Caravanning and camping has changed dramatically over the last couple of decades but – contrary to popular opinion – it is not the emergence of bouncing castles or luxury cabins that has most revolutionised the lifestyle.
That ‘honour’ must surely go to the rapid advance of digital technology. In recent years, it has seen the way we book, the way we navigate, the way we check in, the way we pay, and the way we research completely turned on its head. And, perhaps most significantly, whether we like it or not, it has changed the way we play.
Circumstantial evidence suggest that caravan parks and camping areas are seeing less Happy Hours and more ‘high-tech hours’ with travellers preferring to sit in their campchairs staring at their phones and computer screens rather than playing cards or clinking glasses.
Thanks Goodness that bushwalk is over. Now for some fun! PIC: Soumil Kumar / Pexels
But is this revolution creating a two-tier system of campers … the techs and the tech-nots? And, if so, where does that leave wannabe grey nomads who can’t – or don’t want to – engage with the latest technology?
Grey nomad Cath Idea says she has real concerns over privacy, even though she has ‘nothing to hide’.
“I will avoid being seen wherever I am as long as I can,” she said. “And, if anyone is going to profit off my data, it will be me!”
So, does that mean Cath and others who aren’t comfortable with technology, for whatever reason, are effectively locked out of travel … or at least a growing part of it? From online booking to navigating from A to B, there is an inbuilt and growing expectation that travellers should embrace technology to get the most out of their around-Australia adventures.
And, of course, the march to a cashless society continues apace.
As well as those with privacy concerns, there are also people who simply can’t ‘get to grips’ with mobile phones and other technologies. Many of those are in the older demographic.
And then there are those who view ‘forced’ digitisation as a huge mistake for mankind and a symbol of consumer culture. They choose to take a ‘less is more’ approach to technology because they feel it offers a more meaningful existence.
“I sometimes wonder around the campsite looking at everyone scouring their devices and shake my head,” said solo traveller Adrian Paul. “Talk about missing the point!”
With no phone, no laptop, and no sat nav, Adrian may be a throwback … but he says he has no regrets. “It may present a few challenges along the way but I’ll be travelling the ‘old school’ way for as long as I possibly can,” he said. “Technology may have made the Big Lap easier for some, but I don’t think it’s made it any better.”
I carry a phone…all the “call waiting” stuff drives me up the wall a bit…but Im sooo glad to be out of and away from all the computerised tech stuff.
I’d rather be in touch with and engage myself with nature and all it has to offer. Gaze at the moon, stars and campfire flames n coals.
If I’m in others company I leave my phone or turn it off.
I suppose its because I’m more interested in the human face to face conversation
We very much enjoy camping in remote locations with no phone or internet reception to distract our enjoyment of nature.
It cleanses the brain & replenishes the soul.