Beware Eucla Caravan Park

Submitted: Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 08:49

ThreadID: 72721 Views:12560 Replies:12 FollowUps:5

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andrewhamilton

We are currently completing the 'big lap' and this week crossed the Nullabor on the way back home.

I don't have huge expectations of any caravan park based at a roadhouse but Eucla was one of the worst experiences I have had.

It was obviously popular as the park was packed, but when we left (at 7.00am) it was half empty. My guess is others either left in the middle of the night as the party at the onsite van (that houses roadhouse staff) was so loud as not to be able to sleep until they stopped at 2.00am or it was the roosters (also based on site) that started at 4.00am. Who would keep roosters in a caravan park?!

Up to here we had accepted the high prices and disinterested staff as just a part of life in an outback area, but this was ridiculous!

My wife went in to inform the roadhouse staff the next morning of what the night was like and after being met with complete disdain she was asked 'so do you actually want anything?'

Obviously they don't give a toss, so I just thought I'd let people know that if you are crossing the country then this is one place to be sure and miss!

Having said that, Fraser range park was great, as was Ceduna big 4 and the Cactus bush camp.

I'd hate to be the owner.. His staff are killing the business

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Reply By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 09:21

Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 09:21

Hi Andrew. There is nothing like word of mouth to either praise a good one or describe a bad business so you have done the right thing here by telling your story. Hope the owners get to see it. Hope your travels in the future are better. Bob.

AnswerID: 385547

Reply By: DIO - Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 09:37

Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 09:37

One of the many problems likely to be encountered whilst travelling - 'the ferals in town'. Some people still question why so many condem the consumption of alcohol, which I presume was the root of the problem(s). Complaints such as yours will only serve to warn others to avoid the particular location 'like the plague'. Perhaps in time they will 'get the message'.

AnswerID: 385549

Reply By: Fred G NSW - Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 10:37

Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 10:37

Thanks for the heads up on that roadhouse Andrew, we are going west that way next June. Maybe a note to the owners will do them a favour just in case it was a case of "It's party time while the boss is away." Be interesting to hear from others.

All the same there are some wonderful roadhouses out there with sensational facilities.

Our two favourites (so far) are Barkley Homestead and Cadney Homestead, and the little park at Ti Tree Roadhouse isn't too bad either. Curtain Springs is good, just like a Bush Camp, fires allowed, but gets very busy, which is understandable.

Still looking forward to experienceing so many others that are probably just as good.

Have a good run home.

Fred.

AnswerID: 385555

Reply By: Member - Pesty (SA) - Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 10:56

Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 10:56

Cant speak for the others, but Ceduna Big 4 is great, belongs to my cousin and his wife, Brian and Kathy, who have pride in there caravan park. Enjoy your stay.

Cheers Pesty

AnswerID: 385558

Follow Up By: Member - Mick O (VIC) - Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 17:24

Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 17:24

Jeez I stayed there again only a couple of months back. If only I'd known about the family discount LOL. ;-)

''We knew from the experience of well-known travelers that the
trip would doubtless be attended with much hardship.''
Richard Maurice - 1903

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FollowupID: 653200

Reply By: Member - Rod N (QLD) - Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 11:24

Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 11:24

Is the park at Border Village or the Eucla one where you pay at the roadhouse and then go and organise yourself? We have stayed at the Eucla one a few times and did not notice onsite vans or hear any loud noises. Heard some roosters somewhere but not in the park. There used to be geese that wandered around but they were gone last time.

AnswerID: 385562

Follow Up By: Member - joc45 (WA) - Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 11:52

Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 11:52

I stayed at the Eucla (not Border Village) caravan park last November for 3 nghts, and had no problems with noise, neither human nor animal variety, apart from the noise of crows at daybreak (and I was camped near an on-site van). We were however, pestered by a pet goat, which wanted us to compete with it with playful head-butting. Nice touches were the standard of the showers and the desal water, plus the magnificent view from the escarpment.
I guess one can be unlucky with party animals in any caravan park, as I've found in the past - it's a bit of a lottery.
Gerry

FollowupID: 653173

Follow Up By: Richard Kovac - Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 17:17

Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 17:17

We have stayed there 3 times now 2 in the van and 1 camping, we liked it for where it is. didn't have any problem, I think there is a sign in the camping area telling everyone about the horses kept near the house.

And the place is improving every time we stayed.

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Regards

Richard

FollowupID: 653199

Reply By: austastar - Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 12:03

Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 12:03

There is quite a few bush tracks leading out from Eucla. All shown on the Auslig 1:250,000 maps - plenty of camping out in the scrub there. we found a few nice places just pottering around that would have been quite suitable, but it was a bit early to camp so we moved on.
Saw the caravan park, but didn't even give it a second glance given the time and all the tracks around.
cheers

AnswerID: 385566

Reply By: Hairy (NT) - Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 12:48

Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 12:48

Gday,
Maybe just a bad night?
I found the staff at the servo to be polite and helpful?

Cheers

AnswerID: 385571

Reply By: andrewhamilton - Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 13:38

Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 13:38

Maybe it was just a bad night. Maybe not. I don't begrudge people a bad day, but thiswas well beyond just that.

I hate to be a whinger, but I also think people need to be 'outed' when they carry on like that

I hope others have better experiences!

AnswerID: 385577

Reply By: Bob of KAOS - Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 14:13

Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 14:13

We drove down the track towards the beach and camped in the dunes. No roosters, no ferals (apart from a few in our group), great views and a swim in the ocean the next morning.

AnswerID: 385579

Reply By: just goin - Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 15:04

Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 15:04

We came across the NULLABOR a week ago and stayed at a free camp just west of EUCLA....we were warned about the van park their not being too crash hot and also the goat - which chased our informant which actually scared her a bit....

The free camp we stayed at was Jillah Rockhole and it was packed when we go there around 7.30pm....heaps of vans and campers etc and many having fires which was nice to see....no partying though.

IN FACT it was the few TRUCKIES driving through in the middle of the night blowing their horns that woke us up a few times otherwise really good FREE camp....why do they do that??? Just to let us all know that they are working while we are sleeping??? Really.....

During our trip across we heard a few truckies over the UHF referring to caravans as "wobblies" ?!?!? Anyways we stopped at Border Village Roadhouse early the next morning and had a hot breakfast , re-fueled and then continued through to Streaky Bay SA....

Our only stop on the Nullabor was the free camp so all good overall for us and our first time across it with two young kids as well....

AnswerID: 385584

Reply By: whale - Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 19:17

Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 19:17

it is unfortunate to hear of the ordeal. we have travelled the nullarbor, many times and free camp most of the trip. always pull into Eucla for a night. has always been great with the staff being helpful and friendly. only time the handbrake got worried when the geese got to friendly for her.

if i were you i would send them a message of complaint as they have always seemed very receptive of suggestions and complaints.

it is the problem these days, a lack of respect from people and unfortunately the worst age group is those over 60 who have no concern for others. and sorry to those who have concern but we have struck to many who switch on the radio at 5 am to hear the news or want to run gennies all night or with 10 acres to park decide they have to park almost inside your van.

having lived in caravans on and off since i was 10 years old, times are a changing and not for the better. i could B***** on but thats lfe.

make sure you complain. oh by the way i am in my late forties, so not a young'n attacking the olds.

just enjoy oz while you can.
keep smilin while a driv'in

Whale

AnswerID: 385621

Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 19:33

Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 19:33

Along with the above I hate kids who have to shriek at full volume whilst playing and the bored ones bouncing balls on the concrete all day.

Not doing anything, just bouncing on and on all day for a whole week .
Its like Chinese water torture.

Nice where we are now no kids and no neighbours.

Cheers

FollowupID: 653222