Caravanning couple back calls for driver's licence change on Aussie roads
Australians took 15.3 million caravan and camping trips last year – but some say things need to change.
An elderly couple say things need to change, even calling out boomers for their bad behaviour, as caravanning continues to rise in popularity with 'grey nomads' as well as young families packing up and taking life on Australia's roads.
Retired aged care nurse Edna Bonuda just returned home to Yarrawonga in Victoria after her latest caravanning trip with her husband and their two dogs to Cape York. Despite living the good life after decades in the workforce, there are trends she witnesses on the road, and in camping grounds across the country, which have turned her into a "grumpy old lady," she jokes. "I get very cross with a lot of things I see happening".
Among them is the sometimes reckless and hasty habits of her fellow caravaners, which can put others at risk. She has backed calls for stricter driver's licence laws for those towing a caravan, saying the current state of affairs is "just too dangerous".
"All state governments have to crack down on it. There's too many accidents," she told Yahoo News Australia.
Earlier this year, road safety advocates called for more training to be mandated and a special licence class for those driving with large caravans – something Edna says would be "a jolly good idea".
"These gentlemen, they work in an office all their lives, retire and go and buy a caravan and hit the road. And they've got no experience at towing."
Joel Tucker, road safety manager at Queensland’s peak motoring organisation RACQ, is among those calling for the change to be adopted, which is supported by some in the industry such as Tony Maddison, director of towing technology company WiTi.
"In most cases, drivers only need their car licence and they can hitch up three tonnes or more of caravan and take it out on the roads with no training whatsoever… which is just crazy," he said in March.
More young Aussie families taking up caravan lifestyle
These days Aussie camp sites and tourist parks are frequently reported as being overrun with travellers, both international and domestic. Caravan ownership surged following the Covid pandemic, according to the Caravan Industry Association of Australia, and has remained steady throughout the current cost of living crisis.
According to data from the Federal Australian Trade and Investment Commission, Australians took 15.3 million caravan and camping trips in 2023 – a new all time high.
"There's lots more [caravaners]. And it’s not just baby boomers" Edna said. "I think Covid upset a lot of people and made people realise just how short life is and there are a lot more young families having working holidays.
"I take my hat off to them, they invest whatever they've got in a car and a caravan, pack up their children and go caravanning around Australia, working as they go. I think that's really good .... so long as they teach their children to bin their rubbish," she added.
The litter she sees left behind at camp grounds is one of her biggest gripes – and it's an issue councils across the country have sought to crackdown on.
"The littler is absolutely disgusting" is some places, Edna complained. "Where is the care from people. Don’t people care about the country?"
Caravaner calls out 'arrogant' boomers
Speaking to Yahoo in August, one camp ground manager called out the wave of 'grey nomads' for what she described as their "entitled" behaviour as they travel around the country. It was a story that garnered a big response (as well as some strong rebukes) and struck a chord with Edna who says she "cringed" when reading it.
"I am a grey Nomad and have to agree, sadly," she told Yahoo.
"Manners in this age group often go out the window with the weekly payslip," she said, describing many boomers on the road as "self-entitled, rude and arrogant".
"I find in my generation of caravan travellers, they’re all in a big rush to get to the next free campsite so they can get the best spot. It’s just laughable," she said.
"Manners in that generation are just slipping… And we were brought up better than that ... But the baby boomers have embraced materialism with both hands.
"People can’t wait and take their turn, on the roads they have to overtake you. And they’re towing a huge caravan and we just look at them and think they're mad."
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