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!
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.
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
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.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
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
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...........
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
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.
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
Beam me up Scotty...........
