Free camping and RV parks reopen in Whitsundays
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Whitsunday Regional Council’s RV parks at Proserpine and Collinsville and the 72-hour free camping at Lake Proserpine will reopen tomorrow after pandemic travel restrictions were lifted by the Queensland Government.
Mayor Andrew Willcox said it was fantastic news for tourism stakeholders and it was time to “get this show on the road” in the Whitsundays.
“With travel open and our camping and caravan parks now back in action, the beautiful Whitsundays is the place to head for southerners this winter,” he said.
“We live in one of the most beautiful and diverse environments in the world and thanks to our small population base and large area, the Whitsunday region is also one of the safest to visit during the current pandemic.
“With international travel unlikely to resume any time soon this is the chance to again make the Whitsunday region a tourism hotspot for domestic holidays.
“Earlier this year Council upgraded the facilities at Lake Proserpine, building new pontoons carparks, toilets and showers, a washdown facility and introducing free 72-hour camping.
“We recognise that fishing is the largest driver of domestic leisure tourism nationally and Lake Proserpine’s reputation as the Heart of Barra Fishing is unrivalled anywhere in the world,” Mayor Willcox said.
“Our region is the heart of fun in the winter sun boasting cracker barramundi fishing at Lake Proserpine, beautiful swimming beaches in Bowen, real Aussie outback and pit pony experiences at Collinsville and, of course, the Airlie Beach Lagoon and revitalised foreshore and our 74 beautiful Whitsunday islands.”
Tash Wheeler, CEO of Tourism Whitsundays, said the state-wide easing of travel restrictions was just what the doctor ordered for local operators.
“Our Whitsunday tourist industry stakeholders are open and ready to welcome tourists back,” she said.
"We've already had so many operators and restaurants reopen over the past few weeks.
“They all have locked in their COVID-safe plans and are raring and ready to welcome people . "We're coming into winter and while the south-east pocket is still in Queensland, it is a lot cooler down there," she said.
Ms Wheeler said the mood on the ground after the announcement had been jubilant.
"I’ve had plenty of emails and text messages and everyone is excited and it's given them a bit of hope that the next round of announcements won't be too far away," she said.