Free camping trial Bunbury WA

Tony Bev · Guru

Free camping trial Bunbury WA

kiwijims · Guru

Hi Tony, great news about the free rest areas in Bunbury,

I've been checking out the sites on Google, one thing that I noticed was the lack of shopping centres near any of the rest areas,

As a choice, I would say that Ocean Drive near Scott st would be my choice, being a local lad, what do you think of this area ?

Or, do you prefer another site with better services ?

K.J.

vicillities

Tony Bev · Guru

Hi kiwijims

Ocean Drive, near Scott Street, will probably have the best Ocean view, and there are toilets nearby, but not sure if open at night time

Wyalup Rocky Point, near Symmons Street, is probably the closest to the town

Walk down Symmons Street, past the Lord Forest Hotel, and on the corner of Symmons and Victoria Street, is Bucks Diner

I can recommend the fish and chips, or the beef burger with chips, as I have not tasted better
Cheap and filling food, tea/coffee/cool drink comes with the meal, very crowded, and noisy, but I go as often as allowed

Victoria Street is noted for its eating places, so plenty to choose from

The best place to park, (for an hour or so shopping), with a motorhome/caravan, is at the tourist info centre, not far from the supermarket and shops

Some people do say to be aware of the Maidens area, but in all honesty, I do not have troubles, wherever I go

Hopefully the map below, will give an idea of the area

Bunbury camping.png

kiwijims · Guru

Thanks for that very helpful information, Tony,

I hope to be down that way for a bit of fishing, Salmon that is probably early next year.

Cheers Jim

JeffRae · Guru

Just so everyone is aware. You can't just pull in and stay for 48 hours.
You need to obtain a permit from the Bunbury Visitor Centre before you can stay overnight.

kiwijims · Guru

JeffRae wrote:
Just so everyone is aware. You can't just pull in and stay for 48 hours.
You need to obtain a permit from the Bunbury Visitor Centre before you can stay overnight.

Yep you are right JeffRae, They haven't said what you can do if you arrive after the Visitor Centre has shut,

I suppose one will have to go to a Caravan Park,

Why anyone has to get a Permit to stop there has got me !!

K.J.

Aussie1 · Guru

Hi Kiwijims,

Could be that they need a form signed to confirm your "self containment'. We came across that at a couple of near town free camp locations in Queensland some time back.

As an aside I would ad that Bunbury over recent years has done some really terrific enhancements to their town to make it a very pleasant place to visit. Especially around the Koombanna Bay area. Full credit to those responsible.

kiwijims · Guru

Aussie1 wrote:
Hi Kiwijims,

Could be that they need a form signed to confirm your "self containment'. We came across that at a couple of near town free camp locations in Queensland some time back.

As an aside I would ad that Bunbury over recent years has done some really terrific enhancements to their town to make it a very pleasant place to visit. Especially around the Koombanna Bay area. Full credit to those responsible.

Well, that's a new one on me, In all our travels all over this big country, I've never been asked to sign anything to say that we were self contained,

I still don't see the need for it as the City of Bunbury say that the areas will be policed, ( by Rangers I presume )

Now one would think , if they see any "Catch Cans' or water coming from únder caravans, that would be a sure thing that the Caravan isn't self contained, therefore they should be moved on or fined.

Some of these Councils just love red tape and paperwork. but praise to them for thinking of the travelling Public,

That is one reason we have very rarely stopped in Bunbury, we have been to the beach front car parks and often thought it would be a great place to camp for a couple of days, now it looks like our dream might come true.

K.J.

Aussie1 · Guru

Hi again KJ,

I certainly don't disagree with you re the logic etc.

I have now recalled the last place we encountered such a requirement. It was Hughenden in QLD. (show grounds) It was a "declaration" that had to be signed at the Visitor Centre. I recall it was "policed" as well. Just had a look at their web site and the rules are still mentioned on that. Cheers.

JeffRae · Guru

When you get here, don't be put off by the parking meters. There is a minimum 2 hours free parking before payment is due

kiwijims · Guru

JeffRae wrote:
When you get here, don't be put off by the parking meters. There is a minimum 2 hours free parking before payment is due

Well hopefully they will pull out those Parking metres, otherwise there will be a lot of door banging all night......

I'm just going to the loo Dear.... O.K. hubby, better take some more money for the meter, every hour Ya know !!! LOL

K.J.

Tony Bev · Guru

I believe that the two hour free parking, is only at the supermarket car park, which is not far from the tourist info place
The main reason for this (gift of two hours free parking), is that all the other supermarkets in the Bunbury area, are free parking

I have never seen a caravan/motorhome, in that supermarket car park
I think that if they did get a space, they would be boxed in for the day

That is why I suggested the designated caravan parking area, at the tourist info place
If you want somewhere to park, while doing shopping, or site seeing, in that area

JeffRae · Guru

Link concerning parking

www.bunbury.wa.gov.au/pdf/Community/Parking%20Map%202017.pdf

Whether it suits you requirements, up to you

Cheers

kiwijims · Guru

JeffRae wrote:
Link concerning parking

www.bunbury.wa.gov.au/pdf/Community/Parking%20Map%202017.pdf

Whether it suits you requirements, up to you

Cheers

Something wrong with that link JeffRae, all I get is ....404 not found ???

K.J.

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

Try this - www.bunbury.wa.gov.au/pdf/Community/Parking%20Map%202017.pdf

Cheers - John

iana · Guru

Went and checked out the sites, and spoke to staff at the information center. The sites are existing car parks, and are only suitable for campervans and medium sized motor homes. You can get permission to park a caravan/tug combination there, straddling the parks, but it would have to be a small rig. So not really suitable for caravans.

Tony Bev · Guru

rockylizard wrote:
Gday...
Try this - www.bunbury.wa.gov.au/pdf/Community/Parking%20Map%202017.pdf
Cheers - John

Thanks for that link, John (rockylizard)

I learned something new today

I learned that I am a slow learner "LOL"

I was not aware that there was more than one free car park, in the Bunbury CBC area

I have probably been putting coins into the meter, and throwing the ticket onto the dash

I do not usually go to the centre of town, due to the parking meters, as there is still plenty of shopping areas, without parking meters

Tony Bev · Guru

iana wrote:
Went and checked out the sites, and spoke to staff at the information center. The sites are existing car parks, and are only suitable for campervans and medium sized motor homes. You can get permission to park a caravan/tug combination there, straddling the parks, but it would have to be a small rig. So not really suitable for caravans.

Hi Ian

Are we talking about

Not putting a caravan in the (free for a few hours) car parks, (where you would probably get boxed in), or:-

Not putting a caravan in the free trial camping areas

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

We stopped on coast car park over night . Easy in motorhome. Parked up around sunset . Often moved location so it doesnt seem we are camped . No awning out etc . Its much the same up the WA coast . You learn what you can get away with . Keeping area clean even if its not yours ! Ive often picked up rubbish so rangers cant say it was ours .,

iana · Guru

We checked out the three 48hr parks along Ocean drive, all existing car parks, and are not suitable for a caravan and tug rig.

Tony Bev · Guru

JeffRae wrote:
Link concerning parking

www.bunbury.wa.gov.au/pdf/Community/Parking%20Map%202017.pdf

Whether it suits you requirements, up to you

Cheers

Hi Jeff

Your link still does not work, but rockylizard has kindly put one up for us all

Was down town yesterday, and yes there is now plenty of (a few hours) free parking, just make sure that you display the ticket

Also to stop any confusion, the original (few hours) free parking, at the Counterpoint Supermarket
One of the yellow coloured Visitor/Shopper car parks in rockylizard map
I could not find a ticket machine, another shopper said that they rely on a camera, to make sure that you do not park for more than the three hours

So to try and avoid any confusion, for the future travellers to Bunbury CBD area
If there is a ticket machine, press for a free ticket before you put in your coins, and display the ticket

If you can not see a ticket machine, then make sure that no other vehicles, have displayed a ticket

Hope that this is useful information, to future visitors

Tony Bev · Guru

iana wrote:
We checked out the three 48hr parks along Ocean drive, all existing car parks, and are not suitable for a caravan and tug rig.

Hi Ian

I was down town yesterday

I spotted a caravan and tug at Wyalup Rocky Point, near Symmons Street
He was just outside the official car park, in one of the two longish pull in bays, he was undecided if he would stay the night

Not sure if the longish pull in bays, are official overnight parking
I estimate that they could each take, two caravan car combos

Also there is a toilet, with what looks like a cold water shower
There was a large padlock hooked onto the door, so I assume that the toilets are closed at night time

JeffRae · Guru

Thanks for fixing the link, been out of range for a few days