A new free camp has recently been established in the Victorian town of Cobden as it seeks to attract more grey nomads and other RV travellers.
Kelvin White of the Progressing Cobden organisation said that adding a Free Camp Park in Bond Street was a logical step to take in partnership with the local Golf Club.
“This is the culmination of a process started by Cobden Golf Club and willingly joined by Progressing Cobden,” he said in a statement. “The outcome is a great result for our town and for the whole region.”
Mr White said Progressing Cobden had been working hard to promote Cobden and district to visitors.
The new free camp at Cobden. PIC: Progressing Cobden
“After establishing a Visitor Information Centre in Cobden, firstly at the roadhouse and more recently in Curdie Street, and then proceeding with the installation of a dump point in Cobden for travellers’ use, we had established a sound infrastructure for tourists,” he said.
Cobden Golf Club director, Trevor Gardner, said that the groundwork put in over a number years to achieve this goal had now reaped its rewards.
“This will be the start of a new tourist market for Cobden,” he said. “This puts Cobden on a new map for tourists.”
The free camp is for totally self-contained vehicles only, and is intended for a maximum stay of 72 hours.
With the self-contained RV tourism market estimated to be worth more than $2.5 billion annually, the idea is that Cobden is now well-positioned to access this lucrative tourism market.
“With self-contained campers and motorhomes having a base in Cobden we can expect to see visitors staying for multiple nights and boosting our economy,” Mr Gardner said.
Cobden is located about 200 kilometres southwest of Melbourne and has a population of around 2,000. Attractions include a miniature railway and a historical Pioneer Park.
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Now on the list. Thank you for the invite
Us too. Good to see towns with vision who want to see their towns grow
Afraid I am not self-contained ….. willing to pay a small fee to obtain access to toilets … say $10 per night?????
Definitely
Definately
Will definitely stay when we are down that way. Have often thought it would be a good spot for a free camp. Well done Cobden
Absolutely. Well done Cobden. See you soon. ♀️
Not all travellers have toilets in their caravan, so would there be public toilets near the campsite?
“Self Contained” means just that. If you need toilets then there are hundreds of free camps that do have toilets. Get your $8 wikicamps app and do the research.
We are all doing the same thing enjoying the outdoors some cannot afford a n $80000 rig so a long drop would be good for every body not just the self contained play nice
Get a PortaPotty
Yuk, not having one of those sloshing about in the back of the car.
Definitely well done Cobden
Stayed here on our way to Warrnambool for Melbourne Cup week. Very quiet, close to golf course and an easy walk into the township. Recommend this one.
Willing to stop if there is power. I have solar for lights, but not for the fridge. The portaloo is always a life saver and a dump spot is greatly appreciated.
Well done Cobden
Been well used
Great to see the travellers camping
This will certainly encourage us to consider making a Trip to Cobden Vic, however as we do not have a Built in Ensuite in our Caravan, but have our own Porta Loo & a 12Volt Mini Shower which we set up in our Wanderer Shower / Ensuite Tent, and Collect the Shower Grey H2o, and our Kitchen Sink Wash Up H2o and carry it away to a Dump Point if available in a Large Plastic Jerry Can, would this be sufficient to be Classed as Self Contained.
It should be Noted that it is good for Trees ETC to have the Shower H2o Placed around it as long as there is sufficient Drying time for the Grey H2o to be taken into the Tree Root System, but definitely NOT during Long Periods of Heavy Rain.
Totally enjoy going to small towns well done Cobden.
Well done Cobden, definitely on our list of places to visit. Love the small towns
Definitely will be visiting next year
I would stay there I’m self contained.
Yes we would stay there
Certainly. and I will save my purchasing to do my spend there!
Yes
We will definitely be coming to Cobden in our travels around the country.
Thanks to the Cobden group.
Congratulations Cobden and its progressive residents. This will definitely encourage me to stop there and actively spend money on things such as meals (golf club), groceries, fuel and attractions. Free camps tend to be much more interactive than caravan parks and are often a rewarding experience in so many ways.
Yep now on the list go cobden
Definitely
Well done guys!!
you are now on our list.
Nice to see positive reviews on Cobden free camp we will defiantly stop over on our way to SA along the GOR in December. Always glad to support the local economy on our travels.
Is it Pet Friendly ?? We have an invitation to a Party on 18th . Oct at the Golf Club