At a time when grey nomads are finding that camping in many beauty spots is becoming more difficult, there are some places where more opportunities could be opening up.
One such place is Dripping Rock, a small waterfall located about 25 kilometres north-east of Boggabri in New South Wales.
The spot is relatively well known as a great place to swim and to spend some peaceful time in the bush. However, next-door neighbour Peter Brien is hoping to be allowed to offer camping facilities at his adjacent property and attact more visitors to enjoy the area.
He has submitted a development application for a bush camping site that would be positioned in cleared areas of his property, and would include two ablution blocks, each comprised of two pit toilets, and two camp kitchenettes.
Dripping Rock is usually accessible for four-wheel drives only, but Mr Brien said sedan or SUV drivers would also be able to access the spot if they drove carefully.
He told the Northern Daily Leader newspaper that he had had numerous people knocking on his door to ask if they could camp on his property, and after a while, there was enough people ‘to warrant me to spend the money to develop it’.
“It used to be a hidden gem, in our little area, not many people knew about it, until people were forced to travel locally and people from Tamworth and further afield started looking for little one-way trips,” he said. “It’s a great destination for a little trip in the area, something for a bit of difference.”
He told the newspaper that if his project was approved he was hoping the camp ground would be a retirement project for he and his wife Donna.
“Any way of getting tourists to come to the area is a good thing, we’re just adding to the list of places to stop overnight,” Mr Brien said.
If approved, the build would take about six months, and Mr Brien is planning on doing most of the work himself.
There’ll be a maximum capacity of 120 people on the site, and bookings would be made online.
The Statement of Environmental Effects said the proposed development aimed to conserve the surrounding ecological environment, promote the natural values of the Narrabri region, and maintain sustainable use of resources.
“The proposal provides an opportunity to provide a rural camping experience within a natural setting on a site that is readily accessible from the existing road network and is located en-route to an existing natural attraction,” the statement said.
Narrabri Shire Council is asking anybody who wishes to make a submission on the application to do so by close-of-business on February 19.
Good on you, Peter Brien, I hope the Council see things in the right light and approve your application. I will certainly do a submission, as this is what is needed in rural areas.
Lots to see in the area, and I guess its not too far to Baan Baa which has a fantastic country pub. How do I know? I have been there a couple of times and will be back! The Covid has kept us away last year, not being able to visit friends who have a farm in the area, but there is a harvest coming up, so hopefully we can get back to help with the harvest.
Sound’s interesting.