Do you think that park prices will reduce to something like
pre-pandemic prices once the rush dies down?
Whenarewethere said
03:09 PM Dec 31, 2022
Only they are not getting customers.
Meredith said
08:50 PM Dec 31, 2022
Unlikely. Insurance has gone up huge amounts in the past few years, wages have risen especially with the shortage of workers, council rates and land taxes are continually rising and power costs have gone up huge amounts. These businesses must make a profit or they will close.
Brodie Allen said
09:45 PM Jan 1, 2023
I reckon that they must reduce - maybe there's a move on parks temporarily now with pent-up energy
from the lockdowns.
But I doubt that that can continue indefinitely. And whichever way you look at it what was once $35 to $40
is regularly $50- $60. Thats a lot of doffer for an overnight parking space on top of a neighbour.
I have seen figures like $70 plus - especially in the corporate (NRMA, etc) parks.
There's a lot of vanners now that don't even use the facilities, preferring to bathe, bog and whatever in
their van.
And low-cost and freecamps are proliferating (you beaut) which is adding to the pressure on the parks.
My two bob's worth, anyway.
Brodie.
86GTS said
07:24 AM Jan 2, 2023
I think that its a case of what goes up will never come down, particularly as people ARE paying the inflated prices.
RickJ said
02:05 PM Jan 2, 2023
Whenarewethere wrote:
Only they are not getting customers.
Is that spoken with accurate knowledge?
I really think you need to actually get out and experience the caravanning lifestyle.
Cupie said
04:58 PM Jan 2, 2023
RickJ wrote:
Whenarewethere wrote:
Only (IF)they are not getting customers.
Is that spoken with accurate knowledge?
I really think you need to actually get out and experience the caravanning lifestyle.
Putting words into Whenarewthere's mouth. (IF) Perhaps this is what he meant.
BTW .. my most recent experience was that the van park numbers are still very high. Like many things in our society, once the price goes up it rarely comes down again. All sorts of excuses will be dragged out to justify the increases.
vince56 said
05:08 PM Jan 2, 2023
As I Have posted previously, some of the parks don't deserve your business, let alone increasing the prices for an un-level, muddy or dusty tiny site accompanied with bad facilities. There are a few that are worthy but few and far between in my experience.
Regarding park usage lately, coming down the east coast Hervey Bay to Melbourne was a nightmare before Xmas to get in anywhere, mostly FULL! (and Bl--dy expensive!)
RickJ said
05:16 PM Jan 2, 2023
vince56 wrote:
As I Have posted previously, some of the parks don't deserve your business, let alone increasing the prices for an un-level, muddy or dusty tiny site accompanied with bad facilities. There are a few that are worthy but few and far between in my experience.
Regarding park usage lately, coming down the east coast Hervey Bay to Melbourne was a nightmare before Xmas to get in anywhere, mostly FULL! (and Bl--dy expensive!)
Yes many parks were booked out in NQ for most of the winter term.
They are a lot less occupied now. Some do drop the price in the off season but this trend has changed in the last year or two.
Blame Covid, I dont know. It appears that many younger ones now have vans and are doing the family thing with some even doing it *full time*
My observation between Boomers and the younger ones is that the younger ones tend to accept the price where the Boomers hate putting their hand into their very deep pocket.
Merediths post above sums it up.
. Insurance has gone up huge amounts in the past few years, wages have risen especially with the shortage of workers, council rates and land taxes are continually rising and power costs have gone up huge amounts. These businesses must make a profit or they will close.
Gundog said
07:20 PM Jan 2, 2023
I find this post is disturbing I'm unsure if the responders actually use Caravan Parks.
May I suggest if you respond that you quantify your response with your historical usage of caravan parks.
In our case we predominately use caravan parks but also we use Showgrounds and other low cost facilities, never free camps nor facilities without power.
As for the prices we pay I have never paid more than $36 per night at a CP, sure you pay higher rates at the high tourist locations and coastal strip CP's.
One night wonders will pay the full tote odds, compared to those who stay a week or more will generally pay 5 or 6 stay 7.
As for why prices are on the rise its simple cost to run a park growing rapidly, insurance, power and Council rates etc are the main problem. I can give you an example of one council that owners have to pay rates that include rubbish but there is no rubbish collection available, Owners setup an enviromental septic system for which they have to pay $2000 annual fee, now add to that if they want to establish more sites or cabins then they have to pay per site establishment approval fee, which is on a sliding scale from 600 to 5000 dollars depending on the site use.
Before you kneecap a CP for its prices maybe there maybe reasons why.
Southern Cruizer said
09:02 PM Jan 2, 2023
Not sure that parks will decrease prices due to the simple fact that last year when we were filling in for park managers where we live, doing the park today and for a little while again during this month while they are away again, we noticed today on the computer that price increases went up from 1st Jan. Individual park prices are set by the company that owns them, not the individual park on it's own. Many arguements today with a few smart a**es who want everything each year at the past years prices
-- Edited by Southern Cruizer on Monday 2nd of January 2023 09:03:00 PM
Dougwe said
09:54 PM Jan 2, 2023
I was going to keep out if this but hey, it's me
I am and have been staying in a little bush setting caravan park for a while and will be a while longer for health reasons mainly but I don't really mind. I actually love it here. No bells and whistles here, although there is a nice pool. Before now I was in and out a couple of times a year.
I have got to know the owners of this 'privately owned' park very well, yep, no big companies or chains here. Speaking to them regularly they class their park as 'not a destination park'. More an overnight stop over while travelling. They say that prices of a few different insurances they have to have, gas and electricity have gone through the roof and can't possibly charge less for a powered site. Not to mention the cost of rubbish removal and general maintenance. Like, some idiot ran over a tap that was easily seen in front of him, it stands about a metre up from the ground for goodness sake, or backed into a brick garden wall bringing it down. Even vandalism, just cos they can. I watched a kid deliberately wreck a chair in the camp kitchen and when I mentioned it to his mum, was told "the owners can buy a new one". Lovely attitude, not.
From my general observations their cost would be reduced considerably if inconsiderate people just did the right thing, not leave lights on as the leave the amenity blocks even though there is a nice friendly sign asking you to turn off if last to leave, same with the camp kitchen. Don't leave taps running when you leave same areas and yes I have seen people do this. Air conditioners left running all day while you are out site seeing etc. This all applies to the few cabins here as well. Having free camped etc a lot and still will, I am very conscious of power and water usage in particular and I am forever turning lights or taps off.
Is it any wonder caravan parks are expensive. If people just thought and not say "I pay for it, I'll do what I want".
No, I don't have shares in the place, just a caring and paying guest.
Keep Safe out there everyone.
mixo said
12:11 AM Jan 3, 2023
wait till you roll up with 3 kids in tow. You can see the dollar signs spinning in their eyes.
We love caravan parks but only at the destination. in between we go free or showgrounds.
Not paying $80+ for 8 hours sleep and a pee break and gone by 8 am...
I am willing to pay for a nice park that has lots of kids stuff to do, leaving me and the misses free.
mixo
Mariner30 said
07:57 AM Jan 3, 2023
People will do what suits them.
I don't know why the anti caravan park mob come out of the woodwork to screech stuff like " l never, ever use caravan parks with their expensive playgrounds...and hot showers and laundy facilities."
Those folks who do the free/ cheap camp thing all the time NEVER mention the noisy bogans who turn up X 4 and pull out the noisy electronic gizmos.
And the feral pig dogs they allow to wander around YOUR site.
Possum3 said
08:10 AM Jan 3, 2023
Like Doug, We are finding it a deeply disturbing fact that; the general public utilising services in caravan/motel provided facilities are self indulgent, lazy and filthy.
It seems that modern Australia has totally forgotten what it is like to have nothing and yet be grateful for it. The hard working, honest and patriotic Australians that fought Wars, battled Economic Depressions and built modern Australia are being dishonored by their selfish descendants.
Brodie Allen said
08:28 AM Jan 3, 2023
A recent article in caravanning news:
In the soon-to-be-announced criteria for the grant program, Australian caravan parks will be able to apply for funding to deliver shovel-ready projects.
FUNDING FOR TWO YEARS
The government will provide funding for the next two years to assist caravan parks to upgrade or create new infrastructure and visitor facilities to enhance visitor experience, including improvements to accessibility. This program is expected to begin in November.
"The heart of the program is to assist caravan parks to swiftly upgrade or create new infrastructure and visitor facilities to enhance visitor experience, including improvements to accessibility and environmental sustainability practices," the association said.
And a reply by an observant reader:
Caravanning News reader David Johnson from Victoria was quick to react to the news, commenting: "I just hope that as taxpayers are effectively funding an element of the upgrade works, that park owners recognise the funded element and ensure any resultant price rises reflect this."
PIGS MIGHT FLY, David!!!
Government would be better off using the money on low-cost camps rather than giving it to private corporations.
Ivan 01 said
10:50 AM Jan 3, 2023
It appears to me Brodie that when you take delivery of your New Van that you have a few options.
Restrict you travel effort if it is the money you are concerned about. ( stay home a lot more )
Be prepared to *sit out* periods of time in free camps so as to limit time travelling and subsequent costs.
Pay the park fees, enjoy your stay and enjoy the very adventure that caused you to make a decision to enter the caravanning lifestyle in the first place.
Cuppa said
11:41 AM Jan 3, 2023
Gundog wrote:
May I suggest if you respond that you quantify your response with your historical usage of caravan parks.
We rarely use caravan parks for essentially 3 reasons.
1.We prefer the peace & serentity of being out in the bush
2. We could not afford to stay in caravan parks all the time (it would be different if it were just for holidays)
3. On the whole we don't actually like the crowded nature of caravan parks much (with a few notable exceptions)
We also rarely use the many of 'free camps' along the popular Grey Nomad routes. Many are just as crowded as the caravan parks but without the facilities of a caravan park.
So I am in no position to take a view on whether the prices of caravan parks relate to the costs of running them.
However I do have a sense of what constitutes reasonable value to us. On the whole, when we do stay in the odd park now & then what we pay for is a patch of ground to park on overnight, plus toilet & shower facilities. Maybe washing machine too. Whether we consider it good value is determined primarily by location. If it's a gorgeous place with a beautiful outlook we may consider it worth paying for if we deem it affordable to us. When we consider it good value we may stay several nights.
My perception is that because of the seasonal business model that many caravan parks are subject to they are opportunists, charging whatever they can get, & varying their prices according to demand. It's the nature of the beast. Complaints, more often than not are about this opportunism I think. However as long as the parks are operating at capacity there are people paying the asking price, so there is no motivation to reduce those prices no matter how unaffordable they might be for some. What has concerned me for years is the caravan park lobby doing all they can to stamp out anything they see as competing with them, often seeking to close down free camps used by many who would never be able to afford the CP prices, or who would not choose to stay in them even if they could. There is a crossover market, but attempts to close free camps has rarely if ever seen free camps as anything other than taking custom from the parks. A view I can't help but see as selfish. We were well informed of (& embarrassed by) the behaviours of local caravan park operators in our hometown of Ballarat to ensure that the trial of a free camp there would fail. Dirty tricks profit driven in a town where caravan parks hold sway on the local council won the day.
I think the highest we have ever paid in a caravan Park has been $45 a night. It was a bit of a shock to us & we grumbled a bit between ourselves about the cost, although had no complaints about the park having accepted the convenience of being there rather than 40kms out of town at the nearest free camp, because we had early morning business to attend to in the town. So on that occasion we accepted that the value (to us) of paying the cost was more than just a piece of grass to camp on with toilets & showers.
Essentially we avoid the busy & expensive nature of the east coast. There is a great deal of beauty to experience for those who have not travelled it, but having done so we are now more than happy to go elsewhere where we can travel & camp in the way we like best.
Brodie Allen said
07:44 PM Jan 3, 2023
Ivan 01 wrote:
It appears to me Brodie that when you take delivery of your New Van that you have a few options.
Restrict you travel effort if it is the money you are concerned about. ( stay home a lot more )
Be prepared to *sit out* periods of time in free camps so as to limit time travelling and subsequent costs.
Pay the park fees, enjoy your stay and enjoy the very adventure that caused you to make a decision to enter the caravanning lifestyle in the first place.
Brilliant clap-trap. Totally unhelpful and off subject.
Ivan 01 said
08:28 PM Jan 3, 2023
Brodie Allen wrote:
Ivan 01 wrote:
It appears to me Brodie that when you take delivery of your New Van that you have a few options.
Restrict you travel effort if it is the money you are concerned about. ( stay home a lot more )
Be prepared to *sit out* periods of time in free camps so as to limit time travelling and subsequent costs.
Pay the park fees, enjoy your stay and enjoy the very adventure that caused you to make a decision to enter the caravanning lifestyle in the first place.
Brilliant clap-trap. Totally unhelpful and off subject.
So my post is off topic and others arent.
OK, Here goes. No I dont think rental fees in caravan parks will drop to pre Covid levels.
When reading back there is one post only that addresses your opening post. Your second post was your two bobs worth and my first post was mine. Simple really.
Enjoy your new van and your caravanning.
vince56 said
08:30 AM Jan 4, 2023
Gundog wrote:
I find this post is disturbing I'm unsure if the responders actually use Caravan Parks.
May I suggest if you respond that you quantify your response with your historical usage of caravan parks.
Before you kneecap a CP for its prices maybe there maybe reasons why.
OK, I've been using parks for many years, been to literally hundreds all around Australia, I started living in a van with my parents at age 11, bought my own first van in 1986, been towing ever since. How does that compare to your "historical usage"?
Not "Kneecapping" anyone, if you bring in all the cost increases as you point out, it is still nowhere near the sometimes 70 to 80% increase they have imposed since the pandemic, it is pure price gouging by some, not all, caravan parks.
Case in point, Coastal Vic, pre-covid $50 to $60, post-covid $120 at first now $105 per night! I used to be a regular, but 70+% increase, I am going elsewhere.
The FACT is that many parks have increased their fees well and truly above cost increases, if they get away with it good on 'em but they won't be seeing me if I can help it.
-- Edited by vince56 on Wednesday 4th of January 2023 08:51:48 AM
Brodie Allen said
08:30 AM Jan 4, 2023
Possum3 wrote:
Like Doug, We are finding it a deeply disturbing fact that; the general public utilising services in caravan/motel provided facilities are self indulgent, lazy and filthy.
It seems that modern Australia has totally forgotten what it is like to have nothing and yet be grateful for it. The hard working, honest and patriotic Australians that fought Wars, battled Economic Depressions and built modern Australia are being dishonoured by their selfish descendants.
They teach the kids and young adults in schools and universities should be
entitled, when they are not they are disrespectful and resentful.
All the current woke mantras play into their hands also.
Bring back Nasho and smarten them up. We're likely to be needing it
by the look of things anyway.
Mousey said
09:02 AM Jan 4, 2023
We just payed $42 a night unpowered & no water at Rainbow beach. Only went because we were with our kids . It was extremely busy all over the park. Christmas time as you would expect. But wont be paying that again. Go west young man. Certainly dont think the price will come down any time soon. But this was peak ti also.
-- Edited by Mousey on Wednesday 4th of January 2023 09:04:53 AM
Possum3 said
10:19 AM Jan 4, 2023
Brodie Allen wrote:
Bring back Nasho and smarten them up. We're likely to be needing it by the look of things anyway.
I hope not - Not many servicemen want to have them at their six.
Brodie Allen said
11:07 AM Jan 4, 2023
Well somebody's got to do something - they are all indoctrinated by the socialist schools and universities
and apologists for everything!
Well send them outback away from their tablets and work them 2 years on a dinkum property - or no dole!!
There's no shortage of labour - just a glut of non-workers determined never to work. I see thousands of
them down at Greenmount surf daily. they laugh about it.
Off topic - no more from me.
Warren-Pat_01 said
04:53 PM Jan 4, 2023
Hi Brodie Allen,
Where possible we stay at the smaller, less known places - giving support to these small towns.
One favourite that's a day's travel from Townsville (home) is Capella - just north of Emerald. They offer good service, clean facilities, low cost (in today's economic climate) & friendship. Their Happy Hours are held in all weathers (except cyclones if one would venture that far inland). Most of our friends stay there too.
Another on the Bruce Highway between Mackay & Proserpine is St Helens. We discovered both parks almost by accident. For us both offer good birding (we're birdwatchers). No, they don't have all of the "flash" things that the bigger parks think families want today but their prices are much lower too. They don't suffer the issues where there are oodles of kids racing around on foot, bikes, trikes. At one big park in Warrnambool (we couldn't avoid staying there), there were kids getting in the way of people like us trying to reverse into caravan spots - while their ignorant parents looked on & thought it was hilarious.
The parks big & small still have to pay govt & council charges that are often astronomical. The Qld Govt is beyond broke so I don't see them winding prices down. We've just been told our power prices are going up 27% - so much for cheap renewables!
I saw a great posting on Facebook yesterday "My wish for 2023 is that everyone has enough! Enough time. Enough money. Enough friends. Enough food. Enough sleep. Enough of all the things you need. Not too much - just Enough!"
Gundog said
10:10 PM Jan 4, 2023
Warren-Pat_01 wrote:
Hi Brodie Allen, Where possible we stay at the smaller, less known places - giving support to these small towns. One favourite that's a day's travel from Townsville (home) is Capella - just north of Emerald. They offer good service, clean facilities, low cost (in today's economic climate) & friendship. Their Happy Hours are held in all weathers (except cyclones if one would venture that far inland). Most of our friends stay there too.
Another on the Bruce Highway between Mackay & Proserpine is St Helens. We discovered both parks almost by accident. For us both offer good birding (we're birdwatchers). No, they don't have all of the "flash" things that the bigger parks think families want today but their prices are much lower too. They don't suffer the issues where there are oodles of kids racing around on foot, bikes, trikes. At one big park in Warrnambool (we couldn't avoid staying there), there were kids getting in the way of people like us trying to reverse into caravan spots - while their ignorant parents looked on & thought it was hilarious.
The parks big & small still have to pay govt & council charges that are often astronomical. The Qld Govt is beyond broke so I don't see them winding prices down. We've just been told our power prices are going up 27% - so much for cheap renewables!
I saw a great posting on Facebook yesterday "My wish for 2023 is that everyone has enough! Enough time. Enough money. Enough friends. Enough food. Enough sleep. Enough of all the things you need. Not too much - just Enough!"
another good 1 is 6k north of Prossy, Gunna Go CP which has just changed owners, still privately owned. good array of birds could sighted by a good twitcher.
Brodie Allen said
07:50 AM Jan 6, 2023
Warren-Pat_01 wrote:
Hi Brodie Allen, Where possible we stay at the smaller, less known places - giving support to these small towns. One favourite that's a day's travel from Townsville (home) is Capella - just north of Emerald. They offer good service, clean facilities, low cost (in today's economic climate) & friendship. Their Happy Hours are held in all weathers (except cyclones if one would venture that far inland). Most of our friends stay there too.
Another on the Bruce Highway between Mackay & Proserpine is St Helens. We discovered both parks almost by accident. For us both offer good birding (we're birdwatchers). No, they don't have all of the "flash" things that the bigger parks think families want today but their prices are much lower too. They don't suffer the issues where there are oodles of kids racing around on foot, bikes, trikes. At one big park in Warrnambool (we couldn't avoid staying there), there were kids getting in the way of people like us trying to reverse into caravan spots - while their ignorant parents looked on & thought it was hilarious.
The parks big & small still have to pay govt & council charges that are often astronomical. The Qld Govt is beyond broke so I don't see them winding prices down. We've just been told our power prices are going up 27% - so much for cheap renewables!
I saw a great posting on Facebook yesterday "My wish for 2023 is that everyone has enough! Enough time. Enough money. Enough friends. Enough food. Enough sleep. Enough of all the things you need. Not too much - just Enough!"
Thanks for your thoughtful post.
Just to clarify, it's not that I can't afford the cost of parks, I just don't see the value inherent in
a fee of $50 - $60 for an overnight parking spot. For me and I think an increasing number of
others, I wonder how much I'm paying for empty sheds with refrig, oven, stove, jumping bag,
pool and etc. when I need none of it.
More now than ever parks are family with kids hang-outs and not suiting the mature traveller.
For me, a bit of space is welcome too - I am not at all happy with the claustrophobic situation
in most - all - parks.
Some parks are getting a bit of an idea in as much as they have set aside a drive-thru no amenity
area but still want $30 for the parking rights.
I feel sure that given a bit of time and a settlement of pent-up travelitis we will see competition
gradually reducing the opportunistic attitude of many parks management and a softening of
park pricing. Look at diesel for instance - down about 20% in the last 6 months.
Covid, Covid, Covid - war on the other side of the world, bla bla . . . any excuse to cover their
shame for the unwarranted price increases. Chock-a-block and still "needing" more money.
Gundog said
10:24 AM Jan 6, 2023
Brodie Allen wrote:
Warren-Pat_01 wrote:
Hi Brodie Allen, Where possible we stay at the smaller, less known places - giving support to these small towns. One favourite that's a day's travel from Townsville (home) is Capella - just north of Emerald. They offer good service, clean facilities, low cost (in today's economic climate) & friendship. Their Happy Hours are held in all weathers (except cyclones if one would venture that far inland). Most of our friends stay there too.
Another on the Bruce Highway between Mackay & Proserpine is St Helens. We discovered both parks almost by accident. For us both offer good birding (we're birdwatchers). No, they don't have all of the "flash" things that the bigger parks think families want today but their prices are much lower too. They don't suffer the issues where there are oodles of kids racing around on foot, bikes, trikes. At one big park in Warrnambool (we couldn't avoid staying there), there were kids getting in the way of people like us trying to reverse into caravan spots - while their ignorant parents looked on & thought it was hilarious.
The parks big & small still have to pay govt & council charges that are often astronomical. The Qld Govt is beyond broke so I don't see them winding prices down. We've just been told our power prices are going up 27% - so much for cheap renewables!
I saw a great posting on Facebook yesterday "My wish for 2023 is that everyone has enough! Enough time. Enough money. Enough friends. Enough food. Enough sleep. Enough of all the things you need. Not too much - just Enough!"
Thanks for your thoughtful post.
Just to clarify, it's not that I can't afford the cost of parks, I just don't see the value inherent in
a fee of $50 - $60 for an overnight parking spot. For me and I think an increasing number of
others, I wonder how much I'm paying for empty sheds with refrig, oven, stove, jumping bag,
pool and etc. when I need none of it.
More now than ever parks are family with kids hang-outs and not suiting the mature traveller.
For me, a bit of space is welcome too - I am not at all happy with the claustrophobic situation
in most - all - parks.
Some parks are getting a bit of an idea in as much as they have set aside a drive-thru no amenity
area but still want $30 for the parking rights.
I feel sure that given a bit of time and a settlement of pent-up travelitis we will see competition
gradually reducing the opportunistic attitude of many parks management and a softening of
park pricing. Look at diesel for instance - down about 20% in the last 6 months.
Covid, Covid, Covid - war on the other side of the world, bla bla . . . any excuse to cover their
shame for the unwarranted price increases. Chock-a-block and still "needing" more money.
If you don't use CP's why are you grizzling about the prices.
Its misleading to continually quote 50-60 dollars per night when there are plenty that are well under that, because you don't want to use the facilities provided thats your choice. Those amenities have a cost to build and maintain. Your starting to sound like some CMCA members who expect a substantial discount because they are self contained.
Funny its a common sight you see when many a free campers arrive at a caravan park, after sitting their vehicle powered up water connected, then a mountain of washing appears its off to the laundry, take every machine. Whilst that happening off to the showers for what seems an eternity. When all that's done empty the toilet, fill the water tanks, then start to wash the tug and van (they generally crack the ****s when their tod to stop as its valuable rain water their wasting)
Oh we have caught people who played for non powered site roll out a power cord after dark, and then fill their water tanks use the showers, dump point etc etc
So give me a break if I don't agree with you.
msg said
02:52 PM Jan 6, 2023
Gundog you are talking about a minority and possibly myths. Bit like the horse and dog blankets in the washing machines and the plug and toilet roll stealing. (from my observation over the last 15years anyway. Never seen it)
Do you think that park prices will reduce to something like
pre-pandemic prices once the rush dies down?
Only they are not getting customers.
from the lockdowns.
But I doubt that that can continue indefinitely. And whichever way you look at it what was once $35 to $40
is regularly $50- $60. Thats a lot of doffer for an overnight parking space on top of a neighbour.
I have seen figures like $70 plus - especially in the corporate (NRMA, etc) parks.
There's a lot of vanners now that don't even use the facilities, preferring to bathe, bog and whatever in
their van.
And low-cost and freecamps are proliferating (you beaut) which is adding to the pressure on the parks.
My two bob's worth, anyway.
Brodie.
Is that spoken with accurate knowledge?
I really think you need to actually get out and experience the caravanning lifestyle.
Putting words into Whenarewthere's mouth. (IF) Perhaps this is what he meant.
BTW .. my most recent experience was that the van park numbers are still very high. Like many things in our society, once the price goes up it rarely comes down again. All sorts of excuses will be dragged out to justify the increases.
Regarding park usage lately, coming down the east coast Hervey Bay to Melbourne was a nightmare before Xmas to get in anywhere, mostly FULL! (and Bl--dy expensive!)
Yes many parks were booked out in NQ for most of the winter term.
They are a lot less occupied now. Some do drop the price in the off season but this trend has changed in the last year or two.
Blame Covid, I dont know. It appears that many younger ones now have vans and are doing the family thing with some even doing it *full time*
My observation between Boomers and the younger ones is that the younger ones tend to accept the price where the Boomers hate putting their hand into their very deep pocket.
Merediths post above sums it up.
. Insurance has gone up huge amounts in the past few years, wages have risen especially with the shortage of workers, council rates and land taxes are continually rising and power costs have gone up huge amounts. These businesses must make a profit or they will close.
I find this post is disturbing I'm unsure if the responders actually use Caravan Parks.
May I suggest if you respond that you quantify your response with your historical usage of caravan parks.
In our case we predominately use caravan parks but also we use Showgrounds and other low cost facilities, never free camps nor facilities without power.
As for the prices we pay I have never paid more than $36 per night at a CP, sure you pay higher rates at the high tourist locations and coastal strip CP's.
One night wonders will pay the full tote odds, compared to those who stay a week or more will generally pay 5 or 6 stay 7.
As for why prices are on the rise its simple cost to run a park growing rapidly, insurance, power and Council rates etc are the main problem. I can give you an example of one council that owners have to pay rates that include rubbish but there is no rubbish collection available, Owners setup an enviromental septic system for which they have to pay $2000 annual fee, now add to that if they want to establish more sites or cabins then they have to pay per site establishment approval fee, which is on a sliding scale from 600 to 5000 dollars depending on the site use.
Before you kneecap a CP for its prices maybe there maybe reasons why.
Not sure that parks will decrease prices due to the simple fact that last year when we were filling in for park managers where we live, doing the park today and for a little while again during this month while they are away again, we noticed today on the computer that price increases went up from 1st Jan. Individual park prices are set by the company that owns them, not the individual park on it's own. Many arguements today with a few smart a**es who want everything each year at the past years prices
-- Edited by Southern Cruizer on Monday 2nd of January 2023 09:03:00 PM
I was going to keep out if this but hey, it's me
I am and have been staying in a little bush setting caravan park for a while and will be a while longer for health reasons mainly but I don't really mind. I actually love it here. No bells and whistles here, although there is a nice pool. Before now I was in and out a couple of times a year.
I have got to know the owners of this 'privately owned' park very well, yep, no big companies or chains here. Speaking to them regularly they class their park as 'not a destination park'. More an overnight stop over while travelling. They say that prices of a few different insurances they have to have, gas and electricity have gone through the roof and can't possibly charge less for a powered site. Not to mention the cost of rubbish removal and general maintenance. Like, some idiot ran over a tap that was easily seen in front of him, it stands about a metre up from the ground for goodness sake, or backed into a brick garden wall bringing it down. Even vandalism, just cos they can. I watched a kid deliberately wreck a chair in the camp kitchen and when I mentioned it to his mum, was told "the owners can buy a new one". Lovely attitude, not.
From my general observations their cost would be reduced considerably if inconsiderate people just did the right thing, not leave lights on as the leave the amenity blocks even though there is a nice friendly sign asking you to turn off if last to leave, same with the camp kitchen. Don't leave taps running when you leave same areas and yes I have seen people do this. Air conditioners left running all day while you are out site seeing etc. This all applies to the few cabins here as well. Having free camped etc a lot and still will, I am very conscious of power and water usage in particular and I am forever turning lights or taps off.
Is it any wonder caravan parks are expensive. If people just thought and not say "I pay for it, I'll do what I want".
No, I don't have shares in the place, just a caring and paying guest.
Keep Safe out there everyone.
We love caravan parks but only at the destination. in between we go free or showgrounds.
Not paying $80+ for 8 hours sleep and a pee break and gone by 8 am...
I am willing to pay for a nice park that has lots of kids stuff to do, leaving me and the misses free.
mixo
People will do what suits them.
I don't know why the anti caravan park mob come out of the woodwork to screech stuff like " l never, ever use caravan parks with their expensive playgrounds...and hot showers and laundy facilities."
Those folks who do the free/ cheap camp thing all the time NEVER mention the noisy bogans who turn up X 4 and pull out the noisy electronic gizmos.
And the feral pig dogs they allow to wander around YOUR site.
It seems that modern Australia has totally forgotten what it is like to have nothing and yet be grateful for it. The hard working, honest and patriotic Australians that fought Wars, battled Economic Depressions and built modern Australia are being dishonored by their selfish descendants.
In the soon-to-be-announced criteria for the grant program, Australian caravan parks will be able to apply for funding to deliver shovel-ready projects.
FUNDING FOR TWO YEARS
The government will provide funding for the next two years to assist caravan parks to upgrade or create new infrastructure and visitor facilities to enhance visitor experience, including improvements to accessibility. This program is expected to begin in November.
"The heart of the program is to assist caravan parks to swiftly upgrade or create new infrastructure and visitor facilities to enhance visitor experience, including improvements to accessibility and environmental sustainability practices," the association said.
And a reply by an observant reader:
Caravanning News reader David Johnson from Victoria was quick to react to the news, commenting: "I just hope that as taxpayers are effectively funding an element of the upgrade works, that park owners recognise the funded element and ensure any resultant price rises reflect this."
PIGS MIGHT FLY, David!!!
Government would be better off using the money on low-cost camps rather than giving it to private corporations.
Restrict you travel effort if it is the money you are concerned about. ( stay home a lot more )
Be prepared to *sit out* periods of time in free camps so as to limit time travelling and subsequent costs.
Pay the park fees, enjoy your stay and enjoy the very adventure that caused you to make a decision to enter the caravanning lifestyle in the first place.
We rarely use caravan parks for essentially 3 reasons.
1.We prefer the peace & serentity of being out in the bush
2. We could not afford to stay in caravan parks all the time (it would be different if it were just for holidays)
3. On the whole we don't actually like the crowded nature of caravan parks much (with a few notable exceptions)
We also rarely use the many of 'free camps' along the popular Grey Nomad routes. Many are just as crowded as the caravan parks but without the facilities of a caravan park.
So I am in no position to take a view on whether the prices of caravan parks relate to the costs of running them.
However I do have a sense of what constitutes reasonable value to us. On the whole, when we do stay in the odd park now & then what we pay for is a patch of ground to park on overnight, plus toilet & shower facilities. Maybe washing machine too. Whether we consider it good value is determined primarily by location. If it's a gorgeous place with a beautiful outlook we may consider it worth paying for if we deem it affordable to us. When we consider it good value we may stay several nights.
My perception is that because of the seasonal business model that many caravan parks are subject to they are opportunists, charging whatever they can get, & varying their prices according to demand. It's the nature of the beast. Complaints, more often than not are about this opportunism I think. However as long as the parks are operating at capacity there are people paying the asking price, so there is no motivation to reduce those prices no matter how unaffordable they might be for some. What has concerned me for years is the caravan park lobby doing all they can to stamp out anything they see as competing with them, often seeking to close down free camps used by many who would never be able to afford the CP prices, or who would not choose to stay in them even if they could. There is a crossover market, but attempts to close free camps has rarely if ever seen free camps as anything other than taking custom from the parks. A view I can't help but see as selfish. We were well informed of (& embarrassed by) the behaviours of local caravan park operators in our hometown of Ballarat to ensure that the trial of a free camp there would fail. Dirty tricks profit driven in a town where caravan parks hold sway on the local council won the day.
I think the highest we have ever paid in a caravan Park has been $45 a night. It was a bit of a shock to us & we grumbled a bit between ourselves about the cost, although had no complaints about the park having accepted the convenience of being there rather than 40kms out of town at the nearest free camp, because we had early morning business to attend to in the town. So on that occasion we accepted that the value (to us) of paying the cost was more than just a piece of grass to camp on with toilets & showers.
Essentially we avoid the busy & expensive nature of the east coast. There is a great deal of beauty to experience for those who have not travelled it, but having done so we are now more than happy to go elsewhere where we can travel & camp in the way we like best.
Brilliant clap-trap. Totally unhelpful and off subject.
So my post is off topic and others arent.
OK, Here goes. No I dont think rental fees in caravan parks will drop to pre Covid levels.
When reading back there is one post only that addresses your opening post. Your second post was your two bobs worth and my first post was mine. Simple really.
Enjoy your new van and your caravanning.
OK, I've been using parks for many years, been to literally hundreds all around Australia, I started living in a van with my parents at age 11, bought my own first van in 1986, been towing ever since. How does that compare to your "historical usage"?
Not "Kneecapping" anyone, if you bring in all the cost increases as you point out, it is still nowhere near the sometimes 70 to 80% increase they have imposed since the pandemic, it is pure price gouging by some, not all, caravan parks.
Case in point, Coastal Vic, pre-covid $50 to $60, post-covid $120 at first now $105 per night! I used to be a regular, but 70+% increase, I am going elsewhere.
The FACT is that many parks have increased their fees well and truly above cost increases, if they get away with it good on 'em but they won't be seeing me if I can help it.
-- Edited by vince56 on Wednesday 4th of January 2023 08:51:48 AM
They teach the kids and young adults in schools and universities should be
entitled, when they are not they are disrespectful and resentful.
All the current woke mantras play into their hands also.
Bring back Nasho and smarten them up. We're likely to be needing it
by the look of things anyway.
We just payed $42 a night unpowered & no water at Rainbow beach. Only went because we were with our kids . It was extremely busy all over the park. Christmas time as you would expect. But wont be paying that again. Go west young man. Certainly dont think the price will come down any time soon. But this was peak ti also.
-- Edited by Mousey on Wednesday 4th of January 2023 09:04:53 AM
I hope not - Not many servicemen want to have them at their six.
and apologists for everything!
Well send them outback away from their tablets and work them 2 years on a dinkum property - or no dole!!
There's no shortage of labour - just a glut of non-workers determined never to work. I see thousands of
them down at Greenmount surf daily. they laugh about it.
Off topic - no more from me.
Where possible we stay at the smaller, less known places - giving support to these small towns.
One favourite that's a day's travel from Townsville (home) is Capella - just north of Emerald. They offer good service, clean facilities, low cost (in today's economic climate) & friendship. Their Happy Hours are held in all weathers (except cyclones if one would venture that far inland). Most of our friends stay there too.
Another on the Bruce Highway between Mackay & Proserpine is St Helens. We discovered both parks almost by accident. For us both offer good birding (we're birdwatchers). No, they don't have all of the "flash" things that the bigger parks think families want today but their prices are much lower too. They don't suffer the issues where there are oodles of kids racing around on foot, bikes, trikes. At one big park in Warrnambool (we couldn't avoid staying there), there were kids getting in the way of people like us trying to reverse into caravan spots - while their ignorant parents looked on & thought it was hilarious.
The parks big & small still have to pay govt & council charges that are often astronomical. The Qld Govt is beyond broke so I don't see them winding prices down. We've just been told our power prices are going up 27% - so much for cheap renewables!
I saw a great posting on Facebook yesterday "My wish for 2023 is that everyone has enough! Enough time. Enough money. Enough friends. Enough food. Enough sleep. Enough of all the things you need. Not too much - just Enough!"
another good 1 is 6k north of Prossy, Gunna Go CP which has just changed owners, still privately owned. good array of birds could sighted by a good twitcher.
Thanks for your thoughtful post.
Just to clarify, it's not that I can't afford the cost of parks, I just don't see the value inherent in
a fee of $50 - $60 for an overnight parking spot. For me and I think an increasing number of
others, I wonder how much I'm paying for empty sheds with refrig, oven, stove, jumping bag,
pool and etc. when I need none of it.
More now than ever parks are family with kids hang-outs and not suiting the mature traveller.
For me, a bit of space is welcome too - I am not at all happy with the claustrophobic situation
in most - all - parks.
Some parks are getting a bit of an idea in as much as they have set aside a drive-thru no amenity
area but still want $30 for the parking rights.
I feel sure that given a bit of time and a settlement of pent-up travelitis we will see competition
gradually reducing the opportunistic attitude of many parks management and a softening of
park pricing. Look at diesel for instance - down about 20% in the last 6 months.
Covid, Covid, Covid - war on the other side of the world, bla bla . . . any excuse to cover their
shame for the unwarranted price increases. Chock-a-block and still "needing" more money.
If you don't use CP's why are you grizzling about the prices.
Its misleading to continually quote 50-60 dollars per night when there are plenty that are well under that, because you don't want to use the facilities provided thats your choice. Those amenities have a cost to build and maintain. Your starting to sound like some CMCA members who expect a substantial discount because they are self contained.
Funny its a common sight you see when many a free campers arrive at a caravan park, after sitting their vehicle powered up water connected, then a mountain of washing appears its off to the laundry, take every machine. Whilst that happening off to the showers for what seems an eternity. When all that's done empty the toilet, fill the water tanks, then start to wash the tug and van (they generally crack the ****s when their tod to stop as its valuable rain water their wasting)
Oh we have caught people who played for non powered site roll out a power cord after dark, and then fill their water tanks use the showers, dump point etc etc
So give me a break if I don't agree with you.