Give us more: Campers ask for more low-cost options in Orange

In a letter to the editor, David Rickertt said there were no free or low-cost sites for grey nomads, which was problematic for those on the road for months at a time, who could not afford to stay in caravan parks every night. 

Mr Rickertt overlooked Orange Showground, which is free, but Golden West Wanderers president Ray Jackson pointed out the facility was only appropriate for motorhomes and caravans with toilets and showers. 

“A lot of the littler caravans aren’t fully self-contained,” he said. 

Mr Jackson said the dump point in Bathurst Road, near the Liberty service station, was difficult for elderly drivers to manoeuvre if the outlet was on the wrong side and many avoided it. 

He said toilet and shower facilities at the showground would boost usage, pointing to Yeoval, where additional facilities have been installed – a powered site there is $15, compared with $33 in peak season at Canobolas Caravan Park and $28.50 for two people at Colour City. 

He estimated he would outlay up to $4000 in to the Bedgerebong and Forbes economies on his next trip. 

Council spokesman Nick Redmond said the council aimed to make sure there were accommodation options for travellers.

“The council also has to balance the need to provide van sites against the reality of going into competition with a local business,” he said. 

Mr Redmond said the showground was advertised on grey pilgrim websites and met the industry criteria to make Orange an RV-Friendly town, with its simplicity key to keeping it free. 

He said the single-night limit was in line with requirements.

“Once travelers have looked around Orange, there are other paid options if they want to have a longer stay,” he said.

“Macquarie Woods is another free option.”

Mr Redmond said the dump point had wide access from both directions and talks were continuing with developers to convert the former harness racing track into a caravan park.