The SA Outback is beautiful ... but how can it attract more grey nomads?
A leading academic has warned regional communities that they ignore the importance of the ‘grey dollar’ to their economies at their peril.
Associate professor Michael O’Neill from the South Australian Centre for Economic Studies says that while mining booms came and went, tourism was a growth industry which represented a fantastic opportunity.
And he had no doubt about what the top priority should be for places like South Australia’s far north or the Eyre Peninsula.
“Getting and hanging on to the grey nomads that are coming through,” he told the ABC emphatically. “And that can be done by improved caravan parks, improved facilities at beaches, and improved assets like our old halls and heritage buildings.”
And the respected economist said indigenous artwork was another way in which struggling regional economies could be rescued.
“I think we’ve got some wonderful Aboriginal art right through to the Yalata community, the APY Lands and so on,” he told the ABC. “But often they are so far distant that people don’t get there to see them, and that’s where I think a central place like Port Augusta is a wonderful place to become a real focus as strongly advertising Aboriginal art.”
Free-Camps. Places of interest to visit – natural spots like Rivers/Lakes/Creeks/Cliffs/Rock formations, Wildlife habitats, etc. FRIENDLY Shops for Groceries, Takeaway food, clothes (Op shops are great), Hardware, Camp/household gear, Souvenirs etc etc.
I think to much emphasis is put on the terminology Freecamp’ we should concentrate more on the terminology Low Cost no frills camp, If a town can supply a cheap alternative to rip off caravan park prices, close to town Then that should suffice !! Ithink it very unreasonable to expect Free Camp within the town boundaries !!
Dazren,
You have this in one.
For years now I have been furious every time I hear the word Free or Freedom camping. Lets call it what it is, bush camping or wild camping. When we travel this huge country we are feeding thousands of $ into the economy. I am now planning my 14 trip across the Nullabor, this will be my wife’s 19th trip.
So don’t anyone tell me we free camp anywhere in our Motorhome.
Angry old bugger from Perth
Ditto especially the first item safe free or low cost camps.
Charleville Bush Camp is one of the best low cost camping areas in western QLD. $5 pp per night, huge camp fire, water and a ‘very clean’ dump point supplied by CMCA. Charleville has plenty to offer and you will need at least 4 nights to see it all. Pets welcome. Smokers are not. Powered site $20. Open 12 months.
I am a non smoker, but Huge Campfire, but No Smokers , sounds strange !! how do you have a fire with out smoke !!
I think that camping areas need to be reclassified (take out the word free) If towns are able to open an area for paid / donation camp spots with a short walk to town with open fire pits maybe on a lake or river or just a nice spot to spend time then a fee of 10/15 $ per van not person i think is ok