At a time when caravan parks seem to be getting ever more expensive, and free and budget campsites are becoming increasingly hard to find, grey nomads could be forgiven for occasionally thinking that the Big Lap isn’t quite what it used to be.
But then things suddenly feel better when a new camp opens up, or a local business group expresses its appreciation for the contribution that travellers make, or a country community goes the extra mile to roll out the welcome mat for grey nomads.
And that’s exactly what’s happening in the country NSW village of Woodstock, about 20 kilometres east of Cowra.
The historic station is just one point of interest. PIC: Woodstock Progress Association
Some five years ago, the Woodstock & District Progress Association conducted an informal survey among the 250 or so residents asking what they thought would help bring new life to the community, and the overwhelming response was … a budget campsite!
The President of the Progress Association, Alison Rutledge, tells the Grey Nomads that that was the start of a long and sometimes torturous journey, as the council had them ‘jumping through bureaucratic hoops’ despite being supportive of the plan.
But the hard work has paid off and, by the end of this month, Woodstock’s budget campsite will open at the showground.
The pace may be slow, but Woodstock is scenic and friendly. PIC: Farmpix Photography
“In many ways it really is sort of a grey nomad village here already which is probably why everyone has been so supportive,” said Ms Rutledge. “I think 80% of people here are probably over 65 and a lot of them have been travellers and know what having a campsite can add to a community and the life it can bring.”
The new grassy campground will have nine unpowered sites and the council has said the charge per site per night will be $15.
Initially, it will be for self-contained travellers only, but there are facilities at the site and Ms Rutledge is hopeful that, if the trial is successful, all campers will soon be welcome.
“It is so exciting when I think back to when caravans would drive into the village, see the big ‘camping prohibited sign’ on the showground and then turn around and leave,” she said. “Then they would park up just out of village on the site of an old metal dump … it just seemed so silly and such a wasted opportunity to welcome new people into our wonderful community.”
Ms Rutledge describes Woodstock as ‘the village where nothing happens’, but she hopes that the serenity will be a large part of its appeal. The village though does have a pub and a bowling club, and an historic timber railway station that it is hoped might eventually display artworks and artefacts.
“We hope grey nomads and other travellers will just enjoy their stays and I’m sure they’ll enhance the vibe of the village,” said Ms Rutledge. “Who knows, maybe one or two might even want to put roots down here!”
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Woodstock seems to be a attractive place to visit.
Only when they let me sleep in my van and use their toilet. I was one of those that slept outside of own.
Sounds peaceful. Suggest they have a book exchange in the rail shed. I often swap books this way.