The small Queensland town of Julia Creek is going above and beyond to persuade grey nomads to stay in the community for longer than just a quick overnighter.
The Julia Creek RV Friendly Rest Area has long offered self-contained vehicles a free 96-hour stay, and it’s proved a hugely popular stopover for grey nomads heading along the Flinders Highway between Mount Isa and Townsville.
But Mckinlay Shire Council wants to do more. It has put in place initiatives including a camp host program, and one that offers campers free use of bikes. Both programs have been enthusiastically embraced by grey nomads staying at the water’s edge beauty spot.
Indeed, when the council initially called for volunteer camp hosts to keep an eye on the campsite and to ensure guests completed the free registration permit, it was overwhelmed by the response. In return for these light duties, camp hosts are offered a a range of extra benefits such as free use of a council generator and fuel, free once-a-week bush dinner meals, access to a laundry, a Certificate of Appreciation, and – of course – a free extended stay.
Volunteers are required to stay at the site a minimum of two weeks.
“Our strategy is to keep visitors in town for an extra length of time,” Mckinlay Shire community services team leader, Jade Lyons told the North West Star newspaper. “We thought we would struggle to fill places but people have booked until next year.”
The council’s free borrow-a-bike initiative has also proved a hit. Having parked up their van or motorhome, visitors can then cycle 1.3 kilometres along the fully sealed walking/riding track into town.
The North West Star spoke to grey nomads Beth and Ray Covill who were full of praise for the Mckinlay Shire initiatives.
“We believe there should be more of this, to encourage more people to stay in town,” Mrs Covill said.
*Would free use of a bike at camping spot persuade you to stay longer? Other than making them free or very cheap, what other innovative initiatives could councils launch to persuade you to linger longer at their campsites? Comment below.
One can only hope that all Councils do similar things like this…And C/P drop therei prices to at least $ 20 per night (Maybe) Then they’d be filled up too
What a great initiative. We would certainly plan to stay there if we were travelling that area. I hope that by the time we do make it, there will be enough room for us to park!
Great idea hope others take note and consider doing something similar .
I also think its a great idea and hope it is a success for the town.
what a great idea 🙂
Going to travel the Warrego to Longreach in Sept. and wondered if any happy travellers have stayed at the good old country pub caravan accommodation of Amby or Mungallala. Sounds an interesting spot for an overnighter. Cheers
Wiremu
Good on them it sounds terrific and we will certainly stay there fairly soon. It makes me very happy to hear of towns who make us nomads welcome.
what a great idea. We will be staying a few days when we pass through in May. Good on you coucil for showing some inititive for all of us grey nomads on the road.