I am excited to say, I have just received my Big 4 membership card in the mail and was wondering what other cards people carry and do you think they are worth it? And more to the point do you use them?
Jean
Big Gorilla said
06:57 PM Aug 11, 2013
One of the most expensive Caravan Parks to stay in...
goodie said
07:14 PM Aug 11, 2013
Hi Jean and Alex, We have cards for all big 3parks, namely Big 4, Top Tourist and Family Parks. We travel some six months each year now and use cards whenever we can. The cost for the three has been $120 for two years and they have paid for themselves. I agree that Big 4 is often the dearest and not always the best. Having said that, we stopped at the Big4 in Tocumwal last week end on our way home from 3 months in Queensland. The young managers were the friendliest and most helpful we have met...ever.
Regards Chris and Joy...........planning for the end of September is under way.
Gerty Dancer said
07:16 PM Aug 11, 2013
We had a big 4 card when we first started out but soon realised they are mostly more expensive than other chains of caravan parks, often having extensive kids play equipment that we didn't need. Top Tourist are usually cheaper, we have a membership, can be worth it with a discount. Ozparks are usually good, but theres not many of them, our membership has lapsed. . The smaller independent parks can be great or terrible, as can council parks.
dazren said
08:00 PM Aug 11, 2013
Yep I agree, Big 4 way to expensive, they do NOTHING for the more mature traveller, ?? But they do like us to stay there ?? to help cover the costs of all the Bling they put in That we do not use But pay for anyway?? IF they were fare dinkum they would offer a senior discount of at least 30% and then they might get some more ''off season business'' ??
Top Tourist family parks and OzParks for me All the way !!
aussietraveller said
08:09 PM Aug 11, 2013
I no longer use Big Four discount card but we do use Top Tourist and Family Parks as their prices are more realistic and they dont charge for things we dont use
freehazzas said
08:38 PM Aug 11, 2013
We have family and top tourist platinum memberships. We try to avoid big 4. Too exp and not enough of them take pets and when they do your stuck in a certain area and not allowed to walk them all around the park.
Gwian said
09:14 PM Aug 11, 2013
Agree with everyone else......toooooo dear. We used to belong to the top three chains and now only subscribe to Top Tourist....
Dougwe said
10:09 PM Aug 11, 2013
I used to have Big4 membership but when the renewal arrived last December went into Shock so let it go. No more for me as If I want a CV Park I look outside large towns and pick cheap ones as I only want power and hot shower, no bells and whistles for me. I usually do 50, 50, CV Parks and Free/Alternative Camps. Keeps all happy. My opinion only.
Cloak said
10:16 PM Aug 11, 2013
Big 4 yeah our membership has now lapsed and we see no compelling reason to chase it up either.
If we still had kids running around then absolutely we would be members.
Others have touched on it and we're no different in that our needs are more modest these days.
A simple yet safe council run park with nothing more than basic facilities is like gold to us.
These are becoming the exception in my experience, like others we're investing more in our outfit
so that we're more independent and simply pull off the road or head to a free camp rather than mess around
in these Disneyland type parks with noisy brats running everywhere.
Given we're possibly the largest demographic on the road at any one time us GN's are utterly under catered for
out there in the real world with these parks. Park associations seriously need to look closer at their marketing
and business models or we'll be seeing quite a few go bust while they all chase only one market segment the one
they assume as having the biggest wallet - the family holiday.
Just my opinion and observation.
Steve
Happywanderer said
10:25 PM Aug 11, 2013
The only cards I take with me is my Seniors Card, my Millers card and my Spending card, which others call a savings card. Gosh knows why, nothing saves in mine. Oh and my Everyday Rewards Card for fuel discount.
ozjohn said
11:28 PM Aug 11, 2013
Oz Parks card. OJ
scotia59 said
01:18 AM Aug 12, 2013
oh dear, looks like I went for the wrong one!
The dog lady said
02:22 AM Aug 12, 2013
Happywanderer wrote:
The only cards I take with me is my Seniors Card, my Millers card and my Spending card, which others call a savings card. Gosh knows why, nothing saves in mine. Oh and my Everyday Rewards Card for fuel discount.
I'm with you HW. that and the mastercard for emergencies.
neilnruth said
02:29 AM Aug 12, 2013
Scotia 59 - Well, now you have it make sure you use it to get your money back with discounts. Then like others, let it lapse. We have Top Tourist and Family Parks and have used both but would say the TT one is the best. That said, there are still a lot of parks out there who will give deals like 'pay for 3, stay 4' without being part of a chain. Just enjoy being 'out there' and you will soon settle in to what you find you need and like and enjoy.
2foot6 said
02:48 AM Aug 12, 2013
Well said Niel n Ruth........ My thoughts exactly ,cheers Peter
justcruisin01 said
02:55 AM Aug 12, 2013
Used to have the big 4, then told them what they could do with it after a very agro receptonist.
Have never stayed at a Big 4 park as we have a dog and they don't take dogs but have a Family Parks card that we have used quite a lot.
ShortNorth said
04:34 AM Aug 12, 2013
Hmm ! Not only are tourists giving Big4 the flick, some parks are too.
I've recently spent some time at a park where we know the proprietors fairly well. In general discussions with them, we noted that they had dropped out of Big4. My friend quoted - "We have 60 sites and B4 wanted $80k fees per year - that's over $1300 we have to return on every site before we make any money ourselves - we've done a comparison of how much member traffic has been brought into the park by B4 over the last couple of years and it just doesn't add up - we will run independent from now on".
Numbers quoted above are broadly rounded to protect the identity of the proprietors and the park.
As far as cards go, I did a full check of all three majors (B4, Family and TT) - I made a list of how many parks in each chain that we would be likely to use - TT came out with more parks than the other two combined - so, we only have a TT card - won't waste money on the others.
littledick said
03:44 PM Aug 12, 2013
We have Big4 and Top Tourist cards and yes, Big4 usually much dearer but we would already have got our money back due to the discounts.
I have come across some parks that have dropped out of the Big4 due to their pricing as has been stated by others.
Do the parks involved with big4 pay for their own additions such as pools, swings, jumping pillows etc?
If thats the case, are the parks only paying into the Big4 for advertising?
I think if I owned a park, I would pay for my own advertising which I think would be a whole lot cheaper than forking out to Big4.
This I think would allow the participating parks to lower their fees.
Dick.
miroku12g said
12:52 AM Aug 13, 2013
Agree with most about Big 4, But we just had a two night stop over at Charters Towers big 4. $27 per two adults per night, granted that was unpowered, no problems with the two little dogs we travel with, no limit on where we could walk them, use of toilets / Showers.
Owners more than friendly, also had a gas refill 9kg bottle filled $30.
$27 was after Seniors Discount.
But I do agree in general, but come on !!! I just know you all like to have a turn on the jumping castle ???? come on "own up" don't be shy. LOL
regards
Miroku12g
03_troopy said
02:30 AM Aug 13, 2013
miroku12g wrote:
Agree with most about Big 4, But we just had a two night stop over at Charters Towers big 4. $27 per two adults per night, granted that was unpowered, no problems with the two little dogs we travel with, no limit on where we could walk them, use of toilets / Showers. Owners more than friendly, also had a gas refill 9kg bottle filled $30. $27 was after Seniors Discount. But I do agree in general, but come on !!! I just know you all like to have a turn on the jumping castle ???? come on "own up" don't be shy. LOL
regards Miroku12g
You have a couple of smart dogs there mate. Toilet trained, and shower trained.
keithintassie said
03:45 PM Aug 13, 2013
Hi Jean,
We've just completed our around the block trip and are currently in Sydney staying with rellies prior to going back on the ferry later this month.
We've been away for 3 and a half months and during that time we had every stay prebooked with either Big 4 or Family parks. The difference in what the parks had to offer often came down to the attitude of the reception staff at the point of your arrival. After all, they all have power and toilets and laundries etc. Some sites are level, some are not. Some sites have grass, some have gravel. It varies where ever you travel.
It sometimes amazes me that travellers with top end tow vehicles costing mega bucks pulling palaces on wheels just LOVE to bang on and on about paying $30.00 for a nights accommodation! Have a look at the real estate and infrastructure involved in caravan park ownership and operation. Would YOU rent a site for next to nothing?
My advise would be to take your membership card(s) with you when you make your journey and accept the discount they provide but more importantly . . . . . . . ENJOY YOURSELVES AND HAVE FUN ! Don't let the "knockers" paint a dark picture for you.
Good luck in your travels.
Hope I haven't started World War 3 with my comments.
Keith
herbie said
10:48 PM Aug 13, 2013
Reading the post regarding what Big4 takes out of the caravan parks business, re fees... why would you want to be a member and pay all that money just to have the Big4 signage out the front and maybe a few adds in caravanning books. When the best advertisement is for free ..WORD OF MOUTH....
I use caravan parks in between low cost and free camping,but I do begrudge paying $41/$57 per night for a piece of dirt...But in saying that once bitten twice shy as the saying goes...My van might have some home comforts that has nothing to do with getting ripped off by over priced caravan parks.
miroku12g said
11:17 PM Aug 13, 2013
True !!! Troopy
That goes for the wife also
Miroku12g
neilnruth said
12:43 AM Aug 14, 2013
We discovered that the Big 4 on the north side of Eden allows dogs - I think they realised they would be 'out of the loop' if they didn't. The one on the south side doesn't allow pets.
Duh said
01:28 AM Aug 14, 2013
Both Big4 and Top Tourist have pet friendly parks at the discretion of the owners (as do other parks too). See;
I am excited to say, I have just received my Big 4 membership card in the mail and was wondering what other cards people carry and do you think they are worth it? And more to the point do you use them?
Jean
One of the most expensive Caravan Parks to stay in...
Hi Jean and Alex, We have cards for all big 3parks, namely Big 4, Top Tourist and Family Parks. We travel some six months each year now and use cards whenever we can. The cost for the three has been $120 for two years and they have paid for themselves. I agree that Big 4 is often the dearest and not always the best. Having said that, we stopped at the Big4 in Tocumwal last week end on our way home from 3 months in Queensland. The young managers were the friendliest and most helpful we have met...ever.
Regards Chris and Joy...........planning for the end of September is under way.
Yep I agree, Big 4 way to expensive, they do NOTHING for the more mature traveller, ?? But they do like us to stay there ?? to help cover the costs of all the Bling they put in That we do not use But pay for anyway?? IF they were fare dinkum they would offer a senior discount of at least 30% and then they might get some more ''off season business'' ??
Top Tourist family parks and OzParks for me All the way !!
If we still had kids running around then absolutely we would be members.
Others have touched on it and we're no different in that our needs are more modest these days.
A simple yet safe council run park with nothing more than basic facilities is like gold to us.
These are becoming the exception in my experience, like others we're investing more in our outfit
so that we're more independent and simply pull off the road or head to a free camp rather than mess around
in these Disneyland type parks with noisy brats running everywhere.
Given we're possibly the largest demographic on the road at any one time us GN's are utterly under catered for
out there in the real world with these parks. Park associations seriously need to look closer at their marketing
and business models or we'll be seeing quite a few go bust while they all chase only one market segment the one
they assume as having the biggest wallet - the family holiday.
Just my opinion and observation.
Steve
Oz Parks card.
OJ
I'm with you HW. that and the mastercard for emergencies
.
Well said Niel n Ruth........ My thoughts exactly ,cheers Peter
Used to have the big 4, then told them what they could do with it after a very agro receptonist.
JC.
Hmm ! Not only are tourists giving Big4 the flick, some parks are too.
I've recently spent some time at a park where we know the proprietors fairly well. In general discussions with them, we noted that they had dropped out of Big4. My friend quoted - "We have 60 sites and B4 wanted $80k fees per year - that's over $1300 we have to return on every site before we make any money ourselves - we've done a comparison of how much member traffic has been brought into the park by B4 over the last couple of years and it just doesn't add up - we will run independent from now on".
Numbers quoted above are broadly rounded to protect the identity of the proprietors and the park.
As far as cards go, I did a full check of all three majors (B4, Family and TT) - I made a list of how many parks in each chain that we would be likely to use - TT came out with more parks than the other two combined - so, we only have a TT card - won't waste money on the others.
We have Big4 and Top Tourist cards and yes, Big4 usually much dearer but we would already have got our money back due to the discounts.
I have come across some parks that have dropped out of the Big4 due to their pricing as has been stated by others.
Do the parks involved with big4 pay for their own additions such as pools, swings, jumping pillows etc?
If thats the case, are the parks only paying into the Big4 for advertising?
I think if I owned a park, I would pay for my own advertising which I think would be a whole lot cheaper than forking out to Big4.
This I think would allow the participating parks to lower their fees.
Dick.
Owners more than friendly, also had a gas refill 9kg bottle filled $30.
$27 was after Seniors Discount.
But I do agree in general, but come on !!! I just know you all like to have a turn on the jumping castle ???? come on "own up" don't be shy. LOL
regards
Miroku12g
You have a couple of smart dogs there mate. Toilet trained, and shower trained.
We've just completed our around the block trip and are currently in Sydney staying with rellies prior to going back on the ferry later this month.
We've been away for 3 and a half months and during that time we had every stay prebooked with either Big 4 or Family parks. The difference in what the parks had to offer often came down to the attitude of the reception staff at the point of your arrival. After all, they all have power and toilets and laundries etc. Some sites are level, some are not. Some sites have grass, some have gravel. It varies where ever you travel.
It sometimes amazes me that travellers with top end tow vehicles costing mega bucks pulling palaces on wheels just LOVE to bang on and on about paying $30.00 for a nights accommodation! Have a look at the real estate and infrastructure involved in caravan park ownership and operation. Would YOU rent a site for next to nothing?
My advise would be to take your membership card(s) with you when you make your journey and accept the discount they provide but more importantly . . . . . . . ENJOY YOURSELVES AND HAVE FUN ! Don't let the "knockers" paint a dark picture for you.
Good luck in your travels.
Hope I haven't started World War 3 with my comments.
Keith
Reading the post regarding what Big4 takes out of the caravan parks business, re fees... why would you want to be a member and pay all that money just to have the Big4 signage out the front and maybe a few adds in caravanning books. When the best advertisement is for free ..WORD OF MOUTH....
I use caravan parks in between low cost and free camping,but I do begrudge paying $41/$57 per night for a piece of dirt...But in saying that once bitten twice shy as the saying goes...My van might have some home comforts that has nothing to do with getting ripped off by over priced caravan parks.
True !!! Troopy
That goes for the wife also
Miroku12g
Both Big4 and Top Tourist have pet friendly parks at the discretion of the owners (as do other parks too). See;
http://www.toptouristparks.com.au/
http://www.big4.com.au/dogswelcome/
http://turu.com.au/pet-friendly-accommodation.aspx