Told to Take a Hike
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
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 Comments or suggestions? Email us at [email protected] September 2, 2011 the Grey Nomad Times Characters of the Road Nomads in Brief Roo ruckus A 94-year-old Queens- Picnics in paradise are land woman had to defend herself with a broom after being attacked by a giant red tough to beat - Rosey kangaroo recently. The buck Meet 65-year-old Rosey bounded into Phyllis John- son’s Charleville yard as she (aka Gerty Dancer) was hanging out the washing, from Canberra knocked her to the ground and kicked her several times. Why does your current rig suit your lifestyle? Camping for chartity My partner and I travel in a BIG4 Holiday Parks is hold- Prado VX 120 series diesel ing a charity ‘Camp and Care’ auto, towing a Jayco Discovery night at a range of parks pop-top. The caravan is light across the country on Friday, enough to be easy to tow, yet November 11. Everyone can large enough to be comfortable camp for a flat fee of $20 per and quick to set up. site. The cash will then be do- Rosey and partner love life on the open road. nated to a local person, group Where do you like to camp? Scariest moment? or organisation in need. We like to camp in National Favourite place in Australia? Mr ‘Dancer’ had a heart attack Parks for the peaceful environ- Wherever we are at the time Champagne moment while we were tent-camping, often becomes our favourite ment when possible, but bush- The Visitor Information He didn’t realise what was place. A few special ones have camps and caravan parks are Centre in Alice Springs has wrong as he only had a sore been ... camping in the Simp- fine and we enjoy the variety. welcomed its three millionth arm, until I took him to hospi- son Desert (in a tent), Cape In colder weather we choose to tourist … and they are grey tal the next day. Seeing him in Tribulation FNQ, Karijini NP, stay in caravan parks so we can nomads! Julie and David hospital surrounded by doc- WA, Arthur River in Tas, Orm- use the heater. Chester-Master from Bris- tors, was a very scary moment, iston Gorge in NT, Crowdy bane were greeted by realising how serious it could Bay in NSW, Buchan Caves in Likes/dislikes of the lifestyle? streamers, bubbly and cake have been. Vic the list goes on and on ... The feeling of independence to celebrate the milestone. and freedom of choice, as well Favourite on-the–road meal? as relief from work (or volun- On-the-road hobbies? Tent terror Our lunches are special, they Sight-seeing, bushwalking, teer) commitments at home. Five campers were taken to are almost always picnics, and birdwatching, photography, However, on longer trips, we hospital with suspected car- while they might be simple reading, and of course the miss our friends and family, bon monoxide poisoning in sandwiches and fruit, we’ve internet and our forum! although we keep in touch. England. The family went to eaten in some awesome places, sleep with the barbecue still such as in Kings Canyon, on a What would you do different? What have you learned? smouldering in their tent and lookout in the Bungles, Palm We might have timed it We’ve learned to pace ourselves were lucky to survive. Fire- Valley, beside waterfalls, up differently to be at popular and plan rest days regularly. fighters in Cornwall warned hills and in secret valleys. Fa- places when they would be less We are also considering down- that any item that produces vourite happy hour drinks are crowded. And we might have sizing our home which will heat or vapours can cause a sweet white wine ... only one brought a few different things, allow greater freedom from carbon monoxide poisoning. home-maintenance. glass a day though. and left a few things at home. GRAB A CUPPA AND TEST YOUR GREY MATTA Find The Phrase Do You Know You shouldn’t need a clue for this one! 1. Which highway followed a golden opportunity? 2. Where don’t brave people stop on the Oodnadatta track? 3. What is the best bay in Tassie for breakfast? 4. What is the tallest waterfall in Australia? 5. Three states are around which corner? (Answers on page 5) 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.