While Tasmania’s attitude towards free and cut-price camping has come in for some criticism in recent years, there are perhaps signs that what once looked like a harder line is already softening.
A case in point is Stanley in the state’s far north-west where a new low-cost, designated area for recreational vehicles looks set to become a reality.
Following a review of available areas, Circular Head Council is examining a number of options, including the creation of a camping area at the Stanley Recreation Grounds. The council is to call for expressions of interest for the establishment and operation of the area.
Council’s general manager Greg Winton told the Advocate newspaper that a small fee would be charged to camp at the site, which the council is dubbing a ‘freedom camping’area.
“Use of the site will not impact on residential property and yet will provide freedom campers with access to the beach, a walking trail and other amenities,” he told the Advocate. “This approach will promote and implement a form of regulation over a site suitable for self-contained recreational vehicles.”
Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin welcomed the announcement, saying the council was on the right track.
“We need to provide for all markets – for some they are interested in the full camping experience and with some of the new RVs, people just want basic places to park,” he said. “The market is going to choose where they want to stay, if (councils) don’t provide designated facilities for a small fee or for free, you will have people parking in places where they shouldn’t.”
Many grey nomads were angered a year or so ago when a Tasmanian Government government report on free and cut-price camping, the Statewide Directions Paper, ruled that – while local councils could continue to provide affordable overnight camping – they had an obligation to comply with National Competition Policy. It meant they had to allow for costs such as sewage, maintenance, rubbish collection, signage, power and labour when setting camping fees … and that meant increases. The report came about following complaints from some caravan park operators about unfair competition from ‘low-cost’ council sites.
Do you still think Tasmania is a great free and cut-price camping destination? Should the Tasmanian Government and local councils be doing more to lure grey nomads, especially given the high cost of taking a rig across the Bass Strait? Comment below
Could be the thin end of the wedge to try and extract a lot more dollars from campers. Let us not forget that Tasmanians also will bear the brunt of a clampdown on freedom camps but unlike them us mainlanders can avoid Tasmania if the greed becomes too great as it has with caravan parks. Like Council rates fee,s increase every year well beyond CPI. Tasmania is playing with fire.
Nothing has been said about the free site at the wharf that is currently enjoyed. So close a free site and open one that costs. Go figure?
It’s the price of getting over there that is a turn off for me
I her what you are saying Jimbo, and agree totally….and I live in Tassy!! The government over here is so short sighted that it doesn’t see the financial benefits of having GN’s come over at a reduced rate and gain from all the flow ons…restaurants, groceries, attractions etc etc etc!!Remember, it costs us a fortune too to get to the mainland each year!
I priced taking 2 adults, 2 dogs and the car and caravan in February next year. Out of my budget. Over $2000 return. Cheaper to fly and hire but stay for 4 days only.
We are full time GN’s on the road for over 7 years, but we are putting off going to Tassie mainly because of the price. We have long Ftruck & caravan so it gets expensive due to length. Hopefully Tassie Govt will wake up and realise we GN’s are a help not hindrance to their state.
I come from Penguin in Tas & currently am a GN on the road in the Kimberly region of WA. The amount of interest from all my fellow travellers on the cost of visiting Tasmania is astounding, but as soon as I quote the fares for a trip to our lovely state, their jaw drops & their interest disappears, even tho I try to SELL it to them. Wake up TT Line & the Tas Govt before it is too late to salvage the GN tourist industry in Tasmania !
I am a Tasmanian and my wife and myself like to get around a bit with our caravan just put the figures through on the computer Two pensioners with a cabin Caravan and Tugg $1940.00 SPIRIT FARE .Return No wonder tourists can not afford to come here to my State for a holiday
It’s sad that its not cheap but no ferry’s r cheap. We hope to come to tassie next year and will bring a camper trailer and stay for a few weeks. So it’s rather cheap compared to paying for other acc. Those who worry about the cost need to go to the Cape in nth QLD, cause that’s NOT CHEAP.
For cheaper boat fares, travel in the shoulder season. Checkout when they start & finish. In my opinion the peak times are not the best time to see Tassie. You need a minimum of three months to see it properly. There are plenty of free camps away from the major towns.
I steer people towards the end of October as the Island is at its best when all the rivers are flowing, the dams are full, trees in flower and some snow on the higher peaks and the weather is still crisp. At this time of the year you can have the whole island to yourself.
We stayed last night (10/2/2015) at the Stanley Low Cost area at the Showground.
23 Marine Esplanade Stanley Tas.
It’s $8.00 per night.
Just letting you know it has happened.
Thanks for that info. We are heading that way but wasn’t sure if there was a free/low cost camping area there. Any facilities?
Why is there so much bloody greed in this country now I can’t even go home to visit my family !!!!!!!!!