Day 12 (last day): Road testing road tourism

The more I travel the more potential I discover for local tourism and that’s got to be a bonus for visitors on our roads. There are some tourism offices doing very well and some that leave a lot to be desired but that is another matter.

We left Eden this morning and there is no denying the attractiveness of the country side throughout the length and breadth of the NSW South Coast. So much unrealised potential and as with everything else, some do it well and others less so. 

While the journey may be scenic, I have some concerns over some parts of the Princes Highway. As had been stated by the NSW Coroner into the inquiry into the Princes Highway, “it is unforgiving” and I would caution anyone towing a van in the more mountainous areas to exercise extra care.

Tomorrow we are home and that’s when the real work will begin. Putting some sense and purpose to the information gathered on the way. I expect I will be doing a lot more work with industry people in the months ahead and I am looking forward to that.

To all those out there, who are contemplating travelling …. Do so. Don’t leave it as long as I did. “Go see Australia” and visit those country towns who rely so much on your visit. Yes, petrol costs more but go even if you have to cut a day off your trip to allow for the petrol. The cost of staying in the van parks ranged from $17 to $34 per night for a powered site. 

You can do yourself and someone else whose job relies on your holiday a favour. Go see Australia – TODAY!

Day 11: Road testing road tourism

On towards our final destination – HOME. Must admit our night in the cabin, as opposed to the van, made us realize that we are almost at the end of our trip. Not a great deal of traffic especially coaches a comment echoed from each of the visitor centres that we stop to speak to.

However we did stop to speak to a busload of pilgrims to the world youth day in Sydney at the weekend. They were travelling from Melbourne to Eden and then on to Sydney. Loved Australia, they were from the USA and very impressed with the Aussie country hospitality.

It also served to remind me that domestic tourism, especially road tourism, has many faces and each has its own unique demands. We had been mainly concentrating on the so called "grey nomads", the caravanners, but road tourism is far more than that.

We also called into to a few B&B’s and again, it is an entirely different product that requires a dedicated and specific approach Yet it is another form of road tourism.. The information centres have provided a wealth of information and we got a really beaut idea from the one at Lakes Entrance. But more of that further down the road.

Tonight we are camped at what has to be a best kept secret and as you have noticed I have refrained from naming the places we stayed at so as not to appear to be promoting one over the other. But tonight I will break that vow, as this park deserves to be mentioned. The Garden of Eden is just that (not telling more but do go and see for yourselves).

It is exceptionally well appointed, well run and absolute value for money. I would be happy to give it a five star rating. It even has provision for those travellers with pets – a very rare service.

One lady I spoke to who runs a B&B in Lakes Entrance has found the going tough, mainly because of government regulation of one form or another. The cost of compliance is killing her. She virtually gives about 20 night’s accommodation to the government before she can start making money.

These are some of the issues I am discovering and I am looking forward to putting pen to paper and getting a realistic policy up and running. There has got to be some standardisation in the industry, of that I have no doubt and I have some ideas in that direction.

I would very much encourage people to contact me with their ideas to help me frame a roads tourism policy from which every one can benefit. Speaking to people on the road has been very productive and I have been asked when I’m going to do Queensland. Well, I am looking forward to that opportunity but at this stage I can’t say when.

When I was in Sale (Victoria), the manager of the van park we stayed at was from Kiama in my electorate of Gilmore. In fact we came across quite a few people that we knew that shows that the average Aussie has the wander bug in them.

So don’t be put off by the price of petrol.

Take time out to visit this wonderful great land of ours. If you’re waiting for the price of petrol to fall, you might as well wait for hell to freeze over.

Get out now and enjoy yourself while you still can.

PHOTO top left: The historic Commonwealth Hotel in Oberon. Note the petrol price in the foreground.

PHOTO below: Speaking with New Yorkers on their way to see the Pope in Sydney.

Day 10: Road testing road tourism

Into the outskirts of the Victorian snowfields today, from Yea to Sale, from mountains to plains (again).

Yea is a town that services the snowfields and much reliant on day trippers from Melbourne in the summer months and the snow trippers in winter. So the town is fortunate in having an all year market to service.

The van park we stayed at was basic, with many long term residents. Some had been there for 40 and 20 years, with their personal gardens and add on to add ons. The shower block was unique to say the least open air ceiling all around to let the fresh air in , at least you didn’t have to worry about the mirrors fogging up , remembering of course that the outside temp was 2 degrees.

However the water was hot!!! Again we had an early start with the first stop at Alexandra where I took the opportunity to walk the town and meet some of its inhabitants. Met some local business people who echoed the concerns we had heard through NSW, SA and Vic.

It certainly is a small world met a local from Bowral and my days on the local council, and another who had retired and worked with me in Canberra.Tourism wise, it’s a very attractive part of Australia and I would encourage the day trippers to double their journey.

Stay over night or two rather than a day and help a country town. Saw a dusting of snow on the nearby peaks of the snowfields but otherwise a nice sunny morning.

From there to Healesville stopping at a number of small little towns in between, each with something to offer even if it’s only a counter lunch at the only pub in town. Heaps of photo opportunities and the driving pleasant.

We decided to head home from Pakenham, along the Princes Highway, through Moe, Traralgon with an over night stay at Sale where I will be testing a cabin. Now I know some of you sceptics will say I succumbed to an easier form of sleeping, but there was a special request to test a self contained cabin. It was quite strange taking my stuff out of the van into a cabin.

We were quite at odds about the extra space. I won with the queen bed; Wal got the bunks. Our tour seems to have generated a lot of interest from local media which is proving a worthwhile exercise to highlight industry needs.

There is a strong case being made for a national standardisation system and national accreditation of staff. Many information centres are staffed by volunteers and the quality of the service, whilst enthusiastic and friendly does need polishing.

I see some opportunities for the federal government to contribute and I will be developing these ideas in the days ahead.

Please, do the nation a favour and go see Australia.

Remember, your leisure time is probably someone’s job.

Day 9: Road testing road tourism

For the French – Happy Bastille Day today. On the way to Bendigo from Ballarat, went through a small town with an equally small shop on the highway which was showing the tricolour. As there was nothing else French around, figure it must have been a special occasion and it was.

The Caravan park at Ballarat was owned by a family of 7 brothers, They were certainly able to fill me in on what they saw the trends to be. Has our first difficulty with the Tarago and van today when we checked into the park, very wet and slippery and no traction with the Tarago to pull either backwards or forwards. Learnt a few new choice words today.

Found out today that on Saturday the temperature was minus 6.7 degrees. Locals were telling us that this weather pattern was coming back to what it usually was after many years of unseasonable hot weather.

The net effect on this was that it made the vinyl on the Jayco very hard making it difficult to fold away. Took quite a bit of effort to fold up the beds and close the extensions. Once the sun came up, it was OK but try it with cold, wet fingers – it’s quite a challenge.

Continued on our fact finding tour and what is becoming apparent is that short day trips by metropolitan drivers have not been affected. It is the long distance journey and the small towns that rely on the trade that are suffering.

The policy I am developing will have to reflect the two worlds, as well as addressing the various components that make up road tourism. Spoke at length to a bus driver who has noticed less groups chartering owing to an increase in fuel costs. It takes $450 to fill his bus every two days.

The drought continues to follow us as most of the river beds are totally dry - no wonder the farmers are doing it so tough.

Tonight we are camped at Yea on the edge of the Victorian snowfields and the air is still and chilly but a lot better than the wind chill of previous days. Victorian school children are back at school today but still there are a lot of Melburnians coming home with young children. Probably a pupil free day.

Daylesford and Castlemaine are both picturesque little towns and very busy. Quite a contrast to some of the small country towns we saw in NSW. It really is like chalk and cheese.

Thankfully the winds and rain we have had to contend with seemed to have moved on so the cold, still air is much more manageable.

The thing I appreciate most with caravanning is that I don’t have to live out of a suitcase. See there are some bonuses and if I am really lazy even the bedclothes can stay in sight.

PHOTO top left: The rest station near Castlemaine.

PHOTO below: Pulling up at the Seymour Information Centre.

Day 8: Road testing road tourism

After 7 days on the road it was time to do the laundry so we decided we would go on to Ballarat for a ‘housekeeping’ day. Last night at Colac was again very cold and I have to admit that the park owner gave us a private shower and toilet, as to use his phrase; "It might as well be used as the numbers have been so low, I asked was it the price of fuel?

Whilst it may have made some difference, he put it down to the fact that there was so little water in the lake, and the location of the park is alongside this absolutely awesome lake. I took the time to sit in the brisk morning to watch the birds on the lake.

Very distressing to see the sad state of this drought, certainly brought it home just how lucky we still are in the Shoalhaven.

Although our schedule is very tight it enables us to make many comparisons of tourism services from one part to another. Ballarat seems entirely dedicated to day trippers from Melbourne and that is yet another niche market in the domestic roads tourism industry. It constantly amazes me that the visitor centres are so hard to find in many of the places we stop.

Were we not so determined to visit them I would have said "bother this it’s too hard lets move on" But whilst having a dig at Vic roads, the local councils are to be congratulated for the way these centres are operating, we in NSW have a lot to learn from them.

We stopped at Sovereign Hill and asked the attendant whether there had been a drop in numbers. He reported that there was little change if any and every day was busy. I’m beginning to wonder whether part of the economies being made are shorter trips closer to home.

This is certainly what we are hearing from those at the parks we speak to. As an example one family parked alongside us tonight have decided to move home so that they no longer have to drive their children to school because of the extra cost.

This has implications for the tourism industry and although caravanning numbers might be down drastically, there seems a steadiness in the day trippers. What some people don’t seem to realise is the down stream effect on businesses that rely on roads tourism. It certainly has implications for regional and rural townships.

Ballarat is very impressive and the short tour we did indicated that it was business as usual for the town. I believe the make up of domestic tourism will alter as a result of the petrol crisis if it is allowed to persist.

When I think of businesses in small towns such as cafes, van parks, newsagencies, grocery shops and so on. What happens when they don’t have the money to spend on their .investments.
All I can say to those in major centres, you can help by taking a holiday in one of these towns. Even if you short time it by a day, it is important that these people continue to get your support.
And yes I did wash to van and do the laundry and make the tea and even did the ironing.

PHOTO top left: The Eureka Information Centre in Ballarat

PHOTO below: Talking tourism and caravans in Ballarat.

Day 7: Road testing road tourism

It’s often said, “it’s a small world” and today was proof of the pudding. We had gone to a small town in Western Victoria called Casterton whose claim to fame was that it was the Kelpie capital of Australia.

Each year they hold a championship event specifically geared to the Australian Kelpie. I know in a farming community such as Western Victoria, these dogs are pure gold for farmers so I can see why this event is such an important day in the calendar.

As I was going into the information centre, which was run by local volunteers and smacked of country charm, I ran into a virtual neighbour. Kath Scully who, with her husband Jim, run the IGA Supermarket in Batehaven in my electorate of Gilmore. Jim and Kath were on their way to Western Australia and frankly they were the first carvanners we had seen for a couple of days. 8 weeks on the road for them and their new van.

The lady in the information centre was charming – typical country and we were offered hot chocolate and a cake. The wind was bitter outside and the hot chocolate was a very welcome relief. I know that I wax lyrical about visitor centres, but they do play such an important part in Australian tourism.  Again it was pointed out that numbers had seriously decreased at every stop we made.

Before leaving Portland, I had a long conversation with a woman just out of the shower, who asked me what we were doing, and proceeded to tell me that she was from WA and would be on the road for two months,  just loved meeting people , she dived into her bag  and showed me the list of people she had made friends with whilst her and hubbie were staying at the van park.

I find this to be a typical story wherever we stop. We also made time to visit a nearby coastal site formed from volcanic activity that gave the appearance of petrified wood but being the effects of the lava flow. We also made time to see the huge wind turbines and generators that gave enough electricity to service 35,000 homes!!!!!!!!  Makes you wonder why we don’t have more of them especially in the Gilmore electorate (plenty of wind comes from there). Seriously, I will certainly be speaking more about this in Parliament.

Having time up our sleeves, and wanting to be spontaneous We decided that we would like to visit Port Fairy, which was a little off schedule but that’s what road tourism is all, about – VERY COLD, but met lots of visitors who came for a day trip only, travelling approx 200 kms round trip.  Our van is drawing a lot of attention and people are now coming up to us to ask what we are all about. . Tomorrow I will take a bucket and WARM water and clean our Jayco as it is almost unrecognisable with the amount of mud and dust.  Yes I know that is contradictory but we constantly pass through rain and drought almost in the same day.


Took some time today to see part of the Great Ocean road, after reading a newspaper article about how the business people feel that quote “Road crash”   “Fuel prices blamed for tourist dip”  “Tourist numbers along the great ocean road, have crashed to a 20 year low as the South West suffers from the effects of crippling fuel prices, traders claim”.  So it is not just what we are experiencing, as each visitor centre tells me the same story.

We visited Port Campbell, our next destination but as time was getting away on us, we struck out for Colac - more about that tomorrow.

Again towing the van proved effortless and so far we have had no problems. I have to remember not to touch the canvas sides of the fold down cabins when it is raining because until the canvas stabilises, water will seep in.

Thank you Jayco for the luxury of the small air conditioner in the van which has allowed us not to freeze during the night.   Have not had to turn the fridge on yet. If you intend staying at a caravan park but you are running late (as we often do) call ahead and tell them you’re coming. It’s not that they’re over booked – It’s just that you might have trouble raising them after dark.

PHOTO top left: Catching up Kath Scully of Batehaven in Casterton. 

Day 6: Road testing road tourism

Last night we camped at a place called Robe on the Limestone Coast of South Australia which, aside from 

the fierce weather we drove through to get there was a great place to stop. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

We left Gawler to head to Murray Bridge where we intended to stop for the night but had a change of plans. I’ve got to say that everything I saw in South Au

stralia was impressive. SA does tourism far better than NSW.

It took us about two hour

s of driving through gale force winds and rain along the coast road but the Jayco Van was up to the task. No real difficulties were experienced not even any distinctive sense of swaying.

We stayed at a very well appointed caravan park next to what has been described as the lakes. The van park adjoins a beautiful sandstone mansion which is a replica of the west wing of a London house built by a wealthy immigrant last century.

It is presently being used by the Youth Hostels Association people and I would imagine that in summer it would be a very popular destination.

The facilities were very clean and tidy and the two young girls running the park, were very helpful and courteous. We walked into town for dinner at a replica English Pub and it reeked with atmosphere. The huge open fireplace was a welcome refuge from the howling gale outside.

The next morning we set of to Naracoorte on the Princes Highway where the main attraction was the caves and fossils. While the town was not dependent on tourism owing to a large meat works that was the focus of the towns economy,  the shopkeepers were concerned at the drop in tourists owing to the price of petrol.  Spoke to some Japanese tourists who were travelling around Australia in a Kombi van, they had nothing but praise for the Australian hospitality.

From there to Penola in the heart of the Coonawarra wine growing district. Have to admit that we did visit Wynns Winery,  (only to check out the facilities) and to buy that odd bottle of red, for the staff back home.

Being a former tourist officer I could not help but notice the diversion of attractions within the visitors centres themselves,  such as promoting  the history of the town both as amazingly real life exhibits tied in with an educational theme.  

Penola’s traced the local history of the town, especially the role played by Mary McKillop in Australia’s history. By the way petrol consumption has improved considerably,  no headwind and able the stick to the speed 90-100kph on a constant basis.

I must not continue to rave about the visitor centres but credit due again to The Mt Gambier Information Centre, our next stop, ample parking very informative staff, and tot

ally run by the local council,  (contrary to many councils, they see the benefit of the tourist dollar) their display centred around the ship, the Lady Nelson. 

The format was a walk through with interactive displays. The first step took you through the local country side, then the lives of the local aboriginal nation and, then in insight into life on the Lady Nelson. I must say the scene below decks was dark and confined. I had never imagined life on a sailing rig to be like that. I suppose I’ve always had a romanticised view so seeing the replica was quite a shock. Petrol prices still varied from $1.69 - $1.80.

We had some time so we made a spur of the moment decision that rather than staying for the night we would go to Port Fairey in Victoria. We only got as far as Portland  where a

gain I was blown away by the visitor centre and what it had to offer the tourist.

Observations?  South Australia does tourism exceptionally well. The only down side being the vast distances you have to travel between regions with little relief from the flat plains. But the roads are great, well sign posted and well appointed. NSW could well learn a lesson from them. 

Locally, just how much more we could offer our visitors, with the Shoalhaven’s history of boat building, dairying, forestry and rural history

.

Picture top left: The Lady Nelson at Mt Gambier.

Picture below: Talking wine and tourism at Coonawarra.

Day 5: Road testing road tourism

Today we really tested the van. Howling winds, hail, sleet. Drove most of the way and it handled brilliantly. Headwinds and hill climbs proved the greatest challenges but the combination of the Tarago and Jayco survived the test.

Can’t seem to lower the petrol consumption no matter how hard we try. Still between 280 and 320 K’s per full tank. We’ve also been doing our own fuel watch. Varies between 164.5 and 179.9 and diesel - well we won’t go there.

Interesting to note the cost of staying at caravan parks on a powered site. On the first night was $17.50. Day 2, $19.50. Day 3, $21.50. Day 4, $24.00 and here at Robe on Day 5, $27.00.

Facilities for those of us without showers or toilets in the van are excellent. The early morning hot water shower really starts the day. The ease of setting up each night continues to amaze me as time to do so gets shorter and shorter.

Now to the roads. The NSW Government can take a lesson from South Australia as they are far superior, especially the Princes Highway which we travelled on most of the day.

The verges have much more scope to stop without getting bogged, plenty of room to pull over, terrific rest areas and rubbish receptacles. But why oh why is there no allowance made for the parking of caravans within and around the CBD’s. Hate to be trying to find spaces in peak holiday times.

National sign posting is still a major issue as is distance to the nearest fuel location as not all small towns sell petrol. It’s something to look at after the trip.

Met an amazing number of people yesterday and today, both in the visitor’s centres, the caravan parks we stayed in and visited. And with respect to the ‘gray nomads’, you are getting younger all the time.

Our neighbours last night were a family with a 10 month old baby, a six year and a ten year old. Been travelling for 2 weeks with still a week to go. They love it and say it teaches their children about Australia, the environment and creates close family ties.

One other couple had been on the road for some 4 months. Told me they started years ago camping in the back of a ute, then to a tent, then to a van and now to a self contained van.

They love going off road but also miss the companionship of others stayiong in the caravan park. Another young man came form Switzerland looking for work.

Tonight we are camping alongside Grandma and Grandpa’s camper van. Can’t wait to meet them.

Whilst in Mildura we were stopped by a lady saying she was family of mine, asking was I really Jo Gash. Turned out she shares the same surname but hails from New Zealand.

Asked me if I would watch her swim as she wanted to let her friends know that a Gash came to watch her. It never ceases to amaze me the varying reports and comments we get. Put all these people in Parliament and Australia could probably be a better place.

Tomorrow we go to Mount Gambier via Naracoorte and Penola. Time to do some washing and once again, the hardest thing I’ve had to cope with is memorising the 7 digit code to get into the shower block and toilets.

Day 4: Road testing road tourism

Today I was in three states and we seemed to have struck a chord. People seemed genuinely interested in what I was on about and wanted to contribute their opinions once we broke the ice.

Our first stop after leaving Balranald was Mildura and I must say how I was impressed with the town, especially the information centre. It is by far the best appointed I have seen so far and the facilities are very comprehensive. I was particularly taken by parking space set aside for caravans and long loads.

Many places you are forced to park away from the town centre and so you are not encouraged to explore further. It would do well for local councils, who rely on the road tourism dollar, to protect their source of income and look after their customers.

Again, when you’re travelling a long distance between places, it would be comforting to know how far you are away. With petrol consumption proving to be so high, I would have felt more reassured in being able to calculate the rate of consumption.

Mildura is a surprisingly modern city, well appointed and attractive. NSW could well learn some invaluable lessons from its neighbour across the river. We struck off towards Renmark in South Australia and the countryside seemed to become more attractive compared to what we had seen along the Hay plains.

Crossing the SA border, we stopped at the fruit fly station and I had to surrender all my fruit except for some peeled carrots I had. The staff were very friendly and I think that is a key factor to a successful local tourism industry, even the officials who work for the government.

Renmark was another pleasant surprise especially with its setting on the Murray River. The information centre was friendly, informative but again could be improved by providing parking for the caravanner.

Renmark’s neighbour, Berri, famed for its fruit juices was equally attractive and that part of South Australia I would thoroughly recommend as a ‘must see’ stop over.

Three quarters of an hour down the Sturt Highway, the township of Waikerie where the Murray Belle is moored. A nice little township with a unique and innovative information centre. What made it unique was that it was privately run and owned. The owner was especially helpful.

The shop was neat and clean, well presented and she was very helpful and friendly. I thoroughly recommend the chocolate coated dried apricots, a specialty product of the town. All the areas along or known as the Riverland are very positive and were delighted that we had made it quite clear that YES there was water in the Murray and Yes that the river boats are still operating and YES that I would certainly be back to sample their hospitality.

After the expanse of South Western NSW, the dotted attractions along the Sturt Highway into our last stop for the day, Gawler, was a welcome relief. I felt a distinct difference between today and yesterday, between NSW and South Australia.

I just wonder how much influence individual state governments exert on their industries. There is always more that can be done but comparing what I saw in NSW with what I saw across the border, NSW has a fair bit of catching up to do in rural townships.

I am looking forward to meeting more people and getting some grass roots feedback. Already there has been some invaluable suggestions and I will be taking these up as I develop an alternative roads tourism policy.

Any body who has an idea is welcome to contact me and I will be happy to listen to them. My van has my mobile phone number displayed very clearly, so if you are on the road and you see me, give me a call.

And if you’re not, my mobile is 0427 160 170 – I would love to hear from you.

PHOTO top left: Doing my duty at the fruitfly zone station on the South Australian border.

Day 3: Road testing road tourism

Leaving Griffith, we were joined on the road by ABC Stateline which will be broadcasting their report this Friday night, for NSW viewers. The caravan park owner told me that the weather that morning (cold drizzle) reminded him of what the weather was like in Griffith 15 years ago.

I thought perhaps that we were instrumental in helping to break the drought because Griffith is on category 2 restrictions. The Stateline crew arrived late due to being fogbound in Orange so our program has been delayed and we’ve had to make compromises.

While I was there, I called in to the information centre in Banna Street and ran into an old colleague from my earlier tourism days. Ellen worked in the industry with me when I was the Tourism Officer in Mittagong and we often met at conferences.

Tonight we are camping in Balranald and the owner, Jim, hails from Pambula on the NSW South Coast, just outside my electorate. Once again we faced a head wind as we travelled to our first stop Hay via Darlington Point on the Murrumbidgee River and after two days of arriving on a near empty tank, we refuelled at every major stop.

Hay was an eye opener. While we were having lunch, we spoke to one of the waitresses and asked her how things were. She had a revealing tale to tell. Apparently the local hotel at South Hay would normally prepare about 60 to 70 meals each day. Now he is only doing 30 because the road touring business has dried up dramatically.

The café in which she is working has cut back the hours of all staff and other businesses are going through similar experiences. There is no doubt in my mind that unless the government does something urgently to address this problem, some towns will die.

The information centre was particularly hospitable and oozed country charm. They could not do enough.

Just to illustrate their positive outlook, we had earlier driven around behind the town and took a look at the so called mighty Murrumbidgee.

It had dried to barely a trickle and looked no more than a large pond. Certainly I didn’t see any flow and I wonder how the town survives with water that low.

The day seemed like one continuous drive. I had not been across the Hay plains for a long, long time and the road seemed to go on forever. The terrain just seemed to get flatter and flatter.

From Hay to Balranald, we seemed to be driving continuously uphill with little relief from the unending horizon. In fact so repetitious was it that we started welcoming every sign that told us how far we had to go.

We arrived in Balranald just after 4.30 to find that the information centre had closed so we went to the park to book in. Jim the Manager was very helpful and we came across a number of touring campers who were interviewed by the Stateline team, all with a similar story.

I think we are starting to realise that the high price of fuel is here to stay and that we have to develop policies to get around that and still maintain the health of an industry upon which many country townships rely. I’m working on a concept now and will be fleshing it out as we continue to travel.

Tomorrow, Mildura, where we will have to make up some time so it’s an early start for us in the morning. All I can say is that you can help country folk by promising to take your next holiday in one of these towns. You won’t regret it and neither will they.

Photo top left: Getting to know Jim at the Balranald caravan park.

Photo left: Filling up in Hay. High petrol prices are hurting the road tourism industry.

Day 2: Road testing road tourism

Day two of the fact finding tour started with striking camp in pouring rain. Cold and wet is not an encouraging state to be in for a day trip. We found a few inevitable leaks in the canvas which can bed expected of any new canvas until it shrinks.

We were visited on site by a television crew from Prime Television curious as to what could possibly possess a politician to go caravanning in somewhere with a reputation for being cold. The interviewer was a young lass from Queensland who had only been there a few short weeks but I must say, was intrigued by the caravan.

First destination was Molong which proved surprisingly interesting. It had seen better days but I have to congratulate the local tourism board in their promotional efforts. The road in was fundamental but the Molong had lots of character. The train station had been converted into the local library and when we arrived there were a number of caravaners from Victoria.

They were travelling northward an in an effort to contain expenses had found private property to camp in. This was a theme that is repeating it self in other places. As expected, the high cost of fuel was imposing economies in other areas. I am very concerned about the downstream effect on local economies if the road tourism industry is allowed to shrink. The government has got to take some proactive measures to address this problem.

From Molong, we went to Manildra, a town whose major industry is the starch mills. Manildra also has a starch mill in my own electorate with that name and also produces ethanol which ironically helps keep down the cost of petrol.

From there to Parkes where we visited the local information centre and whose staff were very friendly and helpful. Parkes celebrates its Elvis week in January but wintertime, trade was predictably down. Parkes is on the Newell Highway and it was from that point that the previously invisible caravans suddenly became very visible. In just two short days on the road, we drew the impression that road tourists prefer the major arteries.

One thing that we did make note off was the need for more signage to tell you exactly where you were. We had difficulty estimating our fuel consumption and for the second day running, got to the last town on almost an empty tank of fuel. There is a screaming need to standardise tourist signage.

On through to Forbes and beyond and the terrain was getting flatter. West Wylong is another town showing the signs of a bygone era. Tourism relies very much on presentation and to allow towns to show signs of dilapidation diminishes the very product townships are desperately trying to promote. There’s a lesson there for the State Government – support your councils by maintaining and promoting a positive image.

It was then on to Griffith via Rankin Springs, a tiny little hamlet on the main thoroughfare which once supported the local farming community – another relic of a bygone era which left nothing to induce you to stay.

The Jayco proved a breeze to tow and we maintained a good pace with little difficulty. We were now confronting longer distances with less and less distractions and even less attractions, for that matter. Still, it takes all types and some people actually like undisturbed country side. Developing a roads tourism policy based on a one size fits all is a big ask. But we are getting valuable feedback from the folks we come across.

Tuesday night in Griffith and a new day tomorrow. There has been a lot of interest from the local media and tomorrow Stateline will be recording our next leg to Mildura. Haven’t been there for a long time and it will be interesting to see what has changed.

Slowly but surely, we are getting a feel for the journey but there is no doubt that the cost of fuel is hurting and we haven’t even begun to see the end of this yet.

Photo top left: Speaking with Erin at the Griffith Information Centre.

Photo right: Working on my blog.

Day 2 - Road testing road tourism

Day two of the fact finding tour started with striking camp in pouring rain. Cold and wet is not an encouraging state to be in for a day trip. We found a few inevitable leaks in the canvas which can bed expected of any new canvas until it shrinks.

We were visited on site by a television crew from Prime Television curious as to what could possibly possess a politician to go caravanning in somewhere with a reputation for being cold. The interviewer was a young lass from Queensland who had only been there a few short weeks but I must say, was intrigued by the caravan.

First destination was Molong which proved surprisingly interesting. It had seen better days but I have to congratulate the local tourism board in their promotional efforts. The road in was fundamental but the Molong had lots of character. The train station had been converted into the local library and when we arrived there were a number of caravaners from Victoria.

They were travelling northward an in an effort to contain expenses had found private property to camp in. This was a theme that is repeating it self in other places. As expected, the high cost of fuel was imposing economies in other areas. I am very concerned about the downstream effect on local economies if the road tourism industry is allowed to shrink. The government has got to take some proactive measures to address this problem.

From Molong, we went to Manildra, a town whose major industry is the starch mills. Manildra also has a starch mill in my own electorate with that name and also produces ethanol which ironically helps keep down the cost of petrol.

From there to Parkes where we visited the local information centre and whose staff were very friendly and helpful. Parkes celebrates its Elvis week in January but wintertime, trade was predictably down. Parkes is on the Newell Highway and it was from that point that the previously invisible caravans suddenly became very visible. In just two short days on the road, we drew the impression that road tourists prefer the major arteries.

One thing that we did make note off was the need for more signage to tell you exactly where you were. We had difficulty estimating our fuel consumption and for the second day running, got to the last town on almost an empty tank of fuel. There is a screaming need to standardise tourist signage.

On through to Forbes and beyond and the terrain was getting flatter. West Wylong is another town showing the signs of a bygone era. Tourism relies very much on presentation and to allow towns to show signs of dilapidation diminishes the very product townships are desperately trying to promote. There’s a lesson there for the State Government – support your councils by maintaining and promoting a positive image.

It was then on to Griffith via Rankin Springs, a tiny little hamlet on the main thoroughfare which once supported the local farming community – another relic of a bygone era which left nothing to induce you to stay.

The Jayco proved a breeze to tow and we maintained a good pace with little difficulty. We were now confronting longer distances with less and less distractions and even less attractions, for that matter. Still, it takes all types and some people actually like undisturbed country side. Developing a roads tourism policy based on a one size fits all is a big ask. But we are getting valuable feedback from the folks we come across.

Tuesday night in Griffith and a new day tomorrow. There has been a lot of interest from the local media and tomorrow Stateline will be recording our next leg to Mildura. Haven’t been there for a long time and it will be interesting to see what has changed.

Slowly but surely, we are getting a feel for the journey but there is no doubt that the cost of fuel is hurting and we haven’t even begun to see the end of this yet.

Day 1: Road testing road tourism

If you want to really research something, you have to start off with an open mind and I certainly did that, because my experience of caravanning can be summarised on a postage stamp.

The support extended to me by Go See Australia and Jayco Nowra, who lent me a van was unsurpassed. Brendan Nelson, Leader of the Opposition and Steve Ciobo, Shadow Tourism Minister, came to Nowra to officially launch my sojourn through the middle of NSW, South Australian and Victoria before coming home once again to Nowra.

The trip from Nowra to Goulburn was relatively uneventful although I certainly appreciated the presence of the van. Graham Wallace, CEO of Go See Australia prepared a very good schedule for our assistance. It showed distances and estimated travel times between locations which proved very helpful on Day One.

We travelled through Kangaroo Valley and up onto the Hume Highway without incident. The girls at the Goulburn Tourist In formation Centre were helpful and courteous after first absorbing who I was when I introduced myself and told them what I was doing.

The first real difficulty we encountered was at Crookwell when we arrived. The whole power grid was down and without power, there was no fuel to be pumped. The Tarago in which we were travelling had only a third of a tank of fuel with no idea of how far the power outage went.

The irony of the situation was that we had stopped to admire the wind farm turbines just before you get to Crookwell. It was a breezy day and we wondered why the propellers weren’t turning. We soon found out why.

Anyway, we made the decision to press on ahead calculating our fuel consumption would get us to at least Blayney. The road ahead proved challenging with many sections being gravel. The road was narrow, winding, up and down hill and coupled with the head wind, we watched the fuel gauge needle rapidly falling to empty.

It was even more disconcerting because there were many places where there was no mobile phone coverage and very little passing traffic. After passing through Tuena, we took a very active interest in our fuel tank because adding to the anxiety was the lack of sign posts to tell us how fare we were from the next possible fuel supply.

By the time we got into Blayney, the fuel tank gauge had been on empty for about 20 kilometres and we estimated that we must have had about a thimble of petrol left. But that is part of the adventure and once refuelled (and reassured), off we went to Orange.

We actually made very good time. After stopping at the Information Centre in Orange whose staff were very good and very helpful, we found a caravan park to camp. Getting out of a warm car and into the bracing Orange air was invigorating and setting up the van for the first time was an ‘interesting experience’. One or two small items we need to buy but other wise, all the bases were covered.

Dinner was at the Orange Ex Services Club and I was delightfully surprised to run into my local sports ‘journo’, Rob Crawford from the South Coast Register. Rob was the coach of a junior hockey team that was participating in hockey matches in Orange that weekend.

Overall, a good start to our journey and I’m looking forward to the next leg to Griffith on Monday.

PHOTO: It was great to have Shadow Minister for Tourism Steven Ciobo & Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson on hand to help launch the 'road testing road tourism' campaign.