CARAVANNING NEWS - January 2012 edition


LINKS	REST AREAS	CARAVAN MANUFACTURERS	OWNERS' FORUMS	FUEL PRICES	CARAVAN CLUBS	LIVE TRAFFIC CAMS
Queensland outback	Carnarvon Gorge	Moore Park Beach turtles	Sydney circular	Santa's trip	Formula One interlude	Imbil

Brisbane Weather Forecast, Australia nh

Caravanning News is registered with the National Library of Australia's PANDORA archive

January 2012

Happy New Year and safe travels to all our readers

BREAKING NEWS
(For full list of stories,
click here)

JANUARY 27: BIG4 Holiday Parks wins Kidspot Best of Award for 2011 after mothers voted it best family holiday destination nationwide.
JANUARY 27: Six people injured when car towing caravan collides with B-double truck on Western Highway near Ballarat, Victoria.
JANUARY 26: Queensland's four-star and award-winning Airlie Beach Cove Resort and Van Park, member of the BIG4 chain, on market for $8.25m.
JANUARY 25: About 500 caravans from eight caravan parks near flood-ravaged Tweed Heads in northern NSW evacuated, reports State Emergency Service.
JANUARY 25: Caravanners in SE Queensland and northern NSW urged to delay travel until weather improves as heavy rains continue to inundate roads.

Thousands flee as floods threaten NSW parks

THOUSANDS of people fled flood-threatened caravan parks in NSW as unrelentless rains swamped the state's north and Mid North Coast. As the wet weather continued, police today urged people to delay all non-essential travel. "If holidaymakers are planning on visiting these regions they are also encouraged to postpone those plans until the floods clear," they said in a statement. The State Emergency Service earlier this week ordered the evacuation of Fingal Head, a low-lying strip of coastal land south of Tweed Heads. An emergency evacuation centre was set up at Kingscliff TAFE. The action came as flood warnings were issued for every major river system between Taree and the Queensland border. Up to eight caravan parks in and around Chinderah were affected. Meanwhile, 30 residents of a Coombabah caravan park were allowed to stay as flood conditions on Queensland's Gold Coast eased. "The people at the caravan park did have some water through there but it was nothing terribly dramatic," Disaster Management Unit coordinator Warren Day reportedly said. The wet conditions forced the closure of camping grounds and walking tracks in Queensland's National Parks ahead of Australia Day. Many caravan parks in Queensland's south-east reported floodwaters as the heaviest rain in two decades drenched some areas. Have your say

An unlikely duo ... the luxury Porsche Cayenne and Adria caravan

UNLIKELY RIG TURNS A FEW HEADS IN WA

BOB and Cheryl Taylor certainly turn a few heads when they hit the road with their rig. For the West Australian couple from Rockingham haul their European-built Adria Adora 532LT caravan with nothing less than a European-built Porsche Cayenne V6. According to reports, the tug compares "okay" with other six-cylinder luxury SUVs like the BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi. Cheryl told Adria's Aussie Caravan News that they recently did a trip to Busselton in WA and are regular visitors to Exmouth, where they always head to Yardie Homestead. "Most people we meet say it's quite unusual to see a Porsche towing a 'van, but these two travel exceptionally well," she said. Have your say

Grey nomads key contributors to tourism

Plan aims to improve outback caravanning

Providing direction for the next five years

By Dennis Amor
Have your say

QUEENSLAND'S remote areas would be blessed with more caravan parks and camping grounds, if the authors of a new report had their way.

Grey nomads were highlighted as the most significant contributor to North West tourism in the recently-launched Outback, Gulf and Western Downs Tourism Opportunity Plan.

"Camping and caravanning as part of the touring market are key experiences for the region," the 38-page plan from Tourism Queensland says.

The plan's purpose is to provide direction for sustainable tourism development over the next five years.

And it says that developing an integrated camping and caravan park strategy would identify all free camping grounds across the region and help formulate a plan to upgrade where necessary and manage them in coordination with established commercial caravan parks.

"This will provide a suite of camping and caravan experiences across the region," the plan suggests.

Inverloch caravan park

Boy, 5, dies in park horror accident

By Dennis Amor

A VICTORIAN caravan park was in shock after a young boy died in a horror accident with a car inside the park on New Year's Eve. The five-year-old died shortly before 8pm, an hour after the collision at the packed 244-site BIG4 Inverloch Holiday Park south-east of Melbourne. Paramedics desperately tried to resuscitate him but he was pronounced dead before an air ambulance could fly him to Royal Melbourne Hospital. It is understood the boy suffered severe head and chest injuries. Police were interviewing stunned holidaymakers in a bid to piece together what happened. No one was available to comment when Caravanning News attempted to contact staff at the park, which has been fully booked out until mid-January. But police said in a statement: "Officers have been told that a five-year-old boy was riding his bike at around 6.30pm. He approached a tee-intersection within the park and collided with a Jeep Cherokee. Emergency services were called to the scene but the boy could not be revived. The driver of the Cherokee, a 43-year-old Rowville woman, has been assisting police with their investigation." A report will be prepared for the Coroner. Have your say

Teen turned into human fireball

'Mood flame' terror as family celebrates festive season

By Dennis Amor

A 'MOOD flame' almost cost a young girl her life in a freak festive season accident at a New South Wales caravan park. The 12-year-old was sitting near the open flame flickering from a steel canister which was being refuelled when a sudden gust of wind turned her into a human fireball. Her horrified parents dashed to smother the flames and rushed her to the nearby shower block where they doused her with water until help arrived. The Boxing Day evening drama stunned holidaymakers at the four-star, 365-site Crookhaven Heads Tourist Park at Culburra Beach on the state's south coast. Manager Kathy Pascall told Caravanning News the accident happened at a private caravan as the family celebrated Christmas.

Couple swim to safety through croc-infested waters

The flooded Cullen River

A COUPLE was forced into crocodile-infested waters when their caravan and tow vehicle were swept off the Northern Territory's main highway. The drama happened after the caravanners, who have not been named, attempted to cross the flooded Cullen River on the Stuart Highway near Katherine. They had no option but to risk being taken by a croc by swimming to safety. Their terrifying ordeal came as floodwaters separated the Top End from the rest of the Northern Territory when torrential rains from ex-tropical Cyclone Grant ravaged the area. Seven motorists in five vehicles took refuge at a truck parking bay 2km north of Edith River near Katherine after being stranded by floodwaters and road damage. A couple travelling in a campervan and two truck drivers also chose to stay at a truck parking bay until able to travel north to Darwin. Have your say

Speeding nomad more than 4X the booze limit

A DRUNKEN grey nomad in a mobile home has copped a hefty fine and driving ban after speeding over a flood-ravaged bridge in the Northern Territory. The 55-year-old traveller astonished police as he flashed through road works at more than twice the 40kph speed limit at the Edith River crossing on the Stuart Highway. He continued for a further 3km before bringing his Hino coaster bus mobile home to a stop, police said. He later appeared in Katherine Court where he pleaded guilty to high range drink driving, exceeding the speed limit and failing to obey directions of police. He was fined $1400 and disqualified from driving for a year. The court heard he returned a blood-alcohol reading of 0.204 ... more than four times the legal limit. Police described the area around the Edith River bridge is essentially "one big construction site" and were concerned why so many drivers were choosing to add to the existing hazards. Have your say

Caravanners flout council's tough no-camping rules

Caravans in the dunes at Norval Park

HUNDREDS of campers and caravanners snubbed their noses at a Queensland council's tough stance on budget camping and free rest areas during the festive season. Despite Bundaberg Regional Council's previous warnings that illegally camped travellers could cop hefty fines, revellers in caravans, tents and motorhomes enjoyed million-dollar views across the blue waters of the Pacific at Norval Park north of the city. The council banned caravans, motorhomes and campervans from the picturesque beachfront area about two years ago, permitting only fee-paying permit-holding holidaymakers to pitch tents or camper trailers on specially marked out sites well back from the foreshore. But many Christmas and New Year holidaymakers blatantly ignored the ban and set up camps at every available spot among the sensitive dunes, where endangered marine turtles nest at this time of year. One couldn't-care-less camper told Caravanning News: "Generations of families have been spending their holidays here so why should some killjoy bureaucrats in their ivory tower spoil it for them?"

Golden place to stay in WA
CARAVANNERS touring Western Australia have a new place to drop their steadies near Perth. The popular Golden Ponds Recreational Fishing Park and Function Centre 46km south of the city has thrown down the welcome mat for caravanners and motorhomers. Owner Tony Pannacchione told Caravanning News he had opened the RV park to meet a growing need.

Mastering the question of communications
A RESEARCHER is appealing to grey nomads to tell her how they stay in touch while on the road. Caravan park manager and Charles Sturt University student researcher Margaret Dalmau is targeting adventurers aged over 55 who have been travelling continuously for more than a year. "This research project is one of the requirements for my Masters in Gerontology, the study of ageing," Margaret told Caravanning News.

Government blamed for showground lockout
CARAVANNERS camped on a NSW showground have been given their marching orders. Furious travellers have protested to Gunnedah Shire Council, which recently gained RV-Friendly status. But the authority says its hands are tied after the NSW Government ordered it to lock the gates on travellers wanting to camp overnight. Mayor Adam Marshall told Caravanning News: "Council has been directed to take this action and it is required to comply."

Sunland offers website choice
QUEENSLAND-based Sunland Caravans, which acquired the Phoenix brand after the well-respected manufacturer of high quality caravans went belly-up, has a new combined website. The entry page now gives visitors the option of browsing either Sunland or Phoenix products. To visit the new site, click here. Have your say

Customer service shines at Kurrimine
WHEN it comes to customer service, a Queensland caravan park ranks among the best. And the small local holiday destination in a relatively unknown fishing village on the Sunshine State's Cassowary Coast now has a prestigious award to prove it. Kurrimine Beach Holiday Park outshone some of tourism’s big players to collect Tourism Queensland's title of best customer service ambassadors.

Nomads urged to work butts off in litter battle
AUSTRALIA'S thousands of grey nomads have been urged to help in the fight against litter. Anti-litter campaigners want them to provide evidence of bad rubbish areas by capturing the unsightly scenes on their cameras. Cigarette butts have been blamed for creating much of the 'small litter' which is threatening the environment. Queensland's Keep Australia Beautiful chief executive officer Rick Burnett is now attempting to recruit the travellers into being ambassadors for his organisation.

Discovery launches new discount card
AUSTRALIA'S largest owner and operator of caravan and accommodation parks has launched a new discount membership card. Adelaide-based Discovery Holiday Parks introduced its scheme in time for the summer holidays, and claims it will allow families to enjoy a getaway "without breaking the bank".

Council busy sifting through comments on $4m park plan
A VICTORIAN council is busy sifting through hundreds of comments after inviting feedback on plans to give a flood-ravaged caravan park a $4 million new lease of life. Loddon Shire Council plans to spend $4.2 million on turning the wrecked Bridgewater Public Caravan Park into a state-of-the-art facility.

Girl critically injured by runaway trailer at tourist park
A YOUNG girl was critically injured by a runaway boat trailer at a tourist park at Burrunjuck in NSW. The accident prompted an appeal from police for holidaymakers to ensure they securely park their caravans and trailers. They are investigating after the trailer carrying a ski boat rolled into a rigid horse float, trapping the 9-year-old girl who suffered fractures to her skull. Police interviewed family members and nearby witnesses to determine why the trailer broke free from where it was parked. Have your say

Discussion paper puts residential rules under microscope
NSW's caravan park owners and operators have been invited to have their say on the state's "cumbersome and confusing" residential park laws. This follows the release of a discussion paper by the State Government as part of the second stage of its review into the rules.

Finance wizard joins Aspen stable
ASPEN Group, which has a division operating a successful chain of caravan parks throughout Australia, will soon welcome a new chief financial officer. Brett Fullarton was appointed following the resignation of Simon Martin. A commissioner with the Western Australian Football Commission, Mr Fullarton takes up his new role on January 16. Aspen said in a statement that Mr Fullarton would bring "a wealth a financial and business acumen" to the group, having over 30 years' experience at leading international chartered accounting firm KPMG where he had been a partner since 1994. He had established and led KPMG Perth’s Property Line of Business having had a particular focus on the property and mining sectors. "He brings to Aspen Group strong technical skills and experience in the areas of accounting, financial reporting, financial statement auditing, financial analysis, capital raisings, risk management and corporate governance," the statement added. Have your say

Adria busy improving customer service
THE importer of a popular brand of European-built caravans has had a busy month appointing new service centres and sales outlet. Sole importers of Adria caravans R.V. Asia Pacific has opened a new retail facility at Southport on the Gold Coast and two new service centres to further support owners in south-east Queensland.

Eco park donates $500 to possie park
PEPPERMINT Park Eco Village and Holiday Park in WA has donated $500 to Busselton Possum Centre. The award-winning BIG4 caravan park, nestled within 8ha of natural bushland at Busselton yet only 300m from the beach, boasts ringtail possums as permanent residents and prides itself on looking after their welfare. Have your say

Gem of a park scoops major award
GEMSEEKERS Caravan Park in Queensland's gemfields at Rubyvale has scooped a major gong for outstanding business improvement. Owners Terry and Vicki Gilshnan received Caravanning Queensland's prestigious Turnaround Award after a $100,000 major revamp at the 3-star, 24-site park they bought in 2009. Their park is popular with grey nomads, particularly from the south, who flock to the area to fossick for valuable sapphires. Have your say

Huge show will help with memory-making
LIFE may be short, but with the biggest caravan and camping show in the Southern Hemisphere on the horizon, caravanners can be ready to go make some memories on the road. To help them on their way, a massive range of caravans, motorhomes, camper trailers, tents, camping gear and every accessory under the sun will be on display at the Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow from March 8 to 13, just in time for the touring season.

Quadriplegic in battle to go caravanning
QUADRIPLEGIC and mother of three Wendy Eccles is embroiled in a battle to get Victoria's Transport Accident Commission to help pay for modifications to her caravan. While the commission has agreed to foot the bill for alterations to the Purnim family's 4WD it refuses to pay for a lift mechanism to be fitted to the RV so she can enjoy trips away with her husband and teenage children. Wendy, who was badly injured in 1993, has taken her fight to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in what is thought to be the first case of its kind. A ruling is expected early this year. Have your say

For stories from the last six editions of Caravanning News, click on the appropriate month:


December 2011	November 2011	October 2011	September 2011	August 2011	July 2011

Editor: Dennis Amor
PO Box 678
Caloundra
Queensland 4551
Australia
Click to send email

CLICK HERE TO SEND COMMENTS OR
STORY IDEAS TO CARAVANNING NEWS

Sign Guestbook View Guestbook

Web pages designed and produced by Dennis Amor

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without
the prior written permission of Caravanning News.

NEWS READERSHIP AVERAGES 13,000

MORE and more people are turning to Caravanning News to keep abreast of what's happening in the world of Australian caravanning. Figures show that an average 13,000 visitors log on monthly, accounting for around 100,000 page downloads.

LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR

Auction scheme hammered by
disillusioned
bidder

THE idea of offering powered sites to the highest bidder seems to be a growing trend so I thought I'd share my experience on the subject. I'm sure many will have seen the TV ads or the website offering auctions of powered sites. I had my first experience of this recently and have to report it didn't work very well. We were in Mildura and heading along the Murray when I saw the website was offering an auction for The Rich River Caravan Park in Echuca. I checked there were sites available and then made a bid on the auction. The following day I received an email telling me I had won the auction and they duly sent me a voucher to be used at the park. The usual riders applied, not available during Victorian school holidays etc. I rang the park to book our site, early December being well outside any school holidays I’m aware of, to be told there were no sites available until well after Christmas. I then went back to the BIG4 website where, if I chose to do so, I could book a powered site for the dates I was looking for. I spoke to Travel Auctions who immediately offered me a refund of the amount which I had paid. I believe the concept of the travel auction is good, but the system is flawed in that the caravan park is obviously choosing the dates when it will honour these vouchers and will only accept them when the time is suitable to the park. Travel Auctions can really only be faulted in that when this was brought to their attention they still ran another auction for this particular park. I don’t know how common it is for this to happen but my feeling is probably it will be, or become, quite common for parks to use this as a way of filling sites in quiet times. So it's a case of buyer beware ... and an experience I am unlikely to repeat anytime in the near future.

Mary.

Disappointment on capital return

ALTHOUGH it all sounds good in your 'Aspen Parks fund forging ahead' story (click here), I invested $50,000 seven years ago ... which is now worth $58,000. Not much of a return on capital!

Terry Atkins.

Plea to spend
on maintenance

BEING a regular stayer at Aspen Parks, I would like to see them spend some of their profits on maintenance of their assets.

Stiglet.

GOR toll idea 'scandalous'

CORANGAMITE Shire Mayor Matt Makin and people like him seem to want to cut off their noses to spite their faces (see story here). A toll of $20 on the Great Ocean Road is scandalous. Who is going to pay that sort of money just to use a road? Mr Makin, you are on a lose-lose campaign with this. If you could guarantee the money would go into the local infrastructure – and you know and we know you can't – it may make sense. Just another case of local government greed.

Ben and Jan Williams.

Pink piggies and over the top!

SOUNDS like another case where the money-wasting state and federal governments are trying to bleed more out of us to pay for covering their lack of responsibility in maintaining our country roads (see story here). Before introducing a toll it would be good to have some ironclad guarantee the money will actually be used for maintaining the road, and not just another tax to be used in the city as the government sees fit. Clubs etc have to show a financial statement once a year ... where the money came from, what it was used for, how much is in the bank. Will the Vic Government produce a similar statement for the public to peruse if they introduce this toll? Will any government do this for any road? Ha, was that a pink piggie I just saw overhead? There is no doubt our big country has many kilometres of expensive roads to maintain for a small population. I am not against road tolls as such, if the money is actually used for maintaining or help paying for that particular road. But $20 seems a bit over the top. It's not as if this is a high speed road, and it is not used by road trains. So where does it end? Every road in Oz has a toll? A financially responsible government in federal and all states would be a good start.

Bevan Wittwer,
Beerwah.

MORE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Opponents 'shooting themselves
in foot'

IT IS simple really. We won't go to Tasmania again if we can't alternate between caravan parks and free camping (see story here). We spend money in Tassie on a range of tourist/ferry/food and services. The Caravan Industry Association of Tasmania and other organisations that may lobby for a ban on free camping would be shooting themselves in the foot if there was a blanket ban. Even though we do not always stay in caravan parks, we still spent a lot of money when were were last in Tassie. We had planned to go back next year but will review this. In fact, the caravan park owners who complained have done their community a disservice as they will simply drive away caravanners who will spend their money elsewhere.

Phil and Chris Warry.

Credibility questioned

DO people actually read what they post? Last month's comment on Tassie caravan parks would have carried more credibility without this last laughable comment: "Recently in Esperance, only one caravan park answered the 'phone to tell us they do not take dogs, I have two. We moved out of town and to the next free camp spot. Not crowded in like sardines with numerous RVers and other campers' barking dogs, but freedom". One assumes their dogs don't bark and all the other free campers will think your dogs are wonderful.

Paul.

Beef about rally venue

AND what is making Rockhampton so wonderful all of a sudden, that they will have a rally in the town? (see story here). A town that only last year allegedly stated it would not join the RV-Friendly scheme, resulting in many RVers saying they would never camp there due to local council animosity (see story here). There were to be no rest areas allowed in the town. Has all this changed? One assumes that all RVers will have to be squeezed into already full parks or be prosecuted. I can't wait to read of the aftermath of this rally. So one must assume that the rest area problem has been overcome, or has it just been forgotten about? This from not that long ago.

Paul Klat.