Hi Tony, great news about the free rest areas in Bunbury,
I've been checking out the sites on Google, one thing that I noticed was the lack of shopping centres near any of the rest areas,
As a choice, I would say that Ocean Drive near Scott st would be my choice, being a local lad, what do you think of this area ?
Or, do you prefer another site with better services ?
K.J.
vicillities
Tony Bev said
01:08 PM Nov 3, 2018
Hi kiwijims
Ocean Drive, near Scott Street, will probably have the best Ocean view, and there are toilets nearby, but not sure if open at night time
Wyalup Rocky Point, near Symmons Street, is probably the closest to the town
Walk down Symmons Street, past the Lord Forest Hotel, and on the corner of Symmons and Victoria Street, is Bucks Diner
I can recommend the fish and chips, or the beef burger with chips, as I have not tasted better Cheap and filling food, tea/coffee/cool drink comes with the meal, very crowded, and noisy, but I go as often as allowed
Victoria Street is noted for its eating places, so plenty to choose from
The best place to park, (for an hour or so shopping), with a motorhome/caravan, is at the tourist info centre, not far from the supermarket and shops
Some people do say to be aware of the Maidens area, but in all honesty, I do not have troubles, wherever I go
Hopefully the map below, will give an idea of the area
kiwijims said
03:07 PM Nov 3, 2018
Thanks for that very helpful information, Tony,
I hope to be down that way for a bit of fishing, Salmon that is probably early next year.
Cheers Jim
JeffRae said
07:18 PM Nov 3, 2018
Just so everyone is aware. You can't just pull in and stay for 48 hours. You need to obtain a permit from the Bunbury Visitor Centre before you can stay overnight.
kiwijims said
07:43 PM Nov 3, 2018
JeffRae wrote:
Just so everyone is aware. You can't just pull in and stay for 48 hours. You need to obtain a permit from the Bunbury Visitor Centre before you can stay overnight.
Yep you are right JeffRae, They haven't said what you can do if you arrive after the Visitor Centre has shut,
I suppose one will have to go to a Caravan Park,
Why anyone has to get a Permit to stop there has got me !!
K.J.
Aussie1 said
10:07 AM Nov 4, 2018
Hi Kiwijims,
Could be that they need a form signed to confirm your "self containment'. We came across that at a couple of near town free camp locations in Queensland some time back.
As an aside I would ad that Bunbury over recent years has done some really terrific enhancements to their town to make it a very pleasant place to visit. Especially around the Koombanna Bay area. Full credit to those responsible.
kiwijims said
12:58 PM Nov 4, 2018
Aussie1 wrote:
Hi Kiwijims,
Could be that they need a form signed to confirm your "self containment'. We came across that at a couple of near town free camp locations in Queensland some time back.
As an aside I would ad that Bunbury over recent years has done some really terrific enhancements to their town to make it a very pleasant place to visit. Especially around the Koombanna Bay area. Full credit to those responsible.
Well, that's a new one on me, In all our travels all over this big country, I've never been asked to sign anything to say that we were self contained,
I still don't see the need for it as the City of Bunbury say that the areas will be policed, ( by Rangers I presume )
Now one would think , if they see any "Catch Cans' or water coming from únder caravans, that would be a sure thing that the Caravan isn't self contained, therefore they should be moved on or fined.
Some of these Councils just love red tape and paperwork. but praise to them for thinking of the travelling Public,
That is one reason we have very rarely stopped in Bunbury, we have been to the beach front car parks and often thought it would be a great place to camp for a couple of days, now it looks like our dream might come true.
K.J.
Aussie1 said
02:04 PM Nov 4, 2018
Hi again KJ,
I certainly don't disagree with you re the logic etc.
I have now recalled the last place we encountered such a requirement. It was Hughenden in QLD. (show grounds) It was a "declaration" that had to be signed at the Visitor Centre. I recall it was "policed" as well. Just had a look at their web site and the rules are still mentioned on that. Cheers.
JeffRae said
06:49 PM Nov 4, 2018
When you get here, don't be put off by the parking meters. There is a minimum 2 hours free parking before payment is due
kiwijims said
06:59 PM Nov 4, 2018
JeffRae wrote:
When you get here, don't be put off by the parking meters. There is a minimum 2 hours free parking before payment is due
Well hopefully they will pull out those Parking metres, otherwise there will be a lot of door banging all night......
I'm just going to the loo Dear.... O.K. hubby, better take some more money for the meter, every hour Ya know !!! LOL
K.J.
Tony Bev said
11:24 PM Nov 4, 2018
I believe that the two hour free parking, is only at the supermarket car park, which is not far from the tourist info place
The main reason for this (gift of two hours free parking), is that all the other supermarkets in the Bunbury area, are free parking
I have never seen a caravan/motorhome, in that supermarket car park
I think that if they did get a space, they would be boxed in for the day
That is why I suggested the designated caravan parking area, at the tourist info place
If you want somewhere to park, while doing shopping, or site seeing, in that area
Went and checked out the sites, and spoke to staff at the information center. The sites are existing car parks, and are only suitable for campervans and medium sized motor homes. You can get permission to park a caravan/tug combination there, straddling the parks, but it would have to be a small rig. So not really suitable for caravans.
I was not aware that there was more than one free car park, in the Bunbury CBC area
I have probably been putting coins into the meter, and throwing the ticket onto the dash
I do not usually go to the centre of town, due to the parking meters, as there is still plenty of shopping areas, without parking meters
Tony Bev said
12:09 PM Nov 7, 2018
iana wrote:
Went and checked out the sites, and spoke to staff at the information center. The sites are existing car parks, and are only suitable for campervans and medium sized motor homes. You can get permission to park a caravan/tug combination there, straddling the parks, but it would have to be a small rig. So not really suitable for caravans.
Hi Ian
Are we talking about
Not putting a caravan in the (free for a few hours) car parks, (where you would probably get boxed in), or:-
Not putting a caravan in the free trial camping areas
Aus-Kiwi said
12:13 PM Nov 7, 2018
We stopped on coast car park over night . Easy in motorhome. Parked up around sunset . Often moved location so it doesnt seem we are camped . No awning out etc . Its much the same up the WA coast . You learn what you can get away with . Keeping area clean even if its not yours ! Ive often picked up rubbish so rangers cant say it was ours .,
iana said
04:01 PM Nov 7, 2018
We checked out the three 48hr parks along Ocean drive, all existing car parks, and are not suitable for a caravan and tug rig.
Your link still does not work, but rockylizard has kindly put one up for us all
Was down town yesterday, and yes there is now plenty of (a few hours) free parking, just make sure that you display the ticket
Also to stop any confusion, the original (few hours) free parking, at the Counterpoint Supermarket One of the yellow coloured Visitor/Shopper car parks in rockylizard map I could not find a ticket machine, another shopper said that they rely on a camera, to make sure that you do not park for more than the three hours
So to try and avoid any confusion, for the future travellers to Bunbury CBD area If there is a ticket machine, press for a free ticket before you put in your coins, and display the ticket
If you can not see a ticket machine, then make sure that no other vehicles, have displayed a ticket
Hope that this is useful information, to future visitors
Tony Bev said
02:05 PM Nov 8, 2018
iana wrote:
We checked out the three 48hr parks along Ocean drive, all existing car parks, and are not suitable for a caravan and tug rig.
Hi Ian
I was down town yesterday
I spotted a caravan and tug at Wyalup Rocky Point, near Symmons Street He was just outside the official car park, in one of the two longish pull in bays, he was undecided if he would stay the night
Not sure if the longish pull in bays, are official overnight parking I estimate that they could each take, two caravan car combos
Also there is a toilet, with what looks like a cold water shower There was a large padlock hooked onto the door, so I assume that the toilets are closed at night time
JeffRae said
07:28 PM Nov 9, 2018
Thanks for fixing the link, been out of range for a few days
There is now a two year free camping trial, in Bunbury WA, as from today November 1 2018
It is for self contained RV's
48 hour stay, and must book in at the tourist info
They say that it will be policed, etc
There is no dump point, but the council is thinking about one
The caravan park owners are not happy
Below is the link
https://thewest.com.au/news/south-western-times/green-light-for-free-rest-areas-in-bunbury-ng-b881006521z
Hi Tony, great news about the free rest areas in Bunbury,
I've been checking out the sites on Google, one thing that I noticed was the lack of shopping centres near any of the rest areas,
As a choice, I would say that Ocean Drive near Scott st would be my choice, being a local lad, what do you think of this area ?
Or, do you prefer another site with better services ?
K.J.
vicillities
Hi kiwijims
Ocean Drive, near Scott Street, will probably have the best Ocean view, and there are toilets nearby, but not sure if open at night time
Wyalup Rocky Point, near Symmons Street, is probably the closest to the town
Walk down Symmons Street, past the Lord Forest Hotel, and on the corner of Symmons and Victoria Street, is Bucks Diner
I can recommend the fish and chips, or the beef burger with chips, as I have not tasted better
Cheap and filling food, tea/coffee/cool drink comes with the meal, very crowded, and noisy, but I go as often as allowed
Victoria Street is noted for its eating places, so plenty to choose from
The best place to park, (for an hour or so shopping), with a motorhome/caravan, is at the tourist info centre, not far from the supermarket and shops
Some people do say to be aware of the Maidens area, but in all honesty, I do not have troubles, wherever I go
Hopefully the map below, will give an idea of the area
Thanks for that very helpful information, Tony,
I hope to be down that way for a bit of fishing, Salmon that is probably early next year.
Cheers Jim
Just so everyone is aware. You can't just pull in and stay for 48 hours.
You need to obtain a permit from the Bunbury Visitor Centre before you can stay overnight.
Yep you are right JeffRae, They haven't said what you can do if you arrive after the Visitor Centre has shut,
I suppose one will have to go to a Caravan Park,
Why anyone has to get a Permit to stop there has got me !!
K.J.
Could be that they need a form signed to confirm your "self containment'. We came across that at a couple of near town free camp locations in Queensland some time back.
As an aside I would ad that Bunbury over recent years has done some really terrific enhancements to their town to make it a very pleasant place to visit. Especially around the Koombanna Bay area. Full credit to those responsible.
Well, that's a new one on me, In all our travels all over this big country, I've never been asked to sign anything to say that we were self contained,
I still don't see the need for it as the City of Bunbury say that the areas will be policed, ( by Rangers I presume )
Now one would think , if they see any "Catch Cans' or water coming from únder caravans, that would be a sure thing that the Caravan isn't self contained, therefore they should be moved on or fined.
Some of these Councils just love red tape and paperwork. but praise to them for thinking of the travelling Public,
That is one reason we have very rarely stopped in Bunbury, we have been to the beach front car parks and often thought it would be a great place to camp for a couple of days, now it looks like our dream might come true.
K.J.
I certainly don't disagree with you re the logic etc.
I have now recalled the last place we encountered such a requirement. It was Hughenden in QLD. (show grounds) It was a "declaration" that had to be signed at the Visitor Centre. I recall it was "policed" as well. Just had a look at their web site and the rules are still mentioned on that. Cheers.
Well hopefully they will pull out those Parking metres, otherwise there will be a lot of door banging all night......
I'm just going to the loo Dear.... O.K. hubby, better take some more money for the meter, every hour Ya know !!!
LOL
K.J.
The main reason for this (gift of two hours free parking), is that all the other supermarkets in the Bunbury area, are free parking
I have never seen a caravan/motorhome, in that supermarket car park
I think that if they did get a space, they would be boxed in for the day
That is why I suggested the designated caravan parking area, at the tourist info place
If you want somewhere to park, while doing shopping, or site seeing, in that area
www.bunbury.wa.gov.au/pdf/Community/Parking%20Map%202017.pdf
Whether it suits you requirements, up to you
Cheers
Something wrong with that link JeffRae, all I get is ....404 not found ???
K.J.
Gday...
Try this - www.bunbury.wa.gov.au/pdf/Community/Parking%20Map%202017.pdf
Cheers - John
Thanks for that link, John (rockylizard)
I learned something new today
I learned that I am a slow learner "LOL"
I was not aware that there was more than one free car park, in the Bunbury CBC area
I have probably been putting coins into the meter, and throwing the ticket onto the dash
I do not usually go to the centre of town, due to the parking meters, as there is still plenty of shopping areas, without parking meters
Hi Ian
Are we talking about
Not putting a caravan in the (free for a few hours) car parks, (where you would probably get boxed in), or:-
Not putting a caravan in the free trial camping areas
Hi Jeff
Your link still does not work, but rockylizard has kindly put one up for us all
Was down town yesterday, and yes there is now plenty of (a few hours) free parking, just make sure that you display the ticket
Also to stop any confusion, the original (few hours) free parking, at the Counterpoint Supermarket
One of the yellow coloured Visitor/Shopper car parks in rockylizard map
I could not find a ticket machine, another shopper said that they rely on a camera, to make sure that you do not park for more than the three hours
So to try and avoid any confusion, for the future travellers to Bunbury CBD area
If there is a ticket machine, press for a free ticket before you put in your coins, and display the ticket
If you can not see a ticket machine, then make sure that no other vehicles, have displayed a ticket
Hope that this is useful information, to future visitors
Hi Ian
I was down town yesterday
I spotted a caravan and tug at Wyalup Rocky Point, near Symmons Street
He was just outside the official car park, in one of the two longish pull in bays, he was undecided if he would stay the night
Not sure if the longish pull in bays, are official overnight parking
I estimate that they could each take, two caravan car combos
Also there is a toilet, with what looks like a cold water shower
There was a large padlock hooked onto the door, so I assume that the toilets are closed at night time