Towns 'missing out on nomad boom'

barrie · Guru

RV travellers spend around $3 billion a year in Queensland, accounting for 20 per cent of the state's tourism industry, according to the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA).

At a rally of over 800 motorhome and RV drivers in Boonah, southeast Queensland, CMCA director Ken Kipping said on Saturday the grey nomad community was already blacklisting towns in which they were not made welcome.

"Modern RVs are literally hotwired with communications, so if a town is not being friendly, they will tell their mates," he told AAP.

"Towns don't realise what they are missing out on."

Mr Kipping said a small investment from local councils in facilities could draw massive returns from travellers.

"They should have a pharmacist or a doctor, and space separate to caravan parks where RVs can be parked for up to 48 hours," he said.

"But general rest areas are a top priority for all areas of government."

Mr Kipping said with current trends, an extra 100,000 RVs would be on Australian roads in the next five years.

"While young people are heading to places like Bali because of costs, our oldies want to get out there and see Australia," he said

jetj · Guru

IMO I don't need a pharmicist and a doctor in small towns, I just want to camp for 48 hours without going to a CP. If I want a pharmicist and a doctor, I'll go to a bigger town.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Yeah, right, they are gonna get a pharmacist and doctor just for the grey nomads? Some communities struggle to get these for themselves!!!

barrie · Guru

All we need is a place to put our vehicles for the nite and have access to drinking water and a dump point.
The towns will miss out on the $'s that we won't be spending in there communities

rockylizard · Guru

RV travellers spend around $3 billion a year in Queensland, accounting for 20 per cent of the state's tourism industry, according to the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA).

At a rally of over 800 motorhome and RV drivers in Boonah, southeast Queensland, CMCA director Ken Kipping said on Saturday the grey nomad community was already blacklisting towns in which they were not made welcome.

"Modern RVs are literally hotwired with communications, so if a town is not being friendly, they will tell their mates," he told AAP.

"Towns don't realise what they are missing out on."

Mr Kipping said a small investment from local councils in facilities could draw massive returns from travellers.

"They should have a pharmacist or a doctor, and space separate to caravan parks where RVs can be parked for up to 48 hours," he said.

"But general rest areas are a top priority for all areas of government."

Mr Kipping said with current trends, an extra 100,000 RVs would be on Australian roads in the next five years.

"While young people are heading to places like Bali because of costs, our oldies want to get out there and see Australia," he said

Cruising Granny · Guru

It's surprising and disappointing to experience the lack of hospitality in towns which blatantly discourage nomads, or tourists in any shape or form.
The businesses are rude and confronting, and one can't get out of there fast enough.
Yet when I get to a small town/village which welcomes visitors with open arms, I just want to stay and spend a couple of bucks.
Hebel in far west, outback NSW is one of those little places time and Government have forgotten, but there's a spirit there which can't be killed.
The people in the little store, hosting the caravan park are lovely, and she makes a pie that is uniquely delicious. It's worth the drive just for the pie and her hospitality.
I was on my way home from Emerald last Christmas/New Year, via Greens Lake. I stumbled into the little store, ordered a pie and a take away coffee. The hostess sensed I was tired, and encouraged me to sit in the shade and have a rest over lunch.
She sat to talk, and then some other travellers pulled up for a snack, we stayed for a chat.
That's the way it is, and it's an example of the way it should or could be.
Let's try and spread the nomad love, so they get the idea that nomad love has $'s attached to it.
Just because people free camp, doesn't mean they won't spend. They free camp because they want to have money to spend.

Happywanderer · The Master

Certainly don't need doctors and pharmacists just for us when travelling. As others have said here, some small towns struggle to keep the ones they have.
Just imagine in a small town like here in Biggenden which is a great place to stop. We have two doctors who seem to work 24/7 in the surgery and run the hospital as well. They are attached so it makes it easier but you can be with a doctor and they get a call into a patient in the hosp.
If a nomad travelling through or staying a few days has a problem they only need to pop up to the A&E and they will be attended to, day or night.
This little town loves the grey nomads, they come in, spend a bit of money, have a wander around and maybe stay a few days either at the c/p or just out of town in a free camp.
I don't know how many times I have been asked where is the bakery, or cafe, or toilets etc. Usually end up giving them more info than they asked for. More about the town and also about this site.

AmandaJayne · Guru

We're staying with friends in a small community and so far we've often gone to the local coffee shop, gone shopping for food, been to the pharmacy, helped out several days at the food bank and the church op shop and we've enjoyed every second of it... I think its great idea to attract grey nomads to communities

jimricho · Guru

To expand a little on my earlier post, I have stated in earlier threads on this topic my support for the concept of roadside rest areas being available for overnight stays (up to 48 hours), in fact I believe we all benefit either directly or indirectly. I further believe that time limits is a fair compromise between the availability of free camping and the rights of caravan park owners to a "level playing field" from unfair competition.

Time limits should also stop free campers from "hogging" the free campsites for the duration and thus denying other campers a site.

I also favour the provision of overflow camping facilities in places that are in high demand with parks that are regularly full. This is becoming more-so in mining areas as well as popular tourist destinations such as Broome (for example). I recognise the value a free or budget campground can have to small communities that lack a caravan park.

I believe these are the issues organisations should be promoting rather than the counter-productive strategy of blacklisting towns that don't meet their wish list. These towns are unlikely to be willing to provide facilities such as dump points, suitable parking in town while shopping, lunching, "attending to nature", etc when they are treated in this contemptuous manner.

Pensioners (I'm a part pensioner myself) get a pretty fair go when it comes to concessions and being on a limited budget does not give us an entitlement to freebies for those things we can't afford.

I'm aware many have limited resources but some of these whinges are coming from motorhome owners with $100,000 - $200,000 rigs.

-- Edited by jimricho on Sunday 21st of October 2012 02:04:04 PM

barrie · Guru

We are presently in Texas where GN are most welcome as when you walk around the town people say hello and the shops have time for a chat, people wave as you walk down the street try getting that on the east coast.
Give me the smaller towns and communities anytime.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Smaller towns are pretty much more receptive and welcoming to Grey Nomads I have found. But there are some pretty big towns out there who have made a special effort to accomodate us - i.e Townsville - with five free camps within a 50K distance of the city - and great free camps they are as well.

Also Longreach - the free camp there out at Apex Park is pretty good, and only a short distance out of town.

I have no wish or need to stay in a city like Cairns, for instance, a case of "been there, done that" many times over, and now just like the quietness of country towns.

A reasonable sized area to stop over for 48 hours or so, clean toilets, and a dump point are a few of the requisites of most GN's.

jimricho · Guru

People who stay in caravan parks also buy food and other provisions as do the free-loaders. They also contribute much more to the local economy by virtue of the fees they pay that go on to circulate through the community.

Other tourists (those who stay in hotels, holiday units etc) spend much more and do not demand free accommodation so it's not hard to work out that they may be more welcome at the major tourist destinations.

With this constant whinging by a small section of the grey nomad community the rest of us are getting a bad name as a mob that believe the world owes us a living.

When organisations demand the unreasonable, it dilutes their (and our) requests for reasonable requests such as dump points, suitable parking in towns, etc.

Maybe the blacklist of RV "unfriendly" towns will become "must visit" destinations for those of us who are prepared to pay our way in life.

brickies · Guru

Yes you are spot on Jules , but also just because a town is RV friendly would not be the factor on weather or not I would visit I go to places I wan't to visit no use being somewhere you don't want to be Cairns is one place I sure don't want to be

Roving-Dutchy · Guru

I think the message that CMCA is trying to put out there, is that if you help us, you will get a benefit in return, it is not just a inexpensive place to stop for the night, but also ease of parking close to the shopping centre.
In many country towns all parking that is close to the shops is angle parking only, which means with a caravan or big motorhome you must park a fair walk away to go shopping, in our case we just travel to the next town that provides these facilities, so the town that is not RV friendly misses out on our spending.
There are many other things that small towns can do to attract the GN dollar
One example is Boomi a small town of 70 people, 90k's north of Moree on the QLD border, they have formed a Co Op that has built an Artesian pool and 25metre pool a caravan park adjacent to the pools and also run a small store, without these facilities GN's would have no reason to visit or stay.
Cheers
David

jules47 · The Happy Helper

jimricho - all "free" or "independent" campers are not freeloaders - admittedly there are some who are very vocal in their demands, myself, I just feel grateful and welcome in a town that considers full time travellers with good parking, availability of water, dump point, and somewhere to rest up for a day or so. Some even provide hot showers.

We travel in a motor home, but are not members of any organisation, so can't comment on their policies - whether they be official policies, or just what some the members use themselves. I cannot see that there is anything that the "organisation" has to offer would be of any benefit to me.

I note, also, that the Casino complex set up by CMCA is now a "Big 4" - park - never stayed there, but prefer to stay in a little park on the way towards the coast when travelling through Casino.

gordon_adl · Senior Member

I kind of understand what you're suggesting here. However I don't think all free campers are freeloaders. With that said there are at times a sense of entitlement of some campers, both payees and free campers. I'm happy to pay top dollar and also happy to free camp. The main thing that irks me though is when an area doesn't provide free camping facilities, I don't think they should be black listed, called cancerous and other ridiculous comments I've seen written on this forum. I don't even mind a negative review of a place, as long as it's kept civil.

jimricho wrote:

People who stay in caravan parks also buy food and other provisions as do the free-loaders. They also contribute much more to the local economy by virtue of the fees they pay that go on to circulate through the community.

Other tourists (those who stay in hotels, holiday units etc) spend much more and do not demand free accommodation so it's not hard to work out that they may be more welcome at the major tourist destinations.

With this constant whinging by a small section of the grey nomad community the rest of us are getting a bad name as a mob that believe the world owes us a living.

When organisations demand the unreasonable, it dilutes their (and our) requests for reasonable requests such as dump points, suitable parking in towns, etc.

Maybe the blacklist of RV "unfriendly" towns will become "must visit" destinations for those of us who are prepared to pay our way in life.

gordon_adl · Senior Member

I have to respectfully disagree with this statement. Many of these towns were established well and truely before the big caravans came about. They didn't have to worry about this type of parking. I can't see where they would get the money to rework roads and parking to accomodate a relatively small amount of vans visiting. If I have to get out and walk a few steps no biggie. The walk will do me good and helps stretch my legs after a long drive.

Roving-Dutchy wrote:

I think the message that CMCA is trying to put out there, is that if you help us, you will get a benefit in return, it is not just a inexpensive place to stop for the night, but also ease of parking close to the shopping centre.
In many country towns all parking that is close to the shops is angle parking only, which means with a caravan or big motorhome you must park a fair walk away to go shopping, in our case we just travel to the next town that provides these facilities, so the town that is not RV friendly misses out on our spending.

David

retiree · Veteran Member

well said jules alson company in caravan parks i find not always as social as people you meet in free camps and i agree we spend what we can afford not all travellers finances the same but we want to enjoy what we have and can spend retiree

brickies · Guru

Think about this what in for the local council , How do they get the money back for the free camp they build the parking they provide the dump site they provide , Well they would have to put the rates up and if you were one of those rate payer on a penison would you happy seeing us grey nomads pulling up in your town in there big rigs dripping money stay free in your town at your expense . I don't think so.

jetj · Guru

I don't think parking and sleeping in your RV overnight is "asking the world for a living" in anyone's language.

billeeeeeee · Guru

Howdyeee all u excited, Nomads, and unexcited ppl who just love Caravan parks. As a Homeless (My choice ) Free loader,!!!!!!! ( My choice ) I like to have complete control over My free loading life!!!!!!!<<<<<<< thats what its all about, free choice,!!! But the greed that has taken over this world, wants to stop me from having a choice, Caravan parks in particular,!!!!! I dont go into Caravan parks and complain about the price, But I have had Van park operators come into free camp, ranting and raving about Us free loaders in closing if I dont like a town , I dont spend money there ,if I like the town ,, I spend it there,,,,,,,,,,,,,Billeeeeeee,,,Ps I love the life I lead, the freedom , and having a choice,,,,,,,,

rockylizard · Guru

jetj wrote:
I don't think parking and sleeping in your RV overnight is "asking the world for a living" in anyone's language.

Gday...

Perhaps not "asking the world for a living" ... but expecting councils and communities to provide you with the piece of dirt (at no cost to you) from 'community revenue' all because you buy some groceries, fuel, a meal at the pub etc is stretching it. The amount of money that will 'stick' in the community from groceries, fuel and a meal at the pub is trivial in the overall scheme of things in the bigger towns.

However, I do think the same expenditure in a small inland town has considerable benefit to the community - they encourage it, the welcome it, and usually do provide somewhere to spend a night or two.

I also have no issue with parking my van a "bit of a walk away' from the shops. Goodness, when I lived in a town (yes, I do remember back that far) I always walked to the shops. Unless I had an article that required a vehicle to carry home - and then often the shop delivered for a small, or no, fee. Exercise increases my life longevity.

My personal opinion is simply that I think the agressive campaign that CMCA is apparently now embarking on has the potential to backfire and smear all 'older travellers'.

Cheers - John

retiree · Veteran Member

hi billieee i totally agree it is our own choice where we spend our money and where we want to lay our body to sleep at nite caravan parks are not always our choice we seem to meet a lot more friendly people in the free camps we have at times met some nice ones in the caravan parks but our personal choice is free camps and we can use the caravan park fees towards fuel to see this great country that is what we are doing matter of personal choice so a suppose we can be called homeless to but it is again our choice retiree wayne and cherylle

Happywanderer · The Master

jimricho wrote:
People who stay in caravan parks also buy food and other provisions as do the free-loaders. They also contribute much more to the local economy by virtue of the fees they pay that go on to circulate through the community.

Other tourists (those who stay in hotels, holiday units etc) spend much more and do not demand free accommodation so it's not hard to work out that they may be more welcome at the major tourist destinations.

With this constant whinging by a small section of the grey nomad community the rest of us are getting a bad name as a mob that believe the world owes us a living.

When organisations demand the unreasonable, it dilutes their (and our) requests for reasonable requests such as dump points, suitable parking in towns, etc.

Maybe the blacklist of RV "unfriendly" towns will become "must visit" destinations for those of us who are prepared to pay our way in life.

Jimricho. This is not fair. There are a lot of us who would not be travelling if we had to pay for a C/P as well. Its not like we are hoarding the pension under the mattress. There is none left to pay for overnight fees. Being able to camp somewhere free does NOT make us free loaders.

It means we can buy food and petrol in that town, we can't do both. I don't have to tell you where my pension goes but will say only half of it allows me to get out on the road.

Don't judge if you don't know the facts. Not eveyone has huge supples of cash to live on.

gordon_adl · Senior Member

I do feel empathy for those in your situation. In fact I commend you for making the most of what you have. There is nothing wrong with free camping. Sadly its the few who continually bad mouth councils that dont provide free camping that are ruining it for others. There is just no need for such aggression against these communities.

Happywanderer wrote:

Jimricho. This is not fair. There are a lot of us who would not be travelling if we had to pay for a C/P as well. Its not like we are hoarding the pension under the mattress. There is none left to pay for overnight fees. Being able to camp somewhere free does NOT make us free loaders.
It means we can buy food and petrol in that town, we can't do both. I don't have to tell you where my pension goes but will say only half of it allows me to get out on the road.
Don't judge if you don't know the facts. Not eveyone has huge supples of cash to live on.

gordon_adl · Senior Member

Well said.

jimricho wrote:

To expand a little on my earlier post, I have stated in earlier threads on this topic my support for the concept of roadside rest areas being available for overnight stays (up to 48 hours), in fact I believe we all benefit either directly or indirectly. I further believe that time limits is a fair compromise between the availability of free camping and the rights of caravan park owners to a "level playing field" from unfair competition.

Time limits should also stop free campers from "hogging" the free campsites for the duration and thus denying other campers a site.

I also favour the provision of overflow camping facilities in places that are in high demand with parks that are regularly full. This is becoming more-so in mining areas as well as popular tourist destinations such as Broome (for example). I recognise the value a free or budget campground can have to small communities that lack a caravan park.

I believe these are the issues organisations should be promoting rather than the counter-productive strategy of blacklisting towns that don't meet their wish list. These towns are unlikely to be willing to provide facilities such as dump points, suitable parking in town while shopping, lunching, "attending to nature", etc when they are treated in this contemptuous manner.

Pensioners (I'm a part pensioner myself) get a pretty fair go when it comes to concessions and being on a limited budget does not give us an entitlement to freebies for those things we can't afford.

I'm aware many have limited resources but some of these whinges are coming from motorhome owners with $100,000 - $200,000 rigs.

-- Edited by jimricho on Sunday 21st of October 2012 02:04:04 PM

brickies · Guru

Jimricho you sound like a fair man pity about the name you have . But then it might be be that you feel so luckey to live in such a great country that give us such a wonderfull lifstyle . You do make a lot of sence and Happywander you do take advantage of whats out there for you to enjoy you don't winge about not having free camps in places like Brisbane I don't think Jim wants to stop you doing what you and many other including myself from free camp I like Jim get sick of these big groups allways wanting more , after see first hand these big group on the road I would always go in the other way to not be with a crowd

Happywanderer · The Master

Brickies. I don't whinge about not having free camps anywhere.

I use whats available, a lot of times truck stops. Green Lakes is the only long term place I have ever stayed at free. Even there I go around with a rubbish bag and my gloves picking up other peoples rubbish.

I don't whinge and I'm not a freeloader. I am trying to enjoy the remaining years of my life following my dream when not assisting others in their needs.

I rarely comment on these types of topics as I think it is a special priviledge and honor to be able to park for free on a piece of land I haven't paid for.

It just annoyed and offended me to be all tarred with the same brush.

Andrea · Senior Member

jimricho wrote:

<snip>

I'm aware many have limited resources but some of these whinges are coming from motorhome owners with $100,000 - $200,000 rigs.

-- Edited by jimricho on Sunday 21st of October 2012 02:04:04 PM

Jimricho, I do agree with most of what you say, even about the CMCA's sometimes aggressive approach - we don't actually use free-camps a lot (we're mostly property-minding), and we otherwise try to choose small town camps or CPs, where people are generally friendlier. We're even (shock! horror!) CMCA members smile , although scorned by certain hard-core members as 5th-wheeler owners.

However, our $145k rig is our permanent home, which just happens to be on wheels, and there'll be no option to buy real estate if ever we were mad enough to want it. So although we may look like we're over-endowed with cash, we are actually full pensioners, with little to spare for the likes of the Big4, etc.

Just an added perspective... smile

Andrea

(Currently property-minding at Beechwood, NSW - PM us if you'd like to meet for coffee!)

brickies · Guru

Your right Marj and that's the point that Jim is making he like you take advantage of whats out there to and like you dose not what all grey nomaders to be tarred with the same bush has whinger , And you are getting on with grey nomading with whats available to you and thats great