I have decieded to put this post out as a new one even though it really is a follow on from the original post to ensure those who wish to can read and understand where I was coming from in the first place. "As the one that seemed to have started this onslaught of free camps I must apologize that it blew up into what in the end was a full on attack on the local council and councils generally. I have no problems with the councillors comments, if fact some of the points she makes are very relevant to the word " free " . As was said, nothing is free, somebody has to pay for those facilities and in fact it's not the traveller but the rate payers of the local area. I, like all of us want to travel for the lowest cost possible but that is not always going to be the case. In the end you take what comes and at whatever cost and grin and bear it, you don't have to like it but there it is. The point I made at the start of all this was to just report a change to the availability for overnight at Kennedy Store, no more, no less. Ther was no intent on my part to add fuel to the topic that at times seems to envelop the whole topic of free camping. The one aspect that I saw come out of this is the term " independent camping" . It does better embrace the lconcept of living this life style and I for one would like to embrace that rather than "free camping". As was stated, smaller towns do, in the main, go out of their way to embrace the traveller, for example, Home Hill, Babinda, etc to a large effort than the larger towns and cities. To be fair about it, those locations are no so vulnerable and therefore don't need to rely on the traveller quite so much. That is just a fact of life and while at times I have been out of sorts about it, that's the way it was and if I don't like it, move on. I'm sorry if I am having a follow up rant here but I felt that the whole thing just got out of control and that was something that I never intended. Thanks, Brian And Cheryl. "

PeterInSa wrote:

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Brian, All
Why the term "Independent Camping" and Not "Freedom Camping" ie Freedom to make a decision on where to stay the night, whether it be a rest area , bush camp, National Park or CP. To me Independent camping is for Vanners/motorhomers who are independent, ie have solar/water/on board toilet/Grey water tanks. many of us have such a setup and use our own facilities, but are a small minority of the RV touring fraternity.

I think Independent Camping is a reasonable term for Motorhomes and big Campervans, 90% probaly meet the independent criteria, but we need a term that covers both Mhs and caravans ie a united front to those who have other objectives.

I realise that Fredom has the dreaded word "Free" as part of it, but we need to agree on a common term and reasons why, and broadcast it far and wide.

Peter

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 G'Day Peter,

The terms Independent or freedom camping will invariably need some explanation to the uninitiated listener,  free camping on the other hand needs no explaining, the listener immediately thinks "ahhh, another cheapskate too mean to pay for a spot in a van park"

We have a self contained MH and free camp whenever possible, we are able to stay out for about 4 or 5 nights before we need a dump point or fresh water,  we much prefer the seclusion of the bush without the constant comings and goings of a van park, and as far as these roadside rest area's where large numbers of nomads seem to gather from about 2pm onward, most definitely not for us, I fail to see the attraction of camping beside a main highway (with constant road noise and a single toilet to service 50 or more vans)

Sadly many who have gone before us have taken the term free camping a little too literally and felt free to crap behind every available tree and leave large quantities of tissue blowing around the country side and just chuck dirty nappies and rubbish into the scrub, I've even come across area's where people have done mechanical work, dumped oil on the ground, and left old oil filters and parts laying around.

To me free camping means peace and quiet, fresh air, magnificent sunsets and brilliant starlit skies along with the odd visit by local roo's, emu's, dingo's and ever present bird life.

Everything we take into a site leaves with us again, the only sign we have visited is our tyre tracks.

Whatever you like to call it, we will continue to camp this way as long as it's still legal.

As an afterthought, when we seek out a dump point and water, the local business community invariably benefits, as we take the opportunity to stock up on supplies, refuel etc, we may even seek out a coffee shop and indulge our passion for coffee and cake.

-- Edited by Santa on Monday 17th of September 2012 06:52:07 PM

Howdy ROWDY ..

Free camp at Dumaresq Dam just out of Armidale is a lovely spot .. being a water-catchment area, no pets are allowed however .. but .. it was cold .. -1 .. -3 .. & -4 .. so I left !!

Heading into Coffs on Wednesday to get vehicle serviced .. then heading further south !

Regards to all with you ..

Jon

I have been unable to access forums for a while so I missed the free camp thread till now but one comment by Cr Kylie Farinelli of the Cassowary Coast Regional Council in the earlier thread really peeves me off:

"It amazes me that some of these travellers travel around in $100,000, $200,000 and $500,000 motorhomes yet they can't afford $30 for a site in a park".

I've heard similar statements like this far too often about nomads. not only with the expensive rigs like the councillor alluded to but also the smaller and cheaper setups that most of us have.

How many people have you & I known that have invested up to nearly their last cent on their dream caravan/campervan, just leaving enough for emergencies, then, living week to week relying on only their pension or maybe a bit of superanuation as an extra.  Any way to save the odd dollar is very welcomed.

Cheers

Jon

Brian, All
Why the term "Independent Camping" and Not "Freedom Camping" ie Freedom to make a decision on where to stay the night, whether it be a rest area , bush camp, National Park or CP. To me Independent camping is for Vanners/motorhomers who are independent, ie have solar/water/on board toilet/Grey water tanks. many of us have such a setup and use our own facilities, but are a small minority of the RV touring fraternity.

I think Independent Camping is a reasonable term for Motorhomes and big Campervans, 90% probaly meet the independent criteria, but we need a term that covers both Mhs and caravans ie a united front to those who have other objectives.

I realise that Fredom has the dreaded word "Free" as part of it, but we need to agree on a common term and reasons why, and broadcast it far and wide.

Peter

What Santa said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Crikey, yer a talkative lot ain'y ya? three posts ten words all up, guess you don't wan't to wear out your keyboards.

Gday...

I'm with the verbose posters immediately above this    well sed Santa (wot ya got me for Xmas???)

cheers - John

G'day Brian and Cheryl ,

 

Don't worry , you did not start the onslaught on free camps . It's been on many of these types of forums for many years .

It is a subject that gets emotions going , but that's human nature . We are set up to free camp for weeks at a time if we want too .

Sometimes we stay in CPs for various reasons , but not often .

We tend to bypass RV unfriendly towns , and stay and spend in the more friendly places . We will continue to do this . I refuse to be pushed into a CP if that is not what we want to do .

Info sharing is our main interest here But has been great to eat several GNs while on the road Maybe we will catch up some time

Travel safe Rod!

Yes, Brian and Cheryl - please don't 'eat' the grey nomads you meet. At least your typo gave us a laugh. Travel safe and enjoy the places you stay. What a great forum - lots of discussion but no nastiness.