Some grey nomads think travelling in remote areas is the best way to stay safe.
It is still too early to say what the long-term impact of the coronavirus epidemic will be on the Big Lap lifestyle, but it’s fair to say most grey nomads are keeping a wary eye on the situation.
While infection levels in Australia are still extremely low, medical experts warn that it will almost certainly get a lot worse before it gets better. The deadly virus has sent a shockwave through the tourism industry, with international travel in particular being decimated.
In the short term at least, some caravan parks may benefit from a higher number of travellers choosing to holiday at home. However, if the crisis continues to escalate, that could change.
Stephanie Hill, the owner of Manbulloo Caravan Park in the Northern Territory, told the Katherine Times that she thinks some grey nomads may start to get nervous.
“If you were elderly and you had a pre-existing condition, you would think twice about travelling,” she said. “It will certainly impact us financially.”
Phillipa Harrison, managing director of Tourism Australia, said the coronavirus was going to have a far bigger impact than the bushfires.
“We are dealing with something that we just don’t know where it’s going to end,” she said. “But we anticipate a sharp recovery as soon as the crisis resolves itself.”
In these early stages of what is now a pandemic, grey nomads and all Australians are being urged to keep the threat in perspective and to improve their personal hygiene.
But will we see it having an impact on behaviour in caravan parks and camping areas?
“I see some experts have advised us to stop shaking hands with each other and I think people will be more cautious of others around them,” said grey nomad Robert King. “I think the landscape has changed forever, and it will possibly get more strained as we move around.”
The owners of the Tenterfield Lodge Caravan Park in New South Wales, Barry and Di O’Connor, say that grey nomads have not been talking too much about the coronavirus so far, but the park is taking some precautions.
“We are certainly disinfecting common areas such as the barbecue, amenities and camp kitchen,” said Barry. “And we also disinfect our Eftpos machine regularly during the day.”
With some cities and towns in other parts of the world being completely quarantined, veteran traveller Kay Anderson is taking no chances.
“I’m steering well clear of the metropolitan areas and staying out bush for as long as I possibly can,” she said. “I reckon there’s no better place on the planet to be at a time like this than the Outback … and I’ve got enough loo roll to last me weeks!”
Will still go north but will exercise a higher degree of caution with personal hygiene
Hi Nomads
after reading some of your comments and being a resident of the wide bay with a low infection rate at the moment,I think it would be irresponsible and
selfish to head up here stay home and holiday when all good again
That’s fine should one have “sticks and bricks” to return to. There some of us out here with no fixed address, making us permanent, full-time nomads. While some may have the funds to find a nice but uncomfortable dwelling to reside in through this.. Others amongst us simply don’t have such funds. And all the talk of lockdowns and fines and being detained, is scaring the hell out of some(myself included). We aren’t all on “holiday”.. it is either a life choice you make or it chooses you(due to circumstance).
I do agree with you, it is irresponsible of anyone to be wanting to travel any great distance. What I recommend to anyone living fulltime on wheels, is find a small rural backwater and stay put for the duration! Brave the cold and make the best of it.
All I wished is that someone would start talking about nomads of all kinds who are out here and what we need to do to remain within the new rules.
Some chose this life, others had the life choose
The small rural backwaters don’t want (and can’t carry) the risk you bring to their doorstep Brett. I recommend that you find a centre that has a quality hospital and medical service and stay there instead!
“Think twice about travelling” …in my caravan around parts of Australia….no way, I’d rather be outback somewhere for a few months than shut up in the house in suburbia at home….my vans ready to go….again. I agree, go bush for a while, yipee.
🙂
Puzzled about this covid 19, when normal flu is far more dangerous, it just doesn’t add up
Puzzled as to where you got this info from? While there is a high degree of uncertainty, from what I can see, coronavirus has a much higher mortality rate (around 20 times more fatal) and is considerably more contagious (about twice as high) than the seasonal flu.
While people should not be panicking, it is also not something to be taken lightly – especially for people in high risk groups.
https://www.sciencealert.com/the-new-coronavirus-isn-t-like-the-flu-but-they-have-one-big-thing-in-common
I assume you’re also puzzled about this climate change thing too John, considering we’ve always had weather?
We are heading off on 20th for 3 months on the road. It seems there is as much chance of catching at home town as anywhere else. So far infection rate are low in Aust. Cheers
A follow up. We have changed our mind and now will delay our departure until things become clearer.
I am going bush with my dog, by bike. Have a spot picked near fresh water, no people ever visit that area as you can only get in by bike. Will have a 10km ride for resupply to a little town. Will have 14 days food for my dog and I. Can fish for food as well. Have disposable lab suit, canaster mask and goggles when I get to edge of town. Will remain out there until it is all over. Don’t want to be anywhere near my home town as too tempted to just use car to go get stuff, or keep appointments Less likely to go anywhere when on the bicycle with the dog, unless it is an urgent need.,
Hang on Ric, we’ll be there in time for a fried fish lunch tomorrow…
Read below how Gunnison in america escaped deaths in 1918 from the spanish flu.
Gunnison, Colorado: the town that dodged the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic | Coronavirus outbreak | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/01/gunnison-colorado-the-town-that-dodged-the-1918-spanish-flu-pandemic
why was this example not copied in all countries simultaniously on noticing it was taking hold worldwide. Is it because of loss of money which the current governments appear to think more of, than loss of life.
I think it would be more likely to get coronavirus in City than out in the outback. Hope to get out there next month.
Good luck with the welcome you receive Linda…
Was wondering what lockdown will mean to those travelling full time on the road and for those that maybe three or four days from home when and if it is implemented
I am in Tas. and have been for 6 weeks. Sort of stuck in lulu land as wasn’t booked to return via ferry until 1st June and cannot get an early booking. Everything is closing down and other than scenic drives it may look like my Shitzu and I will head up to the “Bay Of Fires” and hibernate…
Ohhh well ….. after travelling extensively around the planet for yrs I should be use to issues ( this being unimaginable.) Patience is one of my virtues) and it could be worse..
I do hope all you travellers stay safe and well..☀️
Just having the same conversation with my wife. 3 months heading North of Brisbane. Fully self contained with supplies and half a tonne of water.
Will need the phycological boost that towns provide, but will be extremely cautious regarding hygiene. Will limit the exposure to the TV with comstant contary information and reporting. A couple of weeks at Barra Crab and Rolligstone and enjoy the fishing and scenery. Need 3 months away amd then reassessment whether just to keep going around for a year.
Many parks have over 500 people staying peak time for 3 months….does the 500 lplus gathering law apply? Ore are we semi permanent residence? Will parks restrict guests to 500 max?
Under the law its not allowed.
Caravan Parks, Motels and Hotels are specifically excluded from the definition of a Gathering in the state issued legislation.
No limit applies at this stage. Choose a park with plenty of space.
Will caravan parks start taking less patrons to give us all a bit more space and reduce numbers ?
Good Morning, as travelling nomads for years, i have been told to stay home as i have COPD the doctor informed me that i am in the danger bracket, even though i hold a DVA Gold Card i will not get priority if i get sick ( i am a Liability so are people over 70 ).
What about food?
Having trouble getting supplies at home, wondering how difficult it will be in small outback towns? We love camping at outback pubs and enjoying their hospitality – will they still be operating?
Heard from our small town shop they will be soon asking for some ID to confirm local or near area
We are on the road at the moment in Victoria we live an hour out of Brisbane in Toogoolawah and we are keeping out of major centres to avoid contact with to many people but we’re wondering what would happen if they shutdown the borders could we return home
Just brought new van
My wife just passed away and I was going to drive around Australia by myself
I’m 63 year old and my biggest concern could the states not let me drive through certain areas and could I get stuck in a state not able to drive home
I live on Mornington peninsula Victoria heading up east coast then over to west Australia
Leaving mid April
Any comments would be appreciated
Thanks Mark
That’s a tough one Mark. Would be great to get away, but any of us could unknowingly spread the virus to a new area. Probably best to wait til after the virus has peaked. Hope you enjoy that trip once you get out there.
Stay home. Do not risk the rest of the country by coming up north. Don’t be selfish.
We are 3 months in to our lap. From NSW, currently on SA coast.
We’re wondering if we should start heading back to NSW now…
I don’t know if crossing nullabor is best idea. We are mid 30’s with a 2 year old.
Best go home Charlie
We are planning a trip travelling through NW NSW to Roma in QLD & then onto the coast, probably as far as Hervey Bay before travelling south along the coast to our home near Wyong. We intended to start in early May, but in the current corona situation we are not sure if this will still be possible. What experience have other caravanners had since this pandemic started.
For those heading to the out back please rethink the risk of spreading
virus to the aborigine communities , they have less support and medical
help if infected
Well with states now restricting travellers entering & in NT & other states making you isolate for 2 weeks seems like staying in your own state is the best option.
If travel and have to do 14 day self isolation, as in a caravan, where do you have to park to do isolation. Say in SA and want to head to Qld?
With the new rules in Victoria (all caravan parks to close) does anyone know where I am supposed to travel and sleep safely. From WA and currently making our way back there from VIC.
Get the app Wikicamps and it will show you where you can go. There’s a lot of free camps out there 🙂
Being someone who is not on the “Big Lap”, but is living full time as a Nomad(no house, no fixed address).. I believe irresponsible people risk giving this way of life(regardless of how you do it) a bad name. Please, either stay at home(should you have one) or park yourself somewhere out of the way for the duration and make the best of it!