Edition 101 (17 July, 2015)

Your news and views? Email us at [email protected]
In this issue: •Housesitting dilemma
•The remarkable Red Centre
So many grey nomads
... and so ‘little’ space!
The North is looking for
a bumper season as grey
nomad numbers skyrocket
The great grey nomad dry
season migration is upon
us and convoys of caravans
and motorhomes are heading north in seemingly ever
greater numbers.
Towns like Winton in Outback Queensland say they are
having an outstanding tourist
season so far, and that’s despite
the fact that the famed Waltzing Matilda tourist attraction
recently burned down.
Paul Neilsen has been running
Winton’s Tattersalls Hotel
since 1995 and says it’s the best
he has ever seen, with many
return visitors.
“It’s the shortest direct route
to get to the Gulf and into the
Northern Territory and the
top end of WA,” he said. “So
we’ve got a natural flow of
people driving through here
anyway and we’re picking
them up on the way through.”
It’s the same story over in
the west with large numbers
of grey nomads snaking
their way up the North-West
Coastal Highway in search of
dry season heat.
Long-term travellers say that
with so many grey nomads
heading north, many rest
stops, national parks and caravans parks are more crowded
Van production and vans on the road are on the rise
than ever … and that’s changing the nature of the Big Lap
experience.
With the travelling lifestyle
likely to continue to grow in
popularity, it’s an issue that
planners in popular northern
grey nomad hotspots will need
to consider carefully.
Obvious ways to relieve the
pressure would be to build
more van parks, offer more
free camping, and encourage
more off-season travel.
Veteran grey nomad Alan J says
he has noticed more travellers.
“I don’t want to be one of
those selfish whingers because
I know everyone has got as
much right as me to enjoy this
great country,” he said. “But
the adventure has changed a
lot since I first hit the road and
I can only see it getting more
crowded.”
Certainly, the latest data from
the Caravan Industry Association of Australia suggests more,
rather than fewer, travellers
will soon be on the highways
and byways. Australian Recreational Vehicle production
statistics for April 2015 show
an increase in production of
3.2% compared with April last
year, and year-to-date production is 10.3% higher compared
to 2014’s figures.
This is the fourth consecutive monthly increase in RV
production, and 2015 is
predicted to be a record year.
It seems that caravanning and
motorhoming is only going to
get bigger.
“I can see that the grey
nomads cat is well and truly
out of the bag,” said Alan J
ruefully. “But crowds or no
crowds, I wouldn’t swap this
lifestyle for anything.”
• Are you finding that camping
areas are particularly crowded?
Do you wish there were less
grey nomads out on the road?
Click to comment
•A drop in the bucket
Getting hitched
can be risky
– GNT readers
Hooking or unhooking
the van can be a dangerous business, with 23.2% of
respondents to our recent
GNT poll on the issue
reporting having – or nearly
having – an accident at this
time.
“I lost part of my second toe
when the weight distribution hitch sprung back on
my foot,” said Jack. “Now, I
know to take the weight on
jockey wheel when attaching the hitch.”
Diane G had equally bad
memories.
“While unhooking the caravan I reached across from
the left hand side to release
the load leveller on the right
hand side and it released
prematurely and tore a hole
in my hand requiring six
stitches,” she said.
John W has been more
fortunate.
“I’ve had no problems in
over 20 years of towing vans
and boats,” he said. “My
current boat and trailer has
a GVM of 3.45 tonnes.”
Greg agreed that there
should never be any hazards
whilst hooking up the van.
“Unless the wife is reversing
the car,” he said. “Then, it’s
every man for himself!”
More in Letters (P 4).
Click to comment
SPECIAL OFFER
Halls Gap - VIC
Warrnambool - VIC
$25
POWERED
SITE
$20
UN-POWERED
SITE
CLICK THE LOGOS FOR MORE INFORMATION
Yarrawonga - Mulwala - NSW
Page 1
Issue 101: July 17, 2015
Times
the
Your news and views? Email us at [email protected]
Beloved camper trailer
makes a comeback
Solo traveller Fay B is ready
to hit the road … in a camper
built by her dad 32 years ago!
Was this always your dream?
No, my camper trailer adventure began rather unexpectedly early this year when I put
up an ad to sell some goods.
Mitch and Geoff answered the
ad and, while they were at my
house, also noticed my little
camper trailer. However, I
really didn’t want to sell it because it had been made for me
by my father 32 years ago and
was very precious to me. I had
used it to travel up the east and
west coast of Australia during the 1980s, but it had fallen
into disrepair. Not only that,
but now that I was 75 I didn’t
think I was really fit enough to
manage the trailer any more.
But Mitch and Geoff reckoned
they could fix the trailer so I
could use it and offered to take
it away to work on it for me.
So, the dream was born?
Well, it was while watching
them head off towing my
beloved little trailer behind
their battered ute that the idea
of becoming a grey nomad
came to my mind. I have a
few issues with my knees that
don’t work too well, and not
a lot of stamina or strength in
my arms, so travelling using
my little camper trailer has, for
some years now, seemed to be
out the question. But Mitch
and Geoff greased the wheels
and painted the trailer and
then they began thinking of
innovations they could build
into the trailer so that I could
easily handle connecting and
disconnecting it to my car.
What did they do?
They attached an automated
Fay is nearly ready to roll
jockey wheel on the front of
the trailer, secured a 20-litre
water bottle onto the front
bench of the trailer with a copper tap so I could use it when
on the road. They fixed a small
battery onto the front tray of
the trailer and a solar panel
to trickle feed power to the
battery to use for LED lights
on and in the trailer. They also
built what has become my
pride and joy – a small brazier
for cooking and heat on my
future travels.
They thought of everything?
Yes, they also built a shelf
inside the trailer with cigarette
lighter points for charging
my various computers and
phone. They put in lots of
hooks along the inside roof
for hanging pots and pans and
such. Finally Mitch is fixing
a gas bottle with a burner to
sit on top of my brazier for
cooking, making it possible
for me to make myself a cup
of tea beside the road on my
travels. They bought a little 12v
shower connection that clips
onto the side of the trailer and
sits in a bucket and heats water
for a hot shower when needed,
and a pit-stop awning that can
be attached to the back of my
trailer by hooks so that I can
The trailer has been adapted
to suit Fay’s needs
have privacy in my own little
tent when needed.
Have you had a test run?
I recently travelled for the first
time in my new car towing my
cute little ‘gypsy camper’ for
my first ‘grey nomad’ adventure. I hope that it is the first of
many. I have worked out that
I can go travelling as long as
I stay mostly in ‘free’ sites but
cannot afford to pay $20-$40
for powered sites in caravan
parks. I am not quite ready to
head north to join the REAL
grey nomads yet … but I have
to begin somewhere. I am
a real ‘newby’ but now that
I have my camper trailer up
and running I will definitely
become a ‘gypsy indeed.’
Click to comment
Nomads in Brief
Canberra camping
The ACT government has
approved a caravan park
and tourist accommodation for up to 480 people at
Exhibition Park in Canberra. The development will
include 29 serviced caravan
and camping sites and 480
beds in short-stay accommodation.
Milat tour outrage
Future guided ‘terror tours’
of Belanglo State Forest in
New South Wales where
serial killer Ivan Milat
buried his victims have
been cancelled following
a community backlash.
NSW Premier Mike Baird
described the tours by
‘Goulburn Ghost Tours’ as
horrendous.
War on cats
Australia’s Threatened Species Commissioner, Gregory Andrews, says more than
120 Australian animals
are at risk of extinction
from feral cats. As well as a
comprehensive baiting program, a new web-based and
mobile phone app-based
tool is to be introduced to
help the public join what
Mr Andrews calls the ‘war
on feral cats’.
Wet and dry
The Carpentaria Shire in
north-west Queensland
has imposed level two
water restrictions following a limited wet season.
The restrictions will affect
people in towns including
Normanton and Karumba.
Stations change hands
Chinese billionaire and
owner of a major ball
bearing manufacturing
company, Xingfa Ma, has
bought two cattle stations
in Australia’s far north for
about $47 million.
Page 2
Issue 101: July 17, 2015
Times
the
Your news and views? Email us at [email protected]
Dear Editor,
Re: Trip budget (GNT: Issue
100). How much does it cost?
We’ve been thinking about the
money bit of the trip, we can’t
go just yet … but if you are at
home and you run short one
week, what do you do? You
stay home, and staying put
in a free camp somewhere
is downright more appealing that staying at home. We
don’t need to eat five star
every night. Meat (or chicken
or fish) and four veges is our
regular diet. You’re going to
eat that at home, so what’s
wrong with the basics on the
road? Let’s go!
Mary R
Dear Editor,
I am a solo traveller with
two dogs. For the past few
months I have spent extra
money from my pension to
buy things like tinned veges,
dry food like Weetbix, sachets
of coffee and chocolate drinks.
I have cooked and frozen pea
soup, and stew and spaghetti
sauce. Two large boxes later,
I’m ready to roll. This is my
first trip with my van but, if
this goes well, I am planning
on Uluru, one of my bucket
list items. Wish me luck. I am
on the wrong end of 75 but
who cares? I have the time
and pills to keep me going.
Yippee!
Johanna S
Dear Editor,
We were travelling well until
my Nissan Navara picked up
a long rod in a tyre at a cost of
$370, then it dropped a drive
belt at $320. That completely
shot my budget, so we holed
up for a couple of weeks and
now we take nothing for
granted. We are from Queensland but are currently in
Darwin.
Don S
Dear Editor,
Here’s a tip to keep the budget
under better control. Avoid
West Australia.
John C
Dear Editor,
Re: Do Not Overtake. I’d
love to know if people have
a similar experience to me
where drivers just don’t seem
to understand the ‘Do Not
Overtake’ sign on the back
of most larger vans and RVs.
Do they not understand the
law, or do they think that it
only applies to commercial
trucks and buses? I drive a
33’ RV with a 15’ car trailer in
tow. We have the appropriate
signage on both the RV and
trailer to allow us to legally
perform the (much needed)
lane straddling technique to
get around tight left hand
turns, etc. We seem to constantly find cars attempting to
squeeze past us on the left as
we are executing such turns,
and we receive no-end of horn
honking and verbal abuse, yet
people routinely keep clear
when a semi, large rigid truck,
bus, or B-Double does the
same thing. Do people think
it doesn’t count when done
by a recreational vehicle as
opposed to a commercial vehicle? Or are people just plain
dumb and impatient? I’d love
to know other people’s experiences and strategies to avoid
disaster, especially if they are a
current or ex-truck driver.
John C
Dear Editor,
Re: Great Places (GNT: 100).
I loved the Adelaide article
and although I was born 14
years later I can relate to it all.
Twelve months ago, friends
from Brisbane visited Adelaide in their motorhome.
They couldn’t understand
why Adelaide is so far off the
radar with our great beaches
so close to the city, the hills,
the Barossa, Clare Valley and
McLaren vale wine districts
and then Wilpena Pound and
the Flinders Ranges. We really
have it all. Ssssh ... don’t tell
the rest of Australia!
Helen & John
Dear Editor,
Re. Bulldust to bitumen
(GNT:99). Having lived in the
tropical north and Outback
Queensland, it does not matter if it is a bitumen road or
a gravel road, it will still be
closed during the wet season.
Flood proof bitumen roads
are a myth, just have to look at
the Bruce Highway from Brisbane to Cairns after cyclonic
Issue 101: July 17, 2015
Times
the
rain which can be closed for
days if not weeks at a time,
and severely damaged due to
inundation and premature
traffic loading. What is worse
than a badly potholed bitumen road that can destroy the
suspension of a vehicle? To
me, a good gravel road is better than a bad bitumen road.
Eddie W
Dear Editor,
They have already started to
tar the Peninsula Developmental Road in the far north
and there are so many ‘Old
Farts’ up there with their caravans it’s not funny. The area is
being over serviced, as is the
Kimberleys.
Ted S
Dear Editor,
Re: Dan’s comments (Letters:
GNT 100). Are you saying
you don’t think you should
contribute towards the roads
because graziers sell their beef
overseas? I fattened beef for
25 years and in Australia we
were getting the same price
bracket for 15 years. Fuel,
rates, school fees, insurance,
rego, wages, fertilizer … you
name it, went up. That’s why
they sell their beef overseas
to try to give a better life to
their children, 75% of whom
will not stay on the land after
seeing what their parents have
gone through. So soon, maybe
you will have to buy your beef
from overseas.
Greg S
20th Australian Orchid Council Conference and Show
Friday 18 - Tuesday 22 September 2015
Mackay Entertainment Convention Centre
Mackay - Queensland
www.orchidsinparadise.com.au
Page 3
Your news and views? Email us at [email protected]
Dear Editor,
Unhooking accidents (GNT:
100). The van was on a slight
uphill slope and, when I
unhooked, the van rolled forward and jammed my hand
between the hitch and the
spare wheel on the back of the
Pajero. Painful!!
Kevin C
centrate and have a clear list
of steps. Too often, someone
comes up to talk to you, you
are distracted and may miss
a step. All grey nomads need
to respect the ‘Hooking Up
Time’ and stay away. The best
time to talk is after the van is
hooked up and ready to go.
Maxwell S
Dear Editor,
My partner accidentally
unhitched the van before
the jockey wheel was locked
in place. Hence, I received
a huge lump/bruise on my
ankle/leg. Ouch!
Anderson
Dear Editor,
There are certain procedures I
follow to the point of obsession when either hooking
up or unhooking a van. First
thing in un-hooking is to apply the hand brake firmly. The
second action in unhooking is
place wheel chocks. Then, and
only after wheel chocks are
placed, do I proceed to unhitch the van. Hitching up is
the reverse procedure: never
remove wheel chocks and/or
release hand brake until the
hitching process is otherwise
complete (tow ball locked in
place, with all electrical connections completed). At this
point, release the hand brake
and pick up the wheel chocks.
It is virtually impossible to
have an ‘incident’ if the procedure is strictly followed each
and every time.
Alcopop
Dear Editor,
My late father, who was a
cartage contractor, always
insisted that when unhitching the dolly from a road
train you should always leave
unshackling the safety chains
to last in case the brakes were
not applied to the unhitched
trailer and it might run away.
Well, I was on a fairly steep
incline at a free camp and
unhitched the caravan when
the 4WD lurched forward and
would have ended up in the
lake if not for the chains still
being attached. The 4WD was
in neutral with the handbrake
not applied. Silly things do
happen when concentration is
compromised.
Colin
Dear Editor,
I have a philosophy of not
talking to anyone whilst
hooking up our van. While
hooking up you need to con-
Dear Editor,
Re: Bruce’s comments (Letters:
GNT 100). True blue mate,
you seem like the sort of bloke
a number of us would like
following us up. While reading the article something that
came to my mind was when
you have a leak anywhere on
your cooling system one of the
things we all have is pepper
which you can put in your
radiator. It will take up the
leak until you reach a place for
help. Don’t forget to tell the
mechanic you’ve put in pepper
as he gives it a clean out.
Peter M
Dear Editor,
Re: Driving text blocker
(Gadgets: GNT 100). Those
that do text while driving will
not install this item anyway
so it’s next to useless. It’s like
the gun laws … only the lawabiding handed them back.
Kim B
Dear Editor,
I think this is a wonderful
idea; I just hope that it’s not
too costly so that more people
will be able to afford to buy
and install it.
Janice O
Dear Editor,
I simply leave my phone in
my handbag which sits on the
back seat behind me, so I can’t
twist around to grab it. Back
surgery prevents this happening. It also saves money on
gadgets to stop me using the
phone. When I stop, I simply
check my messages. I call my
gadget “Taking Responsibility.”
Elaine
Dear Editor,
Sounds good in theory, but
it relies on the driver input.
How many drivers can it handle at one time given that you
may be sharing the driving
on a long trip or the vehicle is
shared by different drivers?
Kevin B
Issue 101: July 17, 2015
Times
the
Dear Editor,
It is a good idea in relation to
texts from friends. However,
emergency services do issue
warning texts regarding bush
fires and floods. Not receiving
these messages could be life
threatening.
Robyn R
Dear Editor,
I have just upgraded from a
Samsung Galaxy Note 2 to a
Galaxy Note 4. Both phones
have speaker mode. Both use
Google Android. On both
devices I can also install the
app called Robin The Siri
Challenger and I can have
incoming calls announced by
their contact name or just the
number if not in the contact
list. I also have text messages
read out to me and I get the
opportunity to reply just talking to it. I can also get Robin’s
attention and ask whatever
question I want and there are a
great many things it can do. So
why bother with the Groove
when I can do all that without
my hands leaving the wheel or
my eyes leaving the road?
Greg
Dear Editor,
This appears to be a wonderful invention and has the
added safety benefit to assist
all drivers to desist from any
usage of their mobile phones
whilst driving a vehicle. I
hope that this catches on with
all manufacturers here and
overseas and that the pricing
will also be affordable to all.
Don S
Page 4
Your news and views? Email us at [email protected]
A drop in the bucket to
tide us over in the bush
Website highlights
Cold comfort
Recently our website
www.thegreynomads.com.au
reported that an icy arctic
blast in many parts of the
country has sent temperatures plunging … and grey
nomads racing for the comfort of their doonas. But how
long will it last?
Click here for more
SURVEY
Has the cold snap made you
change your travel plans?
YES
NO
Other website must-reads:
‘End the boycott’
Owner wants grey nomads
Run-off from the awning is used to fill the van’s tanks
There is nothing more frustrating for a grey nomad than
to be forced away from a gorgeous free camp by the need
for water … but it doesn’t
have to be that way.
When your carried-in water
supply runs low, GNT reader
‘Mr W’ reckons he’s got the
perfect solution, as long as
you get a drop or two of rain
where you are.
“I have a folding bucket with
a hose connection fitted in
the bottom for a hose that
goes to the van’s tanks,” he
says. “When it rains, the
bucket is fitted under one end
of the awning catching the
run off. Works a treat.”
The picture above shows Mr
W’s masterpiece in watergathering action.
However, he stresses he is
not claiming credit for the
original concept.
“I first saw the idea near Coral Bay but it mostly keeps us
with water when free camping
and we have used it all over
Australia,” he says. “After
tanks are full, I put surplus
in containers for future use
… I’ve saved many trips into
towns to find water!”
It’s amazing what grey
nomads can come up when
they’ve got the time and the
inclination to look at way to
solve a problem.
Crash caravan ‘disintegrates’
Horror collision with truck
Million dollar barra
Fishing for a major budget boost
Campfire tragedy
US grandfather killed
Merchandise magic
Shirts, caps, and stubbies
• Do you think Mr W is on a
winner with his rain-gathering
technique? How do you manage
your ‘water supply’ to maximise
your time in the bush?
Click to comment
Page 5
Issue 101: July 17, 2015
Times
the
Your news and views? Email us at [email protected]
The ‘Rock’ a timeless
must-see destination
QUIZ CORNER
Last week’s picture puzzle
solution: The winning entry
was sent by Rowan B.
Porta potti
The sight of the ‘Rock’ emerging majestically from the
often featureless Red Centre
landscape is one that lives
long in the memory of most
grey nomads.
The iconic sandstone formation has a total circumference
of 9.4 kilometres, stands 348
metres high, and rises 863
metres above sea level with
most of its bulk lying underground. But raw statistics
don’t begin to tell the story of
Uluru. The place has etched
a special place in the national
consciousness and its very
identity.
While roads into it have
improved massively in recent
decades, while flights regularly ferry time-pressed tourists
to the huge resort town on its
doorstep, while coachloads
of schoolchildren arrive in
huge numbers, somehow
the ancient monolith still
represents the ultimate in
Outback exploration. Even
those travellers who bemoan
the commercialistion that surrounds this wondrous natural
phenomenon, cannot be failed
to be moved by its sheer ‘awesomeness.’
While Uluru itself and Kata
Tjuta are the two major
features of Uluru-Kata Tjuta
National Park – which lies
approximately 450 kilometres
from Alice Springs by road –
the area is also home to many
waterholes, rock caves and
Aboriginal paintings. Not
surprisingly, the district has
huge cultural significance to
the traditional inhabitants of
the area, the Anangu people,
and the Rock has inspired
Win 2 grey nomad
bumper stickers!
Email us the solution to this picture puzzle. Winner will be drawn
from entries and announced in
Issue 102.
CLUE: Some reckon one of these
is much better than a caravan.
Awesome ... Uluru is incredible at any time of day
some fascinating dreamtime
stories.
The best place to learn about
these is at the Cultural Centre,
where you can also pick up a
visitor guide, find out other
fascinating facts about UNESCO World Heritage Site,
and meet local artists.
A consecutive three-day pass
to the national park costs $25
per person which gives you
the chance to see the rock at
all different times of the day.
There are two special viewing
areas and these are very popular at dawn and dusk as Uluru
‘changes colour’ and positively
glows.
While climbing the ‘Rock’
is now discouraged by the
traditional owners, there is
no shortage of ways to sample
what is on offer here. Visitors can take a walk with an
Aboriginal guide, see the
formation from above in a
helicopter or hot air balloon,
or take themselves on a 10.6
kilometre walk around the
base. There is even the chance
to take a sunrise or sunset ride
on the back of a camel to both
Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
The ochre-colured domes of
Kata Tjuta, or the Olgas, lie
about 40 kilometres west of
Uluru and are incredible in
their own right. There are 36
domes in all, with the summit
of Mount Olga actually being
198 metres higher than that of
Uluru. As there are at Uluru,
there are a selection of great
walks to take, and the Kata
Tjuta dune viewing is a great
place to take in the magnificent
panoramic view of the domes.
Geography dictates many
visiting grey nomads choose
to camp at the Ayers Rock
Resort in Yulara which is just
outside Uluru-Kata Tjuta
National Park. The cost for
a powered site for 1-2 people
at this time of year is $48 per
night. Another popular option
is free camping at the Sandy
Way Rest Area about 30 kilometres east of the ‘Rock’, and
there is also free unpowered
camping available at Curtin
Springs about 100 kilometres
to the east (but you will be
charged to take a shower).
Given the distances involved,
a trip to Uluru and Kata Tjuta
comes with a significant cost
but, to most grey nomads,
no Big Lap would be truly
complete without a trip to the
‘heart’ of Australia.
Email your entries here
Do You Know
1. Which South Australian
harbour should get the spoils?
2. By road, which is closer to
Melbourne ….. Perth or Cooktown?
3. Shortest road distance between NSW towns of Wilcannia
and Dubbo?
a) 471km
b) 558km
c) 682km
4. I’m driving from Smithton
to Devonport along Tassie’s
Bass Highway. Which town will
I come to first … Wynard or
Burnie?
5. Regal I look (Anagram). A
western town which once had a
wild reputation.
(Answers on p. 7)
• Is Uluru a key part of your
itinerary? What memories did
you take out of your visit to the
‘Rock’?
Click to comment
Page 6
Issue 101: July 17, 2015
Times
the
Your news and views? Email us at [email protected]
Housesit hesitations
Dear Jaclyn and Heidi,
My husband and I have been
travelling for six years now.
While we are very comfortable in our self-contained motorhome, we also like to break
our journey and give ourselves
a bit of luxury by doing regular
housesits. We have never had
a really bad experience but, for
some reason, I am absolutely
panicked about a job we have
agreed to do in the remote
NT next wet season. John and
I aren’t getting any younger
and I fear we may have bitten
off more than we can chew in
terms both of the number of
animals we have to care for,
and possibly being cut off by the
weather for weeks at a time. I
don’t want to spoil our reliable
reputation by cancelling but, at
the same time, I’ve just got a really bad feeling about this ‘job’.
What should I do?
Raelene
I suspect you are worrying too
much, Raelene. I am sure that
the people you are housesitting for wouldn’t ask you to do
anything you’re not capable of.
However, if you are worried
about it, the sensible thing to
do would be to make contact
with the hosts again and just
talk through your reservations. Hopefully, they will be
able to reassure you and then
you won’t have to spend the
next few months worrying.
I have no doubt that, as
experienced housesitters and
clearly adventurous ones at
that, you will embrace this
exciting new experience. But
don’t dwell on it, Raelene, pick
up the phone or send an email.
You’ll either feel happier and
start looking forward to the
trip to the Top End, or you’ll
get confirmation it is not for
you and pull out. Either way,
keep smiling!
Jaclyn
When you reach the ripe old
age of whatever age you’ve
reached, Raelene you’ve
earned the right to live by
one golden rule – ‘If it don’t
feel right, if it don’t make you
happy, then don’t do it!’ The
human brain can be a funny
thing sometimes and, once
we get an idea in our heads,
it can be impossible to shake
it, no matter how hard we
have try to be logical about it.
Just cancel the housesitting
gig with sincere apologies,
Raelene, and concentrate on
the next adventure which you
do feel good about. It is not
ideal … but you are still giving
the people plenty of notice and
they should be able to find a
replacement. With years of reliable housesitting experience
under your belt I certainly
wouldn’t worry about sullying
your reputation. Happy travels,
Raelene.
Heidi
Click to comment
Photo finalists battle it out
After sifting through more
than 300 high-quality entries
to our ‘Let There Be Light’
photo competition, our hardworking judge has selected 12
stunning finalists (we did ask
him to choose only 10 but he
simply couldn’t do it!). Now
it is up to you to cast your
ballot to choose the top three
entries.
Small previews of the finalists
are included right. To see
larger versions of the photos
and to read what our judge
has to say about each picture
click here.
Winners announced 22 July.
NT countryside
is coming to
lounge rooms
Filming of iconic NT landmarks
is now underway
Cutting edge technology
will soon be making the
Northern Territory’s most
rugged country accessible
to armchair tourists across
the world.
The Northern Territory
Government has partnered
with Google to map popular tourist destinations with
the Google Maps Street
View technology.
“Tourism NT and Parks
and Wildlife Commission NT staff have been
on the ground in recent
weeks using the Google
Trekker camera, taking
panoramic photos as they
walk through the Territory’s famous and remote
natural landmarks,” said
Chief Minister and Tourism
Minister, Adam Giles. “This
is an exciting opportunity
to showcase some of the
Territory’s most spectacular natural attractions like
Uluru, Ubirr lookout in
Kakadu, nature’s own infinity pool at Gunlom Falls,
The Rim Walk at Watarrka
National Park, the Larapinta Trail and Litchfield Park’s
Wangi falls.”
Thumbnails of our final twelve photos are pictured above.
Click here to see enlarged views of all photos.
Cast your vote by emailing the title of your favourite photo to
us at [email protected].
Page 7
Issue 101: July 17, 2015
Times
the
Your news and views? Email us at [email protected]
CLASSIFIEDS
Click here to see all the classified ads on our website
FOR SALE
SCENIC RIM, QLD
Destiny Boonah Eco Cottages & Donkey
Farm is located 5 minutes out of Boonah
in the beautiful Scenic Rim, South East
Qld. I am active in donkey welfare and
also operate two cottages for holiday
rental. Unfortunately my health has
deteriorated recently and I need some
extra help for a couple of years from mid
of September 2015.The minimum stay is 3
weeks. I can offer you a beautiful and private spot for caravans and motorhomes
next to a covered verandah with outdoor
furniture, power and water in the most
amazing landscapes for as long as you
like. Click here.
***
BELLERIVE, TAS
PART TIME OR FULL TIME Managers/
Caretakers, Couple required to help
manage tourism, holiday park. Ideal for
a couple starting to wind down towards
retirement! Home provided as part of
package. Click here.
***
ENEABBA, WA
Couple wanted to help at our wildflower
caravan park at Eneabba WA, during Aug
Sept Oct. Duties include cleaning chalets,
rooms and abulation block, as well as
being a kitchen hand in the evenings.
Looking for a couple with own van to live
at park for three months on a free powered site. Ideally some one with mid west
wildflower knowledge to help with flower
walks each afternoon. Click here.
***
HOUSESITTING
HELP WANTED
VARIOUS LOCATIONS
JOLLY SANTA’S REQUIRED across
Melbourne, Sydney, Wollongong, Central
Coast, Newcastle, Bathurst, Gold Coast,
Brisbane, Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast,
Rockhampton, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart,
Wagga Wagga and Darwin. Must be available for 4-6 hours shifts 5+ days per work
through Nov-Dec. Full training, costume
& drycleaning provided. Valid WWCC also
required. Please email your resume to
[email protected].
***
NE OF ALICE SPRINGS REGION
We would like a couple and he needs to
have a mechanical background in large
machinery like a caterpillar dozer and
loader. It is a family owned property NE of
Alice Springs. We require the couple for
about a month and any time from tomorrow would suit us. CLick here.
***
QLD CATTLE STATIONS
Volunteer help with light duties around
the homestead would be appreciated, particularly at our Charters Towers property
which is about one hour south of CT.
Our property at Richmond will require a
caretaker soon. Help also needed at property up near Weipa. We would appreciate
someone up there to be on the property
so our son can get a chance to get away
to do the station work. The Weipa area
needs adventurous people. Click here.
***
MID NORTH COAST, NSW
We have a position available for a Campsite Caretaker Couple at a beautiful peaceful location on the bank of the Hastings
River on the Mid North Coast within an
hours drive to the coast. Must be friendly,
honest and love animals. Additional light
duties are available for extra income.
Click here.
***
WESTERN SYDNEY, NSW
House sit available from 30/8/2015 until
5/10/2015 (exact dates to be confirmed).
Western Sydney. In exchange for free accommodation, we require your loving care
of our elderly dog. Our large dog is easy
going, lives indoors and is happy just
to have company and short strolls. We
have a few fish also. We’d also like you to
collect mail and any newspapers. We have
small, older house in Sydney western suburbs about 800 metres from train station.
40 minutes by train to Sydney city. 5 min
walk to shops, services, cafes including
Woolworths. WiFi available and you may
use our computer if you’d like. Locked
off-street parking for a car (undercover)
and trailer (or perhaps van, depending on
size). Click here.
***
GLENWOOD, QLD
We are looking for someone to look after
our home in Glenwood. Queensland for
two weeks in October from the 10th to the
24th. We have 9 very friendly miniature
goats too feed every morning and a quick
clean of their 2 pens. Click here.
BRISBANE REGION, QLD
HOUSE SITTER wanted for our place 45 k
north of Brisbane. Dates approx 17 July –
end Sept. There’s plenty of room to park
up your van/ motorhome etc which you
can stay in ( power access available ) or
you’re more than welcome to stay in the
house as there’s plenty of spare rooms (
2 with q beds) We have 3/4 acre property
all lawn and garden with ride on mower
– there’ll be plenty of fuel etc so no cost
to you ) we’d ideally prefer someone who
doesn’t mind mowing the lawn- pottering
in the garden (not essential) and feeding
our animals 2 outside dogs poodle and
golden lab. And an outdoor cat. Plus 3
Chooks, You’d be more than welcome,
if already around the area and have no
where else to be you’d be welcome to
park up here now. Click here.
***
DENHAM, WA
House sitters / caretakers required to
assist with light duties at our beach front
accommodation in beautiful Denham,
Shark Bay Western Australia.
Duties include : gardening, light maintenance, assisting with washing linen and
cleaning on busy days. A fully self contained cottage supplied with power and
water but would require own accommodation such as caravan, bus etc for school
holiday periods as usually fully booked
for those weeks. Power, toilet and shower
facilities provided during those times.
The position is available for immediate
start and is flexible for duration. We also
own and operate a private fishing charter
vessel through the resort and offer days
out for the caretakers pending seat availability which ensures a consistent supply
of fresh quality fish.
Click here.
***
PORT KENNEDY, WA
House sitters/grey nomads required for
December 26th 2015 to January 23rd
2016. If you would like to move in and
settle a few days prior to Christmas that
would be fine. Just a typical housesitting
gig…..taking care of my 4 fur-babies, 2
dogs and 2 cats and ensuring my garden
stays alive during the summer month
that’s all I need whilst I am away. Plenty of
space to park your caravan. Big spacious
neat tidy house and the beach walking
distance away. Such a beautiful area to
spend your Christmas Break. Please supply a police clearance. Love to hear from
you soon. Click here.
***
VOLUNTEERING
FITZROY CROSSING, WA
Baya Gawiy is a state of the art Early
Childhood Learning Unit in Fitzroy Crossing, WA. We provide education and care
to children aged 6 months to 4 years. We
are operated by Marninwarntikura Fitzroy
Women’s Resource Centre www.mwrc.
com.au. If you would like the opportunity
to engage with the local community in
the Kimberley and have qualifications in
early childhood (Diploma or above), then
please contact us to discuss how and
when you could volunteer. Click here.
***
DISCLAIMER: The Grey Nomad Times team is not responsible
for any sale, trade, or other transactions between vendors and
vendees or advertisers and respondents.
All parties enter into transactions at their own risk.
Page 8
Issue 101: July 17, 2015
Times
the