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Date of Stay: June 2024 Rating: 4
Park has recently been sold and transition admin was messy apparently. Tried to book direct online $59 p/n ensuite site but alas could finish booking then rocked up and it had gone up to $69 p/n ensuite site. No discounts for weekly stays either, so quite a significant jump since last report and previous owner. Staff at reception were in a real tizzy with ownership change, systems not working and not going smoothly so I won't rate them. They did fix the hot water tap that fell off in our hands day one and eventually gave us more TP when asked -twice- to do so.
Reasonable value for money $69 for 2A PN, ensuite. Paid $62.10, reduced for Gday discount. Amenities are close to all sites, were clean, condition is very good, soap provided. Mostly level sites, good night lighting, sites will accommodate large motorhomes and 5th wheelers, annex slabs to some sites, shade to some sites, ensuite sites available, drive-through sites, adequate taps close by, adequate sullage close by. Good laundry, basic rec room, basic camp kitchen, dump point, book swap available, you can use your mobile wireless carrier used was Telstra, reception quality was 5. Quiet, open & roomy park, adequate shade, a few permanent/annual vans. Clean UC electric BBQs are free, bbq area lighting, seating provided at bbq. Good playground, in good condition. Clean pool, tables and chairs provided. Suitable for a week or more.
Liked:- The gardens and grounds were magnificent. Really nicely done and the caretaker was working non-stop on his beautiful creations during out stay. Nice little dam which had a rakali and lots of birds in it. Not much noise from New England Highway bonus, nice 15 minute walk into town on a well off the highway footpath. Checked out amenities block nice older style 3 each T and showers, 4 separate unisex ensuite type T/S over near pool, so good spacing of amenities for all sites access. Unisex ensuites photo is featured on website and are more updated that ensuite sites. Ensuite for site was old but functional, good proportions prefab shower cubicle larger than usual with a door and great hot water. Toilet was a low rider so thigh work out whether you want it or not. Hand basin tiny but ok by us. Good FTA TV reception.
Disliked:- Wi-fi didn't work at all - could be transition of owners or??, lovely little dam brings lots of birds esp ducks and there is ducks 'calling cards' all over the park-so no shoes in van please. There wasn't really a good definition of how to park the van with the ensuite sites (2 sets of 4 in diff locations). Everyone coming in made up their own minds how to park their van and this sometimes encroached / blocked the ensuite site next door, so would be difficult to van up all 4 at once we would say. Entrance to park in 80 km section of New England Highway, no turn in lane.
Parking:- Space on lovely new concrete driveway for 2+ vans
Added Touches:- There are group club rooms available.
Local Information:- Town is lovely. IGA, butcher, flash bakery. Pub food good, The Nest cafe food great, other cafes open weekends always full so obviously good. 2 op shops, a secondhand book store that has everything run by a hardy barefoot soul, cordial shop and the most magificent local arts and crafts shop. Lovely bush walks hidden behind the town - entrance from the bullock's rest rest area between CP and town. Really worth doing - sturdy shoes required but gravelly. 2 National Parks for walks or a drive to, lovely country drives also to neighbouring towns and close to Toowoomba if you want to go there.
Road Conditions:- New England Highway not bad. Coming from Brisbane fantastic to get onto Ipswich Motorway, then onto Toowoomba by-pass and onto New England Highway.
Date of Stay: October 2023 Rating: 3
$38 pwd 2A p/night. A nice quiet little park, under new management since our last visit. Now if booking is made they will leave an envelope outside reception for you to check in. Park is the same though with some grassy sites, some gravel sites and maybe a few slabs. Very busy during our stay and felt a bit claustrophobic with lots of vans in. Amenities are close to most sites but with 3 only toilets and showers they were very busy especially as some of the cabin tenants use them also. Town is a pleasant 15 minute stroll and the Bowling Club has great meals. Unfortunately the Information Centre seems to have closed, so sad as the locals who served in it usually gave us new activities suggestions each visit. Were warned last visit that Council wanted to cut them so I guess they did.
Date of Stay: October 2023 Rating: 2.5
Our experience may have been better if we had a different site allocated but we didn't so here it is. The advertised 'pools' were at best 10 person spas, with good shadecloth over them, however very little space in the surrounds to sit other than in the spa. The spas when we looked at them were over subscribed with people literally standing/sitting room only. Not very enticing at all-cold shower was better alternative to cool off. TV reception is hampered by Mt Kapatar but at least the cleaner told us that when asked. Some truck noise from highway.
Average staff friendliness, no complaints, staff helped us at the site. Poor value for money $40 for 2A PN, powered. Paid $36, reduced for G day Chain discount. Amenities are close to most sites, cleanliness was average, condition is reasonable, water pressure is good, there was adequate hot water, soap provided, dry change area, paper towels/dryer provided. Adequate number of tourist sites, some level sites, good night lighting, sites will accommodate large motorhomes and 5th wheelers, very few annex slabs, shade to some sites, drive-through sites, hard to negotiate into site, poor water quality, adequate taps close by, adequate sullage close by. Good laundry, good camp kitchen, dump point, secure entry, wireless internet is available is free, you can use your mobile wireless carrier used was Telstra, reception quality was 5. Noisy, claustrophobic park, adequate shade, a few permanent/annual vans. Spa available. Suitable for overnighter.
Liked:- The older style amenities were spacious in proportion - however lacking in upkeep
Disliked:- We were staying 2 nights-as were others and for some reason we were all stacked and racked, side to side-back to back all together in the dirt section of the park. It was claustrophobic and left no room for an awning to be out and a car to be parked on site or take your chances and leave car half on the roadway. No thanks. Overnighters were given large drive through sites to enable them to remain hooked up, not stacked upon each other and some were in the large grassy area that is featured on the website. These sections were not full so why the need to cram the stayers on top of each other was truly bewildering. To make matters worse we got stuck next to a couple of smokers that choofed so much they created a smoke pall that enveloped our cramped little environment and made it a truly miserable experience. Trees above were good for 38 degrees however there was a rather large dead branch directly above us that made us nervous. The bats loved the trees too - as we found out at dusk night one. The bats came from somewhere else to frolic in the trees and relieve themselves all over the vans and cars. Phew thankfully we didn't have room to have the awning out also so that was one less thing to clean poopy off each morning with the salty bore water.
Parking:- Room for van at reception
Road Conditions:- Worse roads of the trip between Lightning Ridge and Moree. Bumpy flood damaged and no sign that road crews were going to fix.
Date of Stay: October 2023 Rating: 5
$47 pwd 2A p/night. Can't fault this park - except for it changing to a BIG4 now not Gday. Wide drive through sites, flat, gravel based to keep the dust down. A bit of shade to a few, power, water, sullage all readily available. Good camp kitchen area with free BBQs, with another smaller camp kitchen near the pool. Amenities were spacious, abundant in number and very clean. Another set of amenities-ensuite style-at other end of park so everyone was catered for. Dump point. Reception was seamless, with tour booking available. Artesian bore baths across the road, bit of a walk into town for the keen when it isn't 38 degrees. Done most of the Ridge activities previously but still found things to fill 4 days here. New tour of Carinya Station (tourist season only) which is 15 mins out of town and gives a first hand explainer of how people actually farm out here in the harsh conditions. Interesting.
Date of Stay: October 2023 Rating: 3.5
$40 pwd 2A per night. Shady drive through sites that people stayed hooked up on and some large wide reverse onto sites for those staying longer. Amenities have been rebuilt since our last stay here and were still in good condition and clean - albeit with the stain of bore water. Laundry part of new complex also and well appointed with book swap. Pretty dry out here already so not much grass on sites and we didn't see any slabs. Excellent TV reception. Not much going on in town, lots of empty shops unfortunately but a new arts shop and a bulk frozen food shop were good. Pub meal at the Terminus Hotel very good - again pub looks nothing from the outside but revamped inside and very nice. Suitable for a couple of relaxing days. Road conditions from Coonabarabran via Baradine were surprisingly very good.
Date of Stay: October 2023 Rating: 4.5
Manager's name is Lisa
So glad we tried this park after years of staying elsewhere in Coona! Lovely welcome from Lisa at reception full of local knowledge and suggestions. Truck noise from the Newell of course, but no biggie to us and no escaping it if staying in Coona. Excellent TV reception
Very friendly staff, no complaints, staff explained park layout and facilities. Very good value for money $37 for 2A PN, powered, peak season. Amenities are close to all sites, were clean, condition is very good, water pressure is good, there was adequate hot water, soap provided, dry change area, paper towels/dryer provided, exhaust fans/good ventilation. Adequate number of tourist sites, mostly level sites, good night lighting, sites will accommodate large motorhomes and 5th wheelers, very few annex slabs, shade to some sites, drive-through sites, adequate taps close by, adequate sullage close by. Good laundry, basic camp kitchen, dump point, book swap available, no wireless internet available., you can use your mobile wireless carrier used was Telstra, reception quality was 5. Noisy, open & roomy park, adequate shade, no permanent/annual vans. Clean UC BBQs, bbq area lighting, seating provided at bbq. No playground. Clean pool, pool is shaded, tables and chairs provided. Suitable for a week or more.
Liked:- Amenities and laundry were spotlessly clean - recently refreshed and ample amount; all sites drive through and pick your own - so if you want shade or not your choice, night lighting using red lights great for star gazers; some sites had some bush barriers between them. Grounds and pool were also spotless and well maintained. 20 min stroll into Information Centre and town, along good concrete footpath
Parking:- Plenty of room around reception driveway to park
Local Information:- Golden Sea Dragon Chinese restaurant is an experience of China on the Newell - decor, food, service sensational - thank you Lisa for recommending. Lots of nice towns to explore on day trips and Warrumbungles NP also. Coona Information Centre now has a water refilling facility for vans if required
Road Conditions:- Road from Gunnedah excellent, small section of Newell to Coona not too bad either.
Date of Stay: October 2023 Rating: 3
$30 P/N pwd 2A. Pick your own site - some are drive through on a large grassy space and can remain hooked up, some are reverse into around the perimeter of the facility. On one side it's a bit weird - required to park van on concrete slab with about a metre of concrete to step onto under awning which goes mostly over grassy area. Was a bit tricky with chairs on half n half. Very close to train line with frequent, noisy coal trains passed by which didn't bother us. Amenities clean in good nick, soap, paper towel provided. Both M/F amenities closed for cleaning 9.30-10.30 am - with checkout being 10.30 am. How is this a good idea?? Everyone wants to be 'refreshed' before they get in car to depart. No alternative amenities offered during closure either. Dump point, laundry (pay at office $4 a load), good TV reception. Suitable for a few days - but the amenities being closed when they are is very annoying. Lady in office very welcoming and friendly, male caretaker quite unfriendly tho.
Date of Stay: October 2023 Rating: 4.5
Good to see a young family, even the kids, so active and passionate in improving their park.
Very friendly staff, no complaints, staff helped us at the site, staff explained park layout and facilities. Very good value for money $38 for 2A PN, powered, peak season. Paid $228, reduced for week discount. Amenities are close to most sites, were clean, condition is good, water pressure is good, there was adequate hot water, soap provided, dry change area, paper towels/dryer provided, exhaust fans/good ventilation. Adequate number of tourist sites, mostly level sites, good night lighting, sites will accommodate large motorhomes and 5th wheelers, annex slabs to some sites, very few sites are shaded, drive-through sites, adequate taps close by, adequate sullage close by. Good laundry, no rec room, good camp kitchen, dump point, secure entry, van parking, book swap available, wireless internet is available is free carrier used was Telstra, reception quality was 5. Quiet, open & roomy park, inadequate shade, no permanent/annual vans. Clean UC gas BBQs are free, congenial bbq area atmosphere, bbq area lighting, seating provided at bbq. No playground. No pool. Suitable for a week or more.
Liked:- Short walk into town along river walk, quite haven during school holidays, great central location to explore the area, expertly guided onto our site,
Parking:- Street parking outside of park
Local Information:- National Parks walks very good, Apsley Arms Hotel Walcha doesn't look very flash but the food was great and people in there friendly
Road Conditions:- We bounced up the Oxley Highway from the coast, lots of road works going on still fixing flood damage
Date of Stay: September 2023 Rating: 4
Towels and toiletries provided in ensuite, which was nice, but really we would rather forego this and the price be more realistic. We had no power on our site upon arrival and it was fixed the next morning, so good response to issue. Luckily neighbouring site was empty and we could use their power. Antennea socket on ensuite and cable was available through reception. Would really wish parks would own up to issues with TV reception when asked to save campers time, effort and doubt in their equipment when setting up. We had nothing, wasted time and frustration on it, because told 'no problems usually' doubted our equipment - then we find other members of our party had issues too and area is iffy for TV. So why don't they just own this ?? As it was school holidays the park was packed and we didn't have to use amenities thankfully but think they would struggled with amount of people using them and. children unattended in amenities created issues ie. damage which park alerted us about.
Friendly staff, good staff response to complaints. Poor value for money $135 for 2A PN, ensuite, peak season. Amenities are close to only some sites. Adequate number of tourist sites, mostly level sites, good night lighting, sites will accommodate large motorhomes and 5th wheelers, annex slabs to some sites, shade to some sites, ensuite sites available, drive-through sites, hard to negotiate into site, adequate taps close by, adequate sullage close by. Good rec room, basic camp kitchen, kiosk, dump point, secure entry, wireless internet is available is free, you can use your mobile wireless carrier used was Telstra, reception quality was 3. Noisy, claustrophobic park, adequate shade. Clean UC electric BBQs are free, congenial bbq area atmosphere, seating provided at bbq. Clean pool. Suitable for few days.
Liked:- Location short walk into town; good slab on our site and good sized ensuite
Disliked:- The price - WOW! We know it was school hols but we've had family reunion there same time previously and were not charged like this; kids unsupervised everywhere. Every type of 'banned' electric wheeled devices being used, wrong way up narrow streets, other park users speeding in cars on those same streets it is a disaster waiting to happen. Kids unsupervised in amenities shoving shower curtains in toilets, it was our worst experience ever of kids - lots of kids - running wild.
Parking:- One space at reception
Added Touches:- Coffee and food caravans onsite (maybe only in school hols)
Local Information:- Good river and beach swimming available, fishing in river bordering park
Date of Stay: February 2023 Rating: 4
There is a working saw mill next to park. We knew that before booking, however had touring plans for our week so didn’t think it would be an issue. However, due to someone rear ending our car day 2 stopping all plans, we ended up spending a whole lot of time in the park during our stay. Happy to honestly say, yep could hear saw mill operations M-F but we did not find the noise overbearing at all. Train line close-ish too, a couple of passenger trains but we didn’t notice noise. We had trouble with TV reception due to trees maybe?, but other campers had to no worries. Grounds maintenance immaculate and a real credit to the very friendly groundsman. Amenities older and could do with a paint but all fully functional, well proportioned, well stocked and well cleaned. So ticked our boxes. A couple of stand alone toilets at locations closer to sites, handy esp at cleaning times of main amenities. Amenities are used by several cabins but no probs at all during our stay.
Very friendly staff, no complaints, staff explained park layout and facilities. Very good value for money $210 for 2A PW, powered. Amenities are close to all sites, were clean, condition is good, water pressure is good, there was adequate hot water, soap provided, paper towels/dryer provided, exhaust fans/good ventilation, disabled facilities. Adequate number of tourist sites, mostly level sites, good night lighting, sites will accommodate large motorhomes and 5th wheelers, annex slabs to some sites, shade to some sites, drive-through sites, adequate taps close by, adequate sullage close by. Good laundry, good camp kitchen, kiosk, disabled facilities, dump point, wireless internet is available is free, you can use your mobile wireless carrier used was Telstra, reception quality was 5. Open & roomy park, adequate shade, a few permanent/annual vans. No playground. Clean pool, tables and chairs provided. Suitable for a week or more.
Liked:- Friendly staff always active around the park, spaciousness of sites and space between them, sites away from workers accommodations so didn’t hear them go to work, grounds so clean and tidy, for walkers a lovely stroll to South Grafton shops and old waterfront district with lovely streetscape and old pubs.
Parking:- Outside reception only parking for van at a time
