Just in case anyone is heading up the NSW & QLD East Coasts, the following is our Christmas Holiday Report;

Travel from 27/12/06 to 25/1/07

 

Total kilometres travelled 5754

 

Fuel Costs $1112.36 (average price per litre of diesel $1.17)

 

Caravan Park Fees $1000

 

Who travelled Julie, Corey (13 year old) and the driver “me”.

 

We travelled on the Pacific and Bruce highways both ways.

 

All caravan park fees are based on the cost for three people on a powered site.

 

Grafton Greyhound Track cost $19. This is good value for an overnight stop nothing flash but it meets most requirements and has what would appear to be a brand new dump point.

 

Gold Coast Holiday Park Oxenford cost $31 per night. Located over the highway from Movie World and The Outback Spectacular (the Spectacular is a must see show). The park has most things that the traveller requires with clean amenities; most of the popular take away food chains are and easy walk down the street.

I was told by an employee at the mobile garage (you all know the one that I mean) that they do allow motorhomes etc to free camp overnight but you expect to be asked to move on if you try to stay any longer (keep in mind the above caravan park is just up the road).

 

Rockhampton Riverside Tourist Park cost $28 per night. This is a very secure caravan park with combination locks on the main and pedestrian gates. All amenities are good and well maintained. Easy walk to the main shopping area, boat ramp next door. Be careful though make sure that you don’t get there on public holidays because most of the shops are closed including Coles and Woolies.

 

Airlie Beach Wanderers Tourist Resort cost $25 per night. This was once a very good resort however I am talking about 23 years ago, that was the last time that I was up that way. The place has really got run down and needs a much needed face lift. It would appear that the backpackers have taken over the park and noise from them goes on until the early parts of the morning. However it has a fantastic location just off the main street and the coaches for the day trips to the islands stop out the front. Be warned if you are going to the islands; take your own drinks and sandwiches etc. A pie at Hamilton Island costs $6 and a can of coke costs $4.

 

Lake Tinaroo Holiday Park cost $30 per night. A very good park all amenities are good some sites are a bit tight. The lake is just across the road and for those who are not aware the lake is stoked by the fisheries department with Barramundi (our main reason for going there). Much to the surprise of the locals and regular vanners we caught in excess of 20 Barramundi (they were all throw backs) and 1 3kg Grey Grunter (or at least Julie caught the Grey Grunter), they told us that you don’t catch fish when a north easter is blowing, well when I showed them photos you can imagine what they said.

 

Cairns Coconut Big 4 Caravan Park Resort cost $42 per night. This truly a resort park, it has everything that any traveller needs. Everything roads, gardens, pool and amenities are kept in immaculate condition. The staff are something else, they cant do enough to help anyone, they are the best and most organised staff that I have had the pleasure to meet in all of my travels over the last 25 years and that includes overseas tourist resorts. A lot of parks could learn something from these people.

 

Clearview Caravan Park cost $29 per night. This is the opposite end to the park above. The only thing it has got going for it is that it is right on the beach, if you want solitude this is the place to chill out however it is not the place for me and I would say would most other travellers. You cant miss the place as you come out of the wilderness travelling north from Bundaberg up the Bruce Highway it is the first place that you see the coast. Just keep on going north or south whatever the case may be.

 

Bundaberg Caravan Park cost $30 per night. Located just over the bridge on the township side of Bundy and on the banks of the river. This park has what most travellers require, all of the amenities are clean and in good order. It is a short walk to the shops, club and local council zoo (not bad for something that is free). We would stay there again when we are up that way.

 

Townsville Rowes Bay Caravan Park cost $30 per night. Located across the road from the beach. Well maintained park with good amenities. Bus stops out the front, sealed bike riding paths. Good location for trips to Magnetic Island and various other side trips around Townsville.

 

Golden Beach Caravan Park Caloundra cost $40 per night. Small park book says it is a Big 4, but it has not been a Big 4 for the last 10 months according to the owner. Ok for overnight, there are better ones around the area if you can get in.

 

Broadwater Tourist Park Southport cost $40 per night. As the name suggests this park is right on the broadwater an ideal spot for the fisherman and theme park visitor. The park has everything that you need; all amenities are clean and well maintained. The park has its own boat ramp and fronts on to a very safe riverside beach. Buses to Surfers and Helensvale (transit point to the theme parks) stop out the front on a regular basis; Australia Fair Shopping Centre is only about a 15 minute easy walk. This park has a lot going for it and we will be going back at some time.

 

Iluka Riverside Caravan Park NSW cost $45 per night. This was the most expensive park that we stayed at; the coin is in the air in relation to it being worth the price. Its location is ideal for fishing be it in your boat or from the bank. The ferry to Yamba departs from next door about 5 times a day. The amenities are clean and well looked after; the sites are all a good size; the shops and bowling club are short walk from the park. The down side is it does not have a pool but has access to a beach netted pool.

 

 

 

Was it worth travelling all that distance? It sure was; most people dream about doing it but I believe no one can guarantee what will happen tomorrow. I took an early retirement package from my employer of 30 years and yes I am one of those baby boomers/grey nomads they talk about these days. So I am not thinking about it I am doing it. As John Laws says “Live The Dream”.

 

Next Hervey Bay again at Easter (gotta waite for the schools holidays again).

 

Then plan the trip to catch the Murrey Cod at Christmas.

 

 

Happy Travels

 

Alan