I am planning my first big trip in NSW...as much as I can see over about 4-5 months, mostly west and central west. I read in a post that Bourke is not really safe for camping.
Are there any other towns where personal safety or the chance of theft etc may be an issue? I just would like to be wary.
Thanks steve
rockylizard said
02:51 AM Oct 19, 2012
Gday...
Everywhere is safe ... and everywhere is unsafe. People get mugged, robbed, bashed, run over, crashed into, ripped off and offended in every corner of this wide brown - but fantastic - land.
Bourke is one of a number of towns that have "a problem" but that does not mean it is unsafe. I have stayed in, and near, Bourke a number of times without a problem. If you believe the news reports (and some anecdotal observations of travellers) you would never go near Alice Springs - or Redfern - or Inala - or Footscray - I could go on.
If you are always aware and alert, use your common sense and often a strong dose of 'gut feeling' you will know if somewhere appears to be 'suspect'.
I have been camping, and travelling, by myself since I was 15 and now travelling full-time in a van around this country for four years. I have stayed in some areas others have felt were 'unsafe' or 'suspect' but I have yet to encounter a problem. Bugger - I hope that bloke Murphy ain't reading this
Travel - keep ya wits about ya ... and enjoy the lifestyle.
Cheers - John
Happywanderer said
03:10 AM Oct 19, 2012
I have been told Moree is also a place to be wary of. Ok if you stay in a c/p but not for free camping.
Solo Steve said
03:11 AM Oct 19, 2012
Too true John..an intelligent reply
thanks
Steve
spida said
05:05 PM Oct 19, 2012
I have been on the road since April from Perth across the top and around QLD,and have never felt unsafe even when I was using the 'tent' bed out the end of my expanda rather than sleeping inside as I do now. (I sleep inside now simply because I got sick of folding my bed up everytime I moved.)
dawa said
12:18 AM Oct 20, 2012
I free camped at Moree when I was still only using a small tent......no problems.
If I was to go inland more [which I never intend to do} there are places like Tenant Creek that would be iffy.
I have found a spot by a channel outside Deniliquin and I shall be here until mid December.
Dawa
Gerty Dancer said
12:51 AM Oct 20, 2012
I reckon its unsafe to camp in a town, any town. ... best to be a few k's out, or in a caravan park. For example, Coober Pedy, where there were fights in the street and it was a bit scary at times, yet we felt safe at the caravan park. Theres a great spot about 16k's out of Tenant Ck called the Pebbles, quiet and safe, and free.
Loki said
01:22 AM Oct 20, 2012
I recently traveled solo through the NT & QLD Gulf Country - free camped as much as possible and had no problems. I stayed in a caravan park in Tennant Ck because it rained 3 days, also a week in Alice & Darwin so I could have a good look at those towns. I free camped on my return to Brisbane from Atherton, am now going back to Tassie cris crossing the Great Dividing Range, currently in Richmond to sightsee through the Blue Mtns. All good, no problems, plenty of happy trvelers to help you or give advice. Enjoy your travels!!
Cheers
Anton
03_troopy said
01:31 AM Oct 20, 2012
I hear Wolf Creek had a bit of a problem... But I think it was only if you are backpacking and happen to meet a roo shooter by the name of Mick.
Cruising Granny said
07:33 AM Oct 20, 2012
... And then there are the dingoes, foxes, mad truckies, drunk back packers etc. etc. You make your own luck. Keep with good company and you should be ok. I camp outside my vehicle when I'm working, and much of the time I park next to the truck along side the highway, or at the back of a truck stop. Truck stops are actually safe places to park. The truck traffic usually stops by about 10.30pm, even on the busiest highways. Then the local hoons come out, fuel up at the 24 hour roadhouse, and with more octane than brains, take off at full revs up the highway, giving Tyrepower another prospective customer. I stayed at Coober Pedy last week and stayed at the pub, but I have also stayed at the caravan park at the rear of the pub. Tennant Creek made me nervous, but generally speaking the local aborigines are shy and prefer to stay away. Some of the younger locals can make trouble, but if you keep your head down and park at least 20 kms out of town you are fairly safe. There were some west coast Aborigines staying in this park for a footy trip, and they were well behaved and quite shy. Safe and happy travels.
milo said
09:49 AM Oct 21, 2012
think i prefer caravan parks, although were a few dodgy ones on a few of our trips too so i guess it goes to the old gut feelings or instincts
Harr0 said
12:29 AM Oct 22, 2012
Hi all i never had a problem anywhere at any time ,ive travelled Australia for years, ive always felt safe,but ive had things stolen from me at caravan parks,got to love that!!
Duh said
12:55 AM Oct 22, 2012
03_troopy wrote:
I hear Wolf Creek had a bit of a problem... But I think it was only if you are backpacking and happen to meet a roo shooter by the name of Mick.
Love it Mick......scary movie......such a good actor John Jarrad (spelling may not be correct) he had me convinced!
Duh said
12:57 AM Oct 22, 2012
Harr0 wrote:
Hi all i never had a problem anywhere at any time ,ive travelled Australia for years, ive always felt safe,but ive had things stolen from me at caravan parks,got to love that!!
Hi HarrO, what sort of things did you have stolen. I have not had anything stolen myself, but know others that have had caravan steps, Engels, tables and grog that were left outside, in the case of the grog in a bar fridge under the awning.....
Hi all
I am planning my first big trip in NSW...as much as I can see over about 4-5 months, mostly west and central west. I read in a post that Bourke is not really safe for camping.
Are there any other towns where personal safety or the chance of theft etc may be an issue? I just would like to be wary.
Thanks steve
Gday...
Everywhere is safe ... and everywhere is unsafe. People get mugged, robbed, bashed, run over, crashed into, ripped off and offended in every corner of this wide brown - but fantastic - land.
Bourke is one of a number of towns that have "a problem" but that does not mean it is unsafe. I have stayed in, and near, Bourke a number of times without a problem. If you believe the news reports (and some anecdotal observations of travellers) you would never go near Alice Springs - or Redfern - or Inala - or Footscray - I could go on.
If you are always aware and alert, use your common sense and often a strong dose of 'gut feeling' you will know if somewhere appears to be 'suspect'.
I have been camping, and travelling, by myself since I was 15 and now travelling full-time in a van around this country for four years. I have stayed in some areas others have felt were 'unsafe' or 'suspect' but I have yet to encounter a problem. Bugger - I hope that bloke Murphy ain't reading this
Travel - keep ya wits about ya ... and enjoy the lifestyle.
Cheers - John
Too true John..an intelligent reply
thanks
Steve
I free camped at Moree when I was still only using a small tent......no problems.
If I was to go inland more [which I never intend to do} there are places like Tenant Creek that would be iffy.
I have found a spot by a channel outside Deniliquin and I shall be here until mid December.
Dawa
For example, Coober Pedy, where there were fights in the street and it was a bit scary at times, yet we felt safe at the caravan park.
Theres a great spot about 16k's out of Tenant Ck called the Pebbles, quiet and safe, and free.
I recently traveled solo through the NT & QLD Gulf Country - free camped as much as possible and had no problems. I stayed in a caravan park in Tennant Ck because it rained 3 days, also a week in Alice & Darwin so I could have a good look at those towns. I free camped on my return to Brisbane from Atherton, am now going back to Tassie cris crossing the Great Dividing Range, currently in Richmond to sightsee through the Blue Mtns. All good, no problems, plenty of happy trvelers to help you or give advice. Enjoy your travels!!
Cheers
Anton
You make your own luck. Keep with good company and you should be ok.
I camp outside my vehicle when I'm working, and much of the time I park next to the truck along side the highway, or at the back of a truck stop.
Truck stops are actually safe places to park. The truck traffic usually stops by about 10.30pm, even on the busiest highways.
Then the local hoons come out, fuel up at the 24 hour roadhouse, and with more octane than brains, take off at full revs up the highway, giving Tyrepower another prospective customer.
I stayed at Coober Pedy last week and stayed at the pub, but I have also stayed at the caravan park at the rear of the pub.
Tennant Creek made me nervous, but generally speaking the local aborigines are shy and prefer to stay away. Some of the younger locals can make trouble, but if you keep your head down and park at least 20 kms out of town you are fairly safe.
There were some west coast Aborigines staying in this park for a footy trip, and they were well behaved and quite shy.
Safe and happy travels.
so i guess it goes to the old gut feelings or instincts
Love it Mick......scary movie......such a good actor John Jarrad (spelling may not be correct) he had me convinced!
Hi HarrO, what sort of things did you have stolen. I have not had anything stolen myself, but know others that have had caravan steps, Engels, tables and grog that were left outside, in the case of the grog in a bar fridge under the awning.....