Hit the road Jack, and go see Australia…. that would be an aspiration for most of us, well of mine anyway. For many this involves the purchase of a motor home. The Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA) has 61000 members. Just over two years ago they held their national rally here in Rockhampton. Waiting in the doctor’s reception area I started reading their magazine ‘The Wanderer’, it was even a 2011 edition. It included a list of RV (recreational vehicle) friendly towns/destinations. I was surprised that a former host city of their national rally was not included. A check of their website confirmed no towns within the Rockhampton region were included. Yet towns such as Duaringa, Theodore, Springsure, Longreach and Winton were listed. The criteria to be listed as RV friendly didn’t look too demanding.
As in the Mayors welcome message for the 2009 National Rally in Rockhampton, “from the city to the beach and the bush – we’ve got something for everyone!” Mayor Carter went on to list, “the pristine beaches along the Capricorn Coast, the many parks and gardens around our region including our internationally recognised Botanic and Japanese Gardens, the Rockhampton Art Gallery, the Rockhampton Zoo and Murray Lagoon Wetlands, Mount Archer lookout, Fitzroy River Park and nature walk”. Add to this the historic charms of Mount Morgan, the Rockhampton Heritage Village, barra fishing in the Fitzroy, the Dreamtime Centre, the islands, exploring Capricorn Caves and digging for thunder eggs; our region does arguably have the variety to attract a CMCA member if not a few thousand of them – every year.
One of the services to be classified as RV friendly is the provision of short term (24/48/72 + hour) parking. Could the Council provide space and facilities within our regions showgrounds for this provision? Charging a reasonable rate for those who want to stay longer then the determined short term stay.
A win, win scenario; the region attracts more RV’s, nearby businesses benefit from their patronage, and it’s an opportunity for Council to earn revenue. After all why host a CMCA National Rally if no long term relationship with them was desired. So the question is why hasn’t Rockhampton, Mount Morgan, Yeppoon or The Caves been classified as an RV friendly town/destination? Surely the benefits would out weigh the costs. 61000 members – 61000 people who have made a considerable investment to tour Australia and the baby boomer generation hasn’t all retired yet. The motor home tourist market will continue to grow. Lets get on the bus or in this case the motor home and instead of hoping they will visit us again, give them reason to return and explore this part of Central Queensland.
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