Can anybody recommend a really, really nice (that means CHEAP, thicko) caravan park within striking distance of Melbourne. N, S, E, or W doesn't really matter (although I'm approaching from the East). Facilities don't have to be all that flash, but, as I plan on staying for a week or 10 days, I didn't want to have to sell my firstborn quite yet.

Mike

oh nice!!!!!!!!!!! he expects advice but he then turns around and calls us thick, now even though that may be true (coitanly in my case) still not nice!!! not telling ya now, so there nyahhh!!!!!!!

I'm a nice chap, so you turn off to bunyip, and head tow-------------oh no that got burnt down, then again turn north of the hwy (Hema atlas) just past Packenham, heading towards Yarra junction, shiiiiiit that got burnt too Try again Into Warrugul, instead of turning left to continue on the hwy, go striaght ahead throught the town towards Neerim, over the top of the ranges heading towards Noojee and then on to Warburton, if you go to Noojee, and through it there is a beaut free cam at the Tooronga falls (only toilets, if you go the other direction on to Warburton there is a park right on the Yarra river throught the town, there is several in that general arae, all very green and on the river, hope this helps Let us know the extent of the damage you see, my son lives in Woori Yallock

crawler!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Very true Dave Been crawling around those hills since adam was a boy, actually taught myself all I would ever need to know about 4wd even to the extent of drowning it in the yarra, on the fire trails before they became ecoligical unsound they closed all the fire tracks, put a swinging bar with a bloody big padlock on them, no wonder they burnt well First wife ashes are on the top of a mountain call Gentle Annie, closer into town than where Mike is , and its all populated all around it now, but there is some beautiful places all around there better shut up

Ripper of an elcheapo park at Gembrook AND you could commute on Puffing Billy. That should take all your time.......

Sorry folks, perhaps I should have been a little clearer. I really meant, like, in the outer suburbs of Melbourne. I have booked into the Sundowner at Springvale for the next two nights. When I checked in they gave me a chipcard for the gate and a key for the amenities - but they should have given me a SHOEHORN ! ! !. I'm parked back-to-back with a guy in a Jayco Hawk, which is only 18' overall like mine and out tow-hitches are just about in the streets. Lord knows how someone with a decent size van would get in - in installments maybe. So, Dandenong, Broadmeadows, Sunshine, Mordialloc etc Any hints would be appreciated. Mike

yeah mate, get out quick,

G'day Mike. With all of Shirl's rellies in Melbourne we are fairly regular visitors over there. As most of them are east of the city we've found that The Wantirna Caravan Park is quite suitable. There are a number of live ins but also quite a few powered tourist sites. We have stayed at this park about six times now, the last being in 2006 and have been quite pleased. Stayed at the Springvale Rd one once and agree with you about needing a shoehorn. Stayed at Crystal Brook C/P one Christmas when Wantirna was booked out and that was ok too. www.goseeaustralia.com.au has quite a good listing of C/Ps Hope this helps. Jim

As I write, I am staying in the Discover Park on Warrandyte Rd, formally Chrystal Brook/Family Park at East Doncaster, so I get a discount, thank goodness as it is normally $31 a night. Handy to where I need to be and cheaper than staying further out in a cheaper park but paying for fuel and tolls. Hope that helps. Depends of course which part of Melbourne you want to be. At least this is in a treed area ans away from freeways.
Cheers Helen

Helen wrote:

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As I write, I am staying in the Discover Park on Warrandyte Rd, formally Chrystal Brook/Family Park at East Doncaster, so I get a discount, thank goodness as it is normally $31 a night. Handy to where I need to be and cheaper than staying further out in a cheaper park but paying for fuel and tolls. Hope that helps. Depends of course which part of Melbourne you want to be. At least this is in a treed area ans away from freeways.
Cheers Helen

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Helen I have stayed there and it's nice... Is the old tram body still there with the spa inside????

 

I have stayed at the Top Tourist Caravan Park at Craigieburn. It is a rather large caravan park, and is also Large and small dog friendly It is handy if you wish to go into Melb. It is on the Sydney Side of Melb and we use it when we travel to Melb to vist the kids. Can recommend this CP but it can be a tad expensive as we stayed for two nights on an ensuite site for about $32 a night. Take care and stay well Peter

BTW we stayed in the Dog Friendly section of the park and that may have been a little dearer. They also have weekly rates which are cheaper. Thats it, for what its worh. Have a good one Peter

No Basil, they have a pool and lots more cabins since I was last here. Masses of leaf litter and bark on sites because of over stressed trees. Most caravan sites have rather ordinary ensuites, but I am on the creek side with plenty of space and a pleasant outlook. Leave tomorrow for the coast to keep cool during the next wave of heat.
Cheers Helen

G,DAY

Basil just a side issue regarding that tram, i could be corrected but i think that tram came from MOMBULK,  not long after we were married we lived in a home where 2 trams made the outside walls with a structure inbetween [ a dump but a roof]  the home [hic] was called EMOHMART, TRAMHOME spelt backwards.


 cheers dave

drongo & wendy wrote:

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G,DAY

Basil just a side issue regarding that tram, i could be corrected but i think that tram came from MOMBULK,  not long after we were married we lived in a home where 2 trams made the outside walls with a structure inbetween [ a dump but a roof]  the home [hic] was called EMOHMART, TRAMHOME spelt backwards.


 cheers dave

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Maybe it was; the Tram in question was a T class which was quite interesting... You can bet your bippy that the body would be somewhere else now as the Victorian tramway heritage act 1988 prohibits the destruction of any such material, even the "roses" on the buildings that held the wires that ran across the roads are untouchable and if you want to remodel your building and have those affixed to it you are up for some expense to move them.... See you learn some amazing facts on this forum don't you, just the sort of thing you need to know for trivia night at the pub..... I'll dig up a picture, I know you're all busting to see it....

 

T class

Nos: 177 - 182
First introduced: 1917
Last withdrawn: 1962
Electrics:
Size: 10.67 m x 2.45 m
Seating/Crush load: 38/110

Tim Blythman comments:

The T class was built by Duncan and Fraser for the MBCTT. They were the longest wheelbase single truckers (Brill Radiax Trucks, designated A'A, rather than Bo), and were of similar overall appearance to the S. Most were scrapped, but 178 received a massive overhaul, including folding doors, PA, and other improvements. This has since been scrapped too.

The long wheelbase and the radial axles (i.e. each axle turned independently on corners, rather than being rigidly locked to the other axle) were designed to give a better ride. But the cost was greatly increased complexity - more moving parts. The idea was never used again.

Preserved T-class trams

One operating T-class tram, No. 180, which belongs to the Tramway Museum of Victoria, is currently on loan to the Hawthorn Tram Depot.