The snap five-day lockdown in Victoria announced on Friday caused chaos and confusion at many campsites … but it seems many long-term grey nomads were allowed to stay put.
On the Mornington Peninsula, some visitors were left scrambling to pack up and leave before sites along the foreshore shut. Many were angry about being given just eight hours’ notice to move out … and most were worried about leaving behind their caravans and tents.
Rob and Kaye Warren told the Herald Sun they were disappointed to be told via an SMS from Mornington Peninsula Shire at 3.54pm on Friday that the campground was closing at 11.59pm that evening.
“I understand why we have to go, but I’m worried about security,” Kaye said. “Will our things be safe?”
The pair, who live 90 minutes away in Leongatha, were also anxious that some travellers might have already started Happy Hour and so be in no condition to drive.
However, the Herald Sun reports that not all campers had to leave. Some grey nomads with self-contained vans were be allowed to stay.
And that was good news for Denise Saunders, who said she was relieved that the grey nomads next to her Rosebud site would be around to ‘keep an eye on things’.
The Wheelers Hill woman was planning to be back in her car and ready to return when the lockdown was expected to end at 11.59pm on Wednesday.
“When I first heard about the lockdown I was in seventh heaven thinking I’d be spending it on the Peninsula,” she told the Herald Sun. “Now I’m devastated. I have to rush home and will lose at least five days of my month-long holiday.”
Mornington Peninsula Shire, which manages sites at Rosebud, Rye and Sorrento, has not confirmed if refunds will be offered for days lost during lockdown.
In a written statement the shire said that Friday’s decision to close its campgrounds was made in line with the State Government’s circuit breaker restrictions announced at 1pm on the same day.
An update on when campers could return was expected to be provided by the council on Wednesday.
Its make me think harder about getting a “self contained” caravan…if it means I can stay in the van during a lockdown somewhere.
I wonder what the formal “official” definition of a self contained van is though…does a portaloo set up in the rear of an annex and a shower tent behind the annex meet the definition?
A portapotti is ok, but a shower tent does not conform to being self contained. To be self contained you must contain all grey/waste water, with no water escaping to the ground.
We had the same thing happen to us in here in WA. We are from Victoria and have been here in WA since April 2019 before COVID.
We had just finished setting up our weekend camp in western Victoria when a family member rang us with news. We thought initially we would be able to stay put as we were in country vic but we soon were advised by park’s manager we would need to pack up and return home. Very frustrating but understandable.
Of course you MUST provide refunds, its the bloody Vic Gov that made these people to go home, not the campers fault