The true bush camper takes nothing more than the average motorist (and is less likely to be leaving rubbish lying around).
Parking areas, rest areas and
public toilets are all provided for the travelling public. Those from other
places use them in my town, and we use them in other towns, regardless of our mode of transport. Just because we carry our bed with us, we are still road users and travellers like anyone else on the roads.
Increasing numbers of travellers may put pressure on some key locations, but in reality there is a huge area of Australia where remote
camping can be enjoyed.
Towns have saved themselves from becoming ghost towns by attracting travelling with free or low cost serviced
camp ground. These towns have thrived where others have died. It is all a marketing strategy. These are principally in rural areas which have suffered from years of droughts and poor farming economies.
St Helens in Tasmania is a wonderful example of a town embracing the tourist by offering lovely free campgrounds along prime beach land. These are enjoyed by tourists and holidaying Tasmanians alike.
St Helens is a busy town in tourist season. Campgrounds provide a pit
toilet on site; with
water, hot showers and
dump point all available free in town.
Caravan
park proprietors who complain free camps are depriving themselves of customers are reading it all wrong. These campers were never were going to be his customers. It is a bit like me seeing people using the public drinking fountain in the
park – and starting a milk bar nearby. When I don’t get customers I demand that council charge for the
water at the fountain to make it fair. They still don’t come and buy my milkshakes.
I think it was in
Bingara (apologies if I have remembered the wrong town) that the caravan
park complained about the
free camping along the river. Council decided that he was just one business, and that without the free campers, the hotel, shops and fuel outlets would miss out on so much trade that comes to the town because of the
camping. The town’s popularity increases.
Education is the key – all travellers must learn not to drop litter or
camp indefinitely on a time limited
parking area – but I think I am dreaming. With increasing numbers, there can still be room for all.