Caravans are well and truly back on the road
It seems that grey nomads and adventure-seekers are quickly adjusting to the new reality of travelling in a world changed by the pandemic.
With many states still imposing various border restriction on those wishing to visit, travellers are learning to enjoy what they can enjoy … and that often means staying closer to home.
The ABC reports that, after a poor start to what is usually a bumper season for north Queensland tourism operators, businesses are starting to regain lost income from a surge of regional visitors.
In Charters Towers in Queensland, where grey nomads are the bread and butter for caravan parks in region, Mayor Frank Beveridge says the good times are starting to roll again.
“The numbers are up and far exceeding what they have in previous years … we’re getting 10-30% upwards of what we have in previous years on a regular basis,” Councillor Beveridge told the ABC. “We had a very slow start to the year but hopefully we will go a fair way towards compensating for this by having a season running into the hot weather.”
Similarly, in early April, the streets on Magnetic Island were deserted due to firm coronavirus restrictions.
Four months on, Magnetic Island Ferries general manager Angus Campbell reports that business is booming again with ticket numbers meeting pre-coronavirus standards.
“It’s good to see a lot of people taking advantage of domestic travel,” he said. “We’re back to our same figures as last year which is really good for everybody … we’ve been able to put all of our staff back on and give them the hours that they need to live and work, so we’re pretty much back to where we were.”
Thousands of visitors are expected in Townsville this week ahead of two major sporting events.
Yes very surprised. Just arrived in Winton and cant get tickets to any dinosaur attraction till Friday.
Good to see so much domestic and intra state travel. Many many people would often travel overseas but are now touring own state.
Lots and lots of vans in FNQ region. Cairns Cardwell Atherton Mareeba
Still stuck in Victoria and am the only traveller in the whole caravan park!
Luckily it’s a beautiful spot, but still feeling a bit left out watching everyone back in QLD hitting the road…and wondering if I’ll ever be allowed back there again!