We are getting closer to the start of the Murray River, well at least where the streams run into the Hume Dam, which is only a short distance from where we are currently staying at a caravan park.
The river runs through Albury, which is in New South Wales, and we must visit the river here too. On the other side of the river is Wodonga, which is in Victoria. Again the river acts as the dividing line between the two states. In fact we have been travelling along the border for most of our trip, ever since we started at Tooleybuc.
We are staying at a very interesting caravan park called Albury Gardens Tourist Park which is part of an over 55s Lifestyle Estate. The caravan park is quite old, and originally it would have been surrounded by vacant land. The owners must have seen an opportunity to expand the site into a housing area too and purchased the land around and built a Lifestyle Estate.
Consequently we are staying in a very old caravan/camping ground surrounded by lovely houses and gardens which I have already meandered through with Piper.
We have an end drive through site, so lots of privacy.
There is a beautiful park in the centre, with swimming pool.
The entrance to Albury Gardens, with the road on the left leading to the Lifestyle Estate, and the road on the left leading to the Caravan/Camping site.
At the back of the Lifestyle Estate there is a fenced in doggy park, which Piper loves, and I can throw the ball to her, without worrying about her running after rabbits, kangaroos or anything else.
The drive here was lovely, through green fields and with opportunities to see the Murray River through the trees.
We stopped for lunch at a small town called Corowa, where we ate our lunch beside a lovely park. As soon as we stopped Walter received a message from the local council advertising their free camping area. The advertisement stated that they were committed to offering people free camping as an alternative to the expensive caravan parks. Apparently if you use the free camping area they would like a small donation. But they also said that there was a toilet there plus a tap for water.
Now I think the councils along the Riverina part of the Murray River must be encouraging free camping as an alternative to caravan parks. I then researched the area that surrounds Tocumwal and yes there are facilities such as toilets, water and cold showers in the free camping areas plus dumps for toilet waste in the town of Tocumwal.
However the area by the lagoon did not have any facilities, but across the lagoon where most people were staying they did have basic facilities. But I feel the area was too crowded, and not the best for the environment.
There has been much debate about free camping in Australia, especially with the large numbers of people travelling around. However I am impressed with the facilities offered, when visiting the small towns in outback South Australia, north west New South Wales and country Victoria, as most towns have cheaper council owned camping grounds, RV parks, plus dump points and water available for people who prefer to find some bush to camp in.
Unfortunately the biggest problem occurs along the west coast of Western Australia, and the eastern coast of Queensland. The number of people trying to free camp beside beaches and in national parks have reached saturation point and councils have blocked access to many places.
On this note we will continue to enjoy our caravan holidays, but will make sure we support local councils and privately owned caravan parks.
No comments:
Post a Comment