Tuesday, Nov 25, 2003 at 18:04
Yes hooray!!! My two cents worth...
Firstly, freedom of choice in camping/caravanning accommodation options. Recognise that not all campers want the same type of facilities. Some prefer bare bones camping with few if any facilities whilst others want everything (eg. 5 star facilities,
pool,
camp kitchen etc). With a trend by many caravan parks towards "resort" style accommodation it is becoming increasingly difficult for those of us who prefer self-sufficient, casual style of camping to find this type of accommodation in popular areas. Believe it or not, some of us prefer a natural, undeveloped camping environment to a flashy, sterile, manicured lawn type
camping area.
Secondly, with the rising popularity of caravanning and camping many parks are full to overflowing much of the time. Campsites are getting smaller and smaller. Also, nothing worse than being in a tent or campertrailer sandwiched between caravans or cabins. Give us room to breath pleaassseee!
Many caravan parks have a proliferation of permanent residents. I HATE having to
camp side by side permanent set-ups. Why not set aside area's for each.
Please give us more
bush camping options whether it be on crown/council land,
reserves or national parks. Don't fall under the misconception that those of us who prefer
bush camping are cheap-skates. Whilst for some, free or cheap camping is the difference between staying
home or getting out there, for many of us it is a matter of choice not necessity. Whatever, we all contribute to some degree to local economies.
Regarding camping in
reserves and NP's, get rid of those damn pine bollards that restrict access to
camp sites. It's about time NP's and to some degree councils actually opened their eyes and recognised the major trend in camping to vehicular-based camping and campertrailers, both of which are left out in the cold under the current bollard policy.
Improving road side stops would be another positive step. Some now have
toilet facilities and a few picnic tables which is great but what I'm talking about is more basic than that. Too many roadside stops are just off the shoulder of the road and are quite daunting with trucks and cars whizzing by at high speed, especially if you've got kids with you who are anxious to spread their legs after being couped up in the car. Please plan
rest area's and stopovers that are
well off the road and if possible, where there is a shady tree or two. A nice
rest area will also encourage people to stop and stop for longer so surely there are positive safetly issues that will come from this too. And, if you're going to provide
bins and loo's please maintain them. Too many
rest area's are developed to this degree and then not maintained to the point that the loo's are filthy and rubbish is blowing around everywhere to the point many of us will bypass them instead of stopping.
Finally, why not develop more
heritage and/or 4WD type trails where possible. I think this would be particularly beneficial to small rural regions that could
well pick-up some tourist dollars if they set out to attract the rapidly expanding 4WD fraternity. Many of these rural regions have plenty of historical and natural interest as
well as existing networks of tracks and trails that could be opened to travellers. A region that bucks the trend of restricting access and locking up vast tracks of countryside will stand to benefit as the camping fraternity look for alternatives.
Finger's crossed that having asked for input, Mr Best and his political counterparts actually listen.
:o) Melissa
AnswerID:
38415
Follow Up By: Member - Bob L - Tuesday, Nov 25, 2003 at 23:18
Tuesday, Nov 25, 2003 at 23:18
Melissa
I agree 100%, very
well said.
When I finally get to Tassie I'd hate to be cooped up in commercial sites.
Cheers
Bob L.
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27942
Follow Up By: Member - Wim (Bris) - Wednesday, Nov 26, 2003 at 09:30
Wednesday, Nov 26, 2003 at 09:30
Melissa.
Saved me a lot of keyboard work. We are planning a trip to Tasi for one summer not to far away but it will not happen if we cannot take (and use) our camper.
A cynic may dismiss the MP's approach but there may be money in it for the state and votes in it for the MP.
As more & more Australians holiday at
home, ALL states need to look at ALL facilities available for local tourism.
All the best for the holidays.This 4WD stuff is addictive,
time consuming & expensive.
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27972