Paradise not lost as gas plan flounders

Your news and views? Email us at thetimes@thegreynomads.com.au
Grey Nomad Times
In this issue:
•Backpacking with a twist
•A dramatic desert drive
•Too much planning?
Paradise not lost as
gas plan flounders
Decision delay could be
the beginning of the end
for WA offshore gas hub
The grey nomad mecca of
Broome has moved a significant step closer to avoiding
what some would describe as
an environmental disaster that
would severely wound its tourism industry.
Woodside Petroleum has asked
for, and been given, another
year in which to make a
decision on whether it wants
to go ahead with plans to build
a $40 billion gas hub 40kms
north of the WA town. Some
analysts say the latest delay
indicates the project is close to
collapse.
It’s encouraging news for opponents who argue that putting a
gas hub at the popular camping spot of James Price Point
would destroy a unique and
pristine part of coastline.
James Price Point is just one of
a number of excellent camping spots on the road north to
Cape Leveque that is enjoyed
by adventurous grey nomads.
The bigger fear is that, if the
massive project goes ahead,
the atmosphere of the entire
Broome area will suffer, and
tourists will abandon the
tropical paradise.
Many feel Cape Leveque’s pristine beaches
would be at risk if the gas hub project proceeds
“I guess grey nomads are
individuals and they would
make up their own minds if
they still wanted to visit,” said
Broome Visitor Centre board
member Greg Quicke. “But I
think hordes of fly-in fly-out
workers, a sea of fluoro vests,
and the endless sound of beeping reversing trucks wouldn’t
appeal to everyone.”
Mr Quicke, who has operated
his Astro Tours business for 17
years, says that if the project
were to go ahead, the air pollution alone would be disastrous
for such a pristine area. And,
he says, the massive dredging
work that would be required
would have a major impact
on the water quality at iconic
Cable Beach.
“The figures just don’t add
up and 90% of the town has
always been opposed to it,”
he said. “I would say the plan
is now dead in the water and
grey nomads can look forward
to visiting this part of the
world for years to come.”
Nonetheless, WA Mines and
Petroleum Minister Norman
Moore insists he still expects
Woodside to meet the revised timeframe. The project
has been beset by problems
including huge community
opposition, rising costs and the
emergence of cheaper US gas
exports.
Opponents say the liquid
natural gas, which will come
from the Browse Basin, should
be processed offshore or piped
to the Pilbara.
Click to comment
Age a factor for
big rig driving –
GNT readers
It’s time an age limit was
set for people wishing to
drive big rigs … and so
say the majority of GNT
readers.
In our last edition, we
reported on the 83-yearold US motorhomer who
suffered a stroke at the
wheel and careered the
wrong way down a freeway.
We asked whether you were
ever too old to hit the open
road in a monster rig.
In one of our most popular
polls ever – and certainly the
closest – 55% of respondents
said there was a time when
wannbe grey nomads should
be told to call it quits, while
45% thought it was health
and eyesight – not age – that
really mattered.
“I hope I’m told, and I hope
I have the sense to accept
the inevitable,” wrote B & B.
Wayne was less certain.
“No, I do not think there
should be an ‘age limit’ but
an age should be set
(maybe 65) to test all
caravanners and all vehicle
drivers to ensure they are
capable to travel the roads,”
he wrote.
More of your views in our
letters page.
Click to comment
Issue 18: April 13, 2012
the
Your news and views? Email us at thetimes@thegreynomads.com.au
Grey Nomad Times
Characters of the Road
Retirement puts Tassie trip and
free camping on the horizon
Jan, 59, and Wayne, 60,
from near Kempsey, NSW,
look forward to retirement
… and longer trips!
What rig do you travel in?
A 2003 tandem Compass
shower van towed by a 2009
Ford Territory AWD. Both suit
us down to the ground.
Have you modified the van?
The Compass is our third van.
We have installed a washing
machine, diesel heater, sound
system including DVD player,
and Wayne has just installed a
battery monitor and water level
indicator. He also installed
towel rails in the Four Seasons
hatch … we hate wet towels on
travel days. We have upgraded
to two 100-hour batteries and
plan on increasing the number
of solar panels.
What sort of trips do you take?
We tend to be black top tourers. We had five weeks in
Central Australia last year and
had a wonderful time. We have
toured down to Melbourne and
along the Great Ocean Road
and had a great trip to Wodonga and back via the Newell. We
are soon heading off for a short
break to the Hunter Valley and
back home through Tamworth.
Any longer ones planned?
We are retiring at the end
of the year and planning a
Both tug and van are a perfect fit for Jan and Wayne
four-month trip to Tasmania
to celebrate. Retirement will
allow us to have longer trips so
that will be really great.
Van parks or bush camping?
We used to stay in caravan
parks but our trip to Central
Australia gave us the opportunity to free camp most of the
time and we found some lovely
spots. We are definitely looking
forward to more of this style of
camp. There is no doubt that
caravan parks provide some
security but, as we don’t use
pools or playgrounds, we do
not really get value for money.
Favourite ‘secret’ spot?
Ellenborough Reserve, west of
Wauchope, is a fantastic free
camp. It is great for a weekend
for us as it is far enough from
home that we feel as though we
are having a break, but close
enough so we don’t spend all
weekend getting there.
Any food favourites?
Our Weber Baby Q is very
versatile …I even made scones
and could share them at one of
our free camps!
Hobbies on the road?
Wayne has a Kindle and I have
an iPad, so we read quite voraciously. We don’t worry about
other hobbies as our trips have
not really been long enough to
get bored … I enjoy chatting to
other people and it is lovely to
go for walks.
Advice to wannabe nomads?
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. Throw
away the Sat Nav and look on
the whole thing as an adventure. If you get lost, you are
just on a road you have not yet
explored.
Nomads in Brief
Easter tragedy
A woman drowned in the
Ovens River at Porepunkah,
near Bright, over Easter. The
61-year-old from Geelong
was staying at a van park with
family and friends when she
fell into the river. It is thought
she may have hit her head on
rocks below the riverbank.
Shark shock
The South Australian State
Government is to restrict
shark diving tourism operators at Port Lincoln because
the practice is changing natural behaviour. The Environment Department says it will
re-issue a maximum of two
licences for shark diving operators. Currently three shark
diving businesses are there.
Goat fever
Barcaldine in Queensland is
planning Australia’s only goat
expo. The town already hosts
a popular goat race meeting
each May but it is now organising a second meeting in
September in conjunction with
an expo. There are also plans
for a possible goat museum.
What a sauce!
New Zealand drivers faced
some slippery conditions
when a major highway was
covered in Hollandaise sauce
recently. Farmer Stuart Smith
was taking a 100-litre drum
of ‘reject’ Hollandaise sauce
back to his farm near Auckland when it spilled across
four kilometres of State
Highway 2. At least two cars
slipped sideways.
GRAB A CUPPA AND TEST YOUR GREY MATTA
Take the corners slowly … or else!
Do You Know
1. Which towering Tassie peak do babies love?
2. What is the road distance from Broome to Canberra?
A) 3875 km B) 5280 km C) 6150 km
3. How many countries cover a larger area than Australia?
4. Which NSW beef town might attract gamblers?
5. In which Queensland town would you find the big gumboot?
(Answers on p. 4)
Issue 18: April 13, 2012
the
Letters to the editor? Email us at thetimes@thegreynomads.com.au
Grey Nomad Times
Dear Editor,
Re: Grey dollar in the bush
article (GNT: Issue 17). Would
Martin Ferguson like to let us
know how many of the 225,100
caravan park sites would
take a 21’ caravan or a large
motorhome? As far as the grey
nomads are concerned, pulling
up on a river bank is what it is
all about. Methinks he hasn’t
quite got that one right.
Julie
Dear Editor,
It is time to get onto local
councils and remind them of
the amount of money grey
nomads bring to their towns.
I say open up more showgrounds at a cheap price. We
don’t all want swimming pools,
camp kitchens or even laundries … just power, water and
a dump point.
Annette
Dear Editor,
We think if caravan parks
stopped charging those high
prices, especially over Easter,
school holidays etc. then maybe van park occupancy would
be a lot higher than 53%!
Bill & Meredith
Dear Editor,
As a West Australian I can
believe your figures on preferred destinations. I actually
thought WA would have been
lower. The WA Government
and local authorities make it
near impossible to free camp
anywhere within 100kms of
Perth or towns near major
attractions. The Department
of Conservation now charges
up to $15 per night for a bush
camp with an environmental
toilet in popular areas.
Terry
Dear Editor,
Re: Jaclyn & Heidi (GNT: Issue
17). A fellow traveller told me
that when using a drop toilet
he first takes a bit of rolled-up
newspaper, sets it alight and
drops it into the toilet. It burns
up the gases that have accumulated, stops smell and scares off
anything that may be in there.
He always has a look with a
torch first, as well.
Brian
(Great idea … but is it safe?–Ed)
Dear Editor,
We were staying overnight at a
bush reserve and I went to the
toilet. Next thing I know I had
been stung in the rear end by
a bee and had to get my man
to get the sting out as I am allergic to bees. Suffice to say we
have now upgraded to a van
with a shower and toilet so we
can freedom camp in peace!
Pam
Dear Editor,
Re: Bucket List survey (GNT:
Issue 17). I have to totally
agree. Tassie is just the best.
So many free (or relatively so)
camps and absolutely wonderful people. We went for eight
weeks and stayed 10 months.
Will be heading back as soon
as we have seen a bit of the
mainland. Grey nomading is
certainly our way of life now.
No house for us. No worries of
mortgages, rates, power, etc.
Marg & Chad
Dear Editor,
We too intend to travel to
Tassie … once we’ve saved up
enough to take our rig there
and back!
Jim & Jackie
Dear Editor,
Re: Great Drives (GNT: Issue
17). The Margaret River area
was a most enjoyable part of
our journey in WA. We have
now crossed the bottom, seen
the ACT and are heading
north for some warm rain!
Once we reach Brisbane, we
have completed once round.
Then, we’ll change rigs and head
inland or off road somewhere.
Valerie & Dan
Dear Editor,
Re: insects article (GNT:Issue
17). I have ant baits in my van
and do not have a problem
with ants at all. Baits can be
purchased in any supermarket
in the same aisle as mossie coils.
Denise
Dear Editor,
Re: age limit for big rig drivers
survey (GNT: Issue 17). Age is
a lazy and arbitrary concept.
My wife’s 94-year-old grandmother could out-drive the
majority of local delivery drivers, park her car in spaces that
many would have difficulty
getting a pram into, and had
exceptionally quick reactions
and quite good eyesight. She
passed a driving test every year
for decades, eventually not
renewing her licence because
she felt that her poor hearing
constituted a hindrance to
good vehicle operation.
Nigel
Dear Editor,
There comes a time when we
all have to think: “Are we fit
to drive this rig?” It is bad
enough with a car and caravan,
but the damage those big rigs
can do makes me shudder.
Ken
Dear Editor,
There should be a separate
driving licence class for big
rigs. I know drivers in their
80s who handle a big rig better than those in their 40s. A
driver with an ordinary car
licence can drive or tow a big
rig. If they have never towed or
driven a large vehicle before,
that is when accidents happen.
Gwen
Dear Editor,
Not based on the stroke/heart
attack possibilities. ‘Older’ is
not the sole play area for these
ailments. Maybe an age-related
testing method would be best.
Phil
Issue 18: April 13, 2012
the
Dear Editor,
If you are capable, healthy
and have a licence test each
year, I have no no issue. The
issue is doctors giving the
OK to a person obviously not
either mentally or physically fit
enough to drive.
Jeff
Dear Editor,
Health and vision should be
the only criteria.
Paula & Tony
Dear Editor,
As long as you are fit and well
age is no barrier to anything.
Live long and prosper.
Jim (Gungerdin)
Dear Editor,
It should depend entirely on
the person’s ability to handle
their rig.
Alan
Dear Editor,
I am surprised at the lack
of knowledge of towing and
braking techniques by numerous caravanners I speak to. I
strongly suggest that people
who have not had experience
with towing would be safer
in gaining more knowledge
before they start touring.
Alan B
Dear Editor,
I have studied my grandkids.
The ones under 10 cannot
reach the pedals and I therefore do not allow them to drive
my rig. The ones between 10
and 15 think they can drive
my rig better than me. Out
of pure spite I do not allow
them to drive it either. The two
over 15 think the rig belongs
to them! I allow them to look
at it while they are washing it
but that is as far as it goes. Big
rigs are for the old and wise. I
am of the opinion that nobody
younger than 50 should be allowed to drive them.
At
Comments or suggestions? Email us at thetimes@thegreynomads.com.au
Grey Nomad Times
Car backpack saves big bucks
With fuel prices always on the
up and up, most grey nomads
are forever on the lookout for
ways keep their spending at the
bowser to a minimum.
Well, the Cargo Saddlebag
made by US company Rightline could be the shot for those
of you who like to drop the van
now and again and head off
into the wild blue yonder with
your tent, your vehicle and
your sense of adventure.
Designed as an aerodynamic
alternative to the traditional
roof-rack, this glorified vehicle
backpack could save you a
fortune on your fuel bills. It
basically hangs off the back
of your vehicle while being
‘Backpacking’ saves on petrol in the US
held in place by two adjustable
straps up to the roof and two
lower straps which go around
your bumper or tow bar. A
fifth strap can be used to wrap
around the whole thing.
Rightline estimates that the reduced drag from having your
belongings at the back of your
vehicle rather than on the top
will enable you to get an extra
Website highlights
Dingo attacks on Fraser
spark camp safety fears
Recently, our website
www.thegreynomads.com.au
reported on the spate of dingo
attacks in, or close to, the
K’gari campground on Fraser
Island. In separate incidents
last month, a female camper
and two different male campers were bitten. There were also
a couple of reports of dingoes
circling people and trying to
bite them. Two of the incidents
involved four or five dingoes.
The Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) has also said
that dingo packs had bailed
up numerous people, ripped
tents and ransacked items from
campgrounds. Rangers are eartagging dingoes in the area so
they can monitor dingo behaviour at the site and identify the
ones causing the problems.
Read more here
SURVEY
Should campgrounds be fenced
off to protect us from wildlife?
Yes
No
Other website must-reads:
What a croc!
Angler hooks a saltie
Holiday hiccup
Vic parks struck by Easter strikes
Weekly Mailbag
Better late than never
eight kilometres out of every
3.8 litres of fuel used. When
you’re travelling a continent
that’s not be sneezed at.
As well as putting dollars in
the bank, the gadget can also
save you a lot of hassle in packing and unpacking. The bag is
strapped low enough that you
can easily unzip it to access all
your goods and shackles while
it’s still in place. Alternatively,
a handle on each side enables
the entire Saddlebag to be
lifted off of the vehicle and
taken to wherever you want.
The Saddlebag, which has
a 396-litre capacity and can
hold 45.5 kg of gear, is made
of Hydrotuff material with a
waterproof PVC lining. It also
has a zipper protection flap
to keep water out, and has a
tough polyester shell.
A plastic insert fits in the bottom of the luggage carrier to
provide support and structure.
The insert is flexible enough
for the cargo bag to be rolled
up and stored in its stuff sack
when finished.
The Cargo Saddlebag retails for
US$140, which is cheaper than
the average rooftop cargo box.
Here’s hoping it will soon be
widely available here.
Click to comment
Issue 18: April 13, 2012
the
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the
Grey Nomad Times
Take the shortcut for the scenic route
Enjoy the spectacular
desert countryside as
you save kilometres
For grey nomads happy to
spend an hour or two cruising
unsealed roads, the Northern Territory’s magnificent
Mereenie Loop Road is surely
a must-drive adventure.
As well as taking in truly
spectacular desert country,
the iconic route linking Kings
Canyon with the West MacDonnell Ranges saves an awful
lot of backtracking kilometres.
The drive takes approximately
3.5 hours, whereas the bitumen alternative entails first
travelling the 461 km back to
Alice Springs and then another
130km out to Ormiston Gorge.
Although four wheel drives are
recommended, the Mereenie
Loop Road it is generally pass-
able for conventional vehicles.
Generally the worst you have
to deal with are some corrugations but wet weather
can change things quickly
and it pays to get up-to-date
information before setting
off. The road goes through
Aboriginal lands and a $2.20
permit, which can be bought
on the day of travel at the
Alice Springs Tourist Office,
Hermannsburg, Glen Helen,
and Kings Canyon Resort, is
required.
While the road north starts
here, most people are not in
a hurry to leave Watarrka
National Park, the home of the
270-metre deep Kings Canyon.
A moderately challenging six-
Booked in to trouble?
You don’t say how long you
have been on the road, Derek,
but I suspect you are still quite
inexperienced. Try to be patient, try to be understanding,
and try to find compromises.
This is a big change for both of
you and teething troubles are
to be expected. As the weeks
roll by you will become more
experienced … and more relaxed. You will learn when the
busy times are, where the busy
places are, and when you need
to book ahead. Talk to your
fellow travellers, talk to
Jasmine, and stop worrying,
Derek. You will work this out
between you. Remember,
the key to success for any
relationship and journey is
compromise, communication
and being prepared to learn as
you go.
Jaclyn
Dear Jaclyn and Heidi,
I am at a loss. My wife Jasmine
and I have been looking forward to becoming grey nomads
for years. When I was offered
early retirement I jumped at the
chance but there’s already trouble in paradise. Jasmine wants
to book caravan parks weeks
ahead whereas I think the whole
joy of this lifestyle is its flexibility. We are heading north soon
and she is paranoid about not
being able to get a site in places
such as Emerald where the mining boom has put pressures on
accommodation. I don’t want to
plan my life months in advance
but she will worry herself sick
if we haven’t got everything
booked up. I can’t see a way out
of this impasse.
Derek
Wend your way through
striking desert landscapes
kilometre walk takes in magnificent views of the Canyon
rim, the weathered, buttressed
domes of ‘The Lost City’ and
the ‘Garden of Eden’.
When it is time to leave
though, it is important to
remember that you will be in
Aboriginal land and camping,
picnicking and even parking
are not permitted, except at
the official ‘Jump-up’ rest area,
also known as Ginty’s Lookout.
It’s a top spot just out of the
Watarrka National Park, and
it offers great views north over
sand dune country with Desert
Oh dear, oh dear, Derek! If you
haven’t managed to talk about
the basic ground rules of a trip
you have been dreaming about
for years, then the chances of
you and Jasmine lasting more
than a month on the road are
zero. She needs to develop a
sense of adventure not a feeling
of paranoia. How can you book
into a park you haven’t seen
and which is located in a town
you might not even want to
go to? The open road is about
freedom, fun and flexibility.
If you run into a problem like
a ‘No Vacancy’ sign, you just
deal with it. That’s what makes
life interesting! Living 24/7 in a
tiny metal box on wheels with
a ‘worrier’ is no picnic, Derek.
Maybe you should have left her
at home.
Heidi
Click to comment
Oaks and Kurrajong trees and
south to Carmichael Crag and
Kings Canyon.
As the road traverses low
scrub, sand dunes and bare
rocky ridges, there are manyman-made attractions such
as ‘tyre’ trees and artistically
arranged car body parts to
entertain you as you go.
After 150kms, travellers have
the choice of going 20kms or
so into the Aboriginal community of Hermannsburg or
looping north west and on towards the magnificence of the
West MacDonnell Ranges. The
wonders of Ormiston Gorge,
the chilly waters of Ellery
Creek Big Hole, and the magic
of Standley Chasm are, though,
a story in their own right.
Travelling the Mereenie Loop
Road is a unique experience that will live long in the
memory.
Click to comment
Issue 18: April 13, 2012
ot