As the severity of the health crisis facing Australia becomes clearer by the day, grey nomads – who just a few short weeks ago were ‘living the dream’ – are racing to come to terms with a shocking new reality.
With borders closing, camp areas closing, and travellers being discouraged from visiting country towns, the on-the-road lifestyle as we know it has very much been put on pause.
Given the enormity of the implications of the coronavirus pandemic, it is clear that all levels of government have had a lot on the plate.
Having said that, there is still a feeling among some travellers that their situation has not been fully understood or appreciated.
Full-time travellers who have no home base to go have been left in limbo with ever-tightening travel and camping restrictions leaving them at something of a loss. Regional communities that until very recently were rolling out the red carpet for them have told them in no uncertain terms ‘not this year!’ The Rural Doctors Association has said that travellers could overwhelm local medical services and has said it was ‘disturbed’ by reports of grey nomads ‘still roaming throughout the bush’.
While grey nomads are generally a group with a strong sense of community spirit and a desire to ‘do the right thing’, many have been left wondering exactly what that right thing is.
The Grey Nomads website and social media channels have been inundated with correspondence form concerned travellers struggling to understand what they should do, and where they should go next.
Full-time nomad Brett said he just wished someone would start talking about nomads of all kinds who are out there and what they need to do to remain within the new rules.
“All the talk of lockdowns and fines and being detained, is scaring the hell out of some, myself included,” he said. “We aren’t all on ‘holiday’… it is either a life choice you make, or it chooses you due to circumstance.”
Brett totally agrees that it is irresponsible of anyone to be wanting to travel any great distance in the current situation. He hopes to find an isolated rural area to sit out the crisis … whether he will be able to do that is another question.
Rosemary is in the same boat in that she lives permanently on the road in her caravan.
“If we are fully self-contained let us stay in free camps, then they can shut their caravan parks down to newcomers,” she said. “Surely they can police free camps the same as van parks … I know I would feel safer out in the bush than in a fully packed caravan park.”
Helen understands that those who haven’t got a home to go to can’t, but says those that do should head home immediately,
“We had a four-month trip planned to Western Australia but have cancelled,” she said. “We personally think it’s unfair to possibly put these small communities under pressure for our pleasure.”
Bud also understood that something had to be done.
“It’s such a disappointment to be landlocked but, so be it,” he said “I’d hate to think I had passed on a virus.”
He said his trip was now on hold but on a positive note he said would help him save more money to spend when he can finally get back out on the road again.
Robyn was very much in the same boat.
“We have had to put our plans on hold and can’t wait to get back out there and support the little towns,” she said. “With grey nomads staying away or not allowed to travel businesses and towns might now just realise how much money the travelling community actually put into these areas.”
While camping areas in national parks and elsewhere close down, caravan parks are still largely open to ‘essential travellers’, but that isn’t a perfect solution for many budget travellers … especially if the crisis leaves them ‘grounded’ for several months.
“The problem with having to stay in caravan park is the cost,” said Greg. “Here in Kununurra, it’s $1200 per month so you can’t stay too long … we are used to just camping out in the bush.”
Ken and Jane are in Tasmania and understand why the national parks are closing and the state is seeking to protect itself.
“But our question is where do we go?” said Ken. “We come from Darwin, our house is rented out, so we are a long way from home with no home. So, what do we do? Where do we go? We are in no-man’s land so to speak.”
My home in NSW is rented out till July. We planned 6 months in WA.. We are in Margaret River and can stay there for a while. But will we be forced to go back to NSW or can we stay in WA.
Jean I sympathise with your dilemma but you will need to make a decision.
Mark McGowan our WA Premier is going to make an announcement about shutting down regions, the South West being one of them. Watch the news.
Tenancy Agreements have a clause to cancel where landlord retuns to property. 8 weeks notice and you could go back home. Of course your tenant would need to move out and so the cycle continues.
Crystal Brook Caravan Park SA is taking Essential travellers if that helps anyone close to our area. We can offer a small toilet for men and one for women. Unfortunately all our shared amenities are closed. So if you are fully self contained we are are happy to have you offering the 7th night free. So $174 a week. If you fit the criteria of ESSENTIAL and think you would like to pull up for a whole give us a call on 08 86362640. Dawn
Could the GN website approach some councils in regional areas to open showgrounds or racecourses to accommodate the needy homeless travelling nomads.
If they are isolated in these areas with their own facilities and all precautions taken. The larger regional towns could handle extra food shoppers as food is not scarce…maybe something along these lines could work..with other sensible ideas. Cheers.
You can check out Youcamp.com, the platform that facilitates between properties and campers. There are many properties across the country that allow self sufficient campers to stay for a very reasonable rate. Good luck
Hi Pat ,I’m in WA and you are wrong about larger regional towns have plenty of supplies in shops . I live out of Northampton and although it’s only small we havent had loo paper for 4 weeks pasta and rice are very limited even oil ,vegie prices are sky rocketing although still getting enough of fruit and veg. Tin food is limited and flour has been fleeced for quite a while too. No bread only some expensive gluten free and that’s a worry as Geraldton only 50klm has their own bakery so flour is not getting on the trucks from Perth. Also borders are closing within the state Tues night into about 6 zones I think so people will need to look at that. Talking to 1 of the publicans yesterday he was furious with the amount of winter go Nth caravaneers heading up the road as people will now put a big strain on towns who are really the end of the food truck line. And a big consideration that people need to be aware of if you do get sick with this virus there is no test clinics in country WA as although they were supposed to be established it was deemed more important for the numbers of people in Perth. And as its turned out maybe it was a good thing with those extra cruise ships some with sick people. Geraldton is 4hrs from Perth by road and only serviced with limited amount of RFDS planes and the hospitals here dont have the right equipment to help Corona virus people. That’s why country people are getting annoyed at this time, there was even a out of town shopper that had loaded up with half a trolley full of meat before they were told to put it back by a local shopper. We have a lot of oldies in town . Farmers are trying to get groceries ready for their teams that will be arriving soon for seeding time and cant as well as station people. But I do feel concerned for permanent travellers , has anyone contacted states MPs. I’m not sure whether I would be allowed by this shire to have people camping out in a paddock with lots of room between ,caravans would have to be completely self contained but I wouldnt be able to afford to put in a dump site. I dont know how long the tanks can last as there is one in town and how could I be certain people wouldnt dump in the scrub as the paddocks are near little water creeks. Problem questions shire would ask I think. Hope this can be sorted out for you all soon.
If you are in a caravan isolated I feel you are much safer than in a park
If your not Sick when you start and practice s”social distancing ”
Why move .
I agree much safer but the reason we are moving is because the National Parks have just told us we have to go, small towns don’t want us, can understand there fears. We will have to go home but it is 4200klms away so will need to stop places on the way.
Wait it out like everyone else
Wait it out, where, don’t have a home to go to
Brett you have missed the point of this post its about people who don’t known where to go
If you are near Vic Halls Gap Lakeside C/P is offering sites for people needing a place to stay a couple of days ago 25/3 in case you missed it. A great part of Vic and a good park to stay at.
Keep Safe and Healthy on the road you people and good luck.