Insouciant Travelers
There is a sub-culture of people in Australia that live on the open road. Be it for a short road trip, tourist backpackers, the retiree that decided to trade a home for an RV and people just like us - wanting to live a life of adventure for a while. For about 10 months, a few years back now, we were part of this culture. Wandering around this big beautiful country, staying in camp grounds and national parks in our little camper van, called Sergio.
We had the best of times and some of our more challenging moments on the open road. The journey was liberating, but we also started our business and that was a tough haul. We met so many cool people and visited places we had never heard of before.
At the time we didn't realise that our traveling adventure set us on a new path in life that we are now very grateful for.
Ariah Park
Travelers can bring in money to small towns and boost the local economy. One of the small towns that captured my heart with it's innovation is Ariah Park. Situated in the Riverina Area of New South Wales, this is grain growing country.
Free Camping
Ariah Park, like many small Aussie country towns is quiet and isolated. What draws the travelers here is a brilliant little Free Camp site at the local sports grounds. The facilities are amazing – The camp kitchen is well equipped and sheltered. The grounds are tidy and well maintained. There is fire pits, a free book swap, privacy and company. If you are happy to pay a small fee you can have access to hot showers, electricity and a washing machine.
We stayed here for two weeks (which is the maximum stay permitted) at any given time. Of course you are always welcome to return.
1920's Time Warp
Back in the 1920's at the peak of the towns prosperity, Ariah Park was known as the village of wowsers, bowsers and peppercorn trees. This label has been brought back to life with the town now established as a heritage town. The main street has been renovated to preserve the central avenue of peppercorn trees and restored vintage petrol bowsers line the foot path.
There is not many active shops in Ariah Park and to be honest the place looked a little forgotten. Despite an obvious decline in industry, the local community is strong and sweet. The empty shops lining the main street have cute little historical displays set up in the windows. Many of the shop fronts have been re-modelled/rennovated to imitate life in the 1920's.
The streets are wide, the verandahs deep and picnic tables sit under the shade of the iconic peppercorn trees. Walking down the main street feels like a large open air museum.
Ariah Park is a delightful respite for travellers. It really felt like we had entered a time warp, or at the very least a place where time was slower.
Ariah Park does have one other small claim to fame – 'Babe' was born and raised here before leaving to find fame on the big screen.
When we lived on the road, this place was home for us for a while. It is endearing and superbly set up for traveling folk like us. It is a peaceful and thoughtful place, rich with carefully preserved history. I want to go back some day. Just maybe not in the middle of summer.
Until next time
xx Isabella
