Attention!Caravan park Owners and Managers

herbie · Guru

RE: Attention!Caravan park Owners and Managers

jimbo · Guru

Well Put Herbie! People just except what the powers that be tell us to do without question.....I say lets drag them out onto the streets and Kill them all.......just joking .felt good thinking it though

Landfall · Guru

Firstly, anyone comparing our situation with the USA s living in fairy land.

Much larger population and cheaper everythhing, including land and labour.

If you want to blame anyone for losing the ability to park anywhere at anytime, look in the mirror.

Time after time, I see "freeloaders" parked, taking up three or four parking spots down on the Esplanade, or other public places where there are clearly "NO CAMPING" signs. Surely it can't be that they cannot read? They are driving motorhomes worth thousands, so it must be ignorance or arrogance.

"Free" camping is an oxymoron, someone is paying and usually that means the rate payers.

If the rate payers of an area want you to "free" camp within the town limits or close by, then the council will/should be providing suitable areas.

Once again, someone will eventually ruin it for everyone.

We, like a lot of people, also like to be able to stop when it is appropriate in that selected spot, but if it's not available, I just move on.

Last year, returning from up north we went to stop at a "free" camping spot listed in Camps 7, drove into the area (about two km's from the town) and it was like driving into a slum of a third world country, squatters (read:= freeloaders) who had obviously set up camp for quite some time. Rubbish and junk, spread evrywhere. Yes, we drove staight out and continued well beyond that town.

In the rural areas, there is still the ability to camp nearly anywhere.

As for camping in cities etc, in car parks? I have to ask, what planet doo you live on? This is now Australia, becoming the litigation capital of the world and with the whinges I read on this forum, I ccould imagine if one of you got a nail in a tyre or tripped over a Mars bar wrapper.

You ask about caravan park owners.

Well, I can see the future when caravan parks will rent out you a space only, and everything, aand I mean EVERTHING extra will cost you money.

There will coin slot machines on the power, water, toilets, showers, playgrounds, kitchen appliances.

Then they will have a legitimate reason to point out it's a user pay situation.

Ken

-- Edited by Landfall on Wednesday 1st of May 2013 07:59:11 AM

herbie · Guru

I am not living in fairy land as you wrote in your post, i understand USA is much bigger and every thing else over there is a whole lot cheaper than here in Oz,what i was trying to say is how caravan park owners run their business to cater for the people who use them.It is not structured in the same mind set as the opperators over here have. To my way of thinking the opperators here have not changed the way they run their business since year dot.And as for being allowed to camp over night in shopping centre car parks if self contained is not such a big deal,as we do have shopping centre car parks here...Over in USA where this happenes the crime rate around these places has gone down to zilch.But i guess over here the park owners would react against this due to them missing out on business,just the same as they do to free camping .And yes some make it harder and harder for us who do the right thing regarding time limit and parking regulations put in place's ,but they are every where these type of people.Some park up in places until their next pension check is put into their bank ,so they can move on to the next place and do the same thing.So how is anyone going to stop this behaviour ,being on the road living from one pension check until the next arrives.

-- Edited by herbie on Wednesday 1st of May 2013 05:09:06 PM

the ginger nomad · Senior Member

Ken,
I agree fully with everything you have said.
Terramungamine at Dubbo is a perfect example,sign says 24 hours only but some camped for 4 days! This is what cruels it for the majority.
John

Landfall · Guru

herbie wrote:
I am not living in fairt land as you wrote in your post, i understand USA is much bigger and every thing else over there is a whole lot cheaper than here in Oz,what i was trying to say is how caravan park owners run their business to cater for the people who use them.It is not structured in the same mind set as the opperators over here have. To my way of thinking the opperators here have not changed the way they run their business since year dot.And as for being allowed to camp over night in shopping centre car parks if self contained is not such a big deal,as we do have shopping centre car parks here...Over in USA where this happenes the crime rate around these places has gone down to zilch.But i guess over here the park owners would react against this due to them missing out on business,just the same as they do to free camping .And yes some make it harder and harder for us who do the right thing regarding time limit and parking regulations put in place's ,but they are every where these type of people.Some park up in places until their next pension check is put into their bank ,so they can move on to the next place and do the same thing.So how is anyone going to stop this behaviour ,being on the road living from one pension check until the next arrives.

Actually I think that caravan park owners have done well and certainly moved with the times.

They cater for families with modern facilities and playgrounds, all governed by strict regulations for safety and health reasons.

For those with lesser quality facilities, the price may or not be adjusted, then it's up to you whether you stay there or not, as I have posted on numerous occassions, nobody forces you to stop at any caravan park in Australia.

Although if you read this and other forums you would consider, because you can't stop ANYWHERE you like, it's the caravan park owners fault, even if they in the next town?

As for the pensioners (I am one) who cann only travel between cheques, then maybe they should consider staying home. If they can't afford fuel and the cheaper caravan parks together with some "free"camping, how do they consider being able to afford a major breakdown or health problem?

The law enforcement in the USA is exactly that - enforced!

Plus if you are of the type, not only can you park in the shopping centre car park, you can go and purchase a machine gun for the night as security.

I for one, would not like to consider parking in the majority of shopping centre car parks around Australia. A sure fire target for the hoons and a waste of time calling our police.

Just as a matter of interest, I wonder how many of the members of this forum actually have a "fully self contained RV?" Including storage of grey water?

Sorry Herbie, but it's back to fairy land.

Ken

herbie · Guru

Landfall wrote:
herbie wrote:
I am not living in fairy land as you wrote in your post, i understand USA is much bigger and every thing else over there is a whole lot cheaper than here in Oz,what i was trying to say is how caravan park owners run their business to cater for the people who use them.It is not structured in the same mind set as the opperators over here have. To my way of thinking the opperators here have not changed the way they run their business since year dot.And as for being allowed to camp over night in shopping centre car parks if self contained is not such a big deal,as we do have shopping centre car parks here...Over in USA where this happenes the crime rate around these places has gone down to zilch.But i guess over here the park owners would react against this due to them missing out on business,just the same as they do to free camping .And yes some make it harder and harder for us who do the right thing regarding time limit and parking regulations put in place's ,but they are every where these type of people.Some park up in places until their next pension check is put into their bank ,so they can move on to the next place and do the same thing.So how is anyone going to stop this behaviour ,being on the road living from one pension check until the next arrives.
Actually I think that caravan park owners have done well and certainly moved with the times.
They cater for families with modern facilities and playgrounds, all governed by strict regulations for safety and health reasons.
For those with lesser quality facilities, the price may or not be adjusted, then it's up to you whether you stay there or not, as I have posted on numerous occassions, nobody forces you to stop at any caravan park in Australia.
Although if you read this and other forums you would consider, because you can't stop ANYWHERE you like, it's the caravan park owners fault, even if they in the next town?
As for the pensioners (I am one) who cann only travel between cheques, then maybe they should consider staying home. If they can't afford fuel and the cheaper caravan parks together with some "free"camping, how do they consider being able to afford a major breakdown or health problem?
The law enforcement in the USA is exactly that - enforced!
Plus if you are of the type, not only can you park in the shopping centre car park, you can go and purchase a machine gun for the night as security.
I for one, would not like to consider parking in the majority of shopping centre car parks around Australia. A sure fire target for the hoons and a waste of time calling our police.
Just as a matter of interest, I wonder how many of the members of this forum actually have a "fully self contained RV?" Including storage of grey water?
Sorry Herbie, but it's back to fairy land.
Ken

gordon_adl · Senior Member

Herbie,
Why you quote a post but not add anything to it? It's very confusing to read.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Another side to all of this issue - why are we blaming the caravan parks - the caravan and motor home manufacturers are making their units so self sufficient, even supplying washing machines, etc., etc., - if you have the ability to carry your own water, carry grey water, have your own toilet and shower, washing machine, solar power, generators (yep some manufacturers even supply them with their vans or MH's) - is this the reason people are "free" camping and staying away from caravan parks?????

Though, I think in "the GN season" in central to north QLD most of the time you can't get into a caravan park, they are either booked solid by travellers, or taken over by mine personnel.

Please note - GN - does not necessarily limit to members of this forum!!!!!

Jack Mac · Senior Member

I'm just wondering and not having a go at anyone, what is the big deal. Where I live there are probably around a dozen, maybe more places within two hours drive where one can camp for free or minimal (i.e. $5.50 per person per night). Some will provide toilets even the occassional cold shower facility and some no facilities at all. These are in most cases areas where multiple travellers can rest/stay thus providing some sense of security.

Abuse of these types of areas can and will, in the long run cause their closure.

With the self sufficiency of rigs these days there are any number of places where one can find a space for the night off the beaten track so to speak, but of course one is then responsible for their own security without the safety of numbers.

I'm lucky, I have the gentlest dog in the world but can growl like a rotweiller when her patch is threatened, and a tyre iron and not afraid to use it. Who's going to bother an old fart like me in prison.

I am not a full timer so of course I generalise and, I'm sure, there will be arguments against my ponderings but that is fine and I'm sure many of these will be valid.

cheers,

Jack

herbie · Guru

Still cannot understand your logic on this !!! you say you would not like to stay in a s/ market /shopping centre car park re the hoons, but lots of people here in Oz stay over night in Macc's car parks, with hoons driving in and out all night and have not heard of anyone getting robbed/ mugged staying in them.Also me and many other travellers have stayed in truck/road house stops over night with out a problem. So why would a shopping centre car park be any different, most big s/ markets these days have people working inside all night re packing the shelfs,and trucks pulling in to deliver goods.So it is a very busy place. And as for saying the pensioner should or maybe stay home if he or she has to travel from check to check is just a sad thing to even suggest.Look how much John and Solo Steve and many others have enricked their lives by travelling as their money allows.

herbie · Guru

Jack Mac wrote:
I'm just wondering and not having a go at anyone, what is the big deal. Where I live there are probably around a dozen, maybe more places within two hours drive where one can camp for free or minimal (i.e. $5.50 per person per night). Some will provide toilets even the occassional cold shower facility and some no facilities at all. These are in most cases areas where multiple travellers can rest/stay thus providing some sense of security.
Abuse of these types of areas can and will, in the long run cause their closure.
With the self sufficiency of rigs these days there are any number of places where one can find a space for the night off the beaten track so to speak, but of course one is then responsible for their own security without the safety of numbers.
I'm lucky, I have the gentlest dog in the world but can growl like a rotweiller when her patch is threatened, and a tyre iron and not afraid to use it. Who's going to bother an old fart like me in prison.
I am not a full timer so of course I generalise and, I'm sure, there will be arguments against my ponderings but that is fine and I'm sure many of these will be valid.
cheers,
Jack

You are one of the lucky one's who are lucky enough to have free or low cost camps close to where you live.A lot of us have not got that pleasure.

Landfall · Guru

herbie wrote:
Still cannot understand your logic on this !!! you say you would not like to stay in a s/ market /shopping centre car park re the hoons, but lots of people here in Oz stay over night in Macc's car parks, with hoons driving in and out all night and have not heard of anyone getting robbed/ mugged staying in them.Also me and many other travellers have stayed in truck/road house stops over night with out a problem. So why would a shopping centre car park be any different, most big s/ markets these days have people working inside all night re packing the shelfs,and trucks pulling in to deliver goods.So it is a very busy place. And as for saying the pensioner should or maybe stay home if he or she has to travel from check to check is just a sad thing to even suggest.Look how much John and Solo Steve and many others have enricked their lives by travelling as their money allows.

Herbie, let me first say that I am enjoying this conversation and the manner it is being discussed by all, no slanging and abuse. A credit to this forum.

I would actually love to stay in a shopping centre car park, if I thought it would be safe.

I can remember far enough back when we used to go and motorkhana on the roof of the Templestowe shopping centre. CAMS insured all participants and crowd.

The reality is that these days as I have stated, there will be a few who will take every opportunity to either abuse the use of the car park or will rort the system for a massive insurance payout claiming the shopping centre had a duty of care to look after them.

We travel for about five months evry year, we stop at all the places you have named, but I must admit, each year we have felt less safe and if we have ANY doubts, it's off to a caravan park.

We also travel overseas each year and to come back to Australia and compare prices on anything is totally unfair.

There are thousands of cheap/free camping spots around this country, why does everyone think that it there right to stop anywhere they feel like? I don't want someone parked out the front of my house for a day or two, nor do I want them parked in front of someone elses home just because they live on the Esplanade, or river.

Frankly, I'm fed up of people coming on these forums and whinging about the cost of everything.

If you can't afford it, then don't do it.

Stop whinging and find something else that makes you happy.

Ken

brickies · Guru

Thank you for your post Ken I feel the same way we stop at free camp when it suits mostly between towns but always stay in caravan parks in tourist areas and lager city, I do believe caravan park do get a lot of unfair comments on this forum has I don't believe they are the bad guys they offer me a great service and never tell me I must stay with them some time they tell me they cant fit us in which make us feel sad , I believe it is great to get a free camp from time to time but it not our right to expect it , I think one should do there research before they buy an RV on how they and going to camp over night and if the answer is free camping you must be happy to stay only at places that have free camps and not expect to be able to free camp at the Gold Coast

Landfall · Guru

brickies wrote:
Where are the free camps on the Gold Coast

On the top storey of shopping centres or any other shopping centre car park biggrin biggrin biggrin

Sorry Herbie, I couldn't resist.

Ken

-- Edited by Landfall on Thursday 2nd of May 2013 07:32:33 PM

herbie · Guru

brickies wrote:
Thank you for your post Ken I feel the same way we stop at free camp when it suits mostly between towns but always stay in caravan parks in tourist areas and lager city, I do believe caravan park do get a lot of unfair comments on this forum has I don't believe they are the bad guys they offer me a great service and never tell me I must stay with them some time they tell me they cant fit us in which make us feel sad , I believe it is great to get a free camp from time to time but it not our right to expect it , I think one should do there research before they buy an RV on how they and going to camp over night and if the answer is free camping you must be happy to stay only at places that have free camps and not expect to be able to free camp at the Gold Coast

Beg to differ on no free camps at the Gold Coast, we stay at some beaut hidden treasures arounf that area/ One just has to explore the area for them self some times to find a free camp and not wait for someone else to find it for them.,,A lot of the time free camping comes down to doing your home work.

brickies · Guru

Where are the free camps on the Gold Coast

way2gokev · Senior Member

G'day g'day

I think many are missing the point by blaming caravan parks, We live today as we have lived in the past but fail to take on board the many changes that are being forced on us by population growth, lack of infrastructure by private and governments, the advent of an increase in numbers of retirees, the ease of litigation, and one of the biggest changes of all that affects all of us wether we are retired or not is the government push for laws relating to OHAS.

These laws have a cost to implement and it is all of us who pay in some way shape or form and caravan parks are not exempt from having to deal with OHAS on their sites.

I am no big fan of caravan parks but I'll use them if I have to, They have to cater for the general holliday maker and they have to make a dollar when and where they can, they all have costs and one of the biggest would be insurance to prevent litigation by those who would sue at the drop of a hat, mainly for trivial things.

Anyway my idea is to travel and enjoy and I stay well clear of major towns or manage my trips by increasing or decreasing travel times so as to avoid camping anywhere near towns.

As I have said before on posts planning is the key wether you have $1 or millions.

Cheers

Kev

gordon_adl · Senior Member

There does seem to be a small minority that just refuse to realise that times are constantly changing and also will whinge just for the sake of whinging. I suspect a few could hit the lottery and would complain they only won a million bucks instead of ten mil.

I don't think there is anyone on this board who is against free camping when it's available. I'm more than happy for members and or groups to advocate for more low cost or free camping sites available. However when it's done with nothing but threats, that's not advocating, rather it is just bullying. Threats equate to being bullied and is just not acceptable.

It's good to see that this particular thread can be read without people resorting to useless bantor, lies and name calling.

way2gokev wrote:
G'day g'day
I think many are missing the point by blaming caravan parks, We live today as we have lived in the past but fail to take on board the many changes...