Another regional Victorian community has signalled its intent to attract more grey nomads visitors by adopting a new RV, Caravan and Camping Strategy.
The Herald-Sun newspaper reports that the decision by Mildura Rural City Council will see the area take advantage of the tourist dollar, and fully tap into the burgeoning self-drive market.
A report commissioned by the council found Mildura’s positioning and features made it an ‘attractive’ destination for many travellers.
“Being strategically positioned at the apex of major crossing highways for travellers enroute to and from NSW and SA along with road trips to and from WA, Mildura has the potential to continue to grow significant interstate travellers for both transiting through and longer overnight stays,” the report read.
More and more rural towns are seeking way to attract grey nomads. PIC: Cizza
“The plethora of camping and caravan parks and destination holiday parks in Mildura and directly across the Murray River in NSW reflects the historic recognition of this market demand, as well as its geographic location.”
The Herald-Sun said the new strategy highlighted existing infrastructure, future development potential, servicing enhancements and updates to enforcement procedures.
And it outlined a set of recommendations to be achieved over a five-year period. These included maximising occupancy levels, looking at the possibility of relocating ‘key assets’ such as the dump site, short-stay day and overnight parking, and the Visitor Information Centre.
“With over 90% of caravan and camping traveller nights being spent in regional Australia, the RV, caravan, and camping market is a key stimulus for local job creation, inward investment, and new business opportunities,” the report read.
The Herald-Sun reports that the strategy was prepared in consultation with the owners and management of caravan parks in the Mildura region, local community groups and RV, caravan, and camping visitors to the region.
A two-staged community engagement process was also undertaken to learn more about traveller priorities and gauge local sentiment.
According to the report, the RV, caravan, and camping market is a significant Australian growth market, with caravans and campervans the fastest-growing vehicle type (by registration) for the past eight years.
Traveller expenditure generates over $10bn in annual economic revenue and delivers $1.38 in local economic activity per dollar of caravan park revenue.
Free Camps is what we need, will spend in towns that offer free camps rather than being ripped a new one by caravan parks!
If we pay for camping at the current inflated costs then we don’t dine out and we only stay in that town as long as necessary (if at all). Then we move on quickly
The dump stop in Mildura is in the wrong spot. Red Cliffs also needs one.
Why do you say that? Wiki amps reviews say different
Mildura is a wonderful place to stay. There needs to be more bush camps available instead of caravan parks to stay in. We’re not tight arses. Some of us just like some space around us particularly if we come from the bush. We’ll spend our money in town. Have no fear of that!
A dump point that also has a potable water tap in the same vicinity should go hand in hand with a free camp nearby. That’s what I look for when visiting towns. If that’s provided I spend money at the supermarket, petrol station and pub.
The new wave of interest and the ongoing purchase of varieties of off-road and others should be supported by Free Camp area, consider these free campers do not live on the free fresh air, they will spend money in the areas. So if you are a local mayor of a country town speak to your town folks your planners and be open and transparent about the benefit of free camping,yes place a caveat of how long but be open your mind to the opportunities
We agree BUT we do not want to be constantly driving. We like to stay a week or two (or a few days), put up our awning, and enjoy the surrounds. Naturally $ is spent in town. We are retired…no need to rush…why hurry us along?
We strayed into the wrong parking spot as all we were looking at was the shade under the solitary tree – and the level of the fine was more than a weekly grocery bill. Our fault – we missed the sign but, phew! No negotiation “It’s the law”.
they want to lower the price in the caravan parks way to high
They don’t need to be free camps but a Donation Camp, Go and look at the Kimba SA Donation Camp, It has been a Great initiative for the Town I would say most nights there would be 10-15 Self Contained Camping there, They also have coin operated Showers etc, It is now so popular it is a destination for people to travel to and stop we spent in 2 night’s there about $400 dollars there, A feed at the Pub and $300 dollars worth of fuel and shopping.
Yes.. I was going to write about Kimba too. We looked through the caravan park there, expensive and tight camp. Couldn’t believe the other at the Showgrounds. So nice and coin paid hot showers. COuncil kept it clean and orderly.. certainly a draw card for many, and a good example. And yes.. we too ate a lovely meal at the pub, and bought food at supermarket. Otherwise if you pay caravan park lots you don’t spend in the town.. up to Councils folk. Do yourself and community a good turn, it is a no brainer!
If you want to see an example of a burgeoning town taking advantage of the Grey Nomad dollar, look at Julia Creek. High occupancy rates in the caravan park and I’ve seen over sixty RV’s at the free camp. New businesses popping up whenever we go there and one of the best Visitor Information Centres we’ve come across in over six years of fulltime travel. If you want our money, you have to provide things we need and/or want. There’s more to a town than the local caravan park.
If your going to have free a camp you need to make it at least 3 days. Reasons are that people will then need to spend money in your local community, we have come across many people that take advantage of free camps for 1 night & spend nothing. We always like to stay a few days, have a meal at the local hotel, buy milk etc from local shops as well as fuel & some sightseeing there by spending a total of a few hundred dollars.
JT
Why limit it to 3 days. How about more. Some places we have been to allow 28 days. Depends on space and demand, but in that case, make more spaces if possible. We are retired…we want to relax, set up awning….cook a little, sip a little ….take it easy dammit we deserve it. We will shop at the town’s shops = $.
We mainly stay in caravan parks and showgrounds . But at the prices caravan parks are charging that’s going to change quick smart.
$50.00 a night in the off season ya got to be kidding. We don’t need or use camp kitchens pools or jumping pillows.
We stay in free camps so we can afford to do tours and the like, we’re about to hit lake Argyle. Be great if some of these places had dog sitting. I don’t mind paying but it’s a pain trying to find reliable people at a reasonable price. In Busselton it cost us $50 for 4 hours care, which was more than the cost of the tour we took! In Tom Price the council run a boarding kennel $25 per night. Used it twice, it was great. I also have no issue paying to fill my can with water, but finding water unless you pay to stay in a caravan park is also an issue.
Well, that was a long read that told us very little.
Cheap camping with facilities is what we all want. Then we stay longer and spend more.