The Victorian city of Geelong is actively looking at the idea of opening a low-cost camping site with recreational vehicle amenities to cater to an expected increase in grey nomads and other travellers.
The Spirit of Tasmania’s passenger ferry will soon begin docking at Geelong’s Corio Quay instead of Melbourne … and it is expected to bring a huge influx of more caravanners and motorhomes into the area.
The City of Greater Geelong (COGG) predicts a boost of $57.3 million in tourism expenditure by 2030 thanks to the service’s relocation.
In response, the council has partnered with independent consultants Urban Enterprise to gauge public opinion on the idea of offering cut-price camping in the city’s northern suburbs.
The deadline for public submissions on the plan is March 30. A report on the proposal is expected to be presented for council consideration in May.
The Geelong Times says the report will include recommendations for the viability of the proposal, preferred locations and economic, environmental and community impacts.
The study subject area includes area north of Geelong’s CBD up to the municipality border at Little River.
The idea is that this would be a ‘low-cost’ camping area, so the Geelong Times reports that any resulting site would likely be low-frills and cheap, but could include an RV dump point.
The council says its engagement process built on a 2013 report and council resolution to promote the region as RV friendly to encourage greater visitation.
An online survey is available here.
We think this a great idea ,we would certainly use it.
No won’t be going to Geelong too much trouble.Bev
Yes I think it’s a great idea both the ferry at Geelong and the low cost camping, we would use it . We are looking to go to Tasmania again but after our last effort through Melbourne CBD, we are waiting till it moves to Geelong.
It can still be low cost yet include toilets, potable water, camp kitchen, etc. the financial benefit to Geelong will more than compensate for the costs to build the facilities
PLEASE, consult with the end users on facilities, NOT bureaucrats employed by council.
That’s why they are doing the survey and getting suggestions from ordinary people
Yes agree, except that they have had surveys in past and ignored all suggestions. It’s just a courtesy to say they have consulted with public and don’t consider any other ideas than there own.
Great idea. Should be maximum 48 hour stay to enable people to embark/disembark the Ferry. Free or low cost. If Power & water provided then a higher fee relevant. Dump point a great idea. If travellers wish to stay in the area longer they can then choose alternative accommodation eg caravan park, Showgrounds. Well done council for considering this.
I’d prefer longer at least 3 to 4 days, I don’t like rushing, and like to see an area I stay in.
I think it’s a wonderful idea but it has to be dog friendly as well.
Happy with Spirit going to Geelong. A low cost, R V no frills with dump point would be great.
Yes, I am very excited about the Spirit coming to Geelong. I lived on the foreshore at Williamstown and regularily watched the Tassie ships pass. I now live on the Bellerine and look forward to seeing it pass again. Coriolis is a much better fit, especially for caravanning and Vance’s.
Excellent idea , somewhere to camp before getting on and off the Spirit . Can’t wait for it to happen in Geelong
As a Tasmanian I hate the city of Melbourne port , just saying
I look forward to leaving from Geelong rather than Melbourne. A low cost stay at either end of a trip would be awesome
Minimum stay of two days to allow time to check out the city of Geelong and surrounding area’s at the same time,
It would need a toilet facility and a dump point,
I pay rates in the Shire of Yarra Ranges, Its the Yarra Valley and Mt Dandenong, Both very heavy tourist area’s,
I dont use any facilitys here, As I can see it all by car, Its local,
I drive a 36 foot, fully Self Contained Motor Home,
A great idea , somewhere to stay for a few days before going to Tassie. Hopefully toilets and showers would be available, the basics are essential we don’t need swimming pools and jumping castles.
Great Idea the new port based in Geelong, as currently driving through Melbourne is terrible with a Caravan and early departures on Spirit to Tasmania at current port is very tricky. So I definitely would use the Geelong port to Tasmania.The low cost RV park at Geelong is also a good idea, as travellers always need a handy shopping centre to be able to buy essentials such as either food or petrol or last minute products prior to departure to Tasmania and on arrival from Tasmania to stay safely overnight in Geelong close to docking port giving plenty of time to prepare for ongoing travels to leave Geelong rested and not hurried and stressed out, to continue travels ,makes the journey on the road just that little bit better with less planning to do.
low cost place to park for say 24 hours so I can travel to park before the next evenings ‘night sail’ and stay until designated time to embark next night. I would use if say around $10.00 or so per person. I am self contained, but for those who need more, perhaps if other facilities provided, it could be user pays coin slots?
Showers always available as soon as you board the ferry; cabins or seats, with water available at caravan parks in Tasmania. Fill up with fuel & buy groceries in Tassie for interstate visitors, help our economy a little!
Great idea …great for the travellers & great for Geelong boast there tourism
So good & will be using it next year
Very excited about the new terminal as we plan to take our rv to Tasmania this year. We will wait for the terminal to open. Love the idea of a camp ground it would make the whole experience much less stressful as we are newbies.
Yes I like the idea of the camping option. One thing I am interested in is can we book a site if we are traveling to Tasmania
Great idea! Thanks council. Power and water ould be an added bonus.
Council boo hoo-d my idea of having a free 48hr camp at McLeouds water hole Drysdale less than 12 months ago. Suggesting that the Bellarine had ample CPs to cover overnighter. Yes at $60.00 + a night. No CPs near Clifton Springs or Drysdale, council and councilors in pockets of CP owners. They also suggested the cost would be prohibitive, yet all I asked for was around 3 bins, there are toilets nearby. Would be great for community and especially for those using the Port Phillip Ferry crossing. Council planning department needs a rocket up their behinds, can’t even clear subdivision developments, most developers wait 3 or more years for approvals.
A 48 hr low cost campsite would be welcomed when waiting to board the Spirit, eliminating last minute travel hiccups may may cause missing you’re sailing time, needs Dump point, potable water and a basic toilet facility for those not SC. Showers not necessary, to keep cost and cleaning minimal. In peak season may need to reduce to 24hrs to keep sites available for day and night boardings. If you want to stay longer you’ve got the option to book other
local and outlying campgrounds as you would normally if exploring an area, beforehand or on return from Tas
Best thing ever!! Will need somewhere for Car/Caravans to pull up to wait for Ferry departure unlike Port Melbourne location where you basically drive round in circles until departure
Would that include backpackers style dorms for those us travelling solo in a small hatchback?
Hi. Is there any more news on this proposal? We are sailing early March 2023 and are looking for somewhere low cost to stay the night before we sail and on the night we sail back from Tassie.