Country towns are changing- not for the better?

[krisandkev]

We have just returned from our 6 week trip around the Red Centre and returned to Queensland via the Plenty Highway.  We were going to stay in a few motels on the way home as a bit of a treat.  Wrong!  After Longreach we went via the Thompson Development Road and then Jundah, Quilpie, Windorah, Charleville etc.  We could not find a motel anywhere and were told various reasons by locals; it is the mines, there is a funeral or it is the reps.  It does appear to be the mines as you will see their cars everywhere.  The funny thing is the motels appeared empty with not a single car, but the no vacancy sign would be displayed.  A lot of motels do not even have their office staffed. No need. Even the caravan parks were busting at the seams and no cabins available.  The sad thing is we intended to stay and spend some time exploring, and spend our money, in a few towns, but we just drove straight through.  So although the motels/caravan parks must be very very happy, I am not so sure about the towns.  And it is unfortunate that when we did stop in Quilpie and Mitchell to visit the local bakery we were meet with the grumpiest staff. Did not give us a very good impression of the town, not sure why they work there.   Mind you it was the complete opposite at Jundah and Stonehenge.  What wonderful little towns and friendly people.  Same for Morven. It has brilliant camping in the sports ground. And fantastic meals at the local hotel.   
Kevin

[Scolers]

We found the same a few years ago going through Cobar ... not one motel room vacant and noone there ... but we later found out that the reason there was noone there was because the occupants were at work ...  .

I love grumpy bakery staff ... reckon Id be grumpy if I had to get up at 3am to bake a bl**dy loaf of bread.  So long as the croissants aren't burnt they can be as grumpy as they like ... 

Thanks for the heads up re Jundah and Morven ... hopoing to ehad that way soon.

 

Scol.

[BigJules]

An all too common story. Try and get a room in Orange or Mudgee most nights. The mines book out the hotels, even if they don't necessarily have a confirmed occupant.

On the positive side, those folks were probably doing it tough in business before.

[idlegossip]

We found the same thing in Emerald last year.

Mine workers everywhere and the 1 motel we found a vacancy in, wanted to charge 1/2 a mortgaged house for a night and you had to book of a min of 3 nights. We just kept driving.

[Tjupurula]

It is basically the same through most of the Kimberley as well.  I do note however that prices seem to suddenly jump when "tourist" seems comes in.  I refused to pay $75 for a donger in the Halls Creek caravan park, which had no power other than lights, so I camped about 30 km's out of town for free.
Tjupurula

[cancan]

I will put my hand up.....although I am not in the mining industry I am FIFO and I am part of the issue of motels/van parks being full.
When I was staying in Motels I was booking flights and accommodation 2 months in advance just to guarantee a full week in the same place and to get into the better motels.
Initially my role was to be filled by a local but they were not able to find anyone with the skill sets required so the only resort is to fly in and accommodate us.
Now that I have a caravan out here, I have had to change parks as the original park that I went to is replacing permanent sites with Dongas....more money to be made.
My neighbors are all out here working along with most of the park. I did have the option of sharing a company house, and the rent the company pays is ridiculous but compared to Motels it is a lot cheaper.
You do have to feel for the locals, rents are sky high, motels full, have to book to go to the good restaurants etc etc but then it also brings money to the community and we have locals employed where possible.
As for grumpy bakery staff.....stopped for a pie in St George yesterday and the staff could not be any friendlier....and hot coffee not luke warm.

[Eski]

It won't be forever.  I heard on the news that they are saying the mining boom has about 2 years to run and then will slow down to normal..

I have given up on motels years ago...   Oh the days of $35 a night for a single they are LONG gone..   

Last one was $105 + Breakfast, I think she felt bad for me as I stood there dripping and gave it to me for $95 including continental breakfast...   

[Bird]

I refused to pay $75 for a donger in the Halls Creek caravan park

I've been told you can get them cheaper in St Kilda or Kings Cross..
HTH

[krisandkev]

I might add re the grumpy bakery staff.  On both occasions we sat in the shop to eat and were amazed how the staff were not friendly with other travellers but were very friendly when locals came in.  Maybe previous travellers have caused problems?  Mind you the sausage roll I had at Mitchell was the best I have had for some time.    Kevin

[Fun Police]

2 years? That was Deloitte from memory.

About as much credibility as pink elephants.

Chinas revised growth plans will keep it ticking for a while!

[Hauler]

I think there is some credibility to the mining boom coming off the boil in the next 2 - 3 years.  Have a look as to when some of the Chinese owned mines come online in Africa....anyway I digress.

The chance of getting a room anywhere between Brisbane and Charleville at short notice are always pretty slim.  It sure is frustrating.  We like to stay in a motel on our first night out just to ease into things with a steak and cold beer with friends.  That allows us to spend the maximum number of days further west where we really want to be.  Last couple of years we have gone out via St George and have managed to get a room there but still had to book in advance but this year we are thinking of just leaving Bris much earlier and doing a bigger day to get further out.

And nothing grinds my gears more than being invisible in a bakery etc while the locals walk in, get a loud greeting as they enter the door then proceed to to the counter to get served immediately.  It's funny how the regions with a guaranteed (mining) income for the next few years tend to forget about the travellers who were previously, and will be again one day, an important source of income.

Rant over.  I do love travelling, really.....

[speewa158]

ln my CT free camping , grog at supermarket prices , Bacon & eggs on toast  & coffie in the morning
, With benifits . What else do you need 

[cancan]

Its not all mining causing the issues....they are just flavour of the month.

Here in Roma there is no mining yet its impossible to get accommodation on short notice, more so Monday - Wednesday (meeting days).
There is gas and there is a lot of Origin and Santos Utes about. There is also flood restoration work which is what I am involved with. I have at least 2 more yrs here, excluding last floods.
Then with the floods there are a lot of houses still being repaired so a lot of tradies out here working on those and while you cant live in the houses then those people are in motels (our houses were only recently fixed so those guys were motelling).
I meet a lot of sales people at the motel bar when I was motelling, plus I saw police every now and again staying at the motel, Telstra and QR Utes although a friend with Telstra is currently staying at Surat (90km away) as he cant get accommodation in Roma, plus qld junior rugby league development cars were there a lot, so a lot is happening and none of it to do with mining....having said that my previous contract was with a mining company and they were in Chinchilla and same issue there...no accommodation which can be blamed on mining.
I can of course accommodate any Swedish backpacker if they are stuck for a room

As for the mining boom going bust....A friend working in coal in Mongolia reckons 5 yrs before they will effect our pricing and a friend involved in africa said a lot is happening there.....plus I believe  a few staff from Olympic dam have been forced on the market...all heresay of course

[dazzler]

Last one was $105 + Breakfast, I think she felt bad for me as I stood there dripping and gave it to me for $95 including continental breakfast...   

What were you dripping. Not body fluids I hope

[Blinky Bill]

I'm still trying to workout what a 'donger' is. 

My first instinct was the male organ, as in 'I was kicked in the donger'.

And then I thought it must be donga as in he lived out west in the donga.

Neither seems to quite fit. So I'll be treating that term with suspicion from here on in.

[Tjupurula]

I'm still trying to workout what a 'donger' is. 

My first instinct was the male organ, as in 'I was kicked in the donger'.

And then I thought it must be donga as in he lived out west in the donga.

Neither seems to quite fit. So I'll be treating that term with suspicion from here on in.

Hi Blinky Bill
In my definition a donger is a small room, usually within a series of rooms, and frequently in a portable set up.  It is a basic form of overnight accommodation, not much else.
Tjupurula

[speewa158]

Arrr Yes the humble donger 2,4 X 3m of pure ,,,,,,ummmm box . That brings back memories not much good really . A bed , a chair, a door an air con that never really worked . & it was all mine .
Tell young people today how lucky they are & they just wonk believe you     

[stretch7702000]

The mining companies are booking out a lot of motels on a permanent basis even if there isn't anyone staying in them. They just want the rooms there available.

[speewa158]

What ever the rate its a nice earn for the country motels . Though its strange to be full when nobodys there .

[qlddsl]

Found the same in Parkes on Tuesday night, hard to find a motel room, even caravan parks (cabins) were booked out even though they looked empty. Maybe I shouldn't of been so lazy and set up the camper!

[BigJules]

I frequently stay in country pubs, where the rate is usually ~$40 per person. This is terrific, as all I'm after is a bed and a shower and I don't use the bed for very long either.

[Bird]

I frequently stay in country pubs, where the rate is usually ~$40 per person. This is terrific, as all I'm after is a bed and a shower and I don't use the bed for very long either.

I used to do that touring on the bike... $20/night basic room, shared everything else...
top option, but they ar disappearing fast from what mates tell me.

[Alan Loy]

I guess that this is not a problem for either the Motels or those of us with camper trailers but the lack of accommodation will reduce the tourism in these areas.  I would not think of just heading off with no bookings any more at least not in those areas that have become booked out.  Nearly got caught out in Rockhampton last year.  We were lucky to find a bed at any price.

[Bird]

How about this screamer.

A Reservoir family whose Christmas holiday plans were ruined have won a discrimination payout from a caravan park owner — because he refused to allow them stay at his park with their adult sons.

James Galea took Blairgowrie Caravan Park owner Ross Hartnett to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal after his family's booking was refused, Mr Hartnett having raised concerns about the supervision of Mr Galea's sons, aged 18 and 21.

Mr Galea told the tribunal that Mr Hartnett told him on the phone that he would need to book a three-week stay from December 24 last year. He and his wife then went to the park the weekend after the phone inquiry and were told that the ages of their sons meant that the price would be now be $930, rather than $720.

Mr Hartnett told Mr and Mrs Galea that their sons would need to be supervised — Mr Galea said that Mr Hartnett had added that the family did not fit in with the park's clientele.

[vk2ss55]

Singleton is another shocker , they're booked chockers all the time . Go to Maccas at breakfast and everyone's wearing a hi vis shirt .
I had to look further afield and was glad that I did as I now stay at a nice little winery near Branxton , beautifully quiet and top tucker !
Cheers
Ross