MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Bunyip on January 09, 2013, 09:18:03 PM
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Hi Guys,
LB and I are in the very early stages of thinking about buying either an existing camp site, or buying a property and building a camp site.
As part of the process I would like to ask for your opinions about where and what you look for in a camp site. The survey is aimed at those that take weekend/week trips, those doing major travel will no doubt have different criteria. My initial thought would be that the majority of customers would be reasonably local guys.
WOW, what a response, you guys have filled the 100 responses already!!!!!
At this stage we will leave the survey at that, but please feel free to comment as much as you can in this thread.
Thanks in advance
Bunyip
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stop changing it!! it keeps resetting
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Sorry Lost, mucked up the whole URL thing.
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Done.
I just went to click on the link again to check some of the questions but it takes me to the home or end page not the survey itself.
I envisage something like Burralow Swamp - shade, a toilet though more then one might be good, fire pits, good ground the kids can ride their bikes on or room to fly a kite of kick a ball around/cricket.
With regards to drinking water or a shop, I don't think it is needed for a 2-3 day weekend but maybe some occasional campers might need it for a week stay where as the more experienced are pretty self sufficent with power/water/food.
Good luck.
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Done and good luck whatever you decide.
KB
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Done!
Also must add that a good campsite for me is one without idiots and hoons and plenty of space between camps, so your not kept awake by the peopke having a "quiet chat" in the next site.
Strong management is key.
Cheers
JB
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
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Done mate. A sound business option I think with the Ever increasing number of Nomads hitting the road. I have had the same thought great to see you are actually motivated to do something with yours. Good luck with it.
Jas
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Done
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Done and good luck with the venture :cup:
:cheers:
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Done!
Also must add that a good campsite for me is one without idiots and hoons and plenty of space between camps, so your not kept awake by the peopke having a "quiet chat" in the next site.
Strong management is key.
Cheers
JB
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Hi JB,
I am thinking of four different site types
1. Common camping ground - unallocated sites
2. Common camping ground - powered sites - allocated
3. group sites (thinking around 10) - large site with an acre of land around it
4. Cabins (thinking around 10) - each cabin with about an acre of land around it
I figure this should cater for most camping styles, group sites would be charged by site (not number of campers).
We would also limit the number of people camping at any one time so people are not squashed on top of each other.
We had the loud conversation going well past midnight in the campsite next to us at Riverwood downs. Not sure how to combat that other than as the management taking a walk around the site after 10 and reminding those still up to be considerate.
Bunyip
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Done
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We had the loud conversation going well past midnight in the campsite next to us at Riverwood downs. Not sure how to combat that other than as the management taking a walk around the site after 10 and reminding those still up to be considerate.
2 acres + between sites.
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2 acres + between sites.
Thanks for that Lost. I suppose in the end it will depend on the size of land that we can afford, but i agree, the more the better.
Noise pollution between sites is an important consideration and is foremost in our considerations.
Bunyip
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Thanks for that Lost. I suppose in the end it will depend on the size of land that we can afford, but i agree, the more the better.
Noise pollution between sites is an important consideration and is foremost in our considerations.
some of that bush stuff they use for hedges...
Good luck with insurance too, that will up the costs
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Yeah, insurance is going to be a killer, have not even looked into that yet, the lsit is growing very very fast!
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Yeah, insurance is going to be a killer, have not even looked into that yet, the lsit is growing very very fast!
I would start there.
actually I'd start with the local council, to see if they will allow it
save you months of work to go nowhere.
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I would start there.
actually I'd start with the local council, to see if they will allow it
save you months of work to go nowhere.
The issue is at this stage we do not have a council in mind, the area is open for consideration for the time being.
As I said, very early stages.
Bunyip
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Done. At the end of the day you are there to make a living. Having too big campsites means less people, less income. Trying to find the perfect medium will be hard.
Good luck with the venture.
Mark
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We done your survey but Ill add our thoughts here because its easier......
Our ideal camp site is on a nice river, large grassy sites, quiet, private, plenty of fire wood, close enough to supplies that its not an epic trip but not so close that you are camping in a town, things to do in the area such as walks, sight seeing etc and it must be cheap :) We stay away from busy camp sites if we can, they usually attract inconsiderate people.
Oh and cant say too much on here at the moment but your a man after our own heart :) Public liability insurance is not as bad as you may think.
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Done.
Have pondered the merits of a venture like this myself.
I liked the style of Home Valley on the GRR
Good luck
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You guys are amazing, thank you so much for your responses. 30 responses in under 3 hours is much more than I had expected.
As SurveyMonkey will only allow 100 responses on the free site, I may well upgrade. This will also allow me to do more with the surveys.
Bunyip
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Survey done mate. ;D
Just a side note,
We usually camp near a river or a lake, This is because generally we will take the boat with us as well.
The BIGGEST thing I have found at camp grounds that are near water is that to maximise profit the camp sites are small. You generally have enough room for the trailer and car.
Most parking for boats be it a ski boat or tinny are in the main carpark or visitors carpark out the front. This can mean quite a large walk depending on where you are.
If there was enough room for say a camper trailer car and possibly a boat or second car close by to each site it makes it much easier.
The last powered site we stayed on was your typical concrete slab and a bit of grass. Enough room on the grass for say a Jayco popup and the awning to go over the concrete and not much else.
To fit the 14 foot van, car and boat we had to hire two sites. This was because we were right up the back and the walk to the boat took around 10 min. Not great for a security aspect for a 30 grand boat.
We usually take two cars, one tows the boat the other the van or camper when I finish it. I don't mind parking the other car out front but it would be nice to have room for the trailer/boat close by.
Cheers
Evo
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We usually take two cars, one tows the boat the other the van or camper when I finish it. I don't mind parking the other car out front but it would be nice to have room for the trailer/boat close by.
Cheers
Evo
Thanks Evo,
This is why I try to steer away from allocated sites and prefer open camping. The powered sites at Ferndale are basically just poles sticking out of the ground, all grass. This looks good to me.
Bunyip
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Thanks Evo,
This is why I try to steer away from allocated sites and prefer open camping. The powered sites at Ferndale are basically just poles sticking out of the ground, all grass. This looks good to me.
Bunyip
Yep, Vote one for that. The concrete drives me nuts.
More often than not after a few years the ground around the concrete tends to disappear. I have been to a few places where there was nearly 4 inches of difference between the concrete and grass (dirt).
Cheers
Evo
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close to a bottle shop is a must for me
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Done and I hope it all works out mate!
If you have a central area with bbqs and kitchen so that those who are only just barely camping and don't have the extras ie. gas stove, they can enjoy some amenities. Depends on where you are, flushing toilets are nice, but use way to much water. Maybe flushing toilets in the central area with hot showers and drop / compost toilets for the further away sites.
:cheers:
Strvy
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Bunyip, have you spoken to other such sites? As long as you are not stealing their potential customers, I bet most would be happy to chat.
This guy only started up in the last year or so and has been gradually developing his place http://ronshorseriding.com.au/ (http://ronshorseriding.com.au/) Only problem I have is that now he allows motorcycles and they appear to be buzzing around the camp grounds during the day. OK if you are a bike rider, or your kids are, but not very attractive if you aren't.
These guys have been going for ages http://www.gordoncountry.com.au/ (http://www.gordoncountry.com.au/)
This one recently changed hands http://www.glendoncamping.com.au/ (http://www.glendoncamping.com.au/)
As did this one about three years ago http://www.thesprings4x4.com.au/ (http://www.thesprings4x4.com.au/)
Good luck
KB
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Done mate sounds like a good idea. I remember talking to a bloke while living at Tin Can that did this on his property. It was near Kybong just south of Gympie his name was Shane i think , will try & find more info for you. He may be able to give you some advice or helpfull info, I remember he was a good bloke.
Good luck
Cam.
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done - good luck with it, if i was in the position to do this kind of thing i would
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Done, there seems to be a lot who don't want any noise while they camp, may I suggest you simply stay home in the quiet of your house or buy yourself some acerage and don't let anyone onto the block while you are camping.
Geez people, to say you need to have lights out and all quiet by 10 is a bit of a joke, how do you get your teenagers to do this particularly when in a group situation? [ Probably watching a DVD or playing games on the iwhatever ] instead of interacting with each other around a campfire etc.
Within reason I couldn't care less how noisy the neighbours are they are just doing there thing the same as we are.
[runs and ducks for cover] :cheers:
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Done, but I forgot to add a few things.
We also occasionally like to camp somewhere where we can bring our dog with us, and sometimes it's nice to have a big communal campfire.
Maybe have someone available to fan me, rub my feet and feed me ice cubes on those really hot days too... when my husband is busy doing those other camp chore things >:D ;D
Jokes aside, as far as location goes, another great campsite a couple of hours from Newcastle/Sydney would be great :cup:
Good Luck!
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We also occasionally like to camp somewhere where we can bring our dog with us,
Dogs would be a certain starter, would be a little hard saying no dogs as they registered and saw our dog dancing around for attention :D
Not sure what I can do about the fanning/feet/ice cube stuff but LB is quite accommodating ;D
Bunyip
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Done & dusted. Good old SurveyMonkey, used it a lot.
Good luck with your venture. Would be good for you to set up camp (pun intended) in SEQ or Northern NSW.
Whatever you do you will never meet everyone's expectations but at least doing it this way you are trying to meet the swaggers expectations. That's all that counts :cup:
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Done & dusted. Good old SurveyMonkey, used it a lot.
Good luck with your venture. Would be good for you to set up camp (pun intended) in SEQ or Northern NSW.
Whatever you do you will never meet everyone's expectations but at least doing it this way you are trying to meet the swaggers expectations. That's all that counts :cup:
We are thinking at this stage within 2 hours of Sydney. Trying to catch the "Friday after work, weekend away" trade, but nothing has been decided.
Figures if I can meet most of what the Swaggers want then I should be pretty good for others as well ;D
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200k radius from Shitney, although most is out of the 2 hour range.
(https://images.amp.com.au/dafiles/AMP%20Online/University%20challenge/Media/StaticFiles/distance-map.png)
Doesn't give you much to work with, you'd only go Nth or Sth coast there. I wouldn't think inland would be popular without water/beaches.
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Done and good luck with your venture.
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At this stage Laguna/Wollombi is winning in the location front. Not much there in the way of camping. Pretty close to the Hunter Valley and very close to Dr Jurds Jungle Juice (sold only at the Wollombi Pub). In a valley so has a river running through the area.
Only about 1.5hrs drive from the northern suburbs of Sydney so a possibility for the Friday night weekenders.
Bunyip
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At this stage Laguna/Wollombi is winning in the location front. Not much there in the way of camping. Pretty close to the Hunter Valley and very close to Dr Jurds Jungle Juice (sold only at the Wollombi Pub). In a valley so has a river running through the area.
Only about 1.5hrs drive from the northern suburbs of Sydney so a possibility for the Friday night weekenders.
Bunyip
that area suits me fine................
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Done the quiz!
If you have seen the caravan park in Lima South?
They are even motorbike friendly with a track out the back you are able to ride on too.
Spots for camp fires are a go too, rather swim in a dam/river than a pool, but thats just me.
Gecko
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If you have seen the caravan park in Lima South?
Driven past it many times, must check it out someday (too close to home I guess). Popular with fisherman as its close to Lake Nillahcootie i beleive. Nice location and outlook.
There's also a camp ground somewhere near Barmah that im trying to find a link to as well.
Found it:
http://www.morninggloryriverresort.com.au/ (http://www.morninggloryriverresort.com.au/)
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Morning Glory Resort (http://www.morninggloryriverresort.com.au/)
That has a very appealing title...
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That has a very appealing title...
They do advertise as offering a unique experience!
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Yeah, cant figure out why I can never remember the name!
We visited some freinds whilst they were staying there, the campground section was really nice. Thinking about making a trip up there on the Jan long weekend.
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Yeah, cant figure out why I can never remember the name!
We visited some freinds whilst they were staying there, the campground section was really nice. Thinking about making a trip up there on the Jan long weekend.
it sounds fairly good.
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Water is always good, so is shade for those summer months.
If I were you, I'd be looking at somewhere north of Gloucester, on the river... :D
Clean and bright amenities are a bonus too.
Flat, or relatively level sites are good.
Clean potable water (filtered) not river water as it can make unsuspecting people sick...
I agree with the options for groups, as I've seen groups setup, with sleep tents, food tents plus the outdoor, under cover kitchen, kiddies pools etc..
Many moons ago I had my own business, my Public Liability for $20mil plus Professional Indemnity was around $3500 p/a, so expensive, but too bad in the scheme of things, and is absolutely essential.
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Driven past it many times, must check it out someday (too close to home I guess). Popular with fisherman as its close to Lake Nillahcootie i beleive. Nice location and outlook.
We will be there all of australia day weekend, if you are in the area come and say hello!!!
Just look for all the panelvans!
Our van club book out the whole front bit, we swim in the dam or there is a salt water pool there if you like pools.
(I hope it is still salt water as i hate chlorine)
the boat and fishing guys all go there for that lake you mentioned.
I have only seen it i havent actually been to the lake, havent been righ to drive during that weekend hahaha
Gecko
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We will be there all of australia day weekend, if you are in the area come and say hello!!!
Will do if around.
If I ask for Gecko will you be identifiable by others in your group? ;D
:cheers:
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Will do if around.
If I ask for Gecko will you be identifiable by others in your group? ;D
:cheers:
Just look for the car in his sig as the tow rig.
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Done :)
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It's done.
Have you considered N.NSW - SE.Qld for you new venture? ;D
Kit_e
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Or the boarder of NSW and VIC?
albury wodonga is a great spot and gets very busy during the summer months....... Helps that the dam is full ;D
The only thing missing from around here is a really good chillaxed park, most are the "tourist meca" spots.
Cheers
Evo
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Survey done
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Will do if around.
If I ask for Gecko will you be identifiable by others in your group? ;D
:cheers:
Yep!!!
Only my mother and the Judge call me by my real name hahaha
;D
I myself have a XF Falcon ex divvy van, appliance white in color.
I dont know if my trailer will be ready to take up there sadly but i will be the one with the big tent hooked to the back of the van.
Just look for the car in his sig as the tow rig.
I wish i had another ratrod still, that would be awesome to tour this country of ours in!!!
Gecko
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It's done.
Have you considered N.NSW - SE.Qld for you new venture? ;D
Kit_e
X2
:cheers:
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Laguna and Wollombi are in my backyard. There actually aren't a lot of camping options up this way, so it could be a great spot, and who can go past being near the vineyards and some Dr Jurd's ::)
It's a pretty drive up the back way from Sydney too, and you've got the Watagans to play in for 4wders or bushwalkers, Aboriginal and convict history abounds, and Wollombi itself is a gorgeous little town. They have a surprising number of festivals and events on during the year: sculpture in the vineyards, scarecrow and music festivals plus a corroboree to name a few.
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Did the survey last night. Great idea!
Geez people, to say you need to have lights out and all quiet by 10 is a bit of a joke,
There should be a completely seperate camp area for the lights out by 10 brigade. Somewhere isolated from the riff raff and noise polluters...
Down next to the septic tanks and house generator >:D >:D >:D
I myself have a XF Falcon ex divvy van, appliance white in color.
Gecko
Noice! had me one of those years ago.
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My perfect campground would be by water (good swimming) secluded without having to hear others yet some basic facilities. When I say basic, pit toilet and basic iron shed shower with wood fired heating of water. No generators, motorbikes or yobbos allowed. Campfires in designated pits with good level grassy area for camp with nice big shady trees and each site can hold min 4 camper trailers so you can be together as a group of friends. No shop or store needed, keep it really basic with a rubbish deposit on the way out. The more commercial the place, the less the appeal for me......:-)
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I'm with Teabag And as other have said, and I'm sure you will you need to find that right balance between cost and space. I'll take the survey as well now but in the end, what you build will be the deciding factor in who and what people you get. In certain areas you need a certain umber of amenity blocks and so on. You can't just say I'm using Pitt Loos as there maybe a Aquifer under the land.
I reckon all of us would be happy with a few drop loos around the place. Firewood and a good space to get together but then leave when we are all done.
Hop you get it sorted :cheers:
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done...............good luck !!
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My perfect campground would be by water (good swimming) secluded without having to hear others yet some basic facilities. When I say basic, pit toilet and basic iron shed shower with wood fired heating of water. No generators, motorbikes or yobbos allowed. Campfires in designated pits with good level grassy area for camp with nice big shady trees and each site can hold min 4 camper trailers so you can be together as a group of friends. No shop or store needed, keep it really basic with a rubbish deposit on the way out. The more commercial the place, the less the appeal for me......:-)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VC3feRXjf_A/T99YKjFuybI/AAAAAAAACXI/CRjrKIzE6tE/s1600/hammering+nail.jpg)
Just to add to that, easy access to the water for kids and cripples, and the store is a nice thought, but far from needed..
But if your trying to bring in more than just swaggers, then I think for the family who forgets **** all the time, then its needed.. 30 degree days kids love an ice cream and drink and its more income to keep the joint running.
Also things to do in the local area to keep people interested. Some like sitting back for 10 days doing NOTHING.. but to me I'd suicide after 1/2 a day.
But a shop brings on more rules and regulations and costs when setting it up.
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The results of the survey are in and it looks like we will need to start up at least three camp sites (QLD/NSW Border, NSW/VIC Border and Hunter Valley) ;D Not sure how LB will feel about that one!
The responses were pretty much as we had expected, but that would be no surprise as most people on here have similar tastes in camping I suppose.
Are you guys interested in me sharing the results with you? Anyone who wants to know just PM me and I will send through a summary.
It may take a couple of days to put the summary together, just because the people that pay me money on a fortnightly basis unreasonably expect me to do stuff for them as well!
Please keep on letting us know what you want in a camp site, nothing has been decided.
Bunyip
Bunyip
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Are you guys interested in me sharing the results with you? Anyone who wants to know just PM me and I will send through a summary.
The results are in?? its only been running a couple of days, give it a month then consider it finished.. people are still on holidays.
Just post them up...
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Cant see survey on tapatalk so here goes,
Large sites near to river, friendly staff that get involved eg, Xmas , Easter and New Years, clean amenities don't have to be flash just clean, bin/ recycle/ cans ( extra coin),hire canoes/ tubes for the river, shaded area for kids, eg, sandpit.
Pets by appointment,seperate entry to river for kids/ people and dogs.
I know Knorrit flat was for sale a little while ago, inland from nabiac.
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I agree with all that has been said ... have you thought of those that provide for themselves ... you might need or know what to find a Dump Point.
Otherwise, post up those results. It will be interesting to see I reckon. I doubt everyone voted as I did ... which was a bare paddock by a river or lake with no shop / facilities / neighbours. ;D
Kit_e
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I agree with all that has been said ... have you thought of those that provide for themselves ... you might need or know what to find a Dump Point.
Otherwise, post up those results. It will be interesting to see I reckon. I doubt everyone voted as I did ... which was a bare paddock by a river or lake with no shop / facilities / neighbours. ;D
Kit_e
I thought of you when looking at the results Kit_e, thinking I will need to offer a bush camping/ no facilities option as well. I am sure you don't want to pay for the upkeep of facilities you would not use.
Dump point is a good point, had not thought of that.
Bunyip
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I know Knorrit flat was for sale a little while ago, inland from nabiac.
Sounds good 500+ acres, you could have every single option mentioned in its own 50 acre section.
http://www.realestate.com.au/property-other-nsw-knorrit+flat-7505007 (http://www.realestate.com.au/property-other-nsw-knorrit+flat-7505007)
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Agree on the dump point although we don't require one this can also be a great thing for council.
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Agree on the dump point although we don't require one this can also be a great thing for council.
We used to run natural terrain MX and endure meetings
I can tell you councils can be a deadest soul destroyer for some of their petty stupid rules, where you go to the block of dirt next door in a different council area, and its a cake walk. You will also probably need cops approval, we did cause there were rego'ed vehicles coming on the land.
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Hope this all comes together for you close to Vic would be great ;D
We look for somewhere probably on a river and we try to take our dogs with us when we camp so dog friendly would be great, a bit of space between camps and maybe some set fire pits to avoid people just digging them all over the place and like others have said maybe a larger fire area for groups to gather in a central location. We do not need bbq etc but as others have mentioned some people who were not staying for long might find these handy. Perhaps to keep rubbish under control bins scattered around the area one of the parks we stayed at they just had a trailer on their 4 wheel motorbike and went around and collected them, but might be easier to have a main bin like someone mentioned. Shop not really needed if the option was there say at reception area maybe an ice fridge and some cold drinks and bread if it was easily available to you. Reasonably flat sight and easy access for swimming is great. Good luck with it all look forward to hearing how it goes :cheers:
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Think there may have been a bit of a set back
http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=249.msg429937#new (http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=249.msg429937#new)
KB
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Think there may have been a bit of a set back
Sure has, nothing like a redundancy to put a spanner in the works. Having said that given the payout, if I can get a job reasonably soon it could also help the situation.
Bunyip
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Hope it all comes together for you. Good luck
KB
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Sure has, nothing like a redundancy to put a spanner in the works. Having said that given the payout, if I can get a job reasonably soon it could also help the situation.
Bunyip
Well fingers crossed a new job comes along quick smart all the best with it, can imagine it is hard there have been alot of redundancies where my partner works he still has a job though so hope he keeps it. Good luck
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Thanks guys,
I expect it will take between 3 and 6 months if I am being honest. It will be hard to get back into the whole interview thing, I hate job interviews.
It is probably the best thing to happen to me really, I hated the job, was grumpy at home (just ask LB) and was just too lazy to look properly for a new job.
Now they are paying to look for a job :)
Bunyip