Springsure showgrounds stopover - a pleasant surprise

mike54 · Member

Springsure showgrounds stopover - a pleasant surprise

RALPHRALPH · Senior Member

do most towns allow you to stay at there showgrounds ,what do they charge smile

ozjohn · Guru

Boy! Things must have changed a lot in the past 12 months.
We stopped there last year and although there was plenty of room the amenities were third world at best. (Football club change rooms).
I wouldn't use the showers wearing someone esle's thongs.
And $25 per night (Ouch!)
The nice little park in town was only $20.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Thats intersting OJ, how prices can vary. We've been to places where council parks/showgrounds were deliberately dearer, in a deal with the caravan parks so that the showgrounds are only used as an overflow.

Beth54 · Guru

Mike, I notice you're a newbie, welcome to the site. I'm just down the road, in Logan.

As to your question re showgrounds, there's already a thread on this somewhere. Click on Search at the top of the page to find it.

Cheers.

cannylass · Senior Member

We stayed there a few yrs ago and it was only $15 a night and the amenities were good and clean, the next time we stayed the lady who comes to collect the money said the fee had gone up to $22 , it seems the caravan park complained so the fee's went up with out notice, the lady said she was not happy about the change of fee's and told us she would not be doing it again,

milo · Guru

thats something i cant understand, some places charging $40 or more just for an unpowered site??
I can understand $15-20 .. but some places just cause its by the beach or where ever ..
welcome to the site too

ozjohn · Guru

cannylass wrote:
We stayed there a few yrs ago and it was only $15 a night and the amenities were good and clean, the next time we stayed the lady who comes to collect the money said the fee had gone up to $22 , it seems the caravan park complained so the fee's went up with out notice, the lady said she was not happy about the change of fee's and told us she would not be doing it again,

The cook said that the ladies amaities were passable at best when we stayed their last year, but I can tell you the mens were the second worst I've ever experience (Where a fee was charged), and I've seen plenty.

The only reason we were there was the freebie just north of town was chockas and the caravan park was full.
Girl at the Caravan park told us about the showgrounds and gave up a map to get there.
Cheers, Ozjohn

mike54 · Member

Thanks for the comments from everyone on this forum.I think we paid only $15 - yes it was basic.I've definitely seen much sadder looking toilet/shower set ups .

But i have paid up to $45 for a non powered site, $50 powered - a claim by owners that we hit a peak usage time - "take it or leave it".

And what did we get for all that money at a "premium park"? Peace and quiet with clean facilities?

A large religous group campfire singing their lungs out till 10pm,a crowded shower block where I felt cleaner going in than coming out. A bunch of extroverted boofheads in the site across from us carrying on with useless talk and a loud and long windbag on a mobile describing in great detail to someone in Vic what they had done since arriving at the camp.

I too have had the misfortune to book into some dives of places. I figure you only get stung once and that's enough.

Many years ago I tried to get my one night camping payment back off the owner of a long closed park in Brisbane South.I took one look at the sad looking facilities and couldn't wait to get shot of the place.The owner had other plans for me and my request.Without batting an eyelid he pointed his booking pencil up over my head to a large sign that read,"ABSOLUTELY NO FEFUNDS!"and went back to talking on the phone mumbling under his breath - something about useless troublesome customers.

My fav Aussie film ever - Red Dog bought back so many memories of the 60's and 70's caravan parks - the shocking ones of course.

On a positive note after all that - looks can be a bit deceptive when it comes to caravan parks. The best place in our 5000km trek up to Nth Qld would have to be Bedrock Caravan Park at Mt.Surprise! It ticked all the boxes for us.

-- Edited by mike54 on Wednesday 9th of November 2011 05:18:09 PM

-- Edited by mike54 on Wednesday 9th of November 2011 05:21:18 PM

mike54 · Member

Beth54 - After a bit of searching around I see there is a lot of info about showground camping stays.I'm tempted to try one or two more on our next outward escape from suburbia.Crowded caravan parks get a bit irritating and the site fees you pay for at some places is seriuosly a pain.

Beth54 · Guru

I've only stayed in two so far.

Barcaldine Qld last year was good, but apparently they're having a lot of trouble with the local CP's too. Good amenities block.

Also the Pony Club at Goovigen Qld this year was fine. Amentities were good but old..nice hot showers, and free for unpowered and $5 powered.

beiffe · Guru

Best bet when entering a caravan jail. BEFORE you pay ask to look a round and say you want to inspect the site that they intend offering you. If you don't like it drive out and doesn't cost you a cent.

I used to always only book one night to see what it was like IF the first inspection passed but now I never go to a caravan jail and prefer to camp out in the bush. If there is no camp site in the area I don't spend any money in their town and have a sign on my trailer telling them so.

When you stay in a bush camp always thank someone in the town as you buy fuel or supplies as this helps the locals know that their site is appreciated and they get money from it. Likewise if there is no camp site I often buy $10 fuel and tell them I need it to get to somewhere I can camp and Then I will need fuel and food.

Regards
Brian