Longreach what a dissapointment

Which park did you stay at? I was there about 4 weeks ago and enjoyed Longreach. Only for 2 days though, very dry but nice enough place and people. I stayed at the caravn park just off the highway, had live music and everything. Cant expect much of the poor old caravan parks out in the Outback where there is bugger all water, i think its just because places dont have grass people say they are crap. But i agree with that price being abit extreme, no need for prices like that. I would recommend staying at the dam caravan park just out of Emerald if heading that way. Excellent spot

We stayed at the Top of the Park and yes there surposeed to have water on tap most other parks do water to compensate. Yes people were friendly.

Hi Everyone The best park in the area is at Ilfercombe 27ks east of Longreach
run by a family that loves life and loves people.The happy hours are the best we have experienced in all the towns we stayed at.

Cheers Baz

Hi Nashy3,
I reckon you are making a case for free camping.We were in Longreach and stayed at the free camp,about 5 kays out of Longreach towards Winton. Camps 4 book location no 353 page 17 of Queensland maps.May be different in the new camp 5 book.Council even supplied a toilet block and about 8 wheely bins.At some stage there were 25 vans lined up and all the people used the area as a good excuse for a natter.Plenty of water available at the show grounds and a dump point as well.
I wouldn't knock a council that extends a hand like that as well as running a van park.Longreach was a great place and the trip on the old stage coach was a real highlight. Sorry you didn't get the same idea.

Regards Paul.

We had a great time in Longreach last year. After a week of camping in central QLD we got a cabin at Gundaoo park. We had always planned to take a cabin here to restock and have some time out of our tent. It was fantastic. Pool, and good facilities and I'm PICKY! From what we saw the tent and caravan facilities were great- even new ensuite sites.

You maybe didnt look at the better camp grounds or do your research? I know there was a free camp area out of town on the river which was well patronised- however- not my cup of tea ...

I think people need to consider that these parks are also businesses which need to make money to provide good facilities.

In the outback you need to expect good and bad and take it for what it is.

Nashy3,

On the money there.
I was shocked at $25 for camping - no power for 1 person.

Just insane pricing.
Marco

We had a different experience to Nashy3.
Longreach was no more expensive than any other of the towns we stopped at.
The then named Gunnadoo Caravan park was quite ok. Had a great time at the night time campfire entertainment there too.
Loved the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame
Qantas Museum was also very interesting.
I'd been wanting to revisit the place after first having been there in the early 1980's and I was not disappointed.

Same applied to Winton.
WBS

Nashy3
I don't know where you come from or where you have been. But I can assure you that on the East Coast $34 a night is considered cheap. There are plenty of parks now charging around the $50 mark and even more when you are carrying a tribe of kids. These are the rates for the 4 council owned caravan parks in Port Stephens:(from the council's website)
Powered Sites Rates are for 2 adults

Mid Week per night 30 40 45 60
Weekend per night 30 40 45 60
Weekly 190 240 290 420
The various rates apply to Low,Shoulder, High, Peak periods. (Only a bureaucrat could decide that there should be a difference between high and peak season). Add on a couple of kids at $10 a night each and where does that leave your $34. NOT cheap, but people are obviously paying it - all these parks are booked out every school holidays.

teege

Steady on - Longreach is a great place to visit.

Stayed at Longreach last year and found it very disappointing. Staff at Gunnadoo were not at all helpfull, Stockman's Hall of Fame was way below our expectations (apparently many of the exhibits had been moved to the Gold Coast) and the "Bush Poet" at the caravan park was pathetic especially after hearing one at Winton. Next time we would certainly stay at Ilfracombe.

John W

A bit further out but Isisford's a nice spot - and free

after reading these forums i had booked in at the Longreach Caravan Park for what I expected would be a wonderful experience of songs and stories.

I had booked at least two months in advance and told them I had a camper trailer so they could give me an appropriate site (usually a little wider than standard). What I got (after meeting the grumpy manager (or owner?)) was a terrible site hard up against the amenities block which I could not even fit the trailer on to. The site also had a grated drain which I expect was something to do with the amenities block and would have been underneath our camp.

I was told that's all they had despite booking ahead. They weren't too concerned about losing a customer. After arriving their with my family later in the afternoon and losing daylight this rather soured the experience. It was very disappointing and this was about the 4th night on our 3 month trip. I would never, ever recommend that park to anyone on my experience.

As I couldn't use the site at the park I went across to Gunadoo and they set me up with a double site at no extra cost. It was a dusty park but was quite clean and reasonably well set up. I could recommend Gunadoo on my experiences.

Longreach itself is worth the stay. I have been there twice now and enjoyed it.