Hey Jim, I think you could be right. I've never seen so many vans as there was up north this year. There seemed to be two groups, the sandgropers heading north for their annual pilgrimage and those from the east who'd been across the top. I didn't stay in Exmouth or go further north as the cost of parks is over the top. Maybe others are finding the same. No one likes to be ripped off that badly. There are still lots of vans on the move down here in the SW so I think the figures are way out. NH
Over here in the West, we usually travel long distances to get anywhere
The folks from the East, also travel a long distance to get over here
Sometimes it is easier to plan the trip, knowing that you will be by-passing most of the caravan parks, as you can use the money saved, to put fuel in the tank
or is it that Tassie is such a magic spot the figures are true and numbers are indeed up, that many caravans and campers here at times if there was any more we may sink
cheers
blaze
I also wonder if the last few years figures have been bumped up by the mining boom as well - lots of miners were struggling on getting accommodation at that time.
I go along with Cadpete..if the accommodation figures include motels and hotels, then WA will have crashed due to the mining downturn.
Many hotels and motels that charged the earth are now doing amazing prices to keep their doors open
In the tourist hot spots like Broome, Exmouth and Margaret River, many CPs and motels still attempt to charge premium rates, but most are being forced down to get the punters so thet can cover their overheads. Hopefully we will see upgrades to some pretty ordinary and dingy places, especially the CPs and more attention to customer service rather than the "take or leave it attitude" many had in the past
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
Talking to a local fisherman at Greens last Wednesday. He'd just done the West Coast and was totally unimpresed with cost of everything particularly $38 for very average parks. I'm busting to go but everyone tells me to be prepared for extra costs compared to the East Coast. However, The East Coast can be expensive if you don't choose wisely.
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GRANDPARENTS & GRANDCHILDREN GET ON SO WELL TOGETHER BECAUSE THEY HAVE A COMMON ENEMY
