This is one of our favourite parks, out of school hols, but we have been there with our Grand Kids in school hols. & enjoyed it. You just have to adjust your expectations.
We book well in advance, choosing sites right on the water & preferably just near the netted off swimming area. There are bull sharks et al in the Creek so the nets are great. Fantastic kayaking up the creek & good yabbying & fishing for all the usual estuary stuff. Kids can usually have fun catch & releasing.
If you haven't booked by now it is unlikely that you will get a reasonable site. We wouldn't consider those up near the highway. Many campers come to the same sites for generations & stay for weeks over XMAS. They hire domestic fridges for all the XMAS cheer & cover about 100% 0f their site with huge tarps with a variety of vans & tents underneath. Lots of party lights & good cheer. Kids & bikes abound for long hours. Extremely good for young families.
Edit .. Bloody hot in January.
They have been known to get some really violent storms racing up the creek valley into the CP. around that time of year but we have missed them.
-- Edited by Cupie on Friday 18th of November 2016 07:43:43 PM
Our experience with this park was that we booked in February with other family members to have Christmas together. That is two van sites. We were asked about sites and chose accordingly. All fees for both sites were paid in full by October. On arrival at the park, we were put on two sites, nowhere near the choses sites and rows apart from each other. Admin informed us that they are allowed to do this, they do not guarantee you your chosen site... it's in that fine print you often can't read. That was just prior to Christmas Day for a week. Yes, the park was full but that is expected. However, for top $$$$ and having paid so far in advance, it was a disappointment and have not been back.
And I am sure other caravanners have experienced the same.
-- Edited by Trojan on Saturday 19th of November 2016 04:35:58 PM
21'6" van which we informed them of length, had us on a site suitable for a 16' van with a tree where the awning should have been. The A frame was projecting onto the road way, I went back to the office and told them we could/would not use this site. They then went on to move us to another site next to the river for two days and we would have to move again fpr another three days until a site could be found.
We moved and when asked o move the second time on a temporary basis I said enough is enough, I will pay for the time spent so far and want my remaining money back. They pointed to a sign saying no refunds for early departure, I pointed out some facts about the law, told them I looked forward to seeing them in court and received my money back in cash immediately.
Totally over rated, over crowded park. Never again, even for free.
Yep looks like we are giving it a miss !!!!,rang tobook a site n was told $560 odd for a week. Can only book for a week at that time of year . Only two sites left for my 21ftr n have to pay in advance .
No probs I said , can you please tell me which two sites are available so I can pick one ?? , no can do said the receptionist . Can only issue you a site once you turn up , but you will be gauranteed a site.
Why ??, was my query. If im paying up front n booking a site I should at least know where yous are putting me !!??..
Nope they are the Park rules im afraid.
Thank you kindly I said , dont call me , ill call you ..Like ell!!!!...
Oh well I guess the demand for sites is there for them to be obnoxiouse or call the tune...
Gave them a big miss some 4 years back when we had a late change to trip plans for family reasons. Rang to ask re a site and was Told yes we have sites at (wait for it) $93.00 per night!
We felt very "privileged" to have obtained a spot at the Burleigh Heads Park just up the road a bit for "just" $63.00 per night.
If it were not for the family need we would have given the whole of the Gold Coast the flick! This was in the Christmas Day to New Year period.
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Cheers - Ian
I slowly realise as I get older that I am definitely NOT the fastest rat in the race.
Also the older I get the more I realise I do not know.
odd that the more popular tourist areas seem to have hospitality (CPs, motels, hotels) that have terrible facilities which are often filthy or broken and still charge $$$$$ presumably because theres a bigger demand for accommodation than the services to properly meet them.
I read about many parts of NT, Gold Coast and in my area - the SW of WA (and we have visited some of them just to suss them out) that are in this category.
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
