Not sure how many people would be interested in this. I personally don't mind checking out inner cities, places like Darlinghurst in Sydney or The Valley up in Brisbane. People from other regions may well be interested in the area I live, which is in Melbournes Inner North, with all it's cheap really good ethnic restaurants, public transport and live music etc. In fact, I know people travel from all over Melbourne for a night out in our locale. So why not Grey Nomads.
Anyway, this thought has given me an idea and I would like some feedback. I'm considering, with the help of some super geeky techy friends of building an app for people that may want to stay right in the inner city in their caravans for a few days. I plan to aim it at people that would like to rent out easily accessible back gardens or driveways even. I could easily do this here at my place in Coburg. Plus have Power and Outside toilet and shower facilities, which is something I aim to do build at my place, should I replace my camper with a Van. In these days of Airbnb maybe there is a market for people for short 2 or max 3-day stays (to avoid council scrutiny) of camping in well-located city and large town locals.... Bendigo/Ballarat/Toowoomba/Newcastle those kind of places. Where you can walk or Uber or use the plentiful public transport for a lively night out. For instance, we caught a tram up to The Brunswick Green on Thursday night for a night of Jazz, People mostly in our age group.... I'm 63 and there are plenty of things like that around here. Make a great contrast to the great outdoors. This idea maybe because of my strong preference to walk or use public transport once set up.
I admit I'm blatantly testing the water with my idea. It's something that I would like to do personally in other towns, so I thought I'd run with the idea.
Over to you :)
Possum3 said
09:50 AM Sep 29, 2018
I'm guessing it would be an insurance nightmare if something goes t!ts up. To get anywhere near the City centre in most States may be difficult, perhaps in the suburbs near well serviced public transport may be an idea.
Rob Driver said
09:56 AM Sep 29, 2018
I saw on a tv report the other morning of people now renting all sorts of their private space for different uses.
The one that I thought warranted more attention was long term daily parking in private driveways.
This would help many with high parking fees.
I think your thoughts have some merit palaceboy and agree with Possum3s thoughts as well.
Aussie1 said
10:19 AM Sep 29, 2018
Good thinking palaceboy. Always great when someone thinks "outside the box". If we didn't have thinkers like you nothing new would ever be tried. Sure , there could be some obstacles to overcome but, they can often be overcome. Hope your idea grows.
Yuglamron said
11:06 AM Sep 29, 2018
As Possum says it could be an insurance nightmare.
No idea what the insurance companies do with stuff like Airbnb and Uber. Do Uber drivers have to be insured as a business to take passengers. Do Airbnb owners have to have insurance?
I expect you could make a bob or two if you live say near the Spirit Of Tasmania Terminal or as Palaceboy says near a social venue area.
palaceboy said
11:41 AM Sep 29, 2018
Yuglamron wrote:
As Possum says it could be an insurance nightmare.
No idea what the insurance companies do with stuff like Airbnb and Uber. Do Uber drivers have to be insured as a business to take passengers. Do Airbnb owners have to have insurance?
I expect you could make a bob or two if you live say near the Spirit Of Tasmania Terminal or as Palaceboy says near a social venue area.
At this stage I'm checking demand, would people be willing to use this type of accommodation in these vicinities :) I certainly would. I reckon I'd need an inner city fix after say crossing the Nullabour or traversing the Newell.
-- Edited by palaceboy on Saturday 29th of September 2018 11:41:37 AM
Peter_n_Margaret said
12:42 PM Sep 29, 2018
CMCA already has a system of free camping spots like this called MSO's (Member Stop Overs) where Members make their properties available free of charge to other Members.
Only a very few are in cities though.
The NZ club also has a similar arrangement called POPs (Pop Over Properties). There are something like 2,000 of those.
Cheers,
Peter
hako said
03:29 PM Sep 29, 2018
Insurance can always be overcome at a price - the biggest and probably insurmountable problem is the council. Remember that bloke over in Menzies W.A. who got fined for camping on his own block despite being isolated. You simply cannot camp on your own block fullstop....basically anywhere. Not sure I'd like my neighbour turning his backyard into a campground either.
Good idea but....
Good Luck.
PeterX said
02:34 AM Sep 30, 2018
Insurance and legalities can be overcome. As far as I know airbnb ( short stay ) accommodation offerings still do not confirm to fire department regulations.
When Uber started in Queensland, government seemed not to enforce existing laws. The service was not approved by government.
The block in Menzies W.A had no toilet and claimed to empty this stuff in a bucket at local caravan park. I would be skeptical of this statement.
I think if their is demand for it , good idea.
Also, Their are podcasts about some of these startups mentioned
On a side note, as an engineer I think composting toilets have great potential.
AndyCap100 said
05:52 AM Sep 30, 2018
Hi,,yes the `pops` over here in NZ are a good way to save money whilst travelling ,and are very well used .Allsorts, from just the basic field to those with a shower, power and other ammenities . Most main stream camping sites are getting rediculously expensive ($ 48-$ 55 per 2 people per night ) which to us is crazy if you don`t need there full services .Regards Andy .
palaceboy said
07:15 AM Sep 30, 2018
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
CMCA already has a system of free camping spots like this called MSO's (Member Stop Overs) where Members make their properties available free of charge to other Members. Only a very few are in cities though. The NZ club also has a similar arrangement called POPs (Pop Over Properties). There are something like 2,000 of those. Cheers, Peter
That sounds exactly the same, except I wanted to empathise the urban aspect. The more rural aspect is fairly simple in relation to space at least. It's good to see there is a system in its infancy at least.
As for having a camping ground next door, I definitely take your point on that one. Got to admit I can think of plenty of scenarios where I wouldnt like it either.
Yes the Councils definitely are the biggest hurdle. I know of people here in the Moreland council area who have those long-term overseas students staying not only in their house, they also have two Caravans set up on their property. That's on Nicholson St just on the North side of Moreland Rd, so that's very close to Brunswick. Moreland Council isn't the easiest to get along with, however, they've been doing this for years. Those caravans aren't coming and going though. Their set up is where I actually formed the idea, that and the fact that I wanted to build an outside toilet shower and kitchen at my place combined with a Caravan spot under cover and figured I could Airbnb out my property and stay in the Caravan away from the house whilst Airbnb guests stayed.. Then I figured, I can do this the other way around as well.... rent out the space with any facilities I build.. This a great location for Melbournes Amenities, Lots of Public Transport and a 20 dollar Uber ride from the city top whack.....Solves the designated driver issue.
Personally I think councils only react to neighbour complaints generally speaking. I'm fine I think in my locale. Lot's of others wont be though.
It's the demand I wanted to check at this stage. Lots of Caravaners seem to want to avoid Cities at all costs. Maybe if given the choice they would want to come closer in?
-- Edited by palaceboy on Sunday 30th of September 2018 07:18:33 AM
mezza56 said
07:38 AM Sep 30, 2018
I've driven thru and around coburg area and much more of melb, its a nightmare in a car let alone towing a caravan ? Most grey nomads are trying to get away from that sort of traffic , we manage a park on the outskirts of melb and we get lots of people skirting right round the outside , those that go through it leave at the crack of dawn to avoid the traffic . I applaud your entrepreneurship , but I think your aiming at a select few. We get a lot of people staying and catching the train in as they don't want to drive their car in .
palaceboy said
07:53 AM Sep 30, 2018
mezza56 wrote:
I've driven thru and around coburg area and much more of melb, its a nightmare in a car let alone towing a caravan ? Most grey nomads are trying to get away from that sort of traffic , we manage a park on the outskirts of melb and we get lots of people skirting right round the outside , those that go through it leave at the crack of dawn to avoid the traffic . I applaud your entrepreneurship , but I think your aiming at a select few. We get a lot of people staying and catching the train in as they don't want to drive their car in .
I figured that might be the case. Cheers Mezza :)
Oka374 said
08:24 AM Sep 30, 2018
We avoid cities and big towns like the plague both here and overseas but can understand where you are coming from just not our scene.
Not sure how many people would be interested in this. I personally don't mind checking out inner cities, places like Darlinghurst in Sydney or The Valley up in Brisbane. People from other regions may well be interested in the area I live, which is in Melbournes Inner North, with all it's cheap really good ethnic restaurants, public transport and live music etc. In fact, I know people travel from all over Melbourne for a night out in our locale. So why not Grey Nomads.
Anyway, this thought has given me an idea and I would like some feedback. I'm considering, with the help of some super geeky techy friends of building an app for people that may want to stay right in the inner city in their caravans for a few days. I plan to aim it at people that would like to rent out easily accessible back gardens or driveways even. I could easily do this here at my place in Coburg. Plus have Power and Outside toilet and shower facilities, which is something I aim to do build at my place, should I replace my camper with a Van. In these days of Airbnb maybe there is a market for people for short 2 or max 3-day stays (to avoid council scrutiny) of camping in well-located city and large town locals.... Bendigo/Ballarat/Toowoomba/Newcastle those kind of places. Where you can walk or Uber or use the plentiful public transport for a lively night out. For instance, we caught a tram up to The Brunswick Green on Thursday night for a night of Jazz, People mostly in our age group.... I'm 63 and there are plenty of things like that around here. Make a great contrast to the great outdoors. This idea maybe because of my strong preference to walk or use public transport once set up.
I admit I'm blatantly testing the water with my idea. It's something that I would like to do personally in other towns, so I thought I'd run with the idea.
Over to you :)
The one that I thought warranted more attention was long term daily parking in private driveways.
This would help many with high parking fees.
I think your thoughts have some merit palaceboy and agree with Possum3s thoughts as well.
Good thinking palaceboy. Always great when someone thinks "outside the box". If we didn't have thinkers like you nothing new would ever be tried. Sure , there could be some obstacles to overcome but, they can often be overcome. Hope your idea grows.
As Possum says it could be an insurance nightmare.
No idea what the insurance companies do with stuff like Airbnb and Uber. Do Uber drivers have to be insured as a business to take passengers. Do Airbnb owners have to have insurance?
I expect you could make a bob or two if you live say near the Spirit Of Tasmania Terminal or as Palaceboy says near a social venue area.
At this stage I'm checking demand, would people be willing to use this type of accommodation in these vicinities :) I certainly would. I reckon I'd need an inner city fix after say crossing the Nullabour or traversing the Newell.
-- Edited by palaceboy on Saturday 29th of September 2018 11:41:37 AM
Only a very few are in cities though.
The NZ club also has a similar arrangement called POPs (Pop Over Properties). There are something like 2,000 of those.
Cheers,
Peter
Good idea but....
Good Luck.
When Uber started in Queensland, government seemed not to enforce existing laws. The service was not approved by government.
The block in Menzies W.A had no toilet and claimed to empty this stuff in a bucket at local caravan park. I would be skeptical of this statement.
I think if their is demand for it , good idea.
Also, Their are podcasts about some of these startups mentioned
On a side note, as an engineer I think composting toilets have great potential.
That sounds exactly the same, except I wanted to empathise the urban aspect. The more rural aspect is fairly simple in relation to space at least. It's good to see there is a system in its infancy at least.
As for having a camping ground next door, I definitely take your point on that one. Got to admit I can think of plenty of scenarios where I wouldnt like it either.
Yes the Councils definitely are the biggest hurdle. I know of people here in the Moreland council area who have those long-term overseas students staying not only in their house, they also have two Caravans set up on their property. That's on Nicholson St just on the North side of Moreland Rd, so that's very close to Brunswick. Moreland Council isn't the easiest to get along with, however, they've been doing this for years. Those caravans aren't coming and going though. Their set up is where I actually formed the idea, that and the fact that I wanted to build an outside toilet shower and kitchen at my place combined with a Caravan spot under cover and figured I could Airbnb out my property and stay in the Caravan away from the house whilst Airbnb guests stayed.. Then I figured, I can do this the other way around as well.... rent out the space with any facilities I build.. This a great location for Melbournes Amenities, Lots of Public Transport and a 20 dollar Uber ride from the city top whack.....Solves the designated driver issue.
Personally I think councils only react to neighbour complaints generally speaking. I'm fine I think in my locale. Lot's of others wont be though.
It's the demand I wanted to check at this stage. Lots of Caravaners seem to want to avoid Cities at all costs. Maybe if given the choice they would want to come closer in?
-- Edited by palaceboy on Sunday 30th of September 2018 07:18:33 AM
I've driven thru and around coburg area and much more of melb, its a nightmare in a car let alone towing a caravan ? Most grey nomads are trying to get away from that sort of traffic , we manage a park on the outskirts of melb and we get lots of people skirting right round the outside , those that go through it leave at the crack of dawn to avoid the traffic . I applaud your entrepreneurship , but I think your aiming at a select few. We get a lot of people staying and catching the train in as they don't want to drive their car in .
I figured that might be the case. Cheers Mezza :)