Cania Gorge

Link doesn't want to work, anybody able to find the facebook page and post a link for me.

Try This.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=277428889096771&set=pcb.277444785761848&type=1&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=277428892430104&set=pcb.277444785761848&type=1&theater

I wrote to Big4 after reading this on 24th June.
"
This paid advertising appears in the South Burnett Times Thursday may 29th 2014.

From what I'm reading and word of mouth it seems that motorhomers and caravaners look like boycotting the town and all the businesses who have signed the complaint.

Does Big 4 condone this type of muck raking.

I am a Big 4 member, but will be reconsidering my membership at renewal time."

HERE IS THE RESPONSE FROM BIG4 - same day.
"
Dear Mr XXXXXX
BIG4 Holiday Parks holds an apolitical view in regard to free camping.
We are marketing franchise. Our purpose is to promote the attractive offerings of the 180+ BIG4 Holiday Parks located across Australia.
However, we appreciate that people want all sorts of options in regard to their enjoyment of the great outdoors – and that they have the right to choose options that suit them.
BIG4 Holiday Parks was not aware that its brand was being included in the advertisement placed by Peter Rankin from Cania Gorge Holiday Park on 23rd June 2014 in the Central and North Burnett Times.
BIG4 Holiday Parks would like to assert it does not share the views of Peter Rankin and we are disappointed that this branded advertisement was placed without consultation.
This action it is not in the spirit of our organisation and we are discussing this directly with the individual park involved.

Regards

Kari Hunter
Acting CEO/
Executive General Manager - Brand Strategy


BIG4 Holiday Parks of Australia Pty Ltd
PO Box 543, Camberwell VIC 3124
P: 03 9811 9300
F: 03 9815 0076
E: info@big4.com.au


I think by now Mr Rankine would have been put in his place well and truly.

While Peter Rankin's injudicious decision to place a sour grapes letter in the South Burnett Times has had very widespread distribution and discussion on the internet, tearing him further apart will not advance the cause of the hard working businesses in the town of Monto. There is a lengthy discussion on this on the Carvanners Forum.

Mr Rankin's caravan park is 35 kilometres from the town of Monto, and there is another caravan park nearby at Cania Gorge which has received very good reviews. Compare them on Badger's.

Monto is town which has been hard hit in many ways.Monto Magic Tourism Action Group has said

"Our town has suffered badly from the 2011 and then the 2013 floods as well as the closure of several industries that were the lifeblood of the community and welcome the support of the many tourists who pass through on their journey to faraway places."

Call in and see if you are passing that way on the Burnett Highway.

Motherhen

He's got some good points though.
Whilst he may not be the most diplomatic writer, I agree with him.

This guy is typical of certain people who BUY large expensive franchises.

BIG4 is a high priced chain...no doubt about it.....these people who simply rufuse to compete on price will bleat all they like about anything that gives people an alternative to their high priced sites.

This guy wont be seeig the cost concious camper with their modest set ups.

In times past there was camping right at the dam wall.....to this fellows delight that is a thing of the past.

This bloke thinks people come to the area specifically to use his swings and bounce on his jumping pillow.....there are plenty better and closer places to do that.
Those who go to Cania because of the place that it is.....to witness its wonders, walk it tracks and fish in the dam, will be better served patronising the competing caravan park just down the road.

People who want to stay in monto for one night or more are hardly likley to drag themselves all the way to cania gorge where there is no TV reception and no mobile phone reception , no supermarkets, hardware or camping shop, no liquer outlet and nothing else

This blokes attitude is far from uncommon among Caravan park owners.....they push to have any lower priced or free alternative closed for their own personal benifit.

They do not wish to sell their product well, they do not wish to admit that their business it not meeting the predominant need, many of them do not wish to admist that their businesses are just not viable in their existing form.....there will be a few who do not wish to admit that theyare suckers that baught a dying or marginally viable business.

They have no interest in serving the public, just in their own wallet.

Obvioulsy their operations are not competitive or value for money......if it was not so they would have no problem competing on the basis of providing better facilities than the lower priced and free options.

There used to be a similar muppet operating the only caravan park on frazer island at the time ...that caravan park also had the only store on the island in the day.

he refuesed to let people use his toilets ...the only real toilets for miles....unless they where paying for a site in his caravan park.
Toilets that BTW where right down on the road near the shop and not in the middle or the back of the CVP as is usual.

He was too bloddy minded to realise that a great many people baught stuff in his store because they where attracted there by the toilets.

OR that he was selling food and drink..in large volume but refuesd to deal with the inevitable waste resulting from the consumption of his fizzy drinks, icecreams and chips sold at well over the odds.

for many it was a package deal.....the destination was his store the only place on the island that you could buy an icecream, a cold drink or a packet of chips and one of the few places you could sit on a moderately civilised toilet.

An operator with vision would have capitolised on the situation by expanding the toilet facilities and painting the walls inside and out with advertising for chips, drinks and icecreams.

yeh...no vision.

cheers