The great grey nomad northward migration is underway, but some Outback tourism operators are reporting things aren’t as busy as they’d hoped this time around.
The owner of the Boulia Caravan Park in Queensland’s north-west, Mary-Ellen Blacket, told the ABC she was worried the rising cost of fuel was having a big impact.
“It was hectic last year and we had 10 to 12 caravans here a day,” said Ms Blacket. “Now, we’re lucky if we have one or two … it’s not looking good.”
And she said she had noticed an increase in travellers staying in free camping spots.
“There’s definitely a rise in the number of tourists not paying for the priced camping sites and instead opting for the cheapest option,” Ms Blacket said.
Veteran caravanners Des and Michele Thompson from Brisbane told the ABC that, although high petrol prices had driven up the cost of their trek, they were still determined to enjoy the Outback … albeit while keeping a closer eye on their budget.
“We’re a bit more sensible now, we don’t just jump in the car and go down to buy a carton of milk,” Mr Thompson said. “We plan ahead,”
Karen Chopping, the tourism officer at one of Boulia’s most popular tourism attractions, the Min Min Encounter, told the ABC that the cost of fuel was certainly a major concern for many.
“People that are starting to think about travelling, that is starting to become part of their bigger picture of travel because the fuel has gone up quite considerably in the last few weeks,” she said.
The closure of international border closures in the last couple of years halted overseas travel plans for many and sparked a spike in the number of domestic travellers exploring regional Australia… but there are some signs then of a sharp slump.
Some of the blame for that is also being put on the heavy rains back in April that led to weeks-long road closures between Outback towns such as Winton and Boulia.
“I think with all the rain a lot of people are getting stuck down south with all the water down there and then it rained up here, so it’s made it extremely hard for people to travel,” said Ms Blacket from the Boulia Caravan Park.
Heaps quieter this year, think it’s the weather and fuel prices
Yes, I am a full time traveler at the moment up on the Atherton tablelands. Drove past malanda cp and saw a lot of vacant sites. Normally full this time of year.
We are still at home. Last year we went up the east coast as far as Cooktown and both caravan parks and free sites were packed like sardines. Not enjoyable. If areas out west stay quiet we may venture out there.
Travelling our own state this winter (Tas) Fuel too high ! waiting for Geelong Start !