Another town in inland New South Wales has decided to allow free camping in an effort to woo grey nomads and other travellers to stay in the area.
Liverpool Plains Shire Council (LPSC), which is located south west of Tamworth, has voted to establish the Werris Creek Freedom Camping Precinct on land adjacent to the Works Depot on Deeks Road in the community of Werris Creek near Quirindi
“It’s time to bite the bullet and make a decision on a site for a freedom camping area in Werris Creek, so the town can share in the benefits other Shire communities are experiencing through the burgeoning RV industry,” Councillor Paul Moules told the Northern Daily Leader newspaper. “There are many rail enthusiasts amongst the grey nomads who will welcome the opportunity to conveniently camp and visit the Australian Railway Monument and Rail Journeys Museum.”
He said many more would just like to visit local attractions and all would boost the local economy.
The Shire has long been amenable to the concept of allowing free camping but has been struggling for the past two years to gain agreement on a suitable site.
Councillor Moules said that research had consistently shown visitors would spend $100-120 a day, and that there were an estimated 180,000 campers on the road at any given time.
There are 30 million domestic visitor nights spent in caravan parks and freedom camping grounds each year and 90% of all visitor nights in the sector are spent in regional Australia.
Local governments are finally realising that if you build it they will come. A dump point is essential.
Well done to the council. More councils should do the same. We love stopping in country towns and supporting the small businesses.
Good on you” excellent for us travellers…
Yes we would return. The rail museum is a great attraction.
Well done.
We love to spend money in country towns in return for free camping.
Great idea, we often stay in towns forn2 to 3 days and spend 200 to 300 hundred dollars wherethnere is free camping , our way of giving back to these towns
Good on you..we will use your facility
We also stay at least 2 nights when there is a free camp. This then allows us to explore the town/district and enjoy a meal in a club or cafe.
I usually top up with fuel and groceries.
As said a dump point is esential.
So thnks must go to this progressive council.
Helping small country towns is so important for local country folk,in return for a short stay.Keep the idea going benefits all.
I was never really that excited about the “free camping” aspect whilst caravanning for the past 15 years however I know there are people out there who feel it’s the only way they can travel. Having said that, there is a lot of merit in Councils & Businesses getting together & finding a way to have visitors stop in their vicinity. Two towns come to mind – Mitchell in SW Qld & Mt Surprise in the north of Qld who have done it well & it’s not all free.
Definitely would be visiting your area if there was a free camp because we could then spend money in the town and surrounding areas
Fantastic idea I’m about hit the road will definitely be staying here as I’m rail enthusiast
Can anyone give other examples of free camping in NSW especially within few hours of Sydney please
Thanks
Another progressive Council that thinks outside the box, as stated before, dump point & access to potable water will get your town great reviews, been to Rail Museum twice, great place to spend a few hours, town very friendly. If staying in a free or low cost camp we like so many others always support local businesses, win win for everyone.
We could not afford to travel full time if it were not for free camps, thus we are very appreciative of any community who provide them. I cannot say that we spend ‘extra’ because we are staying in a free camp, but we still need to live & thus spend what we have where we stop. If there are affordable attractions to explore all the better.
We would much rather spend $30 or $40 at the pub for lunch than Caravan Park fees. Love freedom camping without the regimented “order” of parks. We don’t need jumping castles or swimming pools, just the beautiful Aussie country is enough for us ! Great job “Where is Creek”
We stay almost exclusively in free or low cost campsites and would love to visit your region again, the last time we stayed at the Tamworth caravan pk , only to be put right down the back o long way from their old toilets because we had a small dog, we were planning to stay a minimum of 3 because I am a great country music fan, plus we usually take in visiting the surrounding towns, we were so discussed we move out of that region after one night because there were no other suitable camping area’s, we were really disappointed not being able to look around your lovely region, thanks for rectifying that.
werris creek is atop little town I have stayed there afew times on my way to coffs harbour from busso wa always remember more murders are commited in van parks than free camping areas cheers
We are happy to stay at your free camp and fill up with fuel, stock up in the supermarket, visit your local butcher and bakery and share a few beers in your pub. Well done Liverpool Plains Shire Council !!!!!!!!!
Stayed at Werris Creek a couple of years ago in the sports ground, ten bucks a night from memory, stayed for two nights and spent over 200$ in the town as well, great place.
If no dump point at free camp, is there a public one available for use. It would almost be a council requirement??
just getting organised to do this free camping thing, will definately be visiting your area & spending a few hundred bucks in your local area