Technically these people are vagrants.

Desert Dweller · Guru

Technically these people are vagrants.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Sheesh We drove an extra 150k to get cash in WA to pay $12 a night .. You can get caught out .. We made sure we has Atleast $100 in cash from then on .. Nice spot and the weeks stay was well worth it .. They give us a bad name !!

brickies · Guru

It's a game a lot of people play to see how little they can spend on the road and not uncommon .

Jaahn · Guru

Hi smile

Mean old bastards, and there are quite a few around. Not too many on here we hope.

The world owes them a free living, in their opinion. confuse

Jaahn

Tony Bev · Guru

We were talking to Jim the nice old guy who comes around once a day to collect fees. He was saying to us that many people set up camp & when he goes to collect their fees they say that they have no money.

I was taught to believe that anyone who gives an elderly person a hard time, is someone who is not worth having an opinion off
I will therefore not give an opinion about these people
Except to say instead of trying to demonstrate Peace on, I shall just say peace off

I am led to believe, so I could be wrong and appreciate if anyone could put me right on this
Whoever owns the land, council/private, can have their representative ask the police to move you off it, for whatever reason

I can understand old Jim, not wanting to confront anyone, but perhaps a large notebook and large pen, so that he can write the rego number down, along with the date and time, and pass it on, may be appropriate

the rocket · Guru

Maybe they r , maybe they are not. U do not know their situation. But u judged them. Maybe u could pay their fees. There is no law against being poor. Most people r only 3 pay packets away from homelessness, if u have not been in this situation u want to thank your lucky stars. Not everyone is That fortunate. if i c a homeless person i say hello and show them some respect, even a meal, and as for charging them, well i am gobsmacked at that harshness. talk about sinking the boot in when they r down.

-- Edited by the rocket on Thursday 17th of November 2016 01:47:01 PM

Onedodger · Guru

I too get uptight when I see people refusing such a low cost. However if I thought they were genuine in their statement of financial difficulty then so be it have a freebee.
However I have seen at Pilliga where the fee is a lousy $5 also that there are those who have rigs worth well over 80 grand combined that avoid paying.
Seems to me that one should be willing to contribute something towards the costs of maintaining such a facility.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

I agree with Rocket, you shouldn' judge these people, you don't know their circumstances.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

666yg by ohm0g

brickies · Guru

But you look at their rig and wish you were that poor .

The Belmont Bear · Guru

I guess that there are 2 assumptions that you could make from the original post -

1) These people are tight and are just trying to avoid contributing towards the cost of maintaining the facilities that they are using.

2) They really are battlers who don't have the money and could do with a little help.

If it's 1) then I don't have much time for them and believe that they deserve the criticism that people are giving to them here.
If it's 2) they could offer the volunteers a hand to clean up or do something to help out for an hour or so rather than paying the fee. If they were physically unable to do anything I'm sure if they told the nice old fellah that they were struggling he would probably let them off anyhow.

Rocket is right in as far as we don't know what each individuals situation is but by the sound of it it's happening pretty regularly so I suspect that there could be a mixture of both 1 & 2.

Jaahn don't assume that they are all that old either.

macka17 · Guru

Best idea is install a big steel boom gate. with exit from, say 7am only.
Have a coupla volunteers there. and gate opened after moneys paid.

Also have a parking ticket book there. Anybody not paying.
$75 parking ticket passed on to council sounds good.

That Jim bloke should have a ticket book and camera..

"Take your pick people"
"You can afford to buy. Maintain and run that rig.
You can afford a little ground rent."

Anybody that broke they can't afford $10 a night.
SHould NOT be travelling.. Sorry.

They ARE Bludgers..

If for any reason you don't have the cash
You wouldn't pull into an area you KNOW charges fees....

S'cuse me. where are you going to buy the fuel to travel to next stop hey. BUM.
Under ten bucks ain't going to get anybody too far.

He's TOO soft. Get a coupla BIGGER blokes there.
I bet it'd soon stop then.
Pieces of s--t.

Refusing to go to ATM and get some money.

Yet can afford some really nice, read exxy.. rigs

No sympathy.

An old bloke/missus in an old Holden and 40 yr old van or camper.

Or a young couple with old ute/car and maybe coupla kids.

We always help them on their way with something even if only something for kids.

I was dead broke in my younger days. lived on beans. spuds and bread.

not kidding either. We had ZILCH after the war not even a roof.

YEP... Not a problem. You need anything fella.

But not that ****.

-- Edited by macka17 on Thursday 17th of November 2016 03:27:15 PM

Tony Bev · Guru

I have never seen a poor homeless person, travelling around in a decent car, towing a decent caravan

I am sure that old Jim, would have been wise enough to spot a genuine struggler

I came across one poor type man, and he actually looked poor, he was living in a tent with his dog, and he had a station wagon, locked away in a mechanics shed
He had taken his 20 year old vehicle in, to have his automatic gearbox checked, the mechanic removed the gearbox and then quoted more to repair it, than what the vehicle was worth

He was sitting it out, in a free camp, until he had saved enough to buy another old vehicle, as he had no transport to move on

If I, and I am sure many others, had come across this man, at a paid camp, then we would have assisted financially

In my opinion, so I could be wrong, if you own a decent car and caravan, and have had enough money to put the fuel in the tank, to arrive at a paid camp, then you have two choices

You should be prepared to pay, or just stay away from paid camps

As a sidenote, my first lap was completed using free camps, except for two places, the first was at Mount Gambier in SA, as my travelling companion, a gentleman from England, was fed up of roughing it.
When we reached Melbourne, he decided that the lap was not for him, and he flew back home
The second place was the Wanderest Travellers Park, in Richmond near Sydney, as I had received a very glowing report about this paid camp from other travellers, and diverted my route just to check it out

Bryan · Guru

I know that different people have different opinions. To me that's theft. Just like walking into a shop, taking something to the vague of $5.00 and saying, too bad I don't have any money so I can't pay

Desert Dweller · Guru

The people Jim was talking about weren't poor, they had late model motor-homes, cars & caravans. They didn't say that they had no money as such. They said that they had no money on them so were unable to pay the fees. It's just a dishonest lurk on their part to avoid paying. They most probably had plenty of cash on them, they just didn't want to part with it. He also said many people asked to use EFTPOS or credit card. For goodness sake it's a bush camp with toilets & cold showers. Jim lives down the road, there's no office. The fees are clearly signed at the entrance, why did they set up camp & not drive back into Mytleford to get cash if they had none on them? Because they're mean bastards that's why!

The Belmont Bear · Guru

C'mon Macka and Tony I was trying my best to be a little bit more diplomatic it's pretty obvious who is having a lend of who when you see how these people are travelling. When you go into a restaurant you know that the food is not going to be for free, you don't eat your meal and then say I'm sorry I haven't got any money or you may well end up in gaol or washing the dishes..like most people I am not that hard that I wouldn't try and help someone who is in genuine need but I'm also not thrilled about subsidising people who are out for a free ride. I guess if there are signs clearly posted informing people that there is a charge for camping in that area then you really have no argument about paying the required fee.

Ron-D · Guru

We Went to go into a camp site the other day and a guy warned us not to into the centre section as there was a woman living in her van with mental issues, and she steals things ,the police have came around and can't or won't do a thing about her,we moved on ,and how many others have? I guess that area is out of limits now even though it's a 24 hr rest area,deadbeats and nut cases rule eh!!!! The fees ar free if you have made nothing with your life or have a mental problem Iguess...

GypsyRose1 · Member

Recently did a trip to Winton. Stayed at the Barcaldine show ground on the way back. It was the same time that all those who had been trapped by rain at Birdsville managed to make a run for it. We had just set up camp when a couple came in bout 5pm - nice flashy Jeep and Flash new van. Both muddy. We told them that the caretaker had just been - and that they could camp overnight in a non powered area. Did they ? nup- powered all the way - and used the conveniences free of charge - left early the next morning before the caretaker returned!
As if this was not bad enough - Barcaldine was still in a green drought. When we died them washing their car and van we spoke to them about the drought - "Oh but it's so green" we won't use much water. They have just had heaps of rain...bloody city slickers who have no idea of bush dwelling!

-- Edited by GypsyRose1 on Thursday 17th of November 2016 06:25:09 PM

-- Edited by GypsyRose1 on Thursday 17th of November 2016 06:26:05 PM

Papou · Senior Member

If they cant afford the fees they shouldnt be towing a Van as the tug needs fuel to tow it , they can afford the fuel they can afford the $5 fees . Simple as that !! , ..

Lancelot Link · Senior Member

I have always kept an emergency fund of $100 hidden and forgotten about. In situations like this is when it comes in handy. I simply replace it the next time I can. Makes sense to me and would suggest the people in question are probably as tight as a fishes ring!

macka17 · Guru

When we travelling.
I always have a grand or two in cash in van.
and a coupla $50's in back pocket of wallet.
Di carries a bit too.

You never know. Servo. Empty tank, Tyre, Spares.
ATM down. YOU stuck.
Cash is the only way to go when you travelling.
I thought everybody carried some. You'd be silly not too in my eyes.

Same O'seas.
Always get some local currency in a few large (kept in back pocket).
and a handful of small for tips in wallet..
As soon as you touch down.
Put what's left in poor bags in pocket on Plane seats whan you go.

Dickodownunder · Guru

Mmmm...

thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t62889286/funding-for-low-cost-rv-van-campsites/

brickies · Guru

Macka I think most people carry spare cash but some like to kept in their pocket .

Tony Bev · Guru

Desert Dweller wrote:
The people Jim was talking about weren't poor, they had late model motor-homes, cars & caravans. They didn't say that they had no money as such. They said that they had no money on them so were unable to pay the fees. It's just a dishonest lurk on their part to avoid paying. They most probably had plenty of cash on them, they just didn't want to part with it. He also said many people asked to use EFTPOS or credit card. For goodness sake it's a bush camp with toilets & cold showers. Jim lives down the road, there's no office. The fees are clearly signed at the entrance, why did they set up camp & not drive back into Mytleford to get cash if they had none on them? Because they're mean bastards that's why!

I agree, and emphasise the words underlined

I do not wish to start an argument about the rich, and poor folk.

My financial position is that I am about on par with a normal old age pensioner, except that I do not receive anything from any government departments until 2022

If I was forced to stay at a caravan park each night, then I would probably not be able to afford to travel long distances

If I was forced to stay at low cost camps each night, then I would be able to travel, but at a reduced distance each day/week

Staying at free camps, (and there are plenty out there), will allow me to travel every day of the year, if the wife liked travelling, and still keep our home base

macka17 · Guru

As you say TYony.

Unless a person is broke And shouldn't be travelling like us anyway.

A mix of all is the way to go.

Leaning to whichever end of list suits your back pocket.

Sailing was best. $85k (42ft) yacht, free fuel 99% of time (wind).
Berthing. slipping, maint. around 2.5K a yr. Less if cruising
and where you kept her..OR more. Depending.

New rags every 6\7 yrs or so. standing rigging every 8ish yr.
I had steel so grit blasted below waterline every 8 yrs regardless.
Kept boat as new below waterline.
I alternated them, so 4 yr gaps.(spread the costs)

Plus. NOT restricted to just Australia. go Anywhere you feel like.

THE best life there is for a happily Single man, or woman.
There were a few of them around. Mainly in smaller yachts.

Unfortunately when you lose one eye and depth of field in vision.
You can NOT go bounding round your bouncing decks anymore.
Can't judge where it is under your feet. Bummer.

Hence a landlubber.
Even fall over getting in and out of tinny nowadays if it moving
.. double bummer.

The most important thing you have. Apart from a beating heart.

Is your vision.

Look after your bloody eyes......

-- Edited by macka17 on Friday 18th of November 2016 01:32:40 PM

jules47 · The Happy Helper

The original post did not mention anything about a ",FLASH CAR AND CARAVAN" _ so how did this post degenerate so badly to a "name calling" session. Come on guys, just enjoy thiis great country , don't stress and come on withe the holier than thou attitude! You'll be called a whinginb gre nomad!!!

macka17 · Guru

No Jules.
NOR did he say one.

They are what they are.
It's people like that who are stuffing things/areas up for the normal people.

If You can afford any rig. and the fuel for it.
You can afford the minimal parking fees.

If NOT. for any reason. IE, Waiting for pension etc.

You DON"T go to a posted "pay for" site. then say you have no money.

WOULD YOU. Honestly?.

Anybody with morals of any degree.
Would go to a free camp or even layovers.

Those ones above. ARE users.

Somebody honestly NEEDY. it shows. and most do help to some degree.

It's called "your good deed for the day"
I try to do one every day. Most days I succeed..

Have a good one girl.
and sadly accept that rubbish DOES exist in the human race.

-- Edited by macka17 on Friday 18th of November 2016 02:05:59 PM

The Belmont Bear · Guru

Tony financially I am in exactly the same boat as you we will get nothing from the government for at least another 7 years (other than the NSW Seniors Card). I worked and saved all my life so that I could retire at an earlier age (59) and I neither want or need the government (or anyone else) to subsidise me for making that decision. Also like you guys we have our home as a base and by staying in a mix of CPs, lower cost camps and free camping areas we should be able to afford to get out on the road for some extended trips. I would never even consider staying in a paid camp if I couldn't afford to pay the fee and realistically I will be selling the van long before I ever get to be in a position like that. I only wish I had mackas money I could have retired even earlier.

macka17 · Guru

Hey davero.

Macka's money.
HAD.. (started work at 13yrs) till wifey went walkabout and took most with her.

Still managed to retire early though.
Spent the last of my Australian money last yr. on our almost last Overseas trip.
Just a part pensioner now same as most others..
Di controls our money. I just spend it.

Been clinically dead once. Had cancer. Worry about tomorrow if it gets here.
Have ins for funeral service.
Just enjoy life. with a big smile on your face. and fark them all.
Sorry ladies.

PS

Looks coooold on my Avatar hey. Niagara falls. FROZEN..

that'd shrink the monkeys (you know what's,)

wouldn't it... chuckle.

-- Edited by macka17 on Friday 18th of November 2016 02:36:34 PM

The Belmont Bear · Guru

Hey macka, thats a great shot of Niagara Falls, I imagine its the American Falls not the Horseshoe Falls as there would be too much water going over them to freeze like that. I have stood at the top of the Horseshoe falls on the Canadian side only a couple of mtrs from the edge and watched the volume of water going over what an impressive sight. Also done the Maid of The Mist cruise where the boat is going full speed ahead 50 mtrs in front of falls just to keep in one position so you can take photos. Only kidding about your money - every day we are given above ground is a plus and we should be making the most of them.