We are currently staying at the Rowes Bay caravan park in Townsville whilst visiting our grandkids up here. We planned on spending 6 nights at this site which by the way is very well appointed and close to all facilities. However, it's situated 50 metres from the mangroves and is a sandfly paradise - this was made apparent after our first night.
We paid for the 6 nights on arrival, (no discount!) and would have left after night 2 if we could and moved to another park away from the coast to escape the sandflies.
Moral to the story is not to pay ahead especially if the locality is unknown and there is no financial advantage. Most GN's will be alert to this, we weren't.
We will now walk thru every park we stay in to check for the best sites as invariably when you book in they seem to give you the worst one and also ask residents how the bities are. Cost on this trip were all $35 plus staying at Hervey Bay, Rockhampton, Clairview, Blacks Beach and now Rowes Bay. As usual it's facilities and staff friendliness that makes the trip enjoyable and there are 2 parks we won't stay at again from this trip. Return trip we'll be looking at some free camping!
Good Luck.
jules47 said
08:39 AM Oct 25, 2014
Hako - you learn by experience I suppose - we never pre book a caravan park, just turn up and see what it is like, (not that we stay in many, and usually only short time)
When we are in Townsville, we stay at the park at the showgrounds, close to shopping centre and central to other things as well - we paid $33 last time, and though not a flash park, amenities are clean and people are pleasant.
Dougwe said
08:54 AM Oct 25, 2014
How,
Interesting Denis, I stayed in a cabin many moons back and before the Avan was born. Never had a problem and I was on the "Front Line" facing the enemy. I was to the right of the office looking from the road. I would have seen the enemy approach. Must have been lucky I reckon. I agree that it's a nice park but unless they have changed because of many many complaints you can't or couldn't book a site. Cabins yes but not sites.
Enjoy your stay there.
buffy61 said
10:13 AM Oct 25, 2014
We are currently in Townsville. Staying at Riverside Convention Centre caravan park. 55 Leopold St, Aitkenvale. Lovely big grass sites. $28 night I think...we are paying weekly price of $200. Would highly recommend it. Apparently no alcohol but if you keep it on the downlow you are fine. I'm not a drinker so doesn't bother me.
-- Edited by buffy61 on Saturday 25th of October 2014 10:15:23 AM
glennt said
01:33 PM Oct 25, 2014
buffy61 wrote:
We are currently in Townsville. Staying at Riverside Convention Centre caravan park. 55 Leopold St, Aitkenvale. Lovely big grass sites. $28 night I think...we are paying weekly price of $200. Would highly recommend it. Apparently no alcohol but if you keep it on the downlow you are fine. I'm not a drinker so doesn't bother me.
-- Edited by buffy61 on Saturday 25th of October 2014 10:15:23 AM
HMMMMM! $28 @ 7 nights = $196. Weekly = $200...... Beam me up Scotty...........
hako said
02:10 PM Oct 25, 2014
Jules - we didn't book the site, just paid for the 6 days upfront when we arrived. Buffy and Chief - we wanted shade and wind to keep us cool - next to the ocean seemed ideal. We mentioned sandflies and Rowes Bay to locals and they all say "ah yes". They live and breed in the mangroves and just love fresh blood. We read about the Riverside park but it's run by the SDA and has too many restrictions for us.
Apart from the sandflies and cost ($38 p/n) we cannot fault this place as it has sea breeze, shade, beaches and plenty of room.
Regards
sandsmere said
02:52 PM Oct 25, 2014
We have relos in Townsville so go there now and then.
Stay at Black River Stadium CP. $25 for 2 people.
I s'pose they will have to change the name to
"Rainbow River" now.
wendyv said
03:14 PM Oct 25, 2014
Beware mangroves - anywhere! The sandflies do tend to get worse as the hotter weather approaches, too.
Our pick of the Townsville parks was Woodlands, on the northern fringe. Nice big sites, lovely amenity block, pool. Some nicely shaded sites too.
wanderers said
03:51 PM Oct 25, 2014
Have to agree Black River Stadium when in Townsville
Cloak said
06:43 PM Oct 25, 2014
As for sandflies, are they also known as biting midge? We have them here in Warneet and a spray of Aerogard tropical or anything with DEET in it keeps them away no worries.
hako said
10:56 PM Oct 25, 2014
Same beast Cloak, you must cover yourself 100% with the spray as they even get under your top, even bite your eyelids, pass thru flywire with ease so the van is not safe either.
Regards
We are currently staying at the Rowes Bay caravan park in Townsville whilst visiting our grandkids up here. We planned on spending 6 nights at this site which by the way is very well appointed and close to all facilities. However, it's situated 50 metres from the mangroves and is a sandfly paradise - this was made apparent after our first night.
We paid for the 6 nights on arrival, (no discount!) and would have left after night 2 if we could and moved to another park away from the coast to escape the sandflies.
Moral to the story is not to pay ahead especially if the locality is unknown and there is no financial advantage. Most GN's will be alert to this, we weren't.
We will now walk thru every park we stay in to check for the best sites as invariably when you book in they seem to give you the worst one and also ask residents how the bities are. Cost on this trip were all $35 plus staying at Hervey Bay, Rockhampton, Clairview, Blacks Beach and now Rowes Bay. As usual it's facilities and staff friendliness that makes the trip enjoyable and there are 2 parks we won't stay at again from this trip. Return trip we'll be looking at some free camping!
Good Luck.
When we are in Townsville, we stay at the park at the showgrounds, close to shopping centre and central to other things as well - we paid $33 last time, and though not a flash park, amenities are clean and people are pleasant.
Interesting Denis, I stayed in a cabin many moons back and before the Avan was born. Never had a problem and I was on the "Front Line" facing the enemy. I was to the right of the office looking from the road. I would have seen the enemy approach. Must have been lucky I reckon. I agree that it's a nice park but unless they have changed because of many many complaints you can't or couldn't book a site. Cabins yes but not sites.
Enjoy your stay there.
We are currently in Townsville. Staying at Riverside Convention Centre caravan park. 55 Leopold St, Aitkenvale. Lovely big grass sites. $28 night I think...we are paying weekly price of $200. Would highly recommend it. Apparently no alcohol but if you keep it on the downlow you are fine. I'm not a drinker so doesn't bother me.
-- Edited by buffy61 on Saturday 25th of October 2014 10:15:23 AM
HMMMMM! $28 @ 7 nights = $196. Weekly = $200......
Beam me up Scotty...........
Apart from the sandflies and cost ($38 p/n) we cannot fault this place as it has sea breeze, shade, beaches and plenty of room.
Regards
We have relos in Townsville so go there now and then.
Stay at Black River Stadium CP. $25 for 2 people.
I s'pose they will have to change the name to
"Rainbow River" now.
Our pick of the Townsville parks was Woodlands, on the northern fringe. Nice big sites, lovely amenity block, pool. Some nicely shaded sites too.
Have to agree Black River Stadium when in Townsville
Regards