With uncertainty persisting over the situation in the Middle East and its potential longer-term impact on fuel prices and availability, grey nomads are making important decisions about how – and if – they travel.
Veteran adventurer, Robert Rosicka, has just crossed the Nullarbor from east to west and says that, while he saw a few vans on the road, ‘there are definitely less than normal’.
And with budgets tight, he says that it is the communities which offer grey nomads something ‘extra’ that will reap the rewards.
“Towns like Kimba, for example, are a magnet to stay a few days and all for a donation,” said Robert. “We just spent over $200 in town and that free camp is surely one of the best in Australia!”
Robert was impressed with Kimba’s free camp and ended up spending over $200 in town.
He described it as ‘basically a caravan park without power, that’s free’.
“The camp kitchen is simply massive with four free gas barbecues and enough stainless steel bench space for an army,” he said. “There are coin-operated showers that cost $1, a dump point, and maybe six or more potable water taps.”
Kimba’s free camp boasts a huge camp kitchen.
Robert also stopped at the free camp in Norseman, and while he said there were zero facilities, the ‘price was right’.
He says there are lessons to be learned from the way grey nomad-friendly towns are still getting visitors despite tougher economic times.
“Small inland towns sometimes go out of their way to attract nomads, like York in WA offering free RV contained spots with power and water for 24 hours,” he said. “This makes you pull up, unhitch, maybe explore, and think ‘heck, I might go and book into the caravan park and stay a few days to see everything’.”
He says that this then has a flow-on effect that can benefit everybody.
“We’ll be spending a few dollars in the town, especially if free camped,” he said. “If we don’t have to fork out exorbitant caravan park fees, we can grab a meal at the pub and splurge a bit in the shops.”
WIN IT-FIT CARAVAN SHEETS
Grey Nomad members are being given the chance to win some specially made caravan sheets, courtesy of competition sponsor, It-Fits.
It-Fits caravan sheets are made from soft, 100%-Australian, cotton jersey and naturally stretch and flex to adapt to different mattress shapes and sizes without needing custom-made sheets. They fit rounded corners, narrow caravan beds, bunk mattresses, and non-standard sizes while still staying smooth and secure.
Click here to learn more about the competition and how to enter.
