Well finally we have made the big decision to start living our dream, we will be hitching up April 11th and hitting the road.........as we will be combining travel and work (yuk) we won't be going too far on the first leg just an hour and a half up the road to Beachmere for about 5 weeks, then onto Mackay for at least 5-6 months...........so am asking if anyone here have any experience with caravan parks up there, thanks for any info on Mackay C/P you could supply.
Cheers
-- Edited by pauline on Wednesday 14th of March 2012 07:47:37 AM
Thanks FF, have been looking forward to this for a long time, when we finally made the decision I had a big attack of nerves......ie all the what ifs that could happen.......over that now and am getting very excited, that is until I look around at all the packing and cleaning that has to be done.
Nothing to sell we just rent, reason for having to combine work (yuk) with travel, so will be storing the important stuff and getting rid of the rest, our van will be the only home we own.
"The Park" Caravan Park in Mackay I found very helpful and friendly over the phone Pauline when I was doing homework and bookings. I havn't actually stayed there though.
Have fun ou there and keep safe.
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We have stayed at Andergrove Van Park Beaconsfield Rd North Mackay a couple of times. It is a Top Tourist Park, quite nice , back off road a bit so quiet. We stay there 'cause family live in area. Always full or near full so would have to book ahead, (mining area), especially getting into winter. There are other C/parks on north side , not stayed there but some have had not so good reports, although I believe new owners in at least one, more perms than travellers I believe. The Park on southside on way in is good I've heard but not stayed there. Sarina is 40k south and believe park in town is good. All depends what and where you are doing things. Hope this helps.
Hi Pauline, you will love Mackay its our home town but beware its very expensive as the mines are close and the retailers think everyone is on a miners wage, Don't go to the van park on Harbour road its over the road from the sewerage plant and it stinks, The Premier van park on Nebo rd is very good, Theres a couple of parks on the highway from Sarina into Mackay they are both ok, the one at Bakers creek on the highway is not bad but as its on the bank of the creek the mozzies and sandflys are savage even in winter. Theres quite a few parks at beaches that are good Seaforth is great but its about 50ks out of town so that might be a problem, don't stay at the one on Malcomson st at North Mackay can't remember its name, theres one at Mirani run by the council its about 40ks out on the road to Eungella its very cheap, basic and very hard to get into but if you ring you might be lucky. We were renting in Mackay 7 years ago and the basic home was $350pw then the main reason we left we went home 2 years ago when my mum passed away and most parks were $150 a week plus. Hope this is some help. Cheers Ailsa.
-- Edited by colsa on Wednesday 14th of March 2012 08:15:59 PM
-- Edited by colsa on Wednesday 14th of March 2012 08:17:43 PM
I'm jealous Pauline! Such freedom! A house can own its owners. Have wonderful fantastic travels!
We went up to Eungella instead of McKay and absolutely loved it. Theres a caravan park with the best view in Australia, or you could free-camp at a couple of places, both just fine. Might be a bit far if you have to work in Mckay, but lovely for a weekend away! (warning! Steep hill! But the milk truck goes up there)
Thanks Gerty and Lilly, Eungella sounds great but might just be a bit far to travel in and out to work.......bugger, but will definately have a look while in the area.
Hi We stayed at a park on the highway just north of Mackay and found it less than OK. The park in Sarina is the exact opposite. Great proprietors, excellent facilities. Middle of the Sugar Cane season when we were there so a bit of noise but the people and the park made up for any shortcomings. I posted a reccomendation for the site after our visit on this forum.
Thanks again for all your replies, will be interested Beth in what your friend has to say............will let you know rocket about Beachmere we are booked in there from April 11th. Now I just have to find the energy for all that packing and cleaning (yuk yuk yuk).
Thanks so much Colsa, just what I need to know, so hard when you are not there and don't know the area, rang a couple today and have started the process...........thanks again so much.
LONG being the operative word Elle, we have been back here at the Gold Coast four and a half years and it has taken this long to get ourselves organised............decided it was time for a leap of faith. Here goes.
Friends of mine stayed at the park out the harbour way. Mostly workers and not very congenial or clean. I stayed at the nice one on the northern park of town, the Top Tourist Park if I recall. Nice, friendly and very helpful people. I was on overflow paddock at the front still with power. Good luck and safe travels.
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Pauline, we wish you the best in you new life style. Regarding Caravan Parks in Mackay metropolitan area, the situation has been difficult at the moment, not only in Mackay but also in Gladstone region, including Boyne Island & Tannun. Theses cities are booming in terms of jobs and too many people are moving from other parts of Australia to work in theses regions. The Caravan Park we are at the moment in Boyne Island is full and turning down more than 30 people per day, I was told by the reception guys. The top Tourist Park in Mackay was also full a month ago when we visited some friends working there. But, they always keep a couple of sites for tourists (which is not your case from now on I guess). Anyway, we strongly recommend you to ring every Caravan Park in Mackay region to see how the situation is now and see what you can get. Good Luck.
Thanks OzK..........started that yesterday and am already on the waiting list for one, just have to be careful to get one that is livable but am getting quite a lot of feedback here, which has been great.
'Probably the Andergrove is the best but the Marine Van park on harbour rd is cheaper and the new owners are doing it up (or were) it is closer to the city.'
