As a growing number of country communities seek to use free camps to attract more grey nomads, there are signs of some frustration among travellers who many authorities don’t consider to be ‘self-contained’.
Last month, the NSW town of Gilgandra followed something of a recent trend in launching a trial of a free 48- hour parking area for self-contained RVs.
However, it was at pains to specify that to be considered self-contained, vehicles would have to have properly plumbed-in, on-board facilities such as toilets and sinks.
Grey nomad, Tony Morley, welcomed the initiative … but he was not alone in expressing some reservations.
Not all caravans are self-contained. PIC: Cizza
“The Gilgandra free camp would be more attractive if it had a toilet block and somewhere to empty our sink waste,” he said. “We don’t all have self-contained amenities!”
There is then a clear need for budget-friendly campsites that offer decent facilities and which are open to all travellers, whether they have an ensuite or not.
In the NSW town of Albury, for example, the popularity of the campsite at the showground has soared since the state government invested heavily there. Upgrades included two amenities blocks within 90 metres of each campsite, with 12 showers and 20 toilets.
The old amenities block was turned into a new laundry. Minister for Lands and Property, Steve Kamper, said the campsite was now attracting more travellers who spend money in Albury’s shops and cafes, and the camping fees were going back into maintaining the showground.
“This $1.08 million upgrade has transformed the showground into a more desirable stopover for campers, giving the showground a much brighter future while helping boost regional tourism,” he said.
Chair of the board that manages Albury Showground, Henk van de Ven, said there had been a flood of bookings since the upgrade, with 70 caravans staying at powered sites over Easter … as well as recreational vehicles staying at basic sites.
“Since word started getting out that it’s a nice place to stay, the phone hasn’t stopped ringing,” he said. “So, we plan to introduce online bookings to relieve the volunteer board members who answer the phone.”
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There are large number of travellers with plumbed in toilets that use them for urine only.
How can you call that “self contained”?
Self contained or not it depends on the user not the set up. I have nothing plumbed in but you would never know I’d been there, yet I’ve seen people with better set ups leaving behind soapy, greasy sludge. I fear I will soon be excluded from many camps, but ‘it is what it is’.
We are exactly the same, I consider us self contained with out the hard plumbing etc, we can last a week if we have to but rarely more than a couple or 3 days, usually while transiting between longer stops where family are close by.
With country and outback race courses all over the country & many already with toilet facilities & large expanses of land with car park areas and in some cases roads around them why not investigate their use. Spin off could be a revenue earner for many struggling clubs that only hold 1 or 2 meetings a year.
Spot on Paul..
Yes. We would like to see more budget style camp areas, either with or without amenities, where convenient to locate them. By using showgrounds etc. it is the local community who benefit from the income. We have at times been lucky enough to stay at small towns where the camping area is run by the local service clubs such as Rotary, Lions, Apex – once again proceeds going to help the local community. As older travellers we don’t need the fancy play areas or jumping castles – all we ask for is clean facilities where provided.
Oh BooHoo about Gilgandra. Be appreciative that there’s a free camp at all! Honestly, give some people a million bucks and they’ll complain about how to spend it.
Some caravan parks are a rip off particularly the ones up the coast how can they justify 80 dollars plus per night to park on a 20 sq metre bit of dirt big 4 are the worst followed by top tourists I will never stay at most of these parks. inland parks are more reasonable
Not all of us have amenities in our caravans, showgrounds with decent facilities would be muchly appreciated that way the money goes back into the community, $20 a night sounds fantastic
A free camp in any town is welcome, councils don’t need to spend big money, all Grey Nomads need is access to a water tap and dump point somewhere in town, Rockhamptons Kershaw gardens proved that, I live in Rockhampton and saw what happened when it opened.