Tuesday, October 19, 2010

NSW - Brunswick Heads

This is a very quiet park on the banks of the Brunswick River. Most of the park is permanents but there are still a lot of powered and unpowered sites. Amenities are good with two blocks, one old and one new. Just a stroll to the beach and town. Very handy location.
This park is a Top Tourist member.

Terrace Reserve Holiday Park
Fingal St,
Brunswick Heads, NSW. 2483
www.terreacereserve.com.au

Qld - Scarbourough

What a find. This park is at the northern tip of the Redclffe Peninsula. There are very few trees but most of the sites are big drive through with concrete slabs. The amenities block is brand new and tastefully done. A pleasure to use. There is a restaurant adjacent to the park, has great coffee, cakes and is open for breakfast and lunch. We often popped in for a coffee. The park is located next to the harbour which makes for a nice stroll.
We can highly recommend this park.

Scarborough Holiday Village
Reef Point Esplanade
Scarborough, Qld, 4020
Ph: 07 3203 8864
www.scarboroughholidayvillage.com.au

Qld - Noosa

This caravan park is in the suburbs and about a five minute drive into the heart of Noosa. The bike and walking trails make it easy to get around Tewantin - to the shops and the harbour. The park has a lovely heated pool, amenities old but clean.

Noosa Caravan Park
143 Moorindil St
Tewantin, Qld. 4565
Ph: 07 5449 8060
www.noosacaravanpark.com.au

Qld - Hervey Bay

This council owned park is on the beach at Torquay, one of the beachside suburbs at Hervey Bay. Shops and restaurants are across the road and within an easy stroll.
There are two amenities blocks, very well maintained. Most caravan sites are with a slab, a few shade trees and grass.
The sites were $39.00 per night which was school holiday fees.
Very pleasant stay.

Torquay Beachfront Tourist Park
The Espanade, Torquay,
Hervey Bay, Qld. 4655
Ph: 07 4125 1578
www.beachfronttouristparks.com.au

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Qld - Bundaberg - Bargara

While visiting this area we stayed at the beautiful seaside town of Bargara, about a ten minute drive from downtown Bundaberg.

The caravan park is across the road from the surf club and about 1 klm from the centre of Bargara. Powered sites are $31.00 per night.
The large park of 16 acres has two large amenities blocks, many concrete slabs, trees and lovely grass everywhere. The park is beside the tennis courts, on the edge of the nature walk / bike trail and oval. Each morning we would ride the 12 klm trail and in the afternoons we would swim at the beach. In between we’d walk into town and have coffee.

Fantastic area.

Bargara Beach Caravan Park
The Esplanade, Nielson Park,
Bargara, Qld. 4670.
Ph: 07 4159 2228
www.bargarabeach.com.au

Qld - Cape Hillsborough Nature Resort


About 40 klms north of Mackay is the Cape Hillsborough National Park. The caravan park has powered and unpowered sites and cabins and is right on the beach. The swimming pool is a beautiful resort style and the games room has TV and a pool table. There is also a restaurant.
The walks around the resort are beautiful and the scenery of the beach and local islands are stunning.
The sites are large and only $28.00 per night.
Cape Hillsborough National Park
via Seaforth, Qld, 4740
Ph: 07 4959 0152
www.capehillsboroughresort.com.au

Qld - Sapphire

We stayed at a delightful caravan park in the hills behind Sapphire. The park is beautifully maintained with a pool, animal feeding area, walks, camp kitchen, and outdoor lounge. Each site is very private with trees and bushes dividing each site which are carved out of the hillside. The amenities are extremely clean with white tiled walls and floors.

Sapphire Caravan Park
57 Sunrise Rd,
Sapphire, Qld, 296
Ph:07 4985 4281

Friday, September 17, 2010

NT - Katherine

Riverview Caravan Park
440 Victoria Hwy,
Katherine, NT 0851
Ph:08 8972 1011

We chose this park because it was within walking distance to the natural thermal springs. The sites were so narrow that we could not put our awning out to its full extent. We felt like we were packed in like sardines.
We would not recommend this park.

Red Gum Tourist Park

This is a lovely park with grassed areas, large sites, swimming pool and old but clean amenities block. It is only a 10 minute walk to town.

42 Victoria Hwy
Katherine, NT 0851
Ph: 08 8972 2239







Nitmiluk National Park Campground

We spent three nights in Katherine and then moved out to the National Park. There are only twenty powered sites and they do not take reservations so it is a matter of first come, first served. We were lucky enough to get a powered site and loved every minute of our four day stay here.
Most of the powered site area is dirt ground with lots of shade trees and two well appointed amenity areas. The best part about the campground is the fantastic swimming pool and restaurant area. Every night while we were here there was live music at the pool area and we felt like we were staying at a resort and only paying $33.00 a night.

NT - Darwin

Shady Glen Tourist Park

We stayed at this park because they would store our van while we made a couple of trips. This park has two good amenities blocks, a nice swimming pool, shady, large sites, but is very dusty as none of the internal roads are sealed. We were forever wiping dust from the inside of the van.

Shady Glen Tourist Park
cnr Stuart Hwy and Farrell Cres
Winnellie, NT 0820
Ph: 08 8984 3330

Our friends stayed at Hidden Valley Tourist Park which we would recommend.

Hidden Valley Tourist Park
26 Hidden Valley Way
Berrimah, NT.
Ph: 08 8984 2888
website: www.hiddenvalleytouristpark.com.au

NT - Litchfield National Park

We spent three wonderful days at Litchfield and while here we stayed at the Litchfield Safari Camp which is close to the western entrance of the park.

Everything was very basic, including the amenities block. There was a small round above ground pool to stand in to cool off. Some of the sites had fire pits and wood was provided. Even though it was basic it had a nice relaxed atmosphere, power, trees and grass.

Litchfield Safari Camp
western edge of park, 70 klms from Batchelor.
Ph: 08 8978 2185
www.litchfieldsafaricamp.com.au

Saturday, September 11, 2010

NT - Kakadu - Jabiru

Kakadu Lodge

This lovely park is in Jabiru township. It is a well kept park with grassed sites, trees for shade, two amenities blocks, swimming pool, restaurant and bar. It was a highlight driving into a park with so much grass everywhere.

The roads within the park are all sealed so therefore, less dust. The powered sites are $34.90 per night with a seniors discount. If you pay for six you get the seventh night free.

We can highly recommend this park.

Kakadu Lodge
Jabiru Drive, Jabiru
Kakadu National Park NT 0870
Ph: 1800 811 154
www.auroraresorts.com.au

NT - Kakadu

Gagudju Lodge Cooinda

This lodge is central to most of the sites in the southern and eastern areas of the park.
Most of the caravan sites are large, very little grass, lots of trees, two good amenities blocks. The barbeque area has several barbeques and well maintained.

There are two swimming pools, one is shaded and attracted adults who just wanted a quick dip and then a nap on the lounge chairs. The other is a large pool with spa, childrens’ pool and waterfall. There are many lounge chairs and a large grassed area. We spent many hours here swimming, reading and napping.

The lodge also has a restaurant and bar. The food is expensive but if you stay for three nights you get a $50.00 voucher to use in the restaurant. (That offer was in July 2010) A powered site was $40.00 per night.

Gagudju Lodge Cooinda
Just off Kakadu Highway
Ph: 1800 500n401
website:gagudju-dreaming.com

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

WA-Lake Argyle Village



This is a must stay when in the Kununurra area. The Village is perched 150 metres above the waters of the lake and the scenery is breathtaking.
Within the village is a caravan and camping area, cabins, store with a few basic food items and a licensed restaurant. The many trees give shade and most of the unpowered sites are lush grass.

There are two amenities blocks, one has en suites. The best part of the village is the infinity swimming pool which overlooks the lake and red cliffs.

Lake Argyle Village
Lake Argyle Rd,
East Kimberley, WA
Ph: 08 9168 7777
website: www.lakeargyle.com

WA-Kununurra

None of the caravan parks in Kununurra take bookings so vans line up outside the parks early, putting your name down and hope that something becomes vacant. After waiting for an hour they told us that there were no powered sites but we could have an unpowered one. We had a grassed site on the lake edge which was very nice. The powered sites had people packed in like sardines. The ladies toilets had always run out of toilet paper by the morning so I was not impressed.
Being on the lake was lovely and the sunsets were stunning,but the park was average.



Kununurra Lakeside Caravan Park
Casuarina Way, Kununurra, WA.6743
Ph: 08 9169 1092
web: www.lakeside.com.au

Saturday, July 10, 2010

WA-Wyndham

Parry Creek Farm is a peaceful resort on 120 acres, 20 mins from Wyndham. There are powered and unpowered sites as well as cabins. The unpowered sites are on the beautiful grassed area amongst many shade trees. There are trees in the powered area but there are dusty patches amongst the sparse grass.
There are two toilet blocks which serves the camp sites well.The pool is beautiful and there is a licensed restaurant if you don’t feel like cooking. We had a coffee by the pool which seemed very decadent as we hadn’t done any thing like that for a while.

The large lagoon is covered in lily pads, and apparently is full of fish. Two large salt water crocodiles have been removed from the lagoon over the past two years. You get a reality check when you see the crock cage beside the lagoon.

This was a delightful place to stay as the Marglu Billabong is only 20 minutes away and is an important site for the breeding grounds of water birds. There is a walkway and bird hide for viewing the birdlife. We went twice and spent a few hours watching the birds. It was fantastic.



Parry Creek Farm
Parry Creek Rd, Wyndham,WA.6740
Ph: 08 9161 1139
www.parrycreekfarm.com.au

WA-Fitzroy Crossing


The Fitzroy River Lodge is a beautiful grassy oasis with large shade trees around the grounds. There are two ablution blocks, both clean.
None of the sites are allocated so it is drive around and pick a spot. It was heavenly having grass underfoot again. The Lodge has a swimming pool, restaurant, bar as well as safari tents, cabins and motel style accommodation.
We booked a tour which left from the Lodge, took us around the town and then we joined a boat trip to Geikie Gorge. We stayed here for two nights and it was very pleasant.



Fitzroy River Lodge
Great Northern Highway,
Fitzroy Crossing. WA.
Ph: 08 9191 5141
website: www.fitzroyriverlodge.com.au

WA-Derby

This park is large with two amenities blocks and two laundries. All internal roads are sealed and curbed which really helps keep the dust down. Some sites have concrete slabs, others are gravel. There are many shade trees and grassed areas within the park.
The park is within walking distance of some of downtown and if you are keen you can walk to the jetty along the bike/walk path.

Kimberley Entrance Caravan Park
Rowan St, Derby, WA
Ph: 08 9193 1055
www.kimberleyentrancecaravanpark.com

WA-Broome

During our month here in Broome we stayed at two caravan parks.

Palm Grove Holiday Resort.

The first, Palm Grove Holiday Resort is only one block away from Cable Beach. The caravan sites are divided by hedges and trees and are very private. All the roads in the park are sealed so there is no dust. There are grassed areas for the tents but all other sites are white gravel.
The park is very well maintained with a swimming pool, mini golf, barbeques, and adequate numbers of showers and toilets. We enjoyed our time here but had to move because our sites had been pre-booked by somebody else.
The sites were $36.00 per night when we arrived in March and then went up to $43.00 per night for the peak season beginning in June.

Palm Grove Holiday Resort
cnr Cable Beach and Murray Rds,
Cable Beach, Broome.
Ph: 08 9192 3336 or Freecall:1 800 803 336
Website:www.palmgrove.com.au

Tarangau Caravan Park

This is a little further from Cable Beach itself but still within walking distance. The park has many trees, a few grassed sites but mostly it is red dirt.
The amenities block is new but only has four showers and four toilets. There is another smaller block of unisex toilets within the park.

We enjoyed our stay here as well. It is very quiet and only $36.00 per night in peak season.

Tarangau Caravan Park
cnr Millington and Lullfitz Drive,
Broome,6725
Ph: 08 9193 5084
No website.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

WA-Barn Hill Station



This working cattle station is about 130klms south of Broome. The 10klm dirt track traverses the property and the caravan park sits on the edge of the cliffs beside the ocean. Only a few sites have ocean views. Trees have been planted over the years so there is ample shade.
The toilets are very basic with no roof and the hot water is heated by a wood stove. You can plan on a warm shower from 8:00- 10:00a.m and 4:00-7:00p.m. as long as there is wood and they remember to light the furnace. The power is run by generator so you are unable to use air conditioning, toasters, or anything with an element. We switched our water heater to gas and were so thankful that we had our own shower in the van.
The cliffs and rock structure along the beach are spectacular and worth the dusty drive to get here.
The camp fee is $25.00 per night which we thought was rather high for such a basic camping area. It was very busy while we were here and they were expecting it to get much busier. I would not want to be here at capacity as the amenities and infer structure are totally inadequate.


Phone: 08 9192 4975

WA-Eighty Mile Beach

This park is situated between Port Hedland and Broome on the edge of the beach behind the sand dunes. The red dusty road to get here is about a ten klm drive off the highway.
A cyclone had hit the area last year so many of the trees had been uprooted or their trunks and branches snapped. There are some grassed sites but most are red dirt. The amenities are quite adequate for being such a long way from anywhere. The fishing, sunsets and shell collecting are the attractions of this park.
The shop has basic food items as well as some take away.

Eighty Mile Beach Caravan Park
PMB 3, Port Hedland, 6721
Ph: 08 9176 5941
www.eightymilebeach.com.au

Sunday, June 13, 2010

WA-Port Hedland

Cooke Point Holiday Park

After the dirt and dust of Karijini it was wonderful to have concrete under our feet again. The amenities were good, swimming pool and some grassed areas. At night the view of the lights out on the iron ore factories and the harbour was quite spectacular.
The park is on a peninsula where we would take morning walks along the beach.
Very expensive though at $42.00 per night out of season.
This is a Big 4 park and the best park in Port Hedland. We have heard bad reports about the other parks.

Cooke Point Holiday Park
Taylor St, WA 6721
Freecall: 1 800 459 999
www.aspenparks.com.au

WA-Karijini National Park


Dales Camp

Dales Campground is about 100 klms from Tom Price with unpowered sites and bookings will not be taken. There are toilets and a couple of water tanks for drinking water. Generators are permitted in certain areas.
A fire had been through some of the area so it was very bare and black in places. The sites are large and we loved our stay there. The nights were so clear that it made the stars look close. The nights were very cold so we would bundle up and watch for shooting stars and just get lost in the beauty of the universe.
I am sure that the ground is iron ore as everywhere you look the earth has that dark red/black colour.
The camping area is within walking distance to Dales Gorge but you need to drive to get to the other gorges. The roads are red, dusty and very corrigated.
The camping is $10.00 per night per person plus National Park entry fees. Toilets and barbeque areas are spread within the camping areas. Well worth the stay.

WA-free camp Beasley River



This stop is 53klm west of the Paraburdoo turnoff or 171 klms east of the Nanutarra roadhouse on the way to Karijini National park. This was a welcome stop as we had driven from Exmouth. The rest area is about a 500 metre drive off the main highway on a dirt track, which made for a very quiet night.







There were about 10 vans and campers already set up when we arrived at about 4:30p.m. One of the women had made scones over a few hot coals and we sat around chatting and eating them with butter and jam.

The two toilets here are clean and the sunset that night was fantastic.

Camps 4 site #457

WA-Tom Price

This large, spacious park is at the foot of Mt Nameless and the red cliffs close to the park are spectacular to sit and look at from your camp site.
The sunsets over the mountains are stunning.

The amenities block is large, clean and basic. Many of the sites have grass and the park has many shady trees as well. There is also a swimming pool for those hot days and the shop has a few interesting pieces of jewelry made of local ores.

Tom Price Tourist Park
Mt Nameless Drive, Tom Price, 6751
Ph:08 9189 1515

WA-Exmouth

While in the area we stayed in two caravan parks.
The first was the Lighthouse Caravan Park, about 21klms north of Exmouth. It is at the foot of the Vlamingh Lighthouse and across the road from the beach. A great beach for walking and fishing but not swimming. Too many rocks.

Emus wander through the park during the day.

Lighthouse Caravan Park
Ph: 08 9949 1478
www.ningaloolighthouse.com




The second park we stayed at was Yardie Homestead Caravan Park, formerly a sheep station.
This park is the closest one to the National Park and the reef and basic. The power is run by generators so you cannot use anything with a heating element or your air conditioning. The newer amenities are serviceable but the older ones are very average. A few patches of grass but mostly crushed shell base and red dirt with some trees for shade.
The swimming pool is beautiful and they have take away meals at night. We had a whole chicken, potatoes, peas and gravy for $20.00. It was delicious.

Yardie Homestead Caravan Park
08 9949 1389

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

WA-Coral Bay

Coral Bay has two caravan parks. We picked the Bayview but next time we would stay at Peoples Caravan Park as it is right on the beach.

The Bayview is large, lots of trees for shade but they also drip orange sap on the vans during the night. The amenities are modern and clean. The swimming pool is beautiful.

The water coming out of the taps here is hot and salty so is undrinkable. They have taps around the park so that you can get fresh water. Make sure that you fill up your tanks before you get here though, as this water cannot be good for all the internal pipes in the van.

Bayview Coral Bay
Robinson Bay, Coral Bay, WA. 6701
Ph: 08 9942 5932
www.coralbay.com

Peoples Caravan Park
Ph: 08 9942 5866
www.peoplesparkcoralbay.com

WA-Carnarvon


This is a quiet secure park on the left side of the highway as you enter town. Most of the sites are shaded, there are some slabs, some grass but red dirt everywhere else. The amenities are modern and clean with great music playing in them. The pool is small but good to cool off in.

Wintersun Caravan and Tourist Park
546 Robinson St, Carnarvon, WA 6701
Ph: 08 9941 8150

WA-Denham


This caravan park is on the waters edge within a short walking distance to town. The ground is crushed shell and there are quite a few trees for shade and wind breaks.

Amenities are again old but clean.

If we come this way again I would stay at the caravan park at Monkey Mia. It is more expensive but the beach is beautiful and Monkey Mia is a lovely little area.

Denham Seaside Tourist Village
1 Knights Tce, Denham, WA. 6537
Ph: 08 9948 1242
www.sharkbayfun.com.au

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

WA-Kalbarri



Friends of ours who live in Kalbarri recommended this park. It is situated on the northern edge of town, has a pool and looks onto the beautiful Murchison River. We had a grassed site facing the road which gave us a great view of the water.

A brand new amenities block was being built while we were here which will be fantastic when it is finished. Good park.

Kalbarri Anchorage Caravan Park
168 Grey St, Kalbarri, WA. 6536
Ph: 08 9937 1181

WA-Geraldton


Geraldton has several caravan parks but we chose the Sunset which was only 5 klms north of the town and sits right on the beach, and made for beautiful sunsets across the ocean.

The park is a Big 4 member and is spacious, clean and a pleasure to stay at.

Sunset Beach Holiday Park
Bosley St, Sunset Beach, Geraldton, WA, 6530
Ph: 08 9938 1655
Freecall: 1 800 353 389
www.sunsetbeachpark.com.au

WA-Jurien Bay


Jurien Bay is only a few klms north of Cervantes but we decided to stay here as there was a shopping centre and we needed a few supplies. This park is on the beach. We had a good site but the amenities block by us was very old and should really be torn down. The second block was must better and even though it was further away from our site it was worth the extra walk.
This park is a top tourist park member. They also have a beachside cafe.

Jurien Bay Tourist Park
Roberts St, Jurien Bay, 6516
Ph: 08 9652 1595
www.jurienbaytouristpark.com.au

WA-Cervantes


The township of Cervantes is 254 klms north of Perth and only 2 klms from the entrance to the Nambung National park which house the famous Pinnales formations.

The caravan park is on the beach which a lovely little coffee shop. The sites are a good size and the amenities are old.

Pinnacles Caravan Park
Aragon St
Cervantes, WA 6511
Ph: 08 9652 7060
www.pinnaclespark.com.au

WA-Perth

We were flying home for Easter and chose this park because it was the closest to the airport. The park is small, very little grass and it was challenging getting the van on site.
We found the staff and owners very helpful but the park in general was run down.
The amenities block was old but always clean with music playing.

We have heard that Karrinyup Waters Resort is a great park to stay at while in Perth.


Central Caravan Park
34 Central Ave, Ascot,WA. 6104
Ph: 08 9277 1704
website:www.perthcentral.com.au

WA-Fremantle

This park is only 2.5 klms from the heart of Fremantle and a short stroll to South beach. This is the only caravan park in Fremantle so we didn’t have any choice.
The photograph of this park looks very charming in the book with manicured gardens and green lawns. In reality it is run down with very little grass, and weeds everywhere.
The new amenities block was always clean, had three showers and three toilets. The camp kitchen was modern and spacious.



Freemantle Village
25 Cockburn Rd, South Fremantle. WA 6162
Ph:08 9430 4866
website:www.freemantlevillage.com.au

Sunday, April 4, 2010

WA-Bussleton






Wow, what a park! This is a family run park and it shows. You are made welcome the minute you arrive. You are escorted to your site and helped to back in if needed. The park is beautifully maintained from the 2 amenities blocks, the 2 swimming pools, camp kitchen and the manicured gardens and incredible lawns.
There is a fantastic playing area for the children as well as several barbeque areas and fish cleaning bench.
The eye for detail is appreciated by everybody who stays here.
The park is across the road from the beach and an easy 5 klm bike ride into town.


Top Tourist Park member.

Mandalay Holiday Resort and Tourist Park
off Bussleton Hwy at Lockhart St
Bussleton, WA, 6280
Ph: 08 9752 1328 or freecall 1800 248 231
website: www.mandalayresort.com.au

WA-Margaret River

This caravan park is close to town which makes it handy to walk to the charming township of Margaret River with its wonderful array of shops and restaurants.
The park has many trees, grassed and slab sites with 2 amenities blocks. The park also has a large number of cabins. Many of the sites are very awkward to get into so make sure that you walk the park before pulling in.
Central to the wine tasting area and the beaches.

A family park member.


Margaret River Tourist Park and Country Cottages
44 Station Rd
Margaret River,WA. 6285
Ph: 08 9757 2180
Website:www.mrtouristpark.com

WA-Augusta



The park is through the township and on the ocean. Most of the sites are small so it is best to walk the park to pick your site first. Most sites are bordered by shrubs and trees so it is very private.
The amenities are very basic but clean enough.
You can walk along the beach front to the small jetty and swimming platform. A good boat ramp is also close to the campsite.

If we came to Augusta again we would stay at the National Park at Hamelin Bay. The beach here is beautiful with huge rays swimming up and down the beach waiting for people to feed them fish scraps. They are very friendly.

Flinders Bay Caravan Park
Albany Tce
Augusta, WA 6290
website:www.flindersbaycaravanpark.com.au

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

WA-Pemberton

This park is in the bottom of a valley and surrounded by trees. The park is rather old and so are most of the amenities but the park is rather charming.
There is also a new camp kitchen and a new amenities block but it was across the park from where we were camped.
There were blackberry bushes on the edge of the park so we had a bowl full with our fruit salad for breakfast. Fantastic.
Very pleasant place to stay and the town has some wonderful old wooden buildings. This area is still a logging area.

Pemberton Caravan Park
1 Pump Hill Rd
Pemberton,WA 6260
Ph: 08 9776 130
website: www.pembertonpark.com.au

WA-Denmark


Even though they say that the park is advertised as fronting ocean beach it is quite a walk to get there. The park is beautifully cared for with grassed sites, many with concrete slabs and the amenities blocks and the camp kitchen are to die for.....absolutely stunning.
There is a giant jumping pillow and great areas for kids to play. A pleasure to stay here.
This is a Big 4 park

Denmark Ocean Beach Holiday Park
770 Ocean Beach Rd,
Denmark, WA 6333
Ph:08 9848 1105
website:www.denmarkobhp.com.au