Phil C wrote:

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Golddetectornomad wrote:

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The question should perhaps really be.... 'are Grey Nomads pricing themselves out of the Caravan Park market"?.......so who will last the longest in this growing stalemate?.....we are regarded as the travelling' lepers'..by all who worship the almighty Dollar.....what common ground can hope to be forged in the future?....none I suggest.....their input costs of power and water, staff and amenity upkeep will no doubt continue to spiral beyond their control...apart from attempting to recover from the 'user pays'.....
We don't/ can't/ want, to pay for facilities we don't require....on that all travelling Nomads generally agree.....at our stages of life we have invariably been screwed by the best over the years and we don't feel inclined to be screwed further whilst we have some control or say over it....so what are our alternatives?.....

The answer cannot lay in Caravan Parks changing their attitudes/business practices/ or even curtailing their profit expectations based on their total capital investment....the value of their land/Investment goes up/appreciates..their Accountants are guiding their business decisions and advising how much they should charge to recoup an adequate profit based on their increased values...we are not interested in paying for their increased profit expectations, and conversely our rigs depreciate not appreciate...and in the current environment for self funded's or Pension receipients..we have little hope of increased incomes to match their increased profit expectations......

I suggest therefore we have no common ground, apart from our wish to have a tiny part of their ground at a reasonable price....we do not want charity or particulary free sites..we will pay a reasonable amount based on our reasonable needs.....

Until some entrepreneurial group recognizes what our true needs/wants are, or are even worth servicing, I suggest the gap will only widen...and they can no doubt last longer than we can as they also have vested interests working for them to curtail our alternatives round Australia......

Our power to change lies in our large voting demographic group, however it needs to be marshalled and effectively directed, country town business's to recognize our true value to them as an economic group/stimulus, and our collective ability to appeal to those that can match our alternative needs that Caravan Parks will/can never fulfil....provision to be made for rezoning land on the outskirts of city's and Townships to allow/provide for secure parking/camping for essentially self contained rigs at a reasonable fee based on""" basic""" services actually provided...
Result: less reliance on essential Truck Parking Bays....less frustration to Local Gov't Municipalities as to what to do with our growing movement...aka 'Travelling Grey Nomads"..many would like us to simply disappear...but how does an ever increasing group simply disappear?....it wont and it requires 'servicing' . and Caravan Parks can continue their own "Cabin Type" agenda's or whatever...and who among us really cares what their Agenda's are ,if it in no way relates to our needs......

To answer the question raised...are Caravan Parks pricing themselves out of the market....NO.....our Demographic Group are not their market......and I suggest never will be we must explore and achieve alternatives to Caravan Parks as they exist at the moment............Hoo Roo

-- Edited by Golddetectornomad on Friday 3rd of October 2014 03:23:32 PM

-- Edited by Golddetectornomad on Friday 3rd of October 2014 03:31:19 PM

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 Wow, sometimes the answer is there hidden in plain view. After reading your post I have to agree. When bureaucratic attitudes change toward GNs and boomers we may get a better deal. I wonder if a baby boomer lobby would be the go, with interest in GNs and their plight (although I think the only issue is someplace safe to park the van at night).

You raise some valid points that I have yet to ponder. I guess the overriding factor here is, who wants to come out of retirement and travel to lobby these bweebs in Canberra?

Safe travels

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 you obviously don't live in Victoria,

 

the State government is pushing up the price of state park areas from around $18 a night to over $30 a night... and the free areas are to also attract a fee as well... can't remember how much, $25 rings a bell...

so what do you get for your $30+ dollars?

no power

no shower

no water

you do get a spot to stay and a drop toilet...

 

so guess what?

for your $35 you can go to a CP and get the lot...

 

see whats going on here?

The simple answer is to find somewhere you can camp that suits your lifestyle and then be happy with that.

If it is a caravan park then you are lucky just pay your dollars and stop for as long as you want. Similar for National parks but you pay for the privilege of roughing it ???

Some of us prefer to go the less populated sites and then enjoy the country and the flora, birds and animals.

We all have to eat and but fuel etc so it does not matter where we camp we will still spend the same $ in the end. It just varies who gets the money and
how much you have available.

I intend to stay traveling as I have for as long as I can. I do not go to National Parks as they are too expensive and usually nearly as crowded as CVP and I find in CP i feel like I am in a sardine tin and cant get out quick enough. Have even tried to attend arranged gatherings in Cp and find I have to leave early (looking to get out withing hours).

We all want different things and the different places cater for those differences so best to just select your mode and enjoy while you can because the kids of today will possible not have the freedom or the assets to do what we are all doing now.

Regards
Brian

I received a PM from Norm, <Keen Travellers> who has some excellent suggestions how "communication" of great value Caravan Parks by travelling GN's could be implemented on this site.
I invite him to put up for all to see.....the keynote for it to 'work' is simplicity, ease of searching for posted info by State and Zone/Postcodes, as GN's travel through/round Oz.

Simplicity by stating Caravan Park with address details, Current Tariff <and any discount offered to GN's /Senior Card Holders> access for larger rigs etc....the fact it is posted by a travelling GN should automatically indicate a tick of approval of the Park by that member, and personal comments should be unnecessary. Updates of current Tariffs should also be easy.

No discussion of Parks not recommended would be necessary or desirable......<'poopy' ablution blocks should be reflected in the low tariff to make our list!>

If this new site was implemented it would compliment the Free/Budget Campsite thread on this Forum...albeit although interesting, that is a difficult thread to search and find updates.....

Word of mouth from trusted members we know with first hand experience and expressed without the emotion is invariable the best recommendation ......the best value/reasonable/fair tariff Parks could also be those 'hidden unheralded gems' not actively paying for advertising in various CP booklets....by being placed on our preferred list CP's may even make an effort to offer deals to identified members, realizing our increased business may be additional to their normal business strategies/income.......

Might even encourage increased memberships to this site if implemented.....and perhaps a business re-think by some CP's....

Do we seize the day and actively do something now??...or let this thread go the way of previous similar threads... to the Bermuda Triangle, either due to apathy? lack of oxygen or enthusiasm? interest or concern? indifference?..or it's considered our imput would not equal the likely benefits to us all?.....

Further thoughts?......I'm happy to lick my bum and go back to my kennel if this thread is not an important part of what we seek as travelling GN's......Hoo Roo

Im with you Golddectornomad
We have had a lot of good thoughts about this - but to be truthfully - nothing but chatter......So

How about we just start a "New Thread" with Cindy's approval of course about
"Best Value Caravan Parks for Travelling GNs" by state
We could all add individual sites by state and then share in this thread and benefit.

Im sure if we break each state in say 4 zones - to make it easier when we travel in that state/ zone.
ie North South East West.

Just something simple like

Name, Site access, Well Maintained, Has the essentials we GNs need, Tarrif & any discounts
Helpful staff, Favour GNs etc.

As the numbers in our list of Caravan Parks grow - so it can become a list that "Caravan Parks might want to be listed on".
Then we as GNs could use this list to gain other caravan parks and so on flows the domino.

It all has to start somewhere - why not here.
What have we really got to loose.

Everyone on here especailly the long term veterans must know of at least 1-4 sites Australia wide -
which are good value - have a great feel about the place.
Im sure the older veterans on here can also slip Cindy an email to ask her permission.
We just have to keep it really simple and easy to use. KISS

whos up for it...?????
Cheers
KT