Your thoughts required re FREE ACCOMODATION.

Dave.
The camping at the south east part of lake Ayre is free, donations for the RFDS can be left in a box there. The campsite gets a lot of use, wether that is because its free or because thats the only one in the area is hard to say but it is a winner. If you do set up a free site it will take a while for the word to get around but if its good you will get people planning to stay there for sure. A box for donations would be in order and I for one would donate. Eric.

Dave,

I think this would be a gerat idea enourage those travelling through to stop a night or two. Be careful though, you might want to set a limit. Isn't there another town west of Roma that has a similar arrangment - Aramak? Not sure of the spelling.

Peter

Mitchell in Queensland used to offer the first night free camping in the Council Caravan Park and even the self contained units were free for one night. The idea behind this is that travellers may stay a second night or more. We have stopped there for a couple of days and used the spa facilities and had an enjoyable stay. Further north Aramac also has such an idea but the facilities were rather rudimentary. If travellers stop in a town they will spend money in that town somewhere, that is the bonus for the town. There are lots of other free campimg area in Queensland especially along the Burnett Highway close to towns.

If you know there is free camping available then you would most likely make that town a scheduled stop on your journey.

Free accom may work... Free showers, and stuff for people who are in the middle of it all..

But I think its people plan their trips to see "THE BIG" things.. So if your in between 2 of them, or a days drive, they wont stop no matter what. You need to have a UFO landing, or BigFoot, or like that island on the news, they have a DINOSAUR on the loose, people are already flocking there...

Maybe naked women serving drinks, or dinner?

Shame really I'd stop there... I like the places away from the crowds, people bleep me too easy, and I dont really trust many people...

My first thoughts would be that if a town has to offer free accomodation to attract you then it's probably not worth visiting in the first place. No such thing as a free lunch. I'd be suspicious and probably head on to the next town and pay but I am a tad cynical.

free accom would have us stopping to take a closer look for sure Dave!

I would stop providing the facilities are clean and practical - ie I use a tent so I would need soil that will 'accept' a tent peg. A toilet - and shower would be nice - doesn't have to have hot water.
If your town is close to a 'big' attraction I may prefer to stop, and be away from 'the maddening crowd!'
If travelling long distances we generally try to travel at a relaxed pace, and look for somewhere to stop around 4 o'clock.

Dave Q , sounds good I read recently that the shire of Dundas WA was looking at ways of getting more 4wd visitor to there area with new tracks and other facilities maybe they would be worth talking to and find out what ideas they have also .

Dave,

I can imagine this is a big problem for a small town to tackle. Years ago I used to operate my own business. You have to treat the town as "your own business". I found the best way to get work for "my own business" was to...... ADVERTISE But of course you have to have something to advertise about. You said you have Opal mining close by and Fishing and Sheep Shearing. I would look at these things or something a little different to attract people to your place.
At the end of the day you must advertise, advertise and advertise again. My experience is that this is not a short term exercise, you will spend lots of money on advertising and it will be for little gain ...Initially, but eventually you will start to WIN, I assume the Council will be putting up the money, if so they will of course need to agree to a long term committment. If you do this, hit the big cities in the print media this is where the disposable incomes are. Its no good advertising locally just because it's cheap. Let me give you an example... I tuned into the local South Coast (of Sydney) T.V. station just the other day ," Prime" I think it was. The commercial that came on was "visit the south coast, come to our lovely beaches" They were only advertising to the "locals", sure they were picking up the Sydney fringe area ,but they should have place the ad in the Sydney area, Do you get my drift Dave??
Anyway I know I'm rabbiting on but I thought it may be of some interest.

Best of luck

Jeff

Dave.
If its the 4wd & outback travellers you are looking to attract, then maybe sites like this one may be a good place to start.
A range of accommodation may be required. Caravan park style in town, bush camper out of town. Day trips in the area may be of interest.
Free does not normaly do it for us.
Find your target group and concentrate on them.

All the Best

How about having a 'secure camping area' ie passes issued to drivers to enter and exit or similar like carparks in town, would be good to have secure area to leave vehicle and especially trailers while visitors enjoy the local 'daytrip' areas etc. combined with free accom deals or meal deals at local establidhments. Saw an ad for a pub that offered secure parking for people staying - it got my attention straight away, as i've had stuff knicked too many times before.(sad fact of modern society). Market as a 'base' stop for people and have local attractions / meals packages.