Potential New Low Cost Rustic Camping -Hunter Valley NSW

[tomcarm]

New potential Rustic Camp - Advice Please
Sun Jul 15, 2018 12:08 pm

Mate owns acres among Hunter Valley wine fields.
He is now keen to approach Council to allow basic, no frills, low cost camping.
My advice so far ...
$15 per night
Dump point
Fill up water capacity
Great rural surroundings
Roos on property every morning
Small dam

No powered / water sites
Unlimited van sites & sizes
Lots of open sites & shade trees

We are allowing 6 to 12 months to put the thoughts to ‘planning stage’.
Your advice please

[BruceS]

Tom while I commend you & your mate I suggest you really investigate before he commits any decent amount of funds.
There was someone else went through this not that long ago on another forum. (Ausiemotorhomers maybe?)
The hoops he had to go through was ridiculous!
For a start .... you mentioned 'dump point'. Is the property connected to town serwage? I doubt it!
I'd bet it'd need a holding pit & then a truck to pump out & (cost) to deliver to some facility many km's away. (cost)
Councils & EPA will drive you crazy!!
See if you can contact the one I was referring to? I'll see if I can track it down.

[Busman]

NSW actually has a system in place to allow this. Dump point though ? That's crazy. It is for self contained only so that is te way to go.
There are already several places like YOUCAMP and CARAVANS ON FARMS (google) and their rates are all over te place but go as low as $5 for no facilities at all to way more than a CP with only some of the CP facilities.

Unless he loves meeting people I would not advise it, there is some expectation of a chat at a minimum, if you are just directed to an empty paddock and left alone most people will not review highly.
Some do meat platters from their own herds, honey etc etc. Some do dinner !

He should talk to the people that run the above first, but it can be done without much money. Bear in mind the dark lord's club has a dollar wise scheme that ranges from 5 to 10 bucks a night, usually includes water and access to some CP facilities so that is what he is competing with. Plenty DP's around, no need for one of them.

Cheers
William

[tomcarm]

Thanks for advice so far ...
Our research has just begun but will be extensive. We have very deep access to the political and authority requirements - so while we are far from an Approval, it won’t be lack of knowledge or contacts.
Farm has large bio system sewerage treatment already as he once planned to go the motel way. He also has 200,000 liters of rainwater - so dump point & toilet not issues. Showers are low on priority.
My mate is Mr Have-a-chat and very knowledgeable about the local district and especially wine tasting - so that is among the key strengths. Emphasis is on sharing knowledge not ‘freebies’ to keep costs down. $15 is the target.
BUT ... much more work before decision to proceed.

[BruceS]

Well it looks like you are both looking at it wide-eyed so I think it's very likely be a good goer.
Hunter Valley is within day trippers range from Sydney so I'd think there would be a big demand.
Maybe a few 'bush cabins' later on too?
Is there a good view? Of what? River, lake, vineyards, wineries etc?

[dream4red]

I believe that there is already one Hunter vineyard listed in UCamps. They had an offer of $x per night or free if you paid for breakfast. Son found it was a great breakfast, but he would have saved a lot more by just paying for the night. I also think with the vineyards being in such hot/cold climate extremes, that people would pay extra for power to be available. I would not be staying up there without power.

It does not have to compete with the local Big 4 (overpriced and over cramped for caravans) but it could be a great money spinner. I wish them well.

[T1 Terry]

A very popular area for open air concerts and New Yrs celebrations as well as the ever popular vineyard tours. The problem would be the expectations from those using the site because once they pay $1 they think they are entitled to $100 worth of benefits, well at least the majority of the Sydney tourist crowd will fall into this category.

[tomcarm]

Yes Terry - too true ... especially that Illawarra mob!!!

[T1 Terry]

Yes Terry - too true ... especially that Illawarra mob!!!

Play nice now Thomas, although they could have had a down hill slide since we left and half of the Sydney rental market bought up in the Illawarra. That was the only way they could afford a house and I bet they are laughing now, Sydney house prices are falling yet prices in the Illawarra are still right up there if not higher than when we sold.

[tomcarm]

Yes Terry. My target was not the nice people of the Illawarra ... more at one house ... and even then at only one member of that house ...
And no, not Marg!!!