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21 Apr 2012 | Community bus service? Organised tours? RV repair businesses? What would encourage you to stay in remote Qld regions for more than a stopover?

QUEENSLAND'S REGIONAL TOWNS want you.

Back in May last year I blogged about the work opportunities in regional areas for grey nomads, but local tourism associations and industry organisations realise there are plenty of travellers who just want to holiday. These bodies are keen to help you enjoy yourself – and spend a few dollars – in their neck of the woods.

BRINGING VISITORS TO QLD

Last year the Qld Tourism Industry Council commissioned research on ways to attract travellers to regional areas, and to encourage them to linger longer. The information was then collected by Savannah Way Limited, who organised touring market workshops in 11 centres across Outback Qld, Townsville and Tropical North Qld. In each workshop, local tourism stakeholders identified their area’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats when it came to attracting RV travellers and encouraging them to extend their stay.

Interestingly, no two locations identified exactly the same issues, indicating that each region probably has something special and different to offer travellers.

HOW TO ATTRACT TOURISTS

A few of the ideas which came from the workshops included free bus services from camping areas to the town centre, pubs or clubs; more organised tours; development of walking and self-drive trails; better promotion of attractions, activities and experiences (such as bird-watching, cattle station stays, fossicking); establishment of businesses dedicated to RV/caravan repairs; improved telecommunication coverage; development of local hospitality and tourism skills; establishment of links with surrounding regions and improving local businesses' understanding of the real value of RV tourism.

In other words these often-small communities are keen to welcome RV travellers and do all they can to ensure you have an enjoyable and hassle-free stay – preferably for more than just a night or two.

By the way, one issue which is dear to the heart of many readers and which came up at a number of the workshops was the development and management of free or low cost campsites and caravan parks.

So let's discuss: what would get you to visit and stay longer in these towns in regional Qld – or any state for that matter? What would justify the extra time, hours spent behind the wheel, and dollars spent on fuel to reach these more remote locations?

Have your say below and I’ll ensure the link is passed on to the people at Savannah Way Limited.

You can check the research and other relevant documents at www.savannahway.com.au/research.html.

WORDS AND PICS Steve Farmer
Comments (25)
Comment by Unknown
posted 1 year ago
What about a nominal fee charged by the council say $10 a night which is then redeemable at the local businesses like the hotel,the servo, or even the butcher.

Norm
Comment by Unknown
posted 1 year ago
what would get you to visit and stay longer in these towns in regional Qld – or any state for that matter?

I'm interested in the local history - there is always a local hero or larrikin who can be publicised for an area. If not, some local geographical or geological slant to publicise. Find that angle for your community and it will help keep people like me around longer, following the story.
(Man from Snowy river for Corryong, Capt Thunderbolt for Uralla, Waltzing Matilda for Winton, QANTAS for Cloncurry and Longreach....

Cheap accomodation or free-camping (hate that term) with flushing toilets because that will keep the missus on longer. Paddys Creek near Tumbarumba is one example where they can do it.

We had a group of three caravans from Brisbane, staying on the banks of the Murray, free camping near Jingelic for the Easter week. The ranger came around and handed out a newspaper for the local area, the local Lions rep handed out a brochere for a flea market at the local winery. Our freecamp resulted in the purchase of six meals, in excess of a case of local wine, local nuts, local bread and milk for a week, half a tank of fuel, too many sherbets at the local, fresh vegetables.
We had just returned from two months in tasmania where the local wine and produce was far too expensive ($38 local wine vs $6.99 South Australian proven reds). All the talk at camps and caravan parks in Tassie was how they were shooting themselves in the foot with excessive charges. We were from Brisbane, not New York or Paris. Another example, a glass of red on the gordon river cruise $9 - a glass of red at Le Mans, France 90 cents.

We, as others have said, want to support locals. we could afford it in rural Victoria but not in Tasmania.

Kel
Comment by Unknown
posted 1 year ago
what would get you to visit and stay longer in these towns in regional Qld – or any state for that matter?

I'm interested in the local history - there is always a local hero or larrikin who can be publicised for an area. If not, some local geographical or geological slant to publicise. Find that angle for your community and it will help keep people like me around longer, following the story.
(Man from Snowy river for Corryong, Capt Thunderbolt for Uralla, Waltzing Matilda for Winton, QANTAS for Cloncurry and Longreach....

Cheap accomodation or free-camping (hate that term) with flushing toilets because that will keep the missus on longer. Paddys Creek near Tumbarumba is one example where they can do it.

We had a group of three caravans from Brisbane, staying on the banks of the Murray, free camping near Jingelic for the Easter week. The ranger came around and handed out a newspaper for the local area, the local Lions rep handed out a brochere for a flea market at the local winery. Our freecamp resulted in the purchase of six meals, in excess of a case of local wine, local nuts, local bread and milk for a week, half a tank of fuel, too many sherbets at the local, fresh vegetables.
We had just returned from two months in tasmania where the local wine and produce was far too expensive ($38 local wine vs $6.99 South Australian proven reds). All the talk at camps and caravan parks in Tassie was how they were shooting themselves in the foot with excessive charges. We were from Brisbane, not New York or Paris. Another example, a glass of red on the gordon river cruise $9 - a glass of red at Le Mans, France 90 cents.

We, as others have said, want to support locals. we could afford it in rural Victoria but not in Tasmania.

Kel
Comment by Unknown
posted 1 year ago
I agree with most on this site that "Free" camping is the paramount requirement. As a self funded retiree I cannot afford the resort fees that are being charged at most parks - Honesty boxes for donations and charges for power, water, etc are the way to attract more travellers.
Additionally, Council officers and police need to have regular "patrols" to move on the moochers and "feral's" that squat in these areas with no regard for property and cleanliness of camps in general.
Boquets to Wagga Reional Council for their excellent facilities at North Wagga and Uranquinty.Also, the excellent grounds at Jujiong make one get some supplies at the local shop and pay the extra few cents at the fuel pump to fill up as a small thank you to the community.
Collin
Comment by Unknown
posted 1 year ago
I can see similarities between the small country town I moved to (from Sydney) and the Qld regions. A wise old local businessman (accommodation operator) in my adopted town suggested the following to me, though the local council and tourism authorities rejected his suggestions as being "too simple". Who is right?
1) provide modern, clean toilet facilities with signage so tourists can find them (don't all travellers discuss the clean/dirty facilities they visited? We all have to go, and a scathing report will ensure I won't go near the place in question)
2) a tourist information centre with helpful staff who can tell me about the regional attractions.
3) the accommodation providers need to be reminded that we the tourists want to visit regional attractions. In your brochures don't tell us about your swiming pool, what attractions are nearby?

regards, another Alan
Comment by Unknown
posted 1 year ago
because some of us have lost a lot in the rip off our super in gfc.
I like the idea of clean.cheap.free camping areas. then u can spend a bit cash in the local area.No-one objects to paying a couple of dollars for power and water, but grey nomads don't need the resorts or there resort fees.

An area with natural attractions, which are reasonably easy to get to. Perhaps some 4wd tracks.
Comment by Unknown
posted 1 year ago
A pleasant place to stay at low cost, with the following available somewhere close:- clean toilets, good water, rubbish bins, fireplaces, a shop for the groceries and essential supplies, a fuel & gas outlet, laundry facilities (could be a wash machine at the servo),a friendly pub or club serving good meals at reasonable cost (and offering a hot shower for a fee), walking trails, scenic or interesting points of interest to visit, local history information, and most importantly - friendly locals willing to have a yarn.
Comment by Unknown
posted 1 year ago
free or low cost camp areas. Alot of nomads just don't want swimming pools, jumping castles, mini golf and all those things. We just need space to park the van and use of ammenities. low cost bus into town would be good so as to visit shops, have a drink or meal out, and not have to worry about finding our way around.
Comment by Unknown
posted 1 year ago
My wife and I have been travelling this great country for 6 years now. We love doing it for its uniquness and I can not believe that you are interfering and looking to change it.Leave it alone or a lot of us may lose interest and stay home with our money.We only have so much to spend,so do not try to get more from us.It seems strange that Qld tourism was not interested in caravanners before the GFC hit because OS visitors had more to spend.
David and Marg
Victoria
Comment by Unknown
posted 1 year ago
Free or low cost campsites well away from highways & rail lines, suitable for caravans. Timestay limitations applied.

Water/river bank access.

Small camp cooking or sitting around fires allowed, bringing own wood if necessary.

Dump point

Station stays, possibly with opportunities to contribute to activities or even volunteer work in liu of campsite payment.

Local history centes, self guided trails for walking or driving.

Information centres that offer more than just paid advertising.

Potable water available for purchase if necessary to fill van tanks.

Don't need power, playgrounds, swimming pools, rec rooms, games centres, jumping castles etc.
Comment by Unknown
posted 1 year ago
We are travelling up to Qld for a 3 month holiday next week and are intentionally visiting and staying in small rural communities. We find that the smaller towns have cheaper or free caravan parks that we prefer, as we are looking for low cost but also quietness and being closer to nature. They are often friendlier too. We travel on a budget so the less we spend on accomodation the more we can spend on sightseeing, etc.
Comment by Unknown
posted 1 year ago
There's a little town in WA called Donnybrook. It's not exactly remote like some places we've lived in but it's memorable. The reason I'm telling you about it is because we're a frugal family. We hardly spend money or travel anywhere more than necessary. But we've been out of our way to go back to Donnybrook three times now.The reason? There's this huge free playground with forty different pieces of playground equipment and free BBQ's. We normally wouldn't travel 150 kms for a free playground and picnic but this one is worth the trip. And we usually end up spending $40 on coffee and icecreams in town as well - we're a large family. The other place we like is more remote and just out of Leonora W.A. (it's called Gwalia). There's a bunch of walkthrough shanties and sheds from the goldrush years - old dunnies, a shed covered in numberplates and lots of other relics from yesteryear. Again no charge to look in all the shanties - everythings's displayed and family friendly - if someone drops an ancient iron or rusty kettle they don't get growled at - things can be touched without fear. Both places are attractive to us because they are incredibly relaxing for parents. They can let their kids use up surplus energy without upsetting anyone :)
Comment by Unknown
posted 1 year ago
Some so-called regional areas aren't that far off the main highway and most have points of interest. Ideally the attractions and experiences should be different or unique to the area.
Comment by Unknown
posted 1 year ago
We have found areas of rural Queensland that encouraged us to stay by providing low cost camping, with amenities nearby for those who need them. Blackall and Isisford are just two that spring to mind. Being farmers and suffering badly from drought (WA), when able to travel we seek out towns that need us and invite us in. When practical and needed, we buy fuel, do shopping, and visit tourist attractions.

At Isisford, a traveller we were talking to in the street said he was off to pay for yet another week “At $9 per week you can’t beat that”. He had been there for four weeks, and no doubt in that time would have patronised local businesses.

At Longreach we utilised the free camp on the Thomson River, and whilst staying not only saw the various attractions, we had our vehicle serviced, caravan brakes replaced, purchased other items for maintenance, filled with fuel and did our shopping whilst in this larger centre.

Enjoyable experiences in rural towns have been enhanced when a member of the community comes – either to collect the low fee, or if free, just to welcome us and talk. These chats enrich our knowledge of the area and our enjoyment of the stay.

If you have a shop, attracting the customer through the door is essential; no sales at all if you don’t. Once potential customer has entered the store it is up to the shop staff and each department to use their sales pitch. It is no different with visitors to towns. Attract the customers into your town then encourage them to stay with low cost or special offers. Only then can you promote what you have. To benefit from these visitors, allow more than one or two days in a free or low cost camp.

Motherhen
Comment by Unknown
posted 1 year ago
Michelle from ExplorOz.com here....

I think you'll find that people who don't stop for LONGER than a few days are in search of a remote place for their longer stops. "Towns" by their very definition are a gathering place for people, services, and conveniences. The purpose for some travellers is to spend as much time AWAY from conveniences as possible so for them, there is a requirement to stop in "towns" simply to resupply, and use basic coveniences but then they wish to get moving again.

Another point to consider, is that many people enjoy being on the go, travelling from point to point. To them its the "journey" not the destination that is the appeal.

From my experience reading our audience's comments for the past 12 year on ExplorOz.com, it would seem that you've already covered some excellent suggestions to improve the services in towns in your list in this article and I would applaud this approach, however to expect stays of longer than 1-2 days is not going to happen unless people have set that particular town as their destination. And as I've already said, this would conflict with the mindset of most "remote" travellers/campers.

I don't see that you can have it both ways. There are always going to be tourists that specially come to visit a town. But there will always be those that pass through, regardless of how attractive you try to make their services and facilities. For some people, more improvement can spoil the adventure and the soul of a place.

On ExplorOz.com we have a large community of people whose aim it is to get away from "it all". To be fully self-sufficient for a few weeks and to come to down to resupply. So from their perspective, there is nothing you can do to make a town more appealing because the more popular it gets with tourists, the less appealing it is to those tourists trying to get away to a quieter place.

Just thought I'd share this viewpoint.
You're welcome to contact me at ExplorOz.com for further insights.
email: info@exploroz.com
Comment by Unknown
posted 1 year ago
Dedicated parking areas for big rigs in towns with clear directions to these would encourage me to stay longer.
Comment by Unknown
posted 1 year ago
Clean low cost caravan parks would keep people in parks longer and have spare funds to spend around town
Comment by Unknown
posted 1 year ago
The provision of overnight rest areas with water and toilet facilities between major centres would be welcome.
Comment by Unknown
posted 1 year ago
The things that keep us in a town/district when we have the time are: price of staying there, attitude and knowledge level of caravan park and information centre staff, cleanliness of facilities and what there is to do at what cost.
Comment by Unknown
posted 1 year ago
Cheaper van park fees for sure, clearer signs for toilets,better parking for car & van in town, we enjoy bush walking, bird watching, good directions for same,friendly people too
Comment by Unknown
posted 1 year ago
I love going to outback Qld because the serenity and friendly people I think that more toilets and cheaper or free camps attract more people . To give example Julia creek has a lovely caravan park and friendly people and free camp near creek and the council and info centre should be congratulated for the customer service.Towns will benefit because people shop and spend money on fuel.Also attractions if any even places of interest.
Comment by Unknown
posted 1 year ago
The less money spent on staying in expensive parks, more can be spent at towns visited. Travellers do not need expensive chalets etc. Dump points are important.
Comment by Unknown
posted 1 year ago
i would like to stay on a out back cattle station with my caravan with power and water!!!!! available
a maybe a muster .we live for 6 months trip around oz on ist may for hervey bay ,
allen richardson 0400040622 email; avr1@live.com.au
.
Comment by Unknown
posted 1 year ago
i would like to stay on a out back cattle station with my caravan with power and water!!!!! available
a mybe a muster
Comment by Unknown
posted 1 year ago
I feel the provision of clean/cheap/free camping areas. No-one objects to paying a couple of dollars for power and water, but grey nomads don't need the "holiday park" resort fees.

An area would need some natural attractions, which are reasonably easy to get to. Perhaps some of the stations could set up 4wd tracks of varying difficulty.

Alan

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