SURVEY: How much has it cost you to stay in a caravan park for the night?

farmer Karen · Veteran Member

SURVEY: How much has it cost you to stay in a caravan park for the night?

Travel Bug · Guru

Hi Karen,

There are a lot of solos out there who are not looking for something for nothing but are tired of having to pay the same price per night as a couple.

Any chance of adding a solo price to your survey??

Cheers.

-- Edited by Travel Bug on Tuesday 29th of July 2014 03:31:39 PM

Glenelg · Guru

i will be a solo in month or two. power would be nice & fill up with water & dump point apart from that will be self contained. would be happy to pay $7.00 per night if very hot or very cold, if not using aircon would only use power for lights about $1.00

the rocket · Guru

Hi Karen, For two people $15 per night and $95 per week. $60per week single rate. I pay this in showgrounds with these offerings.

I love the idea that here is a small business that "is thinking outside the square". Well done and good luck.

ps. when you sort everything out let camps 7 know so they can include you in their next edition

-- Edited by the rocket on Tuesday 29th of July 2014 04:06:13 PM

-- Edited by the rocket on Tuesday 29th of July 2014 04:08:26 PM

SnowT · Guru

I'm in the same Boat solo..
so a price of about $7 - $10 per night.. No Power ..
for Power add $4 .. but then that is me..

Look at a general cost of $1-$3 over night for Power consumption..

If you ran normal 1500-2000 Ceramic Heater expect to use between 3-10kw's of power..[Dependent on time running]

and that is just the heater... Depending on air-con and the duration being used the same in power consumption...

Gerty Dancer · Guru

I couldn't give a dollar figure Karen, there are so many things to consider. In Broome at present caravan parks are charging $50, as it all depends on position and season, quality and size of sites and access. There's no way we would pay that much, but enough pay it to enable those parks to go on charging that price. Other parks in less popular places/seasons charge as low as $15 per night per couple for a powered site.

If you check prices in your area for similar to what you offer you might get an idea of what you could charge.

A solo price would be welcomed by many more than you expect.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I'm Solo and wouldn't mind $15 per night with power and water. In fact I will be on the north east NSW coast in a couple of weeks and doing just that for a few nights cos I like the place. No bells and whistles, in fact far from it but nice, to me anyway. $15 per adult.

Over $15 I start looking around for an alternative.

Big Gorilla · Guru

I'd be happy to pay $10.00 a night plus $2.00 for power. I did a check on power useage in my MH. I connected an ordinary household meter into the circuit. I ran an aircon for 10 hours, battery charger, 20 watt fluor light for 3 hours and occasional use of a microwave. The cost worked out under Tasmanian Aurora Energy Tariff to be a couple of cents over $2.00. I'm fully self contained but would need access to water and a Dump Point

-- Edited by Big Gorilla on Tuesday 29th of July 2014 04:20:53 PM

farmer Karen · Veteran Member

WOW...I love this forum
so wonderful to gather knowledge from wonderful people
Every time I write on here ...I remember that the world is full of lovely helpful people and I feel happy and loved.
I like the idea of the singles rate
I love thinking outside the square and am thankful for all the people who help, suggest and encourage me :) :) :)

farmer Karen · Veteran Member

ANOTHER QUESTION PLEASE....

When you are travelling....or planning your travels...how do you find the places to stay
I.E. where should I advertise so that you can find me....I feel really sad when I see lots of you driving past
I am a people person and you could be my sanity :)

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Karen, why not PM Cindy (Webmaster) and see what she can do for you. Also pop a comment for a new site in Wickicamps. Maybe under Grampians or close by. I have made a note in my notes about your offer so if in the area will make contact.

miroku12g · Senior Member

We have just had an overnight in a CP at Marlborough {90 odd K north of Rocky} two people, power, hot showers. $25, at a showgrounds in central Qld we paid, two people, hot showers, water, no power. $5.
$30 has been the most we have paid in Queensland.

Miroku12g

Cupie · Guru

For a place with a flat site, view & facilities $25 would be more than acceptable for us. We are not particularly interested in bargains but rather in memorable experiences.

Not being 'free campers' we are used to paying >$30 per night at caravan parks. Your place would offer a welcome change from the same old, same old CPs.

A campfire is a great attraction.

We choose our stopovers from the big chain booklets, State & area Tourist Guides, RACQ publications & recommendations from this forum & just talking to fellow travelers.

We have camps 6 but rarely use it.

I have made a note of your set up on my map.

Vic41 · Guru

farmer Karen wrote:
ANOTHER QUESTION PLEASE....

When you are travelling....or planning your travels...how do you find the places to stay
I.E. where should I advertise so that you can find me....

You could try Camps Australia Wide for a listing plus details etc....

KeenTravellers · Veteran Member

Farmer Karen
Love the idea and good on you - as has been said above "thinking outside the box" Great idea.
We free camp as well as CP and agree that $15 for a relaxing site - a bit of power to top up - away from the clutter of CPs is a great idea.

Our van is pretty well, self contained (own full ensuite- & use our gas - own grey water etc.) so other than a small amount of power to maintain
the battery (light use is LED (tiny power) and occassional microwave if we do have power...etc
We have a TV, but it mostly says in under the bed...as we like to leave the "home world" behind when away)
I think its a great idea. Im in....
Good on you again and I will be looking you up (if you do go ahead with it all) next time im passing again.
Just having it listed on here (Cindy) should bring you heaps of GN stayers.

Cheers
KT

GerryP · Veteran Member

farmer Karen wrote:
ANOTHER QUESTION PLEASE....

When you are travelling....or planning your travels...how do you find the places to stay
I.E. where should I advertise so that you can find me....I feel really sad when I see lots of you driving past
I am a people person and you could be my sanity :)

Wiki Camps - it's great. I have Camps 7, but haven't used it at all while we've been on the road over the last 4 weeks.

leevin · Senior Member

Had my caravan power usage totalled by a reputable company.
$14.78 / week!
$59.12 / month!
Including use of air-con 4 hours / day, electric hot water (including showers), electric kettle, frypan, bread-maker, etc.
I have a generator (and not afraid to use it!), and choose to camp where we like, legally!

jules47 · The Happy Helper

I ticked the $10 box, but would pay up to $15 - + power say $2 - we stayed at a caravan park in Adaminaby in the Snowy Mtns where they monitor your power usage - and using aircon all lights (not LED), TV and cooking with electricity, and heated water for shower - we used 70cents worth from about 3pm to about 9am the next morning - they don't charge for under $1 - so power was nil!!!

Love the Grampians - and the meals at the pub there are great.

Good luck with your survey - a great idea!

sufil · Guru

Great place to stop and the view of the sun coming up over the mountain in the morning is worth the early get up!! Site is flat and now that the bathroom is operational it is suitable for those who are not self contained. Great hosts as well. They are pet friendly as long as your fur baby doesn't go near the sheep!! Just relax and do nothing or leave your van and do the tourist drives thru the Grampians, visit the waterfalls just out of Hamilton, go down the coast to Warnambool. Plenty to do in the area.

NandK · Senior Member

I reckon $20 not to much for 2 with power and water also a dump point. we have paid $38 at a cp for a night and we are fully self contained.
Solo travelers should not have to pay the same as a couple,that's just my opinion.
Norm..

Big Gorilla · Guru

farmer Karen wrote:
Hi Everyone
I am doing a costs survey for caravaners and campers
I have built a B&B with an outside bathroom which can also be used for campers when no-one is in the B&B

Does that mean if someone is camping in a MH or caravan and suddenly someone wants to occupy the B&B, does the MH or caravan camper have to move out ?
Also if you want to generate business from the GNs, we have to know about it. Where is it ? What is the business name ? how do we contact you for a booking ? Suggestions have been made about this in other posts.

Patto44 · Senior Member

We are currently paying $17 at Mareeba Rodeo camp grounds. Power, amenities etc.
For similar conditions in a private property I would think about $15 would be reasonable.

The Phantom · Guru

Karen

How did the shearing go? I bet the kids did a good job.

Cheers

The Phantom

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

I don't want to throw a spanner in the works but have you made inquires with you local council to see what is involved as rules and regs can make your venture a bit expensive and you need to cover costs, the big one is insurance cover for people paying a fee to stay, one way around this is to have a donation system, look into this before you get too involved because councils can be nasty if not advised and they get upset if they do not get their cut.

beiffe · Guru

I would love to camp on a farm and would pay $10 for a good view.
Don't need power or water except maybe to top up the water tanks but normally would be full of drinking water and empty of grey and black before coming but that's just me.
I would be prepared to help around the farm as I like to help where possible and I think many others would as well.
Not sure on the (only when no B&B) as that would make many think twice as they may plan to go then find someone has booked the B&B and hour before they get there.
For me a bit of land out the back near a creek or overlooking the horizon is all I need and perhaps a chat if it suits everyone over a drink at happy hour.
I think that someone coming to HELP would also get around the council crap etc as well as we are friends stopping for a few days to help you around the farm.
If you advertised when you are shearing fencing etc you might be surprised the people who may want to come.
Many of us grey Nomads follow the Blazeaid trails so do have a bit of knowledge when helping the farmers with menial tasks as well as many have trades that could fix some little tasks that have been sitting for years to be fixed LOL.
I wuod be happy to help with fencing for the day with the prospect of a barby and a couple of drinks at the end of the day after a good hot shower.
Be interested to see the different between the desire to lend a hand between the so call FREE campers and the People who stay in parks all the time.
I am sure the prospect of a days work far exceeds the monetary value to you on your farm.
As far as Camps and Wikicamps I think you should hold off for a while as perhaps word of mouth on a few forums would get you as many as you wish without getting twenty a night etc trying to get in, and I feel perhaps the level of customers / friends would be better controlled as well as negate the insurance and council problems associated with an advertised rest stop.
Just my humble thoughts as I am a dedicated bush camper but always prepared to help where possible and gain extra knowledge and experiences.
Regards
Brian

sufil · Guru

Brian, that is exactly how we met Farmer Karen and her family. Went to help out for a couple of weeks ...in fact we ,well Phill, did a lot of work on converting the old Kiln into the B and B. We have fenced, done sheep work, looked after kids, farmsat, did all the little jobs that get lost in the farming system like weeding the garden, painting or shed maintainence, all across Australia. Met some great people, some like Karen and her family are now part of our family.

Big Gorilla · Guru

_wombat_ wrote:
I don't want to throw a spanner in the works but have you made inquires with you local council to see what is involved as rules and regs can make your venture a bit expensive and you need to cover costs, the big one is insurance cover for people paying a fee to stay, one way around this is to have a donation system, look into this before you get too involved because councils can be nasty if not advised and they get upset if they do not get their cut.

Good point from Mr. Wombat. Public Liability Insurance and Council approval to operate as a B&B and/or MHs and Campers. I recall a couple of years back a rural property advertised in CMCA (when I was a Member !) Handbook for members to camp within a property. When I arrived at the gate, a sign was erected "Closed by xxxxxx Council".. I'm sure however you have taken that all into account.

Philw · Senior Member

My thoughts on this. Fruit andvegie growers all over Aus have honesty boxes. Why dont farmers with land (grazing) fence off a one or two acre paddock, where road assessible, and place an honesty box for self contained RV's. Maybe $10 per night and a limit of their choice for duration. The GN folk are, the vastmajority, clean, honest and tidy. We leave no trace and so many of us clean up litter at a stop. The is no issue with commercial operation and 4 or 5 RV'sa night would bring in greater value than a few cows. A farmer in the Channon has supplied a toilet and cold shower, and sink and charges $15 per night. Chris and I often drive seeing farms with easy access to a front paddock with thehouse way off in the distance and often wonder why they pass up theopportunity that the growers make use of with their honesty box stalls.
Hope this is of some help.
Phil and Chris

KeenTravellers · Veteran Member

Hey Farmer Karen
Giving this some thought - Im sure if you set up an Honesty box (close outside your door to stop any light fingered passers) with a suggested fee for
"Fellow Members Only" -
most GNs (well the ones I have met all over Oz) are honest / reliable and as has been said here before..clean up before and after they leave anyway.

Honesty boxes would get around the council & insurance issue especially if you post -
"Park here at your own risk". The users insurance would cover them anyway - as if they were parking on another free camp somewhere else in Oz.

The council couldnt do anything if you are "not charging" users. They are guests who donate to cover their costs.
If its cash only - Maybe your honesty sign says "fellow members only" " and if asked by any official
"Its for fellow club member guests of the club you belong to". They (we) are just coming for a visit you....
Also I would be happy to help out around the farm doing odd jobs ....not for anything other than my own enjoyment.
Anyway Im sure you will check into it and let us know.

Cheers
KT

farmer Karen · Veteran Member

Shearing went well and the place did not collapse whilst I was gone.

Yes I am proud of my kids...they did a great job !!!

Another month and we will be shearing again :)

I hope to be home to do the kitchen this time.

Thanks for the offer :)