CARAVAN PARKS

CARAVAN PARKS
As promised, the following is a brief summary of the caravan parks we have stayed at since we started our journey early this year. I have to say that we have not really had a bad experience to date. We feel that many things make up the enjoyment or otherwise of a park and of course we all have different criteria. I will simply tell it as we found it. I guess it would be pertinent to tell you first what we look for in a park.
· Clean Amenities with spacious showers with good water pressure and sufficient space to keep clothes dry.
· Spacious level sites preferably grassed.
· Good easy to manoeuvre roads/access
· Security
· Outlook
· Good power and water supply
· Internet/mobile phone access
· Friendly staff
· Atmosphere
· Value for Money
These are the most important things for us, little extras would be dog friendly even tho’ we are not currently dog owners, good laundry facilities and some sort of weekly event such as sausage sizzle etc. where patrons are encouraged to socialise.
WA

Forrestfield (Perth Metro) Big 4 Discovery Park****
Excellent large caravan park close to airport (no undue noise), public transport and shopping centres. Good grassed sites, some drive thru’, great amenities blocks, bbqs a bit on the slow side. Suitable for long stays.

Kojonup Caravan Park
Lovely little bush caravan park, beautifully maintained. Good atmosphere and drive thru’ bays. Great under cover kitchen and good atmosphere. Would be good for caravan groups and weekend meetings.

Albany – Rose Gardens Beachside Caravan Park (Acclaim ****)
Very hilly with tight roads. Amenities were under review and quite ordinary when we were there in early 2010. Staff were friendly and there was hot food available from the shop. The views were sensational. Dog friendly.

Bremer Bay Caravan Park (the one by the beach) non star rated.
We loved it here although it was not at all up market. We had pretty much a paddock to ourselves. The amenities were ordinary but OK. Staff were friendly and there was a good atmosphere in the park. This was essentially a fishing park and there were many permanent vans on site. Easy access and big grassy sites. Dog friendly.

ESPERANCE SEAFRONT CARAVAN PARK (TOP TOURIST****)
Excellent caravan park – we asked for a front row site overlooking the bay – amazing views – lots of wind tho’. Excellent showers/toilets and the cheapest laundry we have seen in our travels. Rather tight grassed sites. A big of work to get in and out. Very professionally run.

DUKE OF ORLEANS BAY – BAY OF ORLEANS CARAVAN PARK (non star rated)
Interesting place, good park, some grassed sites, perfect location, amenities were OK, fishing was great, staff took some getting used to. I actually wrote a poem about the bloke who appeared to be running the place – actually the owner’s son. I will include it at the end of this blog, just for a laugh. Once again this was a fishing park with quite a few permanent vans on site. Despite the unusual people there, we loved it and strongly recommend it. Dog Friendly.

ACCROSS THE NULLARBOR

FRASER RANGE – Non star rated – around 90ks east of Norseman – great little spot on historical site – good atmosphere, huge campfire at night under brilliant sky. Must Do. Plenty of powered sites, some with water. Good drive thru’ sites.
MADURA – non star rated
Sensible stop with powered sites – no water. Amenities all OK. Rough but drive thru’ sites but considering location not too bad. Pub/restaurant for those who need a fix of food or drink.

SA

FOWLERS BAY (non star rated)
WELL...........what do we say about Fowlers Bay – no other choice in town – uni-sex amenities, clean and well appointed, shell grit sites, some drive thru’, limited power (can not use air con), very poor water pressure, but hey, great fishing!!!! We came for 1 night and stayed much longer. Dog friendly.

SMOKY BAY CARAVAN PARK ***
Super efficiently run caravan park, completely fenced and all shell grit surfaces. Amenities block was excellent and very clean. Excellent camp kitchen and meeting place. On the down side, claustrophobic and noisy. On the up side, great fishing! Staff/owner brilliant and very friendly. Dog friendly.

ELLISTON CARAVAN PARK & CAMPING AREA (Family Park) ***
Our first stay in a “Family Park” very very good –huge spacious grassed sites, with some drive thru’. One amenity block was ordinary but the other I am told was fine. Beautiful outlook, near the jetty (just out of town), super friendly owners and good atmosphere. Dog friendly.

COFFIN BAY CARAVAN PARK ***
Good park, grassed sites, amenities fine, plenty of space, lots of drive thru’s, well located. Dog Friendly.

ARNO BAY FORESHORE TOURIST PARK (Family Park)***
This has to be our favourite so far. Brilliant location, lovely green grassed sites, immaculate amenities, plenty of room, Thursday night sausage sizzle and Sunday morning pancakes. The owners were just the best – we really had to drag ourselves away from this one. Dog friendly.

WHYALLA FORESHORE (DISCOVERY/TOP TOURIST)***
We only stayed overnight here so not in a good position tell you a great deal. Amenities were excellent (foot towels provided!), absolute beachfront sites available for a slightly higher price (well worth the price). Relatively good access and mainly grassed sites.

WOOMERA TRAVELLERS PARK (non star rated)
Interesting spot, plently of room, drive thru’ sites, amenities OK, fine for overnight. Interestingly there was a licensed bar on site. Nice little watering hole and alcohol not over-priced.

COOBER PEDY STUART RANGE CARAVAN PARK (FAMILY PARK)****
Excellent park, plenty of space, some drive thru’ sites. Amenities were good. Added bonus, the owners are traditional pizza makers and have a pizza salon on site – very, very good. Also were able to book a very good tour from the park. No water on site, but you are able to fill up your tanks for a minimal cost.

NT

KULGERA CARAVAN PARK – caravan sites behind the Kulgera roadhouse, hotel. Powered/watered sites, but water not suitable for drinking. Drive thru’ sites. Amenities OK. Staff generally friendly. Good tucker at the pub.

YULARA/AYERS ROCK CAMPING GROUND****
Excellent park, full resort facilities. Dog friendly.

KINGS CANYON RESORT(non star rated)
Excellent park, full resort facilities.

ALICE SPRINGS – see AMAZING ALICE blog.