The tiny Queensland town of Kumbia, town which prides itself as being the gateway to the Bunya Mountains National Park. is the latest in a long line of rural communities looking to set up a new free camp and dump point.
Located a couple of hundred kilometres or so west of the Sunshine Coast on the Bunya Highway, the town hopes the initiative – launched by the Kumbia Hall Committee – will help persuade more grey nomads to visit and to stay.
The committee is looking at establishing the travellers’ area on an unused stretch of land behind the main street.
Burnett Today reports that the site, at the junction of Roberts and Gordon streets, is adjacent to the tennis courts and cricket ground and within walking distance of local shops.
The land is part of a State Government reserve and an application will have to be made to the Queensland Department of Resources before the idea can move forward any further.
South Burnett Regional Council Mayor Brett Otto said the application would establish the land tenure and reveal any approvals already in place for the site.
“We can then examine costing of the project,” he said.
Burnett Today reports that, if it goes ahead, the project would free up the much smaller Apex Park – which now doubles as a free camping site – to be returned to a children’s park and picnic area.
“We want to return Apex Park to the community and we really want to encourage people to stay in Kumbia overnight,” Mayor Otto said.
According to the report in Burnett Today, he said a new free camping ground would be an asset to Kumbia and could help to develop new sporting activities.
“We as a council want to see Kumbia grow and prosper,” he said. “It would also provide a site where people could stay and access the Bunyas.”
Councillor Scott Henschen said the proposed site would be a ‘win’ for Kumbia.
“It will keep RVs out of the park where kids play and will also encourage people to walk through Kumbia and enjoy the rural outlook and the orchards,” Cr Henschen said. “It will be a win for the local community.”
The Kumbia Hall Committee has already obtained funding from energy giant AGL for the dump point tank and hopes to obtain council assistance for installation and servicing.
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Excellent idea
Nice work Kumbia
Fantastic!! We went thru Kumbia only a couple of days ago. Will definitely stop over the next time we go thru.
Congratulations to another town willing to support the growing number of self contained units and realising that everyone in the place will benefit other than greedy caravan park owners
I have often wondered why the sports ground/race track has not been opened to camping. It is not as close to the town as the proposed site but already has most/all of the required facilities, toilets , showers, power and plenty of room.
Fantastic idea. Kumbia is a cute little town.
What a progressive township.Well done. Let’s hope it brings heaps of visitors.
as long as there is a toilet and the camp is not just for the self contained elite
some of us travel in camper trailers
Same as us, sick of this elitism, happening, considering, c,vans and tents/campers have been around without T&S’s much longer.
Kumbia, what a great idea!! We have stayed in the Apex park previously, but a larger area would be preferable. Great to see more little towns realising the value that the RV community bring to their area. Not all travellers want to stay in a caravan park and many simply cannot afford to travel, given the soaring fuel cost and the exorbitant caravan park fees.
Sounds great and while I love the idea of “free camps” I am more than happy to have “low cost” camps – say $10 pernight which would help with maintenance etc. and we would still spend money in the towns.
Charge a few dollars a night and get a grey Nomad to be a camp host – to collect monies and keep camp tidy. Win win situation.
What a great idea. Quite a few towns are doing this to their benefit.
Move up with the times,alot of people don’t like caravan Parks even there pets,there rampet with covid diease, right, people don’t want to leave a carbon print on the earth, right, and this money the vanparks charge,iam single and I have to pay the same as a couple??? do I have to buy two caravans because IAM single, right, homehill,in qld,worked it out,
MAIDENWELL has a great
free camp 27kms south of Nanango
Hot showers toilets B B Q area play ground room for big rigs
Great pub Trading post sells lots of goodies including petrol also a licenced treasure shop
There’s a beautiful water hole 1 km walk or drive camp fires allowed wood mostly available $10 bag
A loverly site lots of birds Beautiful spot love going there