big4 in alice springs

Submitted: Tuesday, Feb 21, 2012 at 20:20

ThreadID: 92026 Views:2155 Replies:10 FollowUps:6

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Member - Mick Shell & 3 girls

thank you all for your great feedback. looks like we wont be leaving the van in Alice and tenting it after all. on that subject how is the big 4 in alice. remember we have three kids. we will have been on the road for about six weeks and were thinking of stopping for a few days.
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Reply By: Mick O - Tuesday, Feb 21, 2012 at 20:28

Tuesday, Feb 21, 2012 at 20:28

The Macdonell Ranges Caravan Park (Big 4) is a very good park although it will be quite pricey by the time the kids are taken into account. Good security and facilities and plenty of activities for the kids and adults. It's my preferred park when in Alice. They have ensuite sites which are a great option as well. You will need to book during the peak season.

Cheers Mick

''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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Follow Up By: Member - Mick Shell & 3 girls - Tuesday, Feb 21, 2012 at 20:43

Tuesday, Feb 21, 2012 at 20:43

what is considered peak time, easter or winter

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Follow Up By: Mick O - Tuesday, Feb 21, 2012 at 23:16

Tuesday, Feb 21, 2012 at 23:16

June, July and August are premium times in the Centre.

''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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Follow Up By: Member - Bucky - Thursday, Feb 23, 2012 at 03:48

Thursday, Feb 23, 2012 at 03:48

Stayed there 3 or 4 times now.

Great park

Cheers
Bucky

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Reply By: Member - Rob D (NSW) - Tuesday, Feb 21, 2012 at 20:29

Tuesday, Feb 21, 2012 at 20:29

The Big 4 MacDonnell Ranges park in Alice is excellent. We stay there whenever we are in Alice. They have entertainment most nights. Facilities are very well looked after.

I am sure you will enjoy the stay.

If you relax at a faster pace you can get more relaxation in for a given time.
Regards Rob

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Reply By: On Patrol & TONI - Tuesday, Feb 21, 2012 at 20:38

Tuesday, Feb 21, 2012 at 20:38

Mick Shell & 3 girls
everything the others have said. You can, if you wish, still store a van there if you need to for a few days. We did an overnight with tent to Chambers Pillar and put the van into their storage yard.

I do hope the mouse plauge in Alice (not just the park) has abated.

Enjoy, Colin.

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Follow Up By: Member - Mick Shell & 3 girls - Tuesday, Feb 21, 2012 at 20:41

Tuesday, Feb 21, 2012 at 20:41

what did they charge for storage?

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Reply By: Member - Mark (Tamworth NSW) - Tuesday, Feb 21, 2012 at 21:32

Tuesday, Feb 21, 2012 at 21:32

Expensive yes, about the best organised I've been in though

Your kids will love it, lots for them to do, they will appreciate a bit of civilisation after a period of bush camping, our 3 kids did.

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Reply By: Rangiephil - Tuesday, Feb 21, 2012 at 21:53

Tuesday, Feb 21, 2012 at 21:53

Its good when the pancake/waffle truck is there also!
One of the trucks that do the rodeos goes there when there are no rodeos on, and do delicious pancakes/ waffle and strawberries.
Regards Philip A

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Reply By: anglepole - Wednesday, Feb 22, 2012 at 08:04

Wednesday, Feb 22, 2012 at 08:04

We always stay at the McDonnell Ranges Caravan Park (Big 4). Just a nice distance from the town centre.

A very pleasant place to stay. If you are a Big 4 Member this will reduce the cost a bit.

Enjoy your trip.

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Reply By: Member - Bytemrk(VIC) - Wednesday, Feb 22, 2012 at 22:24

Wednesday, Feb 22, 2012 at 22:24

As everyone else has said - Great park.

Heaps of activities for the kids if you don't wear them out around Alice. Clean, Tidy, Friendly Staff.

Close enough to town...but far enough away as well.

We stayed there a few years ago, the kids still talk about it and I would not hesitate to go back.

In my eyes..well worth the extra few dollars over the budget options.

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Follow Up By: Member - Mick Shell & 3 girls - Wednesday, Feb 22, 2012 at 22:28

Wednesday, Feb 22, 2012 at 22:28

looks like we are staying there! thanks for all the reviews. best place to take the kids in ALice?

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Follow Up By: Member - Bytemrk(VIC) - Thursday, Feb 23, 2012 at 21:29

Thursday, Feb 23, 2012 at 21:29

Best places to take kids... really depends on the age of the kids, however the following are a few things my kids really enjoyed (They were 11 and 12 at the time.)

- Alice Springs Desert Park (This is a MUST)
- The Reptile Centre
- The School of the Air
- The Telegraph Station
- The Royal Flying Doctors Service Visitors Centre
- The Markets in Todd Mall

- We also used Alice as a base for several day trips out into the Eastern McDonnell's and south through Owen Springs.

We didn't get there, but I am told the transport museum is also worth a look.

The Big 4 park itself has bikes, a jumping pillow, playgrounds and pools as well as having a heap of organised activities ... pancake mornings , country music singers , a guy playing the didgeridoo...all of this stuff kept my kids flat out.

I'm sure I've only scratched the surface of what to do in Alice with kids.... I've just listed the stuff I can remember and that doesn't even start on what is available to the West...

Have fun.. you will love it.

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Reply By: Member - Hatbadges - Thursday, Feb 23, 2012 at 11:13

Thursday, Feb 23, 2012 at 11:13

We camped stayed there in 1998. Pricey, but the staff couldn't be friendlier & helpful. I suppose it's like everything, you get what you pay for. Security in the park is very good which is important when staying in Alice. There's a short walk over that takes about an hour return that's heads from the back of the caravan park to the top of the McDonnell Range. Do yourself a favour & head up there one evening with your camera. The view of the town is spectacular.

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Reply By: Members Pa & Ma. - Thursday, Feb 23, 2012 at 15:00

Thursday, Feb 23, 2012 at 15:00

Hi Mick Shell & the kids.
The Big 4 in Alice Springs is as all have said. Pricey but great,they also have a spot where you can do repairs or just plain service your vehicle.
There is so much to see around The Alice.

The West Macs are spectacular but the East Macks are
lovely too. Ross River Camp grounds are really nice
& they have some very nice & interesting places around that area.

You just have to be careful at night in Alice springs. The C.P's. are O.K. but out on the streets there is a worry with violence at night.

It's fine to store your van at The Big 4 McDonnell Range, There is just so much to see around the area. Glen Helen & the view over to Mount Sonder is magic.

Good to see you still traveling.
Take care, safe travels.
Bye for now, Ma.

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