Info re: Caravan Parks
Dec 18th, 2008, 05:26 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Info re: Caravan Parks
Hi. I'll be in Australia in March/April 2009 for my second trip. Ten years ago we did 3-week trip that had us in Melbourne and Adalaide for just one night. On this trip we plan to go back to both cities and spend 4-5 nights in each to enjoy.
We will have a car and plan to do day trips (as well as enjoying the CBD) so we are considering a cabin at a Big4 Caravan Park in the area of both cities. The cabins look very nice on their website and the parks offer lots of amenities for a reasonable rate.
Does anyone have experience with this type of accommodation? We appreciate any and all feedback.
We will have a car and plan to do day trips (as well as enjoying the CBD) so we are considering a cabin at a Big4 Caravan Park in the area of both cities. The cabins look very nice on their website and the parks offer lots of amenities for a reasonable rate.
Does anyone have experience with this type of accommodation? We appreciate any and all feedback.
Dec 18th, 2008, 10:17 AM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,249
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Big4 Caravan Parks seem to be quite well set up. There's one near our holiday place. Cabins are quite a good compromise for accommodation, but they'll be a bit out of the city.
You may need to bring your own linen.
You may need to bring your own linen.
Dec 18th, 2008, 12:39 PM
#3
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,447
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Bgale,
I have on occasion stayed in cabins and last year we had relatives from England over and they stayed in one for about a week.
I think they are a fantastic option and wouldn't hesitate to recommend the idea. I do believe they supply all linens including towels. (Well, the ones I've stayed in have).
What I like about cabins over motel/hotel is that when you check into your motel that's pretty much it but in a caravan park there is a lot of company around - if you want some - otherwise shut the door. Caravan parks are very often in fantastic locations - another great bonus!
I have on occasion stayed in cabins and last year we had relatives from England over and they stayed in one for about a week.
I think they are a fantastic option and wouldn't hesitate to recommend the idea. I do believe they supply all linens including towels. (Well, the ones I've stayed in have).
What I like about cabins over motel/hotel is that when you check into your motel that's pretty much it but in a caravan park there is a lot of company around - if you want some - otherwise shut the door. Caravan parks are very often in fantastic locations - another great bonus!
Dec 18th, 2008, 02:23 PM
#4
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,908
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, another thumbs up for Caravan Park Cabins and some have on site caravans if cabins are fully booked.
Yes they can be a good experience in many having great sheltered outdoor BBQ style kitchens and eating areas which are good for meeting the locals - only drawback being that they could be busier/noisy in school holiday periods! - se next para.
Get bookings done early as there are school holidays co-inciding with Easter, Victoria starting on 04 April. - http://www.dest.gov.au/portfolio_dep...dates_2009.htm
Easter historically has great road carnage too, so good to be somewhere to minimise travelling that weekend if you are to be here.
The Big4 is one good chain and I had a membership card once, cost about $20 [probably dearer now] but it paid for itself with about 4 nights stops discounted rate it provided.
There are also a number of other chains all well rated and features of each on http://www.lets-getaway.com/rv-van-parks.htm
The linen situation will vary from park to park and some with deluxe cabins will probably have full linen service but the more basic will barely be a sheet over the mattress - no real problem though as you can get cheap enough sleeping bags at Kmart and you will not need a super duper quality one for inside a cabin in March/april.
In the basic ones you'll also likely need your own towells and and pillow slips, again not a huge cost and savings of a basic against a deluxe set-up would see cost re-couped in a couple of nights.
With any Cabins, check the fly screens on arrival as they are typically easily damaged and not always overly maintained and flies can be bad but sleeping with mossies can be even worse!
Again, a mosquitoe coil pack is about $2.00 in a supermarket/convenience store, a great investment and even for those unnacustomed to using, nothing complex about them.
Yes they can be a good experience in many having great sheltered outdoor BBQ style kitchens and eating areas which are good for meeting the locals - only drawback being that they could be busier/noisy in school holiday periods! - se next para.
Get bookings done early as there are school holidays co-inciding with Easter, Victoria starting on 04 April. - http://www.dest.gov.au/portfolio_dep...dates_2009.htm
Easter historically has great road carnage too, so good to be somewhere to minimise travelling that weekend if you are to be here.
The Big4 is one good chain and I had a membership card once, cost about $20 [probably dearer now] but it paid for itself with about 4 nights stops discounted rate it provided.
There are also a number of other chains all well rated and features of each on http://www.lets-getaway.com/rv-van-parks.htm
The linen situation will vary from park to park and some with deluxe cabins will probably have full linen service but the more basic will barely be a sheet over the mattress - no real problem though as you can get cheap enough sleeping bags at Kmart and you will not need a super duper quality one for inside a cabin in March/april.
In the basic ones you'll also likely need your own towells and and pillow slips, again not a huge cost and savings of a basic against a deluxe set-up would see cost re-couped in a couple of nights.
With any Cabins, check the fly screens on arrival as they are typically easily damaged and not always overly maintained and flies can be bad but sleeping with mossies can be even worse!
Again, a mosquitoe coil pack is about $2.00 in a supermarket/convenience store, a great investment and even for those unnacustomed to using, nothing complex about them.
Dec 18th, 2008, 09:17 PM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We have a Big4 card which gives a discount on caravan sites. It may be worth your time checking to see if the same discount applies to cabins. I think our card cost about $30 and lasts for two years.
You could also check out Top Tourist Parks - they have good parks and cabins too.
We can recommend the Adelaide Shores caravan park - it's in a good location, with a bus stop outside the park for easy access to the city. Glenelg is about two km away with lots of restaurants and shops, plus there is a small cafe in the park.
You could also check out Top Tourist Parks - they have good parks and cabins too.
We can recommend the Adelaide Shores caravan park - it's in a good location, with a bus stop outside the park for easy access to the city. Glenelg is about two km away with lots of restaurants and shops, plus there is a small cafe in the park.
Jan 1st, 2009, 03:08 AM
#6
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Come to Sydney and stay at the Narrabeen Lakes camp site. It is just down the road from where I live and is a wonderful place - on the lake just across the road from the beach. It is Big 4 and looking pretty good.
Jan 24th, 2009, 03:19 PM
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks to all who replied. We have booked a cabin at Ashley Gardens Big4 Park for our stay in the Melbourne area in March. I'll let you know how it was when I'm back home. Thanks again for your comments.
