JULY 27:
Dozens of tight-fisted grey nomads have copped a caning after
using a Queensland rest area. At least 60 caravans flooded into the
Duaringa facility on the Capricorn Highway, west of Rockhampton, for an
overnight stay this week. But, despite notices inviting gold coin
donations from travellers, the local information office reported that only
a paltry $5 was deposited in the honesty box. "Just goes to prove that
some caravanners are out for everything they can get for nothing," one
angry nomad told Caravanning News. "I reckon all the claptrap about
them spending big in RV-friendly towns should be taken with a pinch of
salt."
JULY 27:
Two travellers have landed themselves in trouble with the law after
swimming naked next to a Queensland caravan park. They were caught
frolicking in the noddy in the hot springs adjoining the Innot Hot Springs
Leisure & Caravan Park on the Kennedy Highway between Mt Garnet and
Ravenshoe. The 30-year-old man and 21-year-old woman were issued with
infringement notices for committing a "public nuisance".
JULY 26:
Caravanners have been warned to beware of the steep camber of a Queensland
town's main road. A caravan became the latest victim in Rosewood's John
Street after it scraped a shop front. High vehicles are prone to the
danger due to the high crown of the shopping street.
JULY
20:
Goldstar RV is recalling some of its caravans because of safety
fears. The announcement was made today by Product Safety Australia. The
South Australian caravan company has warned that the structural longevity
of drawbars is "uncertain" on some models built with an aluminium frame
because there are no strengthening gussets. "This could lead to potential
failure of the drawbar, posing a potential risk for road users," it says.
Goldstar said affected owners were being contacted. Goldstar RV will send
affected owners additional gussets and arrange for them to fitted by an
approved caravan repairer. The gussets will need to be given to the
caravan repairer. For further information owners can contact Goldstar RV
on 08 8186 7040 or email the company at
admin@goldstarrv.com.au.
JULY 20:
Port Macquarie's Lighthouse Beach Caravan Park in NSW is mourning
the loss of one of its oldest residents ... Geobbrie the Koala, who was
hit and killed by a car this week.
JULY 20:
Asbestos has been discovered at Katoomba Falls Caravan Park in
NSW's Blue Mountains, it has been revealed. The potential killer material
was found in the internal walls of the men's toilets and in the ceiling
lining of the cleaner's cupboard. But a spokeswoman at the 61-site park
assured Caravanning News that the award-winning park was "safe".
JULY 20:
Shares in Perth-based Coromal and Windsor caravans manufacturer Fleetwood
Corporation continue to climb, reaching a one-year high of $2.67 at close
of business yesterday.
JULY
19:
Sturt police in South Australia have appealed for public help
after the theft of a Coromal Magnum caravan from Glenelg North. Thieves
used their own vehicle to tow away the pop-top sometime between 12pm on
July 15 and 12pm on the 17th. The caravan, with South Australian
registration plate S496TAR, was stolen from the front yard of a
Patawolonga Frontage house where it was parked. Police have asked people
who see the caravan or has information about its whereabouts to call Crime
Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
JULY 19:
Owners of large dogs or multiple pets needn't apply for the jobs on offer
at WA's Busselton Jetty Tourist Park (formerly Kookaburra Caravan Park).
The council-owned 162-site park is advertising for an "enthusiastic and
hardworking hands-on management couple and offering a salary package of
$115,000 plus super, an on-site two-bedroom furnished home and two days
off a week. But its advertisement warns that applicants with a small pet
"may" be considered, ädding: "Sorry, no large dogs or multiple pets."
Guests' dogs are allowed on leads.
JULY
19:
A NEW South Wales grey nomad is celebrating a near one-million dollar Gold
Lotto win. She joins a lucky band of travelling caravanners who have come
up trumps with a lotto flutter. The identity of the latest winner is being
kept secret but she is said to be "ecstatic" with her $985,744.11 windfall
in last Saturday's draw. "It’s amazing! I’m so happy!" the excited
traveller said. She bought her winning QuickPick at a Prosperpine
newsagency in Queensland and realised she had scooped a Division One win
while checking her ticket at a nearby caravan park.
JULY 18:
Councillors will tomorrow consider whether to give the go-ahead
for a water park and other upgrades at Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday
Park in NSW.
JULY 18:
Bailey Caravans has launched its second factory-owned dealership at Slacks
Creek in Brisbane. "We are pleased to welcome Karen Garbutt as dealer
principal, who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Bailey
group," the company said.
JULY 18:
Man facing court today on assault and wilful damages charges after
late-night fracas at Cairns caravan park in Woree left security guard and
two police officers with bruising.
JULY
14:
Charleville's Cobb & Co Caravan Park in Queensland's south-west is
on the market. "With increasing interest and investment in Australia's
Outback tourism industry, now would be a wise time to consider this
excellent freehold property in the heritage town," its advertising
material says. "This caravan and cabin park has been extensively upgraded
over the last three years, leaving virtually nothing to spend for the
incoming owners." No figures are given, but it is "priced to sell".
JULY 13:
Car and caravan fire caused major traffic delays on Queensland's Bruce
Highway at Federal north of Cooroy today. Caravanners escaped unharmed.
JULY 13:
Shares in Coromal and Windsor caravans manufacturer Fleetwood continue to
rise, closing yesterday at a year-high of $2.56.
JULY
13:
Australian tourism and leisure company Apollo, founded in a humble
backyard in Brisbane in the mid-80s, today revealed it has completed its
acquisition of Canadian recreational vehicle rental and sales company,
Canadream. It already had overseas operations in New Zealand and the US.
JULY 13:
Caravan sales continue to surge ahead, according to statistics released by
Caravanning Queensland. Figures reveal that this year's sales are already
showing strong signs with almost 600 registrations in March, well above
the corresponding month last year. Production statistics for towable and
motorised RVs increased by 0.8 percent since March, 2016.
JULY 13:
Port Gregory Caravan Park boss Tim Hay has told how he shepherded a
stranded baby humpback whale back to deeper waters in a
two-and-a-half-hour struggle near his park in Western Australia. "It's not
your average day running the caravan park, that's for sure," he told local
media.
JULY 12:
Police are probing a series of thefts at Victoria's Anglesea Caravan Park
on the Surf Coast.
JULY
11:
Gladstone Regional Council in Queensland has rejected plans for a
proposed caravan and relocatable home park on land at 72 Old Bruce
Highway, Burua. Parks (WA) Pty Ltd had planned to provide 394 powered
sites and 37 villas/cabins. Facilities would have included shops,
restaurant, swimming and splash pools, BBQ area, two kitchen and amenities
blocks, basketball and tennis courts, mini golf, dump point and an open
air cinema. But at its recent meeting, the council accepted opponents'
claims that the four-stage development would adversely impact on the
surrounding community and was not in keeping with the rural character of
the area.
JULY 11:
Unoccupied caravan at Teralba Lakeside Caravan Park in NSW destroyed by
fire today. Police investigating, but cause not thought to be suspicious.
circumstances.
JULY
11:
Mystery surrounds the future of the Military Jetty Caravan Park on
Queensland's Sunshine Coast. Owners of the waterfront park at Golden Beach
are remaining tight-lipped after a sign revealed it had been sold as a
development site and was under contract. Permanents at the park, which is
popular with weekend fishermen, say they have been left in the dark and
are worried about their future.
JULY 10:
Two grey nomads escaped with minor injuries when their 4WD and
Retreat caravan rolled on Queensland's Bruce Highway south of Nambour.
JULY 10:
Campfire embers blamed for midnight caravan blaze at NSW's Tathra Beach
Motor Village in which father and 9yo daughter suffered burns. Embers set
fire to tree and the flames spread to the caravan which was destroyed.
JULY 9:
Caravan crashes caused mayhem on the Bruce and Pacific highways today.
Police said the Pacific Hwy's northbound lanes at Bulahdelah in NSW were
blocked after an accident involving a car and caravan. Emergency crews
attended but no further details were available. Meanwhile, a 65yo
traveller was rushed to hospital after her 4WD and caravan careered off
the Bruce Hwy's southbound lanes at Elimbah north of Caboolture in
Queensland. The accident caused severe traffic congestion as holidaymakers
returned home on the last day of school holidays.
JUNE 9:
Police investigating suspicious fire which destroyed a caravan on the
Midlands Hwy at Mangalore in Tasmania. They particularly want to hear from
anyone who may have dash-cam footage or were driving in the area between
5.45pm and 7pm, yesterday.
JULY
8:
Queensland State Government will join forces with North Burnett Regional
Council to provide glamping facilites at Mingo Crossing caravan park and
campsite on the banks of the Burnett River. They will pour nearly $2.5
million into the project at the recreation area 125km west of Bundaberg.
There are currently 12 powered caravan sites as well as a camping ground,
kiosk and large undercover barbecue areas. The State Government's
contribution will come from its Building our Regions program.
JULY
8:
After finishing
runner-up in last year's awards, Nova Caravans was "honored and
overwhelmed" last night to be chosen as the 2017 Caravan Trade &
Industries Association of Victoria's Caravan & RV Manufacturer of the
Year. The association represents over 200 caravan and RV brands and held
its annual awards ceremony at Melbourne's Crown Casino. Current holder of
the award New Age Caravans was knocked into second place.
JULY
7:
A Queensland fireman has urged campers to be careful when using portable
gas cookers. The warning comes after a camper was injured when a cooker
exploded at the Cobb & Co Nine Mile Camping Grounds near Gympie. Fire
officer Chester Penfold said he had attended three separate incidents
involving the appliances in the last six months. "User error was the cause
in all cases," he said on Facebook. "These stoves were two old
models and one new. The common mistake has been using the product too
close to another heat source, causing the cylinders to expand, rupture and
ignite. Please, when using these portable cookers use them away from other
heat sources in a well ventilated position and abide by user guidelines of
pot size. The gas in these cylinders can expand by 270 times when heated,
which is why they can cause such terrible injuries. Be safe campers and if
in doubt throw them out."
JULY 6:
Man taken to hospital after stabbing at Nambour caravan park in
Queensland. Police said 46yo man suffered leg wound at the park on Nambour
Connection Road. His alleged 49yo attacker will appear in Maroochydore
Magistrates Court on August 2 charged with unlawful wounding and entering
dwelling with intent.
JULY
6:
The fish have been on the bite ... and Mann River Caravan Park's Curtis
Parker can prove it. He recently landed this whopper 1.02 metre Murray Cod
while taking a breather from his hectic life running the park on the banks
of the Mann River at Jackadgery, on the Gwyder Highway between Grafton and
Glen Innes.
JULY 6:
Police believe carbon
monoxide fumes could have killed camper at NSW caravan park. Emergency
services went to the commercial camping area at Narrabri in state's
north-west following concerns for the welfare of the 54-year-old camper.
Police said they man's body was found in a single-person tent. "We are
investigating all lines of inquiries, including the possibility the man
died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning from a small bottled gas
butane heater found inside the tent," a spokesperson said. A report will
be prepared for the Coroner. Anyone with information is asked to contact
police.
JULY 5:
Former Caravan Industry Association of WA chief executive and Tourism WA
regional manager Simon Glossop has been formally endorsed as the Nationals
WA new state director.
JULY
5:
Australian Caravan Club (ACC) members who own Lotus caravans now have a
special 'in-house' group of their own. The club-within-a-club has been
formed after several ACC members attended a Lotus Caravan Owners' muster
last weekend. ACC now has six 'special interest groups' within its ranks,
including former and current Defence Force members, full-time travellers
and owners of English caravans. "Catering to the interests of all RVers is
important and something our club feels strongly about," ACC chairman and
Lotus caravan owner Craig Humphrey (pictured) said.
JULY 4:
Queensland's Natural Resources and Mines Dr Anthony Lynham has
reportedly asked the Sunshine Coast Council to consider resurrecting the
now closed Mooloolaba Beachfront Caravan Park in its foreshore
redevelopment master plan for area. But the council points out that during
consultations with locals, more than 70 percent supported relocating the
park's 34 sites to allow for a world class oceanfront walk to Alexandra
Headland, while over 60 percent asked for more car parking.
JULY 4:
Perth Central Caravan Park, a member of the Top Tourist chain, is
looking for an "exceptional digital marketing guru" to handle its online
marketing and website.
JULY 3:
Caravan destroyed after suspected arson attack at Blue Dolphin
Caravan Park in Yeppoon, Queensland overnight. No one injured.
JULY
3:
All sites at the Sunshine Coast's immensely popular Mooloolaba
Beachfront Caravan Park were empty today. The iconic 34-site park with
million dollar views over the South Pacific Ocean finally closed at the
weekend after a long battle to keep it open. Even a 3241 signature
petition and an application to the state's Heritage Council failed to save
the holiday destination, used by generations of holidaymakers. The park
will be bulldozed and used as a carpark until the local council turns the
area into parkland and a public walkway.
JULY 1:
Police were today still investigating yesterday's horror smash in
which two caravanners in their mid-40s died in Western Australia. Their
rig collided with a road train carrying cattle on the Great Northern
Highway, about 150km south of Port Hedland. Two teenagers, believed to be
related to the victims, were also in the 4WD and were taken to hospital as
a precaution. The fatalities came only an
hour after another caravanner received minor injuries near Marble Bar to
the south. Debris was strewn over Marble Bar Road, forcing police to
operate diversions. It is thought the caravanners were among the hordes of
grey nomads and other travellers heading to the Marble Bar Races.
