Gday, For the second time in 6 weeks ourselves and two other couples have buzzed off for 5 nights but not much further than 150 kays from our Echuca base.The last trip being an extended silo run in the West region. Our last weeks adventure took us to stay at Corowa,Wangaratta and Benalla .We prebooked each park asking for three sites in a row. Park no 1 gave us two and one behind ,it was a huge park and yet it was a stubby trip to the WCs and only one other van in site with plenty of closer sites !park no 2 was the same but we said bugger it and squashed into two no probs !Once again bugger all other vans.No 3 was in line down the back again and we came in nearly on dark yet the next day 8 drive thru sites behind the office were still empty ! As far as the wcs in all 3 parks rated ...well out of 10 as wonderful all were 3 and thats being kind ! yet the camp kitchen /lounge at Benalla was fantastic ! I dunno ,maybe I am expecting too much but from now on we have decided to park on the road outside ,walk in ,find 3 sites and go back to the office and ask if we can have them or bugger off ! Anyway we always have a great time regardless and the small shopkeepers are very happy to see us.Let me tell you that the little pub in Devenish makes the most delightful scones and cream morning tea ! [yeh first time ever for me to have em in a pub !! ]Cheers.
__________________
Westy. Some people I know are like slinkies. They look really funny when you push them downstairs !
Been caught out with similar experiences and they have the cheek to charge like wounded bulls.
The worst was Elliott in th NT. Booked in $40 for the night, drove around the back into Steptoe and Son's yard complete with Steptoe. Toilets so run down and dirty and the power tripping out at the main board, was not pleasant.
On our last few trips involving 2 vans we booked ahead after 'selecting' preferred sites from maps shown on CP websites. Most times we've been able to book specific site numbers. Harder to do in busy seasons though. We also find 90% of reviews overstate the condition of amenities so we've learnt to go with modest expectations and sometimes we are pleasantly surprised.
__________________
Cheers,
Tony
"Opinion is the medium between ignorance and knowledge" - Plato
Greg 1 my surname is Elliott . The high locals fencing are telling us something !!! Yes we free camped out of town !! Some other small towns are much the same ., May as well NOT have CP if not run properly !! Some out there have a chip on their shoulder !!
It has long been our practice to ask for preferred sites obtained from park maps or to wander through & select our site, but recently have become lazy & accept those allocated, with mixed results.
If SWMBO doesn't like the allocated site, we ring reception and ask to be relocated to one of her choosing. We have never had a refusal.
ps. I allow SWMBO only one change if we have put the van on site before she decides to change. Am I too harsh?
Here's one for the books: How many of you guys have come across a caravan park that has the reception
closed for 1hr because their staff is at lunch. Arrogance from the manager's part that he or she feels manning
the desk is below their intellect.
We live at the back of one of those in the lifestyle village part. Whenever I happen to be going out
and there is a line of caravan/motorhomes waiting to get in, I usually point out to them that there
is a perfectly good caravan park 5km from here.
We have travelled all around Australia and even in 'one horse' towns, the reception desk was
manned during lunch hour.
Is it arrogance or plain stupidity?
Larry
strop n i pulled up at a caravan park after driving for hours. Went in and asked could i see the site as our van is large at 25 foot. Sure, said the receptionist but you have to pay first. We drove to a free camp.
We have been reasonably lucky where ever we have been, apart from a couple of places - Pt Augusta, after asking for a grassed tentsite, the lass on the desk was rude when we returned and asked for a refund as no sites had grass, got a refund. Tumby Bay, after stating the size of the van, we headed off to our site, and golly gee, no way would we fit, and was allocated the only site left big enough, and a better site at that. Crystal Brook, when booked we asked for the option to stay another night, all good, but the morning to decide, well before checkout time, we were approached and told we had to be off site by 9.30 as site had been booked, so while the rest of our party stayed the extra day, we did not.
It is silly really, from all of the courteous and good parks, the odd bad experience is always remembered clearly when the subject comes up.
Strongly agree with Rocket, as attitude, good or bad, on the desk, can be an insight into the parks runnings
