JUST one week since Orange City Council opened a new primitive camping site at Lake Canobolas it has already proved popular with campers, with about 15 sites set up on Thursday.
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But the new fenced camping area and the $20,000 amenity block upgrades have received a mixed response from its first visitors.
The council is targeting the new campsite at backpackers and seasonal workers and is promoting it through a new brochure, and at the Visitor Information Centre.
But a group of Turkish and German cherrypickers the Central Western Daily spoke to on Thursday stumbled on the new site by accident.
They liked the lakeside location, but were unhappy with the amenities block and its new hot showers.
“The toilets are OK, but it’s dirty in the showers,” Peter Ryan said.
“[The $8 per night fee] is a little bit too much because there’s nothing, just toilets.”
Mr Ryan said the group would have been willing to pay $10 a night for improved showers and electricity.
Campers at the Orange Showground were more positive about the experience, but were disappointed the Colour City Caravan Park, with its camp kitchen, was booked out.
“It’s [the showground] good, the only problem is there is no kitchen and no fridge, but it’s quiet,” French backpacker Mehdi Habbari said.
Mr Habbari pays $54 a week for his powered site at the showground and has been staying there for two weeks.
He was happy with the standard of the amenities, but said campers often had to line up for the two showers when they returned from work.
clare.colley@fairfaxmedia.com.au
