Your news and views? Email us at [email protected] September 2, 2011 the Grey Nomad Times In this issue: •Satphone prices plunge •Meet our GN character •A laughing matter Grey nomad Park ‘developers’ gold diggers eye pay dirt told to take a hike There’s gold in them thar The Victorian government hills and the soaring value of looks set to reject persistent the precious metal has sent and growing calls to allow grey nomads hunting for it more private development in like never before. the state’s magnificent national Many find the on-the-road parks … at least for now. lifestyle perfectly suited to Proposals put forward by gem fossicking and gold business groups included boat prospecting … and metal cruises at Wilsons Promontory, detectors don’t take up much new hotel accommodation at space in the van. Point Nepean, and privately Like many former gold operated tourist walking huts rush towns, Mudgee, on the Great Ocean Walk about 250kms northwest from Apollo Bay to the Twelve of Sydney, has noticed the Apostles. influx. Prospecting supply The proposals have been the shops have seen many more Privately-owned walking huts too big a step? Pic: Tourism Vic subject of a review by the new arrivals in the past six Victorian Competition and Victoria that private develop- for such as hiking, camping, months. And it is the life- Efficiency Commission. ments should not take place cross-country skiing and fam- style as well as the potential However, Environment Min- inside national parks,” it ily day trips,” they said. “Tak- windfall that sends people ister Ryan Smith, says his goal said. “And strongly supports ing a blanket approach towards out hoping to strike it lucky. is to preserve the sanctity of the current policy that such national park development is There is a camaraderie on parks. Asked about plans to developments should occur on dangerous, as each of our parks the goldfields that only a open them to development, he private land, or low conserva- has quite different needs.” common purpose and a said: “It’s not on our agenda.’’ tion value public land, outside Victoria’s Chamber of Com- passion shared can create. He said while he wanted to see national parks.” merce and Industry had argued While some nomads still natural assets developed, that Tourism experts Associate that interstate destinations venture out with pans and didn’t mean ‘developments’. Professor Sue Beeton and Dr –such as the Bay of Fires and sift through sludge, many Rather, he said, it just meant Warwick Frost from La Trobe Cradle Mountain in Tasmania, splash out as much as $6,000 appropriate access to tracks, University said the ideas for WA’s Ningaloo Reef and South on high-tech detectors. toilet blocks, and such like. hotels, conference centres and Australia’s Kangaroo Island– Is it worth it? Well, last The Victorian National Parks wildlife cruises in Victorian had a mix of high-quality year, a solo prospector near Association welcomed the parks were not appropriate. accommodation, and that Vic- Kalgoorlie, WA unearthed Environment Minister’s com- “They are not exactly the type toria was fallling behind in the a football-sized nugget that ments. “The VNPA strongly of traditional, low-impact holi- race to attract overseas tourists. sold for over US$1 million! supports the long tradition in days national parks are known Click to comment Click to comment

September 2, 2011

- (Answers (Answers on page 5)

bon monoxide poisoning in poisoning monoxide bon to went family The England. thesleep barbecue with still and in their tent smouldering - survive. to Fire lucky were warned in Cornwall fighters produces that item any that cause can vapours or heat poisoning. monoxide carbon Roo ruckus Queens - A 94-year-old defend to had woman land after a broom with herself red a giant by being attacked buck The recently. kangaroo - John Phyllis into bounded she as Charleville yard son’s the washing, out hanging was the ground to her knocked several her kicked times. and Camping for chartity - hold is Parks Holiday BIG4 Care’ and ‘Camp a charity ing parks of a range at night Friday, the country on across can 11. Everyone November of $20 feeper flat a for camp will cash The then be do- site. a local to group person, nated in need. organisation or Champagne moment Information Visitor The has in Alice Springs Centre millionth three its welcomed grey they are … and tourist David and Julie nomads! - Bris from Chester-Master by greeted were bane cake and bubbly streamers, the milestone. celebrate to Tent terror taken to were campers Five suspected with car hospital Nomads in Brief Nomads Do You Know

opportunity? a golden followed highway 1. Which track? the Oodnadatta on stop people brave don’t 2. Where breakfast? for in Tassie the best is bay 3. What the tallest is in Australia? waterfall 4. What corner? which around are states 5. Three Favourite place in Australia? Favourite the time at are we Wherever our favourite becomes often special A few have place. ones - in the Simp been ... camping Cape Desertson (in a tent), NP, Karijini FNQ, Tribulation Orm- in Tas, River Arthur WA, Crowdy in NT, Gorge iston in Caves Buchan NSW, in Bay ... on and goes on the list Vic On-the-road hobbies? bushwalking, Sight-seeing, photography, birdwatching, the course of and reading, forum! our and internet do different? would you What timed it have might We at popular to be differently be when they places less would have might we And crowded. things, different a few brought home. at few left a things and GRAB A CUPPA AND TEST YOUR GREY MATTA Rosey and partner love life on the open road. Rosey and partner love life on the open

Scariest moment? a heart had attack ‘Dancer’ Mr tent-camping, while were we was realise what didn’t He a sore had only he as wrong - hospi him to I took until arm, Seeing him in tal day. the next doc- by surrounded hospital a very was scarytors, moment, could it serious how realising been. have meal? on-the–road Favourite special, they are Our lunches and picnics, always almost are while be they simple might fruit, we’ve and sandwiches places, awesome in some eaten a on Canyon, in Kings as such Palm in the Bungles, lookout up beside waterfalls, Valley, - in secret valleys.hills and Fa drinks are hour happy vourite one ... only wine white a sweet though. glass a day

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from Canberra

(aka Gerty Dancer)

Meet 65-year-old Rosey 65-year-old Meet

Characters of the Road of the Characters

the tough to beat - Rosey to beat tough

Picnics in paradise are in paradise Picnics Comments or suggestions? Email us at [email protected] at us Email suggestions? or Comments home-maintenance. allow greater freedom from from freedom greater allow sizing our home which will home our sizing - down also considering are We and plan rest days regularly. regularly. days rest plan and We’ve learned to pace ourselves pace learned ourselves to We’ve What have you learned? you have What although we keep in touch. keep we although miss our friends and family, family, friends and our miss However, on longer trips, we we trips, longer on However, teer) commitments at home. home. at commitments teer) - volun (or work from relief as and freedom of choice, as well well as choice, of freedom and The feeling of independence of independence feeling The Likes/dislikes the lifestyle? of use the heater. stay in caravan parks so we can so can parks we in caravan stay In colder weather we choose to we weather colder In fine and we enjoy the variety. variety. the we enjoy and fine camps and caravan parks are are parks caravan and camps ment when possible, but bush- but when possible, ment - the peaceful for environ Parks We like to camp in National in National camp to like We Where do you like to camp? like do to you Where and quick to set up. set to up. quick and large enough to be comfortable be to comfortable enough large enough to be easy to tow, yet yet be tow, to easy to enough pop-top. The caravan is light is light caravan The pop-top. auto, towing a Jayco Discovery a Jayco towing auto, Prado VX 120 seriesPrado diesel My partner and I travel in a I travel partner and My suit your lifestyle? your suit Why does your current rig does current your Why Letters to the editor? Email us at [email protected] September 2, 2011 the Grey Nomad Times Call from the wilds Subsidies help bring coverage prices have plunged to afford- example, the credits can last 24 satellite phones into the in the two able levels. Those just plan- months before expiring. With reach of grey nomads years after ning a short one-off trip into pre-paid there is no connec- buying the the wilds can choose to rent a tion fee and no minimum More grey nomads than ever phone can sat phone instead. monthly spend and calling are taking satellite phones with get a whop- As well as offering the peace of a landline is approximately them as they head off on ex- ping 50% mind of knowing help can be $1 per minute … and a bit tended trips into the Outback. rebate off summoned in case of medi- more to call mobiles. Any- A number of high-profile the purchase cal emergencies, accidents, or one with internet access can mishaps in the bush, as well price, poten- mechanical failures, sat phones send unlimited emails of 120 as falling handset prices and tially taking enable grey nomads to talk to characters to an IsatPhone Pro lower call costs have combined the cost well children and grandchildren on for free. While sat phone users to cause a serious spike in below $500. birthdays … however remote don’t pay for incoming calls demand. And the sat phone’s People who normally live in an their location. they might be wise to warn popularity is likely to grow area without mobile coverage The latest sat phones are in- the family that ringing in can yet further as more nomads receive an even more generous credibly user friendly and only be frighteningly expensive. become aware of the Federal 85% reduction. These subsi- slightly larger than the average Different telcos have differ- Government Satellite Phone dies must be applied for and mobile phone. Handsets such ent charges but it may cost as Subsidy Scheme. approved before a handset is as the newly released Inmarsat much as $20 a minute to call a The subsidy rules state that bought and the process gener- Isatphone Pro handle email, sat phone from a mobile. grey nomads and others who ally takes three or four weeks. text and GPS, and most users Click here for subsidy eligi- spend 180 days or more in Even without subsidies, many find the costs surprisingly low. bility criteria. areas outside mobile phone travellers are finding sat phone With the pre-paid option, for Click here to comment

Dear Editor, Lawn Hill, Burketown, Kur- of maintenance and upkeep, as it and it finds the nearest TV Just received the first edition of rumba, Cooktown and down well as opposition from park transmitter to your location the Grey Nomad Times. Very to Innisfail where we are pres- operators. We, as travellers, and points towards it. There impressed. Keep up the good ently enjoying the warm days must however do our part, is a listing of the channels work. Thanks. fishing, boating, walking and respecting the facilities and that are serviced by that site, Ross meeting great folks. leaving them clean and tidy, the power they run and the Brian and Suzie making gold coin donations polarisation. What else do you Dear Editor, where requested, staying need? Just go to iTunes apps You have brought a smile and Dear Editor, only the permitted time, and and download. It’s that simple a laugh to us as we travel down My wife and I retired a few spending our money in their and very easy to use. the east coast of this fantastic years ago and follow the sun community. To do otherwise Brian country we are honoured to north each year. We have met will result in an eventual loss (Anyone else got great apps to call our home. This is only our some amazing fellow travel- of facilities, thus increasing the share? - Ed) second trip around Aus- lers and friendly locals, and cost of following our lifestyle. tralia, having travelled for four experienced some beautiful Tim and Colleen months over winter in WA and unique sights. We have Dear Editor, last year. This year we visited found that, where possible, free Dear Editor, Thank you for the newsletter! I our daughter and her husband camping is the most reward- I notice you had an article would love with all my heart to at ‘Tinderry’, a station about ing social aspect of caravan- in the Grey Nomad Times on become a grey nomad but fear 300kms south west of Quilpie, ning. We must appreciate iPads. A great free iPad app is to hit the road alone. Are there Queensland. The grandkids the progressively minded Antenna Mate which helps you any other single people who sure do grow up fast in the communities which permit locate the nearest TV trans- feel like this? Outback! Our travels have and subsidise free camping mitter to where you stop. Just Prudence taken us from Beechworth, facilities and not take them for the thing when it’s “Home and (Check out the Solos pages of through NSW on to The Isa, granted. They suffer the impost Away” time. You simply launch our website forum. – Ed) September 2, 2011

on

with your your with There’s still time! There’s still Make us laugh and drive off in a luxury rig email us here The prize includes: - a lux of hire days Seven consecutive ury motorhome KEA campervan or - Springs/Bris Adelaide/Alice from/to bane/Cairns/Darwin/Melbourne/ Sydney/Perth. • Back-to-base rental equipment • Living fee • Cleaning pack information travel • Free driver additional • Free full of insurance • Inclusive assistance roadside • Nationwide line help free-phone and blackout availability, to Subject school and over holidays dates Christmas. apply. conditions and KEA terms 31, 2012. August to Valid There is just one more week more one just is There close for entries before go to - story compe funny great our Times Nomad TheGrey tition. readers the lucky offering is win a KEA deluxe to chance motorhome campervan or and ... week entire an for judge our make can if you be could you. it laugh, campervans of range KEA’s include motorhomes and 2-berth 4WD campers, and 4-berth as well 6-berthas and they and luxury motorhomes, unforgettable an all guarantee experience. The sen- travel also prize includes sational free and kilometres unlimited insurance. win, to chance your For funny on-the-road stories in stories on-the-road funny A selec less. - or 150 words printed is entries early of tion All entries this page. on (AEST) midnight by received 9 will September be on read Today Travel judge, our by his and Jones, Steve editor will beverdict announced Times in the Grey Nomad stories 16. More September will also be printed. Paul

Douglas (Wombat 280) Douglas (Wombat wife took a bucket and started and a bucket took wife the A loo us. near out clean to “It’s said: walkedlady in and the cleaned time you about My a disgrace.” they are toilets, also was a camper she said wife the dirty and of toilets, sick they a good had laugh. Runaway inflation - crab go to I like and mate My a I have 14-footer. in my bing board everyonerule on that all at jacket a life wear must set we off times. On this day - over-en our with the river up traps crab homemade gineered 8kg each. in about weighing my secret spot, our to Getting the launch to up stands mate It was side. the over trap first through sailing the trap with all with a the the air grace of infla- the manual that swan jacket the life toggletion on in the trap. became entangled inflated jacket The Whoosh! the was there and instant in an the Michelin like looking mate know now we I suppose Man. the to toggle connected is what intended. as works it that and Vic

Nev and Bev and Nev

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Jam and Bed our on a tent took only We - Mel from Perth to trip recent when night one bourne and very was we the windy weather - com but old, a fairly hired slept We van. onsite fortable, because bags sleeping in our and supplied was linen no bed a queen had the double wife my When it! on mattress went, she out over, turned the floor jammed onto ‘bang’ and between the wardrobe was up her get to bed! Trying we eventually fun but of a lot the story some to told We did. the storyfriends preceded and park. caravan the next to us an had eventually wife My had and in Kalgoorlie X-ray elbow! in her a bone broken trip! All in all, a great Skip from the loo Eden at camping were We far was it and ago years many After park. a three-star from my toilets, clean no of a week apologise to, and console, my my console, and to, apologise shin. the sore with companion Myra

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the a very funny turn funny a very

Travel tales take tales Travel Win a Kea RV for a week ... enter the grey nomad funny story competition funny story nomad enter the grey a week ... a Kea RV for Win lizard and, of course, I had to to I had course, of and, lizard had the biggest scare me or the or me scare the biggest had of my foot. I don’t know who know I don’t foot. my of tail lizard investigating the sole investigating tail lizard shin. It turned out to be to a bob- out turned It shin. one of my companions in the companions my of one from it and accidently kicked kicked accidently and it from shot my foot out to get away away get to out foot my shot crawled in under my foot. I foot. my in under crawled down to see had to something down foot and the thong and looked looked and the thong and foot felt something go between my between go my something felt my food tilted in my thong. I thong. food in my tilted my a bush happy hour and I had I had and hour happy a bush Thong and a dance at a group with sitting were We

continued eating grass! grass! eating continued you silly buggers are!” and and are!” silly buggers you almost as if to say: “Oh, there there say: if to as almost “Oh, saw us, he looked up casually, casually, up looked he us, saw the pad eating grass. When he he When grass. the pad eating look, there was the beside bull was look, there we eventually decided a risk to eventually we couldn’t hear a thing! When When a thing! hear couldn’t gully, and waited, puffing, but puffing, waited, and gully, way!” We ran down the side down ran We way!” ahead and he’s coming this coming he’s ahead and there’s a big Brahman bull up up bull Brahman a big there’s down the gully, yelling: “Quick “Quick yelling: the gully, down but I was already running back already I was but ferociously, and spun around, around, spun and ferociously, seen! He spotted me, snorted snorted me, spotted seen! He gest Brahman bull I had ever I had bull Brahman gest - the big was me of in front rise, there on the cattle pad the cattle on rise, there Gorge in WA. As I topped the I topped As in WA. Gorge walked the length of Windjana Windjana walked the of length were on the lookout as we we as the lookout on were wild so bulls, Kimberley we We had been warned about been had about warned We Ain’t no bull Comments or suggestions? Email us at [email protected] at us Email suggestions? or Comments Want to advertise on our newsletter? Email us at [email protected] September 2, 2011 the Grey Nomad Times Wet and wonderful This issue ‘Great Drives’ of kilometres from here to the takes you from the spectacular . Coffs Coast to the The route now takes you New England tablelands to Cascade National Park and then on to Ebor where The in northern really begins when you leave most visitors take the time to was once the Pacific Highway and head explore Na- famously voted the third most inland along the route of the Dangar Falls near Dorrigo tional Park and . scenic drive in Australia which Bellinger River past green and Both the Newell and Sherrard Moving westward on this begs the question … what arable farm country. The com- Falls are worth a look as you highlight-packed journey you could top this? munity of Bellingen is packed pass by. Just before Dorrigo pass Cathedral Rock National The 191-kilometre route be- with crafty and artistic shops is the World Heritage Listed Park and its oddly shaped rock tween the Coffs Coast and the and stores ... and has a subtle Dorrigo National Park and formations. Next comes Wol- New England Tableland twists but real ‘alternative’ edge. its famed Skywalk, a timber lomombi Falls and Oxley Wild and turns its way up moun- If you are towing a van, you boardwalk that passes above Rivers National Park. tains, through villages, around need to keep your wits about the rainforest canopy. The Waterfall Way finishes at rainforests and, of course, past you as you climb towards Dor- The mountain township the beautiful, architecturally- numerous stunning waterfalls. rigo. Drivers should not stare of Dorrigo boasts a pub, a blessed university town of Ar- It’s an epic journey that could too long at the sensational fantastic bric a brac shop, and midale. It’s somehow a fitting be done in a day – but should views that appear to their the world’s smallest motorcyle place to end a truly incredible be done in weeks. right … the road is narrow museum. What else could you journey. Is it really only the From the coast, the journey and potentially treacherous. ask for? It’s also only a couple third best drive in the country?

Payback time thoughtless individuals buck when all’s said and done, why the system and spoil it for the should we have to shell out $5 Dear Jaclyn and Heidi, rest of us. National parks need after $5 for night after night I am at my wit’s end. Last week to be maintained and we must to support the national parks? I was camping at a national all pay our share. I think it is Grey nomads are on the road park up here in the Terri- far too delicate of a matter for for far longer than any other tory when I saw a couple leave you to risk confronting them traveller and so have to spend without putting in any cash in directly. A much more sens- a disproportionate amount the honesty box. I know they ible approach would be to for the parks’ upkeep. In fact, didn’t pay because there were write down their registration without us, the whole shebang only two envelopes for money number and the dates they would probably collapse and there when they arrived and stayed and pop it into the all those glorified firewood there were still two when they honesty box. Let the ranger delivery boys would be out of left! We have just pulled up at hunt them down. After all, a job. And anyway how much another national park with an fair’s fair. does it cost to clean a toilet honesty box system and they are Jaclyn once a week or so? If you feel here again. I am sure they have so bad about it, you should no intention of paying. What What a sad man you are, just put your hand in your should I do? Thomas. There you are out in pocket and pay double ... that Thomas the magnificent Northern Ter- way the National Parks service ritory at this glorious time of is happy and your little con- I understand completely how year and you choose to spend science is clear. Get yourself a torn you must feel, Thomas. your time spying on fellow hobby, Thomas! It is such a shame when two travellers. Pathetic. And, Heidi