The Shire of Broome’s temporary camping trial at the Cable Beach car park has come to an end, and the special overflow caravan parks have also just closed.
In response to the increased number of visitors coming to Broome this year, the Shire Council approved a temporary free trial of overnight camping by travellers in self-contained caravans or recreational vehicles in Cable Beach Surf Club car park, which commenced on July 1.
That trial ended today.
A total of 462 self-contained vehicles took advantage of the opportunity, with most people abiding by the rules – 44 infringements were issued by Rangers.
The overflow caravanning facilities that have been operating at the Broome Pistol Club and Seventh Day Adventist Church grounds in recent months have also closed today.
Shire of Broome president, Harold Tracey, said the decisions had been made in collaboration with the town’s caravan park providers.
“The Shire has moved quickly this year to do what it could to help cater for what has been the busiest tourist season I can remember,” he said. “However, talking with our caravan park providers, bookings are dropping off dramatically in the next week or so, with plenty of vacancies to cater for tourists in the last quarter of the year.”
The Shire said the trial at Cable Beach had been a success and was something that might be considered again next year, and into the future if required.
It said that Shire Rangers would continue to assess the situation, but it was anticipated that existing caravan parks would have more than enough spaces for tourists arriving in caravans or RVs for the rest of this year.
We camped at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, they were great facilities and very friendly. We had been doing the big lap and didn’t know when we could get to Broome so couldn’t book, the saved us a lot of aggravation. Thank you Broome
Thanks to the Broome Shire for providing a space for us – we didn’t/couldn’t book a CP site as we were unsure of the date we would arrive … and then, when we were able to go on Horizontal Falls tour it meant a quick trip to Derby. Our one night at Cable Beach is a highlight of of our 5 months on the road – a swim in the iconic beach, sunset on the beautiful coast and then a stroll over the road to the tavern for a meal and drinks with other motorhome owners. Thanks again.
Stayed a night at the surf club car park. Its the best spot in Broome! Ranger was great. Wish it was permanent.
Very disappointing that nearly 10% had to be fined by wardens, however congratulations to Broome Shire for attempting to help.
Exmouth could learn a lot from this trial!
This 10 % are the very people that get around and spoil it for everyone else as they think that the conditions that you and I are asked to abide to are not meant for them.. I would be pretty sure that the rangers explained what they were doing wrong and they had the chance to correct their actions before being given a fine.. Well done to the Broome ranger services who are only trying to make our stay as pleasant as can be during this hectic season. ..
It’s amazing the amount of clout that caravan park owners have, once again their requirements have been put on a higher priority than the remainder of businesses in town.
And Broome caravan parks have a reputation for over charging and not interested in what the caravanning community want or need.
Agree 100% with your comments
It’s amazing the amount of clout that caravan park owners have, once again their requirements have been put on a higher priority than the people they serve the traveling public and the remainder of businesses in town.
Charges are really over the top I come from a very busy tourist area and our van park do not charge these outrageously high prices even in the Christmas holidays.
Council you did a brilliant job offering a great service, the rangers need to enforce the grey water tank as people were letting in into buckets and then tipping onto the bushes
WELL DONE Broome council
A bit of devil’s advocate here, but seriously, what is the problem of a bucket of grey water on the bushes?
As an owner and user of a ‘vintage’ caravan without ‘self-contained’ facilities I agree. Grey water is not toilet waste water and I would think many a bush in the Broome area would welcome a bucket-full of grey water!
Absolutely agree. What is the problem with grey water being disposed of thoughtfully and appropriately giving the parched dry earth some relief?
Just back from Broome today . $64 a night in park is a little steep. Over flow at cable beach is a great initiative by shire particularly if you cannot get your booked site in park till 1PM or there is a booking mixup that occurred to a number of users .
We did the lap in 2010-11 and were amazed at the number of ripoff merchants in WA. Not only were most of the Caravan Parks over priced but a great deal of the operators had a “take it or leave it” attitude. Therefore we stayed one night in a van park in Broome to fill up on water, dump the wc and do the laundry before free camping at a lovely spot on the dunes at Quandong Point just north of the Broome. Recommended.
Woops Just checked invoice for RAC Cable Beach Park it was actually $73.00 a night not $64
We stayed in Broome in 2019 at the RAC Cable Beach Park was $35.00 night. Wouldn’t stay there again at $73.00 a night. Heard the Western Australian caravan parks were ripping vanners off this year.
We arrived in Broome on the second day of the trial with no bookings and all the usual overflow camps full. Thank you to the Broome Shire for providing these facilities which was a great boon to us and meant we spent longer in Broome than planned and spent more money locally. The Rangers were friendly and helpful explained the rules which were reasonable and fair. They also gave offenders (mainly people in cars and non self contained vehicles) a second chance. Having once been in a non self contained camper we did feel sorry for these people as the caravan park charges are simply outrageous. We wouldn’t pay them even if we could afford it. Excellent work Broome Shire and hope this becomes an annual service. Sure businesses other than caravan parks will applaud it!
Shire of Broome president, Harold Tracey, said the decisions had been made in collaboration with the town’s caravan park providers. What about consulting the caravan owners. Once again caravan owners are the milking cow! When will we get a say? Who the Hell do the Councilors and Park owners think they are? It’s Ok for them to rip off Motels with Onsite Units etc. Maybe Motels should put in a few caravan sites just to complement the motel. Bet the council wouldn’t allow it.