More happy campers in Queensland
In an effort to keep ahead of camping trends and to continue to give grey nomads and other travellers what they want, Queensland is holding a series of meetings on how to best promote and prepare camping spots around the state.
Minister for Tourism, Jann Stuckey said promoting camping options was a key issue raised by local government during the development of the Queensland Drive Tourism Strategy 2013-15.
“The growing popularity of caravanning and camping across Queensland had seen huge numbers of people moving around our state,” she said. “We need to ensure appropriate camping options are available to maximise the benefits to tourists, caravan park operators, local governments and the wider business community.”
Recent data by Tourism Research Australia reveals that the drive tourism market accounts for approximately 67% of the overnight leisure market in Queensland, with more than 10.3 million visitors participating in touring during their visit to the state.
“Through these upcoming workshops industry and local government will be able to discuss solutions for managing camping arrangements at a local level, while sending a message that Queensland is an attractive place for a drive holiday,” she said. “We recognise there is no single solution, so the guideline will include a number of best practice models for councils to consider under a ‘no one size fits all’ approach.”
A total of seven community consultation workshops are being held as part of the consultation process, with workshops to be held in Cairns, Mount Isa, Emerald, Charleville, Townsville, Toowoomba, and the Fraser Coast.
Does Queensland understand the needs of grey nomads better than any other state or Territory? Which state or territory in particular would you like to see copy Queensland’s ‘listen-and-learn’ approach to camping demand?
All very well asking for submissions if the Govt take CP owners moans and shut low cost camping areas to the detriment of other businesses. We have all heard the for and against arguments ad infinitum.
Times are changing and the needs of the travelling public have changed out of all recognician from the 60’s and 70’s.
Take one example of lack of thought among the Govt. In the last couple of years just south of Childers in Qld the low level narrow Isis Bridge was realigned and raised to remove a blackspot. Yes a good move. However the old road would have made an ideal rest area for trucks and cars with a minimal outlay. What happened. Well main roads ripped up the tarmac and closed the access to the highway. This was an ideal spot for a decent length of road away from the highway, enough to keep road noise down as a rest area.
If this lack of thinking is the norm what hope have we that submissions no matter how good will be actioned.
We are relatively new nomads (4yrs traveling) but the thing we notice most is that the towns that encourage us to stay with easily access to both free and paid camping are the winners because we all spend money in the town..
There’s a tiny village in Southern Qld that offers free camping and if you want power you pay the business across the road $2.00 per night and everytime we are in the area we spend more than $100 per day in the village..so the business’ in the village are the winners..
What town would that be Bob
wonder where this little village is,
mike
Definitely agree Bob we spend where we are welcomed and when we get a decent “Free” (anything under $12) camp. Much friendlier than the majority of C/Parks. Hardly any free camping around Streaky Bay S.A. signs everywhere No Camping, had to pay $30 plus a night and they were NOT friendly at all, paid for the size of the vehicle too !!!!!
Hi
I will be starting my lone trip around oz in febuary 2014 any help would be
Greatfull i have a new caravan and car
Hi Pete, I didn’t mention the name of the village for obvious reasons but anyone that has been there well know where I mean , the reason nomads don’t stay in some towns and villages is that they are made to feel unwelcome.
Dunedoo in NSW is a classic example of a town that misses out because of their attitude towards travelers, they have a perfect overnight parking spot along the railway line in the middle of town and big signs everywhere saying NO CAMPING..
A couple of years ago we arrived there around 4.00pm very low on fuel and intended to fuel up get some supplies at the general store, camp overnight and go and have dinner at the Pub then move on next morning which would have earned the town around $200 in fuel sales and $100 at the Pub and general store, instead we put $20 worth of fuel in the bus and continued on..
Hi Bob.. Agree with you re Dunedoo. Just drive on 35 klm to Mendooran. Great smakl town..huge free camp on the river..toilets..town water ..cold shower. The town welcomes travellers and fight their council to keep the park free. Coonabarabran council wants to turn it into a caravan pk but the town businesses have blocked them so far.
Thanks for that info Gail, With the push by more and more councils to get their towns recognized as RV friendly the townsfolk of Dunedoo and the council need to get together and encourage us mobile money machines to stay there..lol
Bob. – you should advise the name of the town, so we all an enjoy it and service the area . It may very we’ll serve as a lesson to others. Thanks
There are 2 towns very close together just off the new England Highway between Warwick and Toowoomba and they are both very very traveler friendly, the one I like to stay at was made famous by Dad and Dave (on Our Selection) so if you know where I mean keep it to yourself because I will be cranky if next time I go there the parking area is full..lol..
Bob, I honk I know both little villages well and I
agree, extremely traveller-friendly places
Hi Biffy, anyone that has been there knows the place well and visits everytime they are in the area, I know we do and so do our friends, the publican said to me last time we were there “you two will be accepted as locals soon”….lol