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Post Info TOPIC: Sadly Not a Recommendation
Pejay


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Sadly Not a Recommendation
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This is not something I like doing, but felt in this case there was a need.

We are on a 7 week trip down to Phillip Island, then across the Great Ocean Road to Mt Gambier and Hahndorf in SA before heading back along the Murray to Canberra for ANZAC Day, and last night we stayed at the Blairgowrie Caravan Park for the night before heading onto the Sorrento-Queenscliffe ferry this morning to start our run across the Great Ocean Road. Have to say that it took me several days to contact the owner prior to leaving home to book a site, got told no need to book ring us when you get to Phillip Island. This I tried to do without success for a day and a half. His mobile was either turned off or it was let ring out. Eventually I got hold of the man, and told if he wasn't there to go to site #36 and he would catch up with us. Asked what vehicle we had, but couldn't work out why he would want to know. Anyway, got there, no one about, found site #36 and OMG! Pete needed to put our Colorado in 4WD to back the van into the site, it is a very, very tired park, with the bulk of the place with permanent holiday vans, and the amenities were an absolute disgrace - Lord knows the last time the floors in the amenities were swept. Even the hanging plants in there were half dead. We tried unsuccessfully several times to ring the guy, again to no avail. A couple of motor homes came in and left, and finally whilst having dinner, he rocked up and requested $35 for the night - no card facilities available! It certainly was not worth it, but it was only for one night, and again Pete all but had to use 4WD to get out this morning.

Then we were talking to a couple (also from QLD) on the ferry and they had stayed at a caravan park at Rosebud (also on the Mornington Peninsula) and they too were saying how disappointed they were with the state of the park, and also the cost at $35/nt - she was going to write to the Shire Council about the state of it.



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Pejay are travelling in a 2014 Holden Colorado LTZ Twin Cab Ute + 2013 Coromal Element van

 
Aus-Kiwi


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They wander why free camping is becoming popular??

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Whats out there
GarrynLyn


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How about sending your 'not recommended' comments to Badger....

 



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hako


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I know it's easily said, but we usually ask if we can check the site and amenities before commiting - sometimes this is suggested although I should add that we usually stay with TT parks which in theory have to keep their standards up. When we've had a dud like pejay it's been late in the day or where it's the only park. Spoils the trip.
Good Luck

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Denis

Ex balloon chaser and mercury measurer.

Toowoomba.
the rocket


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Hi Peejay,

That is a disappointment.

Was the site on a slope or something?

Anyway,thanks for the update.

A Colorado hey, good one. Rocket



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littledick


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We stayed at the Rosebud park with another van Oct last year. Can't remember the price but the site wasn't too bad for one night.

Then the Ferry over to Queenscliff.

Dick.



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Myrlin


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Thanks for the warning Pejay.

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Three cheers for dog-friendly camping and responsible dog owners.
deverall11


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Thanks for the warning Pejay and thanks for actually naming the park. Unlike a lot of people on here, they are happy to complain but don't seem to have the motivation to name the offenders. This is the only way news gets around and potential problems fixed. This sounds like the owner is happy enough with the income he/she receives from the permanents.
Larry

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PeterD


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GarrynLyn wrote:

How about sending your 'not recommended' comments to Badger....

 Not if it's a one off report. The following is from his web site:

"I do not accept one-off reports, from one-off contributors, who rate a park badly.  I may accept such reports if I also receive reports for other parks from the same contributor.  That is, if you have NEVER submitted reports here before, and the ONLY report you submit rates a park badly or is a "gripe session", then I am more than likely to remove that report.  This website is not a place to simply down-rate a single park, while not praising all those parks that deserve it.  If you have stayed at other parks before, then by all means submit reports for those and I will consider leaving the bad one as well."



-- Edited by PeterD on Friday 27th of March 2015 01:12:18 PM

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PeterD
Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top
Retired radio and electronics technician.
NSW Central Coast.

 
hako


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I'd say Badger is a smart dude.

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Denis

Ex balloon chaser and mercury measurer.

Toowoomba.
03_Troopy


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Who's Badger?

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Bruce and Bev


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Badger is a web site where you can rate a CP and give good and bad points and facilities about it.

I use it frequently for most CPs. Its totally understandable that the site moderator will not accept a one off "bad" report as it could be a personal grudge by someone or another CP.

I started off by doing about 4 CPs and one of them was really bad - all got posted and the moderator emails you to confirm its been posted

Badger and wikicamps is the place to put good and bad feedback on Cps (and free camps on wiki). I always do it with Wiki and most times on Badger (especially if bad).

I think it was Jules that put me on to this site

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Cheers Bruce

 

The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
PeterD


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03_Troopy wrote:

Who's Badger?

 Obviously you did not read my link. Here it is again, just for your benefit. In the paragraph above the one I quoted in my other reply you will see how the site came into existence. With something that has been going for 17 years is it reasonable to ask for the name of the bloke who goes by the nom de plume of Badger?

Suggest you go to my link and play with the entries in the Menu, there is lots of good info there. There are some park info missing, how about members use this site for their planning and submit reports when you have been in a park and there are no reports for 6 or more months.



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PeterD
Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top
Retired radio and electronics technician.
NSW Central Coast.

 
03_Troopy


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OK and ta for that Peter. I'll have a bit of a squiz at that site.

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Dougwe


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Edit........Wrong thread, sorry



-- Edited by Dougwe on Sunday 29th of March 2015 04:05:47 PM

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