Edition 226 (June 26, 2020)

the Issue 226: Times June 26, 2020 In this issue: •Toll charges refunded ... for some •Will visitors flock to Kaniva? •Water anywhere Masses will be camping All systems go! – GNT readers Most borders are still on track Well, it seems that grey to open next month ... and nomads are getting used to grey nomads are ready! the idea of having plenty of company out there on the The sudden spike in corona- open road. virus cases in a number of A recent GNT survey on Melbourne suburbs has given the issue showed that a quite a few grey nomads the whopping 95% of respond- jitters. ents felt that camping and Just when Australia looked caravanning would be more like it was really getting on top popular than ever as we of the virus and borders were about to start opening, the out- emerge from the Covid-19 break appeared to threaten the lockdown. unexpectedly bright outlook “All forms of domestic for travellers. travel will become more However, following the recent Packing up and heading out ... many nomads are on the move popular while the interna- National Cabinet meeting, tional borders are closed,” Prime Minister, Scott Mor- to sign a statutory declaration shown just how volatile the Jim K said. “I think a lot of rison indicated everything was saying where they have just situation is and many nomads people will rediscover the still on track. come from. are understandably cautious simple pleasures that life He said he expected most NSW Premier Gladys Be- about getting back ‘out there’. has to offer … like having a borders to re-open in July as rejiklian has ruled out clos- However, it appears that cara- picnic by a creek or having a previously outlined, although ing the state’s borders, while van parks, camping areas, local chat around a campfire and people from several Melbourne Queensland is still scheduled businesses, and travellers are contemplating how insignif- hotspots may be excluded. to re-open its borders on July all adapting well to the ‘new icant we are in the scheme “There will be outbreaks … 10 … although that is subject reality’ of life on the road and of the universe.” to continuous review. South social distancing, hygiene – what matters is the response,” Frank M agreed there would Australia is already open to and a sense of humour – are all Mr Morrison said. “As you see be more campers … but he visitors from WA, Queensland, on prominent display. the response on the ground, wasn’t too excited about it. that is a reassurance to Aus- Tasmania, and the NT, and is All the indications are that set to re-open to the rest of the travellers are once again being “Unfortunately, that will tralians all around the country also mean more lowlifes that we can deal with this, and country on July 20. warmly welcomed in regional leaving their mess for we will continue to deal with Tasmanian Premier, Peter communities across the coun- everyone else to clean up this.” Gutwein, has now indicated try. Indeed, Trade and Tourism before we can set up camp,” The NT border will still open the island state’s borders will Minister Simon Birmingham to the rest of Australia on July re-open on July 24 … unless recently went so far as to say he said. 17, but anyone coming from the public health advice is that Australians had a ‘patriotic Christopher P was a little a hotspot will be required to they shouldn’t. duty’ to hit the road to help more upbeat. self-quarantine for 14 days in a WA, however, is standing firm towns that have been battered “I, for one, can’t wait,” he regional centre before entering and has yet to reveal a border by the bushfires and Covid-19. enthused. “C’mon!” the Territory. re-opening schedule. Duty calls! Travellers to the NT will have The Victorian ‘spike’ has again Click to comment Click to comment Page 1 Your news and views? Email us at [email protected] the Issue 226: Times June 26, 2020 State of excitement Victorians Phil and Lorraine have got their fingers crossed ... and they’re ready to roll While hopes are still high that state and territory borders will start to re-open in the next few weeks, the spike in Covid-19 cases in Victoria has cast a bit of a shadow over Australia’s virus-fighting success. Of course, no one is watching the situation more closely than those grey nomads based in the Garden State. Phil and Lorraine Gracey, who live about an hour outside of Melbourne, are keeping their fingers crossed and consoling Phil and Lorraine (left) have had to change themselves with the fact there their plans. Before the lockdown, they are some stunning spots not so enjoyed their camping trips in Western very far from home. Victoria and South Australia “The latest spike in Victorian Covid cases is a real disap- pointment,” said Phil. “I think farmers’ markets and I enjoy non-starter for 2020. that the shutdown had pushed we may have to stay in Victoria the museums.” While that still may not hap- them to the wall,” said Phil. “I for a while but there are some Before the virus put the pen, the couple admit they was struck by how quiet the wonderful places here … and handbrake on tourism, Phil were pleasantly surprised smaller towns were, and a lot we will keep on dreaming of remembers the country towns when the Victorian Govern- of shops were closed with little the Queensland sunshine.” they visited as ‘vibrant places’ ment announced a few weeks traffic in the main streets.” The couple bought a 20-year- with busy shopping strips. ago that camping was allowed He said they received a mixed old 21’ Evernew caravan when “The locals were very friendly again. They wasted no time reception from people in the they retired 12 months ago and and helpful,” he said. “We were in planning a short trip along shops, with some very wel- tow it with a 2003 Prado. accepted as part of the grey the silo art trail despite some coming but a few others just They were just getting into the nomad community in the concerns that ‘local communi- keen to get them out the door. swing of the vanning lifestyle towns, and we enjoyed many ties might not be happy to see “The bigger towns along the when the pandemic struck. friendly chats with local people caravans back in town so soon’. Murray River were busy and “Just before the lockdown we and had the occasional beer The Graceys found it to be tourist operators were getting did a trip to western Victoria with them.” an ‘unusual trip’ with caravan back in the swing of things,” and onto South Australia and When the lockdown forced parks manned by skeleton staff said Phil. “I was amazed by the the Yorke Peninsula,” said Phil. Phil and Lorraine to put their and a lot of uncertainty about number of caravans we saw “We love visiting small towns van into storage, they felt social distancing rules. along the Murray … and it cer- and we try to avoid the larger sure their planned half lap of “The park owners were tainly looked like things were cities … Lorraine enjoys look- Australia via Queensland and relieved to see some caravans getting back to normal.” ing at country Op shops and the Northern Territory was a back and a couple of them said Click to comment Page 2 Your news and views? Email us at [email protected] the Issue 226: Times June 26, 2020 Toll relief (for some!) NSW Government succumbs to grey nomad power and offers rebates to caravanners After a massive backlash against the ‘streamlining’ of a toll system which saw caravans and motorhomes being charged the same as heavy vehicles on some Sydney roads, the New South Wales Govern- ment has been forced to back down … sort of. When the GNT first highlight- ed the changes implemented by toll operator, Transurban, it sparked a storm of protest Caravanners were baffled when they had to pay the same as Class B vehicles like B-doubles from enraged readers … and it only snowballed from there. Back in August, Transurban Late last year, a spokesperson and he was keen to remove the option is always available,” she – which has investments in told the GNT: “The NSW ‘barrier’ to travel. told the GNT. major Sydney routes such as Government is not planning “I was disappointed to learn Unsurprisingly, some grey the M2, M7, M5, the Lane to change vehicle classification drivers towing caravans and nomads aren’t impressed. Cove Tunnel, and the East- dimensions …. alternative toll- other trailers were slugged the Queenslanders Ian and Tracy ern Distributor – decided to free routes remain available for same toll as a B-double,” he Ninness recently paid more consolidate its classification motorists who would prefer said. “This scheme is about di- than $95 to tow their van on settings across all of its roads. not pay a toll.” rectly addressing the concerns roads around Sydney. Vehicles more than 12.5 metres However, the pressure eventu- of those drivers and making “I heard that rebates were in length or more than 2.8 ally paid off. The NSW Gov- sure it remains affordable for being paid to caravanners but, metres in height were suddenly ernment has just announced them to get around Sydney.” when I got on to the website, I categorised as Class B vehi- that NSW residents who tow However, it seems as though found it was only for NSW- cles.

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