FOUND THIS ITEM IN THE DAILY TELEGRAPH THIS MORNING
RICHMOND - beautiful one day, and free for three.
In a cheeky bid to pinch tourists from the nearby Blue Mountains, the historic western Sydney town of Richmond is offering three free nights at a new caravan park for any tourists with a van or motor home.
Travellers are invited to use the park's facilities and enjoy the breathtaking mountain views - all without having to pay a cent.
Hoping to revive its popularity of the 1800s, Richmond is opening its hidden secrets in a bid to take a chunk of the $8 billion motor home industry.
Local RSL, the Richmond Club, has spent $250,000 to lure tourists back to the town, with the free Wanderest caravan park promotion seen as a way of bringing more tourists - and their dollars - into the community's shops, galleries, pubs and clubs.
The Blue Mountains might be blessed with natural wonders, but Richmond locals are just as proud of some of their attractions.
Where else can you experience the wonders of the gravity-defying Magnetic Hill, where you can park your car, put it in neutral and watch it climb up the hill?
How about one of the nation's oldest racetracks, or the RAAF base, fishing on the Hawkesbury or a walking tour past a string of stately mansions?
"Richmond is a hidden secret. A lot of locals want to keep it hidden but for economic prosperity we have to reveal it," Richmond Club CEO Kimberley Talbot said.
Ms Talbot said the initial concept of a free camp was suggested 2 1/2 years ago, after the club chairman travelled Australia staying in caravan parks.
"With the Wanderest project, we wanted more people having the opportunity to experience what the area has to offer. It is truly God's land," she said.
"A well-developed plan for tourism can bring many benefits to a community.
"If you have vacant land, a caravan park is easy to set up and clubs can bring economical sustainability to their local areas."
Campervan & Motorhome Club of Australia manager projects Phil Berry said the Richmond plan "is a great innovation and a brilliant location".
"By creating the rest area it's encouraging them to spend their dollars there," Mr Berry said.
"What they have done in Richmond is superb.
"Many rest areas are just a flat piece of land. They have added additional facilities.
"We need more around the Sydney area," he said.
The park features toilets, showers, powered and non-powered sites, a dump site for black water, picnic tables and open grassed areas - all with a clear view of the Blue Mountains.
Happywanderer said
09:48 AM Oct 20, 2010
Its also the front story on Grey Nomads today. If I don't have to drive through Sydney to get there will certainly be trying it out.
Ma said
10:30 AM Oct 20, 2010
Haven't read the front page yet HW
justcruisin01 said
10:27 PM Oct 21, 2010
A full address would be good , may be able to check it out soon.
Ma said
05:54 AM Oct 22, 2010
You will find The Richmond Club on the corner of Francis and East Market Street in Richmond.
The actual site of the van park is located down behind the carpark in Francis Street, opposite the club.
Will find out the name of the lane for you and let you know. When I was growing up there the lane didn't have a name as such. If Tiger5 is around on here he can tell you straight off, he used to live down there.
Ron and Shirley said
11:03 AM Oct 22, 2010
It may pay to contact them as there has been mixed reports as to the length of stay (Overnight, 24hrs, 72hrs) and also when it will open as bad weather has delayed things. http://www.wanderest.com.au/page/MTg3Ng/Contact.html
Apparently you need to go to the Club reception, and pay $4 to join the Club to gain access.
robynsnest said
10:24 PM Sep 20, 2011
We stayed there for three nights in July 2011 on a powered site which was $10 a night. One of us had to pay $4 to become a member of the Club, but the membership wasn't able to be activated for 48 hours. There were two ensuite bathrooms for all of the campers. I think that will cause a massive queue when it gets busy. The land is on a slight lean so we needed to use the ramps to make the van level. It was a great spot and we highly recommend it and will certainly return when we want to stay around Sydney. The Club and staff were really wonderful. If you don't use any power it is free.
Boroma577 said
01:13 PM Sep 21, 2011
Does anyone know if the CP is pet friendly??
Father Ted said
01:30 PM Sep 21, 2011
Ma.It was lovers lane.Just a short stroll to the river bank.Lol.
Ma said
02:41 PM Sep 21, 2011
It was Inall's lane I am told. Father Ted do I know you or were you a local Richmondite
RICHMOND - beautiful one day, and free for three.
In a cheeky bid to pinch tourists from the nearby Blue Mountains, the historic western Sydney town of Richmond is offering three free nights at a new caravan park for any tourists with a van or motor home.
Travellers are invited to use the park's facilities and enjoy the breathtaking mountain views - all without having to pay a cent.
Hoping to revive its popularity of the 1800s, Richmond is opening its hidden secrets in a bid to take a chunk of the $8 billion motor home industry.
Local RSL, the Richmond Club, has spent $250,000 to lure tourists back to the town, with the free Wanderest caravan park promotion seen as a way of bringing more tourists - and their dollars - into the community's shops, galleries, pubs and clubs.
Where else can you experience the wonders of the gravity-defying Magnetic Hill, where you can park your car, put it in neutral and watch it climb up the hill?
How about one of the nation's oldest racetracks, or the RAAF base, fishing on the Hawkesbury or a walking tour past a string of stately mansions?
"Richmond is a hidden secret. A lot of locals want to keep it hidden but for economic prosperity we have to reveal it," Richmond Club CEO Kimberley Talbot said.
Ms Talbot said the initial concept of a free camp was suggested 2 1/2 years ago, after the club chairman travelled Australia staying in caravan parks.
"With the Wanderest project, we wanted more people having the opportunity to experience what the area has to offer. It is truly God's land," she said.
"A well-developed plan for tourism can bring many benefits to a community.
"If you have vacant land, a caravan park is easy to set up and clubs can bring economical sustainability to their local areas."
Campervan & Motorhome Club of Australia manager projects Phil Berry said the Richmond plan "is a great innovation and a brilliant location".
"By creating the rest area it's encouraging them to spend their dollars there," Mr Berry said.
"What they have done in Richmond is superb.
"Many rest areas are just a flat piece of land. They have added additional facilities.
"We need more around the Sydney area," he said.
The park features toilets, showers, powered and non-powered sites, a dump site for black water, picnic tables and open grassed areas - all with a clear view of the Blue Mountains.
The actual site of the van park is located down behind the carpark in Francis Street, opposite the club.
Will find out the name of the lane for you and let you know. When I was growing up there the lane didn't have a name as such. If Tiger5 is around on here he can tell you straight off, he used to live down there.
It may pay to contact them as there has been mixed reports as to the length of stay (Overnight, 24hrs, 72hrs) and also when it will open as bad weather has delayed things. http://www.wanderest.com.au/page/MTg3Ng/Contact.html
Apparently you need to go to the Club reception, and pay $4 to join the Club to gain access.
Does anyone know if the CP is pet friendly??
Ma.It was lovers lane.Just a short stroll to the river bank.Lol.
It was Inall's lane I am told. Father Ted do I know you or were you a local Richmondite