Give us a break: 'If we've got a home, we're getting there as fast as we can'.
While many full-time grey nomads are desperately seeking a caravan park or camping area where they are welcome to ‘sit out’ the coronavirus crisis, other travellers are getting across the country as quickly as they can as they return to their home base.
Unfortunately, at a time where fear of the unknown is at an extremely high level, there are anecdotal reports of caravanners and motorhomers feeling unwelcome as they try to quickly adapt to a tourism landscape that has changed beyond all recognition in a matter of days.
Many small towns are understandably anxious that their limited health services don’t get overwhelmed by mature-aged travellers if the virus takes a hold in their communities. They are also anxious that travellers don’t bring the illness with them.
Against this backdrop, it is easy for unfounded rumours to begin and organisations like the Rural Doctors Association referring to unsubstantiated tales of grey nomads ‘roaming around in the bush’ probably don’t help.
The fact is that the vast majority of grey nomads are extremely anxious to do the right thing both for their own health and wellbeing, and for the good of the greater Australian community about which they care so deeply.
Travellers who have no home to go to and are struggling to find a place to settle for a while, and those who suddenly face a totally unplanned and highly stressful journey of sometimes thousands of kilometres to get home are suffering the consequences of this pandemic, just like so many other Australians.
It is quite extraordinary that social media rumours had taken hold to such an extent that Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein felt the need to have to respond. He did so by ridiculing the idea that large numbers of caravanners from the mainland were now entering Tasmania intending to holiday during the pandemic.
“I have been informed that the only campervans that have been carried on the last two sailings [of the TT-Line], the sailings this week, are caravans that have been owned by Tasmanians,” Mr Gutwein said.
He further explained.
“Many Tasmanians are either travelling on the mainland or, in many cases, Tasmanians house their vans on the mainland. It’s cheaper. But they are bringing them home,” he said. “In terms of vehicles that may be travelling on the Spirits that have mainland plates, there are many Tasmanians, students and others, who live on the mainland [and] they are coming home.”
Mr Gutwein said there was more campervan or caravan travel in the state because people were moving north to the ferry terminal, with the imminent closure of accommodation to non-essential persons and non-residents pushing visitors to leave Tasmania.
As the politicians have so often told us as this near-unprecedented health crisis has unfolded, all Australians are ultimately in this together, and we will get through it together.
Being able to show understanding and empathy to the difficult situations in which others inadvertently find themselves will be crucial to that.
Generosity, empathy and understanding are not traits all Australians share. It is times like this that the true face of people becomes evident. The old saying…. “A friend in need is a friend indeed”. I learnt the true meaning of that saying many years ago and I have held it dear ever since. I believe the idea of the Aussie battler and that of the Aussie culture only lives in many people’s minds. Unfortunately, many Australians these days are leaners, not lifters. Too many have their hands out for someone else to support them. Those grey nomads out on the road, by and large have done the hard yards for this country. They haven’t returned from an overseas jaunt bringing the virus with them. They are people supporting their countrymen, not yuppies living it up travelling the world without a care at all. We need our nomads to be appreciated for they are the ones who visit and spend in country towns while the city folk congregate on Bondi or St Kilda beaches thumbing their noses at the authorities. These grey nomads do deserve a break, they deserve respect and I fear that when the time comes for all of the knee jerk reactionaries to pull their heads in the grey nomad will remember how they were treated. I believe a rather different Australia will exist post Covid 19.
Stay safe and travel well. Peta
Well said Peta…..we haven’t gone away this winter as yet and of course will be spending our social distancing at home. I agree, it will be a very different culture that will emerge from this pandemic!
Well said Pets. I will remember those crummy little towns who have been less than welcoming.
Only months ago they were begging us to come spend our money to help keep them going.
Now They are turning vigilante with threats and abuse.
I don’t forget easily.
Life has changed for everyone NOT just GREY NOMADS. This has not just happened over night. We have had plenty of time to find a safe and secure location. It is very obvious that no one should be travelling anywhere. Travel is what spreads this virus to towns that don’t have it. Stop being so selfish and don’t judge people or towns for trying to protect themselves and their residents.
Townships ( including the crumby little towns that you belittle) will survive. It does not matter where you go, you will need to buy petrol, food and supplies. No need to be so self-righteous. Please be reminded that when you visit a town that you are a guest. Behave accordingly.
(In case the emoji doesn’t work, thumbs up Joe)!
I agree, we’ve had over a month to prepare and self quarantine. Those that have chosen not to have only themselves to blame.
You are completely right – memories of the way we Nomads are treated last for a very long time. During the mining boom several years ago, we now don’t go near 3 towns as the Parks where we had stayed in past trips were taken up with mining workers. Thanks Roma, Wondoan and Taroom.
Have a place for self contained couple some mowing and weeding required on Sunshine Coast
Hi GwenN we’re a fir couple on the road – Joh is 61 & I’m 47. Both work in the fitness industry. Looking for somewhere to base ourselves during the crisis.
Hi Gwen! we’re a fit couple on the road – Joh is 61 & I’m 47. Both work in the fitness industry. Looking for somewhere to base ourselves during the crisis. We’ve both owned homes so we can mow & weed!
morning Ashleigh , the job is for NON smokers and an hour , day each per
person but will fill you in on details ,not sure how to contact you
Just listed this advert
Travelling in Queensland?
Hi there, we are looking for expressions of interest from someone who is fully self contained with their caravan to offer a site to park up for six months, maybe more.
We ask in return for a powered site that you look after the farmhouse yard situated on 35 acres on the Sunshine Coast. The Ewan Maddock dam is close and there is a swimming pool, creek and a beautiful site on the farm for you to lock down during these troubled times. A ride-on and push mower, whipper snipper and spray pack etc is provided.
References will be required.
Hi Lyn
Just saw your ad.
We are permanent travellers with self contained van.Have had to stay around for specialist appt last Monday, but now caught out and have to leave here Friday.Have done property sitting around this area-can provide references.Happy to help out with maitaining your property etc.
We are finishing a farm sit…. a Grey Nomad listing on the 5th March and will then be homeless, no idea where we are going. We sold our home in Canberra and planned to be in Queensland until the end of August.
Supposed to be house sitting in Malanda the middle of June. Spoke to the owners today, they have cancelled their holidays.
Very keen for somewhere to stay for a bit.
We live in Lilydale Vic with 1/2 acre with house on one side and vacant on the other. The van cannot be longer than 8 meters from hitch to back as it will not be able to get in. Can supply water and electricity. Must be non smoker. Separate toilet and shower in house.
Thank you so much for your very generous offer. We are 2000km north at the moment, waiting to see if the home owners are able to get a flight home and then who knows.?
Not a problem but if needed OK
Where has all the common sense gone in this predicament. Let those who have no home to go to bunker down where they can. Surely they are evenly dispersed over this vast country so the burden won’t be to great for any one community. As for nomads with a home make you way back there if they are vacant. For any thinking of leaving home to travel stay home and think of others. All it takes is a bit of common sense and kindness.
For those of you in the area, the Toowoomba Showgrounds are open and for longer termers I think According to today’s newspaper, bookings can be made on 074634 7400
Maybe this resentment is caused by the small minority of nomads who are selfishly breaking the rules. On our way home we witnessed grey nomads still gathering for happy hours, huddling together in the camp kitchen and discussing which country towns they were moving on to next – a shocking disregard for the communities that they’re about to inflict themselves upon.
Caravan and camping parks
Where people live permanently in caravan parks or are staying in caravan parks as interim abodes where their primary residence is not available, they may continue to do so, with social distancing observed.
The last thing our ambo’s need is to be driving up and down some dirt track somewhere trying to follow hazy directions from someone not familiar with the aea they decided to hideout in.
Anyone stuck in the NT? Send us an email and we can see if we can accommodate.
As mentioned in other comments, there are some travellers in caravans, motor homes and the like, who sold up and live on the road with no home-base. Where are these folks meant to go under the current travel restrictions where no-one is supposed to undertaken “non-essential” travel? Some of these vehicles are self-contained and have no need for caravan park facilities and can remain off the grid for weeks at a time. Where should folks in these vehicle be right now?
Where are you/they “domiciled” for election purposes Allan? Go back there, it’s what we’ve done.
We have to wait another 9 days to get on the Spirit back to Melb. We are fully self contained and need somewhere to park within an hour or two from Devonport.
Try Big 4 Ulverstone Barb.
Southern downs region has some spots in their caravan parks.
Look online for Warwick, Killarney and Stanthorpe.