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Caravanning News is registered with the National Library of Australia's PANDORA archive |
JANUARY 2023 | ||||||
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Readership: Up
to 32,000 monthly
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Tourist hotspot New campground now available for travellers A NEW campground and upgraded facilities are now available at Lake Kepwari in WA. The site of a former open-cut mine 15km south-east of Collie has been transformed into a tourist hotspot, popular with both the locals and travellers to the region. It completes a $5.8 million transformation to lure tourists to the town which last year recorded more than 51,000 visitors. Upgrades consist of the new David Ugle Campground, increasing the total number of campsites from 32 to 53. There is also a new picnic area, improved pathway access, barbecue shelter and toilet facilities. The existing campground located on the eastern edge of the lake has been renamed to Mick Murray Campground. 'We see the challenges presented'
Peak body charging
AUSTRALIA'S
peak caravanning body believes that caravan parks could
form themselves into a national network for
charging electric vehicles.
'More important for sales people' Consultant engineer scorns idea of caravan towing tests CONSULTANT automotive
engineer Colin Young has scorned suggestions that all caravanners should
undertake towing tests. "A proper test/exam of the vital legal and
technical issues involving with towing a caravan would be much more
practical, faster and cheaper ... and probably
more effective than having all 'vanners obtain an endorsed licence," he
said. He believes all caravan sales personnel should be required to pass
the test, especially the critical ratings and masses questions. Mr Young
said a question and answer test sheet could be obtained by emailing him at
caravancouncil@optusnet.com.au Crooks make off with caravan Plea to be on the lookout for stolen Jayco
Thieves made off with this Jayco poptop caravan belonging to a NSW family. Griffith Police have now urged people to keep an eye out for it. Anyone with information should ring 02 6969 4299.
WA Mines Dept slaps ban on portable fridges WA's Department of
Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety has slapped a ban on the sales
of Jackeroo J3PR35L three-way portable refrigerators made in 2010.
There are fears of dangerous carbon monoxide levels when the appliance
is operated on gas in an enclosed area. They can only be sold to
Building and Energy officers for testing, validation or disposal.
Caravanners, campers and other owners of portable fridges are
urged to check if their appliance is part of a gas safety sales ban in
Western Australia due to carbon monoxide hazards. "When this fridge is
operated with gas in an enclosed area, it can emit dangerous levels of
carbon monoxide, a potentially lethal toxic gas," Building and Energy
acting executive director Nabil Yazdani said. "Do
not use it indoors or in an enclosed space, such as inside a tent,
caravan, RV or boat, even if the doors or windows are open."
Jayco training gives Cooper confidence JAYCO is proud of
having produced Australia's most popular brand of RVs for more than 45
years ... and decided to turn the spotlight on its cadets who have
helped in the process. The Victorian-based manufacturer
interviewed one of its trainees in its cadetship program to find out
how he has benefited. Cooper, pictured above,
joined the program in March, 2022, after graduating from high school.
He was searching for jobs when he discovered
it was construction oriented and would provide him with hands-on
experience, which was exactly what he was after. Through Jayco’s
cadetship program, Cooper discovered his passion for electrical work
and has gained the skills and experience to pursue this field.
Locals fight decision Anger as highway driver reviver site axed
By Dennis Amor LOCALS are fighting
the decision to permanently close the popular driver reviver station
adjoining the travellers' rest area north of Gin Gin on Queensland's
busy Bruce Highway. The facility, which stood on government land
north of the township, is reported to be the
first victim of a government decision to axe
more than half of the sites which allegedly do not meet health and
safety regulations. Travellers, including
caravanners, expressed disappointment when Caravanning News
visited the driver reviver site this week,
claiming it would do nothing to help road safety. "These sites do a
valuable job in reducing driver fatigue," caravanner Derek Fitzgerald
said. "Where's the wisdom in shutting them down?"
Gin Gin's Country Women's Association
has already launched a petition against the closure.
Photo:
Caravanning News. Scratching Lotto tickets is one theory ANTS IN YOUR PANTS? MAYBE IN THIS 'VAN!
A
NEW Facebook posting has caravanners guessing. One owner was
left completely baffled after discovering piles of black debris in his
pride and joy. And he has taken to social media for an answer. "Any
ideas what this is?” he asks in a Facebook posting. Readers
were quick to offer answers, suggesting ants in the walls, spider
eggs, insect poo, termites, a spider plague ... and even debris from
scratching Lotto tickets! ABC Pest Control director Warren Bailey said
the infestation was most likely "an infestation" of native Australian
black ants,
a common species which overruns
homes.
"It's actually quite common this time of the year," he added.
Caravanners and campers pour billions into economy LATEST figures from the National Visitor Survey show that caravan and camping is a major contributor to the economy. The large-scale telephone assessment, which has been conducted by Tourism Research Australia annually since January 1998, is designed to measure domestic and outbound travel by Aussies. The number of caravan and camping trips grew by 67 percent in the decade before COVID-19. In the year ending 2019, Australians chalked up an all-time record with a whopping 13.9 million caravan and camping trips. Commercial caravan parks and camping grounds accounted for 52 percent of trips. Numbers have recovered well since COVID-related lockdowns ended. Trips were at 12.7 million by the year ending June, 2022. Spend was at an all-time high of $10.5 billion. With over 770,000 caravan and campervan registrations across the nation in 2021, this growth is set to continue. Improving visitor experience More power to campers at Point Lowly
MORE power to the elbow of caravanners and campers at SA's Point Lowly Campground near Whyalla. Upgrades at the facility in Port Bonython Road include a brand-new shelter with solar panels, two barbeques and two picnic tables with phone charging capabilities. "This new addition should greatly improve the visitor experience to the area," a local said. The project was initiated by the Point Lowly Ratepayers Association with a request to the local council. Installation was completed by Specialised Solutions. In addition to the installation of the shelter, new post and chain fencing is being installed to provide clear access to areas that are accessible and appropriate spaces for camping.
Shire approves 'friendly trial' Overnight rest areas to be trialled in Harvey Shire WA's Shire of Harvey has thrown down the welcome mat for caravanners and other RV travellers. Councillors have approved a 12-month 'Friendly Trial' offering free overnight short-stay rest areas to fully self-contained RV travellers. It will begin in March and offer a limited number of bays for up to 48 hours at Australind, Brunswick, Harvey and Yarloop. Shire President Paul Gillett said the trial would focus on attracting the RV travellers who head to other areas outside the shire which offer free RV short-stay options. "The trial will be closely monitored by shire officers with an initial review due back to the council after six months," he said. "The trial only allows for self-contained RVs defined as motorised camping vehicles with internal sleeping accommodation, internal kitchen and dining facilities that carry their own internal water supply and have internal shower and toilet facilities." He said the first step would be to assess each site and ensure they are user ready. Primitive camping ground to reopen
PREPARATIONS are underway
to re-open Wilks Park primitive camping ground in New South Wales.
It was closed to dry
out after flooding in October and November. The
clean-up includes levelling areas within the
park, removing rubbish and adjusting the temporary levee at the entrance
so that caravans can still enter the park while maintaining the levee
height. The opening date is yet to be determined. Due to the long-term
risk of flooding, conditions of stay will again be in force, with rangers
monitoring the area daily. Restrictions include a 72-hour limit and
self-contained accommodation. A full list of the conditions of use are
displayed on a sign at the entrance to the park.
'Eco-tourism experience'
NRMA shells out to acquire park Story and pic by Dennis Amor
NRMA Parks and Resorts has bought the
beachside caravan park bordering on the world famous Mon Repos turtle
rookery in Queensland. With over 40 parks nationwide, the chain is
Australia's second largest investor in holiday parks. Its latest
acquisition ‒ Turtle
Sands Camping and Holiday Park near Bundaberg
‒ has taken limited guests since pulling
down the shutters in 2010, telling Caravanning News
it wanted to protect the adjoining turtle activity.
The park
first threw open its gates in 1974.
NRMA Parks and Resorts said it planned to create an "eco-tourism
experience" next to Mon Repos,
which attracts visitors from far and wide during the turtle laying season
from December to March.
Redevelopment begins in May RAC plans $7.5m upgrade for Esperance caravan park A BEACHSIDE
caravan park in the West Australian town of Esperance is to undergo a $7.5
million redevelopment. RAC Parks and Resorts plan to extend their
current park, with internal roads to another 20 self-contained chalets,
long vehicle sites suitable for larger caravans and buses, parking and a
play area. The reserve was formerly run as a youth hostel but stood vacant
for some time after the Shire of Esperance took on the lease in late 2020
to help the local community with worker accommodation during the Covid
pandemic. Shire president Ian Mickel said it was time to hand the prime
tourism site over to an organisation which had already demonstrated the
"fantastic results" they can achieve. Shire chief executive Shane Burge
said redevelopment of the site would offer ongoing assistance to the
regional community. "RAC prefers to use local contractors in construction
which were competitive and available, and hopes
the site works and in-ground services will be sourced locally," he said.
"The finished extension to the holiday park will
increase the amenity of the site and diversify our accommodation options,
and of course RAC will continue marketing to its member base and wider
population. This gives significant exposure to our town, and once
travellers are here RAC works with local tourism operators, encouraging
guests to enjoy the amenities of our region." RAC plans to start
redevelopment next May.
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