Hendo wrote:

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There is much comment on free camping on this site and I can see the financial benefits of this style of travel, not mentioning the social side as well.

As we haven't embraced free camping as yet, not having the set up, my question to you free campers out there is, do you ever unhitch and leave your van unattended while you go exploring the area, shopping or fishing etc.?

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Gday...

I camp, for no or low cost, most of the time. I camp in areas/sites that are for camping. When in my camp sites I regularly leave my van, and sometimes the van and vehicle, unattended while I bush-walk, often all day. Should I need to go to the nearest town for 'shopping' etc then I leave the van, obviously for some hours at those times.

However, I do not utilise rest areas near highways/main roads/towns as many GNs do. I would never leave my van and/or vehicle at such places. I do not like to even sleep there unless it is for one night, having arrived late afternoon and leaving early morning due to travel needs.

In fact, I have been camping in swags, tents, camper trailers and now a van, for over 50 years. In all that time I have had no qualms about leaving my camp to go bush walking or to drive into the town to re-stock supplies.

Some may say I am either lucky or stupid - those who know me well are undecided.

Cheers - John

When we did our trip around the Big Block, around 4 years ago,

We left our caravan on many occasion while sight-seeing for the day,

Like others, we made sure we were well away, and out of sight of the main roads,

and there was always some other campers near by, we had a habit of after making sure nothing was left outside the van, and everything was locked and a Coupling Lock was fitted to the tow hitch.

Then we would get to know these other people, after a good "Happy Hour" we would let them know where we were off to for the day,

asking them if they required any stores  to keep an eye on the van for us.

Never had a problem in all the time on the road,

Except for the time, up in North QLD when. we left the van so well hidden  we spent many hours looking for it,

We were on a different road altogether, just drove around until I remembered a tree on the road edge    

 

K.J.

Pat and I are not managers anymore so please accept my views regarding free camping as our own, not those of the industry.  We are proud of our efforts to improve the experiences for tourists where ever we have managed parks. As employees we took the opportunity to exercise our style and attempt to create a total experience for tourists at the same time loyal to the owner of the park.

The problems are complex satisfying all of points of view. Tourists whether local or international come first, a happy experience from beginning to departure was our aim as managers. We strove to supply a pleasant atmosphere, a healthy clean and safe amenity and information so the patrons can radiate from the park to all of the attractions in the area. If in most cases this is achieved the owner has managers that are loyal business wise.

In a park there generally are annuals or permanents and can be politically difficult to satisfy.

Also there are undesirable manager as well as owners, and we used to say if over controlled or restricted and prevented from presenting our style we would move on, not persevere and show the unhappiness at the counter. If we tried our hardest and promises made by owners dishonoured we have just moved on.

Free campers are represented very loudly by some in fear of losing what I believe is an option we all want to use one day. The biggest problem is an element that want everything for nothing mixed with owners of parks, especially the accountant type pushing up fees and cannot see that in recent times of economic stress for everybody that bums on seats will pay dividends in tough times like the past two years. 

We introduced Seniors discounts and tried off peak to maintain along with Travel Auctions occupancy at a level to survive. Survive until better times realising the cost pressures increasing on the parks themselves.

Choice of product is there for everyone, but peak times are bread and butter time as a business and off peak is sampling time for those that can travel at times where families etc have work commitments and budget minded tourist, even those from overseas. Melbourne is full of families that not only the kids need a holiday but the stressed out parents as well. Bells and whistles  are what they want, at peak times in peak locations and parks filled at what appear to us, at exorbitant fees.

Pat and I can't wait to hit the road again and we also want to utilise free camping but for those also considering this form of tourism have to do their homework, assess the right time to capitalise on off peak discounting, realise that many free camp locations are primitive and security wise unsafe. There will always be concern there for many, but in reasonably fair priced parks managers are meant to make you feel safe. Night patrols etc don't always prevent the inevitable but insurance wise a compel label case if unfortunately afflicted.

Lets say you strike a nice park @ $25 or $30 per night and better than that sometimes for two, powered and water, that could be $15 each for a quiet nights sleep, a clean amenity and friendly service as well. If you don't experience this expel your energy  demanding improvements. Many of the minority pushing this line of attack want free camping every night of the week but we should realise that prices to survive have increased at home and can't be isolated from away from home expenses.

Lets hope that all forms survive and free camping be utilised for what it was meant to be. Overnight stays  for one or two nights, good quality and fair priced destination parks and a chance to enjoy life on the road.

Graham.

-- Edited by Technomad on Saturday 29th of March 2014 11:54:44 AM

I have a small motorhome and am on a very limited income so CP's are a luxury maybe once or twice a week, if that. I have and do leave my motorhome in rest area's and camp sites whilst walking, sometimes for hours, shopping, treating myself to a coffee out, only time I have ever had anything taken was, ironically in a CP! Fellow freedom campers and vanners are usually really good about looking out for your stuff. Annie