What do You Want in a Caravan Park?

As a lot of newer vans have their own showers etc. some parks are reducing the number of toilets/showers, I feel that this is a mistake as they will still use the parks facilities when in the park.

As far as security goes, I've had comments from guests that some parks have that "correctional institute" feel, there needs to be adequate security to deter the casual crook, but no amount of security will deter the ones that must have what you have.

Ease of access is another thing, where some parks with keypad/swipe card activated gates I find a pain, but sometimes necessary.

Camp kitchens with BBQ's etc... tick!

Fires in Caravan Parks can be problematic, we had two fire places here when we moved in, but I've since removed them, firstly they were snake havens, secondly fires in close proximity to tents... hmmm, still not sure about that, I fabricated some fire pigs at Mt Dare & they work well there, maybe I'll make a few here & see how they go?

There is a definite need to have those sort of things in "Family" parks, but they can turn off some the older generation of travelers.

Therein lies the rub Jeff. One persons meat is another's offal.

One of the challenges that I think the 'free camper' needs to accept in this age is that any type of camping that comes with a 'service', irrespective whether it's rubbish removal or toilets, will come with a price.

The alternate challenge for providers of camping and services is to offer alternatives that are price based and attractive to the customer.

I've been to a couple of towns where the council offered a short stay option at the local park or showground to the objection (with some justification) of the local CP owner(s). One solution that I've seen work is where the council decided to sub-contract out running of the facilities, with 1st offer to the local CP owner to run it as an adjunct to the main park, albeit at a lesser p/n price as the facilities were basic. The CP owner still gets a cut from the traveling public, while those on a budget have an alternative.

Or another option would be for the CP owner to offer a 'limited facility' option (basic showers & toilet / no power) to those who want it at a lesser price. If the traveler wants power / pool / laundry, etc - then they pay the standard rates....

From my and my fellow traveling companions perspective - all we usually need is a clean & functional shower, toilets, and laundry and maybe a bit of shade. Also a camp kitchen is good. Otherwise the rest is all unnecessary fluff ...

Scott,

I'm in the process of planning a trip across to Townsville in September, I am looking at free camps, not for the cost savings but as a change to CPs & finding roads that I haven't travelled yet, (not easy).

We will be staying at bush camps, remote pubs, small town caravan parks & a large chain Caravan Park in Townsville.

Looking forward to it...

The memories start flooding back:

Two other parks that do this well are Standown Park near Tin Can Bay and Sapphire Caravan Park, both in QLD, a State that does tourism very well.

Both very sociable and thus memorable.

Happy Hour, Bush Poet, singers etc. in the common areas, works well in some places.

Yes Ilfracombe was very special. When we were there last year they had a female vocalist for happy hour. Also had valet parking...i.e. when you arrived they had a person to help you (guide) reverse into your site.

Agree with Gone Bush about Capella, great couple and the HH is a great way to meet other travelers for an exchange of experiences.

We like friendly hosts & clean facilities go a long way with us, if we have those we will be back and spread the word.

Regards
Paul H

Thanks Karl,

Pet friendly parks are a must in my opinion, large areas for the pets is nice, but may be unachievable in some places, we are actually thinking of having pet "yards" next to some of our cabins for people travelling in cars with their pets, as you cannot allow pets in the cabins.

Jeff, that is an excellent idea, the pet yards.
Prior to our caravan owning days we sometimes stayed in cabins when travelling, especially when shifting between jobs etc, and had to leave the dogs on the ute, or in the wagon when we had the 100s with the windows half down.
We always travel with our dogs no matter what, so are always on the hunt for dog friendly parks. WA is probably still the worst state for finding dog freindly accomodation.

Cheers
Al

Right about that Al have holidayed in the SW of WA and stayed at a couple of places that had secured yards for the dogs not that we ever left them but it was good to have the ability to have them off lead. One thing i did for a business in the Swan Valley is i correlated dog exercise areas and drew up a list for them to give to their guests.

Thanks for that, can't help with the whistlers, but good points about the filters.

Say G'day to all at Mt Dare when you get there.

This park will be undergoing major changes over the off season, all suggestions will be taken into consideration, but he who holds the gold rules so I don't expect all to be implemented.

We have thought about a questionnaire but have been too busy to get into it properly.

I like the Idea of a "Family Room" I also have been at parks that have them & thought then that it was a good idea.

We currently have dedicated "Camper trailer" sites, they have a combination of long concrete slabs for hard floor campers & large grassy areas for soft floor campers, but I suspect that they will go to provide more drive through sites, they will be replaced by another large grassy area for both tent & trailer based campers.

All good suggestions, some we currently do as far as charging a flat rate of $10 per adult for unpowered sites, regardless of what you're staying in.

My thoughts entirely. Small entry fee, basic facilities only eg power, water, sullage, toilets, user pays for extras ie jumping pillows, swimming pool etc by cash or token by gated entry. Regards G.T.

Yep agree, long site with drive through. Tick.

I would agree with this concept. If I am paying all but $5 of the price of a powered site then I'd like the unpowered site to be as close to the amenities as the powered site (and look as nice). Either that or a cheap paddock.
Thanks for asking
Cheers
Kevin

Hi Geoff,
Top questions and some good replies. Here are our thoughts, as a retired couple who travel in a Troopy plus small gear (not camping) trailer, not needing electricity. On a trip we only use caravan parks when we need to spend a while in a town, or to do the washing and have a really good shower.

So to cover those needs we look/hope for a really good, clean ablutions block with plumbing that works - hot water coming in, dirty water draining out, and showers designed so that there is a reasonable chance of getting dry and dressing after a shower without becoming a contortionist. Arrangements such that we can keep our clothes dry, hang our clothes up, somewhere to put the shampoo and soap. I have fond memories of a Qld roadhouse that once actually provided a bathmat - luxury.

There should be enough washing machines so that you don't have to spend half a day in a queue waiting for a machine to become free. The machines should work, be clean and not cost a small fortune to use. A drier is good to have for wet weather but generally I like to be able to use a clothesline, but often there just isn't enough line space and/or the lines are poorly situated so that drying is slow.

A camp kitchen is good, especially if there is a decent freezer (to freeze the bulk meat you have just bought locally and repackaged etc) and a hot plate or oven to cook up a few meals for the next stage of the journey.

We only need a small site but it needs to be level. We do dislike those parks that treat those using unpowered sites as second class citizens, giving them the worst sites in the whole park. Some parks sadly seem to attract those with the attitude that anyone not in a huge van and washed-daily vehicle is beneath their notice - as a result a decidedly unfriendly atmosphere develops. Some grass and shade is good. A table is a nice touch but not essential.

Access to wifi either in the camp kitchen area or in a designated area would be good.

Somewhere to do work on the vehicle including an oil change. Maybe also a place to give the vehicle a wash and clean-out. Somewhere to store vans or trailers if the local attractions require that.

Reasonable security is desirable, but not to the point of becoming Fort Knox.

As others have said a happy hour is a pleasant touch, enabling travellers to mix and swap travel experiences. We look for opportunities to chat to other travellers rather than too much laid-on entertainment that can stifle chat or make it difficult for those of us with geriatric grade hearing.

Price is probably the most contentious thing about caravan parks. Of course its going to cost, so we look for good value. We don't like rip-offs or being forced to pay for facilities that we don't use such as children's play areas. It must be possible to charge a base rate with additional charges for optional extras ie user pays. Also as we dont usually book ahead we dont want to pay for a lot of advertising especially where there is little competition anyway. Or the costs associated with belonging to a chain with attendant membership fees and "loyalty" rewards.

And cheerful, helpful staff make a great first impression, though we can understand that the attitude and behaviour of some people might eventually turn otherwise saints into front-desk dragons.

To sum up - helpful staff, and clean, functioning facilities. A no-frills CP for a no-frills fee.

Cheers,

Val.

Hi John & Val,

All good points,

We've worked in/managed a variety of Caravan Parks/resorts etc.. as well as stayed at a lot over the years & having mats in the showers is problematic when it comes to hygiene, personally as long as I have somewhere to hang my clean clothes without getting them wet is a must, a bench to sit on while getting dressed as well.

I also think that a well thought out camp kitchen with BBQs, cookers, microwaves, fridges etc. is also desirable, it also serves as a meeting area & if someone wishes to get out a guitar then so be it, (a big telly to watch the V8s is also nice).

IMHO shower mats need to be of the old car tyres cut into strips and wired together type. Often used as door mats. If you shower in public places you are mad if you do not wear crocs or thongs for your own protection. The purpose of the mat is so that if you drop something or you are putting your pants on that they do not touch the wet floor. As far as hygiene is concerned, with no mat there will likely be germs lurking in any wet environment, and while a mat could well harbour more germs there less likely to be on the top, as I said before people should wear crocs or thongs. Thinking outside the square, could you have a rack outside the showers to hang the mats. You take one in and return it when finished. Spending time in the sun will dry them out and fry the little nasties. It will cost you a beer if you use this idea.
Cheers

Chris,

My problem with mats in wet areas is that no matter how many systems you put in place to keep them clean, they will still be germ collectors.

People will not hang them up after their shower, it adds more work for the cleaners, which means that unless you have fastidious cleaners then they won't get cleaned properly, & so on.

If people want shower mats, fine they can carry a light weight one with them, have it rolled up with their wet bag, towel etc. Actually, I think that's a pretty good idea & will start doing it myself when travelling.

I have to agree you cannot add to the workload of the cleaners which adds cost to everyone for the inconsiderate few. I like your idea of carrying a mat though. Does that mean I owe you a beer?
I have a rooftop tent and coming down the ladder to muddy/sandy/stoney/prickley ground in bare feet is not nice. In most cases it is to much effort to peg down my CGear mat. A mat that doubles as a shower mat is a great idea. Now to find a suitable mat.

Whizz Bangs are what I think your referring to... lol.

Not always possible but we try to keep them away from caravanners.

We had one camp next to us at Katherine Gorge, a couple with three kids, they must have opened, then slammed shut the poor door twenty times in five minutes, I had to be restrained from doing a blood vessel.