While it is commonly claimed that the popularity of free camping poses a threat to the viability of many caravan parks, there is at least one town where the exact opposite appears to be true.
Work has just begun on the construction of a brand new caravan park in the small New South Wales community of Bulahdelah … and it’s the massive popularity of free riverside camping at Lions Park and the other cut-price camping options at the bowls club and showgrounds that is being credited with paving the way for the development.
When the Pacific Highway bypassed Bulahdelah back in 2013, many feared it would become a ‘ghost town’. However, a decision to actively court grey nomads has paid dividends. An army of volunteers transformed a scrubby patch of land into an attractive, riverfront free camping spot … and the rest is history.
Rather than deserting the town, caravanners and motorhomers flocked there in big numbers, supporting local businesses and breathing fresh life into the community.
However, with work just starting on the multi-million-dollar River Myall Holiday Resort, some grey nomads questioned whether it might signal the beginning of the end for what has been a win-win situation. Those fears, though, appear to be unfounded.
At a community meeting a week ago, the people of Bulahdelah told MidCoast Council in no uncertain terms that a top priority should be enhancing the existing free camping site.
“The town is becoming a destination and it would appear that the opening of the caravan park is because the free camping has developed an opportunity to add to the quiver of tourism that Bulahdelah offers,” Cr Len Roberts told the Grey Nomads. “The town does not see or want the closing or diminishing of the free park area … but wants it maintained and enhanced.”
Cr Roberts said the people of Bulahdelah see the free camp as a huge success and economic driver for the town, and that the opening of the caravan park was viewed a supplement to the free camping area rather than as a competitor.
Mayor David West echoed those sentiments.
“I believe there is room in this great country of ours to cater for all that wish to take that leap into discovering the tourism brand of ‘Barrington Coast’,” he told the Grey Nomads.
Stage one of the River Myall Holiday Resort, due to open later this year, will include 70 camping and caravan sites. Stage two will see an additional 99 sites added.
Bulahdelah is a great little stopover and the free river camping is always near packed when we stop for a break. Just hope the planned holiday resort doesn’t disturb the ambience and tranquility of the little town although businesses will prosper I am sure.
Could you please advise of any free camp sites in or near Redcliffe, Queensland?
All way stop at bulahelah on our way though love their grandma’s rissoles at the butcher and love the bread and cakes at the bakers even the people a round the town are friendly don’t change any thing we love it
Hope it works for a nice town, but do they sell the world s best pies there. If so will definitely go .
Yes, they do sell the best pies. I couldn’t get enough of them. Made the old fashioned way with lard making the pastry is crisp and flavoursome.
This is great news. We always stop at Bulahdelah and patronise to local businesses. We were fearing the opening of a caravan park would force the closure of the Lions park. We are fully self contained and do not want to be dictated to by overly expectant caravan park operators. Experience elsewhere has seen a town suffer because the caravan park owner ‘believes’ the freedom campers are somehow robbing them of their rightful $$$$ yet in reality, if you close the Lions park all you do is reduce the income of the businesses within the town and I certainly can’t see the caravan park owner compensating the butcher, baker, IGA, Pub, newsagency etc for their loss. The caravan park operator only has their own bank balance front of mind, not the town as a whole.
Freedom of choice must reign and allow the traveller to choose. This will be a win-win for Bulahdelah and hopefully other small communities will take note. I’ll be more than happy to continue to patronise any town which respects the varied visitors as we all spend money and donate to the Lions Club. Well done to Bulahdelah community and local council.
Bulahdelah Residential Village Cabin & van Park,last on the left north of Bulahdelah we are still are a caravan park with vision for permanent over 50’s residential home owners, supports the free camp as yes it does bring tourism to our town although it is a free camp it does have a donation box for campers to add something to keep the grounds maintained and if you are travelling 7 days a week a little money saving is always a good thing, and the new park mainly focusing on families is great.
We offer quiet shaded drive through powered & unpowered sites from $30pn for 2ppl stay 2 nights get the 3rd for free pet friendly. we have the Pub, both the clubs offering a courtesy bus to pick up and drop you back of anytime for dinner.
Can anybody Tell me if the free camp is still in operation at Bulahdelah ?. As my husband and l will never stay in the caravan park we drive. Pass Thankyou Barbara .
Nope. Area all closed with Rangers quick to hand out tickets to anyone even near the area. Not sure of their agenda or reason to close the area.
Free camping Area now signed as closed.
I was looking for somewhere to eat lunch and incidentally drove down the narrow road with my 20ft caravan and was forced to go through a well used access road to do a u-turn. Within minutes a very unfriendly ranger appeared and immediately told me he was issuing me with a fine. I always stop in town for fuel, coffee or groceries but it is the last time I stop in Bulahdelah if this guy is an indication of the country hospitality. It looks like the town is dying from what I saw on the weekend.
Funny how it closed as soon as the new park opened sign says closed for COVID but using your own shower and toilet would be safer than sharing?
Lions Club tell me the council forced their hand in closing it (from what I have been told it closed before Covid).
Read between the lines – Big4 had some political/financial influence within the council.
always pull into free camp when heading to old bar in October.went to pull in early march , closed. just kept on driving. shame always enjoyed bakery and cafes.
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My husband and I always stopped at the lions Park bulahdelah, Just overnight on our road trip, spent money in town , we always put money in the donation box , but not anymore ,we will bypass the town , caravan Park far to expensive $40 for unpowered site, extra for power, site fee far to expensive.. not a caravan Park but a resort for families, all we want is a place to stay , not a jumping castle, we are self contained, so come Taree council, open up the lions Park, there should be a choice for everyone.