Not for the first time, locals in the South Australian community of Victor Harbor are expressing alarm that the lack of a designated cheap or free RV park means it is missing out on a golden opportunity.
Local councillor Bryan Littlely is the latest voice to claim that grey nomads and other travellers are bypassing the town, known as the ‘Gateway to Kangaroo Island’, in favour of locations where they can park up and stay for free.
He says the money visitors save on accommodation allows them to spend on entertainment, food and fuel.
“The self-contained, free camping, sector is booming,’’ Cr Littlely said. “Right now, waves of caravan and RV owners are heading up the track north to Darwin, along the Great Ocean Road, across the Nullarbor and up the west coast each day for extended trips.”
He said he would be pushing strongly for the establishment of RV park facilities in a prominent location in a bid to keep pace, and overshadow, other coastal towns already capturing the important tourist dollar.
“The majority are looking for the cheapest camping options they can find because they are self-contained and they would sooner spend on food and entertainment in the places they visit,” he said. “Making a space for these tourists, showcasing our town and getting them talking about Victor Harbor makes great sense.’’
Caravan Industry Association of Australia figures released last year showed a record 647,319 recreational vehicles were registered in the year to January 2017.
“I know I’m not alone on the council in identifying this important opportunity we should be capitalising on,” Cr Littlely said. “Now it’s time to act and establish a RV park so we can take our share of this tourism dollar.’’
We are ‘grey nomads’ with a self contained van and we choose to stay in free or low cost camping sites. People like us only need a safe place to stay overnight or for a couple of days. Those caravan parks that choose to charge us the same price as those that use their facilities such as amenities and play equipment for kids are loosing out on our custom. We have visited many council run free camps/ gold coin donation or nominal fee sites that have a receipt box that urge visitors to put their receipts in from any money they have spent in the town. This gives the council some idea of just how much self contained van owners are putting back into their community. We have no problem staying in caravan parks but the costs when only looking for a safe camp doesn’t make sense when we don’t use the rest of the facilities. Just our opinions and experiences.
I bypassed Victor harbour, because there wasn’t anywhere I could camp in my fully self contained motorhome
Just had 4 days/nights at Kui-Milang caravan park BECAUSE they had a self-contained price of $8/day for staying at their park. It does not have to be ‘free’ – we just need the freedom to choose. We are sick & tired of being forced to pay full-cost for ‘powered sites’ [supposedly because we are in a motorhome] when the vehicle is solar powered and runs from 12volt & gas. We are on the road for about 275 days each year and ‘free-camp’ for 270+ of those nights, targetting community owned recreation reserves where the $$ goes to the community, as well as totally ‘free’ camping spots whenever we are away from urban areas. -IF- the CP industry wants to entice ‘free-campers’ into their parks they need to offer a decent product / price for service ~ not just thinking we are all cash-cows
Despite what the local council may be saying, let me tell you the locals don’t want you there. We are regulars to the area, and I can honestly say it’s an area full of sea change oldies that resent, holiday makers, campers, kids or anyone else coming to their town. They are anti development of any kind. It is an under utilised ,under developed , unfriendly God’s waiting room. Which is a real shame as it’s a beautiful part of south Australia. Do your self a favour, stay away, if you don’t get run over in the Woolworth carpark by the locals, they will get with their gophers in the mall. At least you will still have two legs and ten toes if you do
I live V.H. and had plenty of talks with the council about dump points which we now have and also free camps. I don’t think you can say that every one does not want free parks in V.H.. Council needs to have a survey of the hole town not ask 100 people like all surveys are done
Hope you never get old Ruth
Bypassed VH 4 times in the past year because of this reason. When someone has invested in self contained then the facilities offered by C P are not needed.
I stayed at Port Elliott Showgrounds for $25 pn, p&w for 2 adults. I free camp when I can, but when I can’t, I don’t mind paying this amount for a night or 2.
Same scenario same result. When visitors are in town they spend. Welcome them to town they will stay.
Limit accommodation to expensive sites = less visitors less spending
Yes you do tend to feel unwanted in some places but We understand that because residents dont benefit from our spending at all. We just get in the way of their peacefull life. Only the service station ,baker and iga benefit. The council and ratepayers have to provide for us, in many cases giving us their precious water and accepting our waste. And they get nothing but the mess some of us leave behind
I have a fully self contained motorhome.
I have a limited budget due to retirement.
I choose to free/cheap camp so I can afford dinners and coffee with cake.
If I had to pay $300 plus per week I would not afford these luxury.
Therefore I avoid, or pass through quickly, towns that do not accomodate my needs. I spent 10 months full time last year and avoided Victor Harbour as there are equally as good places with free or low cost options.