One of the biggest irritants for grey nomads driving into a country town for a look around is the difficulty they often come across in finding a suitable place to park their rigs
A growing number of communities though are hearing the complaints and responding.
The Queenland town of Beaudesert, west of the Gold Coast, for example, is recognising the importance of caravan and motorhome travellers as it carries out revitalisation of its centre.
The works – funded by the Federal Government, State Government and the Scenic Rim Council – has delivered a new community space featuring an amphitheatre, open parklands, public toilet facilities, off-street carparks … and large parking bays for caravans, buses and trailers.
Unfortunatey, it's not always this easy to find a caravan parking spot. PIC: Cizza
The Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Kristy McBain MP, said the new town centre facilities were ‘fantastic’.
“These upgrades mark significant investments in Beaudesert’s main street and will be a massive boost for the Scenic Rim region,” she said.
The Mayor of Scenic Rim Regional Council, Tom Sharp, was equally thrilled.
“The upgrades have redefined Beaudesert’s role as a vibrant and thriving centre for the Scenic Rim community,” he said. “These projects reflect years of planning and community input, resulting in safer streets, greener spaces, better parking, and a town centre that truly reflects who we are.”
Experienced Big Lapper, Cynthia Kay, also welcomed the fact that travellers in big rigs hadn’t been forgotten.
“It can be incredibly frustrating driving around and around a country town looking for suitable spot to pull up when you are towing … and in a place that’s not a million miles from where you want to be,” she said. “There have been plenty of times when I have given up and just kept on driving … and that’s bad for everybody.”
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Another problem we have encountered in many country towns is the 45 degree parking. This often is not only the main street but also the streets leading off the main street which forces you to continue into the residential streets to park. We will
often continue to the next town.
Absolutely agree. Parking even a small rig is a problem in many country towns.
We have also kept driving for this very reason. So disappointing.
Hopefully the people/councillors or whomever reads this will take note.
What about heavy vehicals that bring your supplies to you district’s no where for us to park of bye our meas and restock our fridges we have to go to road houses and pay inflated prices to get what we need eg a can of coke 5bucks here we could stop at a supermarket in a small town and get a pack of 10 for 12 dollars and its the small towns that pay in the end by higher freight costs .
If they want our money they’d be start providing better areas to stop. This is worse in large towns where you may need to shop.
Not all towns want arrogant tourists driving through in their big big rigs let alone stopping.
Perhapes you should check out the small towns that only suvive because of tourist.
Not all travellers want to stop at towns with arrogant residents but Im guessing you are a minority.
Here’s hoping youre not a traveller
No way take up room on the freeways then expect parking lots for free.
Tell the businesses that are going broke in small towns,see what their reaction is.They go broke towns lose their banks,drs,hospitals schools,etc.
They spend money $$$$
That’s a ridiculous comment. People bring money to local businesses that otherwise would struggle with only the locals to rely on.
You are exactly right. These freeloaders not only look ugly but use up locals parking spaces not to mention the toilets?
As a plumber how am I going to get any of your money?
Park your “Rig” at a caravan park where it belongs.
You wouldn’t be needed if the town dies from not getting extra income we always make the effort to stop and help financially
You would be among the minority that do. Most just stop leave their bags of rubbish outside their door when they think no one is looking then drive off.
Well you get paid by other businesses/ people that use your services in your town, who may well have made money from the tourists. That’s how it works.
Maybe the shop we spent money in can now afford the plumbing fix they needed. Maybe the young teenager just picked up some casual work.
Just because you don’t get paid directly does not mean you or your people do not benefit.
Money spent has a flow on effect.
When the tourist stops at the bakery fir some fresh bread and then go to the pub or coffee shop for a meal, they are investing money in your town which will filter down to you. So, you will make money from them, just not directly
That $20 doesn’t count for much I’m afraid, and as someone who lives in a small town affected heavily by this blight, caravaners don’t go to coffee shops or to the pub for a meal. Why spend that extra $$$ when you have a coffee machine freezer and kitchen in your monstrous caravan? if you spend money anywhere but the petrol station you are an anomaly. If you’re not stopping the night you won’t even buy groceries, they’re cheaper in the bigger towns you’re going to tomorrow. If you are stoppign the night 9/10 times you don’t even stay at the caravan park because your “RIG” is self sufficient.
My you are so so jealous. I don’t know of anyone with a coffee machine freezer etc. I guess you would prefer the people who don’t have self contained rigs who pee and s…t on the side of the road and leave all their rubbish ( people like you in cars).. And self sufficient by the way still means you buy groceries,fuel, spend money at attractions etc etc. Do you go out to eat every single day so what makes you think other people can afford it. Get the chip off your shoulder poor you, your still working which is what most of these people did all their lives.
Does it belong there if you just want to stop for lunch and supplies ?
For your information RVers spend 24 billion dollars into the Australian economy each year, with seven and a half billion going to regional Australia, stick that in your pipe and smoke it!
As a plumber you probably don’t need any of the travellers money. You do rely on locals to provide you with business. The money we spend in your town does filter thru even if you are to short sighted to see that.
What if you are just passing through and need supplies
Like the other comments, we’ve got a motor home which is towing, an awkward rig to be turning around just to back track & find town parking. End result often leads to us driving onto the next town. We miss looking around & the local businesses miss the opportunity to receive some of our money. We think it’s worth country towns giving this some thought.
I think you make a good Point. Restricting parking for long vehicles should improve life for locals by discouraging caravaners from clogging up the town and using ratepayer funded services. I will suggest to the local shire that ratepayers interests are best served by discouraging caravans, thank you for the tip.
Seriously it doesn’t improve the life of locals, it’s not parked on the nature strip.
Part of the problem is when cars use these bays and remain for hours. Needs to be a phone number to report these and a fine.
Spot on
caravan book immediately for anything; car = local above the law in this respect.
We pull a van. When we come to a town and we want to have a look around we don’t care if we can’t park right next to the shop. We have parked up to a k away but we enjoy the walk if you have been sitting in the car for the last few hours. We take our granny trolley with us if we are shopping. We are in our early 70s.
Yes good idea except when can’t walk far
True
For every town that I visit, I look for very basic parallel parking in a street, that is not time limited, to buy lunch, buy dinner, purchase groceries or visit local attractions like museums.
Some towns have parking. Most towns do not have legal parking for more than one hour.
My town is not parking friendly. I will not park if a fine or tow away is a possibility
It really is up to business houses and museums to lobby their Council to ensure signage encourages visitor parking.
Hint;- We need an R5-55 sign with 24P or no time limit to cover the Australia wide one hour parking rule.
If there is caravan parking, how would you find it using Google maps.
At this time I do not have a caravan, BUT if I were in this situation I would not bother trying to find the impossible; the dictatorial council does not care about business apparently.
Councils are a thing of the past and an entity that will use every dollar of their ratepayers to justify their outdated place.
Can’t say I ever been tempted to not stop because I cannot get a park within spitting distance. We always find somewhere, you just need to be willing to walk a little.
With more states allowing electric scooters we find ours are a very useful addition for getting around, particularly in hot weather…
Rural towns should look after their resident population as far as parking is concerned.
If you want to park your big rig, do it in a back street & be prepared to walk.
The locals put way more money into their local businesses than “blow throughs”.
Precisely.
Frankly caravans are a huge and growing problem making life almost unliveable for locals ar certain times of the year.
The sense of entitlement caravaners have is amazing…. not going to stay the night in this town because it would cost $50, can’t be bothered unhitching my caravan at a parking area outside of town, so I will take up 6 car parks by parking sideways at the beach for my little day trip. Got to hlget there early to.make sure the locals don’t take up those spots going surfing or walking their dogs or something. And then have a good whinge about how unfair it is that the local shire doesn’t bulldoze a few acres of bush at local taxpayers expense to build long vehicle parking at tourist attractions. There’s nothing in it for us locals, just downside.
Unliveable? Wow. First world problems over someone parking a caravan?
Pot, Kettle, Black?
One minute small towns are being totally remiss in their obligations to provide accessible parking for caravans.
But when locals complain about not being able to access our own shops….. We’re a bunch of privileged whingers…..?
Time to start traveling overseas and spending our money there.
Australia is nothing what it used to be.
The government is hell bent on agenda 2030.
Sadly a foreign policy, designed to lockdown our country and take away our freedoms, forcing people in to their so called smart cities, with electric vehicles, destroy our way of life and our culture.
They want small businesses to close, these policies are all designed to suit this agenda.
Politician & councillors must be stopped and replaced.
Problem is too many people have bought into the “agenda’ thinking it is the right way to go and sold their souls to the devil. By the time they realise they have been conned and the elites dont care about them it will be too late. Overseas is not much better, Im afraid
Truer words have not been spoken. Local councils and the government are hell bent on taking the pleasure out of living and travelling in this once nice country.
I for one cannot understand why in hell they derive so much pleasure in biting the hand that feeds their constant greed.
Most of the grey nomads have worked hard to be able to enjoy their new way of life. Show some respect.
Totally agree, don’t want you leaving your carbon footprint
You are spot on Brad! The day is coming, unfortunately, when these wingers in small towns will wish there were more travellers when the WHO decides caravaners spread the dreaded lurgi they have invented and close the gates on 15 minute communities and smart cities. The ‘Osiris’ expert anti social moaners of the country towns can sit in their wheel chairs, in their ghost towns and regret the days they condemned those that spent their hard earned money on a van to see what’s left of our once great country. Fortunately, in our travels as a privileged’ retired caravaners, we meet far more friendly locals than these few small minded personalities!
We stopped at one country town, we believe it was Grenfell, that had long vehicle parking in the centre of the road, and you could access it from both directions . Worked very well to visit the bakery for some lunch and the local IGA for supplies which is what these country towns need us to support!
Awesome to hear
The local towns need you to support more than the bakery and the IGA. How about hotels, restaurants, theatres, cafes, hairdressers, retail outlets, taxis, etc? Caravans don’t need or use any of these. It is a myth that caravans support small towns, they support supermarkets and petrol stations only.
Well they use , mechanics, petrol stations, Hardware stores. Doctors, laundry mats, guft shops, vets, pharmacy. They visit restaurants and hotels. Bet your locals donot use every business either.
Mechanics: I doubt it. You wouldn’t be able to book into a mechanic in my town in less than 4 weeks because they have all the work they need locally.
Petrol Stations: yep, the ONLY business that benefits from Grey Nomads.
Hardware stores: What for? a roll of duct tape? It’s not like you’re buying timber and garden supplies. Negligible benefit if any.
Doctors: No way. Not without 2 weeks advance booking. Again, the town is quite busy enough attending to its own needs.
Laudromats: we are so grateful for your $2, without it our town would die.
Gift Shops: Great, you bought a $8 stubby holder with the majority of that going to China.
Vets: I have never ever seen a caravan at our local vets. Since apparently parking for caravans is essential to get this money spent locally, I’m confused. I don’t believe our vets benefit much from Grey Nomads, either.
Pharmacy: Sure, occasionally. but only when you run out of meds, they are cheaper in bigger towns and cities.
Lakes Entrance in Vic has a stretch of long spaces for RVs and cars towing caravans but they are usually filled with normal cars. It is very frustrating.
You can’t win!!
Locals using parking in their own town that is reserved for outsiders, HOW DARE THEY
Northampton in WA has a dedicated RV parking area in the town with toilets, fresh water point and dump point, well done Northampton. A lot of councils could learn from this.
And who is paying for it?
The locals.
And what do they get back in return?
Inability to access their own supermarket because caravans are parked everywhere and inability to get to work on time because the 45 minute drive to the nearest regional centre is now an 80 minute drive due to caravaners cruising around at 70 km / hr in a 110 zone and blatantly refusing to pull over, ever.
Osiris get a life will you!
Angle parking was our main problem with parking in many regional towns… even in side streets. We are ok with walking but those less able would find it difficult.
Seems to us the larger the town the bigger the problem. Some smaller places even have signs to let you know of dump and water points.
They are not rigs to start with they are caravans and stay out of truck parking bays find somewhere else you don’t get fined for not having a rest break iam 64 and the most drama we have a older drivers i know iam the same age or less I would rather deal with P platers any day of the week they do t feel entitled like most of you all There is some good caravaners out there but RARE
Agreed Cecil, recently a parking area was bulldozed near my town due to people camping there and leaving it in a poor state. It’s 12 km from a town of 35000 people with multiple caravan parks. The outcry from the caravanning community was immense….. go stay at a caravan park, why should the local shire maintain a free facility for your benefit when you don’t spend any money in our town and somehow still demand we accommodate you?
If parking is easy you spend more money. No parking you drive through and the town misses out. Same as rude locals whingeing about tourists, when in reality if tourist didn’t go there they wouldn’t have the facilities they do. We can say this as we have spent over 40 years in a local tourist area and hear and see it.
As a resident of a small town that is inundated with caravaners constantly, I believe I have sufficient stake in this issue to make comment.
Any town you choose to visit will have a caravan park.
Park your caravan there and drive to the shops.
Frankly, caravaners don’t bring any benefits worth mentioning to small towns.
You sound money at the caravan park, petrol station and supermarket. That’s it.
Every other business gets zero benefit from your presence.
You don’t use the services of carpenters, electricians, schools, restaurants (not with your complete kitchen in your van), retail outlets (why shop in the country at higher price when you will be going through a city soon?), taxis (you have your own car), plumbers, vets, mechanics (everything on your lovely new gas guzzler was sorted out before you left), or any of the other businesses that sustain small towns.
No, just the caravan park, supermarket and petrol station.
And if you’re not stopping for the night, you only spend money at the servo and the supermarket.
Spending $20 at the bakery doesn’t mean you are supporting the town.
How about you ditch the climate disaster monster rig you are hauling about the world and stay in a hotel? Then you would be spending money on hotels, restaurants, taxis, and many other things.
If you come with your own home and expect to block access to the main street for hours while you “stop and look around” because you’re too lazy to park a hundred meters away, why should we welcome you? You are nothing but a burden.
Our small town has plenty of caravan travellers passing through. Yes we have a little bit of parking that accommodates caravans and big RV’s. And trailers, toy haulers, horse floats or any other kind bigger vehicle. Funnily enough locals towing floats etc use these car parks too. Travellers pay to camp at the local showgrounds which contributes to the maintenance costs so that we can keep our showground. They walk to the pub for dinner. They use the local hairdresser, food shops and mechanic. Actually, they sometimes are the tradespeople providing needed services to our town as we struggle to get some trades here. They work on the local farms, and sometimes come to town specifically to support our rodeos, festivals and markets. Yes, some stop at the bakery and then drive on. But what started with a bakery is now a revitalised main street, which is great for locals and tourists. Yes, some caravanners are rude/grumpy but judging from the posts here, there are some rude and grumpy locals too. Oh, and they’re not all “rich, entitled grey nomads” either. Some of these people have ended up as travellers rather than being homeless. Perhaps its time to lose the preconceived ideas and spend a little time getting to know each other. A bit of tolerance goes a long way.
Well said Andrea. These armchair experts and wingers have no idea! Try doing a trip around Australia, through many small towns without spending $30,000 or more! That money goes has to go somewhere….and there are thousands travelling. But…there is always the armchair moaners that are never pleased! The CC believers!
That’s right Andrea I can name many towns that welcome us into their towns and many towns that have grown because of attracting travellers. Many small towns try to have something to get travellers to stop and visit like painted silos etc. We have just returned from a short 6 wk trip, we spent approximately $150 a week on fuel, $700 on a couple of tyres, many Showground and pub stays(with meals etc) bakery’s daily for coffee and slice, groceries, sight seeing, river cruise. All from regional towns. Yes we use public parks and public toilets, so many small towns strive to be known as RV friendly.
Yes i have done that and the town has missed out on spending on meals and furl
And we’ve missed out on being unable to access our own shopping district while you fuel up and buy a minimal amount at the IGA whilst hanging around the shopping district taking up 6 car bays for 6 hours while you meander around looking at the trees and the river.
We’re not missing out
Some of the regional cities are not great either. Gave on Hervey Bay and Townsille. I am happy to walk a reasonable distance.
Hervey Bay has a free 48 hr stop behind the tourist information centre, dump point also there, safe to unhook and look around.
Short term parking should be aloud without violating usual, normal parking rules..Longer term parking is a different story. Driving tired is a major road risk.
Plan your journey.
Too many caravaners use this excuse to demand free campsites in the guise of rest areas.
Yes we were in Bendigo in a medium size rv and wanted to park closer to the Cbd to look around on a cold and damp day, but none to be had so yes we left for the next town. Must say most little towns we encountered were very rv friendly so disappointing this one wasn’t.
As a matter of interest, how does parking at Bunnings in the designated trailer spaces go? Not for big rigs, but maybe ok for camper trailers and the like.
Mandurah WA . The streets & roundabouts are horrendous & absolutely no parking
We Travel a lot,and like most Grey Nomads find the lack of Parking for Caravan etc. frustrating,and when it is provided only find someone has Parked making it difficult for anyone else to Park,I am an ex. councillor of a Regional NSW Council,at long last they have provided Parking but more importantly Signage,sometimes signage is not well placed,sadly Towns miss out on Valuable trade because Caravan Parking is not provided.
Create metered parking for RVs (over 6m) only. The most common claim by van and motorhome travellers is they want to support the town but can’t, because they can’t park.
Put $5-an-hour meters nearer supermarkets and shops, with a two-hour stopping limit.
Create longer stay spots near any of the town’s major tourist attractions further out and charge $5 for two hours.
You’ll still get some who moan they’re spending $ in the town and shouldn’t have to pay to park, but I think most travellers will appreciate the convenience of having more RV parking in town if needed, while paying for the convenience whether they shop or not.
(I’m sure this idea is full of holes, but you’re never going to make everyone happy. )
This is the first reasonable suggestion I’ve seen so far, and one I can support.
The amount spent by the average caravaner does NOT justify free parking provided by ratepayers for almost zero benefit and a lot of pain due to overcrowding during tourist seasons.
$5 / hr to park a caravan seems reasonable, free parking for light vehicles.
I’d also like to see local shires create caravan parking areas on disused land for a nominal fee ($20 per night for example) without power, bitumen roads, ablution blocks etc) so that caravaners have an option for a place to stay that doesn’t involve coughing up $50 / night plus when your rig is fully self sufficient. Accompanied by a crackdown on “free camping” which happens in my town EVERYWHERE grey nomads think they can park up for the night.
Those of you who don’t want tourists, just get your council to put up a sign. “Tourist not welcome” and we will all bypass your town.
I love this idea! I think folk are so negative they may as well advertise.
Townsfolk can be closed minded and caravaners entitled. Wars start this way. We need human spiritual evolution before these things will be sorted. In the meantime, just let them keep hating on each other… it’s obviously working.
I had just pulled up in Moora WA in a large vehicle parking area near their dump point. I had not even turned my engine off when someone in a council vehicle drove up and said I can’t stop there, or anywhere else. I asked if it was ok for me to get a coffee at the nearby cafe before I left. So much for the RV friendly signs at the town entrance
We have that problem when we what to go to a bakery, and do shopping, so, we just keep driving.
I drive coaches around Aus and also have a motorhome , a lot of towns are very lacking in parking for what i do , Gold Coast a good example , they don’t want big vehicles blocking their roads , and have removed a lot of parking bays , so i basically avoid the place now
The first thing I look for as coming into a town is a blue sign that says caravan parking area so I can pull up with no stress , not drive around looking for some where to park. Maybe this would be a perfect world. If I cant find anything I keep going which is a pity as the town misses out and I most probably want a break from driving. If I get fuel I will normally ask where is a good place to stop.
Park further away and walk, cycle, or taxi back?
Take up cycle-touring instead?
Downsize… think like a lightweight bushwalker and pack a two-person tent in your sedan and go.
Let’s face it, if you own a “rig” you’re, not doing it tough. All of the “small” towns have residents who are. Most have to stay there bc they dont own a “rig” and you expect to just pull up in the main street, for the convenience. When you do stop its just to drop off last night’s vindaloo rather than stink out the van and make a cup of tea from your own supplies.
You know you don’t purchase anything that would sustain the local shop, as Wooly’s is a 100ks at most down the road.
But before you start I have a van also, but not a “rig”, I do 100ks/hr, keep to the left lane and pull over to let vehicles pass if im holding them up.
I’m a legend i know, but im not delusional about where I spend my money and why I want to pull up in a small town.
Biloela Woolworths was our worst. Parked up streets a long walk away and had to carry groceries Kilometres to car and van
Another issue is business along the way that invite traffic to turn in yet I often do not as I am not certain that I can exit easily with a van. They should state that van turnaround is available