With grey nomads offering a clear demand for affordable ‘no-frills’ spots to pull up in their rigs for a night or two, and many struggling farmers seeking an extra revenue stream, it is no surprise that the two are increasingly working together in a classic win/win situation.
In many cases, the growth of these private land parks is being fuelled by local authorities taking a harder line against budget campers.
In Queensland, for example, farmer Allan Stott demand said there was a huge spike in grey nomads staying at his property after the Toowoomba Regional Council banned motorhomes from staying at nearby Eton Vale park.
He told the Toowoomba Chronicle that he set up a tourist park for self-contained motorhomes called Shammah Park on the outskirts of Toowoomba because simply he had lots of space, and he recognised there was a strong demand from motorhomers for a quiet place to park.
“Friends of ours had vans and they said that, other than Toowoomba Showgrounds, there weren’t a lot of places to go,” Mr Stott said. “They said why not set up something on your farm along the lines of those out west? We had a couple of spare acres and we decided to go ahead with it. It’s really starting to take off.”
Mr Stott runs cattle on his farm and says visitors enjoy staying somewhere out of the way … and the views. Located just 1.3km off the New England Highway, Mr Stott says the property’s picturesque creek flats only run with water in the wet season, but there is an abundance of wildlife including pink galahs, various species of other birds, wallabies and kangaroos.
He charges $12 per night for an unpowered site and $18 for a powered site.
Mt Stott says he was originally told no approval was needed for his park, but then later told it was. He has now submitted a development application. * Do you think more farmers should be trying this sort of thing? Have you stayed at a farmer’s park? How was the experience? Comment below.
I believe this is a great idea. Extra money for the farmers and peace and quiet for the vanners. Only problem I can see is council won’t allow this to happen much longer. No money in it for them. They will use waste water and lack of insurance to shut this down.
Wonderful! After 13 months on the road, we have been hoping and searching for a database of private camps just like this. It is a win/win, and I sincerely hope that the bureaucrats don’t ruin it for everyone. When we finally settle somewhere, we will welcome travellers to camp with us.
There has to be a compromise with council surely because van parks are so full and not enough overflow areas that if farmers can help out it would then be a win win. No people camping where they shouldn’t and money for the farmers We have stayed on a lot of these farms around Aussie and some of them have been the best places we have stayed in Come on councils get behind your farmers.
My friends have always been welcome at our farm, they are invited guests in self contained motorhome said and caravans, can use our washing machine to catch up, fill with potable water and run their gent if they like. No charge. If they wish to donate that’s fine. My public liability insurance covers me for anything untoward just the same as anyone coming on my property. I certainly do not tell the council every time I have a visitor. Some time we tend to jump through the hoops because some one suggests we should.
Federation park south of Toowoomba was close due to a fellow making it his home. No their is no free parks close to Tmba.
I hope the council don`t stop them in their venture to make a little extra money.
Farmers need to diversify to help them keep their farms, and give them some income to put food on the table when times are tough. Councils/Government don`t do enough to help them. If they can open some land up and help Grey Nomads who are not rolling in money, then good luck to them. Parks are now charging too much, and I realise that they have a lot of overheads, but really, $30-50 when out of season. Good luck Farmers.
Generally it is not the councils who are the baddies,as councils usually act only on complaints or extreme pressure from other similar industry groups.
We are Aussies, former Cmca members in NZ. as members of NZMCA we have a system called POP. Park over property. where members can park on their property free of charge. When you charge members to park on your property I believe you are technically in a business, therefore come under local government tax laws. I am not sure about Australian laws however.
The above story is based on a farmer / retired school teacher who wants to sell out! Asking price for his farm, is well over a million dollars, so I’m thinking he doesn’t really need the pocket money!
Could you please tell me is there a address list of farmers who welcome Caravans for a couple of nights as there is a few of us who would like to help out struggling farmers with weekends stays Thankyou