Debunking camp costs
Far North sites stack up to rest
CARAVANNING authorities have poured cold water on claims Far North caravan parks and camp grounds charge exorbitant amounts for sites.
Some interstate travellers have told the Cairns Post that the rising cost of caravan parks in the Far North is pushing the choice of accommodation out of the reach of grey nomads surviving on pensions.
But caravan park owners, such as Fishery Falls Holiday Park owner David Butteriss, said campers and caravanners who chose to stay at free recreation reserves like Greenpatch south of Gordonvale were killing his business.
But Caravanning Queensland general manager Michelle Weston said caravan parks often charged a bit more in peak season just like hotels and airlines.
“Every area is slightly different. At the moment parks in North Queensland are very popular because it is freezing cold in Victoria,” she said.
“The rates at parks tend to be seasonal. Most caravan parks would gladly put their rates down but they have to cover their costs and caravan parks have to comply with a large number of regulations so that all adds to their expenses.”
She said the drive tourism market was a massive contributor to the economy particularly in regional Queensland.
“Caravan parks contribute significantly to the local economy through wages and hiring local companies when doing capital works, Ms Weston said.
“I believe at this time of year Cairns parks are at their fullest, but it would be unusual they were so full they couldn’t fit anyone in.”
Highway Wanderers motorhome club member Bill Brady said grey nomads did not usually need the facilities caravan parks offered.
“We spend tens of thousands of dollars in the towns we visit, we’re not freeloaders,” he said. “We just want a bare paddock where the council says we can stay legally. Sites like that are required everywhere and especially up here at this time of year when there is an excess of people.”