88 - An Interesting Story From A Wandering Bare

Over the past few years, the upsurge in the amount of people touring and sightseeing this great country of ours has been dramatic. Most fall into the Gray Nomad category: those who have opted for early retirement on a good superannuation payout. While these do make up the bulk of local tourists, there’s a good cross section of others.

There are those who have decided on an itinerant lifestyle, still young enough to take whatever work comes along to pay their bills, while seeing what Australia has to offer. Then, of course, there are the pensioners on extended holidays. A lot of travelers get on the road for the winter months, heading towards the northern parts of Oz, making it much easier to bare the cold . . . with the emphasis on “bare.”

Wrenbrook @ Bonalbo

The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland reports there are more than 600,000 Australians taking caravan holidays each year. The Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia boasts in excess of 40,000 members. No wonder campsites and B&Bs are popping up all over the country to cash in on this lucrative market. Among these statistics is one group of which the average traveller is largely unaware: the naturist tourist.

Goodys @ Sarina

Those who belong in this category are finding, more and more, being catered for. Today’s naturists have a string of B&Bs, resorts, camping areas, legal beaches and, perhaps less often, district social clubs to cater to their requirements as they travel this wonderful country.

Sunlovers @ Hervey Bay

 All up the east coast, particularly Queensland, naturists have opened up their homes as B&Bs for the like-minded traveller. Others have small acreage blocks ideally suited for self-contained caravan or mobile home tourists. These are in secluded - but not necessarily remote - areas, ranging from three-star plus swimming pool, powered sites and all amenities, right down to simply a safe campsite with basic requirements (ie, a toilet and a hot shower).

Taylorwood @ The Whitsundays

The low costs of these places are a drawcard. The prices of a few “high profile” resorts, reflect the demand for higher-class amenities, but the average resort with powered sites and swimming pools are usually around the $28 per night per couple mark. The basic camping ground with no power and no pool ranges from $15 per night per couple to a low $5 per night per couple. These sorts of prices make seeing the country in winter a lot more affordable, especially on a pension.

Running Bare @ Narrabri

From the Retro Roamers, can't agree more!