The Federal Government’s decision to ban outside gatherings of more than 500 people as a way of combatting the threat of the coronavirus pandemic is starting to have an impact at popular camping areas.
The number of available sites at Inskip Point and Teewah in Queensland have now been slashed from an earlier cap of 1200 to comply with the new regulations.
A Department of Environment and Science spokeswoman said the state was “aware of the restrictions placed on gatherings during this critical time”.
It said it was working out how it can best manage this new situation, and would notify campers with any updates.
“The Department continues to monitor and receive guidance from the Government in relation to Covid-19 health and safety information,” the spokeswoman said. “Campers with Easter and school holiday bookings are urged to check regularly updated information published on the Department’s website, including park alerts for any changes to park camping arrangements. ”
However, some people have criticised the decision at Teewah as being a ‘knee-jerk reaction’.
Cooloola Coast Beach Traders owner Martine Lokan told the Gympie Times she was surprised to learn of the restrictions.
“I understand why Inskip is capped, but Teewah is a 15-kilometre stretch of open beach with fresh air and people are spaced out,” she said. “It’s a knee-jerk reaction to an area that is the perfect spot to come and escape the virus.”
The loss of so many campers is thought likely to hurt the area’s economy, and the next big break is now not until Christmas.
We intend to travel in Queensland in early May are there any restrictions.
Yes stay home
None yet.
Yes, the border is shut, you will have to self isolate WHERE YOU CROSS IT. Good luck
Victorian Government has advised that Tidal River camp on Wilson’s Promontory is now closed and our visit next week is now cancelled. Refunds for sites will occur but no alternate accommodation suggested.
What’s it take for folks to get the message , this is real , stay safe , donor risk yourself or others
In the light of limits on unnecessary travel advised today, is there some way it can be guaranteed that Victorian “grey nomads” will not be flocking into Queensland the way they have done for years. They very often exhibit behaviours that seem to be above the law regarding where they can camp and for how long. They bring everything they need with them and spend very little money locally. Queensland does not need this influx.
I totally agree they should stay home but most of them think they are so entitled, to do what they want. Shut Queensland for good I reckon
That’s a bit rude.. YES ..they are entitled.. they have worked hard all their lives and bloody deserve to enjoy their ‘Grey’ years. they have worked harder than any of the mandy pandys of todays generation. Wait unil you’re old you will want to do whatever the hell you want to as well. Life’s short ..let them enjoy their remaining years however they bloody want to.
You are so right. But also remember a good majority of grey nomads have sold their homes and belongings to travel this beautuful country. They are also the ones helping out with disasters when alot of others wont!!!!
I agree still at least need to buy perishables, they never have acoffee?
Police to stop them and issue fine if necessary some idiots think they are exempt send them home
You can apply your statement to any Grey Nomad visiting any state, I seen some pretty poor behaviour by travellers from all states enough to say one state is neither better or worse through often those overseas tourist in small camper van are proberly the worst on the road.
But they all buy fresh food, toilet paper etc locally, unless you are doing a planned one year big lap around Australia and have budgeted for caravan parks all the way, we then all use low cost and free campsite where possible.
I have no problems in paying fair and reasonable camping and caravan park fees, but I do object to paying through the nose for thing I’ll never use (jumping castles, Camp Kitchens, water play grounds etc etc).
As a permanent grey nomad, I’ve budgeted for 300 nights per year at a average cost of $30, so a van park charging $98 a night won’t get my business instead I bypass the area. Majority of grey Nomads are not into expensive tourist options, wether they are tourist parks or other attactions.
Agree 100% well said
Spot on!
This is so true, we do the same
Have a look and think about who fought and sacrificed for your life style.
As far as I am concerned they can bloody well go where they like and it should be an honour to have them
LEST WE FORGET
Are 90/100+ year old nomads still travelling?
What a load of rubbish, they contribute greatly to our economy.
So are you saying we have enough fuel to travel all of Queensland, we have enough of everything to travel Queensland? When I come up there, I do not stock up on frozen products, I do not stock up on fruit and vegetables, there are other things we cannot buy until we cross the borderfrom the other staes, so for you to say thyou are very illinformed, as there are a lot of restrictions on fruit and vegetables, some grey nomads like myself, only have limited fridge and freezer space. So until you know the full facts on what peoples needs are, shut your gob and only speak when you know what you’re talking about.
Are you serious? How much food, liquid refreshments, toilet paper, and fuel can you realistically store in your caravan/tow vehicle. Nomads boost the economy in any town that welcomes them.
The grey nomads are already gone through gin gin QLD 3months ago…in droves streets are very empty now loads of trucks nomads are way earlier than ever before
Does the vivid 19 restrictions apply to Victorian caravan parks
Caravan parks are an essential service, just like hotels and motels and can stay open. I was told this by two caravan parks I had bookings with in SA & NSW which I had to cancel due to travel restrictions between the states. They have apparently been told tir Association.
Scotts Head should be closed influx during Easter and Christmas school holidays is a nitemare for locals. The drain on our services will be too much at this time for the old residents and young families s who live here. The boarders should be closed as there are vans arriving and spending days at the beach with Vic WA QLD plates and generally partying and having a holiday. There is no isolating here Scomo nobody is listening. The locals will cop the aftermath. Call it virus will travel camp in your own backyards till this mess is cleaned up. Everyone has to do their bit.
So true Seal Rocks is a small village that has been flooded with holiday makers.The caravan park is overflowing so much for social distancing also parking was not a priority when National Parks revamped it. One road in one road out and free campers spending days camped along the side of it. No longer the home it was and I really don’t like the people that come and trash our paradise then go home
Exactly what happens here in Noosa, Bogans and yobbos arrive in droves trash our area and leave. I think it’s terrific if the close most of the camping.They are not grey nomads that do the damage.
Can we drive from Victoria through South Australia to W.A with caravan tomorrow and Tuesday and self isolate home in west Australian
If course you can, you are entitled to go home whatever way possible.
Just do the right thing and limit your contact to others.
Not through SA after 4pm Tuesday you CANNOT!!
The borders will be shut and manned by SAPOL
South Australian government to block interstate travel from 4pm Tuesday , if you sre transiting SA you need to be through before this .
Yes we will make it to S.A border tomorrow but impossible to make W.A border by Tues 1.30 would be possible if it was Wed..
If you get there before theyclose the border, youdo not have to self isolate is my understanding. If they close the border at midday, and you get there at 1201pm, you will have to self isolate for the two weeks if you are a resident of WA or if you have good reason for travelling there, and you are not considered an essential service or you work in WAS and live is SA.
You need to cross the WA border by 1.30 pm Tuesday . After that you will be required to self isolate at Eucla for 14 days before going any further.
Announced today.
No, borders are closed, no interstate travel, police will be enforcing the travel ban
Now is not the time to be travelling. (Have people not seen what is happening in Italy!?) Stay home! Whilst regional communities l9ve the Easter dollar, their old folks will perish, because travellers will bring COVID 19 with them. Canpsites, public bathrooms; it is not rocket science. Stay at home!
We are not Italy, we have a lot better health system, we have better things in place for if these things happen. To consider Australia with Italy, is like chalk and cheese.
We are not Italy for now – but if we don’t isolate/distance ourselves during this outbreak we will be and they are in dire straights. Just FYI Italy is not a third world country – it is highly developed with world class health systems but unfortunately its citizens did not take this virus seriously and are now the worst affected country in the world. If we don’t do the right thing we too can end up like them.
I agree, forget this self righteousness business for this time and stay home. That’s what we are been asked to do. Some Grey Nomads need to pull their heads in, full stop!!
Gatherings over 500 outside over what area?
If a named beach is 20kms long, is it still 500?
Many Grey Nomads elect to be discreet and stay away from other types of campers. So this is nothing too new really.
And where’s vivid 19? Sounds exciting.
Isn,t it tiring reading about the Q,land, nsw,vic towns complaining about the Q,land,nsw,vic Grey Nomads staying and spending in their towns which would probably wither away without the cash injection they put into their economy. I have been on the road for 3 years now and the only problems I see is from the younger 30/50 age self indulgent groups who comandeer a number of site together and party on ,let their kids and animals run roughshod through the camp,that is not to say there are no grey nomads who think they are entitled also but that is the nature of the beast isn,t it?.So lets just get on with our lives and stop winging. I would also like to advise caravan park owners that a park that is 75% full at $25/30 per night will always be more profitable than a park which is only 25% full at $40/50 per night and more profitable for the town and community
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Agree
Can we travel around NSW provided we don’t go interstate.?
Yes you can, I am doing it in Victoria over Easter if I can get a spot
Caravan parks are considered an essential service and therefore we can still travel within Victoria
We are heading to see family in ACT, before heading home to Qld next Monday. Will we be able to cross the border?
Just had our caravan park closed to any one if we leave can’t come back
At terang vic.
What about those of us who live permanently on the road?
Restricted teavell. Your family will know.
We started our trip before the virus hit and are currently in Port Lincoln SA and wish to return home to Queensland. Will we be able to cross SA border to NSW and then head for home if we just have overnight stops/limit interaction on the way?
Bring back Dad’s Army to control the borders, Grey Nomads to volunteer. Free camping and 24 hours of Happy Hour, playing Beatles music, problem solved.
I want to go bush camping on the King river (Victoria) at Easter time, will I still be allowed ?
Campers are safe, if they KEEP DISTANCE to other campers, NO SOCIALISING at the camp fire, NO PUBLIC TOILETs – just SELF CONTAINED.
Myself and wife are from Queensland currently in WA would like to go home would ofbeen there except car trouble has held us up the way I see it we will have to self isolate at SA border have they got somewhere to do so or do we try to organise ourselves then will we have to do it again into QLD any positive help appreciated
Noel, if you have a Queensland address you can gain entry into each state on your way home. You cannot hang around sightseeing though. It’s a straight route home.
I would like to know if us nomads who has no fixed address and no place to go can we camp at tbe river in nsw plz I need to know