Broome, overpriced & grey nomad unfriendly place for a must see destination
Vic41 said
06:31 PM Jun 30, 2014
rockylizard wrote:
Gday...
A very personal observation. Two states I would love to see - Tassie and WA.
I would love to go and see the fantastic sights in Tassie - but the cost of taking my vehicle and van on the Spirit is definitely not value for money. No need to introduce the response "but you can camp for free is so many places in Tassie". I can do that on the mainland WITHOUT the cost of the Spirit.
I have always wanted to see the fantastic sights WA has to offer. I made it to WA in 2012 and was astounded at the cost of the van parks in the south western area. Camping was OK but not that many were attractive and most were crowded. Unfortunately, I had to head urgently back east due to family illness so did not make it further north.
I am very aware that to travel anywhere along the coast of WA entails very crowded camps - many just wayside stop types on highways. Any van park is expensive and crowded. To get to the 'attractions' entails long driving distances with little in-between. I do appreciate how big and vast WA is and how little population there is. However, because of its size and remoteness, it is a long way between crowded and expensive attractions.
I do understand that to "do the lap" means 'doing the west' but I really do not see any point in being any where north of Geraldton/Meekatharra between the months of April to September. If (or when) I do visit that wonderful expanse called WA I would have to take a couple of years, timing my visits to WA areas dependent on weather and popularity.
Quite personally, I really could not camp on a major highway with 40-odd over-nighters - I find that style of "travelling" abhorrent.
I think the reason WA 'tourism' is suffering is that those that have "done WA" are telling their friends and family the same as most on here are doing - great natural attractions, but crowded and expensive ... something to do once so it can be said it has been ticked off.
I'll "do WA" eventually but not this year. Not sure if I will ever venture to Tassie.
Cheers - John
Good points Rocky, there are reasonably priced CP's in the South/West (on a par with the other States) on the coastal areas as long as they are not visited during public or school holidays. Inland town CP's are much better rates in general.
Although less crowds in the period April to September in the mid and southern areas of WA, the weather is atrocious, with the odd fine days here and there, some prefer this time south as you don't have the crowds etc.
However the point of going north around this time (April to September) is the sunny and warm winter weather, however you need to be further north than Geraldton/Meekatharra if you want that, no lower than Carnarvon and above. I do understand you are talking mainly distance though.
Being a Sandgroper, I don't really mind those from over east not coming over here more room in the CP's and free campsites for us "locals"
-- Edited by Vic41 on Monday 30th of June 2014 06:33:09 PM
KeenTravellers said
06:56 PM Jun 30, 2014
This guy at Broome's caravan park really annoys me... Somehow I dont think THIS owner got the REAL message with his comments on that ABC link
He said "But at the end of the day, there'll always be people who want to come to a place where it's 30 degrees and sunny all year around." not at the other end of Australia pal...
... or maybe, you missed the boat completely - by not listening to your past customers...?
...its too far to drive (Broome) for over the top prices and similar attractions elsewhere And it can be done in other parts of australia - far cheaper and "its 30 deg for most of the year round.."
When his industry is worth $848M in 2006 and now grown to 1.135Bil in 2010 ...umm my question is pal Why are "they not coming.." ....Are you on the same planet as the rest of us...
Time will show this owner obviously he needs to move on...or get someone in-tune with what HIS real Caravan Park Customers really want.. I will get off my box...
Cheers
_wombat_ said
07:00 PM Jun 30, 2014
KeenTravellers, U R 100% correct
Legendts said
07:16 PM Jun 30, 2014
oldboar wrote:
Unlike some, I work on passing on my impressions, good or bad. Perhaps it may save others finding out the hard way - silence never will.
Darrell & Sandra
Good on you oldboar, keep posting.
blaze said
07:25 PM Jun 30, 2014
Just like to point out the CP in broome are near at capacity, there are people coming and going but there are people that have been coming here for 20 years and they still come
cheers
blaze
jules47 said
08:58 PM Jun 30, 2014
Have met quite a few along this journey who are heading for Broome, staying in caravan park, for up to three months! The do it every year - it is their holiday - so suppose not really tourists.
Gerty Dancer said
10:30 PM Jun 30, 2014
Just spent a few days in Wyndham, loved it. there's one C/Park, where we had a huge site, friendly people, scenic day trips etc. We liked Derby too. If you just want to be "Where its warm" try these places. Halls Creek also, cheap and welcoming.
Vic41 said
01:28 AM Jul 1, 2014
Lucky devils Gerty .......here's me in Perth ready for bed with jamas on, beanie and socks, not to mention blanket and two doona's!
Brrrrrrrr..........I see Alice Springs has had a couple of nights below zero.
_wombat_ said
07:54 AM Jul 1, 2014
Vic41 wrote:
Lucky devils Gerty .......here's me in Perth ready for bed with jamas on, beanie and socks, not to mention blanket and two doona's!
Brrrrrrrr..........I see Alice Springs has had a couple of nights below zero.
it's a bugga when you get old ain't is Vic
Vic41 said
12:01 PM Jul 1, 2014
For sure Wombat, envious of all those able to be up north at present, hate the cold!
blaze said
12:33 PM Jul 1, 2014
Bloody cold here I might add Vic, down round 10 overnight and I have the heater running ATM
cheers
blaze
Vic41 said
09:04 PM Jul 1, 2014
Sounds a bit rough blaze, fancy having to put up with that
Good points Rocky, there are reasonably priced CP's in the South/West (on a par with the other States) on the coastal areas as long as they are not visited during public or school holidays. Inland town CP's are much better rates in general.
Although less crowds in the period April to September in the mid and southern areas of WA, the weather is atrocious, with the odd fine days here and there, some prefer this time south as you don't have the crowds etc.
However the point of going north around this time (April to September) is the sunny and warm winter weather, however you need to be further north than Geraldton/Meekatharra if you want that, no lower than Carnarvon and above. I do understand you are talking mainly distance though.
Being a Sandgroper, I don't really mind those from over east not coming over here
more room in the CP's and free campsites for us "locals" 
-- Edited by Vic41 on Monday 30th of June 2014 06:33:09 PM
This guy at Broome's caravan park really annoys me... Somehow I dont think
THIS owner got the REAL message with his comments on that ABC link
He said "But at the end of the day, there'll always be people who want to come to a place
where it's 30 degrees and sunny all year around." not at the other end of Australia pal...
... or maybe, you missed the boat completely - by not listening to your past customers...?
...its too far to drive (Broome) for over the top prices and similar attractions elsewhere
And it can be done in other parts of australia - far cheaper and "its 30 deg for most of the year round.."
When his industry is worth $848M in 2006 and now grown to 1.135Bil in 2010 ...umm my question is pal
Why are "they not coming.." ....Are you on the same planet as the rest of us...
Time will show this owner obviously he needs to move on...or get someone in-tune with what HIS real
Caravan Park Customers really want.. I will get off my box...
Cheers
KeenTravellers, U R 100% correct
Good on you oldboar, keep posting.
cheers
blaze
Lucky devils Gerty
.......here's me in Perth ready for bed with jamas on, beanie and socks, not to mention blanket and two doona's!
Brrrrrrrr..........I see Alice Springs has had a couple of nights below zero.
it's a bugga when you get old ain't is Vic
For sure Wombat, envious of all those able to be up north at present, hate the cold!
cheers
blaze
Sounds a bit rough blaze, fancy having to put up with that
