I may cop some flack about this by here goes anyways.

I can remember in the winter months I would travel South to Victoria and SA as there was not a lot of people travelling the cold states in Winter.  Now don't get me wrong here, I like people as much as the next person, but I also like the peace and quite of only a few Vans at free camping spots or CP's.    I now find that with the Boom in caravan sales and our current economical climate, when you pull into a CP it is packed to the rafters and the free camping sites are akin to a CP as they are also packed with different types of camping vehicles.  eg On my way back from St Arnaud last Sunday, I booked ahead into a CP at Narrandera, which I stay at occassionally and on arrival it was overflowing.  Now this is not normal for the Winter months.

I would hate to be travelling to Qld or the warmer states as I can imagine that it would be absolute bedlem.   One of the main reasons for staying away from the northern states in winter.

I like the free open spaces, but the spaces are being invaded.  I accept that it should be shared by everyone, but it is almost like leaving one rat race to join another.

Am I wrong here?  Or does this ring true to other nomads that have been travelling over the past ten years or more.    Just give me some peace, tranquility and space.  Is that asking too much when travelling this vast country of ours.

So how many is too many out there?

Safe Journeys. 

can't agree more.always go south late winter passing all others coming north.then pass them again coming home .not unsociable just like uncrowded conditions.
rocan

How right you are Pete,I also have been on the road for about the last 10 years and have noticed a vast amount of vanners are taking up spaces that were normally empty, Even here in Sapphire the mines dept have beeen inundated with all the claims coming into its office, even the flood plains have the white posts dotted all over it, plus a few stupid enought to build, and even to leave the van on site, along with this influx of visitors there is also the bad element , when the "Pale Bushman " was here the van nearest the ablution block on the freebies stand had rocks thrown at it during the night, needless to say he was gone the following morning, Dont know the answer, but think it is going to get worse before it gets better,

The doomsayers have been carping on for decades that overpopulation by humans is the biggest blight on the planet. Who am I to disagree? I fear for future generations who will probably never have the opportunity to "get lost" in the joys of uninhabited wilderness.

"Get lost" brings another memory, In the 70s we used to get in the 4by and "get lost " in the hills back of Mount Dandenong, , 40 years on, "no way" street lights, kerb and channeling everywhere, all the way out to Gladydales, and out to Woods Point

I agree Bilko, there are more and more Ozzies caravanning at home now rather than holidaying overseas with travel problems of one sort or another, and caravan sales although they have diminished a bit in the current climate are still flourishing. Travelling in winter areas down south gives a lot more scope for getting into caravan parks or free camping spots and you also avoid those extremely hot temperatures we get sometimes. For shorter trips for those without children or who are not working, travelling mid week and not in school or public holidays is great too if you don't like crowds, also easier to get into C/Prks etc. Vic

Well Sarge, I think the southerners who normally travel north for the winter aren't going as far north as they usually do. The financial situation is probably driving more campers into the free spots, which is why everyone wants to park there. No one has exclusive use of these facilities, so sharing is the only way to go, and you'll have to accept it. There's plenty of room up north, on the east and west of the country. So you choose. People are finding out this nomadic lifestyle is adequate, even ideal for them, so they shed the burdens of real estate and furniture and hitch up. It really is a good life. Cheers Chris