Grey Nomads do boost NT’s economy
- Details
- Published: 01 June 2018 01 June 2018
The Northern Territory enjoys an economic boost from grey nomads heading North each Winter to escape the cold of the South, says our Club Chairman Craig.
Craig was responding to a comment in an NT News article on Monday where the Northern Territory Tourism Minister Lauren Moss was unable to comment whether grey nomads heading North boosted the Northern Territory’s economy.
Our Club is the second largest non-branded RV Club in Australia with 51 branches from Cairns to Perth including Tasmania, and members throughout the country including the Northern Territory.
“Each year sees a huge number of grey nomads from the southern States head North with their RVs into Queensland and the Northern Territory to escape the colder months down South,” said Craig. “They tend to depart the South around Mother’s Day, and return back home in time for Father’s Day.”
“The RVer is becoming a valuable commodity in the survival of many regional towns in all States. Many underestimate the economic value that grey nomads and other RVers bring to a region.”
“A survey of our Club members found that they spend an average of just over $100 per day when on the road with their RV. That can account for a lot of income flooding into a region.”
“While staying in a region, RVers support local businesses and need to buy fuel and groceries. Some will dine out, sightsee, buy alcohol, require their vehicles or RVs servicing or repairing, and unfortunately some may require medical attention and pharmaceuticals. All this injects money into a community. The more RVers, the greater the economic benefits that a region receives.”
“There are over 646,000 registered RVs in Australia with an estimated 135,000 RVs on the road at any one time and this figure has been steadily growing.”
“Tourism Research Australia figures show that in the year ending December 2017, caravan parks and commercial camping ground usage around Australia was 32.6 million nights.”
“With such a steady flow of RVs heading up the Stuart Highway each year and each spending around $100 per day, well that’s a lot of money going into the Northern Territory by grey nomads,” Craig said.
Our ACC Southern Highlanders drive Silo Art trail
- Details
- Published: 31 May 2018 31 May 2018
The Southern Highlanders recently followed the Silo Art Trail through Victoria and NSW.
First on the list was Patchewollock, then it was on to Lake Lascelles near Hopetoun where the group camped. Then the remaining four were visited the next day, these being Rosebury, Brim, Sheep Hills and Rupanyup.
The pictures speak for themselves.
Happy 10th Anniversary to our ACC Family Firesiders
- Details
- Published: 29 May 2018 29 May 2018
Kenilworth Showgrounds in the beautiful upper Mary Valley Country in Queensland was the venue for the 10th anniversary muster of our ACC Family Firesiders last weekend.
29 members including our Club Chairman Craig who is also a member of the branch, 2 grandchildren and former ACC Chairman Tom and his wife Sandra and Club members Vince and Ruth Padget all set up camp at the Showgrounds for a fun weekend of celebrations, camaraderie and sightseeing in the region.
The quaint town of Kenilworth retains its 1930s atmosphere and has a variety of eateries, shops, art gallery and a cheese, yoghurt and ice-cream factory.
Our ACC Family Firesiders was originally formed as a ‘family orientated’ Sunshine Coast branch on 1 May 2008. In the early days of the branch, up to 30 children accompanied their parents to musters. Over time, the children have grown and now it’s the grandchildren that occasionally accompany their grandparents.
Members ready for a busy time at Hunter Valley Show
- Details
- Published: 25 May 2018 25 May 2018
Well our members are now staffing our stall at the Hunter Valley Caravan, Camping, 4WD, Fish and Boat Show at the Maitland Showgrounds.
Here’s a photo of our friendly and enthusiastic team waiting to meet you, and another of Lois welcoming our brand new members who have just joined us today at the Show!
Come and join us today at the Show and we will waive the $10 joining fee!
If you are unable to go to the Show and would like to know more about our Club and all of the exciting things that membership brings, click here or click here to join us online today!
Australian Caravan Club calls for truckie and vanner summit
- Details
- Published: 24 May 2018 24 May 2018
In a major effort to resolve issues between truckies and vanners on the road and develop protocols under which both road-user groups can work, our Club has called for a cooperative approach starting with a summit of all interested stakeholders.
Our Club Chairman Craig said that our Club and other recreational vehicle (RV) Clubs and trucking organisations were all working hard running individual campaigns to educate both truckies and vanners. Craig said that a summit could have the effect of pooling ideas together, save on each individual organisation’s resources, and see a targeted and more effective campaign delivering the same message to a broader audience.
“All affected stakeholder groups need to collaborate together, be working off the same page and at the same time, be delivering the same message,” Craig said. “At the moment we are seeing several stakeholders including our own Club using individual resources, at times with slightly different messages, that are not reaching the full targeted audiences.”
“Collaboration between all stakeholder groups including transport companies and organisations, recreational vehicle (RV) clubs, RV industry groups and Federal and State Governments could see one major campaign. This saves on the resources currently being expended by individual stakeholders, would deliver common messaging, maximise distribution of material, and combine media efforts.”
Craig said that with many ACC members heading to Western Australia for our Club’s Annual General Meeting and National Muster at Denmark in October, our Club was delighted with the recent safety campaign being run by logistics company Centurion in that State.
“Our Club is currently undergoing a process of meeting and discussion with other RV Clubs and a truck driver campaign advocate on this very issue.”
“However this needs to be brought to a final result and the way that I can see this is by all major stakeholders, both truck organisations and RV groups, sitting down together and finalising an effective strategy for road sharing that all can work with and promote, and then establish the one effective campaign to deliver the same message.”
“The sooner that this can be done, the safer the roads will be for both truckies and vanners,” Craig said.
Recall on Ford Rangers, Couriers and Econovans
- Details
- Published: 23 May 2018 23 May 2018
There has been a recall on 69,363 Ford Rangers built from 8 September 2006 through to 1 August 2011, 20,037 Ford Couriers built between 2 February 2004 through to 21 September 2006, and 1,300 Ford Econovans
built from 2 February 2004 through to 31 October 2005, making a total of 90,700 vehicles under this recall.
The recall notice states that as the airbag inflator ‘gets older, a combination of high temperatures and humidity can cause the airbag inflator propellant to degrade. If an affected vehicle is involved in a collision triggering the airbag, the metal inflator housing may explode/rupture under too much internal pressure.’
The notice states that in the event that a defective airbag inflator ruptures, metal fragments may propel out through the airbag cushion towards the vehicle occupants causing serious injury or fatality.
Owners of affected vehicles are urged to contact their local Ford dealership or Ford head office directly via the website at https://www.ford.com.au/owners/contact-us/(link is external) to arrange for a replacement airbag inflator free of charge. Consumers who are unsure whether they are affected can also contact Ford on 13 FORD (13 36 73) or contact their preferred dealer.
For further information and to see if your vehicle is listed on the recall notice, go to: https://www.productsafety.gov.au/recall/ford-motor-company-of-australia-limited-ford-courier-econovan-and-ranger
Our Club proudly welcomes our 51st ACC branch
- Details
- Published: 16 May 2018 16 May 2018
Our Club is delighted to announce the formation of our 51st branch following the success of our stand at the Cairns Expo.
The ACC Rainforest Ramblers was formed with a good start of 15 new members, following a meet and greet last Sunday. The branch will service RVers in the North Queensland regions of Cairns, Kuranda, the Atherton Tablelands and their surrounds.
“Our Club is always excited when a new branch forms and we welcome our new members to our ACC family,” our ACC Chairman Craig said.
“I would also like to especially thank our hardworking ACC members who worked so hard on the stand to ensure it was a success. Some members travelled all the way from Townsville. Your efforts are greatly appreciated by all ACC members,” Craig said.
RVers living in the Cairns, Kuranda and Atherton Tablelands regions interested in finding out more about our Club or the Rainforest Ramblers, are welcome to email our membership team on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.