Arrived in Kiama this afternoon and there not being many 'free camps' around, we decided to go for some R&R and book into a CP. Well what a trial that was! It's not school holidays and as far as I know, it's not a public holiday but the place was PACKED! First one we went to was 'Surf Beach CP'. There was a couple of sites but they were of woeful quality, jammed right in and on such a level that you'd need a crane to level the van and a receptionist who didn't look like she'd long got out of bed and had no idea who, where, what was on what site! Onto the next one; Kendall Beach. Nope, full up! Time wearing on, we only had one choice left - Big4 East Beach.......
As I said, it's not school holidays, no public holiday (yes I know its Sunday) but to get a powered site, on dirty gravel, nowhere near the town of Kiama was $44 for the night plus $20 key deposit. This is absolutely taking the p**s we think. The amenities are average and the whole park looks nothing to write home about. SWMBO is tired and needed the rest so $64 it is then. We'll be out of here first thing in the morning and certainly wouldn't come back. Be warned!
I suppose it's the fact that its a seaside town, on the weekend within reach of Woolongong/Sydney? And they wonder why we free camp????
I stayed at the " Surf Beach" CV Park in late 2012 and was treated like royalty on arrival and for 14 nights.
I got it through "Travel Auctions" and use them a lot. After using a voucher I got from the Batemans Bay CV Show, Seniors discount and 7 day free (pay for 6 get 7th free) I ended up paying $17.00 a night. I rang the day before though. There were about 8 sites available at the time arrival and the happy lady in the office gave me a map with the available sights highlighted and said go find one and come and let her know what one I am on. I ended getting one on the road side and overlooking the surf beach from the happy hour side of the Avan. Maybe I was just lucky at the time.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Sunday 16th of February 2014 06:08:51 PM
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Can you keep us all informed about your travels in that area.
We heading down that way in mid March hoping to spend time from Albion Park down to Bega maybe even as far as Eden with about 6 weeks to enjoy the area.
Looking for low cost camping, low cost caravan parks. All ideas welcome. Cheers Radar
-- Edited by Radar on Sunday 16th of February 2014 06:43:12 PM
I'm staying at Surf Beach CP at the moment. Been here for the past 10 days and still have 10 days to go. I'm on one of the sites so steep YOU would need a crane, but I got in here OK with a big van. Jacked it up and am very comfortable. The lady at the office was very nice and continues to be so.
Agreed it is busy but, as you have said, it is close to the city and appears to be a place of choice for a lot of holiday makers.
Methinks you and SWMBO expect a bit too much. You are not the only people on the road. The world doesn't revolve around your wants and needs.
I noticed a couple of road side sites just South of Kiama on Princes Hwy. Perhaps you should have gone there.
I get a bit p*ssed when people bag something because they aren't treated in the manner that THEY think that they should be.
We stayed at big 4 late last year we found it ok !! I guess after the school holidays ? They are catching up . Big gap between free camping and camping grounds.. There's a larger CP back Towradgi north of Wollongong..
I'm at Berry showgrounds. Aboout 25km south of you. It was very crowded Friday and yesterday - a CMCA chapter meeting and a caravan club meeting - but it's thinned out considerably tonight. $12 a person and has showers, toilets, laundry, a swimming pool next door and all other mod cons except a jumping pillow. The added bonus is that the Treat Factory - maker of all things truly delicious - is a short walk away.
I'm staying at Surf Beach CP at the moment. Been here for the past 10 days and still have 10 days to go. I'm on one of the sites so steep YOU would need a crane, but I got in here OK with a big van. Jacked it up and am very comfortable. The lady at the office was very nice and continues to be so.
Agreed it is busy but, as you have said, it is close to the city and appears to be a place of choice for a lot of holiday makers.
Methinks you and SWMBO expect a bit too much. You are not the only people on the road. The world doesn't revolve around your wants and needs.
I noticed a couple of road side sites just South of Kiama on Princes Hwy. Perhaps you should have gone there.
I get a bit p*ssed when people bag something because they aren't treated in the manner that THEY think that they should be.
The Phantom
Common manners cost nothing. If you're happy, then that's fine but I expect, when I am paying their wages, to be treated with respect that's all. I don't expect to be treated any different from anyone else as I'm not that special really, but customer service leaves a lot to be desired these days!
-- Edited by Wirroff on Monday 17th of February 2014 07:44:00 AM
Can you keep us all informed about your travels in that area.
We heading down that way in mid March hoping to spend time from Albion Park down to Bega maybe even as far as Eden with about 6 weeks to enjoy the area.
Looking for low cost camping, low cost caravan parks. All ideas welcome. Cheers Radar
-- Edited by Radar on Sunday 16th of February 2014 06:43:12 PM
We only came across from Canberra to Batemans Bay, so not as far South as you are going, and we have stayed in CP's;
Batemans Bay - Clyde View Holiday Park. $36, waterfront location and across the road is a fantastic Thai restaurant! Treated with respect at reception
Hiskusson - Hiskusson Beach Tourist Park. $34 stayed for two nights. Walk into town. Treated with respect at reception.
Kiama - See above.
If you are happy with poor sites, poor customer service and over-pricing then I consider that lowering my standards which I am not prepared to do.
I think that the problem of crowds must be national, we had trouble booking a site at Tathra but got into Frankie J. Holden's park and we are glad that we did.
the same at Mallacoota (vic), the place is relatively a one horse town but has 4 caravan parks, the council one on the beach is huge with over 600 sites and it couldn't fit me in, same with the number 2, I finally managed to get a spot in A'Wangralea Park which is a small private park and nicely kept.
it looks like the greynomads are all out on the rampage!!
-- Edited by Wizardofoz on Monday 17th of February 2014 09:57:58 AM
Couldn't agree more Wirroff. We had a problem with a manager with bad manners at CP at the beach at Eden. Our comment was "why would you pay to be treated so rudely". There seem to be a lot of vans on the road at the moment, maybe people are heading for Queensland early this year, not waiting for the winter, heading up the North Coast slowly.
beware of the roadside stop on top of the hill north of Kiama. We had to travel to Sydney a lot for medical appointments last year and we found that sometimes the toilets at that spot leave a lot to be desired, not always though. It might just be the luck of the draw. cheers Capricorn
Someone mentioned that people were already heading towards Queensland via the coast because of the heat, makes sense. There is certainly lots of vans and MHs around here as well.
Can you keep us all informed about your travels in that area.
We heading down that way in mid March hoping to spend time from Albion Park down to Bega maybe even as far as Eden with about 6 weeks to enjoy the area.
Looking for low cost camping, low cost caravan parks. All ideas welcome. Cheers Radar
-- Edited by Radar on Sunday 16th of February 2014 06:43:12 PM
Radar, Have a look at the primitive camping areas at Moruya & Congo both are in the camps book. No power but toilets at both and water at Moruya.
We have stayed at both on a few occasions and have never had any probs. Small fee at each collected by a ranger.
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