With most of the country’s caravan parks now closing their doors to everyone bar ‘essential guests’, the real impact of the coronavirus pandemic is really sinking in.
Travellers have had their Big Lap dreams shattered and, in a many cases, van park businesses are suddenly facing a fight for survival.
Stuart Lamont, chief executive of the Caravan Industry Association of Australia, told the Sydney Morning Herald that the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on caravan parks was devastating.
“There’s a lot of desperation,” he said. “A lot are very small businesses, mums and dads that have put their life savings into it.”
And the peak caravan body said it was causing ‘heartbreak and confusion’ for both caravan park owners and travellers alike.
Colin Mitchell – who has been on the road full-time for three years and has no home to go back to – is putting down temporary roots at the Marlo Caravan Park Marlo in Victoria’s Gippsland region .
“Our day-to-day life hasn’t been significantly impacted, except for the fact we can’t keep travelling,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald. “We did have a discussion, we anticipated the restrictions might come in. But Marlo was as good as any place to go, so we decided we’ll stay here and weather it out.”
The owner of Ocean Views Caravan Park in Marlo, Les Hayne, said his 750-capacity park was empty except for a handful of emergency workers.
He told the SMH that the lack of grey nomads would hit his business hard.
“We normally do 40% of our business in January, but that was almost nothing because of the fires,” he said. “Easter is normally 20%, that will be zero … this week has just been refunds, refunds, refunds.”
So simple. Rent out a space on a weekly basis (fee) to grey nomads who have no where to go. They need to bunk down somewhere and caravan parks need the money. It’s a 2 way street. Instead of abuse give some kindness and we will get through this.
It really is so simple. Stop travelling. Caravan parks are closed for a reason and that’s to stop people from travelling. If the parks were to stay open then you and many others would be freely roaming the country like no deadly virus existed and that would be dangerous to all the towns you visit. Show some kindness and stay where you are.
Hi , we are in Marg River area and we have some land, with out power, where a self contained van could stay.
It is overlooking a dam on a farm.
Any leads for self contained accommodation for female disability pensioner most welcome. Currently in Bass Coast Shire, can travel.
My husband would like to keep moving towards home each week or so, is this possible, we have been in caravan park for a week and people seem to be oming and going most days, some stay for two days, seems to be a few travellers going past most days, we are in the wheatbelt area, we would like to go home, we are not in a hurry, dont want to do 5000+ straight up but would like to be moving.
Not sure how you would go crossing borders at the moment. It almost seems you could be staying in the State you’re in. There are still small number of flights so can the van be stored somewhere and fly home? So many questions remain unanswered, it’s really tough.
They would like people and there caravan to get back to their homes asap as more strict rules are coming every day the police want you off the roads now and in isolation
Carol if u r in the wheatbelt of WA you need to get those wheels rolling as of I think midnight tonight but its def tonight you will not be able to move even to Perth. WA has been split up into 6 zones so you need to enquire at the nearest shire as to what you can do at this late stage. Good luck .
I guess you could providing you’re not going through NSW or WA – unless you have residency status there. Remember 14 days quarantine on each border you cross. Good luck and stay well.
Single, retired female seeking place to tuck away during epidemic. My home is a 7 metre self contained motorhome & am in South Australia
If you are in the NT and have a self sufficient van/motor home ( own toilet and shower) G’day Mate in Alice is open and available. Limited en-suite sites available if you’re not self sufficient.