In this issue: •Wonderful Wangaratta •Pack a boat in the boot •Plagued by doubts

the

GNT readers say they feel right on the leftWe drive on the left-hand side of the road and we are not changing our ways because a few overseas tour-ists forget where they should be ... and so says an over-whelming majority of GNT readers.Responding to a survey in our last issue, some 99.7% of respondents sent out a resounding ‘we shall not be moved’ message. “No, this is Australia and we drive on the left,” said Bruce and Mary.Judy G was equally outraged. “What a ridiculous sugges-tion!” she said. “Visitors to our shores should know to comply with our ways.”David M saw a potential problem if we were to switch sides.“No, we should not drive on the right to stop visitors getting confused,” he said. “What is going to stop us getting confused?”Denise W was equally adamant. “Visitors come to Australia by choice,” she said. “They need to adhere to our road rules, just as we do when in their countries.”Or, as Julia R neatly summed it up. “What happened to ‘when in Rome’ ...”See ‘Letters’ for more.

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Issue 35: Decem

ber 7, 2012Stealth campers take to the streets as costs soar

Local authorities across the country are cracking down on travellers who park their campervans in a residential street or car park and then sur-reptitiously stay the night.In an era of higher van park fees and surging fuel prices, the rise of the so-called ‘stealth camper’ has been a dramatic one. Recent interest rate cuts have further hit self-funded retirees, making the prospect of paying $30-plus for a van park site even less attractive. While the vast majority of stealth camp-ers are overseas backpackers, a growing sub-category of grey nomads are jumping on board. “While grey nomads are a minority, we do regularly move them on from our beachside car parks,” said Port Macquarie Council Chief Ranger, Ian Chetcuti. “Grey nomads are generally pretty well behaved though, and really it’s only when people park illegally, make a mess, litter or urinate that we get really upset.”High-profile anti-social behav-iour in places like Darwin and Cairns has meant local author-

ities there have taken a hard line against stealth campers. Sydney’s Randwick Council is the latest to lose patience and start dawn patrols.“In the past few years we’ve witnessed an increase in the number of backpackers setting up makeshift camp sites in our beachside car parks, leaving rubbish and toilet paper be-hind and partying late into the night,” said Randwick Mayor Tony Bowen. “It’s not fair that ratepayers should have to pay to clean up their mess.”While their younger counter-parts regularly raise the ire of locals, grey nomad stealth campers generally prefer to fly under the radar, not wish-ing to attract the attention of police, rangers, or any passing ‘troublemakers’. They tend not to set up campchairs or use

lights that can be seen from the outside. While bush camping is clearly the solution for budgeteers travelling in remote areas, it is free parking in towns and cities which is causing the angst.The current policy in Port Macquarie – as in many coastal towns – is to allow unobtrusive campers to stay one night and then ask them to move on. However, Mr Chetcuti warns this ‘tread lightly’ policy may need to be toughened up as the ‘problem’ grows. Nonethe-less, authorities are keenly aware that, rather than solving the problem, this risks simply pushing car park campers out into suburban streets. • Are you a stealth camper? Do you get ‘hassled’? How much do you save?Click to comment

Nomads in the firing line as councils crack down on

free overnight parkers

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Camping in the streets ... authorities are cracking down

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Vida, 65, comes from NZ but is most at home on Australia’s open roads

What do you travel in?2006 Jayco Expanda 18’ with 2006 Nissan Navara double cab d40 manual.

Why does it suit your lifestyle? It’s not too big to tow or set up but, with beds either end, I can have ‘company’ – eg my sister travelled with me for three weeks. I sleep inside when alone now – drop the table down between couches. The side wall expands out as well which means plenty of room inside, and a combo shower/toilet for when needed. Room in the ute for the generator, second spare wheel, golf clubs and all the rest of the bits I am finding I may need – blocks of wood, yabbie net. Need to get rid of more stuff eg don’t need an iron!

How long do your trips last? How long is a piece of string? Left Perth in April intending to spend three months driving to Mackay over the top. Decided to keep going and maybe go around again – and again!

Where do you camp?Mostly caravan parks up to now because I was new at this and was still working so needed power and security. Getting braver and using free camps more.

Likes of the lifestyle? Exploring Australia, freedom, interesting people, and driv-ing. I took the van around Bathurst! Drove up Gillies Highway.

Dislikes?Cities. Trying to find some-

where to get fuel and groceries easily if just passing through. Traffic! At least in WA you knew the dot on the map would be a roadhouse with fuel, food, heaps of parking space and probably somewhere to camp!

On the-road hobbies? Computer games, photog-raphy, reading, (now have Kindle). Was going to work on family tree but time seems to fly … golf – if I ever find some-where cool enough to play.

Favourite camping spot? Greens Lake – lots of others here, Mary Pool (the company, shady riverside), Hamelin Homestead (new, great facili-ties), Joe & Jo Mt Surprise (so-cialising around dinner tables). Longreach – volunteered at the Hall of Fame for a few weeks and parked at the back.

Scariest nomad experience?Driving along a ‘tourist route’ off the Palmerston Highway. A single-sealed winding lane among towering rainforest, long grass on the verges and deep gutters, with nowhere to

turn around, no idea where I was going to end up – but did have another car at a distance behind me (still - I hoped). Finally, I came out on to the highway again after about 10km. Spooky. Also driving from Gordonvale on Gillies Highway to Lake Tinaroo – 300 hairpins, second gear all the way up the hill, nowhere to turn around, roadworks. So many handbrake starts on the hills ... amazing drive but not when towing!

Tips for other nomads?Ladies – please learn how to drive the rig – or at least take the van off if needed – and MEN – teach your ladies how to tow or at least unhitch. You are not all bullet proof and she may save your life one day.

Advice for wannabe nomads? Just do it! It takes quite a while to learn to slow down, maybe 3-6 months of travelling. I only travel 200-350km a day, and quietly – no rush. I have finally stopped at a free camp for more than two nights and am loving it!

Kiwi Vida is taking it slowly and loving the Aussie road

Nomads in Brief

Snake shock An 80-year-old man was rushed to hospital after be-ing bitten by a brown snake outside his home near Ip-swich in Queensland. Colin Field was bitten on his wrist and ankle. After losing consciousness, he was flown to the Princess Alexandra Hospital, where he remains in a serious condition.

New rest area A new rest area is to built on the Pacific Highway at Arrawarra north of Coffs Harbour in New South Wales. Noise walls, rain-water tanks and mounted lighting will also be installed. The date of the construction has yet to be decided.

Bridge joyThe National Parks and Wildlife Service says key infrastructure unveiled in the New South Wales Snowy Mountains will help increase visitor numbers to the area. Three suspension bridges have just opened over the Thredbo River. They will enable bike riders and bush walkers to access more areas in the high country.

Campervan crash A woman is in a critical but stable condition after the hired campervan she was driving hit a truck on Tas-mania’s Bass Highway near Deloraine. Her 28-year-old female travel companion is in a serious but stable condition. The accident apparently happened when the front right wheel of a semi-trailer detached from the truck and hit the van, causing it to collide with another truck.

Issue 35: Decem

ber 7, 2012

Greens Lake is one of Vida’s favourite camping spots

TimesCharacters of the Road

the Your news and views? Email us at thetimes@thegreynomads.com.au

Dear Editor,It never ceases to amaze me the number of people who whinge about their chosen lifestyle. There is always something wrong out there, or someone doing the wrong thing by them … dogs, generators, kids, free camping, cost of fuel etc etc. Yes, I am having a whinge about you … so, cheer up and love this country. Those that live this lifestyle should be so bloody grateful. Think about it, no regular bills, no rates, move when you don’t like your neighbours, find a place that you like and stay as long as you want ... crikey, what more do you want in life? How about some HAPPY stories next time without the whingeing about trivial matters

Gary DDear Editor,My wife and I love going free or semi free camping as the camp sites are mostly in a pris-tine and natural area. We are self contained and only require the odd top up of water to en-joy these gorgeous sites. We do frequent caravan parks as my wife likes the creature comforts from time to time but we only use their power and water and begrudge the prices that some parks charge for this service. I think they should look at themselves when asking why more grey nomads don’t use their services. Instead of charg-ing a flat fee for all powered sites maybe they should charge less for the vans that have their own toilet and shower, and then don’t give them a key to the amenities.

David & Rosemary

Dear Editor,Re: Gadgets of the Road (GNT: Issue 34). I have a fold-up elec-tric bike which travels in the back of our 4x4 and comes out when we stop in any place that

I would like to go exploring, or when my husband wants to stay in the van and watch some sport on the TV. It does not take him long to take it out and put it together for me. We just charge it overnight and then it is ready to go. As I have trouble with my knee, I tend not to pedal but use the motor instead. It is amazing just how fast it can go. It’s great for go-ing to the shops.

Judy GDear Editor,I was thinking of a small motorbike to get around while parked up at a locale. Expensive, fuel, maintenance, rego and insurance. The fold-ing bike with a rechargeable lithium battery gives a little ‘oompf ’ to old legs and saves on all of the above costs. I feel great with all the exercise!

Ian JDear Editor,Re: Jaclyn & Heidi column (GNT: Issue 34). Heidi, you remind me of a child saying outrageous things to get no-ticed by the grown-ups. Why don’t you grow up!

Alwyn PDear EditorWe recently had cause to make an insurance claim with CIL Insurance, as the A-Frame cracked on our caravan. We were in Central Qld at the time, nowhere near any help. The staff at CIL were very friendly and helpful, and put our minds at ease. We were recovered after four days and the van was taken to Townsville for repairs. All the repair work was carried out under the insurance claim, and we found out that we were en-titled to accommodation while the van was being fixed. We have nothing but praise for the professionalism and courtesy we were afforded by CIL staff.

Brad & Maria

Dear Editor,Re: Wildlife collision article (GNT: Issue 34). After 39 years of travelling our roads pulling various ‘homes’ I hit an emu this year. The fool thing’s mate hopped out in front first so I was in the process of braking when this second one decided it could beat me. I tell people I have an ‘emu bar’ fitted to the vehicle, not a bull bar.

Maurie Y

Dear Editor,We just read the latest Grey Nomad Times, and were horri-fied to find that there wasn’t a quiz. It was bad enough when the picture puzzle disappeared, now the whole quiz has gone! The quiz has always been the first thing we turn to when the new Times turns up, please bring it back.

Nicholstones(Fear not, Nicholstones. The quiz is back! Our quizmaster supreme took a short break while our new website was being launched ... but it was one-off absence. Let the head scratching re-commence! – Ed)

Dear Editor,Re: Dogs banned from parks (GNT: Issue 33). We have a dog and always respect the NO DOG policy. If we want to go to a national park we look around for doggy daycare at a vets for our little dog. I’ve found a lot of people while travelling that think the NO Dog signs don’t relate to them

and don’t respect on leash areas either. Wake up dog owners. Our dog is a white Maltese that weighs all of 4 kgs but she has four legs and barks. That makes her a dog

Karol F

Dear Editor,Re: Should we drive on the right survey (GNT: Issue 34). Visitors to our country are visitors, and I don’t see why we should adapt to their wants. I was playing around with a new GPS the other day and I found within the program a section dealing with “notify when on the incorrect side of the road” or similar. Perhaps, this aspect could be further investigated and advice given to tourists to enable this section of the program.

Gary J (Jenno)

Dear Editor, We drive on the proper side of the road, that is on the left. When entering a roundabout, give way to vehicles on your right side (those already in the roundabout). They have right of way, both logically and actually. Can you imagine the confusion if we drove on the right, and when entering a roundabout gave way to those on our left? We would still say that they have right of way, but they are coming from our left! So do they have left of way? I have never heard of it either. Totally illogical.

Warren M

Dear Editor,A lot of other countries drive on the left as well including England, New Zealand, parts of Africa, Asia and South America. Research in 1969 by J.J. Leeming showed countries driving on the left have a lower collision rate than countries driving on the right.

Peter S

Issue 35: Decem

ber 7, 2012

Times

A Maltese by any other name would bark as much

the Want to advertise on our newsletter? Email us at thetimes@thegreynomads.com.au Issue 35: D

ecember 7, 2012New grey nomad bumper

stickers hit the open roadFirst ‘surprise’ sighting of

a vehicle with new-look stickers wins a prize!**

Our new-look website, www.thegreynomads.com.au, has been given an enthusiastic thumbs-up from its army of followers … and the excit-ing innovations just keep on coming.Since last month’s revamp, the new site’s easy navigation and bright colours have earned rave reviews and its popular-ity continues to soar. From today, the Grey Nomad Times also embraces the bold image makeover and the newsletter’s ‘Masthead’ has incorporated our fresh and fun logo.Rest assured however that, despite the newsletter’s new look, all your favourite Grey Nomad Times features and columns will remain un-changed. These are still exciting times for us at ‘Grey Nomad Central’ though, with the website’s ‘Classifieds’ section generating much traffic as job hunters, housesitters and camping gear seekers find what they want, and the new search facility and our gleaming new ‘Shop’ also filling a need.There has been huge demand for our long-awaited new-look

bumper stickers, so please keep an eye out for fellow GNs ‘on the road’ … and in the van parks and camping areas. We’d love to hear about the first ‘unexpected’ sighting of one of the new stickers. If you want to identify yourself as a GN while travelling, you can get our eye-catching, easily-recognisable stickers from our Shop.We have also just launched our high-quality stubby hold-ers which come with a ‘Happy-Hours-will-always-be-fun’ guarantee! Check them out at our Shop. Cheers!Of course, the other big step we have taken is to leap into the world of social media. If you are a Facebook fan, please

visit our page here and ‘like’ us. Similarly, we are getting ready to ‘tweet’ to our heart’s content, so sign up here to ‘fol-low’ us on Twitter.These are certainly exciting times for us. Thank you again for sharing the journey thus far, and we look forward to many years more of sharing the road to adventure with you.

** Please email us here with a photo of the sticker you spotted on the road and if you’re the first person to email us, we’ll send you a free stubby holder.

Zooming inWhat do you see when you zoom out? Shiny pulling power. Click here to find out

Do You Know 1. In the gardens of which NSW national park does it sound like you can’t you grow anything?2. Road distance between Port Hedland, WA, and Melbourne, Vic? A) 3521km B) 4332km C) 5692km 3. Which highway links Townsville and Charters Towers?4. Which two WA towns are near boabs known as ‘prison trees’? 5. By road, is Alice Springs closer to Darwin or Adelaide? (Answers on page 6)

Grab a Cuppa and test your grey matta

Times

GNs get ready to fly the flag ... and to make new friends

West Wimmera VICTORIA

ticks every box...

Eco Tourism

Flora & Fauna

Family Fun

History

Big Skies

Festivals

www.westwimmera.vic.gov.au

the

Getting it right

Recently our websitewww.thegreynomads.com.au reported that the latest cut to interest rates didn’t bring pre-Chrstmas cheer to eve-rybody. Self-funded retirees in particular – many grey no-mads among them – will be left feeling the pinch as their savings earn them less. The chief executive of National Seniors Australia, Michael O’Neill, said many could be losing an amount equivalent to 25% of a person’s wages following a series of rate cuts since November last year.

Read more here

Other website must-reads:

Cliff plunge horror Tragedy on the Great Ocean Rd

Wifi art thou? Adelaide becomes a hot spot

Loss of innocenceThieves sweep through van park

SURVEYWill the latest interest rate

cut be good news for you? Yes No

Website highlightsWatery adventures are in the bag for nomads

The great grey nomad ‘shall-I-take-a-boat’ dilemma could be about to be solved.Worries about adding weight and bulk to already packed-up rigs has frightened many a ‘could-have-been’ water explorer into landlubber status on their Big Lap.However, designer Anton Wil-lis, is about to ‘launch’ the Oru, a touring kayak made from corrugated plastic that that can be folded up and carried in a bag! It offers ease of transport

and gives the ‘occasional’ grey nomad kayaker the where-withal to hit the water while on the road.The entire ‘unfolded’ vessel is 3.7 metres long, 60 centimetres wide, and weights just 11kg. It has a carrying capacity of 118kg. Once folded down and placed in a bag, it measures 84cm x 74cm x 25cm.The Oru is made up of a single pre-folded piece of plastic which, once folded into shape, is held together with straps. The soon-to-be manufacturers claim the assembly process will take an experienced user about five minutes. The kayak will apparently stand up to at least

20,000 fold cycles without leaking.The Oru will come complete with adjustable foot rests, a foam seat and a rubber deck strap for securing gear.On the water the vessel is said to handle incredibly well and is both fast and stable. Designed to be beginner-friendly, it’s also great fun for experts. Could this be the gadget to bring a whole new dimension to your Big Lap adventure?The Oru will go into produc-tion early next year and will cost approximately US$850. Click to comment

The expanded Oru kayak can carry 118kg

Issue 35: Decem

ber 7, 2012

CLASSIFIEDS Email here to learn more about placing an advert in our new classified section

DISCLAIMER: The Grey Nomad Times team is not responsible for any sale, trade, or other transactions between vendors and vendees or advertisers and respondents. All parties enter into transactions at their own risk.

No roofrack? No problem, just pop the bag in the boot

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Times

Should I stay or should I go? Dear Jaclyn and Heidi,I have just bought my new ‘second-hand’ caravan and I’m heading off on my great ‘endless’ adventure in less than a month. I’ve been planning for this and dreaming off this moment for so long that I can hardly believe it’s all about to become a reality. I should be feeling on top of the world ... but I’m a ball of pent-up panic. Am I crazy to try to do this on my own at my age? Should l I have bought a different rig? Did I pay too much for my van? What happens if I don’t like life on the road? What happens if I don’t make friends? Is it safe? Will I get lonely? Help! Should I ‘come to my senses’’ and sell the caravan before I pass the point of no return?.

Toni

Any real estate agent will tell you that all house purchasers panic at some stage as ‘buyer’s regret’ kicks in. Taking off on a long-term trip is a massive step and it is only natural that you will question yourself before taking the plunge. You don’t really specify what ‘passing the point of no return’ is Toni but, if you have sold or rented out your home already, just hold your nerve. There is nothing to be gained by questioning what cannot be changed. Just remember what convinced you the travelling life was the life for you in the first place. And imagine living with the regrets and the ‘what might have beens’ if you pull out of your plans now.

Jaclyn

You don’t say exactly how old

you are, Toni, but I’m guessing you fit into the mature-aged traveller category. You’ve almost certainly made many decisions about where to live, you’ve probably changed jobs, you may have been married, divorced or at least had your heart broken. In other words, you’ve lived life. What’s to be frightened of? You’re not heading off to war or risking all your savings on 18 black at the roulette wheel. Barring an accident or some other unlikely misadventure, the biggest risk you face is not enjoying your new lifestyle. Big deal! If you don’t like it, make new plans ... just like you’ve been doing for the past 60, 70, 80 or 90 years. Stop being such a drama queen Toni ... and go check your tyre pressures!.

Heidi Click to comment

Issue 35: Decem

ber 7, 2012

When grey nomads are drawing up their wish lists of attractions that preferred destinations might have they would probably include … stunning natural beauty, major historical interest, afford-ability, perhaps the possibility of doing some fossicking for gems and gold, and maybe the chance to visit some wonder-ful local wineries. The Wangaratta region of Victoria, not far from Albury-Wodonga and the New South Wales border ticks all of the boxes. Situated about 230 kilometres from Melbourne along the Hume Highway, the cathedral city lies at the junc-tion of the Ovens and King

rivers. There are a number of excellent walks to enjoy along the river banks and a number of attractive parks and gardens within the town.This is an area steeped in histo-ry though, and buildings such as the Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral, St Patricks Church and the Wangaratta Art Gal-lery also demand attention.If you’re talking Australian history, it’s never long until the name of Ned Kelly crops up. The township of Glenrowan, a few kilometres from here, is the spot where, in June 1880, the infamous bushranger was involved in a dramatic shoot out with police. Ned was

captured on that day and later hung at the Old Melbourne Gaol. Such is life.The area is also rich in gold-mining history and work has begun on restoring the El Dorado Dredge which was built in 1936 for deep mining gold and tin. And for fossickers, El Dorado is reputed to be the one place in Australia where you can virtually guarantee to find

gemstones and crystals along the length of Reedy Creek. You may find everything from smoky quartz, jasper and ag-ates alluvial gold to amethysts, sapphires, zircon, rubies and diamonds.The Victorian High Country is rightly famed for its spectacu-lar beauty ... and Mt Hotham, Falls Creek and Mt Buffalo – and all the attractions they offer – are all close by. There are also numerous and wonderful wineries in the area. From Glenrowan to Beech-worth to King Valley itself, the area’s climate and soil helps produce a robust style of red and rich fortified wine. So pull up the van, pull up a glass, and drink in all this magnificent district has to offer. Cheers.Click to comment

Bushranger country also boasts lovely wineries,

and scenic parks

Ned Kelly country ... but don’t for-get the scenery, wines and gems!

Steal a visit to wonderful Wangaratta the

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