Just rang the Big 4 in Mt Gambier for fees per night for powered site in late January, dogs permitted at 6$ per nightly fee they have just lost a customer.I told them my views on this , that animals do not use the facilities, and they were charging as if we had an extra child.
Don't mind paying a bond, but that's really over the top. Another Park there doesn't charge for dog and its just as good.
Pondy said
06:37 PM Dec 11, 2013
You are so right I would not stay there either if I had to pay for my dog. I am also happy to pay a bond that you get back when you leave but $6.00 a night for my dog NO WAY.
Rip and Rosie said
05:31 PM Dec 12, 2013
Pondy wrote:
You are so right I would not stay there either if I had to pay for my dog. I am also happy to pay a bond that you get back when you leave but $6.00 a night for my dog NO WAY.
Unless they provide facilities for the dog!
intouch said
02:01 PM Dec 14, 2013
The Big 4, My wife, our mate Sam, a little Pommeranian and I do not stay at these parks.
To charge a fee of $6.00 a night for a pet is a disgrace.
Caravan parks are doing themselves a disservice with their atrocious charges, rules and regulations.
native pepper said
08:59 AM Dec 25, 2013
The east Devonport big 4 have never had dogs, but lately friends coming from Aus and were told they could have their dog, only to find when they arrived it was going to cost them $6 a night and given a list of rules they and the dog had to adhere to. They turned around, drove down the road to the other van park and were nicely welcomed, dogs free and happy to have them.
Tomzys said
10:22 AM Dec 25, 2013
native pepper wrote:
The east Devonport big 4 have never had dogs, but lately friends coming from Aus and were told they could have their dog, only to find when they arrived it was going to cost them $6 a night and given a list of rules they and the dog had to adhere to. They turned around, drove down the road to the other van park and were nicely welcomed, dogs free and happy to have them.
That's what every one should do, they will suffer in the end when the Parks are struggling to pay their running costs .
Rip and Rosie said
08:36 AM Dec 26, 2013
With the big shift to free camping, CPs need to rethink their business in order to stay viable. Like every business they need to offer a product that people want to pay for. Mostly they are catering to the family market, offering kids play areas etc.
This leaves the older travelling consumer with nothing, unless they travel with children.
What I want as an older traveller, is not childrens play areas, or games rooms, or a swimming pool full of kids.
I would pay for facilities for the dogs- where I can wash them, wash their beds, exercise them or have them babysat while I go out for a while.
In my humble opinion, if they don't offer what I want or need, they aren't getting my money.
Cruising Cruze said
03:35 PM Dec 31, 2013
@ Rip & Rosie
" I would pay for facilities for the dogs- where I can wash them, wash their beds, exercise them or have them babysat while I go out for a while."
and I think that is what most cp don't want
( don't shoot the messenger please )
Cheers John
Rip and Rosie said
05:35 PM Dec 31, 2013
Why should I shoot you, John?
I cant use the CP facilities to wash dogs or their blankets, but I would pay for it.
But, as a business, CPs could provide a tub and plumb in hot and cold water and a fence around it. That's enough for a dog wash. Add a clothes line and dog owners could wash the blankets and hang them to dry.
Now, in terms of investment, $500 - $1000 or so would be all it would take.
If the CPs dont want to cater for the needs of travellers with dogs, so be it, but given the opposition to free camps and the lobbying of local CP owners, I think they might.
oldboar said
11:45 AM Jan 10, 2014
Interestingly, the Riverside caravan park at Buronga (over the Murray from Mildura, Vic) not only welcomes dogs provided they remain on leash, but also provides a dedicated washing machine for dog blankets, etc & a plumbed in dog bath. All at no extra cost (park fees are quite reasonable as well), really nice park with spotless amenities.
Darrell & Sandra
Cruising Cruze said
05:55 PM Jan 10, 2014
and that is a park where you want to come back to Darrell
we will keep their address handy for the future thanks Darrell
btw How is the damper baking going ??
Cheers John
-- Edited by Cruising Cruze on Friday 10th of January 2014 05:57:21 PM
Tomzys said
06:11 PM Jan 10, 2014
oldboar wrote:
Interestingly, the Riverside caravan park at Buronga (over the Murray from Mildura, Vic) not only welcomes dogs provided they remain on leash, but also provides a dedicated washing machine for dog blankets, etc & a plumbed in dog bath. All at no extra cost (park fees are quite reasonable as well), really nice park with spotless amenities.
Darrell & Sandra
Yes a great park and great managers, we go every Christmas for a break have a beaut NYEVE also they cater for it. love the dog amenities also
10 out 10 for this Park
oldboar said
08:43 AM Jan 11, 2014
Only done a few in the Baby Q, John. Too hot to light a fire (perhaps too lazy, lol) since we left Waruma. Baby Q does a great job provided I use the pizza stone. I was told last night by a local in the tourism industry that this park was ranked in Australia's top 20. Certainly as far as value for money is concerned, I'd believe it.
Darrell
dorian said
09:21 AM Jan 11, 2014
Let's be honest. Dogs are a nuisance, as are their owners. And I say that as a dog owner myself.
Caravan parks don't welcome dogs. They tolerate them. And they only do that if they can't fill their vacancies without them. In that respect caravan parks are no different than other businesses. In fact there are some parks that will allow dogs during the off season, but will refuse them during holiday periods.
Pick a business, any business, and complain to them about not accepting your dog. See how far you get. In fact, how many renters are permitted to have pets on the premises?
Tomzys said
09:48 AM Jan 17, 2014
dorian wrote:
Let's be honest. Dogs are a nuisance, as are their owners. And I say that as a dog owner myself.
Caravan parks don't welcome dogs. They tolerate them. And they only do that if they can't fill their vacancies without them. In that respect caravan parks are no different than other businesses. In fact there are some parks that will allow dogs during the off season, but will refuse them during holiday periods.
Pick a business, any business, and complain to them about not accepting your dog. See how far you get. In fact, how many renters are permitted to have pets on the premises?
Some parks have gone all out and made them like Resorts that's why, if I want a holiday in a Resort I will go o/s and if I want a holiday in C/Park I will go where my baby is allowed in, theres plenty who accept animals now, you just have to do your home work before going, then every ones happy.
tarnell said
10:41 AM Jan 17, 2014
All the caravan parks in Mt Gambier accept dogs except the Blue Lake Caravan Park, I stayed at the Limestone Coast Caravan Park, no fee for the dogs and they have the most fabulous dog free area I have ever seen and I have seen a lot of free area for dogs, not a patch on this one.
Tomzys said
07:23 PM Jan 18, 2014
tarnell wrote:
All the caravan parks in Mt Gambier accept dogs except the Blue Lake Caravan Park, I stayed at the Limestone Coast Caravan Park, no fee for the dogs and they have the most fabulous dog free area I have ever seen and I have seen a lot of free area for dogs, not a patch on this one.
Thanks , we will be going on the Long weekend and knowing they have a great area for the dogs certainly helps plus don't have to pay extra. The Big 4 does charge for dogs, ask them to give you a break down of their fee, its only because I asked a couple of times then they admitted they do charge extra for your pet, then I told them what I thought about charging for them. It has taught me to ask each time I make a booking, other wise you just get a fee which they have already put in the dog/animal .
Marnie said
11:37 PM Feb 19, 2014
Big 4 or any other Caravan Park that advertise as being "pet friendly" - so often not so as we found out on a trip down the Great Ocean Road, Vic. We tried three parks advertised in the Top Tourist Park members handbook as pet friendly and were turned away as we travel with a cat. Not worth being a Member if they can't update the details on each park they are affiliated with. A total waste of time and fuel to travel around just to find a park who will allow you to stay the night safely with a pet.
Caravanners and motorhomers who travel with their pets are mostly very responsible and adhere to the rules, why do the caravan park owners punish us with fees or even not allow us to stay in their parks? The Great Ocean Road parks have just lost themselves another customer! We won't bother again.
Happy travels,
Marnie
Tomzys said
10:41 AM Feb 20, 2014
Don't know where these Park owners/managers come from they are the ones missing out as once we know about these parks we wont be stopping in their towns, every body else misses out. I wonder what they will do , the younger generation with kids, animals are taking up caravanning are they going to refuse entry into parks when they take their pets, can see the Parks going down the gurgler, people losing jobs so they wont be able to travel as much, may be not at all, so the Parks need to reconsider their policies, and properbly be to late then. Stayed at a couple parks recently and the managers said themselves they are starting to feel it along with other parks, these parks are National wide , so just maybe they are starting to feel the pinch now. I say if they don't accept your animals just keep going, theres always some where to stay at night.
Marnie said
11:04 PM Feb 20, 2014
Exactly, Tomzys! We just called it quits and went home, actually! It rained that night anyway, so perhaps better to be home!
Apparently the last park we tried only allowed dogs during the off peak season. Now pardon me if I am wrong, but surely the last week of February could hardly be called Peak??
The park had two rates - Off Peak and Peak.
The night before we were in Daylesford at the Jubillee Lake park and it was great, great managers and a nice tidy park, good clean amenities etc. Pets welcome.
Thanks for your comments.
Marnie
Rip and Rosie said
08:47 AM Feb 21, 2014
I remember some time back having a conversation with a CP manager re the park being "dog friendly".
His view was that it was becoming too hard to weed out the responsible pet owners from the "ferals". He quoted an instance of a fellow who left the dog tied ip all day while he was away. However, it was summer, and hot, so the dog dug a hole to help it keep cool.... The CP owner was angry that the grass, which he watered to keep green, was damaged. Not only did the fellow refuse to pay for the damage, but was extremely angry when evicted from the park.
This was only one of quite a few stories he told.
Kooroorinya Kelpie said
10:10 AM Feb 21, 2014
Hi all. Most of the Cp's we've used are welcoming of dogs. I made a suggestion to one park manager that as he had a fairly big park could he not put us dog owners in one section as being dog owners none would whinge about minor indiscretions. He is going to do just that as he reckons the only whinges he gets are from non dog owners. How hard is that to do in a reasonable sized park. And Big 4 can jam their parks.
Marnie said
12:27 PM Feb 21, 2014
Hi Rosie, thanks for that and I do agree with what you say! We were just this week at a park where a dog was left tied up while his people went out for Dinner or whatever - he was very distressed and howled miserably for the few hours they were not there. The CP manager went to visit him, but he was not having that!! No grass for him to dig up as it's pretty dry in Vic at present!
Marnie
Marnie said
12:35 PM Feb 21, 2014
A very good idea for a lot of parks to follow through with. They still charge like the fee will be the last $$$ they will see - and that could be true if they can't be a bit more realistic with the charges. Most travellers now just want some power and water as the majority of vans, motor homes etc are self contained. We don't mind paying for a service if the price is fair, but some of the CPs are getting a bit greedy. I realise that they have big overheads and staff to employ, but surely there can be a bit of compromise. So, set a section of the park aside for travellers with pets and perhaps think about a section for self contained vehicles, with just power and access to water.
Marnie
Tomzys said
05:25 PM Feb 21, 2014
Marnie wrote:
Hi Rosie, thanks for that and I do agree with what you say! We were just this week at a park where a dog was left tied up while his people went out for Dinner or whatever - he was very distressed and howled miserably for the few hours they were not there. The CP manager went to visit him, but he was not having that!! No grass for him to dig up as it's pretty dry in Vic at present!
Marnie
That's the problem, you always find some MORONS, its against the law to leave animals unattended in cars/vans etc, if I every came across this myself I would personally ring the Police Station where ever I am, wouldn't think twice about it, and let the owner put up with whats dished out to them.They are like children, look after them and that includes not leaving them tied up, They should try lying down with a rope around their neck in all weather conditions,.
_wombat_ said
10:01 AM Mar 11, 2014
native pepper wrote:
The east Devonport big 4 have never had dogs, but lately friends coming from Aus and were told they could have their dog, only to find when they arrived it was going to cost them $6 a night and given a list of rules they and the dog had to adhere to. They turned around, drove down the road to the other van park and were nicely welcomed, dogs free and happy to have them.
just tell them that your dog can't read
Vic41 said
12:02 PM Mar 12, 2014
_wombat_ wrote:
native pepper wrote:
The east Devonport big 4 have never had dogs, but lately friends coming from Aus and were told they could have their dog, only to find when they arrived it was going to cost them $6 a night and given a list of rules they and the dog had to adhere to. They turned around, drove down the road to the other van park and were nicely welcomed, dogs free and happy to have them.
just tell them that your dog can't read
They won't take Wombat either because he won't pay the extra $6 (being a Wombat).....
_wombat_ said
12:38 PM Mar 12, 2014
Vic41 wrote:
_wombat_ wrote:
native pepper wrote:
The east Devonport big 4 have never had dogs, but lately friends coming from Aus and were told they could have their dog, only to find when they arrived it was going to cost them $6 a night and given a list of rules they and the dog had to adhere to. They turned around, drove down the road to the other van park and were nicely welcomed, dogs free and happy to have them.
just tell them that your dog can't read
They won't take Wombat either because he won't pay the extra $6 (being a Wombat).....
bugga paying when I can dig my way in
Delta18 said
02:04 PM Mar 12, 2014
I asked one park last year about having my dog there, he said "the dog is welcome and if it vouches for you then you are welcome too!"
Dogs don't steal towels, toilet paper, mats etc.
A couple years ago we travelled from Adelaide to Toowoomba to pick up a van to tow back to Perth, we stayed every night in motels/hotels and every one of them had no problem with having our dog in the room. This quite surprised us actually but I guess they appreciated the income regardless.
Just rang the Big 4 in Mt Gambier for fees per night for powered site in late January, dogs permitted at 6$ per nightly fee they have just lost a customer.I told them my views on this , that animals do not use the facilities, and they were charging as if we had an extra child.
Don't mind paying a bond, but that's really over the top. Another Park there doesn't charge for dog and its just as good.
Unless they provide facilities for the dog!
To charge a fee of $6.00 a night for a pet is a disgrace.
Caravan parks are doing themselves a disservice with their atrocious charges, rules and regulations.
That's what every one should do, they will suffer in the end when the Parks are struggling to pay their running costs .
This leaves the older travelling consumer with nothing, unless they travel with children.
What I want as an older traveller, is not childrens play areas, or games rooms, or a swimming pool full of kids.
I would pay for facilities for the dogs- where I can wash them, wash their beds, exercise them or have them babysat while I go out for a while.
In my humble opinion, if they don't offer what I want or need, they aren't getting my money.
@ Rip & Rosie
" I would pay for facilities for the dogs- where I can wash them, wash their beds, exercise them or have them babysat while I go out for a while."
and I think that is what most cp don't want
( don't shoot the messenger please )
Cheers John
I cant use the CP facilities to wash dogs or their blankets, but I would pay for it.
But, as a business, CPs could provide a tub and plumb in hot and cold water and a fence around it. That's enough for a dog wash. Add a clothes line and dog owners could wash the blankets and hang them to dry.
Now, in terms of investment, $500 - $1000 or so would be all it would take.
If the CPs dont want to cater for the needs of travellers with dogs, so be it, but given the opposition to free camps and the lobbying of local CP owners, I think they might.
Darrell & Sandra
and that is a park where you want to come back to Darrell
we will keep their address handy for the future
thanks Darrell
btw How is the damper baking going ??
Cheers John
-- Edited by Cruising Cruze on Friday 10th of January 2014 05:57:21 PM
Yes a great park and great managers, we go every Christmas for a break have a beaut NYEVE also they cater for it. love the dog amenities also
10 out 10 for this Park
Darrell
Caravan parks don't welcome dogs. They tolerate them. And they only do that if they can't fill their vacancies without them. In that respect caravan parks are no different than other businesses. In fact there are some parks that will allow dogs during the off season, but will refuse them during holiday periods.
Pick a business, any business, and complain to them about not accepting your dog. See how far you get. In fact, how many renters are permitted to have pets on the premises?
Some parks have gone all out and made them like Resorts that's why, if I want a holiday in a Resort I will go o/s and if I want a holiday in C/Park I will go where my baby is allowed in, theres plenty who accept animals now, you just have to do your home work before going, then every ones happy.
Thanks , we will be going on the Long weekend and knowing they have a great area for the dogs certainly helps plus don't have to pay extra. The Big 4 does charge for dogs, ask them to give you a break down of their fee, its only because I asked a couple of times then they admitted they do charge extra for your pet, then I told them what I thought about charging for them. It has taught me to ask each time I make a booking, other wise you just get a fee which they have already put in the dog/animal .
Big 4 or any other Caravan Park that advertise as being "pet friendly" - so often not so as we found out on a trip down the Great Ocean Road, Vic. We tried three parks advertised in the Top Tourist Park members handbook as pet friendly and were turned away as we travel with a cat. Not worth being a Member if they can't update the details on each park they are affiliated with. A total waste of time and fuel to travel around just to find a park who will allow you to stay the night safely with a pet.
Caravanners and motorhomers who travel with their pets are mostly very responsible and adhere to the rules, why do the caravan park owners punish us with fees or even not allow us to stay in their parks? The Great Ocean Road parks have just lost themselves another customer! We won't bother again.
Happy travels,
Marnie
Exactly, Tomzys! We just called it quits and went home, actually! It rained that night anyway, so perhaps better to be home!
Apparently the last park we tried only allowed dogs during the off peak season. Now pardon me if I am wrong, but surely the last week of February could hardly be called Peak??
The park had two rates - Off Peak and Peak.
The night before we were in Daylesford at the Jubillee Lake park and it was great, great managers and a nice tidy park, good clean amenities etc. Pets welcome.
Thanks for your comments.
Marnie
His view was that it was becoming too hard to weed out the responsible pet owners from the "ferals". He quoted an instance of a fellow who left the dog tied ip all day while he was away. However, it was summer, and hot, so the dog dug a hole to help it keep cool.... The CP owner was angry that the grass, which he watered to keep green, was damaged. Not only did the fellow refuse to pay for the damage, but was extremely angry when evicted from the park.
This was only one of quite a few stories he told.
Hi Rosie, thanks for that and I do agree with what you say! We were just this week at a park where a dog was left tied up while his people went out for Dinner or whatever - he was very distressed and howled miserably for the few hours they were not there. The CP manager went to visit him, but he was not having that!! No grass for him to dig up as it's pretty dry in Vic at present!
Marnie
A very good idea for a lot of parks to follow through with. They still charge like the fee will be the last $$$ they will see - and that could be true if they can't be a bit more realistic with the charges. Most travellers now just want some power and water as the majority of vans, motor homes etc are self contained. We don't mind paying for a service if the price is fair, but some of the CPs are getting a bit greedy. I realise that they have big overheads and staff to employ, but surely there can be a bit of compromise. So, set a section of the park aside for travellers with pets and perhaps think about a section for self contained vehicles, with just power and access to water.
Marnie
That's the problem, you always find some MORONS, its against the law to leave animals unattended in cars/vans etc, if I every came across this myself I would personally ring the Police Station where ever I am, wouldn't think twice about it, and let the owner put up with whats dished out to them.They are like children, look after them and that includes not leaving them tied up, They should try lying down with a rope around their neck in all weather conditions,.
just tell them that your dog can't read
They won't take Wombat either because he won't pay the extra $6 (being a Wombat).....
bugga paying when I can dig my way in
I asked one park last year about having my dog there, he said "the dog is welcome and if it vouches for you then you are welcome too!"
Dogs don't steal towels, toilet paper, mats etc.
A couple years ago we travelled from Adelaide to Toowoomba to pick up a van to tow back to Perth, we stayed every night in motels/hotels and every one of them had no problem with having our dog in the room. This quite surprised us actually but I guess they appreciated the income regardless.
my god they must have been hard up for custom