Please leave the free places for those who need them

You know it's funny my parents worked hard all their lives, they became self funded retires.

They went out and bought a new cruiser and a new off road van, they did this so as they could enjoy their twilight years, they have travelled around the country for the past 10 years now having a ball.

Guess what they still pay tax, so I believe they can park their big flash van and car where ever they dam well please, by the way they don't think the world owes them a living.

Are you serious? Hey Cobber..........this might be a good example of a troll......I hope?

I did type an answer, then decided it wasn't worth it.

We too are pensioners, and also like to free/bush camp where practical.
We also like company at those places and do not mind what financial status those people are as usually they are like minded.
All of us are entitled to bush camp as far as I am concerned.
My sentiments are as by John Williamson

Gday,
I dont think anyone likes to see someone doing it tough mate, but to assume everyone who has a "big flash van and car" is loaded with cash and should fork out money every where they go is a bit rough.

Nothing like a bit of class warfare. After Julia and Wayne have finished playing with super, many will be camping alongside Briggo.

Beating up on the wrong things here....
There is plenty of space in this country for everyone to 'free camp'.
The fact that too few of those places are available to everyone, irrespective of their financial state is the issue.
We should put more effort into addressing that.

www.freechoicecamps.com.au

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome

Hi Briggo,

Firstly there is nothing wrong with someone who has done well for themselves, lets not tall poppie bash here, I think I've done well for myself but really im just another glorified shitkicker.

Secondly,I like to free camp and have found that Travelling stock routes the most common place I camp but the Government seems to be hell bent on selling them.

Cheers Wilko

Smoke, Drink, Parity and on the Dole during one's work period of life and no big rig but want to own all the free camps. Mmmmmmmmmmmm. I hope you are not one Briggo!

Briggo
Experience tells me that some folk will get into difficult financial situations through misfortune, poor health and other adversity, if that is your case then I genuinely feel for you and your family. Sometimes life puts up barriers wherever we turn and no matter what we do, nothing good seems to come our way.
If however, you have wasted opportunities, or you squandered your income, then I would be less understanding. I am a fortunate retiree who is doing OK, but I should not need to make apologies for that. Although I have a big rig and sometimes take advantage of free camp areas for a number of reasons, including financial, I would be loathe to give up a spot and go to the next caravan park [and pay] just to help someone else who is less fortunate than myself. Similar to many others I have paid a lot of tax along the way and [happily], I have never had a cent from Centre link and expect it may be a little while before I do. Like other respondents, I would be one of the first to offer a feed and a beer to someone doing it tough, however I would not ever want to give a dime to any person that would spend it on drugs, alcohol or gambling. Sitting round a caravan park day in day out would be depressing indeed, unless you are suffering a physical disability, perhaps the Caravan park will allow you to cut out some rent in return for some work around the park or cleaning the ablutions [I have done those jobs myself in the past], this might generate $300 a fortnight tax free for you. I doubt the Park owner is greedy, rather he/she is in all probability just trying to get a return on his/her investment, and that is imperative in a sustainable economy. I wish you better luck and good health.
Bob

If original posting was genuine, then I sympathise with Briggo. Not very keen on his attitude though. I think I have pretty nice set up but like to think I've worked bloody hard for it. So being despised by others because of it, isn't in the Aussie Spirit either!
I agree with the person, (can't read back as need to get out the door), that expanding free camping etc should be addressed and that's where the real issue lays.
So for my own tangent, we have friends that need to use caravan parks so when we are with them, so do we. I'd like to ask all the grey Nomads that stay at sites for weeks and weeks at a time, filling them up, not to do it, and give others a chance that have a limited window to visit!!! LOL

I can sympathise with your problems Briggo, but I think you are blaming the wrong people for them.
If more people free-camped, the caravan parks might be forced to lower their rates to attract patrons. It is demand for places that is allowing them to put their fees up.

Another angle that hasn't been given much attention here is this:
There are numerous free-camping areas set up by shires and councils to enable travellers (rich or poor) to safely stop in reasonable safety and comfort for a night or two. There is often a maximum time limit (eg 48 or 72 hours), so that true travellers (rich or poor) can count on having somewhere to pull over and enjoy the company (and safety in numbers) of fellow itinerants over a glass of good wine (if you're rich) or cup of tea (if you're not).
Problem is, so many of these spots are being hogged for weeks (or months?) at a time by "semi-permanents" or "permanents" (rich or poor), taking up far more space than an itinerant would, hanging out their washing, and generally claiming the place as their own. Unfortunately they are allowed to remain there, either due to poor policing and enforcing by the relevant authorities, or out of sympathy by them for the "offenders'" situation.
All I can say is:
(a) these campers are taking away from the intended purpose of these spots, to the detriment of real travellers.
(b) if I ever find myself in the situation of having to free-camp long term (and believe me it could happen), I'll find myself a spot in the bush somewhere that won't affect anyone else.

briggo has confirmed his Troll status by not bothering to come back and participate any further in his thread.

TROLL !!

briggo might not have done to well through life but he sure won't go hungry,

What a tremendous fisherman. Great catch using such little bait.

WELL, what can I say, I too am a pensioner and have also fought for this country and also volunteered for a lot of the Emergency Services (and still do) I also travel in my I am "so sorry to say, a modest Offroader and 4WD" because I LOVE this country. I would love to hear from you re your living habits, IE, smoking drinking etc, (wild women etc)
if you are going to get on the forum and make a statement please do us all a favour and give us a bit of background so we can make a full judgement. I question at the beginning as to why you need a 4.4kva generator???? Also have you thought that some of these so called big flash vans etc are probably all these people have in their lives and God knows how many are suffering from some terminal illness and this is their chance to have some Quality of Life.
I really don't think you should use this Forum to vent your spleen on those that you dont know about. You know they may be worse off than you,,,,, yes I have met some and I wish them well that they can finish the Final TRIP.

I know of places that look after those that have served and are prepared to lend a hand,

so please do not begrudge us that have as little as you but just get on with life and enjoy them whats travel good ole OZ
MUZ

Well, all I gots to say is after my two days in a very noisy caravan park I thank God I have the choice to park somewhere else for free away from the noise.

Dirt

A most interesting thread with lots of intelligent and thoughtful input. there is also views expressed which convey the impression that ' I am better than you because I don't rely on a pension to live', 'my rig is bigger and better than yours' and ' if you can't afford to stay in a CP you should'nt be cluttering up my space'. What crappy attitudes some people have. In my traveling/camping world, the real world, where we pull our trousers on 1 leg at a time and wipe our lips with the back of our hand, there is room for almost anyone who wants to be there. I say almost anyone because We don't care if your in an 'old' caravan being towed by an 'old' car, or if you are in a $300k U beaut. If you are clean and tidy you can camp next to us no worries. If you are a grubby bugger I promise you you will not be there for long. For those of you responsible, stop denigrating and belittling our fellow travelers who are not as fortunate as others. I'm not advocating any special treatment for the less fortunate but at least give them a fair bloody go. Cheers.

Good Luck to you Briggo.
I hope that, in the last of your Autumn years, life is kind to you.

gorden_adel you want to spend a little time getting your facts right gumflapper.. I advocated nothing of the sort. And fisho 50 1/2 or something, with your attitude a round of drinks for ALL your mates would leave you plenty of change out of $5.