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BREAKING NEWS:
FEB 28:
Shares in Fleetwood, operators of RV accessories
company Northern Camec and Melbourne-based caravan repairs and services
company Northern RV, opened at one-year-plus low of $1.94 today.
FEB 28:
Dayboro Showgrounds in Mount Mee Road, are being used
as an evacuation centre for caravans and campers as torrential rains cause
widespread flooding in SE Queensland. The Bruce Highway on the Sunshine
Coast remains closed. Sections of the Warrego Highway at Blacksoil closed
due to floodwaters. M1 between Brisbane and the Gold Coast blocked.
FEB 27:
NSW SES is asking all people in areas impacted by
floods and storms to monitor the situation closely. "If you are travelling
within and to the impacted locations, consider your travel plans and adjust
or cancel your trip. Caravans and campers need to pack up and move to higher
ground as soon as possible," it said.
FEB 26:
Roadstar caravan owners have announced that their
annual get-together will be held at Ingenia White Albatross Caravan Park at
Nambucca Heads in NSW on October 10, 2022. Activities will include a winery
visit, cook off, mini golf, dinner at a local pub ... and a daily happy
hour.
FEB 26:
Grey nomads and other caravanners warned of
widespread flooding and more rain on way to Queensland's south-east,
including Wide Bay area.
FEBRUARY 26:
The 328-site, 30 hectare Collendina Caravan Park on
Victoria's famous Surf Coast is on the market. Expressions of interest close
on March 31.
FEBRUARY 25:
Tasmanian police investigating after stolen caravan was
destroyed in a deliberately set fire in Gatty Place, Devonport, early today.
 FEBRUARY
25:
Peer-to-peer Newcastle-based RV rental company
Camplify's half-year results show a 45 percent increase in its RV fleet to
7338 and over $22 million in transactions, a 61 percent rise over the
previous corresponding period. Chief executive Justin Hales (pictured) said
it had been a challenging period due to restrictions placed on consumers as
Delta impacted on Camplify's key markets during key holiday periods. "Having
successfully weathered this storm, and shown strong growth, Camplify is well
positioned with our healthy balance sheet to continue our objectives," he
said. "With international travel returning, and more and more restrictions
lifting, Camplify has built into a true player in the RV rental segment in
key markets."
FEBRUARY 25:
Many caravanners changing travel plans as fuel costs
soar, according to members of major online caravanners' forum. They are also
reducing their time on the road.
FEBRUARY 25:
Fleetwood's RV Solutions, operators of RV accessories company Northern Camec
and the Melbourne-based caravan repairs and services company Northern RV,
continues to benefit from the "boom in domestic travel", according to
Fleetwood's half-year report. Revenue rose from $30.6 million during the
corresponding period last year to $41.4 million this year.
FEBRUARY 25:
BIG4 Bendigo Marong Holiday Park in Victoria has
claimed an Australian caravan park first with its newly installed X-Golf
simulator.
 FEBRUARY
25:
Apollo
Tourism and Leisure, manufacturers of Windsor and Coromal caravans and RV
renters,
today released its half-year results which show a
statutory after tax net
loss of $2.2 million.
Chief executive Luke Trouchet, said COVID had continued to disrupt
tourism markets around the world, but the end could in sight as
international borders reopened and countries transitioned to living with the
virus rather than trying to eliminate it. While the outbreak of the Delta
variant in Australia in the financial year's first quarter significantly
disrupted the momentum of the domestic market, reaching the 90 percent
double dose vaccination target allowed the country's state borders to
open. "Revenue from RV sales, and associated servicing and part
sales, helped to partly mitigate the loss in rental income during the
period, as strong levels of RV sales demand were experienced in all
regions," Mr Trouchet said.
FEBRUARY 25:
Work continues on upgrading Queensland's Hangar O campground off the Bruce
Hwy in Gundalda near Gympie with a 25-site camping area and amenities block.
FEBRUARY 24:
Edenhope Lakeside Tourist Park, located a short distance from
the SA border in Western Victoria, has joined the Kui chain of caravan
parks.
 FEBRUARY
23:
South Australia's Wudinna District Council draft
masterplan for the future of Pildappa Rock Recreation Reserve suggests
redesignng the main car park to accommodate large vehicle and caravan
parking. Camping would be available on private land outside the reserve's
perimeter.
The council says that an
opportunity for camping to continue immediately adjacent to the
impressive granite outcrop has emerged through a
neighbouring landowner.
It was
"progressing
this
option to maintain a camping experience close to the
site
following
clarification and feedback from key
stakeholders,
which has been supportive".
FEBRUARY 23:
Police investigating small fire at BIG4 Borderland
Wodonga caravan park in Victoria.
FEBRUARY 23:
Ingenia, which operates a chain of lifestyle and
holiday parks, reports a 13 percent increase in income from its tourism
sector, driven by the acquisition of new holiday parks and installation of
33 new tourism cabins.
 FEBRUARY
23:
Grey nomads battling severe weather conditions in
south-east Queensland, with one couple being rescued from a tree after their
caravan and tow-vehicle were washed away at Mothar Mountain, south-east of
Gympie, in the early hours of today. Meanwhile,
Cooroy RV Park
was evacuated as floodwaters rose. The region was swamped, with 350
millimetres falling in less than 24 hours and the Bureau of Meteorology
warning that more is on the way. Police are urging drivers to re-think their
need to travel in the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay areas and stay off the
roads if possible.
FEBRUARY 22:
Victoria's East Gippsland Shire Council says it is
committed to having the flood-ravaged Omeo Caravan Park reopened in time for
Easter. "The current lease for the park ends on 31 March and council is in
the process of appointing a caretaker manager to commence as soon as
possible from 1 April 1 2022," general manager business excellence Peter
Cannizzaro said.
FEBRUARY 22:
Urban Enterprise is holding a survey on behalf
of Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine to explore opportunities for
establishing a low-cost camping site in Geelong.
 FEBRUARY
21:
Killer and fugitive Graham Gene Potter, who once
stayed at a Queensland caravan park while on the run from police, has been
arrested after an 11-year manhunt.
The bearded fugitive was
arrested in the Ravenshoe area, about 130km from Tully where he was last
seen. He will
appear in Mareeba Magistrates Court tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Victorian detectives will travel to Far North Queensland to seek
his extradition. Potter was last seen by police in 2010 in the small
town of Tully south of Cairns when he ran from a vehicle during a routine
police intercept. Police later searched the nearby
Green Way Caravan Park
where they found camping gear, fat suits, a copy of Camps Australia Wide
and a wig he was thought to have used to avoid detection.
Potter has been on the run since February, 2010,
after failing to attend Melbourne Magistrates Court to face a murder
conspiracy charge. He was known to favour caravan parks
and camping areas. An old caravan was found in the back yard of his
Ravenshoe hideaway.
FEBRUARY 21:
Accommodation vouchers worth $50 and valid for
family-run caravan parks will be available from today as part of the NSW
Government's $250 million Stay NSW program.
FEBRUARY 21:
Man, 18, arrested at Cairns caravan park in Little
Street appearing in Cairns Magistrates today accused of breaking into homes
and businesses in the area.
FEBRUARY 21:
Shares in Fleetwood, which operates recreational vehicle accessories company
Northern Camec and Melbourne-based caravan repairs and services company
Northern RV, opened at a 12-month low of $2.15 on the ASX today.
FEBRUARY 21:
Beauchamp Falls Reserve has reopened in Victoria ...
and Camps Australia says the free camp is proving popular after
undergoing a major upgrade. "The project was funded by Victoria's Great
Outdoors, a $105.6 million Victorian Government investment in better walking
trails, campgrounds, four-wheel drive tracks and visitor facilities to boost
regional tourism and make it easier to enjoy nature," the popular camp site,
RV and caravan park guide adds.
FEBRUARY 20:
Reflections Holiday Parks Group today threw down the
welcome mat for pets at its 29 dog-friendly caravan parks to mark the
International Love Your Pet Day.
FEBRUARY 19:
G'Day Group, which owns Discovery Parks, buys Lake
Argyle Resort and Caravan Park in WA's Kimberley region for a reported $30
million.
FEBRUARY 19:
A grey nomad lost his home on the road when his
Regent caravan was extensively damaged in a three-vehicle pile-up on the
Yakapari Seaforth Rd near Seaforth in Queensland's Mackay region. He escaped
with minor injuries.
FEBRUARY 18:
Newcastle-based peer-to-peer RV rental company
Camplify will release its 2022 interim financial year report covering the
six months to December 31, 2021, on February 24. An investor briefing will
be held via audio phone conference at 11am the same day.
FEBRUARY 18:
Former Sunshine Coast caravan travellers Anna and Chris
Keddie and their two young children have given up their life on the road
after two years to run the Estuary Hideaway Holiday Park at Bouvard in WA.
"We're absolutely loving our new job," they say in a Facebook
posting. "We have fallen in love with WA already."
 FEBRUARY
18:
Work on Crusader Caravans' new purpose-built
production and distribution centre in Melbourne's north continues, with
structural steel and precast elements now completed. "This new facility will
enable us to scale up significantly and further extend our leadership in
manufacturing excellence," it says in a Facebook posting.
FEBRUARY 17:
Police have urged caravanners to be on the lookout
for a missing 11-year-old girl from Victoria. She is believed to be with a
woman driving a white Hyundai Santa Fe registered number 1RO4BF and towing a
single axle caravan. It is also believed they are with a three-year-old and
a rottweiler puppy and are could be in remote areas to avoid being found.
FEBRUARY 16:
Delegates at the upcoming Caravan Industry
Association of Australia national conference from March 30 to April 1 will
discuss the industry's future and what it will look like in 2030 after the
"electronic and consumer revolution".
FEBRUARY 16:
Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig says his council has
limited resources to move on illegal campers in the Queensland region but
will raise the issue with local police. "It would be good to have regular
patrols to move these illegal campers onto the region’s caravan parks to
help the economy and goodwill of the community," he told media.
FEBRUARY 14:
Apollo Tourism & Leisure, manufacturers of the
Coromal and Windsor brands of caravan will release its financial results for
the half-year ended December 31, 2021, on February 25.
FEBRUARY 12:
Victoria's Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority
is advertising for a full-time operations manager to oversee its eight
self-managed caravan parks. Applications close on March 11.
FEBRUARY 12:
Caravanners have welcomed news that the
Spirit of Tasmania ferry terminal will move from Station Pier, Port
Melbourne, to Corio Quay, Geelong, next Spring. Facebook postings
described the news as "fantastic" and "great". "No more navigating through
Melbourne, not easy if you don't know the city," wrote one. "Not before time
... parking in Port Melbourne is non existent for people towing any kind of
rig," wrote another.
FEBRUARY 12:
The 89-site Crystal Brook Tourist Park just 20 minutes from Melbourne's city
centre is on the market. Expressions of Interest close on March 23.
 FEBRUARY
11:
SA's District Council of Yankalilla has revealed the
design and configuration of the 23 new single-storey cabins to be built at
the Jetty Caravan Park. Chief executive Nigel Morris said all would be
single storey with elevations kept to a minimum as requested by local
residents. The first of the new cabins will arrive in the third quarter of
this year.
FEBRUARY 11:
Caravanning Queensland's Gold Coast Caravan & Outdoor
Expo returns to Metricon Stadium at Carrara from March 4 to 6, with more
than 100 exhibitors.
FEBRUARY 10:
The Caravan Industry Association of Australia's National
Board has appointed THL Australlia's chief operating officer Kate Meldrum
and Nikki Milne, chief executive of Tasman Holiday Parks, as joint deputy
chairs of the association. "This is the first time the National Board has
had two individuals share the title, bringing a wealth of knowledge and
experience to the table," it said.
 FEBRUARY
10:
Agriculture Victoria's leading biosecurity officer
Emily Hill has appealed to travellers to keep an eye out for "sneaky
stowaways" in their vehicles, including caravans. The plea comes after
potential cane toad sightings in the southern state. She said the large,
warty and poisonous amphibians were being accidentally transported on
vehicles, camping gear, caravans and in the luggage of returning travellers
from northern Australia.
FEBRUARY 10:
Caravan Industry Association of Australia is seeking
nominations for its high profile Eric Hayman Award for Excellence, Gerry
Ryan OAM Award for Innovation and the RV Boss Future Leaders Award.
Nominations close on March 11.
FEBRUARY 10:
Property developer Alan
Holliday submits plans for 350-site RV and camping park adjoining Mary River
at Amamoor west of Gympie in Queensland.
 FEBRUARY
9:
Police hunting
thieves who made off with two electric bicycles from a holiday park at
Burnett Heads near Bundaberg, Queensland. One of the bicycles is described
as a 2021 Rove E Plus brand with a flat handlebar, comfort saddle, cushioned
seat cover, kick stand and TOPEAK MTX trunk bag and rack. The other is
described as Earth T-Rex brand, red and black in colour, nine speed, 27.5
wheel size, Velo grips handlebar, standard seat with cushioned cover, kick
stand, TOPEAK MTX trunk bag and rack, front and back lights and mudguards.
FEBRUARY 8:
Police at Hervey Bay in Queensland investigating theft of
white Avan poptop caravan (registration not available) from property in
Southern Cross Circuit, Urangan.
FEBRUARY 8:
CBRE Hotels offering "once in a lifetime" opportunity to
acquire the freehold of NRMA Agnes Water Caravan Park in Queensland's
Gladstone region. Expected to fetch between $25 million and $30 million.
FEBRUARY 7:
ASX shares in Brisbane-based Apollo Tourism and Leisure,
builders of Coromal and Windsor caravans, slipped to a three-month low of
51c today.
FEBRUARY 7:
NSW's Riverside
Holiday Resort Urunga scooped gold in two categories - Excellence in
Accessible Tourism and Self-Contained Accommodation - in the NSW Tourism
Awards and was inducted into the prestigious Hall of Fame for winning the
Self-Contained category three years in a row.
FEBRUARY 5:
Caravanning Queensland chief executive Jason Plant has warned
that scammers are targeting prospective RV buyers through dodgy websites and
online fraudsters.He said
there were also reports of stolen caravans being sold
privately.
FEBRUARY 5:
Sydney-based investment syndicate acquires 72-site
Tuggerah Shores Caravan Park on NSW's Central Coast for $5.6 million.
FEBRUARY 4:
Three men who saved a 14-year-old girl from a blazing
cabin at Victoria's BIG4 Port Fairy Holiday Park
on December 21, 2017,
received Australian Bravery Decorations at Government House in Melbourne
yesterday.
FEBRUARY 4:
A popular free overnight rest stop for caravanners and other travellers on
the busy Albany Hwy at Mount Barker in SA has been closed after complaints
from locals.
FEBRUARY 2:
Bridgetown-Greenbushes Shire councillors in WA have given
the thumb's up for a three-month trial allowing free camping for two
self-contained caravans or motorhomes within the Bridgetown Railway Reserve
car park starting on March 1.
FEBRUARY 2:
Gold Coast's Pickering Caravans will stage an open day on
Saturday at its new premises in Wrights Place, Arundel.
FEBRUARY 2:
Fleetwood, which operates RV accessories company Northern Camec and the
Melbourne-based caravan repairs and services company Northern RV, has
changed its registered office address to Level 2, 464 Hay Street, Subiaco,
WA.
●
Breaking News - January 2022
●
Breaking News - December 2021
●
Breaking News - November 2021
●
Breaking News - October 2021
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Copyright 2005 Dennis Amor
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