General News
16 July, 2022
‘Drive tourism’ makes a recovery in popular RV parks
DRIVE tourism in the far north is showing strong signs of recovery after being hit hard by lockdowns and COVID-19 border closures.
Cairns Regional Council’s popular free tourism RV parks at Gordonvale and Rotary Park (Babinda Creek) at Babinda are returning to and even exceeding the high visitor numbers they have not enjoyed since before COVID.
Local businesses at Gordonvale and Babinda have benefitted from the rise in domestic tourists spending money in their shops, pubs and food outlets.
At Babinda Rotary Park, visitor numbers over April, May and June in 2021 totalled around 1,480. This year over the same three months, the figure jumped to 1,740.
At Greenpatch, Gordonvale, the revamped park has made a dramatic recovery, with visitors in caravans, campers and motorhomes increasing to peak or near peak in recent months. Over April, May and June last year, the total visitor numbers at Greenpatch was just 374. Over the same three months this year, the figure was 1,305 – with 933 in June alone.
“Greenpatch has been getting busier and recent numbers suggest this drive season will be the busiest season yet,” Cairns councillor Brett Moller said.
“Looking at our numbers of the last few months I expect excellent visitation in RV numbers this coming 2022 drive season.”
Local natural attractions like Babinda Boulders, Josephine Falls, Eubanangee Wetlands and Bramston Beach in close proximity to Babinda draw tourists to the camp ground and town.
“Further the iconic Babinda Bakery, the Boulders Tavern, the Babinda State Hotel, our local Munro Martin Picture Theatre and Koolspot Cafe offer great product and service, of a quintessential friendly sugar town, that visitors love to experience. Being able to camp next to the clean fresh flowing Babinda Creek and safely swim is another draw card,” Cr Moller said.
The Cairns region overall is showing positive signs of a recovery at the traditional peak time of year for ‘grey nomads’ and other RV travellers.
“Anecdotally COVID has driven a pent-up demand for travel which includes drive tourism and the early numbers this year from our campgrounds are very positive and encouraging.”
Over the past decade the tropical north region has seen an increase in drive tourism averaging 6.1 per cent a year.
“The economic benefit this drive tourism brings to our city but particularly to our rural towns of Babinda and Gordonvale is significant,” Cr Moller said.
“These increasing numbers and domestic spend is why our Council prioritised building the RV Park at Greenpatch and is why we take great care in making sure both Gordonvale and Babinda campgrounds are kept well maintained so as to add to the visitor experience, encouraging repeat visitation.
“On top of the $2.4M upgrade to Greenpatch campground in 2019, the opening of the Bungara Heritage Trail in Gordonvale in August last year, linking the campground to the town centre, has been a significant step in enhancing the offerings to RV users.
“With Babinda’s natural attractions, rather than the two towns and campgrounds competing, they are increasing the offerings in our southern corridor, better capturing the drive tourism market.”
