With so many rural towns across Australia looking at ways to bolster their local economies and ensure their ongoing viability, the debate surrounding the pros and cons of offering free and cut-price camping is revving up.
While it is only to be expected that many caravan parks will, at the very least, be wary of the potential impact on their businesses, there are plenty of communities where the ‘it is for the greater good’ argument has held sway.
One example is the scenic Victorian town of Rochester, some 15 minutes south of the Murray River town of Echuca, where a 24-hour RV area known as ‘the Silo Stop’ has just opened.
With the local dairy industry struggling and the farming community ‘doing it tough’, the Rochester Business Network has long argued that a free campsite would bring in the ‘grey dollar’ and put the town firmly on the nomad map.
“I’ve been pushing this barrow for a couple of years to try to attract the endless stream of RVs that travel through our town,” said the organisation’s president, Glenda Nichol. “What we are hoping is that travellers will stop, enjoy the country hospitality on offer, have a coffee, a meal, a shop or whatever with a minimal walk back to their vehicle.”
The Silo Stop is located in the centre of town, a couple of minutes stroll from four hotels, cafes, a supermarket, a chemist, a laundromat, a hardware store, a bakery, and clothing stores. Rochester has a population of just over 3,000, and is famed for a wonderfully scenic walk along the Campaspe River and for being the birthplace of cycling legend, Sir Hubert Opperman.
Ms Nichol freely admits that it was a struggle to get the Silo Stop approved by the local authorities, but she is confident travellers will respond positively and the initiative will be a success. While she says the local caravan park was not exactly ‘on board’ with the idea, she stresses the new RV stop is not in competition with it, and she urges grey nomads to also stop at the very attractive riverside park.
“I’m trying to sell Rochester and district as a whole, and hopefully that will increase their patronage too,” said Ms Nichol. “The town has much to offer any visitor and we welcome all to our friendly little town that is out of the hustle and bustle of Echuca, Bendigo and Shepparton … whilst still being close when required!”
The Silo Stop is for fully self-contained vehicles as there are no services there, although there are public toilets one block away.
When we go south we will come and visit for a feed and beer
For a good old Aussie counter meal, try the Criterian
A great idea . It is time more towns offer places for vans to stop .
We will definately stop and leave a few dollars behind
The best idea, in some towns we visit the local business people make it their business to come around and talk to the campers telling them of the great places and perhaps offering a voucher for meals or coffee, also a box for receipts is amazing to show what is spent in little towns, we have been free camping for the last 18 years so know the value of what we spend every where we go , gin gin two days ago $224 etc, etc. Another great idea is a fire pit there is nothing like a fire, when you are camping. All the best, Gleness Trask (Gell)
We free camp and stay at van parks every few days so there’s a pssibility we would use both facilities in your town depending on the circumstances during our trip. If it was during a free camp area of the trip, it wouldn’t matter, we would just travel straight through town and go somewhere there was an option. So it is a fantastic initiative to bring this to your town.
A great initiative hope more towns latch on to your idea especially ones without a cv park
Fantastic initiative. We will definitely be stopping at township and have a meal there – Well Done Rochester.
Is it pet friendly
Great idea! Look forward to stopping by soon
Fantastic idea. However, I am not sure how much these type of travellers will add yo the local economy. As the article states the site is for fully self contained vehicles, this means they can carry their provisions with them (brought in larger cities for cheaper prices) and cook their own meals, so are able to simply set up their van/RV and settle in for the night. Personally I think small towns like this would be better served by trying to attract ALL free campers,particularly motorcycle riders, as these campers are more likely to spend in smaller towns as they are unable to carry everthing they need with them. After a long day in the saddle a motorcyclist would do almost anything for a nice cold drink and hot meal. Offer nice shady tent/swag spots, toilets, running water and possibly a hot shower (not essential ) and they will come. Rochester is an awesome little town with friendly locals and a great hotel (Rochester Hotel is amazing!!).
Totally agree,many RVs totally self sufficient,camp trailers,etc are one of the biggest sellers in the market,they spend money for the reasons you mentioned,they need to go for a drive along the rivers and see the number of campers real camping,that’s where the dollars are because they have not spent all there money on a 5 star Holiday Park.
Kristbug I think you misunderstand the term fully self contained vehicles. These sre somply vehicles set up for free camping. In other words they do not need the power, water, sullage disposal etc. All RV vehicles carry food and the ability to cook meals etc. We haved lived permanently on the rod for last 11 years and have no home base. So all of our shopping be it food, clothing, fuel, repairs you name it occurs on the road. Now if we stayed in Rochester we may spend nothing or $20 or $200 or $2000. So I don’t think you can judge who is going to spend and who isn’t. But I have long wondered why so many caravan parks think they are in charge of a towns tourism. Great initiative Rochester. The flow of the tide seems to be changing for those of us who live full time on the road.
One of the best country towns in Australia
Paul Stevenson . You have won us,we will certainly give Rochester a go next time we are down that way. Good on you Glenda for thinking outside the box. I can also say that the butcher ,baker and service station in Biggenden in QLD scored over $340 of our dollars purely because of the welcoming we recieved when we got a two for one deal at the local c/park and well be back.Also as my wife says I have a big mouth so I will tell all.CHEERS STEVO.
Thank you,and can’t wait to visit.
a great idea for a great town, will use this area for sure. perhaps a dump site to empty your toilet could be added. this brings good dollars in for the town, most grey nomads we have had contact with on our travels are happy to spend where they are made to feel welcome, congratulations
We’ll be there sooner rather than later.
What a great idea . Rochy is a beautiful town .
So looking forward to visiting ,24 hrs great but 48 would give us more time to spend ,we often have lunch in cafe or pub while shopping and then head back to van to have wine and cheese and settle in for night . I hope your shops will be open, always looking for the country butcher and fresh food ,we don’t buy up in big towns we like small …we will come , thank you !
Is there a time limit and pet friendl?
Comment in the info centre book…and note what you spent in the town..the books are checked and gives the organisers support…or in conversation with the shop owners comment that you are travellers.
Love that area so will now be able to enjoy sadly only one night but better than nothing. See you soon.
It’s a great idea when we have stopped at places like this they have had a box out front and you put all your receipts in it when you shop in town. Last stop we spent over $350. Parks are trying to close places like this down. Hopefully dogs are permitted as we always keep going if they refuse our fur baby.
Rochester is a beautiful town. A free camp that is inviting ensures grey nomads stay. If we stay most of us are happy to shop in locations we stop to support local businesses.
There is also a great quilting shop for all those crafty quilters!