I've just come back this morning from a 2 day camping trip (tent) with a daughter, 3 grandkids and a dog. We were planning to free camp at Yarramalong Weir or Bowenville Reserve, both which are great spots but the water was muddy and flowing too fast for the grandkids to swim safely. So as we were on the road and so as to not disappoint the grandkids we threw caution to the wind and see if a campground could fit us in. Tried one at Goomburra but they won't take dogs unless you can produce immunisation papers but found that Murpheys Creek Escape could fit us in. So rolled up at about 4pm expecting it to be jam packed but found only 5 of the 100+ sites occupied. So all good....booked in for 2 nights and as it is peak holiday season (no seniors or health card discounts) it cost $105 for 2 nights. On top of this you must pay 20 cents for 2 minutes of hot water in the shower and if you want a wood fire you must hire one of their fire drums unless you have an above ground fire! There were 2 there when we left this morning. Bowenville and Yarramalong are both free camps, have clean toilets, showers at Bowenville and (I'll say it again) FREE.
So I am wondering why if it is peak holiday season why are they virtually empty. It is a good spot, but could it be the cost?
ps....did however have a ball - g'kids, water and dogs are a ball of fun plus a wood fire.
Good Luck.
Bruce and Bev said
11:05 PM Jan 10, 2015
Gezz Denis - if you had to pay over $50 pn for a presumably unpowered tent site and then pay for the showers - no wonder why we all want to freecamp - what a rip off!!! Greedy bloody Park owners and they have the cheek to whinge about freedom campers
The second night was a Friday when you'd expect the weekend warriors to roll in but it was quieter than Thursday. Site was unpowered and sloping which ain't the best when in a tent. This place has always been a bit dear however when you consider it is the school holidays and the place is empty you do start to wonder. Bottom line is we had a good time and with littlies you need safe swimming. Maybe they'd be busier with rates about half and pickup the slack with increased numbers. Pretty sad when basic camping becomes out of reach for many people.
Regards
Dougwe said
06:39 AM Jan 11, 2015
How, Dennis. We are finding the same thing here at Greens Lake, Central VIC. Very quiet indeed with just a handfull of happy campers, usually the place is packed to the rafters, well launching ramp anyway, this time of year.
Might be something to do with the place being closed from 29/12 - 1/1 and people just went somewhere else, maybe the weather changes or maybe and a very small maybe, people are just a little concerned about the current activities around the world and staying home, who knows.
The price you mentioned does seem a bit steap though for a tent site but hey, you spent valuable time with your daughter and grandkids, sounds great. Now you can say you have been "Gramping".
I have stayed at Yarramalong Weir - a couple of pics attached.
Cheers - John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Saturday 10th of January 2015 11:31:40 PM
You are correct John and I spelled it wrong - it's Yarramolong Weir not Yarramalong but I see I'm not the only one. The creek would be a great fishing spot, also full of yabbies I'd imagine. Only problem with places like Bowenville and Yarramolong is that they are located smack bang in the middle of large cultivation areas with lots of fertiliser and pesticide runoff into the creek. Then again DDT didn't harm us did it
Regards
Denis
Roving-Dutchy said
12:18 PM Jan 11, 2015
Maybe people are now holidaying overseas in the school holidays.
We live on Lake Macquarie and this year has been the quietest we can remember there are hardly any boats near us on the lake, usually at this time of the year it is the endless noise of ski boats, but not this year, we are glad when Easter comes as it is the end of the busy season.
Cheers
David
madcart said
12:25 PM Jan 11, 2015
Hi
When people are talking of different places they stay at I wish they would put which state they are talking about. As we are new Grey Nomads it would help us steer clear of those places that have a bad report
Cheers Chrissy and Dizzy
hako said
03:39 PM Jan 11, 2015
madcart wrote:
Hi
When people are talking of different places they stay at I wish they would put which state they are talking about. As we are new Grey Nomads it would help us steer clear of those places that have a bad report
Cheers Chrissy and Dizzy
Good point Crissy and Dizzy and one that I will include in the future. I see your location is "facebook"......which I guess means you are on the road. Rockylizard was smart enough to supply the links to the places I mention.(thanks John).
Good Luck.
RosieW said
03:04 PM Jan 13, 2015
Everything in Tin Can Bay (Qld) was full up over the Christmas/New Year period. There were a fair few backpacker vans parked in foreshore carparks as well. Apparently, the autumn is the other time when it gets super-busy here. This park is already half booked for Easter, and the last weekend in September (seafood festival) is always booked out months in advance.
I've just come back this morning from a 2 day camping trip (tent) with a daughter, 3 grandkids and a dog. We were planning to free camp at Yarramalong Weir or Bowenville Reserve, both which are great spots but the water was muddy and flowing too fast for the grandkids to swim safely. So as we were on the road and so as to not disappoint the grandkids we threw caution to the wind and see if a campground could fit us in. Tried one at Goomburra but they won't take dogs unless you can produce immunisation papers but found that Murpheys Creek Escape could fit us in. So rolled up at about 4pm expecting it to be jam packed but found only 5 of the 100+ sites occupied. So all good....booked in for 2 nights and as it is peak holiday season (no seniors or health card discounts) it cost $105 for 2 nights.
On top of this you must pay 20 cents for 2 minutes of hot water in the shower and if you want a wood fire you must hire one of their fire drums unless you have an above ground fire! There were 2 there when we left this morning. Bowenville and Yarramalong are both free camps, have clean toilets, showers at Bowenville and (I'll say it again) FREE.
So I am wondering why if it is peak holiday season why are they virtually empty. It is a good spot, but could it be the cost?
ps....did however have a ball - g'kids, water and dogs are a ball of fun plus a wood fire.
Good Luck.
Gday...
The website for Murphy's Creek Escape - http://www.murphyscreekescape.com.au/
A link to Bowenville Camp - http://www.findacamp.com.au/camp-site.php?camp=728
Unfortunately, I found this on Yarramalong (it must not be correct - as there are fees) - http://www.yarramalongcamping.com.au/
I assume you meant the weir? - http://www.findacamp.com.au/camp-site.php?pc=&dis=200&camp=722
I have stayed at Yarramalong Weir - a couple of pics attached.
Cheers - John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Saturday 10th of January 2015 11:31:40 PM
Regards
Might be something to do with the place being closed from 29/12 - 1/1 and people just went somewhere else, maybe the weather changes or maybe and a very small maybe, people are just a little concerned about the current activities around the world and staying home, who knows.
The price you mentioned does seem a bit steap though for a tent site but hey, you spent valuable time with your daughter and grandkids, sounds great. Now you can say you have been "Gramping".
Keep Safe.
We live on Lake Macquarie and this year has been the quietest we can remember there are hardly any boats near us on the lake, usually at this time of the year it is the endless noise of ski boats, but not this year, we are glad when Easter comes as it is the end of the busy season.
Cheers
David
Hi
When people are talking of different places they stay at I wish they would put which state they are talking about. As we are new Grey Nomads it would help us steer clear of those places that have a bad report
Cheers Chrissy and Dizzy
Good point Crissy and Dizzy and one that I will include in the future. I see your location is "facebook"......which I guess means you are on the road. Rockylizard was smart enough to supply the links to the places I mention.(thanks John).
Good Luck.