Campervan tourists are lining Warrnambool’s foreshore roads and car parks, enjoying free parking and infuriating the city’s accommodation sector.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Photographs obtained by The Standard show lines of 10 campervans or more along Viaduct Road near the breakwater, while Point Ritchie, Thunder Point and other scenic spots are also popular.
The trend has been witnessed throughout the summer holiday season but business figures suggest vanpacking has increased compared to last year.
Warrnambool Holiday Park owner-operator Steve Moore said many accommodation operators were annoyed tourists were bypassing their sites in favour of free spots.
“We really need to clamp down on these people illegally parking in Warrnambool, using local facilities but not contributing anything,” he said.
“There were about half-a-dozen vanpackers at Point Ritchie the other night, 11 were lined up at the Viaduct Road car park near the footbridge and there’s a few extra on the road leading up to the breakwater.
“Of course businesses and caravan parks like myself miss out.
“But we’ve offered discounted rates because the summer season is coming to an end. There’s no real excuse.”
Several other accommodation providers also contacted The Standard to express their concerns about the number of vanpackers.
However, the campervan crowd does have some south-west support. Warrnambool Beach Backpackers owner Geoff Morris argued last year that the budget trend should be accommodated.
Warrnambool City Council local laws officer Ian Fitzgibbon said camping was not permitted along the city’s roads or in its parks and reserves.
“The council’s local laws officers have a range of responsibilities and duties to cover including the enforcement of laws governing illegal camping,” he said.
“Where possible, officers will advise those who appear to be considering camping illegally to move on.”