CARAVANNING NEWS


STOP PRESS	NOVEMBER 24: Hilltop Caravan Park at Mackay, Queensland, up for sale --- NOVEMBER 18: Woman seriously hurt in gas explosion at Ponderosa Caravan Park, Dromana, Victoria --- NOVEMBER 14: Police hunting heavily tattooed knifeman who threatened caravanner before making off in stolen Hilux ute, registration NT616297, from Katherine caravan park in NT --- NOVEMBER 5: Adelaide Shores Caravan Resort named SA's top caravan park for sixth successive year in SA Tourism Awards --- NOVEMBER 4: Teenage camper dies and Lorne's Cumberland River caravan park evacuated as wild storms hit Great Ocean Road, Victoria			LINKS	REST AREAS	ED'S HOME PAGE
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Brisbane Weather Forecast, Australia

November 2007

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

Rhapsody of the Seas headline

Story and Photo by DENNIS AMOR

GREY nomads from South Australia feared their luxury cruise ship would be beached during a scary incident in rough seas near Tahiti in the South Pacific.

The couple claimed it was "panic stations" when their four-star 78,500 tonne liner dragged its anchor just a few hundred metres from a beach on the small volcanic island of Moorea.

And Rhapsody of the Seas captain Olav Nyseter later admitted that for a moment he feared for the safety of his ship when the wind suddenly picked up off the picturesque French Polynesian island. [More]

Man dies in mystery caravan accident
MYSTERY surrounded a caravan accident in which a man died in central Queensland. Officers from the Forensic Crash Unit were called in to investigate the single vehicle incident about 40km east of Barcaldine. Police said the passenger was killed and the female driver taken to hospital after the couple's vehicle towing a caravan rolled on the Capricorn Highway. They said the woman had non life threatening injuries. The man was described as 'elderly' but police could not give his exact age.

Missing man, 72, found 400km away
AN elderly man who disappeared from a caravan park south of Brisbane has been found 400km away. Police said concerns were held for the 72-year-old, who has a serious medical condition requiring regular medication. The man vanished after walking out of the 68-site Galaxy Caravan Park opposite the Logan Hyperdome shopping complex on the Pacific Highway at Tanah Merah. Police and Emergency Service officers launched a huge search near the three-star park and at local shopping centres and waterways. But a police spokesman told Caravanning News the search was called off when he was found "safe and well" at Coffs Harbour in New South Wales. No other details were available.

Heartless freeway drivers ignore blazing caravan
HUNDREDS of heartless drivers sped past a smoke-billowing caravan which then burst into flames on a Victorian freeway. It took about five minutes before anyone stopped to help the frantic Melbourne caravanners as they tackled the blaze. [More]

Drugs raid nets cannabis at park
THREE men were arrested at a Northern Territory caravan park after police allegedly found illegal drugs hidden there. Officers swooped in an early morning raid and reportedly discovered 10.5kg of cannabis in secret panels fitted into the tray of a ute. [More]

BIG4 and Clown Doctors unite
THE BIG4 chain may be forgiven for clowning around in its latest partnership ... but it's all in a good cause. It has joined forces with the highly successful Clown Doctors to bring huge smiles to the faces of sick children. [More]

More parks join Aspen stable
ASPEN Parks has snared another eight caravan parks in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. The multi-million dollar acquisitions mean Aspen Parks now own 26 properties, scattered across five states. [More]

Stamps of approval for Aussie icon
A NEW series of colourful stamps from Australia Post traces the history of Aussie caravanning. The humorous and colourful retrospective of an iconic Australian past-time looks at how this particular holiday culture has evolved to the present day through five retro-inspired stamp designs. [More]

Fears over WA ghost town risks
THE West Australian Government fears caravanners who visit a Pilbara ghost town could be dicing with death. Now the government has pleaded with Caravanning News to warn potential visitors of the danger. [More]

Lismore Tourist Caravan Park sign Question mark still hangs over park murder
A BIG question mark still hangs over the killing of a German tourist at a New South Wales caravan park. A coroner has delivered an open verdict on the death of kindergarten teacher Simone Strobel whose body was found dumped just metres from the Lismore Caravan Tourist Caravan Park. [More]

Pervert jailed for sex with boys
A SEX fiend who molested boys in his caravan is finally behind bars. It was alleged some of his victims were shown pornographic videos and plied with alcohol and cannabis. One victim had attempted suicide while another said he had felt ashamed and dirty. [More]

Eye in the sky protects caravans
AN AUSTRALIAN company has launched a new product which will help thwart caravan and motorhome thieves. A leading supplier of mobile satellite services, it says the low-cost tracking unit will enable owners to always pinpoint the location of their valuable asset. [More]

Lifting the safety standards on jacks
THE Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has a new publication on the mandatory safety standard for caravan jacks. Available only in electronic form, the product safety bulletin was published last month. [More]

Man dies in horrific caravan smash
A CARAVANNER died in an horrific smash on a remote highway in the Northern Territory. Three other people were hurt and witnesses said it was a miracle anyone escaped alive from the mangled wreckage. [More]

Grey nomads not so grey: insurer
CARAVANNERS are getting younger, according to new figures. Tasmanian-based insurer RACT says people in their 30s and 40s are now the biggest buyers of caravans ... and they make the least number of insurance claims. [More]

Bare facts surrounding resort's new image
A POPULAR Victorian nudist resort has been given a new lease of life ... as a traditional caravan park. And the move brought to an end 35 years of bare romps for thousands of nudists who happily flocked to the resort on the banks of the Goulburn River. [More]

Cash flows into NSW park's water saving plan
NEW South Wales' Cowra Caravan Park hopes to save 230,000 litres of water annually. A $28,440 federal government grant will allow the park, 312km west of Sydney, to install a rainwater tank for flushing toilets.

Gloom as another park set to close
ANOTHER caravan park in the Mackay area of Queensland is set to close. Now tourism officials in the Sunshine State's popular holiday region fear the latest loss will have a negative affect on the industry. [More]

Motorhome shines in crash tests
CRASH tests prove that a soon-to-be imported Hymer motorhome will be among the safest on the road. The German manufacturer says its Exsis-i integrated motorhome is a recent example of its crash testing process. [More]

Overnighting brings roar of disapproval
OVERNIGHT parking at a NSW Lions Park may soon be a thing of the past. The lakeside park in the historic town of Forbes has become a popular overnight stop for caravanners and motorhomers, but there have been complaints it is becoming an unofficial caravan park. [More]

Eco-resort joins Green Globe elite
AN award-winning Sydney eco-resort has joined the world's elite with a leading gong for its environmental and social work. It has become one of only two accommodation providers in Australia to be awarded Green Globe Certified status. [More]

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

Caravanning News - October 2007 edition
Caravanning News - September 2007 edition
Caravanning News - August 2007 edition
Caravanning News - July 2007 edition
Caravanning News - June 2007 edition
Caravanning News - May 2007 edition

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THE EDITOR

Lack of towing education 'a danger to all'

WE are constantly amazed at the paucity of good engineering input to the caravan industry (I think 'cottage industry' is a better description), especially in the suspension department. Also, the lack of required proven driver instruction on the basics of loading, potential towing hazards, and the fundamental dynamics of towed vehicles and their interaction with the towing vehicle. It is a continuing danger to all of us. The ignorance that abounds amongst the towing public AND the manufacturers is amazing. We are keen to raise some awareness all round of the intricacies of towing and the potential hazards as a consequence of our recent experiences. That fifth wheeler drivers can travel without semi-trailer licenses is amazing in itself, but that is still a minor aspect of the overall scene.

Ian and Jo Brewster
Wilston, Qld.

Apt sign of the times . . .

RETURNING down the Bruce Highway in Queensland the other day I was amused to spot one advertising hoarding among the dozens of protest signs condemning the proposed dam south of Gympie ... it was for Underwater World!

Sandra Buchanan
Gold Coast

Commitment and hard work

I LOOK forward to each month's stories and snippets in Caravanning News. The story on Lane Cove River Tourist Park keeps reading like a never ending serial.
They keep winning award after award. It doesn't just happen of course, it's due to commitment and a lot of hard work by dedicated employees and management. General manager Andrew Daff treats the park like it is one of his family. He loves the place, as does Andrew Shepherd the assistant manager who even lives in the park. Many of the park employees are dedicated greenies and this is reflected in their attitude and care of the park. Oh, by the way, it's a member of the Oz Parks Chain.

John Corrall
CEO - Oz Parks.

Proud to be a Queenslander

I WAS born in South Australia and brought up in a place called Willalooka, 21 miles east of Keith on the Naracoorte Road. I left that area when I joined the Australian Army in 1968. I married a Townsville-ite and after 30 years in the Army, we settled in Brisbane. I am very protective of Queensland. Of all the states I've lived in, this one is the best. We cannot help with the "rabble" that arrives from southern states, along with their nasty culture!!
The 'true' original Queenslanders are honest and genuine people, and I love them.

Ron McGrice
Queensland

WORLD BRIEFS

Caravanning Prancers hit the jackpot

SIX Welsh caravan addicts, all members of the same family, have become instant multi millionaires after scooping a share of the recent $198 million Euromillions jackpot. The Prance family, from Cardiff, learnt of their $16m windfall while holidaying at Europe's biggest caravan park, the 2000-site Trecco Bay Caravan Park in Porthcall, South Wales.

A BUNGLING thief who stole a mobile phone from a Scottish caravanner put himself in the frame. In fact police soon had a engaging lead ... after the teenager sent pictures of himself from the stolen phone to a friend of its owner. They immediately clocked his dial and he was later fined $1100 for stealing the phone from holiday camp entertainer Helen Ross at the Tummel Valley Caravan Park near Pitlochry.

A DIY enthusiast was badly burned when his motorhome erupted in flames in the USA. The 54-year-old victim had earlier been working on a gas refrigerator and when he lit a stove his vehicle exploded in Vancouver, Washington. Fire officials have now warned RV owners not to do their own gas repairs.

CARAVANS may soon be trundling along the roads of Guernsey in the Channel Islands. Officials are considering a plan to open a caravan park on the island just off the French coast.
Nearby Jersey lifted restrictions on caravans a few years ago.

A POPULAR football club in England has scored a foul against caravanners. Now Cheddar Football Club could get the boot after travellers at a nearby tourist park demanded their money back because of being kept awake by noise from the club.

WATER guzzling travellers at an American motorhome gathering drew the wrath of local residents when they were spotted washing their vehicles. With strict water restrictions in place, many people complained to Greensboro Coliseum officials about the indiscriminate use of the precious commodity at the Monaco Coach Motorhome Rally in North Carolina.

A CANDLE is believed to have sparked a caravan fire in which a man died at Despatch in South Africa's Eastern Cape. An inquest will be held.