Time to Roam Magazine Issue 11 - October/November 2014 | Page 12

| letters feedback FREE CAMPING CRITIC OUT OF TOUCH I read the article quoting Richard Davis from the SA Caravan Parks Association earlier in the year and I would argue strongly that he is way out of touch with the actual situation. Many of the small towns would not survive financially if they did not attract caravans to stop and it is either the local council, the Rotary Club or community that are proactive in providing facilities for travellers. These include dump points in some parks and roadside rest areas. A example of this is Home Hill in Queensland where the shop owners and the council welcome free camping as they know how much money the campers spend in the town of fuel, groceries and other goods. There are many other examples in each state that we have visited. We have travelled approximately 40,000km in the past two years doing a mix of free camping, National Parks, station stays and caravan parks. The biggest disappointments have been with the poor quality of facilities and extremely small sites at a few caravan parks, in addition having to book a minimum number of nights to stay when you really don’t want to. Mr Davis has to remember that it was caravan parks that refused to take big rigs as they took up too much room! Caravan parks have also increased the number of cabins at the expense of powered and unpowered sites. Arthur and his rig at Ravenshoe in QLD. He says it’s a free camping area at the Railway Museum. A $10 donation gets you toilets and a shower, but it can get muddy after rain. Mr Davis needs to realise also that Caravan Parks are part of a broader industry where the developments in recreational vehicles is far in advance of many caravan park facilities. Our van is off road and equipped with full - Caravan - 4WD - Touring - Camping Ÿ Batteries & Chargers Ÿ Panels & Portable Kits Solar Ÿ Caravan & 4WD Awnings Ÿ Caravan & 4WD Fridges Ÿ Spotlights, Lightbars LEDs, Ÿ Satellites & TVs Ÿ Controls & UHFs Cruise Visit our onsite workshop for product installation. Mention this ad and receive 10% off your next install ensuite which really encourages us to go further outback for longer along with the many thousands of others we have chatted to along the way. Arthur Doddrell, Warragul VIC ALL NEW RTM WEBSITE Buy your caravanning, marine and RV gear online. • Over 4,000 products online and ex stock • New products, latest specials and promotions • Store locator • Safe and secure ordering Subscribe now to get your FREE copy 2015 CATAL OGUE COMIN G SOON ! NAME: ADDRESS: EMAIL: Send to: Road Tech Marine Catalogue PO Box 7172, Silverwater DC, NSW 1811 Email: [email protected] Fax: [phone] TTR 1300 964 264 www.roadtechmarine.com.au TTR 12 timetoroam.com.au