are show grounds cheaper than caravan parks?

milo · Guru

are show grounds cheaper than caravan parks?

Helena · Guru

We are going to a showground on Thursday Milo it is close to home as it is our first trip in this campervan so it is a trial run the showground we are going to is within walking distance of a little town also to the beach hot showers flush toilets caretaker there $15 a night a lot of them are cheaper than this one.

Oxley · Veteran Member

I think a lot depends on the area, Wingham NSW showground was $18 a night, but has jumped to $25 a night or $100 a week (but I think this was to rid it of the permanents) and the facilities aren't up scratch according to a few reviews, caravan parks in this area, especially closer to the coast at Old Bar are around $250 a week off peak, not sure about Taree.

But I stayed at the Riverside Caravan Park in Coonamble for $20 a night, and I was charged $30 a night in an empty caravan park at Yanco NSW a few days later, no rhyme or reason there.

reglynn · Guru

I would prefer to stay at a show ground rather than a c/p as the money will go to the town rather some of these parks that are over priced. Anyway we like to free (independent) camp much as possible.

brickies · Guru

I think Showgrounds are over priced for what they offer compared to what caravan parks offer and the cost that caravan park have to pay like insurance and government fees and up kept the showgrounds I have stayed in are very basic some the power and water is hard to source when there are other camping there already , I have had to pay up to $25 a night

freehazzas · Senior Member

We have stayed at some for $10 and some for $30 a night. It all depends on location and if there are caravan parks around. Canberra showgrounds is now $30.

brickies · Guru

I might be lucky but at $30 for a show grounds I would pay $40 for a caravan park

herbie · Guru

I think show grounds will eventually price them self out of business, as prices are just as dear as some van parks now and for a lot less facilities. But I guess it keeps the van park operators happy. It would come down to the fair competition we hear so much about today.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Showgrounds are usually a bit of a surprise, you never know what you are gonna get.

freehazzas · Senior Member

I like the space and more freedom of a showground with a bigger rig, but cant beat that pool in caravan parks in summer.
Canberra can charge it at their showgrounds as the caravan parks dont fit big rigs and are pretty crappy. Showgrounds is always full, but still not worth the money.

sandsmere · Guru

They vary Milo .

Some are cheaper , some are not . There's no hard and fast rule .

the rocket · Guru

Woodford showgrounds and Maleny showgrounds $15 per night. Go to Gladstone and the council has shut down the showgrounds to camping. So where do we go when we can't afford the caravan parks and they also have mining workers in them that rise very early and are not quiet. could go to free camp for 2 days. there is not much encouragement for tourism there.

ozjohn · Guru

herbie wrote:
I think show grounds will eventually price them self out of business, as prices are just as dear as some van parks now and for a lot less facilities. But I guess it keeps the van park operators happy. It would come down to the fair competition we hear so much about today.

Ditto
OJ

aussietraveller · Guru

yes yes and yes they are also often better maintained than some caravan parks, the classic example is the Canberra show ground cheaper and better than any caravan park in or near Canberra

brickies · Guru

The cost of setting up a caravan Park is a lot more than you may realize and this cost has to be returned to the owner other wise why would you do it , With show grounds no new infrastructure just use what they have there for shows and you take it or leave it , If they are $5 to $10 a night cheaper they are getting a bigger profit than the caravan park that offers more and cleaning staff , I do use show grounds but feel they are not value for money and prefer caravan parks without the bells and whistles

allinone · Senior Member

At Mudgee Showgrounds you can only stay there if you have a horse or other animal. Try staying at some caravan parks with a dog and you may not get in. Personally I bypass Mudgee as I believe that it is not RV friendly and go to stay elsewhere.
So Showgrounds are there for some and yes there are some great ones and some not so great.

copper1 · Guru

Milo, I always check them out and if they are reasonable I use them the most I have paid is $25 but free camping is cheaper

biggrin

herbie · Guru

Regarding the post from Rocket on the closure of the Gladstone show grounds to campers , it wasn't all that cheap to stay there for the travelling public it was more geared to take the over flow of the miners who could not get a spot in any of the van parks in the area.It was $150 per week to camp there.But now that the housing shortage is over I think that is why they closed it to all camping.

rosco532 · Senior Member

Coming back through the Dalby area (outback Qld)..it was often dearer to stay in the showgrounds than it was to stay in a camp (if you could get in)....full of miners /gas workers)

Our last night we decided that we still didn't want to come home so we stayed at the Caboulture showgrounds and paid $25- nite powered......not a patch on staying in a camping ground and not that much cheaper

cheers