Just about to start being a GN. Wanting to join a Caravan park Member scheme with one or two companies. Which is best - Big 4, Top Tourist, Discovery etc.
Any advice welcome
the rocket said
08:16 PM Feb 7, 2016
Hello jobro and welcome to the forum. It depends, where u want to stay. Some people will only stay in caravan parks so i suspect, would be worthwhile If the parks r in the aras they want to stay. Others like to free camp, showgrounds etc. and don.t need it. Each to their own. Check the maximum u get back each stay.
Wombat 280 said
09:05 PM Feb 7, 2016
Some schemes cost a lot more than their worth and have a number of restrictions like 7 day bookings before you get your discount. Many C/P will take into account the Seniors Card Have note a substantial rise in the cost of some of my local parks along the NSW mid north coast let alone operating costs with regard fuels and electricity have dropped , not sure what the reason is possibly just price gouging. No such thing as off season anymore doesn't mater if there's a long weekend in WA the peak season prices are applied here in the east just incase a West Australian drives over for the weekend
brickies said
09:37 PM Feb 7, 2016
I don't like paying for a rewards card , When staying in a caravan park I do give Top Tourist and Big 4 a miss
JohnR said
09:53 PM Feb 7, 2016
We have both Big 4 & Top Tourist. As well, you will find Discovery at certain places are also "Big 4".
We have just finished 5 weeks house sitting at Portland Vic. Now doing a little road trip on our way back to Central West.We stopped at Warrnambool at Discovery (Big 4) $42- less 10%, then on to Great Ocean Road. Huge volumes of traffic heading to the 12? Apostles and every thing virtually booked out. Stayed at Kennett River (Top Tourist) on Unpowered that was $31 less the 10%. We will use Big 4 at both Ballarat and Bendigo this coming week. So my answer to your query is maybe to have both. At the end of the day it really makes little difference but I detest paying $40+ for CP so when it comes back to $36/$37 makes me feel good.
JohnR
Darmc said
09:57 PM Feb 7, 2016
Hello Wombat, I have been told one factor causing the cost to rise, is the electricity costs, as some caravan owners use air conditioners, while windows are left open. Also after the two major cyclones in Far North Qld, the insurance companies have increased our costs by 200- 300 percent.
Darmc
D and D said
10:02 PM Feb 7, 2016
Use Top Tourist, we have got our money back but only just. These are just loyalty cards the same as fly buys and the others and just like the 4 cent discount on fuel doesn't provide a real benefit (you save less than a cup of coffee) I don't think any of these cards provide much of a real benefit.
Dave
brickies said
10:13 PM Feb 7, 2016
I have found these park charge a higher price , So when they knock the 10% off they are still dearer than other private and council caravan parks
rockylizard said
10:17 PM Feb 7, 2016
Gday...
Top Tourist (not Top Parks) costs $30 for two years membership = $15/year
That membership gives you 10% off your stay - up to a maximum of $30 per stay.
As an example five nights at $30/night = $150. 10% discount = $15. Therefore one stay for five nights at a Top Parks venue returns your yearly membership cost.
There is no limit to how many such stops you can get the discount on for the remainder of the year. Of course, if the nightly tariff is greater than $30 then your savings accrue quicker.
So even if you only spend five nights every second month = 30 nights for the year at $30 = $90 saving in a year on their normal price.
I am a Top Parks member and camp at no or low cost camps predominantly (probably 80% of the time) - but I would use a Top Park venue a few times a year on the rare occasions I stay in the bigger towns. I know I am well in front.
cheers - John
Darmc said
10:26 PM Feb 7, 2016
rocky lizard, like most things in life, stop using some facilities and they close. Some people only stop at parks to do washing and top up water tanks. If people continue to foul free camping sites and grey and black water disposal becomes more of a health and environmental issue, a lot of us will have no other option but to use caravan parks. We too, are Top Tourist members and have got our savings, however, no so any Big 4 parks were we go.
Enjoy your travels and stay safe
Darmc
rockylizard said
10:35 PM Feb 7, 2016
brickies wrote:
I have found these park charge a higher price , So when they knock the 10% off they are still dearer than other private and council caravan parks
Gday...
I understand you are relating your experience brickies. However, this has not been my experience over the past seven years.
This is a quick comparison -
Van Parks Charters Towers QLD powered site
Aussie Outback Oasis Cabin and Van Village - $74/night
Dalrymple Tourist Van Park - $42/night
Charters Towers Tourist Park (Top Tourist Park) - $33/night
I know that is only one town, but if you wanted to waste a wet afternoon sometime and select other towns where there is a Top Tourist (Top Park) van park and other parks, I am very confident you will find the Top Tourist parks are usually the same as or cheaper - obviously there may be instances when they are a bit dearer but they would be the exception rather than the rule.
I agree, darmc. I stayed in a few Big4 parks in my early days. They're usually quite the dearest (I had no memership) in the town but that is because they usually have many features for the "tourist family" ... which are not what I need or want.
Cheers - John
[edit: rocky can't spell]
-- Edited by rockylizard on Sunday 7th of February 2016 10:44:58 PM
hako said
11:15 PM Feb 7, 2016
We also are members of Top Tourist mainly because they are always of a good standard and located near other facilities. We get out membership costs back most years.
Good Luck.
Bruce and Bev said
02:02 AM Feb 8, 2016
has anyone stayed at the NZ based CPs that are opening up over here - Kuru or Kiwi or some such similar name. They were first mentioned here about 6 months ago and those that used them raved at how good they were, well priced and no bouncy mats, tennis courts, mini golf and the other fruit that some Big 4's have (some don't, but still charge outlandish rates. No-one has mentioned them recently.
We find privately owned or Council run ones to have great facilities (toilets, showers etc) and modest fees. But I think we all agree that generally speaking when you get near the Coast, tourist hot-spots or in school holidays, go see the bank manager about a mortgage on your home to pay the daily rates most charge
Ozzie_Traveller said
06:52 AM Feb 8, 2016
G'day Bruce
The Kui [pron cooee] chain is gathering up smaller, independent parks into their group
As I understand it, these parks are ones that do not go all out with children's entertainment [expensive] stuff
Also as I understand it, the Kui people are going to try to separate [cost wise] those in self-contained vans from those who use all facilities
If you are self contained and use your own shower & toilet & power, not theirs, you can camp for $10 per night
It might be worth considering :)
Phil
NeilandRaine said
07:37 AM Feb 8, 2016
We are members of Top Tourist and Big 4, don't use them much however we stayed at the Big 4 in Tamworth over the festival and the return equalled the membership.
Same for Top Tourist, stayed a week in Carnarvon and the discount equalled the membership. Sometimes you have no other choices. We stay in parks when close to a larger town so these memberships can be useful. Unlike a lot of people we stay in towns regardless if they have free camping or not.
At the Newcastle Caravan show on the week end North Coast Caravan Parks have a scheme like the coffee shops. You get a card and it is signed when staying at one of their parks and the 7th night is free, even if the 7th night is just one night at another park
Ryjoe said
10:10 AM Feb 8, 2016
Hi,
We have cards for Big 4 and Top Tourist and we find we end up in Big 4 parks more often. We have more than covered the annual fee in discounts and generally (not always) have found the parks to be of a good standard. We free camp some of the time but spend more time in parks. It comes down to a personal choice thing I reckon based on where you are likely to be staying.
Cheers
Brian
Bruce and Bev said
11:03 AM Feb 8, 2016
Hi Phil. Sounds like Kui is a good deal. Even the $10 a night for free camping can be worth it when staying in some parts of the country (especially some areas of NT where free camping is very risky. I'm going to add them to my favourites.
Found that bouncy trampolines don't appeal to me anymore now that I'm 22...ummmm 42.........ummmmm......well, I don't need all the park toys that obviously young families appreciate and want (or you are lucky enough to have your grandkids with you so their parents can have a holiday lol)
rockylizard said
11:30 AM Feb 8, 2016
Bruce and Bev wrote:
Hi Phil. Sounds like Kui is a good deal. Even the $10 a night for free camping can be worth it when staying in some parts of the country (especially some areas of NT where free camping is very risky. I'm going to add them to my favourites.
Found that bouncy trampolines don't appeal to me anymore now that I'm 22...ummmm 42.........ummmmm......well, I don't need all the park toys that obviously young families appreciate and want (or you are lucky enough to have your grandkids with you so their parents can have a holiday lol)
Gday...
I had been keeping an eye on Kui Parks because their marketing spiel is they are a "low cost/no frills" group of parks offering "only what you need" for the cost conscious Grey Nomad" ... but must admit I haven't checked the parks on their site for a while.
I just checked all the Victorian Kui Parks - the powered site rates varied from the cheapest park at $26/night to a dearest park at $35/night. Kui 10% membership discount applies to these prices.
Only one park mentioned anything about 'no facility/self contained' camping spots and their charge was $15/night. So either the others in VIC do not offer it - or aren't advertising that they do.
Unfortunately, that shows very little has changed since the last time I checked Kui Parks and their prices and they certainly are not "low cost" parks in the areas they are situated. Perhaps they are "no frills" and if so - prices are too high.
Cheers - John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Monday 8th of February 2016 11:33:18 AM
hokianga said
12:48 PM Feb 8, 2016
Rockylizard that park amongst the Kui parks that offers a self contained rate may have been ours ( Ibis Caravan Park Kerang) but I thought there may have been other parks within the Kui group offering the same. Our parkup only rate covers use of pool, dump point, and kitchen bbq area. Surprisingly hardly any visitors choose this option.
I think the concept is a good one, Bert from Kui is virtually on the road full time visiting potential new parks and signing them up. We have only been here at our park for 7 months and a member of Kui Parks for about 5 months,so it will be interesting to see how Kui Parks progresses. The biggest tip I can give to travellers is don't be shy to ask for a better rate for a longer stay. We don't tend to publicise our longer term rates so I assume other parks may be the same. Happy Travels
Wombat 280 said
01:08 PM Feb 8, 2016
Darmc wrote:
Hello Wombat, I have been told one factor causing the cost to rise, is the electricity costs, as some caravan owners use air conditioners, while windows are left open. Also after the two major cyclones in Far North Qld, the insurance companies have increased our costs by 200- 300 percent. Darmc
Agree with your aircon comments seen it happen over and over , some whooping aircon thumping away and the van wide open or the van all locked up while they go to the beach for the day or lock themselves in and watch movies all day . why leave home. Some years back when aircons came with vans parks asked if you had n a/c and charged more same as they did if you had a large van . When you look at C/P power is the dearest per kilo watt in the world . Went to a park recently and all the permo's in cabins/ converted vans had aircons running 24/7 and according to one owner the entire park is on one meter and they just divide it by the actual total sites and set the charges from that Not real fair for campers and non aircon users . The latest pricing in some parks seems exceptional high and well outside the CPI or any wage claims, getting to the stage bare sites are on the decrease and onsite cabins on the increase
Bruce and Bev said
01:34 AM Feb 9, 2016
Kia Ora Hokianga - you from NZ with a handle like that Bro - hehehe LOL.
Ive never been in a Kui Park as Ive never had one appear on my Hema GPS (which has Camps 8 sites on it) or on wikicamps. And in our travels through SA, VIC and NSW back to WA, we never say the Kui name or perhaps a silver fern (or am I pushing that one up hill with Aussies?).
I'm going to do a google search for them and make a point at staying at some that will hopefully be on our next trip.
Ive found that about 90% of CPs will give you a better rate if youre a senior or are staying for a week or more, but as you say, you have to ask....
The very best of luck to you with your CP - I hope it works really well for you !
hokianga said
08:02 AM Feb 9, 2016
You are right Bruce I lived in NZ for 22 years, now back home with whanau/family. Loved Nz but love Oz just as much.
Jamjar said
09:14 AM Feb 9, 2016
I've stayed in a KUI park in Uralla, Peak Hill and Wagga and all were good and reasonably priced.
J.
PeteM said
11:36 AM Feb 10, 2016
WE have been members of Top Tourist for some years and decided last year to go for their Premium membership BUT like Whats up Down Under card, they are designed for the younger travellers or the wealthier travellers. So this year they will get the flick. But I can recommend Kui their parks seem reasonable value. Work out where you are likely to travel each year and then have a look at the parks in that direction and join that group. Huge rising costs are forcing many parks out of our price range but most of these costs are being forced on them by greedy councils and Government departments.
Just about to start being a GN. Wanting to join a Caravan park Member scheme with one or two companies. Which is best - Big 4, Top Tourist, Discovery etc.
Any advice welcome
Hello jobro and welcome to the forum. It depends, where u want to stay. Some people will only stay in caravan parks so i suspect, would be worthwhile If the parks r in the aras they want to stay. Others like to free camp, showgrounds etc. and don.t need it. Each to their own. Check the maximum u get back each stay.
Some schemes cost a lot more than their worth and have a number of restrictions like 7 day bookings before you get your discount. Many C/P will take into account the Seniors Card Have note a substantial rise in the cost of some of my local parks along the NSW mid north coast let alone operating costs with regard fuels and electricity have dropped , not sure what the reason is possibly just price gouging. No such thing as off season anymore doesn't mater if there's a long weekend in WA the peak season prices are applied here in the east just incase a West Australian drives over for the weekend
We have both Big 4 & Top Tourist. As well, you will find Discovery at certain places are also "Big 4".
We have just finished 5 weeks house sitting at Portland Vic. Now doing a little road trip on our way back to Central West.We stopped at Warrnambool at Discovery (Big 4) $42- less 10%, then on to Great Ocean Road. Huge volumes of traffic heading to the 12? Apostles and every thing virtually booked out. Stayed at Kennett River (Top Tourist) on Unpowered that was $31 less the 10%. We will use Big 4 at both Ballarat and Bendigo this coming week. So my answer to your query is maybe to have both. At the end of the day it really makes little difference but I detest paying $40+ for CP so when it comes back to $36/$37 makes me feel good.
JohnR
Darmc
Dave
Gday...
Top Tourist (not Top Parks) costs $30 for two years membership = $15/year
That membership gives you 10% off your stay - up to a maximum of $30 per stay.
As an example five nights at $30/night = $150. 10% discount = $15. Therefore one stay for five nights at a Top Parks venue returns your yearly membership cost.
There is no limit to how many such stops you can get the discount on for the remainder of the year. Of course, if the nightly tariff is greater than $30 then your savings accrue quicker.
So even if you only spend five nights every second month = 30 nights for the year at $30 = $90 saving in a year on their normal price.
I am a Top Parks member and camp at no or low cost camps predominantly (probably 80% of the time) - but I would use a Top Park venue a few times a year on the rare occasions I stay in the bigger towns. I know I am well in front.
cheers - John
Enjoy your travels and stay safe
Darmc
Gday...
I understand you are relating your experience brickies. However, this has not been my experience over the past seven years.
This is a quick comparison -
Van Parks Charters Towers QLD powered site
I know that is only one town, but if you wanted to waste a wet afternoon sometime and select other towns where there is a Top Tourist (Top Park) van park and other parks, I am very confident you will find the Top Tourist parks are usually the same as or cheaper - obviously there may be instances when they are a bit dearer but they would be the exception rather than the rule.
I agree, darmc. I stayed in a few Big4 parks in my early days. They're usually quite the dearest (I had no memership) in the town but that is because they usually have many features for the "tourist family" ... which are not what I need or want.
Cheers - John
[edit: rocky can't spell]
-- Edited by rockylizard on Sunday 7th of February 2016 10:44:58 PM
Good Luck.
We find privately owned or Council run ones to have great facilities (toilets, showers etc) and modest fees. But I think we all agree that generally speaking when you get near the Coast, tourist hot-spots or in school holidays, go see the bank manager about a mortgage on your home to pay the daily rates most charge
The Kui [pron cooee] chain is gathering up smaller, independent parks into their group
As I understand it, these parks are ones that do not go all out with children's entertainment [expensive] stuff
Also as I understand it, the Kui people are going to try to separate [cost wise] those in self-contained vans from those who use all facilities
If you are self contained and use your own shower & toilet & power, not theirs, you can camp for $10 per night
It might be worth considering :)
Phil
Same for Top Tourist, stayed a week in Carnarvon and the discount equalled the membership. Sometimes you have no other choices. We stay in parks when close to a larger town so these memberships can be useful. Unlike a lot of people we stay in towns regardless if they have free camping or not.
At the Newcastle Caravan show on the week end North Coast Caravan Parks have a scheme like the coffee shops. You get a card and it is signed when staying at one of their parks and the 7th night is free, even if the 7th night is just one night at another park
Hi,
We have cards for Big 4 and Top Tourist and we find we end up in Big 4 parks more often. We have more than covered the annual fee in discounts and generally (not always) have found the parks to be of a good standard. We free camp some of the time but spend more time in parks. It comes down to a personal choice thing I reckon based on where you are likely to be staying.
Cheers
Brian
Found that bouncy trampolines don't appeal to me anymore now that I'm 22...ummmm 42.........ummmmm......well, I don't need all the park toys that obviously young families appreciate and want (or you are lucky enough to have your grandkids with you so their parents can have a holiday lol)
Gday...
I had been keeping an eye on Kui Parks because their marketing spiel is they are a "low cost/no frills" group of parks offering "only what you need" for the cost conscious Grey Nomad" ... but must admit I haven't checked the parks on their site for a while.
http://kuiparks.com.au/
I just checked all the Victorian Kui Parks - the powered site rates varied from the cheapest park at $26/night to a dearest park at $35/night. Kui 10% membership discount applies to these prices.
Only one park mentioned anything about 'no facility/self contained' camping spots and their charge was $15/night. So either the others in VIC do not offer it - or aren't advertising that they do.
Unfortunately, that shows very little has changed since the last time I checked Kui Parks and their prices and they certainly are not "low cost" parks in the areas they are situated. Perhaps they are "no frills" and if so - prices are too high.
Cheers - John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Monday 8th of February 2016 11:33:18 AM
Rockylizard that park amongst the Kui parks that offers a self contained rate may have been ours ( Ibis Caravan Park Kerang) but I thought there may have been other parks within the Kui group offering the same. Our parkup only rate covers use of pool, dump point, and kitchen bbq area. Surprisingly hardly any visitors choose this option.
I think the concept is a good one, Bert from Kui is virtually on the road full time visiting potential new parks and signing them up. We have only been here at our park for 7 months and a member of Kui Parks for about 5 months,so it will be interesting to see how Kui Parks progresses. The biggest tip I can give to travellers is don't be shy to ask for a better rate for a longer stay. We don't tend to publicise our longer term rates so I assume other parks may be the same. Happy Travels
Agree with your aircon comments seen it happen over and over , some whooping aircon thumping away and the van wide open or the van all locked up while they go to the beach for the day or lock themselves in and watch movies all day . why leave home. Some years back when aircons came with vans parks asked if you had n a/c and charged more same as they did if you had a large van . When you look at C/P power is the dearest per kilo watt in the world . Went to a park recently and all the permo's in cabins/ converted vans had aircons running 24/7 and according to one owner the entire park is on one meter and they just divide it by the actual total sites and set the charges from that Not real fair for campers and non aircon users . The latest pricing in some parks seems exceptional high and well outside the CPI or any wage claims, getting to the stage bare sites are on the decrease and onsite cabins on the increase
Ive never been in a Kui Park as Ive never had one appear on my Hema GPS (which has Camps 8 sites on it) or on wikicamps. And in our travels through SA, VIC and NSW back to WA, we never say the Kui name or perhaps a silver fern (or am I pushing that one up hill with Aussies?).
I'm going to do a google search for them and make a point at staying at some that will hopefully be on our next trip.
Ive found that about 90% of CPs will give you a better rate if youre a senior or are staying for a week or more, but as you say, you have to ask....
The very best of luck to you with your CP - I hope it works really well for you !
J.