Just picking up on what B and B wrote about Esperance, at the end of the thread about Bendigo. If these van park owners are in the ear of the councillors about having exclusive attendance at the caravan parks in the town and it's getting difficult to free park in the vicinity - then it's simple for me = I just won't go there.
It is a shame as it is a lovely town and coastline but I'll park up elsewhere and only drive in to get a feed of the yummy fish and chips from that great shop.
Fuel, groceries, chemist etc = well they all miss out. Plenty of RV friendly towns in the book, so bugger them.
Dreaming for just a sec- if all who wish to free camp can't and didn't go there how long before the attitude would change I wonder ?
TropicalRose said
07:08 PM Apr 5, 2015
Yes if we vote with our feet maybe things will change. Here's hoping.
Bruce and Bev said
09:48 PM Apr 5, 2015
the worst problem with Esperance is there is a National Park nearby that has beautiful white sand that squeaks as you walk on it and tropical blue water - real heaven.
Then the reality hits. There is Lucky Bay - where tents and vans etc are so packed in that if one person coughs at night, everyone gets woken up - its a terrible place to want to stay.
Then theres the other which everyone wants to get into - Le Grand. This one only has about 13 sites and one is occupied by the camp host.
You cant pre-book (and sorry, but Im a great fan of pre-booking having used this for the National Park at Exmouth and after a 2 hour drive through the park, I knew that a site was booked already for it). People stay in the CPs in Esperance and drive the 1.5 hours (if towing a van) out to Le Grand only to find that either no-one has left so the sites are still full or that people turned up at 6 bloody am to try and be at the front of the queue.
We recently spent a week there in a CP and I drove out each morning for 6 days to be there at 6am and didn't score a site.
All in all, we had a poor holiday experience at Esperance because of the rip-off and run down CPs and the stupid system being run at the National Parks. Parks ( a typical govt dept) are working on making most of their parks on-line pre-booking but of course 100 public servants need to carry around one piece of paper each day for a year until the system is progressed.
I reckon each State should employ tourist trained staff to run their Parks. That doesn't mean the prices have to go up, but it will mean that they get things happening, for the better, are responsive to what people want and get it fixed pronto.
When I stayed in the Exmouth Park, the Govt Dept sent me 3 long on-line questionaires - each one was the same as the previous one. I spent the 15b mins or so to fill out the 1st one, then after I had got the 3rd, phoned their head office up and launched into them about how incompetent they were. They didn't give a stuff - didn't even get an explanation or apology for all the repeat questionaires - wonder what happened to all the info they gathered and the cover letter inviting participation was signed off by a lady who had a science doctorate. Get rid of her and other tree huggers like her and get a mix of environmentalists and commercially aware and switched on people to get the right balance. Preserve our flora and fauna and also improve access and the way they run it to the public
Feel better now - will toddle off and put my soap box away under the table till next time lol
The Phantom said
10:10 PM Apr 5, 2015
Stay away. I'm sure the people of Esperance won't give a rat's A if you don't turn up.
I'll make up my own mind where I go without being influenced by others.
The Phantom
NeilandRaine said
05:25 AM Apr 6, 2015
The Phantom wrote:
Stay away. I'm sure the people of Esperance won't give a rat's A if you don't turn up.
I'll make up my own mind where I go without being influenced by others.
The Phantom
I agree. There is so much to see in Australia.I am not going to miss it because there isn't a free camp or some says to boycott the town
sandsmere said
06:46 AM Apr 6, 2015
There is no point boycotting a town and having a rant on a forum unless you tell the people that matter.
I don't mean councillors, info centre people or CP owners. Go to the people with a hip-pocket interest.
eg. the butcher, the baker, the hairdresser, the supermarket manager, the chemist, the newsagent etc. .
Then, if there are enough complaints they may put pressure on the councils etc. .
clarence said
07:31 AM Apr 6, 2015
We visited esperance a few years ago and it wasnt an experience i would repeat, love the scenery , hate the unfriendly van park near the harbour. rude on the way in and out . there were no other places available, on above advice we will bypass the town.
vic
barrie said
07:35 AM Apr 6, 2015
I think the problem lies with there being to many Nomads enjoying the beauty of travelling in Oz and maybe Just some overstay in certain areas, we are so lucky to be able to do this in relitive safety. If a place is full just move on to the next no problem.
Goldfinger said
09:44 AM Apr 6, 2015
Phantom, if you are never influenced by others, and your invariably negative comments don't influence us...why do you hang around?....just to drop a turd each time on someone's post who has posted in good faith and with positive good will to other members....if you can't improve on silence, why bother making a non contributory comment each time....
Gerty Dancer said
09:53 AM Apr 6, 2015
We stayed a week at an Esperance C'park last year, would have stayed less but needed work done on the van. We were at "The Pines" and had something stolen from the car so make sure you lock up. Yes we drove out to Cape le Grand campground and it was full at 9.30 am so we figured it was always going to be that way and didn't do it again, but explored the area, leaving the van in Esperance. Wouldn't have missed that coastline for the world, its absolutely beautiful!!!
The Phantom said
10:27 AM Apr 6, 2015
Goldfinger wrote:
Phantom, if you are never influenced by others, and your invariably negative comments don't influence us...why do you hang around?....just to drop a turd each time on someone's post who has posted in good faith and with positive good will to other members....if you can't improve on silence, why bother making a non contributory comment each time....
That's the really good thing about forums, views can differ. The forum would die if we all agreed with each other. It would become an exercise in obsequious.
Perhaps you need another dose of James Bond.
The Phantom
TommyG said
11:13 AM Apr 6, 2015
" Get rid of her and other tree huggers like her and get a mix of environmentalists and commercially aware and switched on people to get the right balance." and you think/wish that may happen....... when?
Weevil said
11:44 AM Apr 6, 2015
I certainly would not boycott this town, it is just too beautiful an area to miss and you would be the loser. This includes both the town and suburban coastline and the National Parks.
I was lucky enough to get into Cape Le Grande ranger camp and in town as some other Grey Nomads have done also stayed at the Bushlands CP near the Pink Lake, very basic but has power, drinking water from a water tank (filled by contractor) but only bore water for showers/laundry etc. Because the sand is so fine (clean white sand) there some gets sucked up in the bore water and into your laundry, but there is a laundry not far away in the nearest shopping centre if this worries you.
The place is a bit run down but very friendly and lay back owners and dogs allowed on leads. Approx 5 kms from the centre of town. There is also a free or low cost camp north of town on the way to Kalgoorlie, I think it may be called Gibsons Soak in the camps book.
The boat tour over to Woodies Island is also well worth the money for those who can afford it, nice café on the island with open verandah as well. A walk on the island is included but is a bit up hill and down dale, so we opted for a short one and coffee at the café (which overlooks a beautiful bay) instead.
All I can say is miss out on Esperance and you miss out on one of the gems of Oz....take any negatives in your stride.
-- Edited by Weevil on Monday 6th of April 2015 11:50:26 AM
-- Edited by Weevil on Monday 6th of April 2015 11:51:39 AM
Great positive post Vic..many thanks....looks/sounds too good to miss.
Phantom ..I suggest there is a vast difference between positive views, and your negative objections....I guess being positive about negativity could be construed as a view...007++++
Hoo Roo
rockylizard said
12:20 PM Apr 6, 2015
The Phantom wrote:
Stay away. I'm sure the people of Esperance won't give a rat's A if you don't turn up.
I'll make up my own mind where I go without being influenced by others.
The Phantom
Gday...
Rather than reading the above as a 'negative' post/comment - I read it for what it said.
I read the post to suggest the following -
If you don't like the way a town/place operates and the attitude of the accommodation/service providers, then simply don't stay there.
If people do not visit their region/town then the majority of the locals will not notice, or perhaps even miss, your non-attendance.
I know the places I like to visit and/or camp at and I am rarely influenced by the opinion of others.
I think, despite the 'direct' way the view was presented, it is simply that ... a view.
I can certainly relate to the opinion expressed.
Cheers - John
Friar Park said
01:16 PM Apr 6, 2015
G'day people of the forum. I'm not a regular when it comes to posting but i do read regularly. I feel an urge to contribute two pennorth on this criticism of Esperence. I lived in Bunbury for awhile and a trip to Esperence via Albany was a regular sojourn
The general population of Esperance wouldn't give a toss if you went there, stayed there, or even if you had never heard of the place. They are there, for whatever reason, and you please yourselves. Thats why I wouldn't take any notice of anyone elses opinion but my own.
Now, if all of you with some degree of negativity got together and organised some sort of petition rally or whatever and directed your missile at those that are tasked with looking after the interests of the general population of Esperence I would certainly give my backing to your efforts. If thats not going to happen I will continue to heed my own counsel.
Sorry if you dont see the point
Friar
Bruce and Bev said
04:06 PM Apr 6, 2015
it seems many of you have missed the point completely in my comments about Esperance. Some (identified by Goldfinger) seemed to be rude in their responses.
My comment was not about Esperance, but about its tourism and how it handles it so poorly. For those who say the locals couldn't care if tourists went there or not - you obviously haven't been there recently. Many businesses have closed down, not only in the town centre, but in the smaller suburb shops because of the lack of trade - that perhaps more tourists would have saved.
This is The Grey Nomads FORUM. Forum is where people express their opinions - right or not or you agree or disagree. Don't start to get unpleasant and nasty with others who you disagree with. Try to disagree or give an alternate opinion in a pleasant way. Thanks
TechnoGypsy said
06:28 PM Apr 6, 2015
Now that was an interesting exercise !
I didnt want to place my comments at the end of the posts about Bendigo and be seen to be "highjacking the thread" (and cop it in the neck for doing so) so thought it was better to ponder the matter as a new topic.
What a mixed bag of responses!
Some people had good memories of the place / some not so good.
There were some good comments (by B and B, Goldfinger and Weevil)
Phantom youre a knocker (Ive seen some of your posts) But I'm particularly thick skinned so you'd have to do better than that.
Sandsmere I dont think I was ranting ?
Weevil Yes, Gibson is the place to stay out on the fringe.
There have been many posts lately about RV Unfriendly towns Im glad people post them.
-- Edited by TechnoGypsy on Monday 6th of April 2015 06:28:57 PM
Bruce and Bev said
08:50 PM Apr 6, 2015
thank you technogypsy. You said about Phantom what I really wanted to say (and a bit more). I thought it had been decided after the big bust up last year that we were all going to be helpful, pleasant and not nasty with slag off remarks. Seems I was wrong............ Guess I should do what you do and be thick skinned and ignore "people" like this
sandsmere said
05:58 AM Apr 7, 2015
Thanks for the pics Vic.
Looks like a good fishing spot.
brickies said
07:24 AM Apr 7, 2015
It's a shame that we brand a a town that dose not have free camping there is often more to it than caravan park owners , Look at what has happen in St. Lawrence north of Rockhampton lots of grey nomads camp at the free camp there , The community there who vote for the councillors took to the media to complain at the cost to the resident to supply free camping and business complain there was not a lot of money following into there tills , Another of the residents concerns was water and sewerage cost , I love to free camp and take it has a privilege when given not a right and will pay to visit a worthwhile area .
elliemike said
09:03 AM Apr 7, 2015
Never had a problem with Esperance or the National Parks go down there once a year maybe on average. Just come back from Fitzgerald NP. Lovely area nice people as most country area and townspeople are.
I like the idea of a "Boycott" as it is getting too crowded with Grey Nomads in peak times. Yep good idea for you all to stay away.
Got overseas (Scots) visitors with me at present they were camping down at Esperance, and Cape Le Grande, the week before last. Absolutely loved it and all the very friendly helpful people they met down there. They are off to Exmouth today and camping/touring up in the Pilbara, and Kimberly.
-- Edited by elliemike on Tuesday 7th of April 2015 03:30:27 PM
JayDee said
12:29 PM Apr 7, 2015
We are great advocate for bush ... free camping. But if we want or need to see a place and the C.Park is the only option. Yes!!! Then we support the C.Park.
But our rathers is bush camping.
I am more concerned about the campers who abuse the the free camp sites, and then make it difficult for the ones who
"Do the right thing"
Freedom Camping is a benefit we wish to preserve for many decades to come.
Jay&Dee
Weevil said
08:41 PM Apr 7, 2015
sandsmere wrote:
Thanks for the pics Vic.
Looks like a good fishing spot.
I'm not a fisherman, but there were a few fishing down there. I just love that area, and the town, it has a very relaxed atmosphere about it.
Ellie & Mike, when at Fitzgerald National Park, did you visit or stay at this place, Quaalup Homestead ?
-- Edited by Weevil on Tuesday 7th of April 2015 09:13:00 PM
That's where we stayed, with our 4x4 club. Doing the tracks around there. We were supposed to be on the Holland track but it was Closed because of rain. Surprisingly it was not packed with campers over Easter.
We have camped a lot over the years in Fitzgerald NP. The new NP facilities are great after the big fire they had a few years ago wiped the place out.
-- Edited by elliemike on Wednesday 8th of April 2015 11:11:19 AM
Weevil said
09:43 AM Apr 8, 2015
Great spot isn't it, the owners were a young (compared to me) German couple when I stayed there.
Road was pretty dusty and very corrugated in parts, but still glad I went there.
Just picking up on what B and B wrote about Esperance, at the end of the thread about Bendigo. If these van park owners are in the ear of the councillors about having exclusive attendance at the caravan parks in the town and it's getting difficult to free park in the vicinity - then it's simple for me = I just won't go there.
It is a shame as it is a lovely town and coastline but I'll park up elsewhere and only drive in to get a feed of the yummy fish and chips from that great shop.
Fuel, groceries, chemist etc = well they all miss out. Plenty of RV friendly towns in the book, so bugger them.
Dreaming for just a sec- if all who wish to free camp can't and didn't go there how long before the attitude would change I wonder ?
Then the reality hits. There is Lucky Bay - where tents and vans etc are so packed in that if one person coughs at night, everyone gets woken up - its a terrible place to want to stay.
Then theres the other which everyone wants to get into - Le Grand. This one only has about 13 sites and one is occupied by the camp host.
You cant pre-book (and sorry, but Im a great fan of pre-booking having used this for the National Park at Exmouth and after a 2 hour drive through the park, I knew that a site was booked already for it). People stay in the CPs in Esperance and drive the 1.5 hours (if towing a van) out to Le Grand only to find that either no-one has left so the sites are still full or that people turned up at 6 bloody am to try and be at the front of the queue.
We recently spent a week there in a CP and I drove out each morning for 6 days to be there at 6am and didn't score a site.
All in all, we had a poor holiday experience at Esperance because of the rip-off and run down CPs and the stupid system being run at the National Parks. Parks ( a typical govt dept) are working on making most of their parks on-line pre-booking but of course 100 public servants need to carry around one piece of paper each day for a year until the system is progressed.
I reckon each State should employ tourist trained staff to run their Parks. That doesn't mean the prices have to go up, but it will mean that they get things happening, for the better, are responsive to what people want and get it fixed pronto.
When I stayed in the Exmouth Park, the Govt Dept sent me 3 long on-line questionaires - each one was the same as the previous one. I spent the 15b mins or so to fill out the 1st one, then after I had got the 3rd, phoned their head office up and launched into them about how incompetent they were. They didn't give a stuff - didn't even get an explanation or apology for all the repeat questionaires - wonder what happened to all the info they gathered and the cover letter inviting participation was signed off by a lady who had a science doctorate. Get rid of her and other tree huggers like her and get a mix of environmentalists and commercially aware and switched on people to get the right balance. Preserve our flora and fauna and also improve access and the way they run it to the public
Feel better now - will toddle off and put my soap box away under the table till next time lol
Stay away. I'm sure the people of Esperance won't give a rat's A if you don't turn up.
I'll make up my own mind where I go without being influenced by others.
The Phantom
I agree. There is so much to see in Australia.I am not going to miss it because there isn't a free camp or some says to boycott the town
There is no point boycotting a town and having a rant on a forum unless you tell the people that matter.
I don't mean councillors, info centre people or CP owners. Go to the people with a hip-pocket interest.
eg. the butcher, the baker, the hairdresser, the supermarket manager, the chemist, the newsagent etc. .
Then, if there are enough complaints they may put pressure on the councils etc. .
We visited esperance a few years ago and it wasnt an experience i would repeat, love the scenery , hate the unfriendly van park near the harbour. rude on the way in and out . there were no other places available, on above advice we will bypass the town.
vic
We stayed a week at an Esperance C'park last year, would have stayed less but needed work done on the van. We were at "The Pines" and had something stolen from the car so make sure you lock up.
Yes we drove out to Cape le Grand campground and it was full at 9.30 am so we figured it was always going to be that way and didn't do it again, but explored the area, leaving the van in Esperance.
Wouldn't have missed that coastline for the world, its absolutely beautiful!!!
That's the really good thing about forums, views can differ. The forum would die if we all agreed with each other. It would become an exercise in obsequious.
Perhaps you need another dose of James Bond.
The Phantom
" Get rid of her and other tree huggers like her and get a mix of environmentalists and commercially aware and switched on people to get the right balance." and you think/wish that may happen....... when?
I certainly would not boycott this town, it is just too beautiful an area to miss and you would be the loser. This includes both the town and suburban coastline and the National Parks.
I was lucky enough to get into Cape Le Grande ranger camp and in town as some other Grey Nomads have done also stayed at the Bushlands CP near the Pink Lake, very basic but has power, drinking water from a water tank (filled by contractor) but only bore water for showers/laundry etc. Because the sand is so fine (clean white sand) there some gets sucked up in the bore water and into your laundry, but there is a laundry not far away in the nearest shopping centre if this worries you.
The place is a bit run down but very friendly and lay back owners and dogs allowed on leads. Approx 5 kms from the centre of town. There is also a free or low cost camp north of town on the way to Kalgoorlie, I think it may be called Gibsons Soak in the camps book.
The boat tour over to Woodies Island is also well worth the money for those who can afford it, nice café on the island with open verandah as well. A walk on the island is included but is a bit up hill and down dale, so we opted for a short one and coffee at the café (which overlooks a beautiful bay) instead.
All I can say is miss out on Esperance and you miss out on one of the gems of Oz....take any negatives in your stride.
-- Edited by Weevil on Monday 6th of April 2015 11:50:26 AM
-- Edited by Weevil on Monday 6th of April 2015 11:51:39 AM
Phantom ..I suggest there is a vast difference between positive views, and your negative objections....I guess being positive about negativity could be construed as a view...007++++
Hoo Roo
Gday...
Rather than reading the above as a 'negative' post/comment - I read it for what it said.
I read the post to suggest the following -
If you don't like the way a town/place operates and the attitude of the accommodation/service providers, then simply don't stay there.
If people do not visit their region/town then the majority of the locals will not notice, or perhaps even miss, your non-attendance.
I know the places I like to visit and/or camp at and I am rarely influenced by the opinion of others.
I think, despite the 'direct' way the view was presented, it is simply that ... a view.
I can certainly relate to the opinion expressed.
Cheers - John
G'day people of the forum. I'm not a regular when it comes to posting but i do read regularly. I feel an urge to contribute two pennorth on this criticism of Esperence. I lived in Bunbury for awhile and a trip to Esperence via Albany was a regular sojourn
The general population of Esperance wouldn't give a toss if you went there, stayed there, or even if you had never heard of the place. They are there, for whatever reason, and you please yourselves. Thats why I wouldn't take any notice of anyone elses opinion but my own.
Now, if all of you with some degree of negativity got together and organised some sort of petition rally or whatever and directed your missile at those that are tasked with looking after the interests of the general population of Esperence I would certainly give my backing to your efforts. If thats not going to happen I will continue to heed my own counsel.
Sorry if you dont see the point
Friar
My comment was not about Esperance, but about its tourism and how it handles it so poorly. For those who say the locals couldn't care if tourists went there or not - you obviously haven't been there recently. Many businesses have closed down, not only in the town centre, but in the smaller suburb shops because of the lack of trade - that perhaps more tourists would have saved.
This is The Grey Nomads FORUM. Forum is where people express their opinions - right or not or you agree or disagree. Don't start to get unpleasant and nasty with others who you disagree with. Try to disagree or give an alternate opinion in a pleasant way. Thanks
Now that was an interesting exercise !
I didnt want to place my comments at the end of the posts about Bendigo and be seen to be "highjacking the thread" (and cop it in the neck for doing so) so thought it was better to ponder the matter as a new topic.
What a mixed bag of responses!
Some people had good memories of the place / some not so good.
There were some good comments (by B and B, Goldfinger and Weevil)
Phantom youre a knocker (Ive seen some of your posts) But I'm particularly thick skinned so you'd have to do better than that.
Sandsmere I dont think I was ranting ?
Weevil Yes, Gibson is the place to stay out on the fringe.
There have been many posts lately about RV Unfriendly towns Im glad people post them.
-- Edited by TechnoGypsy on Monday 6th of April 2015 06:28:57 PM
Thanks for the pics Vic.
Looks like a good fishing spot.
Never had a problem with Esperance or the National Parks go down there once a year maybe on average. Just come back from Fitzgerald NP. Lovely area nice people as most country area and townspeople are.
I like the idea of a "Boycott" as it is getting too crowded with Grey Nomads in peak times. Yep good idea for you all to stay away.
Got overseas (Scots) visitors with me at present they were camping down at Esperance, and Cape Le Grande, the week before last. Absolutely loved it and all the very friendly helpful people they met down there. They are off to Exmouth today and camping/touring up in the Pilbara, and Kimberly.
-- Edited by elliemike on Tuesday 7th of April 2015 03:30:27 PM
But our rathers is bush camping.
I am more concerned about the campers who abuse the the free camp sites, and then make it difficult for the ones who
"Do the right thing"
Freedom Camping is a benefit we wish to preserve for many decades to come.
Jay&Dee
I'm not a fisherman, but there were a few fishing down there. I just love that area, and the town, it has a very relaxed atmosphere about it.
Ellie & Mike, when at Fitzgerald National Park, did you visit or stay at this place, Quaalup Homestead ?
http://www.whalesandwildflowers.com.au/
-- Edited by Weevil on Tuesday 7th of April 2015 09:13:00 PM
That's where we stayed, with our 4x4 club. Doing the tracks around there. We were supposed to be on the Holland track but it was Closed because of rain. Surprisingly it was not packed with campers over Easter.
We have camped a lot over the years in Fitzgerald NP. The new NP facilities are great after the big fire they had a few years ago wiped the place out.
-- Edited by elliemike on Wednesday 8th of April 2015 11:11:19 AM
Great spot isn't it, the owners were a young (compared to me) German couple when I stayed there.
Road was pretty dusty and very corrugated in parts, but still glad I went there.