It's quite "normal" for lots of caravan park income to come from "families with children" who caravan park over the holidays ~ we did it for many years too
However, these days the van parks are increasing their prices over the school holidays periods, demanding week-long minimum bookings esp over the Chrissy period and so it goes on
BUT - for the remaining 40+ weeks of the year, those family breadwinners are back in the office and it's us Grey Nomads who are out on the highways & byways
We are the customers for 40/52 weeks per year [call it 75%], & we don't want or need the stuff provided for children, but the van parks still expect us to pay for it
Until they realise that most of us don't need & certainly don't want to pay for playgrounds, tv / games rooms, putt-putt golf rinks, cold-water swimming pools etc etc etc the caravan parks will continue to lose many of us as day-to-day travellers
There are a number of other websites that talk about this - google "free choice" / "freedom camping" etc to find a few
Phil
While in North Queensland I was talking with an Caravan park owner and I ask why he had all the playground gear and bells and whistle has we don't use all this stuff , And to my surprise he said you people are only here for 4 months of the year has you follow the weather the rest of the 8 months it's tourist that we have to rely on and this is what they want and we have to do what is needed to survive all year to be here for the 4 months you want to come .There is a lot of time when there are not many in the park and still have to pay our workers , There will be lots on the forum that wont buy that but you just have to look at what local council run caravan parks are now charging .
We have travelled around a lot of the country throughout the year with the exception of School holiday times and there seems to be a considerable number of others out in the playground although obviously not as many in the middle of Winter, obviously parks are set up to capture the families during peak season with all the extra equipment and one has to wonder what the cost of setting this up, is the debt associated with installing and maintaining this is probably more of an issue than staff wages as they employ the majority as casual and get rid of them in quiet periods.
Logic would say to me its better to lower your price even more during off season and see if you can fill extra sites, as empty sites certainly are not bringing in any dollars.
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Great caravan park in north queensland Walkamin central top park no beels and whistle Fees gone from $ 22 a night to $25 because rising cost of electricity and insurance , They dont get many there in the summer has it is just too hot . Luckly it just a hobby for owner Lucy has no fortune to be made
We found a few families who were on the road full-time, and even home-schooling their kids. Not many but a few, and seemed to be more this year than before. Anybody else noticed these younger nomads?
We have met many families on the road, usually seemed to be taking 6 or 12 months to travel. They choose to do it while their children are still primary school age or younger, which makes it easier for a parent to take on the role of teacher while travelling. From what we have seen they often avoid the prime Grey nomad seasons, travelling north in the shoulder Spring or Autumn seasons to take advantage of less crowds and cheaper prices. We spent several weeks in WA in October where we were basically taking the same route as a family with 2 young children and we were camped near each other at half a dozen spots. We got to know them well enough that a couple of times we ended up taking care of the kids for a few hours while the parents did some more difficult walks in some national parks. They looked to be looking for much the same things as we were, clean facilities and spacious sites in caravan parks where they stopped occasionally to get the laundry done and take on water, but more often going for the space around them and cheaper price of national park campsites. Don't think the kids ever missed having a fancy playground.
-- Edited by Meredith on Tuesday 30th of December 2014 05:35:27 PM
However, these days the van parks are increasing their prices over the school holidays periods, demanding week-long minimum bookings esp over the Chrissy period and so it goes on
So what is new about that? That was a well established principal 40 years ago when I first went vanning. In the peak period campers willingly come to those popular spots where holiday rates apply. At other times the parks have to compete price wise with each other.
Welcome to the real world.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
Was quoted $90./night recently at a cp just before Bateman's Bay.They do not need to justify the rate as most are Pubic Servants ( i can spell ) aka part time workers, and have money to burn.
