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Reports by:- Val and Chris

SA, Naracoorte, Naracoorte Holiday Park

Date of Stay: February 2015 Rating: 3
This is a pleasant park, and well maintained and pleasant. The sites are spacious, and level. Most have some grass, and many are nicely shaded. There is a clean amenities block, and a large laundry. One of the park's greatest assets is its walking distance to town.

NSW, Griffith, Willow Park

Date of Stay: May 2014 Rating: 4
This is a community provided campground, designed to encourage travelers to stay and spend time and money in the town. And this rest area is a beauty, it is right on the river, with willow trees as a backdrop, and is in the middle of the city. A limit of 24 hours means travelers can do little sightseeing here but it is a handy overnighter. There is a toilet block and dump point provided but other than that there are no facilities. Rigs need to be self contained.

NSW, Forbes, Forbes Rest Area

Date of Stay: May 2014 Rating: 4
Cnr Of Junction And Show Streets. This is a community provided campground, designed to encourage travelers to stay and spend time and money in the town. There is a three day limit but it is not rigorously policed. The area is very tidy and well maintained. A grassed area along the river provides parking for all size rigs without being too crowded. Toilets and a dump point are provided at the other end of the rest area but this is some distance away so rigs need to be self-contained. Rubbish bins are placed at intervals throughout the campground as are a few taps for water. The view of the river is very pleasant.

Qld, Esk, Esk Caravan Park

Date of Stay: May 2014 Rating: 4
What a pleasant park this is. It is neat and tidy with well maintained gardens and impeccably clean toilets and showers. The new owners could not be more helpful or accommodating. they even came and asked if there was anything extra we needed, after we had set up. There are drive through sites as well as cement slab sites and some on green grass. Most sites are shady. The central amenities area is being expanded to include pizza ovens and has an open fireplace. Dogs are welcome in this park. The pool is heated to 30 degrees. The town of Esk is a short walk around the corner, with supermarkets, bakery, butchers and hardware store. There are coffee shops, a restaurant and a couple of hotels.

SA, Lyrup, SS Ellen Park

Date of Stay: April 2014 Rating: 3.5
This camping area is located on the banks of the River Murray, although you can't actually park with direct water access. There are two main areas; one section has four powered sites (yes, free power) and the other section is further away along the park and likely to be slightly more secluded. There is a toilet block and a tap for water. Town, with a small general store and a tavern, is a short stroll away. This rest area is a 12 month trial starting in July 2013 to see if additional people are drawn to stay.

NSW, Griffith, Lake Wyangan Camping Area

Date of Stay: April 2014 Rating: 3.5
This is a community provided campground, designed to encourage travelers to stay and spend time and money in the town. Located about 10 kms from the township of Griffith, it is a bit of a hike in and out, but it is wonderfully peaceful and quiet out there. There is a toilet block but no other facilities. The view of the lake is a feature of the camp. It can be a bit tricky to find a level site, given this campground is on a slope, but with care the right spot can be found. I am guessing it could get busy out here on ling weekends or holidays.

Vic, Nyah, Nyah Harness Racing Club Campground

Date of Stay: April 2014 Rating: 3.5
This is a community provided campground, designed to encourage travelers to stay and spend time and money in the town. Located at the Harness Racing Club facilities, there is a large grassed area all down along the river and adjacent parkland for rigs of all sizes. Toilets are provided but they are not central and are very basic (for example they have no lids whatsoever), and a dump point is provided with a tap to fill water tanks. There is a donation box at the toilet block.

SA, Mount Pleasant, Mount Pleasant Caravan Park

Date of Stay: February 2014 Rating: 2.5
I think this park is a hybrid of caravan park and showground. The sites are located in a large area adjacent to a town oval which is also used for sporting and equestrian events. It is also near the weekly Saturday morning farmers market (voted one of SA's best). So it could get busy at times. But there is room to spread out and to find a spot which is not crowded. The campground is managed and owned by the local Council. It is within walking distance of a great hotel for meals or a drink, and a small general store. The town also has a popular bakery, albeit small. There are powered and unpowered sites, and many people stay for long periods while working in the seasonal wine industry. Mount Pleasant is about an hour's drive from Adelaide city, and is near to the Barossa Valley wineries etc. The facilities are basic but adequate, probably.

SA, Kangaroo Island, American River Camping Ground - American River

Date of Stay: January 2014 Rating: 3
This campground is located at the beachside near the small village of American River on Kangaroo Island. When we visited it was very peaceful and quiet, with only one other camper there, but it can accommodate about six to eight rigs. There were several powered sites available and nearby taps for water at the nearby toilet block. There were clean and well maintained hot showers (timed) and flushing toilets. From memory the powered sites were $15 a night and the unpowered sites were $9. Sites were separated by low vegetation and some sparse shade trees in an appealing bush type environment. Note that although close to the passing main road in and out of the town, this is a quiet area and there is little to no traffic at night. The park is maintained and is owned by the Council.

Qld, Mission Beach, Mission Beach Hideaway Village

Date of Stay: August 2013 Rating: 3
Manager's name is Chris. Owners renowned for abruptness, don't like complaints, can be quite rude. Park very well presented, but washing machines/dryers expensive at $4 and don't always work. Sites very tight, you can join in your neighbour's conversations while sitting in your van. Many long term repeat stayers, a bit cliquey but generally friendly. No pathways so people behind had to walk through our site to reach amenities. Central garbage bins for whole large park, many people disgruntled about this. Average staff friendliness, bad staff response to complaints, staff offered tourist advice, staff helped us at the site, staff explained park layout and facilities. Poor value for money ($46 2A PN, peak season). We paid $41.40 because of chain discount. Amenities are close to only some sites, cleanliness was average, condition is reasonable, water pressure is bad, soap provided, paper towels/dryer provided. Adequate number of tourist sites, mostly level sites, good night lighting, sites will accommodate small to medium vans, annex slabs to most sites, shade to some sites, hard to negotiate into site. Poor laundry, car wash, dump point, you can use your mobile wireless (carrier used was Telstra, reception quality was 3). Quiet, claustrophobic park, plenty of shade. Clean pool.
Liked:- Tropical feel, thick grass, nice looking pool and rec areas.
Disliked:- Owners are autocratic, it's their way or the highway. Many people mentioned their attitude.
Parking:- Plenty of room outside and one space inside park.
Local Information:- Mission Beach is lovely, with a long sandy beach, views of Dunk Island, water taxi trip available, cafes and shops very handy.