Finally … a caravan park where camping is free!

Published: October 13, 2019

Nearly all grey nomads travelling between the Northern Territory and Western Australia will travel along the Victoria Highway … and that means they’ll pass through the small town of Timber Creek.

Now, some travellers choose to stop here to enjoy the Victoria River, marvel at the deep valleys and gorges, perhaps cast a line, or to visit the nearby Gregory’s Tree … but many don’t. However, that could be all be about to change.

Research has long shown that free camping will draw caravanners and motorhomers to communities. Typically, this might be in a bush area with little or no facilities.

However, one local business has taken the free camping concept to the next level and pioneered the idea of a free caravan park! And that includes free power. With the season coming to an end, the Wirib Store and Tourism Park just out of Timber Creek is offering visitors three nights of free camping … and it will do the same at the start of next season.

“There is absolutely no charge for the use of power or camping – free means free – no hidden catches,” said park spokesperson, Anna Greer. “In exchange, we invite people to buy supplies and fuel from the store or treat themselves to yummy coffee, freshly baked bread and a treat from the onsite bakery.”

The park reports that most travellers are shocked to find the camping really is free.

“We understand that travel is about creating memorable experiences, and this is just one way we like to contribute to the overall experience of our amazing Northern Territory,” said Ms Greer. “It’s fun, it helps to extend the season just that little bit longer, and we know how fast good news spreads with grey nomads.”

The business is owned and operated by local Indigenous group, the Gunamu Aboriginal Corporation. Staying at the park and shopping in the store generates money for the group and helps create a pathway for future generations and provides employment for local Aboriginal people.

The park offers clean amenities blocks, a store, bakery, takeaway dining, a fully equipped camp kitchen, large grassy sites and a laundry. So, does free camping make it worth travelling here out of season?

“I’ll let you in on a secret,” said Ms Greer. “Most people come to this region in the dry because of the mild weather, but the country shows her true beauty during the wet … everything springs to life!”

  • Do you think the idea of free caravan parks is one that should take off? Comment below.
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NO because at the end of the day the ratepayers will have to pay for the water, electricity, maintenance etc and it will effect caravan park revenue where owners have put thousands of dollars into buying and maintaining services

Well, guess who missed the point? This is not a Free Standing Free Camp. It is the local caravan park offering 3 nights “Free” at the traditional end and the traditional beginning of the season. It will not affect anybody in town except the owner of the park who, reading the article, also owns the local store, fuel station, bakery and just about everything else. If that doesn’t please you, just don’t stop there.

Well said Bob and exactly hit the nail on the head. My initial impression when I saw a big ‘NO’ as an opening was that this person probably runs a caravan park somewhere or is against people who think outside the square. I do not see any losers with this initiative and would be pleased if all the travellers reciprocated the generosity of the town folk. That way the trend may spread. Always happy to spend the equivalent of a CP fee in town.

Have you ever heard of the sharing economy? What chance do our country towns have when they try to bring opportunities to their region. Why not accept the spirit in which this offer is made rather than turn it into some nasty tirade.

Well isn tit good that you have a choice about staying there or not just like you have a choice not to stay in exorbitantly overpriced locations, the investment value doe snot drive your occupancy rates they are driven by the market and more and more the market has no need which equals no demand so this is Inspiron Gutherson rest of their businesses will support the cost of this initiative

Yes yes yes

Commendations to Gunamu Aboriginal Corporation, your project will most certainly be a winner with GN’s. We will visit even in Dry as a sign of support. This progressive thinking should be copied by others that are doing it tough out there.

I agree. Offer free camping with limited times (each end of tourist season) and many will choose to stay through the season too as a sign of support. Congratulations to the Community.

Stayed there last year and paid. Lovely spot, beautiful people. Spotless store. Worth stopping payment or free.

You build it and the will come.

Absolutely. I’d even think it reasonable to have free camping with a fee for electricity just to cover their costs but from my experience if a town has free camping and is RV friendly the (decent) travellers will normally spend more in the town than they would have paid the caravan park. Many councils are trying to incorporate a free camping area into their towns to encourage the travellers. It does pay dividends. Unfortunately those councils which are dictated to by the caravan park owners find themselves in a no win situation. The grey nomads drive past and the greedy caravan parks don’t help grow the town which is a spiral down for everyone. I say more free camps, more freedom of choice and less power for the caravan park operators as their interests are focused on their hip pockets not the local community. Well done Timber Creek. Thank you

I can understand that they want to encourage people to stay out of peak season and obviously are asking us to spend money in the town to make up the cost: but I would prefer to pay a nominal fee to cover power and (especially these days) water and not feel obligated to spend an equivalent amount on things I may not want or need.

Yes agree with this too some will use power and end up leaving the next day anyway , they are few but they are out there

Just give a little take a little less.Now watch everybody win
Not all that hard !

Yes. Will attract Nomads!

If a couple spend $50 on park fees that’s $50 they wont spend on food entertainment sight seeing etc they will eat at home. A great idea well done

Well done should be more of it

Right now this GN is in Italy, but if I could (on my return) get from Merewether to Timber Creek, NT, it would be three days++ well spent, to enjoy and fully-support the Community’s generous gesture! It WILL happen… see you there, ‘dry’ or ‘wet’! Steve & Jim, Newcastle.

Awesome idea, everyone wins

Great idea. We/ grey nomads will spend in town, when given a free camp near town, even stay a littlle longer than planned. Other towns will be amazed the $$$ & difference this will make!! Great idea.

Great initiative. We will certainly stay and definately make purchases in the town. It actually gives us a great feeling to support small towns . Look forward to spending some time there. ☺

I know of a caravan park in fnq on the beach that offers 2 weeks for the price of one, before and after the busy season. Attracts more people to the area. So good luck to the community doing this. We are coming next year but in the dry but will most likely stay there just because.

I think it’s a great idea, I will be stopping there for sure.

It’s the freeloaders who overstay these places no matter where they are, we can never get a site, ruin it for the rest of us.

I.m only on a retirement pension. and travelling. but i don
t expect anything for nothing whatever you get for nothing someone else has to pay for it. and to be quite trueful if you do expect a service for nothing I think you.ve a problem

I’m down for freebeez your winning either way

Oh wow we have come past you but next time we are there, THANKYOU, does anyone know how the expense gets up there.

The magic word is “FREE”. That is the Grey Nomads mantra.

Great ,we will return the favour with buying our supplies, bread etc.Good on them.

I believe this is an incredibly innovated idea by the local indigenous people in that it helps provide non only employment opportunities for our indigenous brothers and sisters but increases their sense of belonging and worth in this remote area. I congratulate them on this initiative and look forward to spending a bit more time there getting to know the community next time we are passing through.

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