Since the Fraser Coast Regional Council voted back in 2016 to allow more free- or low-cost camping sites, the area has apparently been reaping significant rewards.
Improving its traveller-friendly credentials has boosted Maryborough’s economy and added to a community feelgood factor.
Councillor Paul Truscott told the Fraser Coast Chronicle that the city had been brought to life, with businesses across the region benefiting.
He said surveys had shown 90% of self-contained campers would not stop in Maryborough without low-cost or free camping on offer.
“It’s increasing the pie for the whole region and the whole community benefits,” he said.
Cr Truscott said tourists had visited the community’s doctors, had coffee in cafes, used the shops and pharmacies, and got their cars or vehicles serviced along the way.
And he said the market that preferred to stop at caravan parks was separate to those in RVs.
Councillor Anne Maddern, herself a keen RV traveller, agreed. Last month she moved a motion to extend the length of stay at the Burrum Community Centre RV site from 20 hours to 48 hours – a move she said would allow visitors to get a real sense of the region.
“It’s absolutely amazing what they say about how valuable it is for their business in small towns,” she said. “We absolutely need to be tapping into that.”
She said word-of-mouth was vital to the success of such initiatives and encouraged people in the region to be tourism ambassadors for the Fraser Coast when they travelled around.
“My personal view is that we need to have free and low-cost camping with some limitations on time,” she said. “Free or low-cost camping gives people a taste of what we have to offer to continue to keep them in the community.”
Be great when council allows torbanlea sports ground to the return of caravans. Been. Very much missed.
Would love to see Torbanlea reopened loved it there, and spent a .ot of ,oney in Howard and surrounds.
I’m keen to know the free (Scottish Free) / cheap options we’re talking about here. I know of Doon Villa SC RV Park in Maryborough itself, the small number at the back of the Tourist Info Centre in Hervey Bay and now Burrum Community Centre. Have I missed any? Keep up the good work.
Here are a couple of councilors who are thinking of the entire community, not just THE CARAVAN PARK OWNERS.
We will support this very old town as it has a lot of history on offer and Hervey Bay is just over 40 minutes drive with more tourist attractions.
Cr Truscott said “It’s increasing the pie for the whole region and the whole community benefits.
Councillor Anne Maddern, herself a keen RV traveller, agreed.
Well done to Maryborough Qld.
Johnnie Rodgers
Proof is proof.
Low cost or free camp = economic boost
Spent 2 nights recently at the freecamp near the visitor centre ” just because it was there” and would otherwise not have detoured via Maryborough. Not only did we spend money in town we got enough of a taste to know we look forward to returning another time and doing more! Someone should really forward this article and associated comments to Rockhampton council and other towns who wrongly believe that if they close the freecamps it will get the caravan parks more business. As the article points out, separate markets, so what actually happens is the town loses money when people who can’t stay move on.
Rockhampton council was forced to close the free camp by the caravan industry who took them to court. They are doing all they can to put things in place to reopen it.
It was NOT the council who closed Rocky’s free camp. The CPA took them to court and they won. There was nothing the Council could do.
We’v Just spent 2 weeks in your area using both low cost camps & caravan parks. We like to “mix it up “ but love seeing more time limited free camps emerging. The economic benefits to the district are obvious. We spent money on fuel, groceries, dinners & morning teas, & I even indulged in a little “retail therapy “, as you do!
If only more councillors were broad minded like these people. The increase from 20 hours to 48 or 72 hours would allow the grey nomads sometime to explore the area and spend money in the town. We stayed in the 48 hour RV space near the tourist centre and really patronised the town spending a few hundred dollars. As we only travel slowly we like to stay in an RV friendly town to explore the area over a number of days. Comparing Maryborough to Rockhampton is like chalk and cheese. The caravan park operators are killing Rocky with their narrow minded greed which means the grey nomads will just drive past, as we did, preferring to stop at Gladstone and Mackay where more RV friendly spots can be found. The lesson is. Freedom camps = Grey Nomads = A more prosperous town. Win win. Thank you Maryborough. I love your attitude
Stayed at doonvilla football club last year. 2 people $10 per night. Hot shower, toilets. Money raised pays for kids to play football. Fantastic. Had a great time. We used to drive on up the highway but now will always stop. Thanks maryborough.