We had our 5 days at Loxton and today lunchtime we headed to Ouyen for a Wikicamps free camp. There are supposed to be a couple and picked the one on our side of town. It was right beside the caravan park. Got settled with the genset and made Esspresso coffee. We were just sitting back savouring the latte when an older gentleman came to the van door. He asked if we were free camping there and I said yes, expecting him to be another GN wanting to stay with us. He rudely said no your not, I said it is in Wikicamps and he said I know. I said by whose authority? He said I will get the ranger and it will cost you more than staying in the caravan park. I apologised and told him we would move on. He told me to get a move on quickly. I was only half way thru my coffee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I rang the council and the very friendly girl took my number and said they would get back to me. So, I slowly finished my coffee and I was sure I could talk my way around the ranger re a fine as I was waiting for a call from council. The council got back to me and there is now a by law that prohibits free camping in Ouyen and she suggested Tempy about 35 kn away if we were heading south, which we were. She asked where I got the info re free camping and I told her Wikicamps website so she was going to follow it up. She said there was no need for the guy to be rude..
Here we are now in a lovely spot, no TV but lovely and quiet.
So, Ouyen missed out on sales of fuel, pub evening meal etc. I will email the council and fill them in on what had transpired.
Now bring it on AGAIN re CP owners/Councils cutting off their nose to spite their faces..
Did you make a comment for that site in Wikicamps Paul?
It's good idea we all put comments for any sites we stay at because the more we do the better Wiki will be and less chance of that sort of thing happening.
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Did you make a comment for that site in Wikicamps Paul?
It's good idea we all put comments for any sites we stay at because the more we do the better Wiki will be and less chance of that sort of thing happening.
Paul, when you contact council STICK it right up em I could use a tirade of words here but I like this site and Cindy might put me in the naughty corner. That Old bloke was lucky he ran into you, if it was me well diplomacy is not my best point now. So bugger them they missed out and so did the town. Enjoy the rest of your travels.
! often stop at ouyen but if the town has that unfriendly attitude i will make sure they wont get my custom again, i will advise mates to consider doing likewise
The town is actually lovely, not a lot there but it is a nice little country town. If you are talking about the area I think you are, it is parkland and yes right next to CP, which is understandable as to why there is no camping there. The only thing with Wikkicamps is that the comments are also put on by backpackers who make up their own rules at times. Probably is why this man was so cross, sick of the mess left behind by campers doing the wrong thing. So given that it was right next to the CP maybe just check it out a little more. And, yes there is no need for the rudeness that you encountered.
There is a great free camp at Lake Merran on the North side of Ouyen, well honesty box. Not sure south side as I arrived there from Greens.
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Well that's very interesting as there was an article in the local paper The North West express recently about Ouyen becoming a GN friendly town I believe the grumpy old bloke would have been the van park owner who is trying to sell it, will try to find the article and get back to this post or forum
Woody
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I can well believe your experience, Paul, and the rudeness of the CP owner. We stayed there early this year for one night; for such a dry, dusty and scruffy environment and very ordinary ablutions, I was not impressed at paying $29, especially after spending a night at Lameroo on a lovely green grassy site, with power and very clean amenities, for $21. Oh, and Ouyen charges extra for each air conditioner.
We won't be revisiting Ouyen!!
Andrea
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Ouyen has Blackburn park shown in Camps 7 VIC site 333 - 35 04 24 S 142 19 14 E. Is that the one you stayed at Aussie Paul?
It is shown as a 'day use only' site in Camps 7.
Looking at it on Google satellite and Street View it seems to be next door to the caravan park. There is blue signage showing that there are toilets and water and that there is a caravan park 150metres further on.
Of greater interest is that on Google Street View, the blue toilet/water sign, pointing into Blackburn Park, also states "power nap area". Perhaps Google is out of date .... OR does this mean Ouyen council deems one would only "power nap" during daylight hours?
Cheers - John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Wednesday 20th of August 2014 04:48:46 PM
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Ouyen has Blackburn park shown in Camps 7 VIC site 333 - 35 04 24 S 142 19 14 E. Is that the one you stayed at Aussie Paul?
It is shown as a 'day use only' site in Camps 7.
Looking at it on Google satellite and Street View it seems to be next door to the caravan park. There is blue signage showing that there are toilets and water and that there is a caravan park 150metres further on.
Of greater interest is that on Google Street View, the blue toilet/water sign, pointing into Blackburn Park, also states "power nap area". Perhaps Google is out of date .... OR does this mean Ouyen council deems one would only "power nap" during daylight hours?
Oops.. I did not find it in Camps 7 under Ouyen!!! Yes that is the one John. Havng to move on was a bit of a bugger as I had already lifted the genset out, quite difficult for me, BUT I now know what I have to do re genset accommodation. Always learning about our rigs, and my, capabilities!!
Thanks for the heads up Paul.
I have added to the don't go list and put a red ring around the area in my Camps book.
This way when I get close a warning comes up on GPS and also if I look at the book for planning it is obvious to plan around that town area.
It is a shame when towns take this attitude to force you to use a park etc as often in a group some use the CP and some use a camp. With an attitude similar to this town then all move on as well some just by past a town because of the attitude.
Regards
Brian
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Perhaps Google is out of date 
