The question has been posed on a popular web-based caravanners' forum and has attracted more than 1500 hits. While most caravanners admitted they had no problem with well behaved youngsters, others complained of children being allowed to run riot without any consideration for other people.

The member raising the issue, who goes under the name Titch, pointed out that Australia already has pet-free caravan parks, retirement villages in which children are not allowed to live and restaurants where youngsters are banned. "So what's the thought on child-free parks?" he asked.

And his pondering brought an avalanche of online replies. Fellow forum members were divided on whether children should be welcome or not in the nation's caravan parks, many of which pride themselves on being family orientated.

One commented: "Part of caravanning is tolerance. If you can't be a little forgiving – regardless of dogs, children or other issues – then leave the caravan in your own backyard where everything is just the way you like it. However, a total ban on smoking in caravan parks would get my vote."

Another wrote: "I think that if you can't live with a few kids enjoying life and running around a caravan park, you should be in a retirement village."

One caravanner lamented: "Too often children are allowed to run riot, create havoc in the amenities and don't respect other campers' space and privacy. Come to think of it, that also applies to many adults!"

Another member thought child-free parks could be a good idea and would do away with parks with 'secret agendas' to discourage children.

"I'd much prefer a park come right out and openly advertise the fact they would prefer to target the 'couples' market, if that's what they wish to do," he wrote. "I have no problem with that. I do have problems with parks that secretly have agendas to keep kids out. It's a pain for us with kids, to turn up and be scowled at from start to end."

He said that to add insult to injury the caravan parks normally charged 'top dollar' for children.

"If they don't want kids, fine ... we don't want to go there. Just be upfront about it, the same way that parks that clearly target families are."

But another member believed there was nothing wrong with having child-free caravan parks, provided it was clearly advertised as such.

"A caravan park has every right to be whatever it wants ... dog-free, kid-free, bonds, extra cost for showers or whatever. People have a choice: don't go there, or don't go back," he said.

One member thought there could be a market for parks which were free of grey nomads, claiming: "They are slow, have their TVs too loud and dominate camp kitchens, BBQ areas etc."

Meanwhile, a teacher suggested children could be irritating and wondered whether it was too much to ask to have some adult-only parks for people who preferred it that way.

"As a teacher, school holidays are the only time for us to get away," the member explained. "If grumpy, retired old people complain about the noise and other irritations that go with caravan parks where kids roam free, they have the choice of going during times when there are no or few children around. We do not have that choice.

"Let's face it, kids are just not as well behaved as years ago ... many parents do not raise them to take other people into consideration."

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