Another recently-introduced free camping spot for self-contained vehicles appears to be having the desired effect … drawing in more travellers and boosting the local economy.
Back in July, the council in the South Australian town of Gawler decided to allow RVs to stay for 48 hours at its Murray Street South Car Park, and it did so with widespread community support.
Council’s CEO, Chris Cowley, told the Grey Nomads that, depending on their size, the site can accommodate up to a dozen or so RVs at any one time.
“The site has been well utilised since it became operational,” he said. “Anecdotally, there are 4-8 RVs staying overnight on any given day.”
There is plenty of space for self-contrained RVs. PIC: Town of Gawler Council
There isn’t a booking system for the site so it is a case of first in, best dressed … but Mr Cowley said it was working really well.
“Some people staying at the site have told Council that they have spent money in Gawler that they wouldn’t have spent if the site was not available,” he said. “Having the ability to stay overnight has meant they have stayed in town longer, buying supplies, meals and enjoying what Gawler has on offer.”
Come stay with us! The 48-hour RV stop is being well used. PIC: Town of Gawler Council
With a 48-hour limit, Mr Cowley said the council’s Community Safety Officers would be actively monitoring the site to ensure that people do not overstay.
But it is a case of so far, so good … and that’s great news for everybody.
“There was excellent support within Council and the community for this initiative,” Mr Cowley told the Grey Nomads.
The Grey Nomads recently reported that the NSW town Woodstock was opening a up a budget campground at its showgrounds with overwhelming community backing … and councils have since been queueing up to tell their story.
WA’s Shire of Dundas says the Norseman Free 72-hour RV Park continues to be a popular stop for travellers in fully self-contained vehicles exploring the Goldfields and beyond.
And it was similar story at the Rifle Creek Rest Area in Queensland’s Mareeba Shire, where a stay costs just $2 per night, with facilities including toilets, cold showers, rubbish bins, and sheltered picnic tables.
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Makes sense for small towns to allow overnight parking! Always stop in RV friendly towns to shop, buy fuel, eat out. If there’s no parking then no stopping!
Just ask the small businesses in the main street of Miriam Vale Qld what they think of the free overnight RV stop. Travellers who would otherwise use the 2 servos on the highway benefit from RV travellers who would otherwise fuel up and stay elsewhere.
It’s always well used, and you see the travelling folk wandering up and down the street & in & out of the shops & the pub.
Gawler is not really a small town, it has a population of 32,000 people.
We shop & buy fuel in large towns, it’s cheaper.