Grey nomads love to spend at markets ... and lots of other places!
New statistics just released by the Port Hedland Visitor Centre appear to blow the ‘urban myths’ surrounding the supposed miserly ways of grey nomads clean out of the water!
According to the latest data, campers are spending more than $550 dollars in the Pilbara town … despite only staying for a few days.
The North West Telegraph newspaper reports that surveys completed by 125 travellers staying in the free Overflow Camping during August also showed that about 75% intended to stay for one or two nights, that only 30% went on tours in the town … and the majority were happy with the overall experience.
Port Hedland Visitor Centre customer service representative Bonnye Lewis told the newspaper that just over half of the 125 people who stayed in August planned to stay in Port Hedland regardless of the free camp.
“The visitors, being grey nomads and European travellers are actually staying normally for three days in 2017 to 2018,” she said. “Their average spend is up by $147 (from $478 in June) to $563 per van in Port Hedland — that is really good. They are spending money on mechanics, hairdressers, some on the tours that we have, fuel and food.”
Ms Lewis said about 70% of feedback was appreciative of the free camping, with suggestions submitted for shelter with tables and chairs, a laundromat and generator-use allowance.
Klaus Schroeter, Veronica de Bakker and their dog, Herbert, from Brisbane, told the Telegraph that they had travelled across the top of Australia, turned down the west coast and were pleasantly surprised by Hedland.
“I don’t know what I was expecting of Port Hedland — probably mining stuff I suppose, that’s what we learnt at school,” Ms de Bakker said. “We thought we’d stay, have a day to go around and do a few things — see the port lights, which they reckon are spectacular.”
We spent over $700 on supplies as we had been staying at the National Park before that and let everything run out. We didn’t free camp but stayed at the golf course for $30 for power and water.
We stayed in the free camp but spent almost $1,000 in the town on groceries, fuel, tours and a electrician
We spent close to $800 when we were in Port Headland this time. The last time we were across the West Coast Port Headland was not interested in the Grey Nomads because the town was full of mining personnel but now the mining has slowed they want the Grey Nomads dollars.
There you go with the last 3 responses,just what all us grey nomads have been saying all along. Councils want to listen to us not just the over priced caravan park owners that complain about a small FREE CAMP in or near there town.We spend a lot of money on a whole lot of things, fuel etc, etc.and we more than likely would not stay at the over priced caravan park anyhow in town. We would just by pass the town and all the small businesses would miss out.So I hope someone sends this to the councils that are driving us away and explain to there rate payers why all there little shops and pubs etc are shutting up.I know the cook and I have left up to a $1000 lighter because we have been in a little town that welcomed us, as for Port Headland they did not want me when the mining boom was on, so its one of the towns I bypass. There hows that for a rant. Cheers Stevo.
The council at Kununurra needs to be let know that fining people who stop on the roadside for a rest will spend money in town.
Instead of bending to the whining of the greedy caravan park operators.
It was great to hear that the person who was fined beat the council when he wanted to take the matter to court, as they knew that they would not win. The council wavered the fine. One of the greedy park operators had a lot to say when no money went their way.
A great result.
You must come from a town somewhere Phillipn. I bet you don’t like people sleeping in the streets of your town.
All I can say is to the towns that don’t welcome grey nomads or travellers of any sort you are missing out a lot.
I am not a grey nomad but do travel a lot for work. I see the huge benefit travellers bring to a town/ region. And no surprise the places that do very well have plenty of free camps or cheap options available. And in these places the caravan parks are full too, despite so many accommodation options available. Why ?? they have adjusted parks and costings to suit a wide variety of customers. Take a trip up north qld Mareeba, Atherton Cairns and it is booming with grey nomads, overseas tourists, backpackers interstate travellers. It is great to see with with all contributing greatly to the region