I would have thought they used a map and a GPS, and kept driving until they found it.
(Sorry, I just couldn't help myself)
It's not just we nomads who experience this phenomenon.
It seems businesses think they're indispensable and the customers will keep coming no matter how apathetic they treat us.
Unfortunately for every nomad who boycotts those greedy operators, there will be thousands waiting to fill the void, who have never heard of GN or any other forum.
If I have good experiences I try to share them, and vice versa (not dirty poetry) for bad experiences.
Some operators believe they are doing the world a favour, and all customers are the enemy, despite the fact we pay their bills and wages.
I guess it's up to us to present with the bestest attitude, and smile anyway.
Happywanderer said
11:05 AM Oct 22, 2010
Haha, CG. It was a tongue in cheek comment relating to the fact I live in Echuca too.
Knightrider said
05:32 PM Oct 23, 2010
Eventually Park Owners & other service providers will have to listen & learn. Broome is a little like Byron Bay in NSW - over priced & overated. I am aware of a group of vanners who refused to go a park in Byron Bay however I'm not sure the park owners know they missed out on 12 vanners for 5 nights. Their bottom line will certainly show it and so will other businesses in the town & area. No service = none of my money. I have no hesitation in telling them so & driving off.
Ma said
07:12 PM Oct 23, 2010
Had that experience in Byron Bay a couple of months ago too.
We were going to stay but wanted to have a look around before we decided for sure. Absolutely nowhere to park the van and the whole area just wasn't nomad friendly at all.
Won't bother going back again that's for sure.
We had planned on spending a bit of money there as some things that we wanted to buy could only be bought there. We will do without now or make do with something else from somewhere else
Cruising Granny said
07:43 PM Oct 23, 2010
Why do people go into the "people industries" when they don't like people?
In fact I get the impression people are the enemy. Bizarre.
If you paid $7.50 for a milk shake in Broome you were in the wrong cafe'. It does pay to ask first if the prices aren't displayed on the menu board. That pricing would be the exception rather than the rule.
Some of those little cafe's seem to be able to justify such pricing by putting the little milk shake into a pretty glass with a straw, but I'd rather have the whole cup the old fashioned way.
Anywhere in the bush is always more hospitable than the coastal and city accommodation.
Some of the seasonal parks don't have the luxury of all year round, school holiday trade.
This happens in the tropics where the southerners wouldn't ever consider visiting those regions in the build up or wet seasons because of the humidity. It's not the temperature. If you watch the weather you will notice these places aren't as hot as the southern climes in the summer.
The wet season is actually the most interesting time to see this country at its best. Keep the air con close.
All these travel experiences are great to share. Reporting the good, and the not so good experiences on these forums, is the best (or worst) form of publicity.
I don't free camp, so any clues to van parks are always appreciated. Keep 'em coming.
jimricho said
07:30 AM Oct 24, 2010
The worst one I've stayed at in terms of management/owner personality is one in Bowen (Qld), (the one with the 5 minute time-out on the shower I mentioned in a previous post). After asking about a courtesy bus into town as advertised on their website I ascertained that neither existed (the courtesy or the bus). They reluctantly told us (I was travelling with friends) eventually that there was a bar and grill close by and it was obvious they thought we were dumb (stop agreeing!) as we didn't have the local knowledge to know this.
However to add a positive note I can say not all parks are like this and can mention (again) that the Inverell Caravan Park, Inverell northern NSW (a council park under private management) and Possum Park near Miles, Qld are two parks where the attitude and service is very good and the price reasonable, including a reduced rate for solo travellers in both cases.
I would have thought they used a map and a GPS, and kept driving until they found it. (Sorry, I just couldn't help myself) It's not just we nomads who experience this phenomenon. It seems businesses think they're indispensable and the customers will keep coming no matter how apathetic they treat us. Unfortunately for every nomad who boycotts those greedy operators, there will be thousands waiting to fill the void, who have never heard of GN or any other forum. If I have good experiences I try to share them, and vice versa (not dirty poetry) for bad experiences. Some operators believe they are doing the world a favour, and all customers are the enemy, despite the fact we pay their bills and wages. I guess it's up to us to present with the bestest attitude, and smile anyway.
We were going to stay but wanted to have a look around before we decided for sure. Absolutely nowhere to park the van and the whole area just wasn't nomad friendly at all.
Won't bother going back again that's for sure.
We had planned on spending a bit of money there as some things that we wanted to buy could only be bought there. We will do without now or make do with something else from somewhere else
However to add a positive note I can say not all parks are like this and can mention (again) that the Inverell Caravan Park, Inverell northern NSW (a council park under private management) and Possum Park near Miles, Qld are two parks where the attitude and service is very good and the price reasonable, including a reduced rate for solo travellers in both cases.