Thank you for your comments Goldfinger. I asked for comments and expected a mix.
Towns like Streaky Bay make money from the travellers in a lot of ways. I was only permitted two nights at $10 we arrived in the afternoon had one day to spend in town and had to leave due to the 48 hour rule.
Yes they got $20 for the location and the town gained over $200 that we spent in the hotel, café, fuel, groceries etc. By forcing us to move they lost more revenue that could have been extracted from us but we were told if you want to stay longer go to the caravan park.
It is my view that they should be trying to get visitors to stay longer, not restricting them for the sake of the caravan park.
There are some town that are reversing the trend and reporting spending in the thousands per week in local businesses by providing cheep accommodation.
The town of Nhill in Victoria had a caravan club stay in the football ground and surrounding park for a weekend and did a survey of the businesses in the area afterwards and reported a spend in the order of $5000 over three days. That is the sort of money these towns need to survive.
Ron-D do the York Peninsular the council provides plenty of camps and you can purchase a permit for $5 per day and stay on the peninsula as long as you want. You even get a discount for a 30 day pass and longer.
Great positive posts Phil/Drifters....you only have to wait until the emotional steam has dissipated...and genuine two -way communication can return....good luck mates...Hoo Roo
Love the Eyre Peninsula. When we were there in 2017 some times we free camped (Fritzgerald Bay), quite often stayed in $10 (or there abouts) camps which usually had a toilet and occasionally stayed at caravan parks. Was happy with all three. Beautiful countryside and plenty to see. Would be happy to go again.
Thanks for the info folks.
re. the free camp issue. my view is that as an old pensioner wanting to see as much of our beautiful country as possible before the final bell, I would appreciate a little respect for oldies, and a little help re financing our trips. don't mind spending at our wonderful little towns especially, but must, unfortunately pay attention to budgetary matters. I think a mix of free camping with caravan park fees is not too much to ask - and, yes, we should all do our bit for environmental cleanliness - yet some folk just don't get how easy it is to do that rather than leave behind a mess and they won't behave whether there is free camping or not ...