Big 4 v Top Tourist Park

hunter · Newbie

Big 4 v Top Tourist Park

dave06 · Guru

Gday Lyle and welcome to the forum, mate I dont fully understand which tourist park system you are looking for, is it this one http://www.toptouristparks.com.au/ if so the club membership application is all there if not could you explain which one it is that you seeking

nothing wrong with "weekenders" we do them when we are not working (getting rarer these days) they are a great way to find out if (1) you like it (2) if your rig is suited to you (3) to see whats around

we often shoot down to a little spot called "burra creek gorge" nothing there but big old gums lining a creek that flows all year round, full of yabbies and kookaburras and PEACE AND QUIET, not far from home but a million miles away from civilisation, how old is the grandaughter

hunter · Newbie

Howdy Dave,
I am about to join the TopTourist Park club but was just wondering if there was a dicount card or club in one that coverd all of them RACQ, Big4, Top Tourist etc... instead of joining several different ones.
The son is 10yrs old & the grandy is 18 months old another one due in about the end of December.
Cheers Lyle.

Cruising Granny · Guru

Hi there. It looks like you're on to it. I've had good value out of both of those, and you can be assured the amenities are pretty good. They have to be to be accredited. Some parks recognise the state and National Seniors cards as well. It's worth chasing up, because you get good value for the membership money.
Safe and happy travel. Stay upright.
Cruising Granny

Wombat 280 · Guru

If your a member of like NRMA, RACQ or other and the park has a sign that accepts motoring organization it's been my experience that they recognize all of them regardless of state of origin. It cost nothing to ask at check in time.

I also belong to Top Tourist and Big 4, both provide excellent service.

Basil Faulty · Guru

I am a member of Big4, Top Tourist and just recently joined Family Parks of Australia. FPA have a good Pet Policy whereas Big4 don't so I won't be renewing my Big4.
There is lots of acrimonious debate (mostly created by Grey Nomads) concerning the level of facilities that parks offer with the big thing being that a lot just want a basic park with good amenities, no heated olyimpic pools, no hot spas, no restaurants just a totally secure environment with spotless amenities and @ $5 a night.... Unfortunatley busniess does not work that way, everything has to be done to attract clients to the park to make it viable all year round which is why so many parks are now allowing pets, pets dont commit random acts of vandalism or ride bycycles at breakneck speed through the park......
A lot to be said for "free camping" actually but then there is the carbon footprint of my generator to consider.
I don't know of a "One Card does all" though, perhaps you could start one up? Like Bartercard?

-- Edited by Basil Faulty at 08:25, 2008-11-24

Smokeydk · Guru

I'm with Top tourist and Family Parks....I didnt join Big 4 as theres just a hand full here in SA

I like the idea of free camping..though..last Oct long weekend I camped at a place called Black ****atoo Bush Camp...in Our South East...at $5 a night pp....I run solar power.thats one thing free I guess..........Bartercard sounds good Basil.

http://www.naracoortelucindale.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=268&c=5759

Dave

dave06 · Guru

lyle I dont think there is such an animal as 1 card does all, I think you would have to have a wallett full of cards silly system but thats how it is, when we first started heading out there was none of this nonsense of cards and paddocks charging great swaths of money, if you were lucky you found a park that had trees, but now its all jacuzies and heated pools and backpackers cooking rubbish

thats why I free camp, very few kids charging past and bumping the rigging, no nagging at the amenities block, no horrid odours and associated noises when I have a shower, we head bush whenever we can, solar panel at the ready, we have the generator in sqeeky and I take great enjoyment out of mocking the thing, and saying HAH!! dont need you

18 month old grandaughter, teething, tantrums and the cutest little thing that ever walked the earth, I know because ours just turned one, just a smile turns my day from nightmare to pure joy

black c o c katoo bushcamp, I know it well, spent the first 5 years of my working life around that area, cutting logs for the mt burr timber mill, operating heavy earthmoving equipment out of naracoorte, built the naracoorte highway with a couple of mates, also did a lot of landclearing with a cat d8h dozer, down near casterton, not real proud of those days, made a lot of little animals homeless, spoilt some fantastic scenery