June 2008 ... The Nomad

June 30

Don't Let it Slide
While the rain that has fallen a week or two ago in Outback Queensland and New South Wales will be welcomed by virtually everybody … it has also caused a fair bit of grief for some.
Road conditions have been highly treacherous in some places and we have seen road trains skid off the road and many travellers temporarily stranded. While the downpours are great news for drought-stricken farmers, they are even more reason for all of us driving a rig along unfamiliar roads to ‘be careful out there’.
Following the rains, police around Birdsville and Bedourie had to rescue 10 separate groups of stranded travellers in just over a week. They warned that many roads in the region were wet and boggy after seeing some heavy rain.
And local media reports Senior Constable David McCarthy as saying that motorists unfamiliar with local roads should check conditions before setting off.
“If there is water over the road, if you think it’s deep, get out and walk the water beforehand - don't just drive straight through it,” he says.
“We’ve had a couple of people that have tried to drive through the water without first walking the crossing and they’ve drowned their vehicles, or gotten stuck due to the depth of the water.”

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June 27

Don't Wait until it's Too Late
Blimey! This is getting serious! I thought the news that parts of the Murray-Darling Basin river system would be "beyond the point of recovery" unless they get water by October was bad enough.
Now, it seems that when it comes to the impacts of climate change on our travels we ain’t seen nothin’ yet! Would you believe that a seaside resort in the United States is urging tourists to book their holidays now before the ocean disappears altogether!
In the style of Orson Welles' 1938 radio announcement that Martians were landing on Earth, the ad features the mayor of Ocean City calling on holidaymakers to book "before our planet spirals to a vaporous death."
The tourist mecca in the north-eastern state of Maryland has rolled out TV, print and Internet spots that appear to be public-service announcements warning that new research shows the world's oceans will completely evaporate . . . in about a billion years. That news is delivered by a mock-stern Richard W. Meehan, the Ocean City mayor, who urges visitors to come see the sea while it’s still there.
“We're advising citizens to book their Ocean City getaway now, before the ocean evaporates," he says as the image blurs and jumps like an old newsreel. He warns that as the Earth is dragged towards the sun, our beloved saltwaters are just boiling away.
So, if you’ve been humming and haa’ing about taking that long-promised trip to Broome where you can saunter along Cable Beach, or you want to head up to north Queensland to check out the Great Barrier Reef, what are you waiting for!
Incidentally, while the ad campaign is obviously done in a tongue-in-cheek humorous style, the residents of Ocean City may not be laughing for long.
According to the Washington Post, Ocean City's problems are likely to begin long before the oceans disappear.
The prestigious newspaper quotes scientist Klaus-Peter Schröder warning that the earth's warming will cause the oceans to expand long before they boil.
Eventually, he said, that will turn Ocean City into just Ocean.
“That beach in the advert will disappear long before the 1 billion years are up,” he said.
See you in Broome!

See the ad here: http://www.morefunhere.com/

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June 26

Thin End of the Wedge?
What do you think of the recent trend towards offering luxury camping style accommodation in our national parks?
A few weeeks ago we reported in these columns that Tony Charters, the convenor of the Tourism Futures conference was calling for the Australian tourism industry to take a more entrepreneurial approach to our national parks.
“We need to make the most of our major asset, which is our environment,” he says. “We need to focus on being the world leader in drive touring – with the best presented national parks, the best themed touring routes, unique camping opportunities in regional Australia and the best tourism services in regional towns.”
Well, it seems things are starting to happen. Take, for example, the opening on July 1 of a luxury camp consisting of five eco-tents at Cape Range National Park near Exmouth in Western Australia. The Sal Salis camp will offer an African-style safari spread on the dunes near the magnificent Ningaloo Reef. The company behind Sal Salis is the same one that brought the ‘wild bush luxury’ concept to the Top End with at Bamurru Plains on the Mary River Floodplains near Kakadu.
According to the Sal Salis website the main camp building is raised above the sand and coastal scrub with views out to the reef and breakers beyond. It continues: “We appreciate that while an exclusive bush experience does not need to be 5 star in the traditional sense, there are a few key comforts that are crucial: a supremely comfortable bed, 100% cotton linen (500 threadcount), a choice of pillows, soft bathtowels, an en suite bathroom, delicious food and wine and great hosting.”
Sounds fantastic! As does the bar and open lounge area with a small reference library that it is said to provide a great spot to sit out the heat of day or enjoy a quiet sundowner. 
And the cost? Per person, twin share, per night …. $685!
As the website itself indicates it is really the scenery that is the drawcard… and the wildlife and the serenity.
I guess if people want to spoend that kind of cash to enjoy what we can enjoy for a fraction of the cost, then good luck to them. The company assures us that everything has been done in an extremely environmentaly sensitive manner.
But is this really just the thin end of the wedge? If companies can get that sort of cash for a few luxury tents marketed to an affluent demographic both at home and overseas, how long until they start casting an envious eye towards the prime camping real estate that you and I can currently enjoy for a reasonable rate?
I hope I’m wrong but I fear times they could be a ’changin’. Let’s enjoy it while we can!

• What do you think about luxury accommodation in national parks? Will it ultimately threaten the 'low cost' camping spots nearby? Email us here.

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June 25

All Dried Up
It was sad to hear that the devastating drought affecting much of the country is slowly claiming another victim … the world’s largest cattle station, Anna Creek.
Those of you who have travelled along the Oodnadatta Track and seen the desolate conditions that these cattle have survived in for so long will be as surprised as I was.
Having made their home successfully in this semi-arid desert for years, it seemed as though the cattle were capable of eking out an existence in any conditions.
The key to Anna Creeks’ success, of course, has been its sheer size. Covering an amazing six million acres, the station is normally capable of supporting 16,000 cattle but the worst drought in a century has exhausted the land, and the herd has been cut down to around 3,000. Half the cattle were sold for slaughter, while the rest were moved to other Kidman properties.
Last week, the first rains of the year were recorded at the station but they fell far short of the estimated 400 millimetres that is needed.
Station managers say they will wait until August to determine the fate of the station's remaining 3,000 head of stock … but a complete de-stocking is on the cards.
It will be only the third time the ranch has been cleared of cattle since it was established more than a century ago.
This is tough country. These are extreme conditions. It has been reported that the incredible lack of rain is killing off some of the Outback's hardiest tree species. It is hard to truly understand the effects of the drought, to understand the ingenuity and hardiness of the people who live in the land, unless you visit some of these places and see for yourself. We are lucky to be in a position to be able to do so.

June 24

The Roads Less Travelled
Well, the results are in from the RACQ’s latest Unroadworthy Roads Survey and it doesn’t paint a very pretty picture.
Of the 364 inadequate or sub-standard roads identified in Queensland, 56 per cent of them are in country or regional areas.
The most common problems identified were: rough surfaces; poor road shoulders; narrow road/lanes; and lack of overtaking opportunities. According to the motoring organisation, other problems were tight curves, slippery or loose surfaces: poor drainage; susceptibility to flooding; and inferior road markings.
Beechmont Road in the Gold Coast hinterland topped the list of worst state roads and five sections of the Bruce Highway rated badly on the national network. These sections were: Tully to Cairns; Bowen to Townsville; Gympie to Maryborough; Miriam Vale to Marlborough; and Cooroy to Gympie. 
Hopefully the state government will take these findings on board and put some money into improving these roads so we can all have a safer trip.

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June 23

Star Quality ... the Outback
While the movie Wolf Creek scared away potential Outback visitors in their droves, the new Nicole Kidman film Australia is set to do exactly the opposite.
If we experience anything like the Lord of the Rings factor experienced by New Zealand in the wake of Peter Jackson’s blockbuster hobbit trilogy, then we’d better get used to German, French, Italian, Japanese and Chinese accents around the campfire.
Australia is already being compared to Gone with the Wind and Out of Africa and will certainly be watched by millions of people around the globe.
Things might never be the same again. Gulp!
After the release of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, which was filmed in New Zealand, visits to the land of the long white cloud went up 22 per cent to 2.4 million a year, and tourism now contributes twice as much to the national economy.
It’s what happened over here on a smaller scale in in ’80s when Crocodile Dundee was all the rage.
Australia will be released in 70 countries from November 13 and will doubtless attract adventure-seeking tourists by the thousands. Tourism Australia is working with 20th Century Fox to capitalise on the release of Australia through a publicity campaign titled ‘See the Movie, See the Country’. It is also poised to develop a campaign based on movie maps and location guides to translate the film into ‘a real-life travel adventure’.
The film, directed by Baz Luhrmann, tells the story of an English aristocrat played by our Nicole and her fight to save a massive Outback cattle station she inherits. The romantic interest is provided by a cattle drover played by Hugh Jackman. However, it is believed that this country’s stunning scenery is the real star.
The $US100 million-plus film was filmed at Bowen in Queensland, Kununurra in Western Australia's Kimberley region, and Darwin in the Northern Territory.
“This major motion picture will trigger a massive amount of world-wide attention on the country and this state as a sought-after tourist destination,” said Western Australia’s Tourism Minister, Ms Sheila McHale. “We are extremely proud of WA’s stunning outback, particularly the Kimberley region, and we’re thrilled it will be a key feature of the movie.”
Oh no, fellow nomads. It sounds like our little secret is out. Now everyone is going to want to come!

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June 20

Out of the Loop
Well, according to reports out of Alice Springs, it now seems unlikely that Central Australia's long-awaited tourism project, the Red Centre Way, will ever be finished.
According to the Centralian Advocate, the minister responsible has refused to commit to sealing the remainder of the road, which would link Alice Springs to Kings Canyon. The paper says it is the closest that Delia Lawrie has come to officially canning the project and that she has instead introduced a new expression the ‘inner loop’  which is all the government will now commit to. The inner loop is the circle from Alice Springs to Hermannsburg and Glen Helen and back to Alice Springs.
The Red Centre Way was supposed to be a new tourist experience connecting Alice Springs, through the West MacDonnell Ranges, to Uluru. The new road network was to include existing roads such as the Mereenie Loop, Namatjira Drive and the Lasseter Highway.
Now it would appear, that at thevery best of it, there will be huge delays in sealing roads such as the Mereenie Loop Road that links Kings Canyon to the West Macdonell Ranges.
While some 4WD enthusiasts and rough road lovers may welcome the opportunity to keep this incredibly scenic piece of road to themselves for a while longer, it’s a blow to the many grey nomads who would have loved to have hauled their rigs up this way.
While vans can be taken along here, the authorities certainly don’t recommend it and the road quality can vary dramatically.
On the other hand, it’s an extrenly long detour to go up from Uluru to Kings Canyon and then back down and out to the highway again. And with fuel prices the way they are at themoment, this delay/canning of the Red Centre Way is news that many nomads could have done without.

• Will you still travel the kilometres to visit Uluru, Kings Canyon and the West Macdonnells? Or does the price of fuel mean you may miss out on one or more of the attractions? Email us here.

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June 19

Grumpy old men? Where?
Well, we’ve known for a long time that we’re a cheerful bunch but it seems that it’s taken a team of university researchers to convince the rest of the world. Teams from the from the University of Queensland and the University of New South Wales have been examining the links between people's age and their social satisfaction and…guess what … we’re just as happy as the young whipper snappers.
The academics measured social activities and social satisfaction in older adults between the ages of 66 and 91, and younger adults between the ages of 18 and 30. It seems that while younger adults engaged in a lot more social activities, they were no happier with their social lives than older adults.
I reckon if the researchers had strolled around just about any caravan park in the north at this time of the year they would have come to exactly the same conclusions … without having to spend a cent of their research grants!
Anyway, according to the leader of the research, Professor Bill von Hippel, the reason for our social resilience seems to lie in how we perceive our social activities.
“Our research suggests that if a young person and an old person have the same experience, the older adult is likely to find it more uplifting,” he says. “Older adults appear to see the good things in life more easily and are less likely to be upset by the little things that go wrong … as a consequence, their daily experiences bring them just as much satisfaction.”
Too right, Bill.
“This may be the wisdom of ageing … the ability to experience everyday life as uplifting,” he says.
Blimey. It sounds like that ‘grumpy old men’ and ‘grumpy old women’ tag has been well and truly kicked into touch. Now, we’ve got yet another reason to smile!

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June 18

The Secret's Out ... Or is it?
The central Queensland gemfields around Rubyvale have long been a mecca for grey nomad fossickers, and it appears their popularity is set to increase yet further.
The Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson, recently announced funding of $100,000 to enhance the area’s gemstone tourism attractions. The funding provides for Tourism Queensland to develop a feasibility study and implementation plan focusing on the natural geo-tourism attractions of the Rubyvale region. 
“This project will enhance the region's reputation for its sapphire gem fields which include the largest deposit in the Southern Hemisphere,” Mr Feguson said. “Australia's tourism is closely connected to its geology and landscape - just look at the Great Barrier Reef or Uluru – so it is understandable that more and more people are interested in Central Queensland's gem-fields and that we are seeing the emergence of the geo-tourism market in this area."
Of course, nothing would encourage more visitors to the area more effectively than a few big gemstone finds. But it’s funny how it is that no matter who you talk to when you’re out on these fossicking fields they’ve always found “nothing” or “just bits and pieces”. And yet they keep at it day after day and come back year after year.
Ask a grey nomad where to find a good free camping spot, or a decent caravan park, or cheap fuel and you’ll never be short of good advice. But ask them where they’re finding the big sapphires, or zircon, or garnets and the silence is deafening. I guess even ‘comrades of the road’ like to have a few secrets from each other.

• Would you share a fossicking hotspot with a fellow grey nomad? Or should it always be a case of finder’s keepers? Email us here

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June 17

Pretty as a Picture
Anyone who has ever visited the Flinders Ranges would be familiar with the work of one of Australia’s most recognised landscape artists, Sir Hans Heysen.
Legend has it that on his first ever visit to the South Australian wonderland in 1926, Heysen was so overwhelmed by its beauty that he was simply unable to paint!
He certainly made up for that later on though, returning year after year, painting and sketching his way to artistic immortality.
Unusually, a dozen paintings by the master have just gone under the hammer at an Adelaide auction. The works ranging from charcoal sketches to watercolours attracted art lovers from all over Austrlia and fetched between $3,500 and $36,000 – well above their expected price.
It’s yet another testament to the classic appeal of the artist who died in 1968 at the age of 90. His love affair with the Flinders Ranges – with which his name was to become synonymous – remained undimmed until the end. I just hope I’m still hauling the rig down to Wilpena Pound and out to the Aroona Ruins when I’m 90. I’ll even take up painting if it will help!

• Which location in Australia most inspires you to break out the paintbrushes? Email us here.

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June 16

What's in a Name?
Okay. Okay. Due to popular demand, we will be launching a “Bizarre Names of Australia” section. It seems that, as us grey nomads wend our way around this beautiful country, there are very few things that tickle our fancy as much as a quirky town or creek name. Funny lot, aren’t we?
You know the sort of thing. Egg and Bacon Bay, Break-Me-Neck Hill, Dismal Swamp … it seems like the ingenuity, creativity and sense of fun bestowed upon our exploring ancestors was virtually limitless. And we certainly appreciate it.
The above examples all come from Tasmania but the unusual name craze has certainly spread to all four corners of this great southern land. But it is not just the names themselves that capture our imagination. It is their origins, too. Perhaps we can have a guess at why Break-Me-Neck Hill was so named, or even Dismal Swamp, but what about Egg and Bacon Bay? Anyone out there got any ideas?
Sometimes explanations are forthcoming, and Tourism Tasmania is happy to explain that the Bay of Fires was named by Captain Tobias Furneaux in 1773 when he saw Aboriginal fires burning along the shore; and Hell’s Gates was named because of the hellish conditions of the penal colony in the harbour; and Elephant Pass was named after Mount Elephant, which is said to look like the silhouette of this animal. All interesting stuff.
Anyway, over to you. Creek names, mountain names, bridge names, town names, they’re all fair game. Help us to find Australia’s wackiest places. Which state or Territory had the most inventive explorers? You be the judge! Email us here.

June 13

Divided we Fall
Well, it certainly seems like our story a couple of weeks ago about snobbery on the road hit a chord. I never realised there were so many tenters out there! It’s disappointing to report that, according to the circumstantial evidence collected, there is definitely a bit of rig snobbery happening. Having been on the road for the past 12 years and having travelled in both a tent and a caravan, David is perhaps among the most qualified to comment. He writes that, after changing their camping set-up, he and his wife were treated very differently by their fellow travellers.
“We were at Cotton Tree one year and not one caravanner would talk to us … not for want of trying, mind you,” he says. “Then one day we saw a cheap caravan for sale so yes we got it. Bugger me when we got back to Cotton Tree with the van, yes the caravanners came up for a talk and a look.”
It’s official then. The equality of the open road is a myth. We are sorting ourselves into some sort of bizarre social pecking order. Stop this madness, fellow grey nomads. Think of all the potential card playing partners you are turning your back on, think of all the laughs you will never have, think of the new friends you will never make! Listen to David.
“We still have a van but we never forget where we started,” he says. “Come on all you caravanners and stop being snobs … we're all doing the same thing after all.”
Too right, David. Let us all take action today to end this scourge. Motorhomers … talk to the caravanners: caravanners … talk to tenters; tenters … prepare to be surprisingly popular.
Incidentally, in the avalanche of correspondence on this issue we didn’t receive one email from someone prepared to admit to being a rig snob. Perhaps, it’s one of those mystery conditions that we don’t think we’re suffering from even when we are. I know I’ll be keeping a particularly close eye on my behaviour to check that I’m not showing any symptoms!

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June 12

Thousands Seek Adventure
Well, it seems that soaring fuel prices haven’t done much to dampen the enthusiasm of grey nomads, wannabe grey nomads, and others, for all things caravanning and camping.
Australia’s largest caravan exhibition, the Queensland Caravan, Camping and Touring Holiday Show has just ended after drawing near record crowds of just under 79,000 during its seven days at Brisbane’s RNA Showgrounds. Caravanning Queensland CEO Ron Chapman said the strong turn-out at the event, which was celebrating its 40 th anniversary, demonstrated the high confidence travellers had in this segment of the tourism industry.
“Last year, 81,211 people visited the show – the biggest crowd in the event’s history –but with talk of rising interest rates, high petrol prices and industry rumblings, we had expected a significant drop in visitor numbers,” he says. “However, the continued strong numbers at this year’s show demonstrates the sustained interest in the freedom and flexibility of touring holidays. People are still wanting to travel and explore independently and they see road travel as the best way to do this.”
Right on, Ron!
And the sales statistics would appear to back up his optimistic view. This year, more than 19,000 new caravans, 2,000 motorhomes and 4,000 tent trailers are expected to be sold in Australia, continuing the double digit annual growth rate experienced over the past eight years. Today, there are about 350,000 caravans, motorhomes and camper trailers registered in Australia.
Mr Chapman says visitors to the show were lured there by the display of some great new products, including time-saving gadgets and luxury motorhomes. And, he says, they were also keen to get information about new tourist parks and facilities which are often more like resorts.
Hmmmm!
Anyway, it’s great to see such an incredible level of interest in the caravanning/motorhoming lifestyle. Were you at the event? Was it worthwhile? Were there any products or innovations there which particularly caught your eye? Give us the lowdown. Email us here.

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June 11

The Great Australian Bite!
Queensland’s reputation as the dinosaur state has been given another boost and, no, it has nothing to do with its popularity as a grey nomad destination!
More bones from Australia's largest dinosaur, Cooper, have been unearthed near the town of Eromanga, 320km west of Charleville. He was a plant-eating titanosaur that lived more than 95 million years ago and experts estimate he was 26-metres long with an extremely long neck and tail, a massive body and elephant-like legs.
The latest discovery by a Queensland Museum dig will certainly cement Queensland’s international reputation as a dinosaur destination, and no doubt lure many more grey nomads out to see the places where these giants once roamed.
There's a perception that the state’s dinosaur triangle lies between Hughenden, Winton and Richmond but remains have been discovered over a far wider area.
Nonethless, many are happy to concentrate their prehistoric investigations along the established Dinosaur Trail.
Must sees include places like the Kronosaurus Korner Fossil Centre in Richmond, Hughenden’s Flinders Discovery Centre, the Lark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways south of Winton (which is currently the only recorded venue for a dinosaur stampede on earth), and of course the Dinosaur Diorama in Winton.
A dinosaur expedition offers yet another fascinating insight into the history of this amazing country and adds yet another layer of interest to a trip through it. The only downside, of course, is all of the ‘old dinosaurs looking at old dinosaurs’ jokes you’re going to have to put up with from friends and family back home. Just remind them you’re not extinct yet … and you’ll be back one of these days to sort them out!

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June 10

Drinking in the Scenery
While places like Broome and Mission Beach have an almost mythical appeal to grey nomads seeking a relaxing dry season escape in paradise, Cape York is still the undisputed ultimate adventure destination.
The roads north are improving fast and are tempting more and more of us to either join an organised 4WD convoy, venture to the tip on our own in a tent, or even take our 4WD vans as far north as Bamaga. Those who are game enough to venture to the north-eastern extremities of Australia are rarely disappointed. Besides the sheer adventure of river crossings and croc sightings, there is incredible scenery, unique birdlife and, inevitably, some interesting characters to meet along the way.
I was interested then to read a report in the Torres News that, despite having a very strong year to date, tourism operators are anxious that the bottom is about to fall out of the market.
The reason? No, it’s not the soaring price of fuel. It’s the possible extension of liquor restrictions across the Cape … with a decision on the issue expected imminently.
The newspaper reports that people like Loyalty Beach Park owner Patsy Lennox fear more prohibition-like regulations could destroy her business.
She is quoted as saying: “Fishermen won't come to dry camp grounds or lodges, other travellers won't come if they know they can't get any alcohol. That is the real worry.”
She continues: “The entire tourism industry would be lost, and remember it's the number one industry in terms of generating income and employment across Cape York. My business could close down 100 per cent, and that would apply to other business.”
Isn’t it terrible? I am certainly no expert on the social issues affecting some of the communities of the Cape. But I have seen enough to understand that - if those that really do understand the issues say stronger liquor restrictions would help the situation – they are probably right.
Now, I like a wee glass of something as much next as the next man or woman but isn’t it a damning condemnation of our society that tourism operators in an adventure-filled natural paradise believe not offering us access to alcohol would be enough to stop us wanting to go there?
The frightening thing is not that they think that way but the fact that they are probably right.
The happy hour drink is an established part of the grey nomad lifestyle. Having a glass of wine while looking at a marvellous sunset is something to look forward but, goodness, isn’t it something we should be prepared to forego for a few weeks for the greater good?
If the powers that be do decide that further alcohol restrictions are required to help communities living on the Cape, the last thing they need is for a tourism slump to create new problems.
If we can’t enjoy fishing, or wonderful scenery, or a game of cards, without a beer or wine, then maybe we’re the ones with the problem.

• How important is alcohol to your grey nomad experience? Would severe alcohol restrictions put you off a trip to the Cape? Email us here.

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June 6

Does it need more?
Well, I’m not sure what to make of the call for new tourism icons to be created in South Australia as a way of increasing its visitor appeal.
At first I thought it must be a joke but then I realised the call was actually coming from the country’s peak tourism industry organisation, the Tourism & Transport Forum! Apparently, the group’s National Tourism Manager, Caroline Wilkie, thinks distinctive tourism attractions will help the Festival State stand out from the crowd of Australian tourism destinations.
Stand out from the crowd! Like, hello Caroline! What about the Flinders Ranges? The Eyre Peninsula? The Barossa Valley? Kangaroo Island? Blimey, the list goes on and on.
No, hang on, she’s noticed.
“South Australia already has outstanding natural tourism assets,” she says (Amen to that). “It just needs to maximise their potential.”
She mentions the possibility of a viewing platform or observation deck in Adelaide, along the lines of the Sydney Tower or the London Eye. She also talks about a new iconic hotel and praises the top-of-the-range Southern Ocean Lodge which she says has been a significant drawcard for Kangaroo Island (and I thought it was the stunning scenery and incredible wildlife!)
“Beyond the capital, the development of lodge accommodation is South Australia’s parks would enable the state to tap into the growing visitor preference for eco and environmentally tourism, as well as capitalise on its outstanding nature-based tourism experiences.”
Why do I always get a little bit nervous when people start talking about building lodges in our national parks, and drawing in international tourists to them, and supplying higher-class accommodation? Does it mean I am just frightened of what they call progress, or do I just love most things (like South Australia’s incredible national parks) pretty much the way they are. Or maybe I’m just suspicious of the Tourism & Transport Forum … after all, they’re the same crowd that a few months ago were beseeching the Queensland Government to introduce national park entry fees there. The group was quick to say that visitors to parks in all other states had been more than happy to pay what it called a small financial contribution (I guess they haven’t been talking to the same people I have).
Anyway, what do you think? Could South Australia do with a few more tourism icons thrown in to add to its appeal? I understand that the Old London Bridge is a big draw now it’s been moved to the middle of the Arizona desert … maybe we could get that over here and put it next to the Oodnadatta Track! Or what about sticking a few rocks from the Acropolis in Coorong National Park … that’ll get them in. And, hey, why not build a mini Statue of Liberty near Wilpena Pound? After all, it worked for New York?
Have you got any better ideas? Email us here.

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June 5

Don't lose your mojo
Well, it’s official, us grey nomads get a lot more pleasure out of our Aussie travelling experience than do our younger counterparts.
According to a recent Newspoll survey, Generation X and Y are twice as likely as nomads to say their last holiday was built up as something special but felt let down by what they actually experienced. And, according to the research commissioned by Tourism NT, they are also quicker to lose their holiday ‘mojo’ once their trip is over.
For those of you, not up to speed with all these hip new terms, ‘holiday mojo’ has been described as the feeling of inner calm and vitality you experience from taking a rewarding trip. 
However, it seems that within a week of returning home, a staggering 80 per cent of Australians feel like they never even had a holiday in the first place!
Well, I guess part of the reason for the disparity between the enjoyment levels of the various generations is that some grey nomads are lucky enough to have no plans to ever return. An endless trip through paradise would give most people’s mojo a bit of a boost.
But perhaps other explanations can be found in our attitudes to travelling. The Newspoll survey also found that grey nomads are more likely to be looking for new experiences on their holidays than generations X and Y. It seems that while some 25 per cent of 50–64 year olds said they were holidaying to explore new destinations, a mere 14 per cent of
18s-34 years olds were doing the same.
According to life coach Kate James, it’s important that people take trips that fulfil them personally.
“People should consider destinations that offer interactive holiday experiences such as being outdoors and in wide open spaces,” she says. “Australians are on the right track to enjoying a lasting holiday mojo if during their holiday they take some time for personal reflection, try to do something different from their day to day lives and don’t try to cram too much in.”
Hey, I’m liking the sound of this lady already. Sorry guys, I don’t want to cram too much in so I won’t be coming on that bushwalk today, I’m going to sit out here under the awning, read my book, have a cool drink and look for my mojo. Have a nice walk. Bye.”
Joking apart, the old mojo reseach should give us all some food for thought. What is it we are looking for in our big trips? What is it that makes them so special?
The Northern Territory’s Minister for Tourism, Kon Vatskalis reckons he knows where the best place for us nomads to find our mojo is.
“Australians have identified the Northern Territory as being the most inspirational, spiritual, life changing, unique and adventurous holiday destination in Australia,” he says. “The Territory is an ideal destination to totally switch off, re-energise and feel reconnected. Our World Heritage-listed national parks, famous natural icons and ancient Aboriginal culture offer the perfect experience for Australians wanting to extend their ‘holiday mojo’."
Blimey, it sounds like the world’s gone mojo mad! Is Kon right? Did you find your Big Lap mojo in the Top End, or did you find it while looking at an Outback sunset, or did you find it on a bush walk, or maybe having a happy hour drink with some fellow grey nomads. Or perhaps haven’t you found your mojo at all? Email us here. We love mojo stories.

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June 4

Keeping subsidies in-house
Talk about kicking a bunch of grey nomads when they’re down! Have you heard about the Queensland government’s plan to restrict the 8.354c per litre fuel subsidy to residents of the Sunshine State only?
That means all interstate travellers are going to pay exactly that much more at the bowser than they would otherwise have done. Maths was never my strong point but I reckon that’s going to put hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, onto the average nomad’s sojourn in the state. That’s a very big ouch!
I guess Premier Anna Bligh just figured we weren’t hurting enough already. Or maybe she’s trying to scare us off visiting the magnificent attactions of Queensland, and deter us from supporting all manner of local businesses!
I know some of you Queenslanders will probably be applauding the annoucement but I reckon it’s a pretty savage time to hammer holidaying out-of-state motorists.
Anna Bligh’s plan, announced in the state budget, is to provide a point of sale ID system to Queensland licence holders that will entitle them, and only them, to have the full 8.354c per litre deducted at the checkout.
“We aim to use something as simple as a bar code sticker on Queensland driver’s licences, but we will examine all the options to make sure we get the best system,” she said. “The subsidy was introduced for one reason – to make petrol cheaper for Queenslanders.”
The Premier says the upgraded scheme is aimed at stopping oil industry rorts of the $540 million per annum subsidy and putting the money straight in motorist’s pockets.
So, it seems like the oil industry, which has apparently been withholding up to $100 million of the subsidy from motorists every year, is the real target of the changes … us poor non-Queensland grey nomads are just collateral damage.
Maybe we should take a leaf out of the Transport Workers Union’s book. TWU state secretary Hughie Williams reportedly said no one should be too surprised if interstate truckies simply refused to deliver freight to Queensland.
Blimey! A boycott, comrades! Is that the way forward?
Nah, you’re right … Queensland’s just way too beautiful. But I’m definitely taking Anna off my Christmas card list!
Incidentally, the fuel subsidy changes could be fully in place by next Easter, once the necessary technology has been rolled out in the state’s 1800 service stations. What do you think of the planned changes? Email us here.

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June 3

Looking for common ground
Wow! What a great response our recent ‘Nomad’ story about the ongoing ‘battle’ in some areas between caravan parks and free campers provoked. You may remember our article highlighted the situation in the inland New South Wales town of Forbes, where four local caravan parks have been complaining that the growing popularity of free overnight camping is leaving their businesses struggling. They want to see the practice banned … at least near Forbes … and while a number of you express sympathy for their plight, it seems you think the solution lies is in their hands.
Barry writes that when he last stayed in Forbes, he spent three nights in a caravan park and one night free camping.
“During that time we ate out at local pubs, filled our car with petrol, shopped at the local IGA and paid to visit local attractions,” he says. “The caravan parks have to remember that, with the increasing fuel costs, grey nomads need to free camp occasionally to help with their finances.”
And then Barry raises the same point that a number of you have.
“Have the caravan parks given any thought to reducing their fees or using devices such as a loyalty programme for grey nomads to encourage stays in their parks?” he asks. “They never give you a refund if you have to leave early and I have been told this on a number of occasions. Recently, we decided to upgrade for the night to a cabin, the park in Forbes did not credit my site fee.”
Keith is another who mainly stays in van parks and did so on his most recent visit to Forbes.
“Maybe the van park owners need to be a little more innovative to entice travellers to their park,” he writes, pointing to a park in the south-west Queensland town of Mitchell as an example of what can be done. “They offer two nights at a reasonable fee and then the next two nights for free,” he says. “This entices travellers to stay in that town for four days and, guess what, a good number of businesses get a share of the money left behind (newsagents, grocers, fuel stations, butchers, hotels, cafes etc).”
Well, that sounds like good business sense to me. After all, as Keith rightly points out,
grey nomads are a very reliable income source for many businesses in many towns. Surely, it is better to think about the best way to provide them with the services they want at an affordable price rather than the best ways to ‘force’ them to stay at your park.
And, again, Keith is full of helpful ideas. He suggests privately-owned parks link up with local businesses and the local council to put together some offers to entice the travellers to stay at their particular site. The idea is that parks offering worthwhile discounts on tourist attractions, reasonable discounts on meals at specific hotels or clubs, or fuel discounts at specific service stations, will draw increased numbers of visitors.
“When I stayed at one van park in Forbes recently, they did offer a two cent (I think that amount is right) discount on fuel at a specific service station and the park paid for the discount on your behalf,” Keith writes. And he urges parks to go one step further by possibly increasing the discount to say something like four cents, and having the cost shared by both the park and the service station … after all both businesses would benefit.
Blimey, Keith, I reckon you’ll be flooded with offers to run van parks all over the country! Good on you, though. I reckon you’re spot on.
And to all of you van park owners and managers out there. The clear message from the vast majority of our correspondents is: “You look after your business and we’ll look after ours, thank you very much.”
Perhaps, instead of seeing free-camping grey nomads as cheapskates who ‘escaped’ from visiting their park, some managers should instead see individuals who have worked hard all their lives to live a dream and who are feeling the financial pain of spiralling fuel prices. So, caravan parks of Forbes. Just remember that we’re hurting, too. We sympathise with your plight … how about you return the favour? 

• And many thanks to all of you who took the trouble to write in to share your views on this and many other issues. Keep them coming.   

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June 2

Fuel prices delay trips
I guess it’s no surprise to hear reports out of the north that caravan parks are reporting a slower than normal start to the traditionally busy ‘winter’ season.
With diesel prices challenging the $2 a litre mark in some places, the West Australian newspaper says many grey nomads are rethinking their travel plans.
Well, you’d have to be James Packer or JK Rowling not to at least factor in the extra cash that a jaunt further up the coast or to check out that ‘undiscovered’ little gorge you’d heard about is now going to cost.
The paper reports that the “winter drifters” are delaying their holidays, cutting back on the distance travelled, and lingering longer in each town in a bid to save money.
It says May bookings at Ningaloo Lighthouse Caravan Park in the state’s north-west have dropped more than 60 per cent as many regular customers have delayed their annual booking until June.
Well, I can understand cutting back on the distance you travel and lingering longer in each spot … but delaying a trip! That one’s got me beat.
Let’s face it, none of us are getting any younger and fuel prices certainly aren’t getting any cheaper! I say ‘go now’ while the going is good. What do you reckon?

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