darwin caravan parks

we will be there in the second week of june. I heard OKA and malak and hidden valley are under the flight path. Other people have said shady glen is awful. What is your opinion on shady glen? We are coming to see Darwin (night markets, crocolicius etc). It is our first stop on 6 month trip of NT, WA and SA.

We stayed at Shady Glen in July last year when Operation Pitch Black was in full swing. Magnificent aircraft those FA18's F111, F16 etc but a tad loud when taking off and landing in groups of 16 with a 10 minute span. What I'm saying is, Shady Glen is also under the flight path especially for RAAF flights.

Not all sites are shady but most are fine. Some are very tight for 20+ foot vans. Amenities are cleaned at very odd times (peak times) but are clean and ok in my opinion.

Shady Glen is right next door to the Darwin Showgrounds and yes you guessed it, The Darwin Show was on when we stayed there and Sideshow Alley is just across the fence. It quietened down after 11:00pm.

Not a bad park apart from the outside influences mentioned above. Malak and Oka are next to each other and don't take bookings. You have to take your chances and queue up each day to get in. I'd stay there again but I believe Lee Point is the pick of the bunch.

WBS

CLARIFICATION:
I meant that I'd stay at Shady Glen again, it is certainly not a dump by any means

Sadly as reported above, Leprechaun is closed. We found the park quite acceptable; they found us a nice big site at short notice, staff and owners were very helpful all round. The amenities block was ancient but is was regularly cleaned and even with a full park, no waiting for showers and the water was always hot. Shame it is closed - we would have chosen it again if going back to Darwin.

Motherhen

I heard robbie robbins is only for caravans. Is that true? We have a trak shak camper trailer. Ta valerie

Only caravans or motorhomes at Robbie Robbins, NO canvas.... as in tents, camper trailers or roof top tents

Hi Motherhen. Has been a few years since I have been on forum. See you are still here and with your lovely rig as usual has it been updated lately. Are you on the road or doing trips.
Sorry to bombard you but am not allowed to send pm, don't know why so a big HI and hope to see more of you. (You probably don't even remember me but you were so friendly when I first joined )
Cheers
Elly7

Hi Elly and thanks for the greeting. Briefly; I hope all goes well with you. We are not travelling as the drought is making our life hard. PM is limited to paid up members only, and the Moderators will censor us for chit chat in a thread :(

Motherhen

we need facilities as we are camping with kids. We have a trak shak. Thanks for the info.

Hi, the reason I didn't mention Howard Springs is because they are looking at which park is the closest.

Id second Howard Springs we stayed there a couple of years ago, its about 34ks from the CBD from memory, but has good sites nice amenities, pool etc...
reasonably quick run up the highway to Darwin, Mindle Beach...

Hi Lyndon &, do you know why Leprechaun closed? Is it just the camping area, or the motel units as well? The location was so good, and with a new amenities block, it could have been a great park.

Mh

Hi Motherhen

I have to admit I never stayed there but heard from several different sources that it wasn’t to flash. Was told the motel was at ½ star standards and that due to the hi proportion of backpackers in the camp area stuff would go missing. As said, this came from several different sources. The whole thing is locked up, as you said a pity due to proximity to town. My guess is the real estate is worth so much that is will soon be redeveloped, don’t quote me on that though.

Regards Lyndon

Thanks Lyndon

There were heaps of overseas back packers staying there, and apart from the fact that they filled the washing lines and never collected it (we had to use our airer instead) and the European custom of walking through camp sites rather than around, they were fine when we were there. We had the F250 parked on the other side of the annex slab as it was a roomy site they found for us. We put the washing and our outside chairs and tables as a barrier across our annex slab, as under very shady trees we didn't put the annex out, to try and give them a hint. Nothing "walked away". We left this all there to 'mark our spot' when we took our caravan to get the air con repaired. I wonder where all those backpackers stay now?

The proprietor (owner?) was also very good when we wanted to use a phone line for a medical equipment download. They gave top service.

There were two swimming pools; one for the motel and one for the campers - both kept immaculately clean.

The park looked more inviting than "dusty glen" down the road.

What is Lee Point like these days? That was our back up choice, and we had heard that it was very run down (2009). What is the aeroplane noise situation there?

Mh

Checked it out May last year, lots of do & don't rules.

We went back to the Big XXXX at Howard Springs, reasonably priced. Has a Pool, camp kitchen, clean toilet blocks and friendly staff ....

Also is quiet and not really any noticeable plane noise, I would go there again.

These 2 parks are a fair way out of Darwin. I think Valarie was trying to get closer in