With caravanning and camping already allowed to some extent in South Australia, the Northern Territory and Western Australia, many grounded grey nomads in the eastern states are counting down the days until they too are able to hit the open road.
In Queensland, wannabe travellers at least have a firm date to look forward to. The state’s road map out of the crisis has June 12 pencilled in as the beginning of Step Two, at which point recreational travel up to a maximum of 250 kilometres will be allowed, with camping and caravan parks open for business to encourage ‘drive holidays’.
In the far north of the state, the early signs are that campers are itching to get back out there.
The Cairns Post reports that Karma Waters Station, located about 200 kilometres northwest of Cairns on the Mitchell River, has its campsites almost completely booked out for the year.
Owners Alan and Karen Pedersen said interest was coming from residents from across the Far North, including Cairns, Mossman and Mareeba.
“One lady rang and said she wanted to book in from June 12, when it opens,” Mrs Pedersen told the Post. “They’re all hanging out to go camping, that’s what northerners do.”
Cairns Camping Specialists manager, Lance Edward, said the easing of restrictions would finally bring him some much-needed business.
“It’s been extremely quiet … other than the backyard camper, people aren’t allowed to go anywhere,” he told the Cairns Post. “You can go to Tinaroo or something like that for the day but you can’t stay overnight, so it’s certainly kept things quiet, and once they open the gates I think it’s going to be fantastic.”
Mr Edward predicted the first couple of weekends after restrictions were lifted were going to be ‘bedlam’.
“Tinaroo will probably be the big go-to one for a start, and I think Granite Gorge will be popular, Davies Creek, even the likes of Goldsborough and any of the van parks,” he said. “Kurrimine Beach, Bramston Beach, they’re all going to be popular places just so people can have that escape.”
My first night post lifting of restrictions will be spent at home. Too many countries are experiencing the “second Wave” of virus confirmations. Our rural town couldn’t cope with a mass influx of people getting sick. I think wait a while, be safe, and see what happens.
Think I will wait til the end of the year when the build up storms and humidity comes in over the North. Majority of the southerners have gone home by then, resulting in quiet peaceful campsites and travel. Cheers.
We won’t be going anywhere until possibly Christmas time if allowed.
We are in Victoria and our son and his family are on the Sunshine Coast.