CARAVANNING NEWS - March 2010 edition


LINKS	REST AREAS	CARAVAN MANUFACTURERS	OWNERS' FORUMS	FUEL PRICES	CARAVAN CLUBS	ED'S HOME PAGE
Queensland outback	Carnarvon Gorge	Moore Park Beach turtles	Sydney circular	Santa's trip	Formula One interlude	Imbil

Brisbane Weather Forecast, Australia

March 2010

BREAKING NEWS

MARCH 29: Electrical fault thought to have caused blaze in cabin at Sun Country caravan park in Mulwala, NSW. No one hurt.
MARCH 25: Traveller, 48, escapes serious injury as gust of wind overturns his caravan on Brand Highway near Dongara in WA.
MARCH 22: It could be months before Queensland's Midge Point Caravan Park, which took the full force of Cyclone Ului, reopens, says manager Robin Whelan.
MARCH 21: Proserpine caravan park in Queensland devastated as category three cyclone left a trail of destruction and floods today.
MARCH 20: Holidaymaker, 69, from oceanside Brooms Head caravan park in northern NSW drowns in heavy surf.
MARCH 19: Mackay Home Show and Caravan, Camping and Boating Expo postponed as Cyclone Ului approaches central Queensland coast.
MARCH 17: After a recent tsunami alert saw caravanners fleeing some Queensland coastal caravan parks, travellers are now preparing to move as potentially destructive Cyclone Ului heads for the coast.
MARCH 11: Three caravanners escape injury as rig overturns on Hume Highway between Barnawartha and Chiltern junctions, Victoria.
MARCH 5: Caravan destroyed by fire in Hatton Vale west of Ipswich, Qld. No one hurt.
MARCH 5: Motorcyclist injured in accident with caravan on narrow bridge on New England Hwy at Crows Nest, Queensland.
MARCH 4: Caravan destroyed as 65 firefighters battle raging bushfire at Nambeelup south of Perth in WA.
MARCH 3: Man, 33, accused of possessing and cultivating cannabis after hydroponic set-up discovered at Leeman caravan park in WA.

Mr Treasure's former Geist promotional caravan

Geist owners set to rally in Victoria

MORE than 20 German-made caravans are expected to converge on a small Victorian town. Geist owners Peter and Rachel Treasure will host what they say is the southern hemisphere's largest gathering of Geist caravans. The event will be held at Lindenow South Recreation Reserve between March 19 and 22 when owners will discuss future plans for the brand's importation. There will also be education seminars on maintenance and a bus tour of the local Mitchell Valley. Peter Treasure was the national development manager for Geist Caravans in Australia before the major importer, Queensland-based Oakhurst International Caravans, went broke owing about $11 million and throwing imports of the popular brand into chaos (see story below). For more information on the gathering, email support@geistowners.com

Investors welcome news of higher priced shares

By DENNIS AMOR

Coromal and Windsor caravans THE West Australian-based Fleetwood Corporation, manufacturers of the Coromal and Windsor range of caravans, is smarting from a 34 percent slump in revenue.

But despite a nine percent tumble in profit during the December 2009 half-year, the Perth company is confident things will improve.

Fleetwood, which also supplies manufactured homes and the Camec range of RV accessories, blamed the disappointing slump on client delays in awarding contracts and unsustainable price competition.

But investors in the company welcomed news that shares were higher, despite the first half profit falling to $16.8 million.

Aspen Parks a 'standout performer' for parent group

THE Perth-based Aspen Group, which operates a network of successful caravan parks, has announced an after-tax first-half profit of $15.6 million. The group's Aspen Parks division continued to be a "standout performer" and is expected to carry on being a strong contributor to its parent company's earnings. Income from the parks continues to grow, buoyed by strong occupancies and improved yield management.

Aspen's Geelong Riverview Tourist Park

Axle fears spark Jayco recall
AUSTRALIA'S giant Jayco company is recalling some caravans and campers after fears axles could fail. Company marketing director Andrew Ryan told Caravanning News that only 31 vehicles were affected and the recall was a "safety precaution". He said some caravans and campers with chassis numbers between L12153 and L52068 had been manufactured with accessories which could overload their 1450kg axles. These would be replaced with ones rated at 1600kg "to ensure the van's axle exceeds the requirements". Owners with affected vehicles should contact their Jayco dealer.

World traveller astonished at high cost of RVs in Oz
AMERICAN real estate agent Mike Humphreys says he is horrified at the high cost of caravanning in Australia. The world traveller told Caravanning News that he and wife Alison were planning a six-month caravanning sojourn around Australia ... but were having second thoughts because recreational vehicles were so pricey Down Under.

Tsunami threat sends caravanners packing

Tsunami warning outside the Golden Sands caravan park at Moore Park Beach in Queensland

Words and Photo by DENNIS AMOR

WORRIED caravanners hitched up and fled some low lying coastal caravan parks in NSW and Queensland after Chile's massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake triggered a tsunami threat. Travellers were reportedly moving to higher ground as local radio and television stations broke into normal programming to issue urgent warnings that dangerous waves and strong ocean currents could batter beaches from southern NSW to just south of Rockhampton. But despite a small rise in sea levels there were no reports of damage along Australia's eastern seaboard and relieved caravanners were making their way back to the coast.

Tsunami warning outside the Golden Sands caravan park at Moore Park Beach in Queensland

Heartless thief snatches charity box
POLICE are still hunting a heartless thief who made off with a charity box and cash from a New South Wales caravan park. The brazen bandit stole the Epilepsy Association collecting box and chocolates from the briefly unattended office at the 140-site Wagga Beach Caravan Park in Wagga Wagga. A spokesman at the park told Caravanning News a new charity box had now been chained to the counter. "If any low life wants to pinch it they'll have to take the whole counter with them now," he added.

Bringing dowdy awnings back to life
THERE'S now help at hand for caravanners who are tired of their dowdy awnings. A Sydney-based company has introduced a new product to the market which will bring awnings and other canvas products back to life.

Tiny town set to host 500-caravan rally
PLANS are well underway for this year's national caravan rally, which will see more than 500 caravans descend on a tiny Victoria community. Over $3 million will be poured into the local economy during the 14th National Caravan Clubs Rally, which is being sponsored by Jayco, the City of Bendigo and Campaspe Shire councils and Regional Development Victoria.

Park raises funds for life-saving medical equipment
A NEW South Wales seaside caravan park is working hard to provide life-saving medical equipment to help cut the number of deaths by drowning. Ballina Beach Village co-owner Rikki Grimberg told Caravanning News: "We hope to have it all done and dusted by the end of this month and a defibrillator in place for Easter."

Helping you plan your show visits
THOUSANDS of enthusiasts will flock to caravan and camping shows this year. And to help you plan your visits, Caravanning News has compiled a list of dates and venues.

Tourists marooned as deluge hits Sunshine State
CARAVAN parks were awash as Mother Nature dumped nearly 300mm of rain on south-east Queensland. One park was isolated twice in less than a week but luckily many of its tourists had fled to higher ground before the second deluge. "At least everything is lovely and green here now," Nola Offord of Baffle Bobs Caravan and Camping Park, where a dozen tourists were marooned for five days, told Caravanning News.

BIG4 to centralise online bookings
BIG4 Holiday Parks’ foray into online bookings has proved so successful it is now moving to a centralised system. Known as BIG4 PAM - Park Accommodation Management - it is being hailed as a first for Australia's caravan and camping industry and was modelled on Kampgrounds of America’s KampSite system.

Geist import struggle 'at a crossroads'
THE battle to reintroduce imports of a popular range of German-built caravans and motorhomes is at a crossroads, according to the leading figure who promotes the brand. Peter Treasure, who worked for the Queensland-based importer which went belly-up last year, has revealed that "inroads" are being made to again secure the brand within Australia.

Masked bandit terrorises receptionist at rain-lashed park
POLICE were hunting a knife-wielding thief who terrorised a receptionist at a New South Wales caravan park. The drama happened as rain lashed the four-and-a-half star NRMA-owned Merimbula Beach Caravan Park on the State's South Coast.

New managers have fresh vision
THE new managers of a caravan park in New South Wales' famous opal town have a fresh vision for its future. The Lands and Property Management Authority, which recently took control of the 84-site Lightning Ridge Caravan Park from the local council, would like to see it redeveloped into a fully-fledged tourist park.

Caravanner accused of negligent driving
A CARAVANNER has been accused of negligent driving after a caravan accident on a major NSW highway. Police said the driver lost control of the rig when the caravan began swaying on the Pacific Highway. No one was injured.

Park voted tops in the South Pacific
ASHMORE Palms Holiday Village on Queensland's Gold Coast has been voted tops in the South Pacific. The family-owned and operated park, a member of the BIG4 chain, was awarded a 96 percent average rating by holidaymakers taking part in a TripAdvisor.com survey.

Parks boost states' economy
CARAVAN parks continue to pour millions of dollars into the economy, according to latest statistics. Australian Bureau of Statistics figures reveal that occupancy rates increased dramatically in the year to September, 2009. Tourist parks in the Brisbane and Sunshine Coast were the biggest contributors to revenue, with earnings up more than $3 million to $73.1 million. Meanwhile, Victoria's caravan parks reaped in $43.19 million ... $3.61 million more than the September quarter of the previous year.

'Vanners could hold vital clues in murder probe
CARAVANNERS could hold vital clues which might help bring a killer to justice. Police are still working closely with German authorities in a bid to close the case on German tourist Simone Strobel, whose body was found nearly a week after she was reported missing from the Lismore Tourist Caravan Park in New South Wales.

Consultant to quiz locals on parks' future
TWO oceanside caravan parks at Warrnambool in Victoria will not be developed into glitzy upmarket resorts, it is claimed. Concern over their future was expressed after Warrnambool City Council advertised for a consultant to prepare a development investment plan for the 175-site Surfside Holiday and 517-site Shipwreck Bay caravan parks.

River Murray parks dismiss algae claims
TWO caravan parks on the banks of the mighty River Murray in New South Wales are worried holidaymakers are turning their backs on the area because of algae claims. Owners have dismissed Goulburn-Murray Water reports that toxic blue green algae has reached the stretch of river near their parks.

Community urged to back caravan park plan
A TOWN'S community on NSW's North Coast is being asked to support plans for a new caravan park. Barry and Shirley Breckenridge's proposal to turn their farmstay business at Wauchope into a caravan park has been rejected by the local authority. Now they are pleading with locals to write to town planner Clinton Tink backing their development application.

Caravan crook loses spoils in high speed chase
A HAPLESS caravan thief sped off without his spoils when the caravan he had stolen became unhooked from his getaway vehicle as police chased him at breakneck speeds through Melbourne suburbs. The $65,000 Olympic Seaview careered out of control as the offender drove down a walkway and disappeared along a freeway.

Police issue urgent plea after thieves strike twice
POLICE have issued an urgent plea to people to upgrade their caravan security as thieves continue to reap rich pickings from recreational vehicles. This follows a dramatic increase recently in the number of expensive caravans being stolen. In the latest incidents, Supreme Territory caravans disappeared when thieves struck twice in Perth, Western Australia.

Park comes to aid of sick turtle
A NEW South Wales caravan park hosted an unusual guest recently ... an endangered green turtle. The sick juvenile was rushed to the Ballina Beach Village and Wilderness Camping Park by local Evans Head fishermen who rescued her from the beach.

Club abandons rally because of high site fees
CARAVANNERS abandoned a rally in protest over high site fees. The North East Victoria Caravan Club called off its Echuca-Moama Celtic Festival Rally when a caravan park demanded $43 to $48 a night for sites. Up to 18 caravans were scheduled to attend the event. Meanwhile, the club also reports that a snake was an unwelcome guest at its recent gathering in Tarrawingee.

Rates squabble over crown land caravan park rates
NAMBUCCA Council in NSW is fighting a ruling that a caravan park on crown land need not pay general rates. The Minister for Local Government has decided the Scotts Head Caravan Park is exempt from the levy because it is on a crown reserve deemed for public recreation. One local councillor protested that the ruling – which was costing the council around $20,000 in lost revenue – discriminated against privately run caravan parks.

Recognise this old lady?

CARAVANNING News reader Felicity Armstrong is among the growing number of Aussies interested in vintage caravans. And she wonders whether enthusiasts can help her identify the "old lady of the road" pictured right. "All I know is that its electrical installation took place in 1966," he told us. So if anyone can help Felicity just email Caravanning News and we'll pass on the information. To see more photographs of the caravan click here.

For stories from the last six editions of Caravanning News, click on the appropriate month:


February 2010	January 2010	December 2009	November 2009	October 2009	September 2009

Editor: Dennis Amor
PO Box 678
Caloundra
Queensland 4551
Australia
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NEWS DOWNLOADS REACH 95,000 MONTHLY

MORE and more caravanners are turning to Caravanning News to keep abreast of what's happening in the world of caravanning. Page downloads recently reached 95,000 monthly ... with more than 80 percent of visitors adding us to their favourites, too.

LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR

When greed replaces compassion

FRIENDS of ours were forced to unexpectedly cut short their two-week holiday at a Queensland caravan park to attend a funeral. Of course, when they checked in and paid in advance they had no idea they would have to abandon their stay ... after all, the poor departed gave no advance notice of his unfortunate demise. But would the park show pity and reimburse our friends for their lost five nights? Oh dear no, despite the park being nearly empty and there being no question of revenue loss. It seems the days of compassion at some caravan parks have long since disappeared in favour of greed. We will register our disappointment by not visiting this park ever again in the future.

A and S Harrison,
Queensland.

Plea for a list of Australian showgrounds

I LOVE your website and refer to it at least once a week. I like your "freebies" section but I was wondering if it was possible to include showgrounds where campers may stay. I know some don't take singles but allow clubs to stay, while others don't take any campers at all.

Barrie Sibson.

Ed's note: Sorry Barrie, I'm not sure there is an official list of Australian showgrounds. But whilst it is not complete, there is a list of alternative campsites, which includes Queensland showgrounds, available online to members of the Australian Caravan Club. Members have access to this site and can add their own favourite camps.

Waves of anger over Apple Isle ferry charges

IT HAS just been brought to my attention about the story on price increases on the ferries to and from Tasmania (see story here). I have been busy complaining to whoever will listen about the very unwelcome and unjustified price rise on the Spirit of Tasmania ferries! I have had some support from MLC Ruth Forrest, as she has had other complaints from locals regarding the issue. What the heck good is it going to do for any of us when the prices for the off peak season have jumped, in our case from $1300-$1800 for a 14m rig. Whichever way we look at it and from whichever side of the Strait we live on, something has to be done about it ... and the more voices the better.

Louise McNeair.

No wonder caravanners
get bad name

WHAT is wrong with some caravanners? On a recent trip up the Bruce Highway in Queensland I came across two glaring episodes of stupidity by grey nomads ... and yes, they were 'seniors'. Just north of Maryborough I followed a caravan into a roadhouse where I had to leave my caravan parked precariously on a sharp bend because the other driver parked well short of the front of the space provided. Then in Childers, two other caravanners thought it wise to leave their rigs in spaces specially reserved for buses and coaches ... even though the spacious caravan parking area just a few metres away was clearly marked. No wonder caravanners get a bad name.

Geoff Sinclair,
New South Wales.

LethaI mix of P-plates and utes

I AGREE something should be done to curtail the high-speed and aggressive antics of youngsters displaying P-plates (see story here). I suppose they're trying to prove what good drivers they are (NOT!). And I reckon the worst offenders of all are the potentially lethal mix of P-platers driving souped up utes!

Allan Fletcher,
Queensland.

WORLD BRIEFS

TV soap brings flood of bookings

BOOKINGS at a British caravan park owner's Lake District cottage have soared since it was featured in television's popular Coronation Street soapie. Harold Cowburn, who owns the Three Rivers Caravan Park in West Bradford, said reservations had been flooding in.

NEW Zealand's Tourism Holdings, car and motorhome renters in Australia and NZ and builders of caravans and motorhomes, has posted an unexpected $1.4m first-half profit.

CROATIA seems to be the latest hotspot for some UK caravanners, with the Caravan Club including many brand new camping suggestions for the Balkan country in its latest continental guide.

A SURVEY by British caravan insurance retailer Safeguard reveals that celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and ageing rocker Rod Stewart would be among caravanners' favourite holiday companions.

A NATIONAL Express coach driver who terrified his passengers during a 12km road rage episode with a caravanner in the UK has been jailed for a year. A court heard he drove like a 'madman' on the M6 motorway in Lancashire as he targeted an elderly driver towing a caravan.

NEW Zealand Prime Minister John Key has defended travellers who freecamp. He was commenting on claims by New Zealand Motor Caravan Association president Dick Waters that irresponsible tourists "should be shot". Mr Key said camping was a Kiwi tradition and not all freecampers should be condemned.