I am a fulltime grey nomad , been in Gippsland Vic since
Co Vid commenced, does anyone know what parks or of any private properties are still open (I need shower, toilet, water, power facilities and room for 21'van & Landcruiser.). Having trouble finding my next spot , sth Gippsland Shire is keeping their parks closed, Mornington peninsula parks now closed indefinitely , free bush camps have been tapped off & closed... Other parks further Nth on Vic East Coast are non responsive on requests. Due to lockdown have to remain somewhere in Gippsland.& state borders shut indefinitely. . Ideally on someone's farm until this covid resolves. Has any one heard of any such spots?? Thanks, Mal.
Mike Harding said
10:43 AM Aug 16, 2020
Good morning Mal
You asked this question, on this forum, in a thread three weeks ago but clearly have not read it since or responded to the many helpful answers - I suggest you read it now.
You seek; electricity, water, toilet, shower and the like, this is what caravan parks provide and they are still, despite the Covid regulations, permitted to accept customers who have no regular home in Victoria - if they choose to. I suggest you obtain the Wiki Camps application and spend a morning with that and your phone and ring every caravan park you can and ask if they will take you, I am certain you will find a positive response. You will then be permitted to drive to that park as it is your de facto home - but do not cross Melbourne.
You will not find a free camp which provides all you seek - let me know if you do :) But do you *really* need all of that? I have been free camping in NW Vic for a few weeks and was here for 11 weeks during the previous lockdown - just me and the van deep in the forest. I have solar panels and a small generator, my washing water comes from the river, my potable water from a tap in the nearby town. My caravan has a toilet and shower but you could buy a Porta Potti and rig up an outside camping shower. The toilet may be emptied either at a dump point or just dig a deep hole well into the bush.
It is all quite easily done.
Magnarc said
11:04 AM Aug 16, 2020
Malcolm, consider yourself admonished!!!!!!!!
dieseltojo said
11:52 AM Aug 16, 2020
Yep is is a problem alright. I reckon it revolves around the rules in the area you are in.
The problem with moving is that another community has to accept any issues that you yourself bring. Justifiable as the seem to you.
I mean what you require is self evident and you must already be pretty well self sufficient already where you are. So a move is more about a location change than any thing life threatening.
It sort of makes your mission more or less in the "just resumed traveling holiday maker really." I am not saying this is your situation but it aint going to get warmer any time soon in Vic. I would just sit it out or approach the government agencies. I know this is sounding harsher than intended.
MalJ said
12:03 PM Aug 16, 2020
Morning , Thank you , I did read prior replies , I know I will have pay for a site that I need and I did read replies 3 weeks ago , but I find myself still hunting for a site , in Gippsland parks are either shut, not replying to enquiries , closing or refusing to accept " ëssential travellers" - cant get across to the northern or western side of state due to covid block so confined to Gippsland. Yes I am equipped to free camp , but try not to due to a bung leg where parks are easier. However over the past weeks I visited several free campsites, with the view of moving to one, but found them now tapped off + signed "No camping"...I stayed at last park until " I exceeded max. allowed length of stay ", now same here, so I have to move on., Thanks , Mal
MalJ said
12:09 PM Aug 16, 2020
Good arvo , yep , its awkward , and I have approached the various agencies , just to be told " that I have housing (ie. my van ) so they cant help" ideally I find a retired farmer or somebody that doesnt mind a van.
who knows ? thanks , Mal
Mike Harding said
12:44 PM Aug 16, 2020
Hello again Mal
It seems I'm not making myself clear so:
1 - As you are normally resident in Victoria but do not have a fixed abode you are *legally entitled* to camp in a Victorian State Forest, State Park or National Park - the Covid health regulations under which the lockdown is legislated *specifically* make this clear. See my thread from March/April for details and links to the legislation.
2 - Commercial caravan parks are also permitted to accept nomads during the lockdown - but they do not have to.
If you arrive at a camp in a State Forest, State Park or National Park in Victoria which has barriers or tape and you wish to stay then carefully remove the barriers, pass through, then replace them. When a ranger arrives a few days later explain your circumstances, politely, and he should say "OK". If he tells you to move then tell him you have nowhere to go and he'll need to ask police to evict you - which they won't.
I am on first name terms with the ranger around here (State Forest) and he is quite clear and accepting of my right to remain here for the balance of thee lockdown.
STRETCH ARMSTRONG said
06:18 PM Aug 16, 2020
The facebook group Full Time Travellers Australia has extensive info on who is open and who is closed.
On wikicamps it took me a minute to find marlo was open and had special price per week, well worthgetting the app if you don't already have it.
Stretch.
-- Edited by STRETCH ARMSTRONG on Sunday 16th of August 2020 06:55:39 PM
TheHeaths said
08:43 PM Aug 16, 2020
Mal,
I understand you have an en-suite van, so you may need to use that to make your search a little easier.
Perhaps that will encourage some location to take you in.
I understand that Victoria regional is in stage 3 lockdown, but I would have thought there would be some way to move around and miss the metro area, and get to another part of the state. If not, I would try and contact Victoria Police and some government departments, and ask them what you can do with all of these refusals!
-- Edited by TheHeaths on Sunday 16th of August 2020 08:44:12 PM
villatranquilla said
10:33 PM Aug 16, 2020
its easy to travel to the north west of the state from Gippsland, just don't stop within the stage 4 lockdown area. We had friends travel to Bachus Marsh from lakes Entrance last week and were not stopped or questioned at either of the checkpoints.
Mike Harding said
07:36 AM Aug 17, 2020
STRETCH ARMSTRONG wrote:
On wikicamps it took me a minute to find marlo was open and had special price per week, well worthgetting the app if you don't already have it.
A nice caravan park at Marlo - plenty of grass and space and some delightful local walks.
A decent shop in the village and a good IGA (and bottle shop!) in Orbost 10km distant.
Snippy said
11:44 AM Aug 17, 2020
Mike Harding wrote:
Good morning Mal
You asked this question, on this forum, in a thread three weeks ago but clearly have not read it since or responded to the many helpful answers - I suggest you read it now.
Get this all the time, OP asks question, responders often go to some length to be helpful and OP never comes back for replies.
Mike Harding said
01:16 PM Aug 17, 2020
Snippy wrote:
Mike Harding wrote:
Good morning Mal
You asked this question, on this forum, in a thread three weeks ago but clearly have not read it since or responded to the many helpful answers - I suggest you read it now.
Get this all the time, OP asks question, responders often go to some length to be helpful and OP never comes back for replies.
I'm an atheist but my father was a Christian and he had a saying:
"The Lord helps those who help themselves"
I think there is much merit in it.
MalJ said
11:51 AM Aug 28, 2020
Hello everyone , have a nice spot for the time being , so all good , no ph or internet reception therefore cant make individual replies , but thank U all. Mal
G'day everyone, hope all safe & well.
I am a fulltime grey nomad , been in Gippsland Vic since
Co Vid commenced, does anyone know what parks or of any private properties are still open (I need shower, toilet, water, power facilities and room for 21'van & Landcruiser.). Having trouble finding my next spot , sth Gippsland Shire is keeping their parks closed, Mornington peninsula parks now closed indefinitely , free bush camps have been tapped off & closed... Other parks further Nth on Vic East Coast are non responsive on requests. Due to lockdown have to remain somewhere in Gippsland.& state borders shut indefinitely. . Ideally on someone's farm until this covid resolves. Has any one heard of any such spots?? Thanks, Mal.
Good morning Mal
You asked this question, on this forum, in a thread three weeks ago
but clearly have not read it since or responded to the many helpful
answers - I suggest you read it now.
You seek; electricity, water, toilet, shower and the like, this is
what caravan parks provide and they are still, despite the Covid
regulations, permitted to accept customers who have no regular home
in Victoria - if they choose to. I suggest you obtain the Wiki Camps
application and spend a morning with that and your phone and ring
every caravan park you can and ask if they will take you, I am
certain you will find a positive response. You will then be permitted
to drive to that park as it is your de facto home - but do not cross
Melbourne.
You will not find a free camp which provides all you seek - let me
know if you do :) But do you *really* need all of that? I have been
free camping in NW Vic for a few weeks and was here for 11 weeks
during the previous lockdown - just me and the van deep in the
forest. I have solar panels and a small generator, my washing water
comes from the river, my potable water from a tap in the nearby town.
My caravan has a toilet and shower but you could buy a Porta Potti
and rig up an outside camping shower. The toilet may be emptied
either at a dump point or just dig a deep hole well into the bush.
It is all quite easily done.
Malcolm, consider yourself admonished!!!!!!!!
Yep is is a problem alright. I reckon it revolves around the rules in the area you are in.
The problem with moving is that another community has to accept any issues that you yourself bring. Justifiable as the seem to you.
I mean what you require is self evident and you must already be pretty well self sufficient already where you are. So a move is more about a location change than any thing life threatening.
It sort of makes your mission more or less in the "just resumed traveling holiday maker really." I am not saying this is your situation but it aint going to get warmer any time soon in Vic. I would just sit it out or approach the government agencies. I know this is sounding harsher than intended.
Morning , Thank you , I did read prior replies , I know I will have pay for a site that I need and I did read replies 3 weeks ago , but I find myself still hunting for a site , in Gippsland parks are either shut, not replying to enquiries , closing or refusing to accept " ëssential travellers" - cant get across to the northern or western side of state due to covid block so confined to Gippsland. Yes I am equipped to free camp , but try not to due to a bung leg where parks are easier. However over the past weeks I visited several free campsites, with the view of moving to one, but found them now tapped off + signed "No camping"...I stayed at last park until " I exceeded max. allowed length of stay ", now same here, so I have to move on., Thanks , Mal
Good arvo , yep , its awkward , and I have approached the various agencies , just to be told " that I have housing (ie. my van ) so they cant help" ideally I find a retired farmer or somebody that doesnt mind a van.
who knows ? thanks , Mal
Hello again Mal
It seems I'm not making myself clear so:
1 - As you are normally resident in Victoria but do not have a fixed abode you are *legally entitled* to camp in a Victorian State Forest, State Park or National Park - the Covid health regulations under which the lockdown is legislated *specifically* make this clear. See my thread from March/April for details and links to the legislation.
2 - Commercial caravan parks are also permitted to accept nomads during the lockdown - but they do not have to.
If you arrive at a camp in a State Forest, State Park or National Park in Victoria which has barriers or tape and you wish to stay then carefully remove the barriers, pass through, then replace them. When a ranger arrives a few days later explain your circumstances, politely, and he should say "OK". If he tells you to move then tell him you have nowhere to go and he'll need to ask police to evict you - which they won't.
I am on first name terms with the ranger around here (State Forest) and he is quite clear and accepting of my right to remain here for the balance of thee lockdown.
The facebook group Full Time Travellers Australia has extensive info on who is open and who is closed.
On wikicamps it took me a minute to find marlo was open and had special price per week, well worthgetting the app if you don't already have it.
Stretch.
-- Edited by STRETCH ARMSTRONG on Sunday 16th of August 2020 06:55:39 PM
Mal,
I understand you have an en-suite van, so you may need to use that to make your search a little easier.
Perhaps that will encourage some location to take you in.
I understand that Victoria regional is in stage 3 lockdown, but I would have thought there would be some way to move around and miss the metro area, and get to another part of the state. If not, I would try and contact Victoria Police and some government departments, and ask them what you can do with all of these refusals!
-- Edited by TheHeaths on Sunday 16th of August 2020 08:44:12 PM
A nice caravan park at Marlo - plenty of grass and space and some delightful local walks.
A decent shop in the village and a good IGA (and bottle shop!) in Orbost 10km distant.
I'm an atheist but my father was a Christian and he had a saying:
"The Lord helps those who help themselves"
I think there is much merit in it.