Whereas many small communities across Australia are still wrestling with the ‘issue’ of whether offering free camping is a good idea, the South Australian town of Kimba is long past that stage … and is instead focussing its energy on how it can improve what it already offers grey nomads and other travellers.
Already held up as a shining example of a free camping success story, the Kimba District Council has been surveying campers to see what they like … and if there’s anything they’d like to see improved.
And the verdict? It’s a huge thumbs-up.
“They wish other councils would do what we’ve done,” the council’s Hayley Jericho told the Eyre Peninsula Tribune. And she said the handful of negative responses were also valued. “You want that because you know where you’re going wrong,” she said.
While there are actually three free camping sites within the Kimba township, the Recreation Reserve Campground is the one best set up for caravans and motorhomes, offering a dump point, coin-operated shower, toilet facilities, and a free barbecue.
Survey forms have been available to campers for around six to eight weeks, and Ms Jericho has so far manually compiled 139.
The survey form asks how long each traveller is staying, how much they have spent in the town and for feedback on the available facilities.
Ms Jericho told the Tribune that the average camper stays for one night, and spends $50-100 at local businesses in the town. As well as gauging the camping area’s success, the survey is also intended to help find ways to encourage tourists to stay longer and spend more in the area.
The council’s corporate services manager, Lyndon Keane, told the Tribune there was no baseline tourism data available for Kimba itself, and the council had previously relied on the statistics of the Eyre Peninsula as a whole.
It is hard to translate that data to Kimba, which does not have the coastal trade of most other towns in the region.
Mr Keane said positive feedback had a flow-on effect in increasing tourism.
“If they can go away happy, they’ll tell everyone else,” she said.
Mr Keane said the feedback had altready validated the necessity of installing a second amenities block, which will be complete by early 2019.
Funding for the build came from the Community Benefits Program, and with $5000 coming through the camping area donation box in the past four months, the council is confident upkeep costs will be negligible.
“The facility is paying for itself… which as a council is ideal,” he said.
We stayed at Kimba recreation ground for two nights earlier this year. Spent money in the town. Camping area was great. Easy access clean and tidy. Very busy and most people seemed to spend a couple of nights. We will definitely use this camp again on our journey west and wish there were more like it elsewhere.
Loved our overnight stay at the Kimba recreation reserve in April this year. Only stayed the one night, but we have been to Kimba before when we bought 2 new tyres for the campervan we had at the time. Cannot remember how much we spent in town this time. Loved the DVD/book exchange idea. Enjoyed the painted silos & the Edward John Eyre sculptures & lookout nearby.
Great town with a lot to see, great cafe’s and little shops. Edward John Eyre sculptures on the West side of town absolutely brilliant. A great place for a couple of days R&R.
Top spot some years ago,glad to see still going also a great little town. LP
Where can I take dogs next to shark free river
We found Kimba a great little place. Did loads of washing at the laundromat. We loved the beautiful rose display in the area . Went for walk in housing area and spoke to the locals about the beautiful display. So pleased to hear the town is benefiting from the free parks you have offered. You should be proud of your area.
Just leave your foot prints behind