure and industry development, Claire Ellis. "These visitors, more than many others, get to our smaller villages and more remote locations … in a short distance we have everything from alpine to coastal to rural farm communities and fantastic nature-based experiences.”
She said that variety in a very short distance is one of the key reasons people come to Tasmania but the self-sufficiency of motorhomes and caravans meant that many owners wanted to stay for free by a river or a beach and managing these areas had become a priority.
Treasure Island Caravan Park Berriedale and Launceston owner Joe Belkner told the Mercury newspaper that the influx of grey nomads to the state was not always translating into extra stays at his business.
He said many businesses around the state had experienced problems with free-loaders camping close to caravan parks and sneaking in to use the amenities.
During the summer one caravan park counted 36 caravans and motorhomes in an oval next to their property while only three of the park's powered sites were being utilised, Mr Belkner told the paper.
And he claimed that councils around the state offering facilities for grey nomads outside the traditional caravan parks could be killing off a whole sector of tourism operators.
It’s an old chestnut, isn’t everyone? Do we sympathise with the van park owners or are they just pricing themselves out of the market? Do we have a moral obligation to spend our hard-earned dollars at various van parks or do we, even when free camping, do enough already by filling up with petrol and topping up with groceries at the local communities. Email us here with your views.

***

March 7

There is growing concern over the rise in dingo numbers and the potential threat they may pose to humans.
Dingo patrols were stepped up on Fraser Island back in January after a tourist was surrounded by a pack of five and bitten repeatedly. The woman was set upon at Eurong Beach and although there were five in the pack, only one dingo became violent, biting her on the leg, hands and arms.
Now, the wild dogs are apparently popping up in areas where they are not normally seen. In Port Augusta in South Australia, for example, ideal breeding conditions have brought dingoes to the very outskirts of the town.
The presence of the dingo more than 300km south of the dog fence comes as pastoralists struggle with record numbers of lamb kills blamed on dingoes.
While the fence is generally well regarded by pastoralists, damage from floods in the 1990s allowed some dogs to move south of the fence and they have since bred into numbers conservatively estimated in the hundreds.
South of the 5,320km fence, which runs from outside Brisbane to the Nullarbor Plain, dingoes are prescribed pests which can be shot or baited.
And Brian Treloar, who runs Mooleulooloo station near Broken Hill, says it is the worst he has seen dingo numbers in about 80 years on the land.
"In the past two years, we have lost 3000 lambs so you can see why I am pretty hostile," he told Adelaide Now. "Some people are getting out of sheep altogether - prices of meat and wool will be going up and the Government hasn't any idea what's happening."
And, of course, rising dingo numbers will not go unnoticed by grey nomads and others as they camp in the bush.  The clear advice is not to feed the wild dogs as they can be unpredictable and dangerous.
So, have you noticed more dingoes around than usual? Does the sound of their howls send shivers up your spin or are you comfortable sharing a camping area with these wild dogs? Do you have any tips on how to keep them away from your camp? Email us here to share.

***

March 4

It’s every pet-loving grey nomads’ worst nightmare … to lose your beloved companion somewhere out there in the great outdoors a million miles from home and not be able to find him or her again.
Imagine then the despair of Vince Nelson when he discovered his Staffordshire bull terrier Tyson had jumped out the window of a moving campervan … and disappeared. Mr Nelson unwittingly drove on for about another 20 kilometres past Proserpine in northern Queensland before he was pulled over by another vehicle and realised what had happened.
“We drove back down the highway straight away and looked everywhere until it got dark, but we just couldn't find him anywhere,” Mr Nelson told the Mackay Daily Mercury. “And I just thought – going at that speed, he might not have made it, he's not that young.”
The vehicle was travelling at an estimated 100kmh when Tyson made his great escape. Tyson and Mr Nelson were wending their way home to Cooktown after an extended trip down into New South Wales when the Lassie-like drama unfolded.
“We called all the vets in the area we could think of, and put up posters in shop windows because someone might have picked him up,” said Mr Nelson. “He's never in his life tried to jump out before, he rode around in my ute all the time.”
Eventually a teary-eyed Mr Nelson continued on to Townsville, convinced he had lost his faithful sidekick of 10 years.
Don’t panic though, pet lovers. There is a happy ending coming! Unknown to Mr Nelson, someone had picked up Tyson from the side of the road – twice. The first time the bewildered Staffy is believed to have made a second leap for freedom north of Bowen.
Tyson was picked up again, struggling down the highway with a dislocated hip and abrasions, and finally delivered to the Bowen Veterinary Clinic.
Veterinarian Tim Annand treated Tyson and tracked down Mr Nelson, who got a phone call three days after Tyson disappeared.
“I was lost for words. He has stamina like you wouldn't believe!” Mr Nelson said.
Tyson remained with the vet until he was put on a fish carrier, the fastest truck to Cairns, where the pair was happily reunited.
“He just ran straight over and was all over me,” Mr Nelson said. “But I don't think he'll be doing too much driving again.”
Wow!
So, have you ever lost your beloved pet when out on the open road? How do you make sure you keep your dog safe when you are off on an adventure? Does travelling with a pet enhance or hamper an extended trip? Email us here to share your thoughts.

***

March 3

Travelling in the north has always had its own set of unique challenges … extreme weather, crocodiles, box jellyfish … but we have always known to expect the unexpected, and to some extent to be prepared for it.
But there  is a growing feeling differing climate patterns are changing  the rules on us and that ‘northern’ dangers are moving south. The discovery of a mystery species of box jellyfish near Coffs Harbour  northern New South Wales has only heightened those fears. Scientists are currently examining the box jellyfish  to determine whether it is a lethal species.
Rick O'Ferrall, of the Solitary Island Game Fishing Club, alerted scientists after spotting several of the jellyfish swimming around boats at a marina. After viewing photos and a short video of one of the jellyfish, world-renowned expert Associate Professor Jamie Seymour positively identified the creature as a box jellyfish.
"It's just that Jamie can't be sure it's one of the type of box jellyfish with the lethal stingers," Mr O'Ferrall told the Herald Sun. "It's been a crazy summer in the ocean, with La Nina pushing really warm water down the NSW coast - and in that water have been tropical species that we rarely get."
Professor Seymour believes box jellyfish can travel further south than the waters they normally inhabit and that climate change may mean they become a threat in the future ... but the lethal type of box jellyfish has never yet been found in NSW waters.
The dangers of sea creatures were graphically illustrated just a few days ago when a young girl surfing off Broome in WA was stung by a potentially deadly irukandji jellyfish.
The girl was taken to Broome Hospital for treatment and the iconic Cable Beach was shut down for 24 hours.
The tiny irukandji jellyfish has a bell measuring five to 10 millimetres wide and four tentacles that can be as long as one metre. People stung by the irukandji jellyfish initially experience a mild sting, followed by severe lower back pain and muscle cramps in their arms, legs, stomach and chest. The sting causes sweating, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, headaches and palpitations, and has also been known to cause cardiac failure.
Eeeek!
In 2002, two international tourists - a Briton and an American - became the first recorded irukandji fatalities after separate encounters in far north Queensland.
Does the threat of stingers deter you from swimming in the north? Have you ever had a painful encounter with a creature from the deep? Do you think scary creatures are heading south? Email us here to share your  views.

***

March 2

With the much-hyped switch to digital television scheduled for 2013, there is growing concern that some grey nomads could be facing a blank screen when travelling in remote areas.
And it’s not just travellers who could be disadvantaged in the switch to digital.
Western Queensland MP, Bruce Scott, says many of the smaller remote towns will only be getting a satellite service for digital television … which he says will not be adequate.
Mr Scott says councils are arguing for flexible arrangements so they can continue to rebroadcast TV signals into remote towns.
"It's a bit like going into a community without a mobile signal … the only signal that you'll have is if you'll have a satellite dish on your home," he said. “The other thing is when you have tourists come into your area with their campervans - camping down the Thomson or the Cooper - they won't get a signal unless they have a satellite with them to be able to receive that signal."
What’s that? No Neighbours when we’re out in the Bush! Outrageous! Something has got to be done!
Mr Scott and a number of MPs met commercial broadcasters, departmental officials and local government representatives in Canberra earlier this week to try to work out a solution to the potential problem.
So, are we all travelling with our own satellites and aren’t too bothered about this looming TV crisis?  Or are we too busy sipping Chardonnay and watching sunsets to worry about the goings-on at Ramsay Street at alll? Or, are we absolutely panicked about the digital switchover and are super worried that our on-the-road entertainment plans are about to be left in tatters?
Email us here with your thoughts on TV viewing on the road. 

***

March 1

New regulations are now in force in New South Wales making it compulsory for smoke alarms to be fitted in caravans, campervans and other moveable dwellings where people sleep.
The rule also applies to holiday vans, park van annexes and associated structures but not camping tents.
"Smoke alarms cost as little as $15 but will save something more precious than money - human life," NSW Minister for Planning, Tony Kelly, said. "Caravans and campervans typically have limited escape options in the event of a fire, along with lightweight and combustible fittings, so a smoke alarm can mean the difference between life and death."
Minister for Emergency Services, Steve Whan, said NSW fire fighters have attended more than 692 blazes involving moveable accommodation vehicles ove the past 10 years, which resulted in 12 deaths and 72 injuries.
"We want and need to bring this injury and death toll down," Mr Whan said.
In NSW alone, around 40,000 people live in moveable dwellings on a permanent basis while tens of thousands are used for short-term holiday or other accommodation each year.
"The Government will primarily rely on education to encourage moveable dwelling owners to install the smoke alarms, rather than inspections, and there will be no new powers for council or police.
Under the regulations:

• Owners of caravans and mobile homes will have six months to install a smoke alarm before on-the-spot fines of up to $200 (or up to $550 if the matter proceeds to court) will apply;
• Penalties will apply from today where people remove or interfere with a smoke alarm already installed in a caravan or mobile home;
• Dwellings which are not regularly moved but still used for sleeping (such as site vans and caravans in backyards) are covered by the regulation;
• Smoke alarms installed in moveable dwellings must have a 'hush' button to reduce the nuisance of false alarms from cooking or other smoke; and
• Owners of the moveable dwellings (as distinct to the tenant or the owner of the land where the dwelling is based) will be responsible for installing and maintaining or replacing the alarm.
  

Of course the biggest issue for grey nomads and others is likely to be the ‘nuisance’ alarms, that is the alarm going off when you don’t want it to. It seems that already plenty of people who take out batteries when they are smoking or cooking and then ‘plan’ to put them back afterwards.
So, is this a good move by the NSW Government? Will it save lives? Or will it just be a nuisance for those who live in such a confined space as a caravan? Email your thoughts here.

***

February 28

The horrific accident on the New South Wales Mid North Coast on the weekend which left a six-year-old boy fighting for his life - and six other campers with burns injuries - is a terrible reminder of the potential dangers of gas bottles.
Emergency services were called to the Point Plummer Camping Ground just north of Port Macquarie, late on Saturday night after gas from what is being reported to be a damaged bottle was ignited by a camp fire.
The Daily Telegraph says the six-year-old suffered burns to more than 80 per cent of his body after his tent and sleeping bag were ignited.He and three others, including a 42-year-old man who also sustained burns to 80 per cent of his body, were flown to hospital in Sydney.  A 40-year-old woman and 15-year-old girl were also flown south. All are in a very serious condition.
Three other people are being treated in local hospitals with major burns including another 15-year-old girl and two 20-year-old men.
"A large number of campers came to the aid of the injured and rendered first aid until help arrived," police said in a statement. "A crime scene was established and has been examined by specialist officers. Police have also spoken with a number of witnesses."
Officers hope to interview the injured campers when they are well enough.
This is obviously the stuff of nightmares and - while obviously highly unusual - is a real reminder that we can never become complacent or casual around gas … and we can certainly never be too careful.
Our thoughts are with all those affected by this terrible incident.

***

February 23
The way caravan parks charge visitors and the sometimes varied treatment these guests receive when paying the same tariff has once again been put under the spotlight.
In New South Wales, a young man who says he was stopped from walking around a van park after 9pm has been awarded $7500 for age discrimination and victimisation.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Ryan Johnson, then 18 and paying an adult caravan tariff, said the park's manager told him teenagers were not allowed to walk around at night without their parents.
In awarding the damages this week, the NSW Administrative Decisions Tribunal concluded he was "treated disrespectfully" and discriminated against on the ground of his age.
"The Tribunal accepts that [he] was stopped on 11 January 2008 because he was perceived to be a teenager and as such was treated differently from a person who was perceived to be an adult," it said. "The different treatment was the restriction of his free movement around the recreation park after 10pm."
The damages order was made against Free Spirit Management Pty Ltd, which ran the Ocean Beach Holiday Park, an NRMA Tourist Park on the NSW central coast.
Free Spirit submitted that its noise curfew applied to everyone at the park, whether they be young or old, but the tribunal said this was irrelevant.
Okay. Important issue here. Should van parks be allowed to charge people the same for a different level of service or access to services. In this case, the teenager was charged as an adult but his free movement was restricted to that of a child.
Perhaps of more relevance to grey nomads is the almost standard practice of charging solo travellers the same as a couple “because they are taking up a site”.
On the other hand, van parks are happy to charge extra for even the smallest children “because they use facilities such as showers”. Budget conscious parents who point out that little Johnny won’t have a shower because he is too small are generally given short shrift.
So, can van park managers have it all ways? Do they charge for the site (in which case children shouldn’t be charged)? Or is the charge for the use of facilities (in which case shouldn’t solos be charged at a lesser ‘solo’ rate)?
Any thoughts anybody? Email us here. We would, of course, love to hear from any van park owners or managers on this issue.

***

February 22

Home Sweet Home?
Construction of the super-dooper new ‘RV Homebase’ near Maryborough in Queensland is moving on apace … and it won’t be long until the first grey nomads start pulling up there.
The development is the first of its type in Queensland and the second in Australia (the other being in Casino, new South Wales).
Up to 210 homes will be built along with swimming pools, a bowls club, tennis courts and a community centre planned for the 90-acre site.
It is, of course, being built to cater for the ever-expanding grey nomad market. Homes in the park, on the corner of Teddington and Iindah roads have been designed to house full-sized motor homes in fully serviced “RV ports”.
The facility is naturally enough expected to bring in many extra visitors and thus boost the local economy significantly. But the benefits have already begun to flow.
Developers of RV Homebase have already awarded more than $6 million in contracts to Fraser Coast companies as work on the site moves into overdrive.
Local construction company VDM Bellero was awarded contracts to undertake engineering works for the project.
VDM Bellero manager Andrew Torr told the Fraser Coast Chronicle the project had made a significant contribution to the region's economy with up to 35 staff working onsite.
He said the development was directly responsible for at least 12 new jobs for the region.
“Projects of this scale and significance are rare in the current economic climate,” Mr Torr said. “It's great to know that there have been many local Fraser Coast suppliers and subcontractors who have benefited directly as a result of the project.”
RV Homebase chief executive Richard Winten said the upfront investment was necessary to bring the development to life.
“We want residents to be able to enjoy the full facilities of the village when they move in,” he said.
RV Homebase Fraser Coast will launch the village publicly at the 2011 Caravan, Camping and Touring Holiday Show in Brisbane in June.

***

February 21

Lure Us in Please
With the strong Aussie dollar and the ongoing economic pain in many parts of the world hitting the number of overseas tourists coming to these shores, the importance of grey nomad tourism to rural communities here has never been greater.
That is certainly the case in Queensland as that state struggles to recover from the recent devastating floods. It seems indeed that the government is becoming increasingly involved in the battle to lure older travellers to the Sunshine State.
A state parliamentary committee has just recommended that Tourism Queensland review its marketing strategies to attract more 'grey nomads' to regional areas. In a report tabled last week, 19 recommendations have been made including one to give grants to help local tourism bodies better market their regions.
Labor MP Evan Moorhead told the ABC the committee had found grey nomads were particularly important for regional areas.
"Grey nomads are a specific niche market that caters towards older travellers and this market is only likely to increase as Australia's population ages," he said. "Although grey nomads appear to spend less per day than other tourists, they tend to take longer holidays and spend time in regional areas.”
Yes, yes yes!
The MP believes that for some small regional and rural communities, grey nomads are likely to be very important tourists.
And I for one know that he is right. Any steps that governments or councils want to take to encourage us to visit ... such as putting in dump points, allowing free or cut-price camping, or generally laying out the welcome mat, would be much appreciated.
Surely the fact that even though we may not – in general – like to splash the cash around like a family on a two week holiday might, doesn’t mean we don’t contribute to communities and rural economies. There’s an awful lot of us and we spend an awful lot of time travelling. Entice us, governments. Entice us! 

***

February 18

Something in the Eyre
All the rain and flooding around the place is at least having some positive effects, such as the likely filling of Lake Eyre for the first time since 1974 … and that will mean an abundance of wildlife and vegetation at the normally dry lake.
The Environment Department says the lake could now stay filled for another two years.
Adelaide University Professor of Natural Resources, Wayne Meyer, said the surge of water coming across from the Queensland coastal region would see the inland rivers flowing steadily through the channel country and an abundance of water arriving in Lake Eyre.
“The wet period we had in late summer and winter last year was a pretty unusual set of rainfall, meaning there’s already a reasonable amount of water in Lake Eyre, at least 1 to 1.5 metres,” Mr Meyer said.  “The report I saw suggested the lake will fill this season, reaching 3 to 3.5 metres.”
After 10 to 15 years of partial fillings, the substantial increase in the lake’s levels will see vegetation and animals thrive.
“It will be very good. We’ve had a wet period in the north eastern portion of arid Australia and the additional water will be a tremendous boost to vegetation and systems dependant on that,” he said. “The big flourish of nutrients and food that comes down will see a proliferation of fish species and the various water birds that fly into the inland rivers and nest there.”
Marree businessman Lyall Oldfield expects the Queensland water to reach Lake Eyre about May or June.
“At the moment there’s millions and millions of birds along Cooper Creek, that’s where all the fish are,” she said. “And when the water reaches Lake Eyre they’ll come down for sure.”
While the nature display and new, clear water is something to look forward to, Mr Oldfield thinks now is the prime time to see the lake, describing it as “a lovely red and pinky colour”.
Nicole Schutz at the Roxby Downs Visitor Information Centre said the Lake Eyre spectacle would see more tourists visiting Roxby Downs and surrounds as they make the trip up north. “Just this week I’ve had phone calls asking if we do flights from here to Lake Eyre. We don’t do it, but it shows people are thinking about Roxby and putting us on the map.”
Are you planning to visit Lake Eyre this year? Have you seen water there before? Is it worth the effort? Email here to share your thoughts? 

***

February 17

The Coast is Not Clear
Blimey! A new report has revealed that Western Australia’s fabled beaches are actually the most polluted in the nation ... with an average of nearly 1100 items of rubbish per site.
The shock verdict in Clean Up Australia's 2010 Rubbish Report will leave the many wannabe grey nomads who dream of the idyllic west coast and the white sandy beaches of the state’s south speechless.
The founder and chairman of Clean Up Australia Ian Kiernan is among those understandably outraged.
"It is unacceptable that your beaches and coastal areas are considered to be giant ashtrays and rubbish bins," he said, adding that West Australians have one of the most naturally beautiful coastlines in the world, attracting tourists from around Australia and the world.
Of course, the large amount of waste on WA's coastline is also finding its way into the Indian Ocean causing harm to marine life.
Clean Up Australia's 2010 Rubbish Report found that WA beaches had an average of 1093 rubbish items per site.
Mr Kiernan said WA generated over five million tonnes of waste every year and sent 77 per cent of it to landfills, which was higher than any other state, making WA "a serious rubbish offender".
"It's time for WA to stop sweeping your rubbish problems under the rug and take responsibility to recycle and dispose of rubbish more responsibly," he told the Australian newspaper.
While WA recorded the lowest amount of plastic in Australia, an above average amount of metal and glass was removed by volunteers in the state last year, the rubbish report said.
In WA, 18 per cent of the waste found was metal, well above the national average of 12 per cent, while the amount of glass found was twice the national average of 10 per cent.
Mr Kiernan said WA had taken steps to introduce tough illegal dumping laws and tough laws were also needed for littering.
"We also need to introduce measures to improve and encourage recycling. This will mean less rubbish heading to landfill or ending up in our environment."
He urged people to register to help on Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday, March 6.
Nationally, an estimated 588,000 volunteers removed 15,560 tonnes from 7073 sites last year, making Clean Up Australia Day the largest community participation event in Australia. Sounds like a job for the grey nomads!
Have you noticed lots of rubbish on WA beaches? Email us here.

***

February 16

A Risk Too Great?
The terrifying prospect of an oil spill reaching Broome’s iconic Cable beach has been raised as the battle to prevent a massive gas plant being build in Western Australia’s Kimberley region ratchets up a notch.
As previously reported in the Nomad, the proposed LNG plant is due to be located at the idyllic James Price Point, a magnificent grey nomad camping spot on a beautiful stretch of pristine coastline north of Broome.
Not surprisingly, there has been something of an uproar over the proposal. Now, in the final part of the government’s strategic assessment document examining the environmental impacts of the proposed Kimberley gas hub, it has revealed there is a once in a 10,000 year chance of an oil spill reaching Cable beach.
Conservation groups have leapt on the admission, and say they fear an oil spill could quickly reach Broome and spread over 200 kilometres of coastline.
Environs Kimberley's Martin Prichard says any chance of an oil spill is too high of a risk and that incidents around the world show accidents can happen regardless of management strategies.
"If there was an oil spill to happen at the proposed port that it would cover the Kimberley coast within a very short period of time," he told the ABC. "We would have oil covering places like Cable beach and Roebuck bay which would have a very detrimental impact on the marine environment here."
The Department of State Development's Gail McGowan says James Price Point is the best site for a gas hub from an environmental point of view.
She says the chances of an oil spill are extremely remote and there would be proper management strategies in place.

***

February 15

Good Neighbours?
Wow ... just when we thought moves were afoot to really clamp down on free camping in towns and cities, it seems that some Sydney councillors want to encourage illegal campers to holiday in front of shops and homes because they are good for the economy.
And I thought I couldn’t be surprised any more! The Daly Telegraph newspaper reports that while many councils are shutting down nuisance backpackers and others who camp in public car parks and create "mini-ghettos", some councillors are now calling for them to be embraced, saying their injection into the economy is as important as that of wheat exports.
The comments came after Labor councillor Meredith Burgmann and Lord Mayor Clover Moore moved for a report to restrict backpacker camping following complaints from angry residents.
Ms Moore called on the Roads Minister to give Sydney Council the power to regulate local roads.
"It's a hugely difficult situation, even on Glebe Point backpackers are camping there. It's easy to be a NIMBY [not in my backyard] about it but if you walk out the door and you have people living on your doorstep it's frustrating," Ms Burgmann said.
However, Greens councillor Chris Harris said backpackers were a "significant part of the economy", generating millions of dollars each year.
"They are not all misbehaving, they are people coming here on a budget - we should acknowledge that,” he said. “Maybe we can facilitate a place for people to swap their vans."
Hmmmm! I wonder how much support that notion will get.

***

February 14

Fines on the Horizon?
There has been fierce debate this summer over whether or not free camping should be allowed in and around our towns and cities … and it’s been a similar story across the Tasman.
Indeed, the issue seems to have got our Kiwi cousins even more animated as ‘freedom campers’ - as they are known in New Zealand - are accused of all manner of littering and toilet waste disposal crimes.
Now calls for national legislation to allow councils to fine people caught camping without adequate toilet facilities or in no-camping areas has been gathering momentum and high-powered backing.
Freedom campers enjoying privacy and a night or two's free camping but leaving piles of rubbish and defecating in the pristine surrounds has been an ongoing issue, Local Government New Zealand president Lawrence Yule told the Otago Daily Times.
The organisation, which represents city, district and regional councils, is working with the Department of Internal Affairs to try to legislate for a solution before the Rugby World Cup in September and October, when tourist numbers are expected to soar.
Mr Yule specifically mentioned problems around the South Island's lakes.
The Lake Hawea Community Association blocked off several beauty spots from traffic last April.
Since they were reopened in November, the defecation and litter problems have returned.
Freedom camping fines must be significant enough to "hurt", Queenstown Lakes District councillor Jude Battson, the council's representative on freedom camping issues, said.
"I think $150 to $300. Forty is not enough. One hundred and fifty hurts ... a bit like when you go through a stop sign. That's $150. If you are not wearing a seat belt, that's $150. If you park in a wheelchair park, that's $150. That is a good starting point."
Freedom camping is not allowed within Dunedin city boundaries but council staff say people continue to camp and the ban has proved difficult to enforce.
Staff and community boards are discussing whether designated freedom camping areas with toilets and waste dumping facilities could be provided in coastal and rural areas.
Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull was last night enthusiastic about Mr Yule's suggestion, saying it was "high time" a national approach was taken.
"This issue needs some kind of national template to deal with it."
Common rules and common offences would have to be adopted throughout the country, he said, as tourists would not know when they had crossed the border from one local authority to another. 
He would like to see a national standard which banned freedom camping unless campervans were fitted with toilet facilities, and banned camping "in places where local communities don't want you to camp".
Campervans without toilet facilities should be clearly marked, and tourists explicitly told they risked a fine for breaking the rules.
Mr Cull said it would also be important to enable councils to recover fines from campervan hire companies "before tourists skipped".
The mechanisms for that already existed, he said.
Hire companies were able to deduct certain charges from clients' credit cards.
Mr Cull said he would raise the issue at two LGNZ meetings in the next few weeks.
So, is this the way forward? Should caravanners and motorhomers be treated differently depending on whether or not they have their own toilet facilities? Email here to comment on the New Zealand plans.

***

February 11

Older but Bolder
New research has confirmed what some of us may have already suspected … older travellers are more adventurous and action-seeking than their youthful counterparts.
UK-based Leger Holidays has discovered that over 55s are the ones most likely to spend their free time travelling to exotic locations, trying new things and meeting new people. Hooray for the grey nomads.
The company’s research revealed that:

• One in three (35 per cent) over-55s prefer to travel off the beaten track on holiday - a higher figure than any of the younger generations

• Whereas 56 per cent of the over-55s crave a holiday which allows them to see something new every day, the younger generation are much more likely to want to spend a week lying on a beach.

• One in two (47 per cent) 18-24 year olds saw spending a week sunbathing as a good way to spend a holiday, as opposed to just one in four over 55s (26 per cent).
• One in 10 over-55s have abseiled, one in two has eaten something when they didn’t know what it was, and one in 25 have done a parachute jump.

Blimey! Suddenly, my 4WD adventure to Mitchell Falls sounds a bit tame. These British grey nomads are seriously hard core!
“In the past many people felt trapped by some of the myths of ageing imposed by society … myths like ‘You can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ or ‘Act your age’,” said psychologist Dr David Lewis. “Today more and more people over the age of 50 are refusing to become victims of chronology, and increasing numbers are prepared to strike out into unfamiliar territory, to visit new places and take on unfamiliar challenges.”
Hooray again for the grey nomads.
And here’s more good news.  New population figures reveal one in six of us will now live until we are 100, and one in three (30 per cent) say this will give us the chance to see more places and achieve more of our dreams. And two thirds of over 65s (71 per cent) agree age doesn’t need to be a barrier to doing what you want, while one in three (29 per cent) think life doesn’t even begin until you’re over 60!
I’m loving this stuff.
“While it is true that more people are living longer than in the past, the key difference is that more people than ever before are able to experience high levels of ‘wellness’ into their latter years,” said Dr Lewis. “In part this is driven by changing social expectations: if you expect to become frail and feeble past a certain birthday then it is likely you are creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you expect to remain fit and well then this optimism – provided it is supported by sensible health measures – is likely to be realised.”
Wow! Easy. I feel great. How about you?

***

February 10

Tree Injures Campers
The dangers of camping near or under gum trees has again been highlighted following a horror incident in Victoria.
A 26-year-old English tourist is in a critical condition after a large gum fell on top of the tent she was in during a severe storm earlier this week. The woman  was asleep in a tent at Crystal Brook Tourist Park in Doncaster East along with her sister and a male friend when the drama unfolded.
She is now in hospital being treated for serious head and chest injuries, and her 24-year-old sister is thought to have a broken collarbone. The man was uninjured.
Campers have spoken of hearing the tree breaking closely followed by the tourists' screaming.
"We just heard this horrible noise. We thought it was just thunder," fellow camper Sarah, from Kerang told the Herald Sun newspaper. "There was an almighty loud bang, then a girl started screaming and said 'my sister is trapped'."
Shocked holidaymakers rushed to free the women but it took several people to lift the large tree from on top of one of them.
State Emergency Service crews soon taped off the scene.
Another camper, who asked not to be named, said he and a friend tried to help the injured women as they waited for an ambulance.
"It was terrible. Everyone tried to help but nobody knew what to do," he said. "You just feel for them -- it's unbelievably unlucky."

***

February 9

GNs in the Hot Seat?
Okay, as hard as it may be for most of us to imagine now, the temperature is soon going to start to dip and, instead of those balmy evenings under the awning, it will be a case of huddling around the campfire ... or under the doona in the van.
But wait ... winter doesn’t have to mean an early night ... even when campfires are banned. The Chaheati All-Season Heated Camping Chair is being heralded as the best thing to warm up your posterior on a cold night at the camping ground.
According to techno publication, Gizmag, the collapsible chair boasts a coil-free, soft, flexible heating element powered by a rechargeable lithium ion battery. It reckons it is the perfect way to ensure your backside is as warm as authorities whether their houses had been destroyed, damaged or spared.
The WA Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) told thousands of people at the community meeting that ember attack was still a real threat to properties and the fire zone remained dangerous because of falling power poles and trees.
There have been no deaths in the fire but a firefighter was in a stable condition in hospital after being hit by a vehicle; several people were also treated in hospital for smoke inhalation.
A total fire ban has been declared for Perth, the Perth Hills and surrounding areas, and Mandurah.
By the very nature of the way they travel, most grey nomads choose to spend a lot of time in national parks and remote areas that are vulnerable to bushfires. We must always be alert to the possibility.  Bushfires spread with devastating speed and thus those in the danger zone must be prepared to act quickly. Make sure you know what to look for and how to act if you are ever threatened by a bushfire.
Have you ever been caught in a bushfire drama? Email us here to share your experiences.   

***

February 8

Vantastic Demand
The number of new caravans and recreational vehicles (RVs) hitting the highways and byways of Australia in the past year has gone through the roof.
According to figures released by the Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Association of Australia (RVMAA), sales reached a 30-year record in 2010, with more than 21,000 new units being manufactured. The total production of 21,164 caravans and RVs for the year was up 32 per cent on 2009.
RVMAA president Richard Raven told the Sydney Daily Telegraph said this was a record for RVs and caravans built for leisure use.
"The last time we saw more than 20,000 vans and RVs built in Australia was in 1980, so we really have witnessed something of a 'J curve' in demand from then to now," Mr Raven said.
"Only in the 1970s did we see higher figures, and many of those were built for on-site use in caravan parks and for mining towns and relief accommodation after disasters.
"Growth in caravanning reflects the steadily improving the quality and appointments of locally made RVs, with owners realising they can travel with all of the luxuries of home."
The Daily Telegraph reports says most popular of the towable caravans and trailers were traditional caravans at 45 per cent, followed by pop-tops at 27 per cent and camper trailers at 19 per cent.
Leading the non-towable slide-ons, fifth-wheelers, campervans and motorhomes were C-Class units - built on light truck chassis and typically weighing 4500 to 5400 kg - which accounted for 4.5 per cent.
Mr Raven said local RVs and caravans were designed and built to suit Australia's unique conditions and to meet all tastes and budgets.
"There have always been young families buying into economical family holidays, but there are also adventurers with off-road rigs and retirees doing the 'bucket list' one-off trip around Australia, and then discovering they have caught the habit long-term,” he said. "The beauty of owning an RV is that people can go where they want to when they want to, and at their own pace - and economically too."
Bucket list! Mr Raven is making me feel old!
So, what are some of the places a grey nomad should visit before they ‘kick the bucket?’ Cape Le Grande? Karijini National Park? Uluru? Kangaroo Island? Fraser? The Bay of Fires? The Grampians? Kakadu? Email your top 6 here and let’s reveal the best of the best.

***

February 4

Creature Comfort
Wow! hasn’t Mother Nature been angry this year?
The monster storm that was Cyclone Yasi has caused havoc for many communities in Far North Queensland … nowhere more so than two towns highly popular with grey nomads in Mission Beach and Tully.
And then, of course, before that we have had devastating floods in Victoria, Queensland and elsewhere.
There has then been no shortage of heartache and misery for so many people. But amidst the chaos and the destruction there have also been bright spots. There have been stories of courage, of determination and, above all, of community spiritedness. Everyone across the globe cannot fail to have been impressed by the way in which Australians have pulled together in times of crisis to weather the storm and to re-build. Pictures of queues of volunteers eager to help perfect strangers recover from the effects of the flooding will live long in the memory.
And, it is not just us humans who have shown our remarkable fortitude and selflessness in these times of disaster. Click here to see some truly staggering images of animals being rescued during the floods in Queensland. Most of the creatures are so exhausted and scared that they allow humans to be in physical contact - most unusual.
Enjoy the pictures and hopefully they will remind us all as we travel up and down this incredible country that every day has the ability to surprise, amaze and invigorate. However long you have been travelling you ain’t seen nothin’ yet!
And on that positive note, hopefully, this will be the last story about our wild weather for quite some time. Fingers crossed everybody.

***

February 3

Yasi Batters Queensland
While the full consequences of Cyclone Yasi’s devastating visit to Far North Queensland are yet to be established, it is clear that the massive storm has caused severe damage in a state still reeling from its near-unprecedented flood crisis.
Thankfully, there are no early reports of deaths or serious injuries but that of course could easily change as the full extent of the carnage is revealed.
Already, we know that roofs were ripped off buildings, giant trees uprooted and all manner of debris and loose items flung around the streets like matchsticks.
It seems that the grey nomad hotspot of Mission Beach, along with the towns of Innisfail, Tully, and Cardwell bore the brunt of Yasi’s fury. The effects however were felt hundreds of kilometres away - in Cairns to the north and Townsville to the south - and all locations in between.
The ABC reports higher-than-normal tides and large waves will continue between Port Douglas and Ayr for some time.
As the cyclone headed inland towards Georgetown and Charters Towers it was downgraded to a category two storm.
The small towns who took the full force of Yasi’s fury have been all but devastated. Tully is said to resemble a scene from a disaster movie, while the situation in Mission Beach is thought to be equally grim.
Cane farmer Chris Holbrook, who bunkered down alone at his Mission Beach home, told of trees being snapped in half by the violent winds.
Mr Holbrook told the Sydney Morning Herald he expected his cane farm at nearby Silkwood would be stripped, as it was when Cyclone Larry hit in 2006.
“All the trees have snapped off and broken,’’ he said.
Despite all of this though, there is already a sense of relief that things were not even worse. Certainly as the storm, said to be the size of North America, approached the coast last night there were fears that the destruction could be of an apocalyptic scale.
"While the early news is certainly not anything like I expected to hear this morning from a category five cyclone, I do stress in many places we've yet to see any assessment," Queensland Premier Ann Bligh said today in a statement. "But I do stress it's far too early to start talking about dodging bullets."
Let’s just hope that the news doesn’t get worse from here on in. It is hard to imagine the terror that those who hunkered down during the cyclone would have felt and the heartbreak they would experience on seeing their communities literally ripped apart.
It is a part of the world that many grey nomads would know well and for, many of us it is hard to imagine such beautiful place as Mission Beach being so brutally battered. One thing that 2011 has shown us already though is that the Aussie spirit, and the Queensland spirit in particular, is alive and kicking and as strong as ever. These places will bounce back … again.
Were you in the cyclone affected areas? Email us here to share your experiences.     

***

February 2

The Heat is On
As grey nomads still travelling in northern Queensland prepare to face the might of Cyclone Yasi …which has now been upgraded to a Category Five storm … their counterparts in much of the rest of the country are sweltering in record-breaking heat.
Whether it’s floods, devastating storms or extreme temperatures, it seems the weather is determined to extend its time in the limelight.
Even the often scorching Red Centre has never seen anything like it. The ABC reports the mercury is again heading for 46 degrees in the tourist town of Yulara, near Uluru.
Staff at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park have called ambulances several times in recent weeks for visitors suffering heat stress. Senior forecaster Mark Kersemakers told the national broadcaster that the hot spell was remarkable.
"The temperature has actually been above 42 degrees for nine days running at Yulara, which beats the previous record of six days running greater than 42 degrees," he said. "The previous record was 13 days greater than 40 degrees. We're already had 15 days of temperatures above 40."
Anne Kilgariff runs Lyndavale station - 260 kilometres south-west of Alice Springs - and says she has never seen anything like it.
"As far as I can remember this is probably the hottest spell, I mean we've had hot spells before but this is really, really extreme," she said.
Of course, it all means that grey nomads need to take special care. Staying in the shade as much as possible, keeping well hydrated and avoiding strenuous activities are just commonsense precautions. Similarly, we should all make sure our vehicles are in tip-top shape if we are out on the road.
But it is not just Outback Australia that is feeling the heat. Hospitals in New South Wales are bracing for a rise in heat-related admissions today as the state swelters through a third day of hot weather.
Temperatures are expected to nudge 40 degrees in Sydney’s western suburbs after they peaked at 43 yesterday and 41 on Monday.
Public health experts said day three of a heatwave is more dangerous than earlier days with hotter peaks, as people called ambulances or visited emergency departments as their bodies gave in to the immense pressure placed on them by the weather.
''The longer the heat lasts, the more likely it is that people won't be able to cope any more,'' said Vicky Sheppeard, a public health physician with NSW Health.
The people most likely to be affected had existing conditions such as asthma, heart disease or mental illness, but those without chronic conditions could suffer.
''People at risk include outdoor workers and people who continue with normal activities like exercise without preparing,'' she said.
NSW Health was advising people, in particular those over 75 and the very young, to drink plenty of water, avoid sugary drinks, wear loose-fitting clothes, and seek shelter in air-conditioned buildings.
And spare a thought for people in flood-hit parts of northern Victoria who are toiling to protect their towns from rising waters as the temperature soars.
Locals in Swan Hill roasted in 41 degree heat as they continued stacking sandbags and building levees to safeguard the Murray River town.
A State Emergency Service spokeswoman said while the flood headwaters flowing from the Loddon and Campaspe Rivers had passed Swan Hill, waters at the town were expected to continue rising until Friday.
Wherever you are in this wonderful but challenging country, keeps safe everybody … and keep cool. And the very best of luck to all who find themselves in the path of Cyclone Yasi, which is expected to make landfall some time tonight. Let’s all hope the storm is not as devastating, or as deadly, as had been predicted.

Feburary 1

Batten Down the Hatches
Grey nomads and other tourists are being warned to stay clear of the parts of north Queensland that are likely to be affected by  Cyclone Yasi as it powers towards the coast.
Yasi is expected to be packing winds of up to 280 kilometres per hour when it makes landfall as a category four system somewhere between Cairns and Innisfail at around midnight (AEST) on Wednesday. The ABC reports that entire suburbs in three north Queensland cities are being evacuated ahead of the expected destructive winds, torrential rain, and massive storm surges.
Whitsunday Regional Mayor Mike Brunker says tourists in the area should postpone their holiday and move south of Rockhampton.
"People in the Whitsundays and Mackay and wherever else - if you're a tourist I don't think there's going to be much of a tourist experience over the next couple of days," he told the ABC. "We must be looking at self-evacuation, going to a safe area. We need to get people further south - so Rockhampton down. If you've got friends in Brisbane, go to Brisbane. If you're on holidays and you live in Brisbane or Melbourne or whatever - I'd be relocating, redoing your plans - there's not going to be a holiday experience here for you."
Forecaster Ben Suter says while Yasi is still a category three cyclone, it will intensity as a high category four system when it makes landfall.
"We have strong gale force winds extending just north of Cooktown and all the way down to Bowen," he said. "It looks like making landfall on the current forecast somewhere between Cairns and Innisfail and it does still look to be a high category four when it does so. The worst of any storm surge will probably be Innisfail southwards, particularly around Townsville, even though the charts are further north."
Superintendent Brian Connors from the Cairns Disaster Coordination Centre says anyone in the area needs to be prepared.
"Having a torch, radio, basic first aid supplies, a supply of food - all the routine things that perhaps we take for granted in the time to a lead-up to an event," he said. "We want people to get into the habit of having these things ready early."
Please, please be careful if you are in the vicinity of Yasi. It is going to be a nasty one.

***

January 31

Cyclones Strike North
Grey nomads game enough to be travelling in the north at this time of year are enduring yet more frightening times courtesy of our ever unpredictable weather.
Tropical Cyclone Anthony battered the north Queensland coast overnight, bringing with it wind gusts of up to 150km an hour and heavy rain as it crossed the coast near Bowen.
The category two cyclone tore branches from trees and brought down power lines, leaving about 10,000 homes without power. Areas between Ayr and Mackay have been affected and power has been cut to about 10,000 properties in areas including Bowen, Airlie Beach and Sarina.
While fallen branches and other debris littered Bowen's CBD this morning the town appears to have endured the destructive winds relatively well, avoiding the threat of serious flooding because the storm hit at low tide.
Meanwhile, authorities are continuing to monitor Tropical Cyclone Yasi, which is expected to cross the Queensland coast on Thursday. US Navy weather modelling has forecast winds up to 200kmh.
Premier Anna Bligh said authorities were looking at not only a potentially damaging cyclone, but more “very heavy rainfall”, which could cause further flooding.
Bureau of Meteorology's Queensland regional director, Jim Davidson, said the system was a very large one. Communities from Cooktown to Hervey Bay have been put on alert.
Mr Davidson said in coming days they would have a better idea as to where it would make landfall.
Of course, cyclones are a fact of life in the north and last week coastal towns in Western Australia's north west were put on red alert as Tropical Cyclone Bianca threatened. It can make travelling out of season in these parts of the world quite an interesting experience … but that doesn’t deter some adventurers.
All grey nomads who find themselves in the path of a possible cyclone should keep listening to their radios and watch the Bureau of Meteorology website (www.bom.gov.au) to monitor the movement and severity of the cyclone. They should then prepare for the severe weather in the appropriate manner, and this may well involve checking their emergency kit is complete and easily accessible, bringing all loose items  in form the outside the van and, of course, folding down the awing.
Are you travelling in the north at the moment? Have you been through a cyclone? Email us here to share your experiences.

***

January 28

The Road to Romance
Okay, it’s a bit of a touchy subject for some but much has been written about the effect the grey nomad lifestyle can have on relationships.
For a fair few older travellers, the reality of suddenly spending an awful lot of time in a confined space with a partner … even one they have known for 30, 40, or 50 years … can come as a bit of a shock. On the other hand, a long dreamed-about trip can often bring couples even closer together … and new data suggest that is the more common outcome. A recent survey conducted by the Caravan and Camping Industries Association of South Australia (CCIASA) suggests that when the rig rolls out of the driveway, love is very much in the air.
Researchers spoke to 1,694 regular caravanners or campers and the overwhelming verdict was that a getaway on wheels is good for your love life.
Almost 70 per cent of survey participants said they appreciated their partner more when on a caravan or camping holiday. Furthermore, 78.2 per cent agreed that caravanning or camping had a positive effect on their love life.
 “Perhaps it explains why a new caravan is built every nine minutes in this country, and why over 6.5 million Australians currently enjoy the caravan and camping lifestyle,” said CCIASA Executive Officer, Stuart Livingstone. “More Australians are participating in self-drive holidays than ever before with the number of caravans and camper trailers manufactured in the 2009-10 financial year being 18.4 per cent higher than the previous year.”
Hmmmmm! And what about those poor unfortunates who discover that living in close proximity to their nearest and dearest 24 hours a day, seven days a week isn’t all they had hoped?
Well, here are a few tips to help them with the culture shock, courtesy of the Grey Nomad’s Guidebook.

• Be patient with your partner. Make allowances now that you’re in a completely new environment with very different living conditions.
• Don’t feel you have to do everything together. Take time out from each other to do your own thing and enjoy your own space
• Keep talking. Communicating how you are feeling – both good and bad – will help you work through any possible issues
• Don’t suddenly try to take over roles that have traditionally been handled by your partner ... it can definitely lead to friction.
• Develop a new hobby, something for yourself, perhaps birdwatching or painting or just walking. Show your partner you are still interesting and maybe full of surprises.
• Don’t take your partner for granted. Think how the stresses and strains of life on the road is affecting him or her as well.

So, has the grey nomad experience given a boost to your relationship? Are you a wannabe grey nomad nervous about the implications of living un such close quarters. Email us here to share your views on the impact of a Big Lap on your relationship.

***

January 27

Tragedy on the Gunbarrel
The death of a truckie on Gunbarrel Highway on the edge of the Little Sandy Desert has once again highlighted the hazards of Outback travel and the need for extreme caution when doing so.
Anthony John Bradanovich, 35, had never before travelled the harsh stretch of Western Australia leading to the Jundee goldmine, 1000km northeast of Perth.
Police said Mr Bradanovich was taking steel mesh from Perth to the mine when he missed the turn-off about 5 kilometres past the remote Wiluna townsite.
He continued driving almost 70 kilometres before realising his error and trying to turn the massive rig around, but became bogged in the red dirt.
“It appears he's stopped the truck and tried to reverse back, but he's got three trailers on so it's a very difficult exercise,” Police Sergeant Graeme Clifford said. “The temperature out there has been well into the high 40s, so the weather has been rather extreme and we believe he has got bogged and then tried to walk back into town.”
The truckie managed to walk for eight hours in the 40-degree plus heat, covering some 50 kilometres before succumbing to dehydration and exhaustion.
His body was found by a passing motorist, 20 kilometres short of Wiluna, where the truck had been heading. In a cruel twist, it appears he perished just 200 metres from a waterhole that could have saved his life.
The police advice to truckies and other travellers, such as grey nomads, who find themselves in a  similar situation is unequivocal.
“Never, never leave your vehicle if you break down,' said Sergeant Clifford. "Eventually cars come past. Even if you're in the truck for two or three days there's some chance you'll survive.”
It has also emerged that the dead truckie had neither a satellite phone nor an emergency beacon and his only means of communication was a cabin radio that operates within the "line of sight."
The Transport Workers Union said changes must be made to ensure drivers in future were issued with satellite phones when heading into remote areas.
"We've been calling for some time for all long-distance drivers to have satellite phones,” said TWU state secretary Jim McGiveron. “This is a tragedy.”
Have you travelled the Gunbarrel? Would you ever do it without a satellite? Should some sort of emergency communication device be compulsory for all who travel in these remote areas? Email your views here.

***

January 25

Councils crack down
As well as a healthy dose of festive cheer, the Christmas and New Year holiday period has also brought its usual share of conflict between free campers and local councils across the country.
Of course, backpackers are the most persistent ‘offenders’ as they park their campervans overnight in residential streets and beachside reserves. Given the occasional anti-social behaviour of some of them, it is no surprise that they have raised the ire of local residents and local councils.
In the nation’s biggest city, Sydney, Waverley and Randwick councils have all taken action in the last three months to attempt to solve the problem.
Waverley Council has moved on 40 vans illegally camped by backpackers in the past month.
“Backpackers and tourists are welcome to visit the area but must stay in appropriate accommodation and not destroy the local amenity by camping in the streets,” Waverley Mayor Sally Betts told the Wentworth Courier newspaper.
The council has increased ranger patrols at known hotspots and will be increasing its ‘no camping’ signs in a number of its streets.
Recently 14 vans were parked behind Bondi Pavilion.
“The backpackers think that if one of them minds the van, they can get away with parking there for extended periods of time for free,” Ms Betts said. “This area is a parking area for residents and visitors, not a campervan park,” she said.
Clovelly residents say campervans are a recurring problem there as well, with the vans returning soon after a recent three-day clampdown by Randwick Council.
Between August and December Sydney Council towed away 13 vehicles during a crackdown on an informal backpacker camping ground, mainly in Victoria St, Potts Point.
It’s a similar story up and down the New South Wales coast with places like Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie having some high-profile, high-octane ‘debates’ about the rights and wrongs of allowing this free camping to take place.
Of course, it would be naïve to think that budget-minded grey nomads aren’t among those who sometimes pull up on a convenient street for a low-key overnight stay. One suspects however that most would do a better job than some backpackers at keeping a low profile.
Are you a sneaky residential street/beachside reserve camper? Have you noticed councils cranking up the heat on you? Do you think campers like these should be left alone as long as they don’t cause a nuisance of themselves? Email your thoughts here.   

***

January 21

No Shortage of Spirit
They say that every cloud has a silver lining and the incredible outpouring of public support for victims of this country’s devastating floods is surely cast-iron proof of that.
We are not just talking about people putting their hands in their pocket for loose change here, we are talking about people making real contributions and people volunteering their time and energy, getting their hand dirty, and making a real difference to the lives of their fellow Australians in a time of need
Television pictures of the army of helpers queuing to do their bit all but brings a tear to the eye. It is the sort of camaraderie and comradeship which makes this such a special country. The innate kindness of people here and their willingness to put their shoulder to the wheel when required are qualities that are often overlooked in this busy age but, thank goodness, they are still there.
Of course, that generosity of spirit is very much evident in the grey nomad lifestyle, as well. And it’s not just the fact that grey nomads are heavily represented in the volunteer effort in Queensland and beyond. It is seen every day in the way fellow travellers help each other out with advice, practical support and good old fashioned friendship.
It seems that anyone who says the traditional Aussie sense of mateship is a thing of the past is way off the mark. For example, Volunteering Queensland says that more than 2500 volunteers from New South Wales made their way north to pitch in for the relief effort.
The organisation’s CEO Jelenko Dragisic is still encouraging people with various different skills and availability to "put their name down" and register.
"This recovery is going to be a long-term effort and impossible without the help of volunteers," he said. "The more volunteers we have registered the easier we can respond to requests for assistance."
Mr Dragisic also assured volunteers who have already put their name down not to worry if they haven't received a call yet. "We're working in collaboration with disaster management agencies, councils and the government to identify more volunteering opportunities," he said.
Mr Dragisic also said his organisation would continue sending volunteers into the community for as long as they're needed. Click here to volunteer to help with the flood recovery.

***

January 20

Bogged on the Beach
Every picture tells a story and this one tells a tale of absolute heartbreak. It also highlights just how careful we all need to be if we choose to take our 4WDs out for a run on the beach or in any challenging conditions.
This Sydney based couple were travelling in their late model Pajero on deep sand on Corindi Beach, just north of Coffs Harbour in New South Wales, when they began to get that sinking feeling. The driver reacted by heading towards the water’s edge and then got into even deeper trouble after veering around a washed-up log.
A local 4WD enthusiast, David James, said the vehicle quickly became bogged up to the axles.
“They were in real strife when I got there and it was fast coming up to high tide,” he told the Coffs Coast Advocate. “By 7.15pm waves began to crash over the roof.”
Another 4WD driver owner put his own vehicle at risk attempting a tow but it was not until a local bob cat hire company arrived with a backhoe and mini excavator that the stricken vehicle was eventually pulled free … but not before it copped an unhealthy dose of salt water. The backhoe dug the sand away and chains were used to lift the vehicle up at a 45 degree angle.
“By the time the excavator got there the vehicle was bogged in sand up to the door sills,” said Mr James. “Everyone on the beach let out a loud cheer went up when it was pulled out.”
The incident certainly serves as a warning to others thinking about driving on soft sand beaches under large tides and heavy surf.
The waterlogged Pajero was finally towed from the scene and is the subject of an insurance claim.
So, what’s the hairiest moment you have been through in your 4WD? Do you drive on beaches? Any tips for fellow grey nomads? Email us here.

***

January 19

Watch out for Wildlife
While large parts of the country grapple with the devastating consequences of flood, many grey nomads are still dealing with the indirect impact (literally) of recent droughts and bushfires.
According to the Victorian motoring organisation, the RACV, 3308 of the state’s drivers made claims relating to accidents with wildlife in 2009-10 ...  and some 69 per cent of those related to kangaroos.
It is thought the high number of collisions is due to the fact that wild animals are being pushed closer to towns by drought and the long-term effects of the 2009 bushfires.
Whittlesea and South Morang were among the top 20 areas in Victoria for wildlife-related accidents.
Besides kangaroos, other animals involved in road accidents were wombats, foxes, horses, sheep, cats and cattle.
RACV General Manager, Paul Northey, said habitat and food stocks had been hit by years of drought and the 2009 bushfires. He said drivers needed to be more vigilant, as the risk of hitting an animal had increased.
"Constant awareness of the possibility of animals moving unexpectedly on roads is a vital element of accident prevention, particularly in twilight or night-driving conditions," he said. Greensborough wildlife carer Linda Krulz told the Banyule and Nillumbik Weekly that more animals were being sighted closer to towns, but she said that increased development, not bushfire and drought, was responsible.
"One of the big problems is urban sprawl, with lots of grassland and trees being destroyed to make way for houses," Ms Krulz said. "It's no wonder wildlife are being pushed more and more into suburban areas, which puts them in danger of being hit."
So, are you seeing more wildlife than ever on our roads? Have you had any close encounters of the very scary kind? Email us here to share.

***

January 18

Misery Continues
It seems that Australia’s flooding nightmare just keeps getting worse, with ever more people’s lives and livelihoods being shattered.
After the devastation seen in Queensland, it is Victoria which is now bearing the brunt of Mother Nature’s fury.
The surging flood waters have inundated large parts of Horsham, forcing the emergency evacuation of hundreds of homes. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that, as the state's flood crisis worsens, 48 towns are affected, involving 4000 people and 1700 properties.
Kerang is expected to be cut off as floodwaters reach the town in the next few days, while more than 80 homes in nearby Warracknabeal are also expected to be flooded.
It is all bringing unimaginable suffering to thousands of people. Of course, the pain of flooded homeowners is the most acute, but the long-term implications on tourism numbers and the local economy cannot be underestimated.
Businesses along the Great Ocean Road are certainly suffering from a fall in tourist numbers after recent flooding and landslips.
The Kennett River Holiday Park was flooded and a large part of the Great Ocean Road was closed for several days because of landslips.
The owner of the caravan park, Paul Grocott, told the ABC it is operating normally now, but other businesses are suffering because some tourists mistakenly believe the area is still affected by flooding.
He says now is a critical time for businesses on the Great Ocean Road.
"Without that five weeks over summer, businesses down here just aren't viable … that's our bread and butter, so to speak," he said. “This is it for us, when you make the majority of your money that helps you get through the quiet times when it's not so popular."

***

January 17

Deep Concerns
It is not so long ago that we were bemoaning the possible building of a massive gas plant at idyllic James Price Point in the Kimberley … now another treasured piece of paradise much loved by grey nomads is under treat.
The South Australian Government has just declared a proposed port on Eyre Peninsula a major project .. and that could spell disaster for the much-loved Lipson Cove camping spot and a large chink of this incredibly picturesque coastline.
Centrex Metals proposes to build a deep water port north-east of Tumby Bay on the Eyre Peninsula to export iron ore, as well as having the opportunity to export grain.
Centrex managing director Jim White says the latest announcement means the Government now believes the project is of social, economical and environmental significance to the region.
"It also means that the government will provide facilitation through the approval process and also make sure that the rigour and discipline around their approval process is followed,” he said. “Because the Government's taking a more direct interest in the program they will have more input into what actually happens on the ground."
If it is approved the port would provide export opportunities for mining companies as well as other industries like agriculture.
Centrex and Chinese company Wuhan Iron and Steel Company (WISCO) have formed a joint venture to design and build the deep water port on 91 hectares of land owned by Centrex at Sheep Hill, 26 kilometres northeast of Tumby Bay.
Mr White said the new port would only go ahead if the company could prove at least one viable deposit among its Eyre Peninsula tenements.
The South Australian Premier Mike Rann says granting the project major development status will ensure environmental concerns are assessed.
"The Eyre Peninsula needs a specialised deepwater port with a terminal and storage facilities if we are going to unlock the enormous mining welfare for exports for the future," he said.
So, is this the price of progress? Should we mourn the potential loss of yet another piece of pristine yet accessible coastline or should we celebrate the expected economic boost it is expected to provide in these touch financial times? Email your thoughts here. Have you camped at Lipson Cove? Click here to tell us your thoughts on the place.

***

January 14

While the worst of the flooding is now hopefully behind us, the consequences of the disaster will, of course, be long lasting and heartbreaking.
However, when the time for mourning ends, a huge clean-up and re-building operation must swing in to place. And one of the sectors that must recover from the devastating blow it has been dealt is tourism. Queensland's tourism operators have already been hit with a surge in cancellations from would-be visitors worried their holidays will be ruined by the floods.
The Sydney Morning Herald says that tourists have rushed to cancel trips to Queensland, in some cases even scrapping travel in regions of the state unaffected by the floodwaters.
Many small communities rely heavily on the financial benefits that large numbers of travellers, such as grey nomads, bring with them
“It is having an immediate and direct impact on our business community,” said Daniel Gschwind, chief executive of peak industry body Queensland Tourism Industry Council. “The rising waters have had a direct disruption of tourist business in Brisbane, the Fitzroy region, around Rockhampton, and even into the western parts of the state.”
Tourism Queensland has advised travellers that flooding has limited access to parts of Brisbane, central Queensland, the Outback, Southern Downs and Granite Belt. The deluge has also affected Toowoomba and Darling Downs, Western Downs, South Burnett and the Lockyer Valley.
However, the Tourism Queensland website assures us that the majority of tourism businesses in Bundaberg, Gladstone, Agnes Water and 1770 remain open.  The Gold Coast, Whitsundays, Mackay, Townsville and Tropical North Queensland also remain open, and Tourism Queensland says most beaches, resorts, hotels, tours and attractions there remain operational.
While it is no surprise that many people are wary about holidaying in what they perceive to be  a disaster zone, tourism numbers will surely rise again as we show our solidarity and support for those who have lost so much.
With so many communities still in the grip of disaster it is not clear yet what grey nomads can do to help. There is a website which is taking registrations for volunteers to help with recovery in the near future. Click here to register to volunteer your time and click here to make a donation to the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal.
Or, perhaps, we will just be able to visit and to stay, and by doing so help to bring back an air of some sort of normality to devastated areas.

***

January 13

Mother Nature's Fury
As the people of Brisbane and other communities in Queensland, northern New South Wales and Victoria come to terms with the  consequences of the disastrous flooding that has blighted their lives, we are all reminded once again of just how merciless Mother Nature can be.
Hopefully, the worst is now over and the rain will stop and the waters will recede, leaving us all to face a massive clean-up and re-building job. Lives have been lost, properties destroyed and communities devastated. For many, nothing will ever be the same again.
Australians though, are a resilient breed. We will re-build, we will learn, and we we will recover. Stories of bravery, selflessness and kindness will remind us once again of the spirit and basic goodness on which our country is built.
Yet, we will never forget the harshness and occasional brutality of this great brown land. Bushfires, drought, floods … they are all part of our lives, part of our national identity.
As we see some of the suffering of others, either first-hand or via TV pictures, hopefully we will remember as time passes just how blessed we are to live the wonderful grey nomad lifestyle. To travel and to visit in such a basically carefree way, largely removed from the worries and suffering of so many people around the world.
Devastating events such as those that are unfolding in Queensland remind us however that no matter how far we travel, and no matter how remote and idyllic the spot we park our rig in, we are still part of a wider community, we still have responsibilities to our fellow Australians and to fellow human beings.
Our thoughts remain with those who have suffered, and are suffering, so much.

***

January 12

United We Stand
With so many people in nearly all parts of Queensland suffering so much at the hands of the ever-rising floodwaters it is difficult for those of us who are not actually there to grasp the scale of the tragedy.
With lives being lost, inland tsunamis wiping out whole communities, and capital cities being evacuated, it is difficult to believe that this is Australia we are talking about and it is difficult to think about anything else.
While many grey nomads and other travellers have, of course, been affected by the flood disaster, the first instinct of Australians has always been to empathise with those suffering more and to offer support and help to those who most need it.
Already, the message board on this forum has been receiving posts from those who are volunteering to help via the www.volunteeringqld.org.au  website. While the situation is still perilous and unpredictable sometimes it can be difficult to know what we can do to other than to make donations. No doubt, once the floodwaters begin to recede and the massive clean up and re-building operation gets under way, grey nomad volunteers will get the opportunity to do their bit. We will keep you informed via these pages of any volunteering opportunities that come up in the weeks and months ahead.
Meanwhile, all most of us can do is wait and worry, and hope that the rain stops.
For those caught up in the drama, it is simply a matter of staying dry and staying safe.
The Sunshine Coast Daily reports that those staying at the Cotton Tree Caravan Park – like so many others - are effectively trapped as the highway is cut in both directions.
Nonetheless, it seems guests are in high spirits as they dig drains beside their tents and caravans. While the constant rain is leaving plenty damp and cold, many are passing the time huddled under umbrellas, watching the ebb and flow of the Maroochy River and their quickly greying ocean views.
Innisfail traveller Julie Germain said that although hit with pelting rain most sites at her end of the caravan park had so far remained high and dry.
Those at the other end were not so lucky.  As Ms Germain put it, “one lady said she had an ocean view, then just a river view, and now in front of her tent, she was left with a lake view”.
A spokeswoman from the caravan park said so far no guests had cut their visits short, saying it was probably safer there than anywhere else.
“The river is no problem, it’s just the rain,” she said. “We’re all just waiting to see what happens.”
With rain and rising waters cutting the highway north before Gympie and the Bruce Highway southbound to Brisbane, drivers have been warned by police to stay put and stay safe.
“They (guests) can’t really leave and we’ve advised people who want to, that they shouldn’t,” she said. “You’re safer to stay here, in a lot of cases, than to go home.”
Our thoughts are with all of you affected by this disaster.

***

January 11

It’s a disaster of almost unimaginable scale … and it just seems to be getting worse. At time of writing, eight people are dead and at least are 70 missing following flash floods that swept through southeastern Queensland.
A massive search and rescue mission is under way in the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane, after it was hit by walls of water. Earlier, parts of nearby Toowoomba were devastated by tsunami-like flash flooding which smashed through the central business district without warning.
Police also warned that another "severe weather event", of a force similar to the storm that struck Toowoomba was heading for the Sunshine Coast and the Esk area, northwest of Brisbane.
Forecasters warned Brisbane residents to prepare for the city's biggest flood since 1974, after more than 300mm of rain fell in parts of the Brisbane River catchment in the 24 hours to yesterday afternoon.
The ABC reports that, in northern New South Wales, where more than 700 residents remain isolated as access roads were cut by flooded waterways, was also on alert. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning, with rain forecast to intensify overnight and possible flash flooding in the mid-north coast, northern tablelands and northern rivers regions.
Of course, the deaths and destruction in Toowoomba marks a dramatic escalation of the flood crisis that has gripped much of Queensland since Christmas, causing billions of dollars in damage and stripping billions more from the resource and agriculture industries.
The inconvenience suffered by many travellers, including grey nomads, seems almost irrelevant compared to the suffering of the communities that have been devastated in this ongoing disaster.
Our thoughts are with all affected by these terrible floods.
Have you been caught up in the drama? Email here to share your experiences.

***

January 7

A bumper Snake Season
Okay everybody. Just another quick warning to be extra snake aware this summer. In many regions, such as Victoria’s north-east, breeding conditions have been highly favourable so numbers are expected to skyrocket.
Rhys Gloury, who offers snake catching services to Victorian councils including Wangaratta city and the Indigo and Alpine shires, said an abundance of frogs and mice had helped with breeding, and earlier flooding had also resulted in an influx of the reptiles.
“Generally March is pretty busy with all the babies but I expect it will be extra busy because it will have been a bumper breeding season,” Mr Gloury told the Border Mail newspaper. “Especially tiger snakes, if you have a couple of days of warm weather then a cold snap that’s an ideal breeding season for them and that’s what we’ve had.”
Mr Gloury said with tiger snakes having live young they were likely to be more common than brown snakes, which laid eggs that could be washed away by floods.
“I expect blacks and tigers to become more common because this year they’ve had a good kick-off with breeding conditions but brown snakes will be a bit more hit or miss and it will depend on where they’ve laid their eggs,” Mr Gloury said. “But brown snakes make up only a small proportion of the calls I get, around Wodonga and Wangaratta. You definitely get more tiger snakes because of the creeks that run through town.”
Many of the conditions reported in the Wangaratta region will be replicated in many other parts of the country. So, wherever you are in Australia, please be aware of the possibility of running into a venomous snake and have a behaviour and first aid plan ready. While grey nomads rarely get bitten by snakes, it does happen. Take special care if you are out bushwalking or foraging for firewood and wear suitable footwear.
Have you noticed more snakes than usual this summer? Have you ever had a close encounter with a venomous reptile? Do you have any tips or advice? Email us here to share.

***

January 5

River Sites Reopened
Parks Victoria has opened several flood-damaged camping sites along the Murray River between Cobram and Yarrawonga, providing a welcome tourism boost.
It had been feared the sites would be shut throughout the New Year period, but Parks Victoria staff worked through Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Parks Victoria’s Murray River flood manager Kane Weekes said the Yarrawonga Common, Chinamans, Forges, Bruces and Dicks bends campsites were among those declared open.
“We had staff working over the weekend and the rangers-in-charge have made the call that these areas are relatively safe for visitor use,” Mr Weekes told the Border Mail newspaper. “We realise that the Murray River Reserve and the red gum parks provide for camping and we know numbers are down because of the land that’s been available, so we’ve had people working hard so we can make sure the parks are open as soon as possible.”
Mr Weekes warned campers that pit toilets were unusable because they were either flood damaged or still full of water, but he was hopeful that they could be used later in January as the ground dried out.
He said the reopened campsites were accessible by two-wheel drives but he advised motorists to not risk getting bogged and stay on graded tracks.
Sun Country on the Murray executive officer tourism Merran Socha, who promotes Cobram-Barooga and Yarrawonga-Mulwala, applauded Parks Victoria’s decision.
“You only have to look at the lack of campers to realise we need them back, they do great things for our region at this time of the year,” she said.
She compared the numbers in the region at the moment to “just bursting, rather than bursting at the seams”.
“It’s not doom and gloom, we’ve still got a lot of accommodation full, it’s just the river campers aren’t here,” Mrs Socha said. “From the phone calls coming into the visitor information centre we’re getting a sense of that, that people are willing to sit tight for a few days and see what happens.”

***

January 4

Croc another Threat
If the awful flooding that has inundated so many parts of the country in recent weeks was not bad enough, those in far north Queensland are now facing another problem … crocodiles turning up in swollen waterways.
The acting mayor of Hinchinbrook Shire Council Andrew Lancini said several residents of Ingham had already seen the saltwater predators … and he warns residents and tourists should be mindful of the danger.
"People are sighting crocs," he said. "Even one of the local police has sighted a croc."
Torrential rains inundated much of Queensland state after Tropical Cyclone Tasha crossed the coast, and south of Ingham many towns are cut off by flood waters.
Further west, there is mounting evidence that the number of saltwater crocodiles is continuing to soar. Authorities in the Northern Territory say a record number have been pulled out of waterholes there in 2010.
The largest beast was a 4.6m man-eater captured in the popular grey nomad spot of Shady Camp on the Mary River in March. The rogue animal, killed during the complicated capture, had been causing problems among anglers at the river. It died when rangers harpooned it.
A total of 305 salties were removed from Territory waterways in 2010 as part of the Government's croc management plan.
Most of the animals were caught in the Darwin region while 23 were from Katherine.
This year's tally broke the 2004 record of 274 captures with the largest live animal pulled out of Katherine River in August.
The 4.5m monster was stuck in a trap near Taylors Park, 45km downstream from the Katherine township.
Croc catcher Tommy Nichols used the high number of catches to remind people of the dangers of the animals.
"A total of 21 crocodiles have been removed from Territory waterways this month, a timely reminder wet season conditions can lead to the increased presence of estuarine crocodiles," he said. "We urge everyone to be extremely cautious around all waterways and to heed safety signs."