A small community in inland New South Wales is reaping the benefits of its bold decision to create a low cost camping ground.
Large numbers of caravans and motorhomes are reportedly turning off the Newell Highway and into the village of Eumungerie, some 40 kilometres north of Dubbo.
The Daily Liberal newspaper reports that part of the Crown land reserve there has been turned into a low fee camping ground that is persuading plenty of grey nomads and others to stop for a night or two.
Apparently, spotless amenities, empty bins, ample space, a nearby pub and relaxed management by the volunteer members of the Eumungerie Recreation Reserve Trust are making the decision to linger in the village an easy one for campers. All cash collected goes towards the upkeep of the reserve.
The reserve was once a hub of sporting and social activity but money has been tight in recent years.
“For years we would slash, make repairs … without money coming in,” said one of the trust volunteers, Leo de Kroo. “It was important to us to retain local ownership of the ground.”
Caravanners and campers now pay $5 a night if they don’t require power, and $10 if they do.
“We thought if we could provide a service that’s cheap, and it had to be cheap because of where it is, we would at least have some income,” Mr de Kroo said.
He says no one complains loudly about cold showers, instead applauding the cleanliness of facilities that the hard-working trust volunteers attend to each day.
And the Daily Liberal reports that almost everyone observes the honour system in place for the payment of fees.
“Of all the people we’ve had through, I reckon you could count on one hand those who have skipped,” Mr de Kroo told the paper.
Have you stayed at Eumungerie? Is this the low cost model that she be employed elsewhere? Comment below.
Fantastic…. It’s now on my list
Great initiatives by these smaller communities. Another one we enjoyed which you can add to your list is at Lockington, Victoria in the Echuca region. $15 p.n. powered, dump point, close walk to shops.
anther community that has forethought is Morven near Charleville Qld it is $5 per night there is some power and h2o with great toilets and shower with hot water with a 7 day max stay
Great to see a small community taking the iniative and not only providing for grey nomads but creating a cash flow back into their community. I have heard such bad press lately about communities closing down their camping facilities or charging a small fortune. Thank- you Eumungerie and the volunteers at the Resevation Reserve Trust I have never been to your area but will certainly make the effort now to visit. I am sure you will be overwhelmed with grateful nomads who will spend money in your town.
Thank you to a small community with foresight to try and make a disused area viable again,we will definitely come here and of course spend money in the town as we always do when staying somewhere.
Well done to the volunteers who without them this might not have come to fruition.
Di l
No but if we go through that way we most certainly will.
We love to support those smaller community that work so hard for there towns
Also try Bigga NSW, We have a camping ground with showers/toilets, water etc. and it is free for the first 3 days. Bigga is a small village with shop, pub and club and is the gateway to Grabine/Lake Wyangala. Have a lovely restful holiday.
I am heading that way in April. I will make sure I get my petrol and groceries in Eumungerie.
Congratulations to the volunteers for realising we spend money in a town that is welcoming.
You bet I’d stay there… What a great idea.
What a great move by Eumungerie, I hope that many other small towns follow your fine example. As long as the hoons leave it alone these fine places will last for a long time. Ten out of ten for the volunteers too.
Win Win Win If you supply what people need they will come. Certainly on my list of stops on the way to and from Melbourne from SE Qld.
Well done.
It sounds ideal. Will they allow a small dog on a lead? We always clean up after him & he isn’t a yappy dog.
Site found on wikicamps last October .Great spot for a night or 2.Caretaker ( at post office ) was very helpful & friendly. Would reccomend. We will definitely be staying again when passing through. Pity more small communities don’t do a similar thing.
I’m starting to collect stories like this for when I’ll be doing my next trip. These are the sort of communities which I’ll be visiting and will get my support. Collecting $5 – $10 a night is still better than NOT collecting $30 – $50 a night. The money I save I will spend in the local supermarket, the servo, the pup & bistro. Everybody wins. Well done people of Eumungerie.
We support these small communities at every opportunity. There are now a number of them on the Newell.
we are starting a file of communities that offer cheap camping as we are setting out in 2 years for our journey of a lifetime once we retire. Of course we are on a tight budget but will be willing to spend our money in a community that supports affordable accomodation. Cant wait to get out there and meet the people of Eumungerie.
Smythsdale 20 k SouthWest of Ballarat In Vic $5 hot showers camp bbq flush toilets and water, great pub down the road and best of all quiet location.
Grabben Gullen NSW 10ks from Crookwell .
Local hall with hot showers and toilets. Hotel next door with great meals most nights. $10 per night. Pay at hotel.
We have found RV friendly towns great. We don’t mind the $5-$8 charge at these small towns. We do cringe however the $30-$40 charge for a site in C’van parks. They are over-the-top. Why should we pay for all the added extras they so call provide when all we require is a spot to park the van for the night. We are fully contained and don’t need their facilities. Perhaps they should start to ‘ask the travellers ‘ for input into what they ‘require ‘ and then start providing for them. Is this a reasonable request?