I was recently chatting with a park manager and she dropped into the conversation that the three (3) caravan parks in Roma Qld are all owned by the same people! Just 3 different managers. So they all charge the same price and when they are all full - the showground gets the overflow and the fees there are also the same as the CPs. What chance do we have of finding something cheaper? She said the 'No vacancy' sign would go out as early as 10.30am - they had about 20 'resident' miners. More freecamping sounds good - if you can find it.
My hubby has been driving through Roma quite a bit of late(4 wwks ago) and he said the same plus there are no vacancy signs up at every motel every time he went through there. I went on 1 trip with him and the amount of mine cars/utes that you pass on the way is staggering, who knows where it will all end but don't plan on going that way any time soon and finding somwhere to stay overnight within the town limits.
we worked in roma for a few months, nice town but it is pumping with miners which is good for the town. actually stayed at the big rig. was working there when 7 nomads rocked up one day, all from different locations, they all had jobs with in 2 days. as for being busy, most mining towns in w.a. are the same.
There's a nice free camp on the river at Surat. It even has a dump point.
Depending on which way you're going, Muckadilla Pub has a little CP beside it. I've never stayed there, but friends tell me it's fine. And no, I don't know how much it costs.
I went through Roma at Christmas last year, working on my way to Emerald. We had to fuel up, get parts etc. When we delivered the first job at Emerald we had to go back to Roma and pick up another load for Emerald. There are some camping spots north of Roma along the highway, or pull into Injune or Springsure. On the way home I pulled into Roma Big Rig park. After a chin wag with the manager I got a smidge of discount. It pays to chat and haggle sometimes.
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
There's a nice free camp on the river at Surat. It even has a dump point.
Not sure how long it is since you have been there Beth but IMO this is not as good as it once was.
They have placed bollards and you are now unable to get down on the grassed area overlooking the river, hence the overall available camping area has been reduced considerably in size. The toilets are pretty shabby as well. No tidy up with them in many, many years.
I was originally there in 2003 and back there again late last year....very disappointed. The other side of the road near the pontoon is not too bad but has no amenities.
There's a nice free camp on the river at Surat. It even has a dump point.
Not sure how long it is since you have been there Beth but IMO this is not as good as it once was.
They have placed bollards and you are now unable to get down on the grassed area overlooking the river, hence the overall available camping area has been reduced considerably in size. The toilets are pretty shabby as well. No tidy up with them in many, many years.
I was originally there in 2003 and back there again late last year....very disappointed. The other side of the road near the pontoon is not too bad but has no amenities.
There is a donation pole at the amenity block.
This is a basic free camp but with a toilet and dump point and also town water, and free hot showers at the shire offices, what more could you ask for
The site is a bit muddy in some places but with the rain the area has had what can you expect.
I will be here for a few days then onto Morven, give Roma a miss
This is a basic free camp but with a toilet and dump point and also town water, and free hot showers at the shire offices, what more could you ask for
Ken
Ken I could ask that the donations that I and others have been giving for the last 9 years be used to upgrade the facilities rather than putting bollards and fancy new Surat signs in which reduce the number of sites available to the traveling public.
I am not precious but when I was there last October the toilets were in appalling condition....maybe it has changed since then.
I have come across roadside rest areas where no donation is requested that were serviced better than Surat was when I was there last year.
