A small NSW town is wrestling with a backlash against the amount of free camping that is currently allowed in its vicinity.
As reports emerge of local caravan park owners complaining that their businesses are being hit, Gilgandra Shire Council Mayor Doug Batten says that the local auuthority is stuck ‘between a rock and hard place’.
Cr Batten told the Western Plains App that he understood the van park’s concerns, but also those from venues in the areas who were offering free camping to attract tourists to the region.
In 2019, the council passed a motion supporting freedom camping at commercial businesses, under a number of conditions.
It was hoped the council's free camp trial would attract visitors. PIC: Gilgandra Shire Council
The Western Plains App reports that, according to the resolution, the primary factors were ‘that these are primitive camping arrangements and these sites should not offer amenities that paid commercial caravan parks provide – ie water, showers, electricity and/or 24-hour access to toilet facilities’.
Cr Batten told the publication that there were a number of valid conflicting interests in deciding the best policy approach, including council-owned caravan park lease-holders asking for reductions in rent because of the availability of free camping sites across the shire.
“There have been a dramatic increase in the number of caravanners in the last 10 years to the shire” he said.
Last year, the council launched its own trial of a free 48- hour parking area for self-contained RVs in a bid to attract more grey nomads and other travellers to the area. There are 10 spots available at the area located in the Gilgandra Cultural Precinct. The purpose of the trial was to assess the benefits and impacts on the region.
“The council will extend the existing overnight parking area trial to the 31 December 2024 in its current form to allow the opportunity to explore alternate models for free and/or low-cost camping options, along with the locations, with a view of maximising benefits to the Gilgandra Region visitor economy,” Cr Batten told the Great Western App.
He said council would meet regularly with caravan park owners about how this is impacting on their businesses.
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We stayed behind a pub that offered free camping in Gilgandra. We had a meal and a couple of drinks and watched the AFL grand final on TV. The town was dead quite that weekend as there were two big local weddings on. So I am sure that the publican appreciated our business. Left bright and early the next morning on to our next destination. We are grateful that there are places that we can stop for a night at and support the local businesses in town. We don’t always want to stop in a caravan park unhitch and rehitch the next morning.
Stayed in the free camp and it was great! Would definitely stay again
Great camp, best chinese at bowls club. Wonderful cultural precinct. Allowed us to shop in town. Otherwise we would have gone elsewhere
We love staying at the Bowls Club and having a meal and a roll up. The only
reason we stop in Gilgandra. Take that free camp away and we won’t bother.
Exactly
I preferred to stay at the Biddon rest area about 20km NE of Gilgandra, as I am completely self-contained and could not afford a $30 pub meal if I stayed at a “free” camp at one of the campsites adjoining commercial premises in Gilgandra. I also did not stay at the council trial free camp out of principle – if you need to register to book a site, it is no longer truly “free”. It would be better for the town’s businesses once the trial finishes.
I think the idea of registering at this free camp is to gauge it’s use as it is only a trial.
Stayed at free camp it was great .we bring in so much money to spend in these towns ,food, diesel, alcohol, restaurants ,etc.
Caravan parks are getting too greedy with fees now and are complaining . Lower the prices! More people would use.
We love the freedom of free camping not so close to others
Couldn’t agree more. Some caravan parks are out of control with their charges which is basically rent for some dirt with access to showers.
Have you ever owned a caravan park .rates have risen as well as electricity prices more than doubled, water is not cheap, labour costs I could keep going but I won’t.
If they had an area for self contained vans they dont need the facilities you mentioned maybe would use the toilet for the no 2 then prices could be less. Some parks up to 80 dollars a night which is a rip of to rent a small area of dirt
Labour costs, rates , insurance premiums ware dose not change so your comment is irrelevant
Caravan parks are now a big gouge. We booked a site last week, with a certain brand at one of their parks $77/night unpowered. ($100/ night powered) got there to find our site was the size of a postage stamp under a huge tree. Asked to be moved so our solar would work told no. We left and forfitted a night and were credited the rest. After 5.5 yrs on the road we are over the thieving park owners. Crown land in nsw has been taken over by a brand and now charge people to stay on crown land cp which were once run by councils at affordable rates. Not anymore
Not only that alot don’t cater to big rigs ie ones who are 18.5 mt long so free camps often are our go to we then in turn put money back into the local community
Spot on – theives at work . Many of these facilities are gold mines for greedy owners and how often does a camper staying one night use a laundry ? How often do grey army people use a bbq or old dirty camp kitchen ?
Some parks double their fees during school holidays – if thats not price gouging then what is ?
The grey army and other campers all talk to each other so the bad parks will be avoided BUT we also avoid the townships so other businesses will not see our money , thats the onflow cost to their community
I have worked in caravan parks, written about caravan parks for 3 different magazines, repaired caravans & sold caravans for a living so kind a know the industry. My biggest beef with parks are the ones with water parks etc & expect the retired grey nomad to pay ie; subsidise the use of such equipment. May I suggest a user pay system. Would you pay for someone else’s food at the checkout?
So all caravan park owners are struggling ?
$40 per night x 10 campers = $400 x 7 days = $2800
Not bad income x 52 weeks = $ 112’000.00
Im sure the average park holds more than 10 campers and Im sure the average price is higher than $40 per night
Considering many parks only offer tiny / breezy shower rooms with nary a seat to sit on and one flouro light ‘ also often offer a muddy sloped site . Camp cook areas with an assortment of 1970s equipment and the average camper uses 1.5 hours of power
Do you know what their costs are? Insurance alown is well over that figure you came up with
We owned a Motel in Busselton and no one objected on our behalf when the caravan parks started putting in Cabins, so I don’t really care what the park owners reckon. if you close the freebies those who like to stay in freebies won’t go to the caravan park, they’ll go somewhere they can stay for free.
Absolutely, that’s what I’ve always said. Caravan parks are packing in more & more cabins & you don’t hear the motels causing a stink although maybe they should. By the very name Caravan Parks should be for CARAVANS with perhaps a few cabins but more & more are downsizing van sites, cutting out unpowered sites to add more cabins.
Many caravan parks are council owned, so the tariffs are set through local government and the caretakers aren’t in a position to change those. There are very few, if any, unpowered sites at those parks. The council tariffs tend to set a base price for private caravan parks to copy. It is a real problem if private operators stick to the rigid council park tariffs policy for guidance, because they could generate more income by using common sense. Case in point – I have been told at several parks (Murwillumbah, Inverell, Bourke) that unpowered sites are the same price as powered sites (which are typically over $30). They usually don’t get my business, as I’m self-contained apart from shower. Clever caravan park caretakers (Manildra, Tingha) charge a lower fee for unpowered sites. If you’re a private park owner, think about opening up to unpowered sites – you’re likely to get more patronage.
CP owners who believe that people who like to camp by a river or in a paddock were ever going to stay in a van park are simply ignorant of who their target market is.
Also, how many of those van parks that are having a whine are also filling their parks with cabins at the expense of the local motels. Pot. Kettle. Black.
Hi Stephen, I totally agree with you on both points. We only stayed in town because of that excellent free camp.
Spot on Stephen. More cabins mean less sites yet parks are the 1st to complain if they have competition.
Good points . Spot on
I prefer to stay in caravan parks for a reasonable price because I can claim fee against rent assistance but cannot claim a $30 meal against rent assistance
Obviously due to the caravan park’s costs a lot of us prefer to camp free. Towns still get our money i.e. bakeries, garages etc. It’s just the greedy caravan park operators that I object to paying. In some instances, the parks themselves are that bad they should be closed down. Why isn’t there a national standard and ratings applies that would affect the prices charged?
We stayed in a CP in Narrabri that we had stayed at many times on trips Brisbane to Melbourne This return trip last September we found that it was under new management and it was unkempt, the grounds were littered with vegetation (leaves and sticks), the covering on the concrete pads was old and worn and a trip hazard, the young couple managing the CP were not interested and it coast $35.00 for a small powered site overnight. Never again we’ll move on and find a free camp.
Next time in Narrabri may I suggest the excellent showgrounds. Large powered sites all near the town.
Thanks Andrew.
The idea of the showground one in Narrabri is to take the overflow when the private ones are FULL. Doesn’t appear to be enforced though.
The cost of running a caravan park as to all hospitality venues is high.
In the changning world or Caravans/ camping, technology wise, the small country town CP is becoming obsolete.
The times are a changing, all the time.
Disagree,have family who own a caravan park,how about we get a look at the financials,check out caravan parks for sale sites,see the average time parks are on the market(there are waiting lists),caravan parks are the best business tax/lifestyle wise,ie my family don’t have a mortgage,pay rates,power water,phone/internet,the list goes on,how many businesses have those benefits.
But ALL those things are fringe benefits and are all declared in there tax return…right???
One of the big changes in RV travel in Australia is the increased technology in caravan electrical systems allowing for the traveler to enjoy all the creature comforts without the need to be connected to power. With the ability to carry extra water and having onboard toilets and showers the need to frequent the traditional caravan parks is not as important. I think that family parks in go to holiday locations will always have a place but smaller ones may continue to struggle as many just out price themselves. If towns offer the travellers some basic services such as somewhere to park, a dump point and water fill most will patron their town. Other wise they will continue to pass by.
Free camping isn’t free at all, people invest hundreds of thousands of dollars to set up.
Camping is the backbone to our country, and sadly free camping sites have been getting shut down because government regulations, and bad excuses.
Caravan parks are so expensive averaging $50-$100 per night. Caravan parks have their place but not at these prices.
Caravaners and 4wders contribute billions into the Australian economy every year, yet our tracks and camping areas are getting closed at an increasing amount.
The government spends hundreds of millions building bicycle infrastructure trails, lanes and parking, all this for a small group that contributes a few million a year?
yet continues close our 4wd tracks and our free campgrounds even though 4wders and caravaners together contribute billions per year?
We have so much land out there.
We pay our taxes stop taking our rights away!
We contribute so much money into small communities.
We have been here and we will come back, we love supporting towns that support us.
Well said Brad…true all the way
Having retired, we spent several years on the road. With a modest budget, being careful with our daily expenditure was of course a necessity. By staying at a free or low cost camp, money was available to spend at several establishments in town. However, if we stayed at an expensive caravan park, there was of course less money to spend at the local traders. In short an option of spreading our money to many or a few.
It sounds like Gilandra understands this and is working to ensure many local businesses share the tourist expenditures rather than a few.
Not just the Caravan Park!
My traveling companions stayed behind the pub. They were very hospitable. We ate a meal (10 of us). Had a few beers and the next morning had breakfast at a local cafe. We would not have stopped here if the current rules were not on place
Need more of these. Doesn’t need to be free but around 15. Hot shower and gass bbq is all you need, ideally off the road noise in a quiet area. Max 48h is fine. Just dont need all the amenities of a caravan park.
If its low cost we tend to eat out and do tourist paid visits to museums etc.
your right we only need a a toilet and dump point & rubbish bin and we are happy campers
I have noticed some parks are $40/50 a night plus $15/ extra person and if you have 2/3 kids it makes it a bit expensive
Seeing that cara parks usually provide so many extra facilities for children (playgrounds, jumping cushions, bathroom facilities, not to mention their use of access roads as a space for unsupervised bike riding, cricket etc) their families should cover the cost.
Well Caravan Park owners, we have been travelling now for 8 years, last 4 of have been free camping.
Our decision to do this was the general dilapidated state plus the increase in fees. Completely understand C/Parks have had higher overheads but service and general run down grubby unclean amenities does not equate to the fees you ask.
Shire Councillors, if we arrive in a town that has no free camping in the area we simply keep going so Mr Caravan Park operators still don’t get us.
Today for example where we are, lovely free camp fully paved overlooking waterfront, have spent over $350 on food, fuel & a few shops.
There are plenty like us travelling.
This article points out the council opened the feee camp as a trial to see if they could attract more visitors to the town. So it’s clear the CP’s are not attracting enough visitors. I would think this tells enough to say keep free camps alive.
Also, some or most CP’s charge a minimum of two people per night, and their are more and more singles travelling on the road. Wake up and adapt to your customers needs. Parks are a more secure environment for single travellers.
We stayed there last Monday night as a stopover between Lightning Ridge and Sydney.
We saw enough of interest to decide we’ll go back one day for a longer stay.
Great initiative.
We stayed at the freecamp (council )at visitors centre Excellent as well as eating out locally., we also spent several hundred dollars in town.We would not have stayed otherwise.
We prefer to stay at free or low cost camps, including pubs.This then enables us to spend more money in the town/s, either for meals shopping, fuel, entertainment or tourist attractions. This doesn’t mean we dont ever stay in caravan parks. Its just a personal
choice. Caravan park prices have become ridiculously overpriced for what you get. Some
parks have made the sites so small you struggle to put your awning out and your car parked. ⁸Not to mention many need to be upgraded to todays standards. You only have to read the comments people leave on their websites or wikicamps etc, regarding the state of some van parks today.
Perhaps rules need to change allowing more caravan parks to start catering for permanant residents (with cheaper than housing rentals) if they need more business. So many homeless that may not be homeless if caravan parks allowed permanants all year round like they used to
We are presently 4 months into a 6 months trip to south western WA and have experienced many overnight options. In Albany we stayed in a park by the King River, stay 7 nights pay 6 which was very reasonable. There were quite a few permanent residents but the condition was that they kept the premises neat and tidy. It was a family run business and had a great vibe. In Coogee Beach G’Day Parks have taken over what we believe was a relocatable home village but there are plans to relocate some permanents so there is more space for caravans as the roads are so narrow and access to some sites , horrible. One of the best donation sites was Kimba SA.$10 a night for toilets, hot showers for $1 water and a dump point. We spent hundreds of dollars in the town. The Showground area is flat and spacious and visitors are invited to go to places like the Men’s Shed, which was on-site and the Senior Citizens activities. Such a lovely way to meet locals and learn about the history. We absolutely loved Kimba. Peak Hill Showground was another great stop. $20 a night with amenities. We were invited to the dawn service on ANZAC day, were collected and then joined the community for a hot breakfast. Again we supported businesses. Norseman’s facilities are excellent. You pay $2 for 60 litres of water That’s it. In caravan parks unhitching and hitching up is a pain if you only want an overnight stop. In WA some free 24 hour stops insist on only having caravans which are completely self contained including grey water. Fine for not complying in Ravensthorpe $125. Did we stay ? No. And clearly many others felt the same as the ‘plaza’ supermarket was huge but beyond pathetic. We were the only customers. Tried to get lunch at the Cafe and was told the proprietor was asleep in the car. Many young families are now on the road and charging $15 extra per child in some caravan parks is prohibitive for some families. Gilgandra, check out the Shires that have provided low cost facilities which have benefited all businesses.
Can you stay there in a tent ?
Caravan Parks are pricing themselves out of the market
They do not care. If caravanners do not pay the price and avoid them they just put in cabins and charge Motel rates.
For 50+years Caravaning now on a pension I can no longer afford caravan parks because they got way to greedy, if you want my dollars keep the free camps.
We have stayed in 2 caravan parks old amenities but spotless but one had lot of permanents that need to clean up around there homes bit disgusting made us feel uncomfortable probably wouldn’t stay at that one again..filled up with feul both times
We stay in free camps.cara/parks are pricing themselves out business
We are retired and we can still afford to, and do spend about 4 weeks a year in caravan parks, but with free and low cost options we have been able to spend upto 6 months of the year travelling.
Well done Gilgandra, I’ve stayed at the bowling club several times, never an issue. Nice walk to town and back along the river usually carrying something, never know what you find in these towns. As for the c/park owners complaining about lack of punters due to free camping how about allocating sites for fully self sufficient vans for a reduced fee.
Maybe 6 sites for $10/night equates to $60 in their pocket, that could be $420 a week, way better than nothing but that’s only for the smart ones.
These sites would be for those that require a bit of security ie. single travellers and given time for the word to spread, as it will may change a few people’s minds.
Just saying.
Why is out that caravan park owners think they are the ONLY business in town?? All other small businesses need income as well. When caravan parks started with putting in cabins what happened for motel owners?? They had to adjust their marketing to attract customers. Well now caravan parks also have to do exactly the same thing. Free camps assist all the businesses in town!
My wife and I are full time on the road and are sick and embarrassed by people who want to travel and want everything for free. Spend your money or stay home. I have seen people steal toilet paper, camp near a roadhouse after sneaking in after dark , cause they want a free night but then the cheap skates sneak into the roadhouse camp grouds and use the toilets and showers. Travelling costs money, no dow no go simple. Billy
Unfortunately there are ar**holes who do the wrong thing in all walks of life. However, I believe they are a minority in the caravanning fraternity.
People are understandably miffed at the prices some caravan parks are now charging, in many cases for sub standard facilities. Moreover, many go caravanning to escape everyone else and today’s vans offer the ability to stay in places previously not possible.
Smart business owners have recognised this fact and are offering space for travellers on all manner of properties. Hopefully most patronise those businesses.
Most caravaners don’t expect everything for free, nor do they expect to be charged exorbitant rates for tiny sites in rundown caravan parks.
My wife and i are free campers with the odd occasion caravan park we avoid them simply because they have got greedy and are 2 expensive we would prefer to travel the country as much as possible filling our fuel tank rather than a few nights in 1 van park its about choice if you prefer a van park fine by me but i don’t want to hear whinging from van park owners if i and the majority choose not to patronise them due to the prices most charge.
Stayed there and ate at the pub, shopped in the local businesses and filled up when we moved on so we spent a considerable amount in the town and all because it had a good free camp. Please do not just listen to the one or two caravan park owners. Ask the opinion of the local shop keepers, pub owners and business owners, they outnumber the caravan park owners who unfortunately usually shout the loudest.
We have stayed in gilgandra beside the pub free camping but purchased meals from pub so works both ways…
I know caravans have to charge a reasonable amount to survive. But there should be a lower rate for vans that dont want to use there swimming pools jumping castles ect. Plus most vans these days are full self reliant. Some parks charge ridiculous amounts especially up the coast. I will support the parks that charge around 30 dollars more than that look for cheaper parks like showgrounds and sports grounds.a lot of inland parks are reasonable so support them but some are over priced especially big 4 and other chains
The leisure industry has changed. Caravan and camping has hugely increased in popularity. Alot of people travel with pets and are not welcome at Caravan parks. Caravan parks have great opportunities to increase patronage by having laundry and BBQ facilities. But also need to consider additional features like courtesy buses to the clubs fog playgrounds. All weather lounge areas where campers can retreat in bad weather.
Community firepits. If a park is struggling in this climate it’s time for new management, not petty excuses.
We always stop at town free camps, then we are able to spend some money in town, if we stop at caravan parks we don’t have anything left to spend …. Been looking forward to stopping at Gilgandra since they have a free camp as its a nice place…… Previously just a drive thru coffee stop.
We have regularly visited the town, but not since free camping has been available. We have stopped 0/n at Eumungerie and Mendooran; both nearby and free
I stayed in that parking area last year for approx 4 hours during the day as I was tired & it was best I was off the road at the time
I did observe some vans/RV’s “parked up” in the parking area
I think the Gilgandra Shire Council has put in place a great initiative, its very close to visitor imformation, has toilets, & “show cases” what the district offers, just as other local govt’s are doing to attract visitors to their municipalities.(eg: Hindmarsh Shire in Victoria’s wimmera)
Gilgandra & more so Connabarabran are the halfway point between melb & Brisbane (where I driving too) You get the impression that some local business “exploit” this situation, with fuel in Coonabarabran ALWAYS the dearest on the Newell hwy this deters people from actually stopping @ all if they do, they are only going to get ripped off.
So my message to caravan park owners is, WHINGE ON, so long as you demand premium prices i’ll drive on
To Gilgandra Shire, I give a big ✔️
People that want to stay in caravan parks will and people that want to free camp will so if you don’t offer a free camp option that money will move on out of your town to the next free camp.
Free camp I will stay in a town
caravan park I will drive straight through town
reason is most van parks charge way to much
If caravan parks gave discount to singles, I would use them more often and for longer periods. When I ask for a discount, 99% will refuse so I move on and look for a free camp. Well done to those who have given me a discount.
I agree entirely, I don’t like paying for 2 when there is only me.
I too am a single traveller and prefer the security of a caravan park and noticed this year the cost has risen dramatically and no discount for single people. Liz
Towns without low cost or free camps
We like many others that are self sufficient including power, drive to the next town that offers reasonable rates. “Some ” caravan parks are a ripoff. So we chose to spend our $$ elsewhere
THANKS Gilgandra we stayed there and spent $400 on meals, groceries and diesel
We enjoy free camping. Understand why some councils are closing them. Some people are not self contained, empty cassettes into public toilets or in bush nearby. Some believe they entitled to stay longer than allotted time or take up residence in ones with no limits. Do not blame the councils as there is a select few who do not. There is a lot more people travelling and want to enjoy, shop etc. there is still people living in the old days that thinkthey can do what they want.
I have happily used the website to book a site at this free camp for our next trip. We will stick to the guidelines laid out by the council & while in town will certainly spend money on fuel, coffee, a paper & any other business. Caravan parks need to realise they don’t have a monopoly on the camping industry. This is called competition in what should be an open industry.
We save to have the vehicle and van etc for the trips of our lifetime some including bathroom and laundry. Doesnt mean we’re rich were cautious spending our money, therefore free/donation sites boost our ability to further travel. It also allows a few luxuries in the food area once fuel costs are accounted for (plus our own insurances for vans and cars, regos home insurances etc some of us still have a home). we shop at Butchers, bakeries, newsagents, petrol stations, post offices, gift shops (presents), Iga’s, local takeaway – yep we use them deliberately for these towns benefits.
Note:I use caravan parks as well. But I don’t necessarily need a pool, a swing set wifi next to a river or beach all the time. Pulling up with a truck and van not needing to unhitch is great. Will have a drink at the pub – a coke and occasionally a meal but not everyday.
The change I personally would make being a donation to pay for toilets, permits on windscreen good if you think its needed i adhere to the rules.
Seriously my travel whinge is toilets and price gouging caravan parks – insurance etc and lack of clients is not our problem yes thats harsh but we’ve worked hard to get to this point in our life as well as i said above we also pay them. . Maybe the smaller towns are better off run by council and streamlined. It actually gets confusing from one place to another. Safe travels to all.
I have stayed in a number of free/overnight camps in regional towns where they have a box to put receipts for any money spent in the town.
This seems to me to be a very good way for council to judge the benefit to all of the businesses in the town not just the caravan parks.
GOOD IDEA
I believe some years ago Longreach (QLD) council and their van parks had a similar discussion. The council did a survey over a few months asking people who stayed in the free/cheap parks what they spent in the town, what they looked at and would they stay if the free/cheap spots were closed. Nearly everybody said if they did come to Longreach and had to stay in van parks the number of days would be reduced considerably or they would bypass Longreach. So the council now charges a small fee to stay in the camps, which have toilets and water. Not sure about showers. You have to get you pass from the council offices in town. It a very good arrangement. Last time we stayed five days in a farm stay 10klm to the east of Longreach. A great spot.
We went to Longreach especially to visit the Outback Hall of Fame, which was fantastic however, when arriving at the Qantas Museum found it was closed to the public for the day to accommodate an expected school excursion, so we moved on!
When we free camp that is the place we try to do our shopping etc. If we are paying at a caravan park that limits the amount of cash in n or budget to spend.
We but fuel.. food etc… dining… hairdressing… clothing… anything we may need.
It doesn’t mean we don’t shop when paying van fees just less or none.
We have stayed at the caravan park twice.
Operation seemed to be trending towards automation with seemingly little supervision.
Actually after our last stopover we decided to try something else.
We generally seek to support the local community businesses so if they can deliver better for the travellers, I’m for that.
We recently stayed at Gilgandra caravan park. Inexpensive, great facilities, lovely site, plenty of room, green and attractive. Would stay there again. I do like free camping, there has got to be a good mix, also to attract business to a town. We tend to use caravan parks and was very happy with Gilgandra.