Hi everyone, still waiting delivery of our van in July!
Is it helpful being members of caravan parks such as the Big4 etc. or a waste of money. As we are new to all this we won't be doing too much free camping to begin with until we have spoken to lots of you and bought a few more things.
Retirement is getting closer - 16th July!

I do believe the chains that give you a discount if you pay them a member ship are always over priced in the first place have stop at them and found them no better than the run of the mill parks

Hi Gail, Like Brickies, we have found that those caravan parks that are part of a chain are not any cheaper with the discount than other parks in towns. We have just been booking the parks for our next sojourn in July/August - more about that later - and there are several towns where we have bypassed the parks that belong to the chain we are members of because they are cheaper. Don't get me wrong, we are not misers, but we don't like being overcharged just for a name.

I'm in both Big4 and Top Tourist as I find that I do stay at member parks from time to time. However this is not because of the discount but because it may happen to suit me for other reasons. I had thought about not renewing my Big4 but I recently stayed at the B4 in Gladstone for several days and the discount there alone covered my 2 year membership. I would have stayed at that park anyway as it's the best in Gladstone.  Of the two groups I find myself staying at TTs more than B4s.

If you're checking into one of these parks but not a member you can usually join "on the spot" and get your discount immediately.

I agree with the above posts that suggest that the discount is built into the price anyway.

-- Edited by jimricho on Thursday 3rd of June 2010 05:30:12 PM

Jimricho I am member of Big4 for the same reason to get the instant discount but don't go out of my way to find a Big4 on my travels

We too have joined these memberships, and yes the membership seems to be included into the overall price, you seem to be paying extra for the jumping pillows, fancy play grounds, childrens activities, etc.,.(not quite Grey Nomad stuff!)
We now prefer to stay away from the "kid friendly" parks where ever possible.
Good luck and safe travels, Cheers The Freddos

We joined 2 Groups...after camping 3 years and used one once...it wasnt worth it.....also not many Big4 here in SA to choose from....the $2+ per day saving isnt worth it unless your on the road full time ofcourse..

Since we don't have an interest in jumping pillows or childrens play parks, heated swimming pools, Spa's, Tennis, basketball or fully outfitted games rooms we rather not bother with the overpriced Big 4 chain.

We joined the Top Tourist Parks & found them handy though it would be good if there were more of them. We paid $30 for 2 years so as we are travelling for a couple of years it would only take 10 to 15 days stay in them to recoop our money. As to what others have said about raising the price to compensate the membership I don't agree because I'm an internet research freak, I check the price of every caravan park in & around the town on the internet first so I always know what the others charge, sometimes I find cheaper ones than the Top Tourist ones(quite often thats because there just outside of the town) but I always find dearer(eg Big 4 Parks).
Cheers
Jon

Hi ..

We have been members of both B4 & TT (& sometimes FPA) since we started vanning 10 yrs ago.

We choose parks because of their location  (read view).  If they happen to be ones that we are a member of then good luck.

These days we spend a fair bit of time with our grand children who love the 'attractions'  but we get a site as far away from the 'attractions' as possible, so all are happy.

When deciding on any chain to 'Join', first compare their distribution with your intended travels.

ps. we don't bush camp so that might bias our opinion.

Some people go out of their way to use these parks because they have membership spend more money on fuel going out of the way just so they can get the discount .I do know people plan their trip from Big4 to Big4 now thats not living

I find that RACV discounts at some parks...I was asked on the way back from Newcastle if I was  member.....Yes Said I!!  Took four bucks off $21 powered site....Goulburn NSW

Hi All, Can never under stand Y one would have to pay to get a discount????Think about it . We Free camp 90% of the time , just hate listening to some one snore . And having to pay for that privledge ...Smile ,,, just joking.. Caravan parks are the best place to get info..right and meet people....Been on the road since 94...worth the cost...at any price. .Bob n Bev...

I have memberships and found most of these parks friendly and worth the stay. I still can't say the membership parks are more expensive than the non-member parks. It's not the norm. Big 4 seem to cater to families with kids more than TT. The park I'm in in Cairns is probably the least maintained and lower standard than the norm. It's on the market, and while it's very clean and the gardens are immaculate, the roadways are narrow and broken, the sites can be awkward, and quite narrow. I personally think it's time the price of caravan park sites needs to be reviewed across the country. Some charge more than $40 per night for a patch of grass with access to the amenities block and the power and water. Seems excessive to me no matter where it is, Broome, Cairns, Gold Coast, or Port Lincoln. They range from $15 pn to $42, and there doesn't seem to be any guide to the standard of the park. Oh, the park in Quambatook in NW Vic is $8pn, with ensuite. But why would anyone want to go to Quambatook? Because it's there, and to catch up with a mate. To each his own, but I wouldn't travel from member park to member park. I'd only stay there if it proved to be cheaper after discount than any other park in the district or town, otherwise my priority is "cheapest" park, no matter what. Sometimes they give discounts to holders of Seniors Cards, both of them. The National Seniors Card which you pay a membership at 50, or the Govt issued one at 60.

Cruising Granny wrote:

---

I personally think it's time the price of caravan park sites needs to be reviewed across the country.

---

By whom, Chris?

 

I volunteer to do the review of all the parks in the country.... you just pay for the diesel to get us around them lol

Hi, Agree with all re the parks costs - having managed a Big4 - the discount was on their price never changed BUT their prices are set assuming you are giving everyone a discount so when a non member stays they prosper - we belong to a couple of member groups - rarely use Big4 as we have children with us and they have 4 legs so never welcomed - we base which park to stay at not solely on cost but on presentation & location - if it costs me a couple of dollars more for a clean and tidy park in a great location then they get our money - & in summer a pool is a must - & yes we do bush camping & showgrounds too - when on the road full time - possibly more free camping will be done.

Thanks guys for all your comments. I guess we will have a good travel around before we really make a decision to join or not to join!

scottynbulldog wrote:

---

Thanks guys for all your comments. I guess we will have a good travel around before we really make a decision to join or not to join!

---

You can always make a decision when you get to one of the parks concerned.  As suggested above check for RACx/NRMA discount, also Seniors.