MAY 30:
Visitors to the Queensland Caravan, Camping and Touring Supershow in Brisbane from June 5 to 10 will get their exclusive first viewing of Apollo's new Queensland-built Coromal Element RTV 696 designed specially for families.

MAY 29:
Police investigating blaze which destroyed caravan in James Street, Windale, NSW.

MAY 29:
Tenterfield Lodge and Caravan Park in NSW is celebrating after receiving a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for the fourth year in succession. The pet-friendly park - a member of the Kui Parks chain - stresses that it does not provide a pool, jumping pillow, play equipment or rental bikes. Bikes, scooters, skateboards and ball games are not permitted within the park.

MAY 28:
Shares in Aspen Group, which operates nationwide chain of holiday and lifestyle parks, opened at 2019-high of $1 today.

MAY 26:
Several cars, caravan and cattle truck reportedly involved in crash on Queensland's Bruce Highway at Kilkivan turn-off. No one seriously hurt.

MAY 26:
It's unofficially in the bag ... with formal confirmation still to be announced by Guinness World Record officials. A massive line-up of Australian RVs today claimed the world record for the longest parade of self-contained caravans, motorhomes, fifth wheelers and campervans. Marshals on the Isisford-Barcaldine road in Queensland's northern outback counted 857 RVs which took over an hour to pass their checkpoint. Congratulations filled the air as onlookers, who described the parade as an "awesome sight", learned of the event's success in beating Italy's 16-year-old record of 672 RVs.

MAY 26:
CMCA Bundaberg RV Park won the Tourism New Business of the Year gong at the Rum City's Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards last night.

MAY 26:
Takarakka Bush Resort & Caravan Park at Carnarvon Gorge in Queensland is advertising on the Backpacker Job Board for full time/casual cleaning/park and machinery careperson with mechanical knowledge.

MAY 25:
Drivers faced double dose of misery today when two separate breakdowns within an hour involving cars towing caravans closed lanes at Beresford and Lenaghan on NSW's M1 Pacific Motorway.

MAY 25:
Aussies seem all set to chalk up a new world record line-up of RVs. Nearly a thousand vehicles were today assembling on the Isisford-Barcaldine Road in north Queensland in preparation for an attempt to smash the Guinness World Record for the longest parade of self-contained caravans, motorhomes, fifth wheelers and campervans. The record was last broken in Italy 16 years ago, with 672 RVs taking part. Organisers told Caravanning News today that about 930 had already turned up for the spectacular event. Tonight they will be attempting the longest connected image made of LED rope lights before tomorrow morning's spectacular parade of RVs. There are claims the event will pour around a million dollars into the region's economy.

MAY 25:
Grey nomads in Victoria expected to escape increase in duty on new caravans and motorhomes worth more than $100,000 in Monday's budget.

MAY 24:
Police recovered eight BMX bikes stolen from the Victoria Park Lake Caravan Park at Shepparton in Victoria.

MAY 23:
Fire destroys caravan parked outside church in Collinson Street, Tenambit, NSW. No one injured.

MAY 23:
Police have charged two people who allegedly threatened travellers with a screwdriver and stole their campervan from Cruice Park at Woodford in the Moreton Bay region of Queensland. A 40-year-old Currimundi man and a 30-year-old Currimundi woman face one count of armed robbery, two of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, robbery in company and stealing and one count of attempted fraud involving a credit card. The man has also been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. They were appearing in Caboolture Magistrates Court today.

MAY 23:
Mandalay Holiday Resort & Tourist Park at Busselton, WA, is celebrating after receiving the 2019 Reviewpro Peoples Choice Best Caravan Park Award in Australia at the Caravan Industry Association of Australia national conference. "We are so excited," the park said on its Facebook page. "Thank you to our incredible team who work so hard to make everyone's holiday experience the very best we can and to all of our wonderful guests who leave amazing reviews."

MAY 23:
Shares in Aspen Group - which operates a chain of holiday and lifestyle parks - continue to rise, opening at 0.995c today.

MAY 22:
Fire crews called to caravan blaze behind a shed in Hauton Road, Burpengary, north of Brisbane early this morning. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances and no one injured.

MAY 22:
Amazing photos of a 6-metre snake regurgitating another snake after being caught at a WA caravan park are making the news. Twenty-six pictures have been posted on Parry Creek Farm Tourist Resort and Caravan Park's Facebook page giving a blow-by-blow account of the bizarre event. They were taken by staff member Amanda Jongedyk after the olive python had been relocated. "We relocate these big guys so they don't eat our chooks," the Wyndham park said. "We saw he'd had a good feed of something (yes we counted the chooks it wasn't one of them) and safely bagged him. It all happened very quick and he was off again safe and sound. Sadly he lost his lunch but we hope he grabs something else and the birds get his leftovers."

MAY 21:
Hundreds of RVs are heading to outback Queensland for an attempt on the world record for the longest parade of camping vehicles. The current Guinness World Record of 672 RVs was set in 2003 at Canelli, Italy. The Australian Motorhoming Lions Club, in partnership with Barcaldine Regional Council, is organising the May 23 to 27 event and hopes at least 1000 self-contained caravans, motorhomes, fifth wheelers and campervans will take part. The parade of moving RVs will occur May 25 along the Isisford-Barcaldine Road, which is a long and almost straight outback road.

MAY 21:
Thetford Australia, suppliers to the caravan, motorhome and camping industries, has signed a five-year lease on its new $210,000-a-year Melbourne headquarters in Freight Drive at Somerton, Victoria.

MAY 21:
The Outback Queensland Tourism's board meeting on May 23 will be followed by a tourism networking night at Julia Creek Caravan Park.

MAY 20:
Four camper trailers and a caravan were among property recovered by police during "intelligence-driven and highly focused" operations in the Logan area south of Brisbane. Large quantities of drugs and firearms were also found during the four days.

MAY 19:
Outrage erupted after this photo was posted on Facebook showing caravans occupying parking bays for trucks at a Queensland BP servo. One angry comment suggested the RVs should be wheel-clamped. Another argued that there should be more dedicated bays for caravans and motorhomes.

MAY 19:
The 144-site Tocumwel Tourist park in the southern Riverina region of New South Wales, which has 17 years remaining on its lease, is on the market for $975,000.

MAY 19:
Two caravanners escaped with minor injuries when their rig rolled on the Gregory Developmental Road north of Greenvale in Queensland.

MAY 17:
Over 300 travellers, members of CMCA's Solo group, have descended on the western Queensland town of Blackall for their biannual rally. Reports say they have already poured $10,000 into the local economy by restocking and refuelling their RVs.

MAY 17:
Adelaide RV in South Australia has been named Medium Dealer of the Year by Nova Caravans. The dealership at Parafield Gardens is a member of the Caravan and Camping Industries Association of South Australia.

MAY 14:
Update 8.30pm - Body found at foot of steep incline in dense bush area.
The  massive search for hiker Lorjie Bautista, who disappeared a week ago after leaving the Stirling Range caravan park in WA, was continuing today. She was last seen in rugged terrain near Bluff Knoll after setting off to see the sunrise in freezing temperatures on May 7. Police are now in possession of video footage which the 39-year-old is believed to have taken on the morning of her disappearance.

MAY 14:
Opalite Skoot tandem caravans are being recalled after safety concerns. Models with independent suspension and gross trailer mass rating of 2600kg and above are affected. The alert comes after fears that axle bearings could fail and wheels dislocate if caravans exceed 2500kg. "If the defect occurs, this may cause an accident risk that could result in serious injury to the user and other road users," an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission notice warns. "Consumers should either cease using their caravan or avoid overloading the caravan (in excess of 2500kg) until repairs have been completed." Affected caravans were sold nationwide between May 2017 and August 1, 2018. For further information, owners should contact Opalite Caravans on 0484 001 002 or email info@opalite.com.au.

MAY 14:
Caravan Industry Association of Australia national conference opens tomorrow on the Gold Coast.

MAY 14:
Police are hunting determined thieves who made off with a Jayco caravan from a home in Victoria. The crooks cut through numerous locks and used their own vehicle to tow the twin-axle Silverline through gates from the house in Fiona Drive at Cranbourne South. Police have appealed to anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, quoting reference number 190162837.

MAY 13:
Police today warned grey nomads to take extra care as Tropical Cyclone Ann threatens far north Queensland. "Whilst we aren’t expecting destructive winds, we are expecting significant rainfall throughout Cape York Peninsula down to the Cassowary Coast," Sergeant Cary Coolican explained. A flood watch for coastal catchments between Cooktown and Ingham suggests that heavy rainfall of up to 200mm will hit some areas between Cairns and Ingham. "We are encouraging those visiting Far North Queensland by caravan or 4WD to pay attention to the weather warnings and be prepared for heavy rainfalls," Sgt Coolican said. "Please ensure you have ample food and water to tide you over should you become stranded, and please remember do not attempt to cross flooded creeks, rivers and causeways." Travellers are advised to keep a check on the Queensland Traffic website: https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au/

MAY 13:
Western Downs Regional Council in Queensland is considering public submissions for improving tourist facilities, including camping, at Lake Broadwater, Caliguel Lagoon and Chinchilla Weir.

MAY 13:
The full-scale land and air search for a lone hiker who disappeared after leaving a WA caravan park was continuing today. Lorjie Bautista was last seen near Bluff Knoll ‒ the highest peak of the Stirling Range in the State's Great Southern region ‒ after setting off to see the sunrise on May 7. Temperatures in the rugged area plunged below freezing last week. Police and SES volunteers are using tracker dogs, a helicopter and drones in the hunt. Ms Bautista had been staying at the Stirling Range caravan park at the foot of the ranges and was reported missing by worried staff when she failed to return. She is described as olive-skinned, 157cm tall with black hair and of slim build. She was wearing jeans, a jumper, jacket and runners.

MAY 12:
It's not often caravanners and other motorists are confronted by a 92-year-old man happily cruising along a 100kph freeway ... on a lowly mobility scooter! But that's exactly what happened to one surprised grey nomad on Victoria's busy Monash Freeway in Melbourne's eastern suburbs. Police soon caught up with the errant road user, who had been reported missing a short time earlier. He was taken to Glen Waverley Police Station where he was reunited with his family.

MAY 10:
Moyne Shire Council's draft budget is recommending a rise $850 a year to $2150 for powered sites and from $950 to $1670 for unpowered ones at KIllarney and Yambuk caravan parks in Victoria. Fees at other parks would also rise.

MAY 9:
Reports coming in of accident involving a ute and a car towing caravan on South Australia's Thiele Hwy near Roseworthy. Emergency services on scene.

MAY 8:
Emergency services attended accident involving car and caravan on Sturt Hwy west of Balranald in NSW. No further details available.

MAY 8:
Tasmania's Launceston City Council is considering an application from BIG4 Launceston Holiday Park for permission to build another 11 cabins on the 16-acres site.

MAY 7:
NSW'S Tamworth Regional Council is inviting expressions of interest from parties interested in leasing the 56-site Rivergums Caravan Park on Crown Land at Manilla. It says submissions should ensure that plans for the park are "consistent with council's vision for the development of the Tamworth region as a major and vibrant regional centre". Closing date for submissions is May 28.

MAY 7:
White Mazda dual-cab ute bearing Tasmanian registration FH5105 stolen from Buronga Riverside Caravan Park in NSW.

MAY 6:
Warning to caravanners towing with Mitsubishi Triton Double Cab MY2016 utes with pipe-type side steps. Nearly 14,000 of the vehicles have been recalled over fears rivets could fracture, causing step covers to drop off and create a hazard for other road users.

MAY 6:
Police inquiries continuing today after couple in 20s died when their horse float pulled into path of 4WD towing caravan on Glenelg Highway near Ballarat. "The caravan and the 4WD had nowhere to go but to plough into them," traffic police Assistant Commissioner Stephen Leane said.

MAY 5:
Burdekin Shire Council in north Queensland is inviting tenders for new managers to run its 69-site Burdekin Cascades Caravan Park. Applications close on May 27.

MAY 4:
Budgerwoi, Canton Beach, Norah Head and Toowoon Bay holiday parks are now officially managed by NRMA for NSW's Central Coast Council.

MAY 4:
Caravan thieves have dashed the retirement plans of a Victorian couple. Their Jayco Sterling caravan was stolen from outside their home, with the last possible sighting being on the Hume Highway at Somerton where it was being towed by a silver Nissan Navara. "From the sighting I feel it is now in NSW," daughter Sarah Smith told Caravanning News. Her parents bought the 2010 white and burgundy caravan, which has a dent on the driver's side, in December and had used it only twice. "It was the start of their retirement," Ms Smith said. "Their plans have now been ruined." The thieves used an angle grinder to cut the towball lock and free the caravan, registration T82954. Anyone with information is urged to contact Carrum Downs Police on (03) 8770 4100.

MAY 3:
Emergency services called to scene of accident involving car and caravan near Narellan Road off-ramp of Hume Hwy in NSW. No further details available.

MAY 3:
A Victorian council on the outer south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne has denied charging caravanners for parking on their own land. Online forums were running hot today after claims that Casey City Council residents had to apply for a $150 permit and fork out $420 annually to keep a caravan or truck on their own property. Local mayor Cr Amanda Stapledon told Caravanning News she recognised the "interest and concern" the subject had generated. "We are looking into this," she said. Meanwhile City of Casey manager for safer communities Caroline Bell apologised for any confusion caused about keeping a caravan on private property. "Caravans, motorhomes, trailers and boats are exempt from requiring a permit unless a resident is residing in these for longer than 14 days," she said.

MAY 3:
Apollo Tourism and Leisure shares crashed on the Australian Stock Exchange to open at a 12-month low 0.645c today. This follows a notice from the global company to shareholders yesterday revealing that its expected retail results for the current financial year would not be achieved.

MAY 3:
Coconut Glen Van Park in Townsville, Queensland, looking for a new park manager.

MAY 3:
Dedicated caravan and RV parking from 6am to 9pm at Frank Aston Hill off Rodeo Drive in Mount Isa is set to open on May 7. "All tourists, visitors and travellers are welcome to use the facility, but are asked to ensure they leave the site in a clean and tidy manner and show courtesy for other fellow users when parking," a spokesperson for the local city council said.

MAY 2:
Blackall Caravan Park in outback Queensland is looking for full-time live-in caretakers for the peak June to September tourist season. The 50-site park is on the market and the owners emphasise it would be an ideal chance to "try before you buy". They say the park has a strong customer focus and the successful couple ‒ or singles ‒ would be required to maintain its excellent and professional customer service levels involving the normal routine duties of managing a caravan park. But they add in their advertising: "Evenings are a highlight as our entertainers perform from 5pm for happy hour whilst the cooks serve up pizzas and outback BBQ dinners. Your role during this time is socialising with the guests in the camp kitchen to ensure they enjoy their stay. Musicians and cooks are separate from the business operations and arrangements are in place."

MAY 2:
Police are seeking help from the public after a blue six-speed folding electric bicycle was stolen from a caravan park at Hervey Bay in Queensland. The bike had been secured with a lock and left in a caravan awning on Charlton Esplanade, Scarness. "The owner, who was inside the caravan at the time, heard noises in the awning area and after investigating realised that the bicycle was missing," a police spokesman said.

MAY 2:
Lake Purrumbete Holiday Park at Koallah in Victoria suffered major damage after being hit by mini-tornado overnight. An SES spokesman described scene as looking like a bomb site. Two people are understood to have received minor injuries. Damage is estimated to be more than a million dollars. One cabin was hurled 300 metres as ferocious winds ripped through the park shortly after midnight. Warrnambool Holiday Park and Motel posted on Facebook: "Our thoughts go out to the owners at Lake Purrumbete Caravan Park and all their guests. Thankfully no one was seriously injured, which is surprising looking at the devastating images."
 

** BREAKING NEWS - APRIL 2019
** BREAKING NEWS - MARCH 2019
** BREAKING NEWS - FEBRUARY 2019,
** BREAKING NEWS - JANUARY 2019
** BREAKING NEWS - DECEMBER 2018
** BREAKING NEWS - NOVEMBER 2018
 

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