G'day everyone, a new caravan park is opening in the Kimberly at turn off to Purnululu National Park ( Bungle Bungle's) and is located on Mabel Downs station.
It will be able to be accessed by 2wd vehicles towing vans. Anticipated opening is May 2011, and dogs (under control) will be welcomed.
It will feature a restaurant, luxury safari tent accommodation, plus powered ($45/night) unpowered ($35/night) and tent sites $15 p/p.
cheers,
Ozi2

Prices are out of our range I'm afraid

Beats leaving our van on the roadside while we go into the Bungles overnight with our tent!

Wonder will they have "storage sites?" 

-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Sunday 13th of March 2011 12:14:24 PM

Hi Ma, I didnt post the luxury tent prices...........but for the big spenders it can be yours for $295 per person,per night!!!!
cheers,
ozi2

Gerty Dancer wrote:

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Beats leaving our van on the roadside while we go into the Bungles overnight with our tent!

Wonder will they have "storage sites?" 

-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Sunday 13th of March 2011 12:14:24 PM

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Hi Gerty, yes, it could be a nice safe and secure way of storing vans etc for when staying over in Purnululu.......its not cheap, but they have a captive market I guess.
cheers,
ozi2

 

I know those prices sound high, but theres caravan parks on the coast which charge even more in the busy season. (And no, we dont go near them)

But Purnululu is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for us, and so we'll pay for an unpowered site. Hopefully therell be cheaper storage too.

Hi Gerty, yes, I agree about prices on east coast etc, also, I think our insurance companies would be more likely to cover a claim within a caravan park than for a van left unattended in such a remote area.

And yes, for the trip of a lifetime, I would willingly pay "the price"for peace of mind.

If all goes well, we hope to visit later this season.......weather depending.

cheers,
Ozi2

Didn't really look at it from that angle, but yes, you are right and also the insurance angle has a lot of common sense too

One person can't change things..But many can....It's called United we stand....It far too expensive....Once they get away with price rises like that  It stays like that...So the trick is  Don't go there....THis is just my opinion

Have to agree with you on this one Jimbo. Those prices are exorbitant to say the least. That is just my opinion of course, I would stay in the free camp near the Bungles.

yep .. will find free-camping myself ..

Jon

Free camping is the way to go for us too can't possoibly afford those prices Helena.

I guess the logical queston now is:

Is there a free camp in the vicinity and is it safe and where to others leave their vans when they go further on?

Sorry, that's three questions isn't it...................

There was in 2008, the top park and the underneath in the shade park, both pretty good but of course, long drop loos.

The Spring Creek rest area, 643 in the Camps 6 mate but 644 in Camps 5.

We stayed there over night in the bottom one that shows in Camps 6 and it was a good little community, watching each others belongings while you went in. One van was there, unhitched and the tug off on their adventure.

Found a couple of photos for you Ma, but you gotta get there early and the bottom park is the go for the shade. Its on a nice little creek.



This next one shows the unhitched van. Other campers, mostly Nomads kept an eye on it for them from what we were told.

Well I must say..Why would one want a Park with this available...People watch out for one and others property...I dog sat for a lovley couple at a spot that escapes me at the moment...They were from Nippon Qld...Lost their Phone number..Damn

A few more pictures of that camp guys.





The bridge above

The wildlife below.



And the creek.

Thanks FF.   Just starting to do the homework for the half lap next year.

Thats ok Ma.

I agree Jimbo, its lovely there and that was in a year of not much rain too.

It is nice to see travellers looking after each other isn't it.

And you are dead right Jim, who wants a caravanpark when you can have nature's park.

Seems the same status quo as Longreach, watch out for each other so that you can do your bit of exploring.  Good way to go me thinks.

PASS

Not adventurous there Pete??

have been in a couple of free spots where we have all looked out for each others vans no problems with it, then sat round a camp fire at night and discussed the day's adventure what a way to go .Helena.

Warnum (Turkey Creek) roadhouse has caravan storage at $10 per night. Price current October 2010. We hope to be going through in late May or so. Only 24 more working days to go :) How good is that! Cheers Trish

What's the bet that if and when that caravan park gets up and running, those free camps nearby will be closed.    $35-$45 per night is pretty good for peace of mind and insurance coverage.   Storage at $20 per night behind the office as well. 

cheers,

Hmmmm......Turkey Creek flooded out and road cut at the moment, see;

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/13/3162814.htm  


-- Edited by Vic on Monday 14th of March 2011 06:55:51 PM

Mary's Pool between Halls Creek and Fitzroy is a free camp which is very popular. You can camp for more than one night. Long drop dunny, no shower or power, but it's a great spot. Sometimes we have to pay the price to have the experience, but I'm getting very p...d off with the Kimberley operators who charge like wounded brahmans. While people go up there for the winter and the experience, I think the locals have gone too far, and are giving the region a bad name. No way will it cost a park $40 per night to look after vanners on powered sites. That new park will be powered by some sort of generator or solar power. The owner will probably want to cover his costs with every customer. I think it's time we spread the word we aren't suckers and we'll choose our destinations for the economy. Even free campers use parks sometimes. Those of us who use van parks full time, are held up by the short and curlies as captive customers. I don't deny they need to cover running costs, and I don't begrudge paying my way, but............. this ripping off has to be stopped. Even at the peak of the season when these parks are 100% capacity, no one should pay more than $28 per night in any park anywhere. At this park where I am now, long-termers pay $28/night, but they only charge for 6 out of 7 nights - every week.

I'll ask this question again.....Do Caravan Park owners read what we are saying...If so..They sure are not getting the message....Most of them at least

The majority of them probably don't even know our forum exists Jim............to their detriment

Then it is their loss Ma......I'm sure if I was running a business like that I'd like to know what was flavour of the Month.....