Plans are moving ahead to try to establish a free camp for grey nomads at a park in the outer Brisbane suburb of Beenleigh.
Logan City Council says Hugh Muntz Park, about 34 kilometres south of Brisbane CBD, could be a great location for the camp … but problems of graffiti, vandalism and ‘loitering’ would  need to be addressed first.
Quest Community newspapers reports that the council has been proactive in deploying a mobile safety camera in the park to provide short-term surveillance of usage of the area.
The council says vandalism of the toilets had been ‘intermittent’ and that park rangers have been working closely with police to move people on, and to respond quickly to graffiti and other vandalism.
Other potential locations for a grey nomad free camp are said to include Tully Memorial Park at North Maclean, Logan River Parklands at Beenleigh, Underwood Park at Priestdale, the Beenleigh Historical Village, and Beenleigh Showgrounds.
The council is trying to develop Logan into a tourism hub following the release of a master plan earlier in the month. It says offering grey nomads a free camp would be a way of tapping into that sector of the tourism market. The belief is that once grey nomads have been lured to the area, other local businesses will feel the economic benefit.
Would you use a free camp at Beenleigh if one were to be established? Comment below.
Yep, way to go Brissy the more free camps the better.
I think people should spend a few days around Logan before making a comment
Totally agree. I wouldn’t camp there or anywhere around that area at the moment. Be great to get some free camps close to Brisbane though. Not too many caravan parks and way too expensive.
totally agree
Its like every where if more people gather for good times those who creat mess move away , I was only saying to a neighbour the other day if more ot us spent more time in the front yard there would be less trouble in our neighbour hoods ” get the light to block out the dark” Good move Brisbane
Good stuff, But my Coach has a motor bike on a trailer behind it,
I will stay out of Queensland, Thanks Newman,
I dont want to be arrested for riding my Motor bike in QLD,
Well Brian if you are a heavily tattoed, drug useing member of a known bikey gang we probably don’t need your presence in our state. If you just fiddle around on a bike for transport like I do then come in and welcome to a great place to live and visit.
You may have not had a personal issue but trust me…. You don’t need to have any tattoo’s, clothing, patches etc to have the police heat !!! Both times been stopped coming up through Tweed heads & Warwick, with my ute, caravan & my Harley …. Drug test-CLEAR ! National database search -CLEAR ! Search of ute -CLEAR ! Search of caravan -CLEAR ! Searched myself -CLEAR ! NO Reason given for search on both times except that’s its a random search targeting travel’s with interstate CARAVANS ! Asked lots of questions about my bike & who i ride with & for????….lol. WTF !! I got no colours tattoos etc !!! PS I have NO past drug chargers etc !!! They need to do there homework !! Both times made my travel 1hour min longer & they also never cleaned their mess up from the search of my caravan or ute !!! Thanks for the forced Spring clean ! Hate to imagine what they would do if I was in a Club ! made me feel intimated & out numbered out in the middle of nowhere & traveling alone too
Yes….. Count me in…
I hope it happens soon, but wont hold my breath
We’re there
Lets not call them free camps, lets be re-educated and call them FREEDOM CAMPS. There is a difference.
I think they should be called “Nomad Bait Parks”….
The more they have and the better they are the more of us will visit them and spend our money in that area..
Yes that would be great , i would use it .
Yes absolutely would use and spend money locally
Maybe they could use a couple of Grey Nomads to be caretakers of the place and clean it up. On a rotation basis, I’m sure many people would stop for a week or two and take the job on.
Well, Well, Well how things change over time.
A few years back the Queensland Government was shutting down free camping areas after pressure from the Caravan Park Association.
Now some areas in Qld have finally heard the penny drop and realised were the dollar is coming from for all business’s, not just the Caravan Park Associations. (Just in case someone from the Caravan Park Association is reading this, I refuse to camp in a caravan park that is close by to a free camp, either roadside, forest or any area that has been closed and smells of pressure from the Caravan Park Associations handy work)
Older Travellers look after things and they appreciate town water, basic toilets and dump points etc
As soon as the Hoods arrive, then its only a phone call to alert the authorities.
Its not rocket science, you help us we help you.
When will government body’s realise they are getting 24 hour free Night Watchmen at these areas, plus money spent in the local community.
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Be careful if planning to camp in Logan. This city is basically a low socio-economic community, with a higher than normal (for a city this size) crime rate for break-ins, theft and vandalism.
I would feel safer freedom camping in Beenleigh than the Gold Coast or Brisbane. Beenleigh is a central area to many other tourist areas and has much to offer in its own backyard. We have freedom camped in many areas around Queensland and NSW and feel safer in Freedom camping areas than some Caravan Parks close to tourist hotspots.
We would sure use it and like many people spend some of our money in the area. I enquired at the Beenleigh Showgrounds recently and even they want $25 a night. That is definitely the top end of price for a showground in Queensland. Please keep us posted on the outcome.
I just inquired today because I want to go to the market there on Sunday – Beenleigh showgrounds want $30 a night. They must have put the price up in between the second and today. I told them that is too much for me and I will stay in the free campsite there.
We have no problems with vandals were we com from Grey nomads camp no vandals around. Keep area open from low bushes and there will always be some one camped.
I agree with Sandra, don’t allow vandals a place to hide. Allow Nomads in now, erect a sign with a Ph No. to report vandalism and the problem will be solved. By all means keep the CCTV in the area as well.
The dump point at Beenleigh Showground has been moved too?
yes to camping close to both gold coast and Brisbane away from the busy busy but close enough to visit etc – but need to clear out the hoon behaviour of ANY kind – most of the vanners we come across have great respect for such sites and treat them with the respect due to avoid the usual issues and crowds associated with van parks not to mention high tariffs – we don’t mine a donation request to assist with maintenance either – well done Logan Council
I definitely would use a free camp at Beenleigh. Hoping to find something near there soon as heading up that way. Havn’t money for paid parks sadly.