By Dennis Amor

ILLEGAL campers are still being chased out of a once popular free beachside holiday area in Queensland which was closed to overnight stays last year.

Up to a dozen caravanners and motorhomers weekly risk $1500 fines for blatantly ignoring no-camping signs at Norval Park north of Bundaberg, with council rangers making regular visits to order them out.

But there are no reports of anyone being fined for flouting the controversial ban on overnight camping.

Extensive fencing has now been erected as the local shire council ponder on whether to reopen the reserve for limited camping.

The area, which offered idyllic camping among the dunes and was used by generations of families, was closed by the former Burnett Shire Council just weeks before the last Christmas holiday season, resulting in a flood of protests from people claiming their festive holidays had been ruined by "heartless" bureaucrats. [More]

Jayco discovers a best seller
JAYCO'S new Discovery caravan, which this year replaced the Destiny model,  was the hit at all five major caravan shows in Australia this year, it is claimed. The company says more were sold at the shows than any other pop-top on the market.

Jubilant park celebrates second gong
A New South Wales caravan park is celebrating its latest gong. It was the second award in less than a year for the jubilant waterside three-and-a-half star Oz Parks member, located at the junction of the Murray and Darling rivers. [More]

Good news for Apple Isle visitors
THE cost of taking a caravan to Tasmania is cheaper after a round of price cuts by Spirit of Tasmania ferries. Fares for motorhomes or campervans up to 7m long have been reduced from $98 one way to $69. A standard vehicle towing a caravan up to 7m long also now costs $69 one way. The fare cuts were introduced on July 1.

Brush up on driving skills: police
WORRIED police have urged caravanners to brush up on their driving skills after two caravan crashes within days. The plea follows spectacular accidents in NSW and Queensland. [More]

Guest saves sleeping park owners
THE owner of a Queensland caravan park has praised a guest for saving the lives of her family when fire broke out in the early hours. The woman frantically hammered on a bedroom window as the unsuspecting family slept while flames spread through their home, which was reduced to rubble in about half an hour. [More]

NSW parks ahead in earnings stakes
CARAVAN parks in NSW are coining it in, according to new statistics. Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show the State enjoyed the highest takings for all caravan parks for the December quarter, reaping in a healthy $95 million. [More]

Humble Ron honoured with medal
THE man who transformed a lowly caravan park into a top tourist attraction has been honoured for his services to the nation's caravan industry. "I am humbled and rather surprised," Ron Shattock told Caravanning News after receiving an OAM in the Queen's Birthday Honours list. [More]

Tourist attraction may become giant park
A POPULAR tourist attraction in northern NSW may be turned into one of the region's biggest caravan parks. The site is just a stone's throw from the Pacific Highway's Sleepy Hollow rest area, used by many caravanners and motorhomers heading to and from Queensland. [More]

Parks set for night of clowning around
THERE will be much clowning around and laughter when caravan parks all over Australia stage a big night of free camping later this year. The BIG4 parks will be raising funds for the Humour Foundation's Clown Doctors scheme. [More]

Caravan organisation 'campaign' angers campers
A CARAVAN parks organisation has been accused of campaigning to erode travellers' freedom of choice over where they camp. Members of a web-based camping forum claim the association is attempting to drive people into "legal" caravan parks. [More]

Town hopes new facility will lure shoppers
CARAVANNERS passing the border town of Moree will find it easier to dispose of their waste. The NSW town, hailed as the artesian spa 'capital', is installing a new dump point to entice caravanners and motorhomers. [More]

Deserts attracting more caravanners
THE face of desert travel in some of Australia's most inhospitable terrain is changing, according to researchers. More and more adventurous caravanners and motorhomers can now be found negotiating their way through deserts as the 4WD tourism market continues to flourish, they said. [More]

Schoolies face no-booze pact at park
HUNDREDS of youngsters who flock to a West Australian caravan park for schoolie celebrations will have to sign a no-alcohol agreement. This follows a crackdown on accommodation providers as thousands of school leavers plan festivities to mark the end of their school life later this year. [More]

BIG4 forges global partnership
AUSTRALIA'S leading chain of caravan parks has forged a partnership with America's giant camping organisation. BIG4 says it will provide benefits to guests and member parks. [More]

Doctors' plea to grey nomads
OVERSTRETCHED doctors in rural and remote areas are pleading with grey nomads to plan ahead for any medical needs. As thousands of southerners head north for the winter sun, many GPs fear they may be unable to cope with increased requests for routine care. [More]

New saviour for stranded travellers
CARAVANNERS caught with a flat battery on their 4WD tow vehicle now have a saviour. A new powerful jump starter offers higher performance for starting petrol engines and diesel 4WDs up to 4.5 litres. In 24V mode, the new unit is capable of starting trucks up to 7 litres or 10 tonnes. [More]

Minister won't be drawn on fuel effects
CARAVAN parks in the Northern Territory have reported fewer visitors as fuel prices continue soaring to record levels. But the Territory's Tourism Minister, Kon Vatskalis, has refused to be drawn on just how much of an impact bowser prices are having on tourism. [More]

Caravanners face higher toll for using bridge
CARAVANNERS will have to dig deeper into their pockets when using Brisbane's Gateway Bridge. Tolls for crossing the six-lane, 250m long bridge - which forms part of the Gateway Arterial Road bypassing the Queensland capital - rose on July 1. [More]

Another milestone for RV builder
A COMPARATIVE newcomer to the motorhome business, Talvor Motorhomes has passed another milestone. The three-year-old Brisbane manufacturer recently delivered its 1000th vehicle - its flagship six-berth Euro Deluxe - to Apollo Motorhome Holidays. [More]

Man admitted burning caravan containing body, court told
A MAN accused of killing his girlfriend in Victoria more than 10 years ago is fighting extradition proceedings in the UK. A London court heard he had allegedly confessed to killing the woman before placing her body in a caravan and setting it ablaze. [More]