What a whinger! but honestly. I've just returned from a 15000kms trip around WA in my Hiace. I'm pretty disgusted with the cost of both powered and non-powered sites in caravan parks - especially in WA. In 99% of cases I was charged exactly the same as 2 people in a large caravan being towed by a large vehicle (Containing air conditioners etc). I know some will say 'but you're taking up the same size site'. In most of the parks I was put into a site capable of taking one small vehicle. The majority of single travellers that I met stated that they just can't afford to go into a caravan park on a single pension, so is forced to stay on roadside or free parking areas (Or stay at home). A lot of areas in WA also will not allow 'free-camping'.
I feel that this is discrimination of single people who wants to see this wonderful country of ours for a couple of months a year.
I wondered if I contacted the 'Dept of Ageing' whether they may be able to initiate a solution with the Dept. of Tourism and Caravan Parks Assoc of Australia.
Any thoughts or ideas?

No harm in trying what you have suggested PML, but the same applies on the eastern seaboard as you can see under the comments "1770/Agnes Waters" in the General Forum section. It needs a concerted effort by all groups involved to make representations to State Govts on the subject, especially to the LGA (Local Govt Assns) as these are the main offenders I feel. (Councils' that is)

Mate join the club, doesn't seem to matter these days who you are, you get the privilage of making someone else rich while you lose your shirt trying to stay alive. I agree about the paying for two people when there is only one of you, it should be a user based payment system, a per person tariff system, I have a 4x and boat so I do need the larger sites to accomodate my rig but then I only have a 2x2m OzTent for short stays, and a slightly larger setup for longer stays, but that doesnt mean I use the power or water of 2 people. As for getting things changed I agree with Doug, unfortunately for anyone to make a difference it would need to be a class action by a mojority of the population to get anywhere and even then the chances are slim, it is the good old supply vs demand scenario...whilst there is a demand the supply will always be at an ever increasing cost and while there is a demand there will always be a profitering capitalist at the head of the line with their hand out. As for the free camps there are still quite a few around but they are diminishing by the day, the councils are scared of liabilities associated with them because so many people are unwilling to accept the results of their own stupidity and the greatly increasing population of unsociable elements who tend to prey on the unsuspecting who are often unable to defend themselves. Unfortunately in general the younger generation isn't interested in anything to help others unless they get something in return. I think that quite sadly the days of helping each other just for the sake of being obliging and friendly are slowly disapearing along with our past generations. Hoo Roo Happy Days Grumps

This applies across the tourism industry. Book a cruise or tour and see how much extra you get slugged if travelling solo. The solution... shower twice as often, drink plenty of beer, go on a diet of prunes and all-bran, and that way you'll use the amenities as often as two people! Two parks I know of that charge a cheaper rate for one person....Possum Park, (north of Miles, Qld), Inverell Caravan Park (nthrn NSW)

i been solo for 16 year now and i get so sick of paying same as couple even in a motel or hotel if you book a room is usually one few dollar difference ....maybe even 2/3 would be fairer

I agree with everybody, but if a caravan park was full of solo's , their income would be halved. Meet them halfway ,say $22.50 for a $30 powered site.

I've only been solo for approx 4 years, but I was amazed at the ridiculous prices that are charged for solo travellers right across the tourism industry.

I'm playing devils advocate here, but I'm sure the caravan parks would claim that their fixed costs remain the same ie site maintenance, rubbish collection, electricity (it takes no more to power a light, tv, airconditioner), administration etc for 1 person or for 4 people.  The only variable costs would be showering costs.

Perhaps a fairer system would be for a set fee for a site (to cover fixed costs), then a meterage usage for the power, and a reduced cost for showering usage.  Having said all that..........it would be a bit of an administration nightmare to manage this sort of system and the savings would be very minimal for a solo traveller.

At the end of the day I think the parks industry (whether it be private or council run), needs to provide a choice for all grey nomads ie reduce fees for reduced services, increased costs for increased services.

Well that's my two cents worth anyway............(gee 2 cent coin doesn't exist anymore now I really AM showing my age lol)

Keep Smiling
:)

I agree with you, but also it will not be just camping places, you can be charged extra if you go on a tour be it overseas or here, and you are travelling solo. Instead of matching you up with another single person they charge you a levy. That is what annoys me

we were in tamworth for the last music festival and a lady we befriended, was being charged $36 a night, on here own in a tent. In a tent, no power no nothing. Actually at the Austin Tourist Park. We actually paid $68 a night, powered, when the festival finished it was back to $150 per week.

I have sent emails to Editors at the Brisbane Courier..Asking them to do a spread on the Grey Nomad plight.....They wont answer.....But I will keep trying.....We all need to avoid Caravan Parks...I am in Tiaro QLD at this moment enjoying a town who loves me and My Dollar...Free camping two days By the lovely River Mary and the Reserve at the back of the Pub.......A great dinne can be had by all....Thank you Tiaro QLD...It is their Computer I am useing $1.00 per half Hour great A...

Ps  We must bombbard the councils and Govenments and Councils with emails....I feel we will get some answers in the long run...So lets not complain and do it for the future Generations of Grey Nomads

Hey Griz, Mate those days are long gone, I can feel it in my bones that you gonna be paying two site fees regardless....... Hoo Roo Happy days Grumps

Caravan Parks have a double standard here, they charge extra for more than two people (usually $5 - $10 pp) but won't discount by the same amount for solos. The two I mentioned in my earlier post are exceptions. As a by the way, The Inverell Caravan Park (above) would be one of the best run CPs I've stayed in.

I've been all the way around from Broome to Cairns and only experienced a few parks which consider singles by giving a discount, even the ones which give discounts. I don't think we should expect half the couples tarif, but we could expect some consideration. As Jim points out, we only use half the amenities half the time. As a long-termer I'm on metered power, and after some discussion, this park has given me long-term "allowance". I'm much better off. I was also on metered power in Broome park. Unfortunately the industry makes the most of the seasonal travellers and puts their hands in our pockets. Most parks in Broome are charging more than $40 per site, per night. Now there's nothing in any caravan park to justify those charges for a slab of concrete, a power point, water, a dunny and 1 or 2 showers a day. These poor buggers are being taxed out of existence with rates etc, but there must be a happy medium. I don't free camp for a number of reasons, and I understand why others do. My choice, my costs. If anyone finds a cheaper way of doing this lifestyle, let us know.

I am in Bribie island at this moment.....Last night I stayed in a box sixed site at Bribie caravan Park..I asked for more room...At $30 bucks i told them to stick it.....And left..The other sites were vacant..They wanted to grow some grass
. So not availble......

I am going to park along side the beach tonight  (Free)

Ps Honestly....Something needs to be done fast...... 

 

G'day , my first post here . I to am annoyed at the cost of camping for solo travellers . I'm on the homeward stretch after 4 weeks in the Top End and out of about 8 caravan parks , only one gave me discount . Would it be worth doing a sticky or a list of the parks that do offer some discount for solo travellers .

Palm Beach Caravan Park...Chargers $22.00 per Night..Powered site......I am going there next Wednesday for a couple of weeks.........Not bad Considering it's only 50 meters from the beach

I intend to be totally self-sufficient when I finally hit the road,so a 40ft bus was my logical choice.I know some will say the cost of fuel would be a killer,but when all is said and done,I believe I will be on top.With every luxury and fitting of a house,even if I get stuck somewhere at least I wont go stir-crazy with 11 metres to get lost in. I love the great outdoors,and I enjoy the great indoors By the time I get on the road it may cost an arm and a leg for temp accommodatio,but they will not be where I intend to stay.Surely it cant be too hard to find a parking place in which to camp for the night. I will await the advice of those who have tried and failed at this attempt to travel this "free" country for free. To stay in controlled parks etc defeats the purpose of this whole exercise.

Well put....FN Osie.......

Have to agree totally, there is free parking all over the country.

Maybe there can be an ongoing list re better value for solos and we can all write it up for future use. Palm Beach sounds good, $22........... is that the one on Home & Away !!! There's 3 so far on this list.

Tumbling waters Tourist Park , 5 nights $100 Foreshore Caravan Park , Pt. Augusta $20 a night

I think the way the parks look at it for powered sites is whether one or two people are in an RV (camper/motorhome/caravan) their fridge is using the same amount of power as is aircon (if used) and gas for cooking, whether it be for one or two. What they don't look at is only one person is using the showers and toilets if the person is solo.

I would'mt know about  that Countryroad.....I don't watch Soaps......It's directly opposite 19th Avenue Apartments Gold Coast H/way....Drive through sites..And nice friendly staff...Not like some of the grumps I'v met

Makes bugger difference if one or two on site ,It's the site you lease so if they put you on a small site then I would say no I want a standard van site with the pad and power outlet and all the water and waste connections not one tucked up against the dunny block or near the dump point. If we take the usage of facilities as a guide to setting site pricing then those with their own toilet shower on board and no aircon should also get a reduced rate In NSW because power has gone up 66% and still on the rise their are a lot of parks who charge more for aircons, as they did when aircons first became fashionable in modern vans . I get cheesed off when I stay in a hotel and the room rate is per person. Lets face it they still have the same cleaning and bed linen changes if it's one in a double bed or two in the same bed

You've no hope of getting single price reductions, even our Motorhome Club charge the single in a Hi-Ace pop-top the same site fee as the feller in a 40 foot with slideouts and a little car with two people in at  National Rallies.  I've been battling for a change in this for the past 13 years with little satisfaction. Get your Camps Australia Wide book and make use of it - there are some great free camps around and some bush camp set ups where it is only $5 per night.  Get your mobile on 'my hour' and call the number for the paying sites listed in 'Camps' and find out the cost before you go.

Wombat - the fact of the matter is that the great majority of the motorhomes/caravans etc with toilets and showers do not use their own showers when in van parks and only the toot at night! They won't use their gas to heat the water for their shower and those who have electric/gas water heaters don't want to clean their shower out after they use it.

Also don't forget that some of us with showers and toilets prefer to use our own set up because the amenities in many of the parks are just not as clean as you would expect for the fees you pay.    We are not skinflints but there is nothing wrong with wanting what we pay for either.

Dont forget its not just at caravan parks, i would love to go on a cruise but i have to pay extra just to have the room to myself...