I wouldn't think the result of a Queensland University study would be news to many on this website . The report which is on this web pages has identify an new bred of grey traveler the Grey caravaner work do small trip mostly with caravan club and put 3 million dollars a year into Queensland rural towns , Are you a Grey Nomad or A Grey Caravaner     for me I like to be a free spirt and do our own thing , If you haven't read the front news on this website always a good read

Nomads r us too,,, we like the freedom,,, ie when, where, what, why is OUR decision.

How can they say that "Grey Caravanners" stay longer and contribute more to local economies than "Grey Nomads".

I think we all know what group stay in communities longer (Grey Nomads) either doing paid or volunteer community work which includes helping out on farms and other places including during local disasters etc.

Short termers (clubs etc) are mainly there for social reasons (club activities etc), yes the do spend a lot while there but do not "hang around" for long.  

The seem to miss the point that a lot of Grey Caravanners also do Grey Nomad trips as well (read long trips/around Oz) as their club activities from time to time.

Herbie the dollar spend is something many grey nomads push in the hope of getting something for nothing and to justify free camp sites . Instead of pointing out what are basic needs when traveling like shower , toilet ,power and water and being prepared to pay for these basic needs and not wanting to be able to stop in the heart of Sydney for free

can not tell a lie we are a grey caravaner at the moment as we cant spend to much time away from home an yes we are trying to find a a caravan club to join for that same reason to meet new people and see new places  that are not to far away and that we would not have found on our own 

Also as we are not that keen on free camping alone ( i should say i am not sure of free camping alone) by belonging to a caravan club we will learn more hands on info 

the nomad means

I don't think it really matters how we do it. We all love hitching the van (or packing the motorhome) and going out there. That's where the joy of it comes for us. We do belong to a group - but that only meets once a year and yes, we go somewhere different every time. But it doesn't make us any different to all the other times we 'hit the road'.

I've been in clubs and also have done "my own thing" on trips etc, I think because what the researchers call "Grey Nomads" don't gather in huge groups like RV clubs (eg: CMCA, and yes I have belonged to that too at one time), the researchers seem to be discounting them as a spending force, however if you put all the individual travellers going around Oz in a group, it would be quite different, they still spend the same as clubs, but individually, not collectively.

I am not including backpackers in the Grey Nomads group as they tend to have limited time in Oz and do move quickly around Oz and most doing things on a shoestring but still have to buy food, fuel etc, so even they are making a contribution in their own way.

That's it I am going to dye my hair, wear long baggy pants I not going to be put in any group I am out there, We have, wife and I worked hard for this rite to spend when and how We like.

No to groups. We will travel sometimes in thevan, sometimes stay home then other times we go visit Dell's for cheap accommodation.

No to groups. 

Don't care what they want to call us. We are happy retirees who worked long and hard for many years and now reaping our reward. We travel a lot and still have a home base.

Some places we stay for a while and others just days.
We spend money in towns, leave free camps cleaner than we found them,meet wonderful people of ALL ages, talk to the truckies, help out when we can.

Mustn't have been much to write about that day.

I consulted the Australian Bureau of Statistics to find out what they considered a "Grey Nomad" to be.

http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/Previousproducts/2049.0Appendix12006?opendocument&tabname=Notes&prodno=2049.0&issue=2006&num=&view=

This Appendix presents information about people with 'no usual address' in 'visitor only households' who are not included in the ABS homeless operational group 'persons staying temporarily with other households'. They are excluded because, on balance, they were considered not to be homeless as their characteristics suggested that they were more likely to be on long-term holiday and travelling around Australia. There are two distinct groups: 

'grey nomads' 

'other travellers'

Grey nomads were in 'visitor only households', reporting 'no usual address', where all people were aged 55 years or over, were not in the labour force and were staying in a caravan, cabin or houseboat on Census Night.

Other travellers are the remaining persons in 'visitor only households' with 'no usual address' but who are not classified as homeless or as new migrants or returning Australians.

According to the above document, the 2001 census counted 1670 grey nomads while the 2006 census recorded 2466. 

The following document simply states that "the number of 'grey nomads' increased slightly between 2006 and 2011 by about 500 people, all in the 65 years and over age group".

http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/2049.0Explanatory%20Notes12011

-- Edited by dorian on Thursday 26th of September 2013 07:03:32 AM

-- Edited by dorian on Thursday 26th of September 2013 07:07:55 AM