As concerns mount over a slump in tourist spending in the South Australian town of Naracoorte, people are starting to point the finger at a perceived lack of parking spots for caravans and motorhomes as the reason.
It’s an issue which is one affecting many communities and is a source of frustration to many grey nomads who sometimes simply keep on driving instead of stopping to explore.
The Naracoorte Herald said the issue was discussed at a Naracoorte Lucindale Council workshop, and some decision makers were determined that a solution be found.
“Grey nomads are not going to park miles away,” said Cr Ken Schultz. “If they drive through a town and can’t get an easy park, they’ll keep driving to the next town.”
Cr Shultz suggested widening a section of a town centre road and carving off another car width from Pioneer Park to put in a double lane caravan parking spot all along the street.
“It’s in close proximity to the post office and the street and everything you need, you could put tables in amongst the park and do it up, it would be so easy,” he said. “I know the park is important and the idea won’t appeal to everyone, but I think it’s quite feasible … there’s plenty of land there.”
The Naracoorte Herald reports that Schultz also liked the idea of moving the visitor information centre out to the area near Deviation Rd/Stewart Terrace where there would be more parking space for large vehicles.
“In other towns the visitor information centre has big bus and van parking areas so people can go in and get directed,” he said. “I don’t think we catch half the tourists with the visitor information centre on MacDonnell St.”
However, the council’s CEO, Helen Macdonald, said there were several sites around Naracoorte’s town centre that RVs and caravans could park, including a popular spot on the main street alongside the council office. She said many caravans parked on Smith Street near the council offices, giving them easy access to the shops and cafes.
We spent a week there earlier in the year. Plenty to do and see and a peaceful place with friendly helpful people.
We have just spent a few days in the town and loved it. Perhaps the parking spots the council CEO is talking about could be signed clearly from the main road. The only problem is that drivers without vans seem to insist on parking in them too.
we stayed at the show grounds ,very good and cheap ,even though for one night .Next time through we will stay a couple of nights and have a good look at the town .Only down side is the lack of street parking for vanners as we wanted to buy food and drinks .
There is another town that do not like to have Low cost or free camping in town and that town is Mount Gambier SA. there is no parking for caravans or Motorhomes.We as travellers could bypass this place and move on to Tarpeena or Tantanoola witch are not to far away.
We are a local company with a live stock truck and same time we need to stop in town do same jobs but is so hard to find a spot for the truck.
Having been to Euchuca many times, parking a caravan is so hard to find a designated place after driving around the main shopping area of town, so difficult in traffic. Finally found parking near the community centre, no easy to see signs, but limited spaces and quite a walk to tourist area and wharf.
This is a problem that I have, unable to park my van to buy lunch at most town’s, so, I have to drive on.