The Covid pandemic completely upended life across the globe, and some of the changes it unleashed cannot be ‘put back in the bottle’.
For grey nomads, one of the most impactful of these changes has been the increased frequency with which people travel.
The caravanning lifestyle has boomed, and so too has the demand for short-term accommodation in towns and cities … both here and overseas.
Like it or not, we are now living in the era of ‘overtourism’.
While tourism hotspots like Bali, Barcelona, and Venice have introduced, or are considering introducing, a range of measures designed to limit traveller numbers, these are unlikely to affect the average grey nomad towing their van through regional Australia.
Destinations around Australia are seeing a huge influx of travellers. PIC: Adrian Paul
But, with some of the more popular small towns here creaking under the strain of housing shortages and sky-high rents, in part fuelled by the number of properties being turned over to tourism accommodation, there are signs of a backlash.
In the past week, a large home-made sign declaring: ‘Hometown not tourist town!’ was erected by a road near the WA town of Denmark. Although it was quickly taken down, the sign still triggered a social media storm and a fierce debate about just how many tourists is too many … both in Denmark and elsewhere.
Shire President, Kingsley Gibson, told the Grey Nomads that the community did recognise the value of visitors to the local economy and was very welcoming to grey nomads.
“Concerns around ‘overtourism’ centre on preserving the environmental health of our natural icons and managing the capacity of limited infrastructure like car parks,” he said. “Locals have a certain, understandable sense of ownership of beaches, surf breaks and even their favourite cafes.”
Mr Gibson said tourist numbers had risen over Covid but were now steady. “Our busiest time, between Christmas and Easter holidays, can get pretty crazy and we would love people to consider coming in the Spring and Autumn, when the winds are generally more gentle and the weather is still often stunning,” he told the Grey Nomads. “We often see an increase in grey nomad arrivals at the conclusion of the April school holidays and that works well for ‘spreading the load’ a little.”
Mr Gibson asked that grey nomads visiting Denmark – which doesn’t have any free camping options – take rubbish with them, park sensibly, and consider alternatives if there are ever any queues.
“If you are caravanning or camping, it is recommended that you book ahead at one of our numerous caravan parks … you may consider that your capacity to find accommodation to book (or not) is a good indication of whether Denmark is at capacity or not,” he said. “For caravanners, we would also point out that there is limited long-vehicle parking around town and, whenever possible, it would be great if you could go straight to your accommodation to unhook your van before stopping in town for coffee, wine or supplies.”
While most grey nomads understand the need for common sense and patience as certain spots struggle to cope with a tourism influx, some will find less-than-welcoming signs like the one briefly erected in Denmark an unpleasant reminder of the hostile reception they received in some communities during the early, confused days of the Covid pandemic.
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Members: If you wish to enter, please click here.
Grey Nomad Members are being given the opportunity to win a Cobb Grill Premier (Charcoal), valued at $279.95. The Cobb Premier is the epitome of a portable and completely versatile charcoal / briquette fuelled cooking system. Built to last and weighing just 4kg, this sturdy stainless steel cooking system is a perfect accessory for the Big Lap.
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Members: If you wish to enter, please click here.
Grey Nomad Members are being given the opportunity to win a rearview 170 reversing camera system, valued at $259. This device is solar operated and requires absolutely no wiring and can be fitted by almost anyone within 10 minutes. This means it can be easily transferred from tow vehicle to camper when required. And, best of all, the system offers extremely wide 170-degrees horizontal rear view.
Click here to find out more about the prize … and how to enter.
Members: If you wish to enter, please click here.
I apologise for the stupidity of a minority causing so many people to feel that we are not a welcome in town we enjoy the company of people coming through and seeing what we have the same as we know to see people in their towns and not feel Uninvited and abused for being there Denmark is a wonderful area and we welcome all people to this town
Freedom of speech mate, not ‘stupidity’ so don’t apologise on our behalf. We raised a serious issue that is in the news worldwide if you cared to take a look. If you want to live in Margs, then take no notice of us. We aren’t against tourists, just too many at one time, and we want tourists to respect us and our environment. Many don’t. But our sign was obviously too nuanced for those who want to make easy and incorrect assumptions about a group of concerned residents who are trying to raise awareness about a serious issue in the town.
It’s good to see that WA is as consistent about tourists as they have been for many years. We travelled in our self contained motorhome the length and breadth of WA in 1992 and many towns made us feel unwelcome and uninvited then, Denmark was one of them. We pulled up one afternoon to walk to a cafe for a coffee and a snack and a council official crossed the street and informed us in a very officious tone that we could not camp there. We were already booked into a caravan park, so we cancelled the booking and moved on. Needless to say we haven’t been back to WA and have no intention of doing so.
I live in a retirement village in Busselton. We owned a motel for 5 years, 2000 -2005 so know the value of tourists. WE never whinged when the caravan parks started putting in cabins. And Daniel, you are right, a minority of stupid people can ruin a town. When we go electric, there won’t be half the caravans.
No there will be more because they are gainingbetter tech faster than you reliseand we will have electric and or hybrid motorhome smaller this the 5 tonne monsters of th rich we havnoe
if you are self sufficient i.e. have your own water, toilets etc, and just want somewhere to stop, contact me.
Hay, W.A. 5km East of Denmark Town.
The sad part is that some of us caravanners are actually returning to places of origin from the other side of Australia to visit our families
Some towns are against Caravans & Motorhomes in their area as they want you to use their Caravan Parks etc.my experience 2 years ago was a North Queensland town that i was born in returned 23 years to disperse my Fathers ashes at sea with my Motorhome self sufficient i parked near the boat ramp after launching the boat parked under a street light for safety & eyeball my boat next to the ramp as 3 events happened during the night of persons using the ramp one looking & touching my boat i never slept at all during my 2 days & 2nights there but 2nd day a visit from the council that someone reported me for camping & i am not to sleep there or in any vehicle & could be fined $175 in which i stated i do not care about the money & why is it illegal to be there & accused of camping the officer stated i do not know why it is illegal but that is their law you are dammed if you do & dammed if you do not so much for modern information enforcing the law on something they know nothing about so told them next time i will sleep in my boat in which they have no jurisdiction below high tide mark ,their reply i do not want to go down that path but i wonder & remain to be seen when i do will they the Cockatoos will report me again & in closing the local so called caravan owner in conjunction of a past Councilor had illegal no camping signs erected without the proper authority & where not manufactured in Queensland in which they are still there today so some of the unscrupulous methods they go to make you use their premises at a cost but after all i paid my way over the years & now on a pension at the age of 76 & they can take a running jump & i urge Travellers of all transport to have a Safe & Enjoyable Road Trip, Good Health & Good Fortune.
I have a home in a popular tourist area. There is a minority of people who live there with the attitude that it is their exclusive domain. Locals need to realise that visitors create the need for goods and services, which benefits them, creating employment and other positive gains.
Try travelling on a motorcycle; where you can stop and rest/sleep in your car, RV or caravan you can’t pitch a tent or even sleep on the open ground if you’re travelling by bike as it’s classified as camping, they expect you to move on regardless how far a pay camp ground or motel is or how tired you are, they couldn’t give a rats if you fall asleep riding… not to mention the ridiculously high cost just for a parking spot, I’ve no idea how retiree’s do it, notice I didn’t say “pensioner’s” as you need to have a hell of a lot more income than just the pension these days and much more than you’re allowed to have and keep even part of the pension. I’ve seen most of Australia by road both working and riding so stuff em, I’m selling everything and blowing it all on a boat and going for look from the outside in and even that’s getting near impossible without having to fork out huge fees just to stay overnight in some places.