Let’s face it; you can’t get much for free these days!
I have always been happy to go into a national park, play by the rules and pay my tiny fee for the privilege of staying overnight. There are tracks to be laid, maintenance to be done, wildlife to be protected and of course – cleaning up after some not so environmentally friendly campers.
National Parks
Out of national parks, a lot of councils allow free camping and consider it a good tourism initiative, and I think that’s fantastic. Campers need supplies, a good feed away from the old barbeque and some trinkets, t-shirts or extra camping gear, so local communities will profit from nearby camp spots.
Private Property Camping
As extra income, property owners are starting to open up to campers and charge nominal rates for services offered, the better the facilities the higher the rate, and I reckon that’s fair.
Caravan Parks
In regards to caravan parks, I’ve heard the number of parks are declining and some owners are upgrading facilities to keep up with the Joneses and attract new clients.
Nowadays it’s not uncommon to come across jumping castles, super duper camp kitchens and piping hot showers. But, prices are rising to cover these new family-friendly additions – so is this fair and reasonable?
What is a reasonable price for camping? Photo: Harry Fisher
Well, here’s where the discussion starts, so please join in.
I look at a more expensive holiday overseas or interstate trip with the family and compare costs to camping and caravanning. We consider the cost of food in a resort and compare it to what we can cook ourselves. I also compare the family time I can enjoy as kids ride bikes, go fishing, or read a book.
A caravan park might raise its prices (let’s hope not a lot), but you’re going to get better facilities and spend quality time with your family. If you don’t like the rise you can always go camping, find a free camp spot, national park or private property, there are always options and it’s usually only for a few relatively cheap weeks a year.
But here’s the big issue, the retirees or folks that have taken time out for the “big lap”.
- Let’s say $40 average a night in a caravan park
- Multiply by 7 = $280 a week
- Multiply x 52 weeks = $14,560 a year.
Sure you’re are not paying directly for water, electricity, council rates etc. But a lot of grey and not so grey travellers can’t afford this, so cheaper alternatives must be found.
I just hope councils and caravan parks look at the big picture and support all travellers together. A caravan park or free campsite? I think there’s room and a need for both.
What is your preference when it comes to finding the perfect location for a family getaway?
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I think always same problem a every countries. Camping fees and qualities of campings. I wish you happy trips by caravan.
I personally prefer to camp in the bush. I don’t need power, hot showers or flushing toilets. Every 3rd night or so I will roll into a town to stock up and setup in a caravan park for a night or two. I will happily pay the $30 for an unpowered site, park my 4wd in my designated bay and line up for a hot shower.
The only future possibility that worries me is that all national parks and wilderness area’s which I love to camp will become just like caravan parks and charge similarly for facilities I don’t need. Until then I will remain happy with $7 a night for my patch of dirt and a pit dunny 🙂
I am with you there Alex, the serenity of the bush beats the noise and false lighting of a caravan park any day, but there is nothing like a nice hot shower when it becomes available.
Agreed Alex and Ben, but as Alex mentioned, I can see a time when things will change (it’s starting already). Enjoy while you can!