too popular

beaul · Veteran Member

too popular

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Only if you confine yourself to the popular and well trodden paths.
Cheers,
Peter

Whenarewethere · Guru

Recently drove to Perth, Cape Leeuwin, Mississippi Hill, Poison Creek, Kalgoorlie, Laverton, Uluru, Lambert Centre, Oodnadatta, Lake Eyre North, Blinman, then back to Sydney.

On the whole blonde nomads everywhere including a 1 year old at Lambert Centre.

You are probably traveling in the wrong area.

bgt · Guru

15 years ago 'free camping' was the realm of a small percentage of RVers. Caravan parks dictated terms and laws were restrictive. Then thanks to organizations such as the CMCA lobbying opened up 'free camping' sites and the RV Friendly Towns. Caravan parks lost their political grip in many areas. Caravan parks imploaded and buried RV sites under cabins. So with the growth in RV's and the loss of sites in caravan parks RV's have to go somewhere. That somewhere is the 'free' sites. But we now see the over crowding of 'free' sites and something has to give. I can see trouble on the horizon. And that trouble is us. The rest area full of RV's at night and no room for trucks will bite us all in the proverbial.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Theres plenty of places to free camp ! But if theres no room ? Move on ., Some like to camp where theres others ? Just be considerate ! Some just have no idea. !! They may bugger it up !

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

bgt wrote:
15 years ago 'free camping' was the realm of a small percentage of RVers. Caravan parks dictated terms and laws were restrictive. Then thanks to organizations such as the CMCA lobbying opened up 'free camping' sites and the RV Friendly Towns. Caravan parks lost their political grip in many areas. Caravan parks imploaded and buried RV sites under cabins. So with the growth in RV's and the loss of sites in caravan parks RV's have to go somewhere. That somewhere is the 'free' sites. But we now see the over crowding of 'free' sites and something has to give. I can see trouble on the horizon. And that trouble is us. The rest area full of RV's at night and no room for trucks will bite us all in the proverbial.

In my experience there are less places to free camp now than there used to be 15 years ago.

Many places that were free now have a cost because of the excess popularity of them.

Cheers,

Peter

Aussie1 · Guru

It is my view that as time goes on and (if) there is less access to "free" camps, I believe there will be an increase in punters just finding somewhere that suits them and will "create" their own free camp. I have noticed this on quite a few occasions recently. Problem (shame) being it will probably create another issue, ie rubbish and black water disposal, because it could be a case of "out of sight, out of mind". Just my opinion.

Whenarewethere · Guru

Over 3 months we stayed in a hotel 4 nights on Perth & National Parks a similar number & 1 night in a caravan park, other than that we free camped. We were by ourselves pretty much every night.

This year we did even bother to use wikicamps, last year we gave up using it due to all the rubbish.

People have lost the ability to thing for themselves. A bit of physical searching while driving. Keeping your eyes open after not too long you acquire the skills of spotting places to stay & more often than not really good spots.

50 metres from main road but having a car only does make it easier. The second photo could have stayed there a week & not see anyone & 100 metres from the road!

Look out the window & not at the screen!

Whenarewethere · Guru

Aussie1 wrote:
It is my view that as time goes on and (if) there is less access to "free" camps, I believe there will be an increase in punters just finding somewhere that suits them and will "create" their own free camp. I have noticed this on quite a few occasions recently. Problem (shame) being it will probably create another issue, ie rubbish and black water disposal, because it could be a case of "out of sight, out of mind". Just my opinion.

That's why we always walk 100 metres & use a spade. Not difficult stuff!

Tony Bev · Guru

Hi beaul
You ask
Is the Grey nomad concept becoming too popular

In my opinion, the Grey Nomads have probably always been there, or thereabouts, but there are now more of us driving around the countryside, so we are probably more visible

At a recent country western type music show, (Nambung, in Western Australia)

There were over 600 Recreation Vehicles, (Camping Trailers/Wizz Bangs/Caravans/Motor Homes), etc

I observed that over 95% of the people, would have been over, or close to, the retirement age

As the baby boomers, have now started retiring, then the law of averages probably says, that there will be more Grey Nomad type travellers, on the road

Aussie1 · Guru

Whenarewethere wrote:
Aussie1 wrote:
It is my view that as time goes on and (if) there is less access to "free" camps, I believe there will be an increase in punters just finding somewhere that suits them and will "create" their own free camp. I have noticed this on quite a few occasions recently. Problem (shame) being it will probably create another issue, ie rubbish and black water disposal, because it could be a case of "out of sight, out of mind". Just my opinion.
That's why we always walk 100 metres & use a spade. Not difficult stuff!

Good to hear Permalink. However , Sadly I suspect not all are as conscientious as your good self.

Whenarewethere · Guru

Unfortunately too many white roses out there, I doubt these people do the same thing on their lounge room floor!

sandsmere · Guru

Aussie1 wrote:
It is my view that as time goes on and (if) there is less access to "free" camps, I believe there will be an increase in punters just finding somewhere that suits them and will "create" their own free camp. I have noticed this on quite a few occasions recently. Problem (shame) being it will probably create another issue, ie rubbish and black water disposal, because it could be a case of "out of sight, out of mind". Just my opinion.

We have been those

' finding somewhere that suits them" couple for 8 years now and don't leave rubbish and black water anywhere.

1e. we do a lot of camping where others don't go.

bgt · Guru

I need to clarify my 'free' camp statement. 15+ years ago there were very few 'official' free camp sites. (Free means out of a caravan parks etc. Not free as in $0.00). 'Official' means with the consent of the authorities. Yes years ago folks camped here and there. Mostly ilegally but authorities turned a blind eye. That has changed. Now there are many 'free' areas that have been approved by the various authorities. And yes there are many non official sites. Back in 2000 very few caravans had toilets let alone holding tanks. That has also changed. No new caravan parks have been built for many years. So the pressure was on to cater to the changes in RVers demands. The demand has exploded. And the authorities have responded mostly in a positive way. The issue becomes a problem when demand out strips supply. And I believe we are at that point. Compounding the issue is the 1% of knuckleheads that have the potential to bugger it up for the rest of us. If we make sure we aren't one of the 1% we should be OK.

PetenSue · Veteran Member

We usually only free camp. If you want to camp in the popular free camps and be crowded out in my opinion you might as well book into a caravan park. Youre really only doing it to save money. My version of free camping is to camp somewhere by yourself( or at least not crowded). As I said in a previous thread I know quite a few lovely free places to camp in western QLD, some of them merely a few minutes drive from the crowds. But no Im not advertising them. A way of finding uncrowded spots is to be friendly to local businesses as you shop and just ask. We found a wonderful place to camp on a river north of Julia Creek one trip just because Sue asked the local butcher did he know anywhere to camp away from the throng of caravanners. He gave her directions to a place and we were the ONLY ones there for four days. Plenty of great spots to camp without the crowds. Just got to put the feelers out ! Regards Pete

dabbler · Guru

In the not too distant past, National Parks were free to camp as where State Forests. Some of the now heavily used free camps, in Qld at least, were always used by the travelling public. I now rarely use some of my older preferred sites as they have been expanded to accommodate larger numbers (as someone has said, more people = more travellers). While a few sites have closed, by and large I think there are more opportunities. You can still find great camp sites with a degree if solitude or at least no crowding *if* you think about your route. Three big trips this year, about 180 days on the road and only about a dozen or so where I was within 50m of another traveller (3 of those were in NP with non-designated campsites, 2 were Qld TMR rest areas and 1 was in a community provided campground. Too popular ? Not really, just as popular as ever but with larger numbers.