The decision to keep site fees relatively low appears to have paid huge dividends for a caravan park in the Southern Tablelands region of New South Wales.
According to papers released by Upper Lachlan Shire, visitor numbers at the Crookwell Caravan Park increased by a whopping 138% in the last year.
The Crookwell Gazette reports that the fee for a powered site at the park is $28 per night for two people, well below the Caravan Industry Association of Australia’s average price in New South Wales of $58.
The shire’s tourism manager, Andrew Warren, said that in April alone, the caravan park ran at 85% capacity. And mirroring the Australian market, guests at the park were mainly grey nomads aged 55-75 who were retired or semi-retired.
The data showed that most people with interstate visitors, with 13% making the trek from Queensland. Some 2% of guests were from overseas.
While the colder weather may now see more grey nomads heading north and the occupancy rates falling, the success of the park and its fee structure will not be lost on the council … or on travellers.
The Crookwell Gazette reports that the council-operated facility has 20 powered sites and unpowered sites, an amenities block, a camp kitchen with a wood fire and a dump point.
Tourism staff said that a new bookings system is being used to keep up with the boom.
Congratulations. Here is a proactive Council, now if flows through to other Councils and operators there would be a boom of nomads in country areas
That is a great price. Those caravan parks who charge such a huge fee seem to forget that their biggest customer numbers do come from grey nomads who are on a pension which is not a lot of money to survive on, so need to look for sites that arent asking for a huge sum of money just to park up.
I believe at some point we need to be real about what is a fair price. Do we have ANY understanding of the costs associated with running a park? Council/government fees, water, sewerage. Power,insurance, booking engines like RMS, lost percentages to the likes of online travel agents and associations which we are all guilty of using. Wages including weekend and public holiday rates. Marketing costs. After all that and more, the park needs repairs and maintenance. Forget the fact that we all expect ongoing upgrades to the amenities just to keep them presentable. Yes I am a grey nomad but also have extensive experience on the other side. Just like living at home in your own little piece of paradise, costs go up. Deal with it and just enjoy being a nomad. You can choose wether to use these facilities or not so make the choice without complaining.
Wow. In the real world businesses which are too expensive or do not offer what the customer wants either adapts or goes out of business. There is no excuse for excessive fees based on greed. I avoid caravan parks like the plague because unfortunately many of them seem to think we owe them something because we choose to travel the country. Adapt or perish. Complaining doesn’t help your cause. Enjoy your day.
Understandably it’s a balancing act between income and outgoings. If your earnings decrease because of reduced patrons and how much individuals are prepared to pay and go elsewhere. The costs mentioned are consistent. The balance is charging an acceptable tariff to maintain patronage.
this is not the only park that has kept fees at a reasonable level anx seen a massive increase in visitors, it may help save other parks who whinge about free camps to take note of this success
Good on them if they keep there prices under $30 more will stay in Parks. We recently stayed in a park at Cunnamulla and they have a fee of $28 per night all year round for a power site
It would if i could be charged as per facilities you use. A lot of people dont need or use kiddies parks/ jumping pillows etc. Maybe for those thst dont want to use all the facilities, they could get a basic rate. A wrist band coyld differentiate those who can access the extras.
I could go on and on about the wonderful and economical caravan parks my husband and I have stayed at on our full time travels. Merriwa, Bombala, Crookwell, Glen Innes Showgrounds, Murrurundi, Omeo and the list goes on – these are just a few we have visited in the last few months. We spend money at the parks, buy petrol, buy our groceries and gifts for families. It is really rewarding to meet the locals and pay our way by paying the modest fees. Do your homework and support the small towns and you will be very surprised at the facilities available – even heaters in Bombala Caravan Park mmmmm…..wonderful.
We have a small park in QLD, with all rates set at a non-seasonal rate of $30 (up to 2 people) powered and min i$20 nonpowered(single). If it doesn’t cost us any more peak season why should it cost our guests more. Mt Larcom Tourist Park Qld.
You got me! Good on you. However, being an ex tradie, I have often wondered what a CP owner would say if the hourly rate for a plumber or sparky went up say $5 per hour Just because it’s peak season. Hmmm!
Well done Dell, you just put your CP on our visit list.