Just recently we stopped at Meriden WA, had difficulty locating any free camping spots. Asked at the local fuel depot, cool response was "I don't know but the cp is next door", in a sour voice. What's the betting he was the owner of both, and a local councilor.
Well across the rail line on the main street of town, were great expanses of tarmac, with parking for big RV's, but signs everywhere saying no camping. Close buy there were museum's and shops, of course the toilets (nearest, and newest) were locked, and the town looked like it was dying. A sponsored by "Royalties for regions" sign was there, looks like we poured money into this unused faculty.
The whole point is, we did not stay there but stayed further out of town, the cp did not get our patronage, but if we could have stayed in town the town would have at least received some return. But what if the town was friendly and all passing RV's called in, both free or low cost camping, and of course some would stay at the cp, the town may begin to live again.
I did see one interesting thing in a few towns further on, that was an auto toilet, now if these were provided, and perhaps a credit card payment to use (remember we used to have to pay, and made sure our pennies weren't bent) that would pay for the maintenance and cost.
Baz421 said
10:31 AM Aug 2, 2019
Ulveston in Tas proved to be very unfriendly 3 years ago,,, go away,,,oh but spend some money first. We didn't believe the attitude so spoke to others, same feedback. Spoke to friends from Tassie who go to that area regularly,,, they agreed. Only place in 12 years we had this feedback. Just sayin.
Nevd said
11:11 AM Aug 2, 2019
Do you not have Wikicamps? Shows a free camp in Merriden that has great reviews and has been reviewed in the past few days. Maybe you were correct in your assumption the that person you spoke to had vested interests.
iana said
11:26 AM Aug 2, 2019
Yes two showed up, one out of town abit near the golf club, looked more for small campers, the other was a vacant block near Chicken Treat, that didn't look as though it should be used, felt we would be moved on.
Nevd said
11:40 AM Aug 2, 2019
Ok - thanks for the feedback. I was looking at Merriden for an overnighter later this year, but I'll look elsewhere now.
Whenarewethere said
12:12 PM Aug 2, 2019
A few days ago stayed at Burracoppin on the way to Perth. It was about the last place I thought I might be able to find. Very open, a bit run down, but it had a toilet, which was reasonable. Pretty quiet along there at night. There were 3 vehicles in the end. I didn't want to drive from closer to Coolgardie to Perth in one go. Heading south from Perth tomorrow.
-- Edited by Whenarewethere on Friday 2nd of August 2019 12:15:43 PM
For the past 10 weeks I have been free camping (all but the first few days which I spent in the caravan park whilst I did a recognisance for camp sites) around Robinvale in NW Victoria.
Robinvale is an RV friendly town and provides a free dump point and potable water. It's a great little town and if you're in the area I commend it to you, a good caravan park too - $32 P&W.
I'm about 10km out of town and camped on the bank of the Murray River in the forest. I go into town about once every five or six days and pick up 100L of potable water and empty my sewerage tank.
So I'm a freeloader some would say, taking advantage of facilities but not paying for them.
However, it so happens that a few months ago I began tracking my spending on a spreadsheet (every cent) so I can get an idea of what I'm spending (wasting?) during my first year as a nomad.
Since arriving in Robinvale 10 weeks past I have spent $2263 in the town's retail establishments. I reckon I've paid my way and the towns who despise we travellers may wish to consider the above. And remember I am just *one* - there are a lot of nomads and semi nomads and we all need to shop and buy various supplies.
dabbler said
01:49 PM Aug 2, 2019
This "must be a councillor, CP owner or both" is just tiresome pettiness and not grounded in reality. And seriously, of all the people you could approach, what are the odds anyway ? I dont know the communities in discussion in WA but I do know Ulverstone. It is a thriving town, popular holiday spot with Taswegians, has many narrow 19th century roads not suited to larger towed vehicles, the area's foreshore is fragile and it's within a short distance of several free camps. Not all towns are suited to providing free camps for the visitor numbers they see and not all need free camps to attract visitors. Mike's post on Vic has another take home message, you don't need to be in walking distance to the pub and you can still benefit a community by camping near a township. You aren't freeloading Mike, you are participating and there are locals who camp on the Murray all the time. If you truly want to help struggling rural communities then support them regardless.
blaze said
02:16 PM Aug 2, 2019
spent a bit of time working around Meriden and found the people, like most country people, friendly and helpful. To me its not if they have a free camp or what I can get for free on what makes a town rv friendly. For me rv friendly is being able to get a coffee, somewhere to park, friendly locals and the main one is no traffic lights because I reckon these days any town with a traffic light is getting too big for me. There is exceptions of course.
cheers
blaze
ps Ulverstone is a very nice tassie town with a lot of retirees, as noted in an ealier post there is a few free camps within 10km
Mariner30 said
03:41 PM Aug 2, 2019
Just yesterday l overheard a pom grey nomad say she was going to use the" free camp" ( gold coin donation, signage say 3 days ) for 2 weeks,
I know the person who provides this space ( attached to his business ) in the town...no facilities...to travellers provided they are self contained,
He is considering closing it down due to people constantly doing the wrong thing and demanding to use his facilities, even though there is a council toilet/ shower block less than 200 mts away,
As well as people constantly wanting him to take their rubbish etc etc,
Some people spoil it for others
SouthernComfort said
05:10 PM Aug 2, 2019
Mariner30 wrote:
Just yesterday l overheard a pom grey nomad say she was going to use the" free camp" ( gold coin donation, signage say 3 days ) for 2 weeks, I know the person who provides this space ( attached to his business ) in the town...no facilities...to travellers provided they are self contained, He is considering closing it down due to people constantly doing the wrong thing and demanding to use his facilities, even though there is a council toilet/ shower block less than 200 mts away, As well as people constantly wanting him to take their rubbish etc etc, Some people spoil it for others
Is that person's nationality relevant to your story?
Mariner30 said
06:01 PM Aug 2, 2019
Probably not to be truthful,
That was what you took from the post,?
Not at all concerned about the whinging european female telling all and sundry that she was gonna do the wrong thing by that generous gentleman?
yobarr said
07:04 PM Aug 2, 2019
Mariner30 wrote:
Probably not to be truthful, That was what you took from the post,? Not at all concerned about the whinging european female telling all and sundry that she was gonna do the wrong thing by that generous gentleman?
Hi Graham....I am with you on this one.Some groups of people are noted for their whinging about anything and everything,and give the impression that they are one step above the rest of us,so should be allowed to park anywhere they want,and do whatever they want.And always they are happy to tell anyone who will listen how things are so much better back oom. Australia....Love it or leave it.Just saying.Cheers
Chris61 said
07:15 PM Aug 2, 2019
Baz421 wrote:
Ulveston in Tas proved to be very unfriendly 3 years ago,,, go away,,,oh but spend some money first. We didn't believe the attitude so spoke to others, same feedback. Spoke to friends from Tassie who go to that area regularly,,, they agreed. Only place in 12 years we had this feedback. Just sayin.
Ulverstone is very RV friendly, there is a free camp on the edge of the river, less than 5 minutes walk to the shopping centre and the Central Coast Council, which Ulverstone, Forth and Penguin are all part of have at least 7 free camps within that area, 2 on the Forth River, 2 on the Leven River and 3 on the beach, just out of Penguin. What more do you want, power and a concrete slab with that.
Tony Bev said
07:19 PM Aug 2, 2019
Hi Ian
Plenty of towns do not have a free/low cost/donation camp, I try not to stop in them
My party trick, is to try and spend money, in the towns that do supply something for the traveller, even if I know I am not stopping there
Hopefully small towns may cotton on to the traveller/grey nomad dollar, no matter how small it is
Kebbin said
07:49 PM Aug 2, 2019
What about the unfriendly whining nomads who couldn't be bothered if it's not laid on!
SouthernComfort said
10:06 PM Aug 2, 2019
Mariner30 wrote:
Probably not to be truthful, That was what you took from the post,? Not at all concerned about the whinging european female telling all and sundry that she was gonna do the wrong thing by that generous gentleman?
The basic point of your post in defence of the generous gentleman was obvious in its simplicity, and obviously something we'd all agree with. I was merely curious as to what anyone's nationality had to do with it. Probably not relevant you now say - before going on to issue them with a new label. Curiosity satisfied.
Greg 1 said
12:09 AM Aug 3, 2019
The OP missed out on a great little caravan park at quite reasonable rates. We often stay at Merredin and the town caters for RV's with parking near the shops and toilets much of it with good shade although not for overnight camping.
One of Australia's better bakeries there as well. Great pies. A RV friendly town should not be judged on just whether or not it has free camping. There are rest areas along that stretch of highway if you want to stop over night for free. Just not in the town.
Mariner30 said
07:07 AM Aug 3, 2019
yobarr wrote:
Mariner30 wrote:
Probably not to be truthful, That was what you took from the post,? Not at all concerned about the whinging european female telling all and sundry that she was gonna do the wrong thing by that generous gentleman?
Hi Graham....I am with you on this one.Some groups of people are noted for their whinging about anything and everything,and give the impression that they are one step above the rest of us,so should be allowed to park anywhere they want,and do whatever they want.And always they are happy to tell anyone who will listen how things are so much better back oom. Australia....Love it or leave it.Just saying.Cheers
G'day Chris
That's exactly how she came across,
Just an unpleasant person to be around, the type a normal fit person moves away from but then grumpy pants dosen't take the hint and follows them around anyway,
You must've come across a few in your time
Cheers
yobarr said
07:47 AM Aug 3, 2019
poo
o
Mariner30 wrote:
yobarr wrote:
Mariner30 wrote:
Probably not to be truthful, That was what you took from the post,? Not at all concerned about the whinging european female telling all and sundry that she was gonna do the wrong thing by that generous gentleman?
Hi Graham....I am with you on this one.Some groups of people are noted for their whinging about anything and everything,and give the impression that they are one step above the rest of us,so should be allowed to park anywhere they want,and do whatever they want.And always they are happy to tell anyone who will listen how things are so much better back oom. Australia....Love it or leave it.Just saying.Cheers
G'day Chris
That's exactly how she came across,
Just an unpleasant person to be around, the type a normal fit person moves away from but then grumpy pants dosen't take the hint and follows them around anyway,
You must've come across a few in your time
Cheers
Hi Graham.....You certainly are right with that suggestion! Without giving too many details,over the years I have many times had the misfortune to work and socialise with people of her ilk.If they are not moaning,they are not talking.Cheers
iana said
10:10 AM Aug 3, 2019
Hi Whenarewethere, Burracoppin is exactly where we stopped for the night.
Ge said
10:11 AM Aug 3, 2019
Meriden W.A great free camp supplied by the shire walking distance to town. check it out on wikicamps, camps10, campermate or any of those camping camper aids.
They also have a great e news letter if think it's called Wheatbelt times (google it you wil find it).
SouthernComfort said
12:48 PM Aug 3, 2019
yobarr wrote:
poo
o
Mariner30 wrote:
yobarr wrote:
Mariner30 wrote:
Probably not to be truthful, That was what you took from the post,? Not at all concerned about the whinging european female telling all and sundry that she was gonna do the wrong thing by that generous gentleman?
Hi Graham....I am with you on this one.Some groups of people are noted for their whinging about anything and everything,and give the impression that they are one step above the rest of us,so should be allowed to park anywhere they want,and do whatever they want.And always they are happy to tell anyone who will listen how things are so much better back oom. Australia....Love it or leave it.Just saying.Cheers
G'day Chris
That's exactly how she came across,
Just an unpleasant person to be around, the type a normal fit person moves away from but then grumpy pants dosen't take the hint and follows them around anyway,
You must've come across a few in your time
Cheers
Hi Graham.....You certainly are right with that suggestion! Without giving too many details,over the years I have many times had the misfortune to work and socialise with people of her ilk.If they are not moaning,they are not talking.Cheers
This is getting a bit silly guys. I'm sure you two are enjoying your mutual back-slapping, but I can't for the life of me understand the relevancy of nationality being used to reinforce an opinion of someone's behaviour, be it unpleasant or otherwise. Unless of course it's for the purpose of highlighting a general disregard that one might hold towards a particular nationality. So, are we Aussies incapable of being unpleasant and/or inconsiderate, or is that the realm only of (certain) foreigners? Is that what's being implied? Is it relevant to take take someone's accent or culture into account when forming and expressing an opinion on their behaviour? I hope we've grown up and moved on from all of that.
-- Edited by SouthernComfort on Saturday 3rd of August 2019 12:54:28 PM
Eaglemax said
04:26 PM Aug 3, 2019
We free camp 5 out of 7 days. We are not self funded and are on DSP, as my working life was cut short unexpectedly at 57yo.
So often in forums people (innocently or naively ) refer to caravan parks as "affordable" when that meaning is purely dependent on the caravanners own financial capacity to pay.
Having said that I had one comment once "if you cant afford a CP you shouldnt be caravanning".
How nice. That means people in our situation, pension/disability should rot in their lounge room.
We were able to build (with time and struggles) our own caravan 16ft with full ensuite for a grand total of $16,000. But we struggle to pay for CP's. But we do not flinch at apex parks and showgrounds at up to $15 a night. We can afford that.
If we can afford that then many people can...but then there is the single pensioner without carers allowance ! So please, consider that what is "affordable" or "cheap" isnt so for those with shallow pockets.
We arent all self funded nor beneficiaries of inheritance.
PS. No jealousy here at all.
Tony
dabbler said
05:28 PM Aug 3, 2019
I get where you are coming from Eaglemax. I take expressions and opinions like "affordable" carefully, like "bumpy", "narrow", "steep". Although I'm often guilty of using them myself ! If you are in western qld (or anyone ekse is), I can recommend Windorah CP. It's Barcoo Council owned, showers, power, water. $16/night, unpowered $10 and 4th night free. They are out there but it takes searching.
Olive Oil said
06:53 PM Aug 3, 2019
Our main interest is wildlife photography, we bush camp pretty much all of the time.
We call into small country town, low cost CP's to do washing, have a shower, top up water tanks, shop at the local supermarket & fill up with diesel.
Having traveled 100,000kms plus over the past 7 years we can confidently say that not all small towns rely on caravaners to sprinkle fairy dust around in their town.
Head down to the local watering hole & get a few opinions from the locals, many of them don't give a rats ar**e.
From another forum a while back, the posters name has been removed, we know him personally, a great bloke with an honest attitude.
Yes Dabbler we've found many. We like touring the great divide mainly NSW and towns like Premere (Apex park nice pub)and Yoevil (brand new amenities) Binnaway and Texas Qld are pearlers.
Love the small towns and we shop local. But I have to agree with the OP some towns dont encourage RV's.
From our travels backpackers in vehicles are more of a concern in terms of leaving a mess.
Tony
Baz421 said
08:17 PM Aug 4, 2019
Chris61 wrote:
Baz421 wrote:
Ulveston in Tas proved to be very unfriendly 3 years ago,,, go away,,,oh but spend some money first. We didn't believe the attitude so spoke to others, same feedback. Spoke to friends from Tassie who go to that area regularly,,, they agreed. Only place in 12 years we had this feedback. Just sayin.
Ulverstone is very RV friendly, there is a free camp on the edge of the river, less than 5 minutes walk to the shopping centre and the Central Coast Council, which Ulverstone, Forth and Penguin are all part of have at least 7 free camps within that area, 2 on the Forth River, 2 on the Leven River and 3 on the beach, just out of Penguin. What more do you want, power and a concrete slab with that.
It wasn't about free camping at all,,, just spend money and go away was the thrust of the conversations,, ie you are tolerated IF you spend,,, Tassie friends been going there for years agree.
dabbler said
08:35 PM Aug 4, 2019
Not sure why RV comes into this Baz.
Some people aren't up for chit-chat. You might have encountered my niece if it was three yrs ago.
Ozzie_Traveller said
10:13 AM Aug 5, 2019
G'day iana + others here
Over the years we've received similar comments to the "Asked at the local fuel depot, cool response was "I don't know but the cp is next door"," type of discussion.
I soon started replying that "we have spent money / supported this-shop + this -shop + this business/library/info-centre" etc. etc. to show the original speaker that we do support those town businesses which offer us the sort of stuff that we actually want. I also add that "we do not waste our money on [in our case] gambling & alcohol as even though those are legitimate businesses, we are not interested. We choose what we want / need and spend our money accordingly ~ and a CP is not one of those businesses"
Maybe this approach could work for others as well Phil
-- Edited by Ozzie_Traveller on Monday 5th of August 2019 10:14:19 AM
Just recently we stopped at Meriden WA, had difficulty locating any free camping spots. Asked at the local fuel depot, cool response was "I don't know but the cp is next door", in a sour voice. What's the betting he was the owner of both, and a local councilor.
Well across the rail line on the main street of town, were great expanses of tarmac, with parking for big RV's, but signs everywhere saying no camping. Close buy there were museum's and shops, of course the toilets (nearest, and newest) were locked, and the town looked like it was dying. A sponsored by "Royalties for regions" sign was there, looks like we poured money into this unused faculty.
The whole point is, we did not stay there but stayed further out of town, the cp did not get our patronage, but if we could have stayed in town the town would have at least received some return. But what if the town was friendly and all passing RV's called in, both free or low cost camping, and of course some would stay at the cp, the town may begin to live again.
I did see one interesting thing in a few towns further on, that was an auto toilet, now if these were provided, and perhaps a credit card payment to use (remember we used to have to pay, and made sure our pennies weren't bent) that would pay for the maintenance and cost.
A few days ago stayed at Burracoppin on the way to Perth. It was about the last place I thought I might be able to find. Very open, a bit run down, but it had a toilet, which was reasonable. Pretty quiet along there at night. There were 3 vehicles in the end. I didn't want to drive from closer to Coolgardie to Perth in one go. Heading south from Perth tomorrow.
-- Edited by Whenarewethere on Friday 2nd of August 2019 12:15:43 PM
For the past 10 weeks I have been free camping (all but the first few
days which I spent in the caravan park whilst I did a recognisance for
camp sites) around Robinvale in NW Victoria.
Robinvale is an RV friendly town and provides a free dump point and
potable water. It's a great little town and if you're in the area I
commend it to you, a good caravan park too - $32 P&W.
I'm about 10km out of town and camped on the bank of the Murray
River in the forest. I go into town about once every five or six days
and pick up 100L of potable water and empty my sewerage tank.
So I'm a freeloader some would say, taking advantage of facilities
but not paying for them.
However, it so happens that a few months ago I began tracking my
spending on a spreadsheet (every cent) so I can get an idea of what
I'm spending (wasting?) during my first year as a nomad.
Since arriving in Robinvale 10 weeks past I have spent $2263 in the
town's retail establishments. I reckon I've paid my way and the towns
who despise we travellers may wish to consider the above. And remember
I am just *one* - there are a lot of nomads and semi nomads and we
all need to shop and buy various supplies.
cheers
blaze
ps Ulverstone is a very nice tassie town with a lot of retirees, as noted in an ealier post there is a few free camps within 10km
Is that person's nationality relevant to your story?
Hi Graham....I am with you on this one.Some groups of people are noted for their whinging about anything and everything,and give the impression that they are one step above the rest of us,so should be allowed to park anywhere they want,and do whatever they want.And always they are happy to tell anyone who will listen how things are so much better back oom. Australia....Love it or leave it.Just saying.Cheers
Ulverstone is very RV friendly, there is a free camp on the edge of the river, less than 5 minutes walk to the shopping centre and the Central Coast Council, which Ulverstone, Forth and Penguin are all part of have at least 7 free camps within that area, 2 on the Forth River, 2 on the Leven River and 3 on the beach, just out of Penguin. What more do you want, power and a concrete slab with that.
Plenty of towns do not have a free/low cost/donation camp, I try not to stop in them
My party trick, is to try and spend money, in the towns that do supply something for the traveller, even if I know I am not stopping there
Hopefully small towns may cotton on to the traveller/grey nomad dollar, no matter how small it is
The basic point of your post in defence of the generous gentleman was obvious in its simplicity, and obviously something we'd all agree with. I was merely curious as to what anyone's nationality had to do with it. Probably not relevant you now say - before going on to issue them with a new label. Curiosity satisfied.
G'day Chris
That's exactly how she came across,
Just an unpleasant person to be around, the type a normal fit person moves away from but then grumpy pants dosen't take the hint and follows them around anyway,
You must've come across a few in your time
Cheers
poo
o
Hi Graham.....You certainly are right with that suggestion! Without giving too many details,over the years I have many times had the misfortune to work and socialise with people of her ilk.If they are not moaning,they are not talking.Cheers
They also have a great e news letter if think it's called Wheatbelt times (google it you wil find it).
This is getting a bit silly guys. I'm sure you two are enjoying your mutual back-slapping, but I can't for the life of me understand the relevancy of nationality being used to reinforce an opinion of someone's behaviour, be it unpleasant or otherwise. Unless of course it's for the purpose of highlighting a general disregard that one might hold towards a particular nationality. So, are we Aussies incapable of being unpleasant and/or inconsiderate, or is that the realm only of (certain) foreigners? Is that what's being implied? Is it relevant to take take someone's accent or culture into account when forming and expressing an opinion on their behaviour? I hope we've grown up and moved on from all of that.
-- Edited by SouthernComfort on Saturday 3rd of August 2019 12:54:28 PM
Our main interest is wildlife photography, we bush camp pretty much all of the time.
We call into small country town, low cost CP's to do washing, have a shower, top up water tanks, shop at the local supermarket & fill up with diesel.
Having traveled 100,000kms plus over the past 7 years we can confidently say that not all small towns rely on caravaners to sprinkle fairy dust around in their town.
Head down to the local watering hole & get a few opinions from the locals, many of them don't give a rats ar**e.
From another forum a while back, the posters name has been removed, we know him personally, a great bloke with an honest attitude.
It wasn't about free camping at all,,, just spend money and go away was the thrust of the conversations,, ie you are tolerated IF you spend,,, Tassie friends been going there for years agree.
G'day iana + others here
Over the years we've received similar comments to the "Asked at the local fuel depot, cool response was "I don't know but the cp is next door"," type of discussion.
I soon started replying that "we have spent money / supported this-shop + this -shop + this business/library/info-centre" etc. etc. to show the original speaker that we do support those town businesses which offer us the sort of stuff that we actually want. I also add that "we do not waste our money on [in our case] gambling & alcohol as even though those are legitimate businesses, we are not interested. We choose what we want / need and spend our money accordingly ~ and a CP is not one of those businesses"
Maybe this approach could work for others as well
Phil
-- Edited by Ozzie_Traveller on Monday 5th of August 2019 10:14:19 AM