Are We Roaming Less, Nationally?

[Citroënbender]

I note the Bulga Pub has recently closed again, the proprietors since 2018-19 decided not to renew their lease. This prompted me to ponder - are we (collectively) actually driving less far afield than a couple of years ago when, immediately post-Covid, there was a palpable enthusiasm for road trips and discovering places?

I realise commuter aggregate mileages and in-car times are likely going up due to urban sprawl and congestion but that’s a different set of numbers.

[lra]

Personlly .............. Yes.

The last 5 years have been **** for travel
Prior to COVID, and being retired, we always had a trip to somewhere planned.
On and off state border closures stuffed a few trips.
And, (this comment will be construed as being controversial) there are a number of places that we do not wish to revisit, or are now not as accessible as they used to be.
They really don't want to C U in NT anymore, so that is one place.
Another is a big lake near Maree. Look hard and you may see it, but do not touch.

We have been to a lot of Australian out of the way places, not always by our own cars, and consider ourselves lucky that we were able to without the hordes of tourists or requesting permission or paying to visit public land.
A $20 parking fee to visit Burke and Wills' Dig Tree now.


As I am writing this, we should have been on the Gold Coast for a week, and then heading a bit west, but are not due to weather and chaos.
Even a short trip inland trip to Dubbo, Hay, Wagga a few years ago was curtailed due to floods.

[HIPO]

Awful lot of caravans etc passing my way, the last 18 months.

[simon varley]

absolutely! it's so much cheaper to go to Bali, or jump on a cruise ship. Only the grey nomads are still vacationing in this country

[lra]

Don't have a caravan or a 4WD.
Never been to Bali, never will.
2 cruises to NZ. Sea days = bored ****less looking at waves.

Yeah, we are grey, but not nomads. A cheap Aussie ute does it for us.
If you don't holiday in Australia, or explore Australia, you probably don't eat Vegemite on toast.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by simon varley

absolutely! it's so much cheaper to go to Bali, or jump on a cruise ship. Only the grey nomads are still vacationing in this country

Definitely the grey nomads are about, but I do see many others in 4wd's SUV's and other assorted vehicles travelling the highways, imo many people are still travelling around Australia.
One thing I do know; you really have to prebook your accommodation these days compared to pre-covid days.

[smoo]

More people feeling the effects of the cost of living while they over leveraged the last few years?
Yeah, the 300 Series or Raptor Ranger looks good outside the 7 figure house but there’s no point if they’re living week to week as half of their income goes on interest to cover the facade as the grey hairs appear weekly from stress.

I’d be curious to know how motorbike rider patronage has trended over say ten years.
I have read the hobby is in decline. It’s an aging hobby. Over zealous road policing, horrendous cost of new bikes, an all round expensive hobby and not much cheaper than an economical car to commute if riders double up on commuting and weekend rides.

[MITCHAY]

I haven't gone anywhere since 2017

I've had plenty of leave but not a holiday as such, I mostly just catch up on shit around the house. Every time I want to head down the coast just never do it

[Jastel]

Petrol prices havent helped either...
To go "for a drive" on the weekend now costs $20-$50 in fuel, then probably some food as well.
People will think twice about that.

[Tonz]

wife runs a craft market I reluctanly go as moral backup, the number of families we come across doing the family round the big country in huge caravans is mind blowing.
Last Monday (holiday weekend) I did a 30 minute drive up to Tumby and saw 34 caravans/campers/buses heading into Lincoln.

Dont tell me the country is doing it hard. Id say since covid many are thinking...lets see this country before we get ....
1 locked up again by virus or stupid government
2 before we loose everything after all we have pensions (hopefully) to support our old age

[Cav]

Accommodation in motels has changed since covid.

Prices are up

Occupancy is higher

Gone are the days to pull into a motel on a major highway at 6pm and expecting a room.

Requires much more betterer forward planning

The days of leisurely heading off and stopping whenever it feels right could mean you have to start ringing around to find a bed

A trip needs planning now: search Google maps for best route; work out distance each day, search motel guides, meals available in town (Mondays and Tuesdays can be a problem); Fuel stations hours and prices.

Not as much fun now.

For added excitement hire an EV

[smoo]

Originally Posted by Cav

Accommodation in motels has changed since covid.

Prices are up

Occupancy is higher

Gone are the days to pull into a motel on a major highway at 6pm and expecting a room.

Requires much more betterer forward planning

The days of leisurely heading off and stopping whenever it feels right could mean you have to start ringing around to find a bed

A trip needs planning now: search Google maps for best route; work out distance each day, search motel guides, meals available in town (Mondays and Tuesdays can be a problem); Fuel stations hours and prices.

Not as much fun now.

For added excitement hire an EV

Extra excitement do it in an aging VAG product and predict where it’s gonna break down.

I’ll be doing something similar in a couple of weeks Perth - Melbourne - Newcastle - Perth.
Will pre book accomodation at road houses between Noresman and Port Augusta in advance and have a few nights booked in VIC but will play the rest as it comes.
Looking at booking.com it seems getting a room for under $200 is becoming harder. Usually when I use booking.com have found hosts will drop the price considerably after midday for same day check in.
If it’s a pub or what looks to be a small owner operator business I’ll ring and book direct so they aren’t hit with booking fees/commission.

[roKWiz]

We end up going to more places simply based on deals with the trains or country motels. Not interested in looking at cities.

Last night we decided board the train to Albury this morning and stay for a few nights so we can see the Chrysler on the Murray event being held here.

The train is $9 and parrallels the Hume, train is quicker than driving the car and we get a discounted room at the motel because we don't need a car space.

Our other option was to drive over to Shepparton and stay a couple of nights while the Falcon GT nationals were on there.

[Jastel]

Hotels/van parks/camping spots are full for two reasons...people are living in them full time and not moving on until forced due to high property prices.

Second reason is guy has hotel with 20 rooms, no employees available and he can only clean 8 rooms...therefore full...as no workers in remote areas.

If I am "winging it" I will usually have a look on the net around lunchtime and check availablity...if crowded I'll book somewhere that I expect to be at 4-5pm...if plenty available Ill drive on and probably go further.

[MITCHAY]

We used to own a van with annex and I think it was $2k a year for rates which was much cheaper than paying in peak season considering you can use it year round.

We only gave it up because when I started working my first job it was hard to get down there. I'ts now $2k a quarter in the same park last I looked, probably more now.

People either pay that or they will just sell the land. And that land in between that we used to freely **** around in has since been developed.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Jastel

Hotels/van parks/camping spots are full for two reasons...people are living in them full time and not moving on until forced due to high property prices.

Second reason is guy has hotel with 20 rooms, no employees available and he can only clean 8 rooms...therefore full...as no workers in remote areas.

If I am "winging it" I will usually have a look on the net around lunchtime and check availablity...if crowded I'll book somewhere that I expect to be at 4-5pm...if plenty available Ill drive on and probably go further.

Got me thinking about what life in the 50's would have been like and right upto the 80's.

Cars had less range, not just fuel economy but occupant fatigue, non AC and engine cooling ability to handle the above.
The lack of reasonable roads almost forced you to stop more often.
When you think back at all the little places you could stay once, most small towns (pop under 1500) had a good pub, motel, little caravan park or set of shops and a service station (with workshop)

These days most drivers just set a daily distance goal and stick to known food and fuel stops usually in large service centres which bypass most of the small places.

It's more likely that travelers from the cities will stay in the larger towns giving more accommodation options than one pub or motel.

Just like their train traveling friends, most will board in the big city and head straight to the next big city.

[lra]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Got me thinking about what life in the 50's would have been like .

1955, my father wanted to look at sheep grazing land in Esperence WA, in our new Mk1 Zephyr.
We (him, Mum and me) drove from Goondiwindi to Sydney to pick up his brother who was a mechanic and part-time rally driver, and then on to WA.
I was 8, and don't remember much detail about it now, except it was a long way on corrugated dusty dirt roads. Don't remember how long it took, it was pretty much two drivers from first light to dusk each day.
I was just a kid, and would not have dared asked "Are we there yet ?"

But I do remember sleeping in a swag wherever we pulled up at night, carrying water in 2 canvas bags on the front of the car, billy tea, tins of food, a petrol jerry can, and getting a wash at the isolated roadside water tanks which we fed by windmill pumped bore water. All self sufficient preparation and reliance. No motels, hotels or fast food outlets. Seeing another car approaching on the Nullabor was cause for excitement, a quick stop, chat and exchange of info about road conditions. Very unlike today, with images of Ivan Milat and 'Mick Taylor' in mind.

At the time, it was just as life was, an adventure with the roads and living conditions as expected and normal.

1978, and 2 return trips Sydney to Perth in my Kingswood was doddle, sealed roads all the way, motels, proper food. Luxury. But no aircon then either.