|
|
 |
|
MARCH 2008
Hi Top Tourist Park Member,
Welcome to the March/April edition of ttparksnews.
Implementation of the new Platinum Club membership program is now well underway with a series of printed advertisements soon to be appearing in Caravan World and the entrance booklet for the forthcoming Melbourne Caravan show. Also, current club members are being given the option to upgrade when their Top Tourist Club renewal notices are being forward out.
The new Platinum Club in no way affects the current Top Tourist Club program which has been in place since 1994. We are now offering to the traveller two options for club membership. The current club membership offers a 10% discount up to the value of $25 per stay and can be used in any of our member parks. The fee for the two years membership is still remaining at $25. The new Platinum Club card is for those travellers who want not only the 10% discount up to $25 per stay but would also like to receive added discount benefits such as restaurants, attractions, car hire etc. Information about the benefitscan be seen on www.ttp.presidentialcard.com.au
Also, since our inaugural e-newsletter, we have participated at the first of the state capital Caravan & Camping Shows with the Adelaide show being held in the middle of February. Once again this gave us the opportunity to catch up with many of our club members and also new travellers who were busy gathering information to plan their trips. The first three days of the show were busy however the weekend was made difficult with the extremely hot weather with the maximum on the Sunday reaching 39. Hopefully the weather for the Perth Show in March will be more favourable.
We would also like to welcome our newest member park to the group - Warrnambool Holiday Village. We hope you enjoy reading ttparksnews.
Best regards,
From Top Tourist Parks
You have received this email as you are a Top Tourist Park Member, affiliate or have a direct association with Top Tourist Parks. If you do not want to receive any further emails, please click here..Unsubscribe
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
LORIKEET AUSTRALIA DAY CELEBRATION
The Lorikeet Tourist Park held its traditional Australia Day Celebration. Tourists and residents enjoyed a traditional morning tea by residents Betty & Laurie Freeman who regularly provide scones and Laurie's famous damper.
The day's festivities included a montage of old fashioned picnic games. Egg and spoon race, Horse shoe toss, Gum boot toss, Broom tossing, guess the number of lollies in the jar, guess the length of string in a jar, and many more activities for a family fun day out.
Everyone entered into the spirit of the day by dressingup in Australiana paraphernalia.
Pam Gray, the park manager said, “It was a wonderful day. We look forward to this ongoing event and our morning teas during the winter months.”
www.lorikeet.contact.com.au
Freecall: 1800 555 858 (reservations only)
Email: stay@thelorikeet.com.au
Park Managers: Pam & Cliff Gray
210 Eggins Drive,
Arrawarra
P.O. Box 471
Woolgoolga NSW 2456
GPS
South 30Ў 02.599'
East 153Ў 11.434'
Phone: +61 2 6649 2717
Fax: +61 2 6649 2811
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NEW ADDITIONS TO MANDALAY
Mandalay Holiday Resort and Tourist Park in Busselton WA has just completed a new development designed exclusively for family holidays and travellers.
The build includes 24 new private ensuited sites to suit caravans, motor homes and camping. 19 new 2 and 3 bedroom superior cabins were also opened. They all have air conditioning, 81cm plasma TV, DVD, CD, lounge, full kitchen, dishwasher, laundry, and some have spas.
A new toddler's playground and giant jumping pillow have also been added to the extensive list of entertainment facilities including 2 heated pools (one indoors with a shallow beach), 2 Megatoy playgrounds, playing field, games room and bike hire. Mandalay is situated right opposite the beach in Geographe Bay.
www.mandalayresort.com.au
Free call: 1800 248 231
Email: info@mandalayresort.com.au
652 Geographe Bay Road
Busselton WA 6280
GPS
South 33 o 39.435'
East 115 o 17.754'
Phone: (08) 9752 1328
Fax: (08) 9752 2835
Whats on at MANDALY Holiday Resort & Tourist Park
4 Apr 2008 to 6 Apr 2008
Quit Forest Rally
Busselton and Nannup
30 Aug 2008 to 31 Aug 2008
Capes Long Lunch
Various Winieries - For Further Information
contact Jacquie Happ- jacquie@happs.com.au
8 Sep 2008 to 19 Sept 2008
Wildflower Exhibition
Busselton Untiting Church
7 Dec 2008
Ironman WA Triathlon
Busselton
Visit www.ironmanwa.com for more information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 - 08 HOLIDAY PASS COMPETITION
One of the popular features when travelling around Australia is the opportunity to pick up a free entry form from any Top Tourist member park for the Holiday Pass competition (conditions apply). The form can be collected at the park in which you are staying and is then dropped in at the next Top Tourist park on your journey. There are six prizes a year given away and the lucky winners receive vouchers to the value of $500 which can used to pay for accommodation in any Top Tourist member park.
On 13th February 2008 the final draw was held for the 2007-08 Holiday Pass competition. The lucky winners for the 07/08 competition have been
Sarah J Ryan from Shepparton (Vic)
Greg & Mary Bussell from Margaret River (WA)
Kathy Wilkins from Port Lincoln (SA)
Mr & Mrs Juleff from Boambee East (NSW)
Damien Willett from Moe (Vic)
Carlo & Gianna Maffi from Surrey Hills (Vic)
Entry forms for the 2008 competition are now available from member parks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 CARAVAN & CAMPING SHOWS
Claremont Showgrounds Perfect Home for Caravan & Camping Show
The Perth Caravan & Camping Show has now found the right venue to accommodate the rapidly growing showcase event for the popular caravanning and camping holiday lifestyle.
CEO of the Caravan Industry Association WA and Show Organiser, Pat Strahan, said that both the number of exhibitors and visitors had been increasing each year and room to grow and easy access was paramount in the decision to take the Show to Claremont Showgrounds.
"It gives us a lot more space, both indoor and outdoor, so people can attend with ease and look, buy and be entertained in comfort. There is a train service stopping at the Showgrounds, three entry gates and plenty of free parking, so getting into the Show should be a breeze.
"And with Easter coming up next weekend, it is the ideal opportunity to see an amazing range of everything in one place that you might need, or just want, before setting off on your trip," said Ms Strahan.
Visitors will have the chance to win some great prizes tohelp them enjoy life on the road, including the major prize of a Coromal Compac Caravan valued at $22,900 or an Engel fridge freezer and transit bag valued at $1364. Just pick up a Show prize passport when purchasing your ticket at the entry gates.The Showgrounds will be spectacular with hundreds of caravans on the Bruce Campbell Arena, motorhomes, camper trailers and accessories in the Robinson, Jim Webster and Ellie Eaton Pavilions, plus holiday destinations and tourist parks in the Silver Jubilee Pavilion.
Outdoors, between the pavilions and the grandstand, will be more campertrailers, tents, 4WD and camping accessories to satisfy all needs.
There is plenty of action around the grounds with the RAC Towing clinics and Hayman Reese hitch demonstrations, a full program of seminars and the 4WD recovery area. Thommo 'the camp oven cook' will be cooking up a bushtucker storm near Gate 1.
A star attraction will be popular country singer Tania Kernaghan performing twice daily from Thursday to Sunday on the main Entertainment Stage sponsored by George Day Caravans and appearing at their caravan stand to meet and talk to visitors.
"Having taken part in the filming of the Warlu Way Safari in the Pilbara last September as presenter of the Discover Downunder national TV series, Tania has first hand experience of our vast state," said Ms Strahan.
On Saturday and Sunday there is plenty of fun for the kids with wandering entertainers, balloon sculptures, face painting and an animal farm on Saturday.
For visitors' convenience, there is an ATM opposite the Robinson Pavilion and credit card facilities for the purchase of tickets. Located near Gate 1, the Lions of Scarborough will have wheelchairs and strollers for hire and there is a pick up and drop off point for passengers and parcels outside, near Gate 1.
Dogs are not allowed into the Show and in the hot summer conditions we advise visitors to leave them at home.
Perth Caravan & Camping Show
13th - 17th March
Phone: (08) 9240 8208
www.caravanwa.com.au
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NSW Supershow set for success in 2008
with cricketer Glenn McGrath
Barry Baillie, CEO of the Caravan and Camping Industry Association of NSW (CCIA), predicts the 2008 NSW Caravan, Camping, 4WD and Holiday Supershow (NSW Supershow) at Rosehill Racecourse will be the widest and most diverse display of the caravan, camping and 4WD industries in Australia, with Glenn McGrath to support the event for a second consecutive year.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the NSW Supershow willbe held earlier in 2008 from 29 March to 6 April.
Australian icon and legendary cricketer, Glenn McGrath will feature throughout the NSW Supershow's promotional campaign in television, radio and press advertisements.
"It's a great day out and a really informative day for visitors looking for holiday ideas," said Glenn McGrath.
Glenn McGrath first experienced caravanning as a young boy on family holidays at a North Haven holiday park on the NSW North Coast.
"I remember playing cricket with some of the other kids staying at the park during the holidays. The lifestyle is so relaxing and friendly that you look forward to your holidays every year," McGrath reminisced.
With the addition of a new state-of-the-art exhibition area at the Grand Avenue end of Rosehill Racecourse, some 200 motorhome, campervan, slide-ons and 5th wheeler exhibits will enjoy new indoor facilities and spacious surrounds.
"The NSW Supershow keeps getting better every year. Now in its 40th year, the event has established itself as a significant event on Sydney's calendar," said Mr Barry Baillie, CEO, CCIA.
"Winning a NSW Tourism Award in 2006 for promoting tourism and supporting the local community, as well as being recognised by exhibitors and visitors alike as a ‘must attend' exhibition, the NSW Supershow has proven to be one of the best leisure events in the state."
In 2008, the NSW Supershow is expected to attract around86,000 visitors and some 400 exhibitors.
The diverse range of exhibits will include caravans, motorhomes, campervans, camper and tent trailers, 5th wheelers, tents, 4WD vehicles, caravan, camping and 4WD accessories, a complete representation of Australian tourism with operators from all states of Australia and a raft of other products and services to benefit self drive touring holidays.
With a strong environmental focus, the NSW Supershow has committed to providing a plastic bag free event in 2008. Exhibitors will provide paper, calico or starch based biodegradable bags to visitors at the NSW Supershow.
"Every year the CCIA distributes 50,000 FREE calico bags to visitors at the NSW Supershow to store the information they collect throughout the day. We are encouraging our exhibitors to also be environmentally aware by ‘saying no to plastic bags'," stated Mr Baillie.
In 2008, the NSW Supershow Passport initiative will provide visitors with the opportunity to win an array of caravan and camping prizes valued at tens of thousands of dollars. This is a highlight activity at the event.
Boasting all the major 4WD vehicle manufacturers and many 4WD accessories and operators, the NSW Supershow is a must for 4WDrive enthusiasts. The Supershow provides FREE informative touring seminars, exciting activities and entertainment for the entire family and a wealth of products to browse and buy.
|
Dates: |
29 March - 6 April 2008 |
|
Admission Costs: |
$18 - adults
$13 - pensioners
Children under 16 years admitted FREE
(when accompanied by an adult) |
|
More information: |
www.supershow.com.au
or call 1902 220 299 (call costs apply). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Victoria's Caravan Show rolls into town
Victoria's annual Caravan Camping & Touring Supershow will return to Caulfield Racecourse from 23 to 28 April including ANZAC Day.
Sponsored by CIL Insurances, the Victorian Caravan Show showcases everything you need for your next outdoor holiday. There are the very latest caravans, motorhomes, campers and tent trailers, Australia-wide tourism and destination information, tons of camping and outdoor equipment, plus a great range of 4-wheel drives and accessories.
"This year we've got the largest display of motorhomes ever assembled in Victoria featuring Swagman, Winnebago, Sunliner, Jayco, A'Van and more," said Show Organiser Peter Wright.
"Visitors can preview over 75 different caravan and RV brands, we'll introduce a number of new exhibitors, and many manufacturers will release their 2008 models," he added. New exhibitors include Accessavan who will release a caravan designed specifically for the disabled.
Victorian Caravan Show visitors can collect useful destination and touring information from the many tourism displays that fill the grandstand. Here visitors can also attend free daily seminars hosted by industry experts and celebrities. Plus there'll be some great activities for the kids, with Shrek the Third Live performances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and you can catch up with Coxy over the weekend.
Mr Wright has confirmed that the popular passport
competition will return this year, giving visitors the chance to win a Windsor Caravan valued at over $30,000.
The Victorian Show is the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere and this year it will be ten per cent bigger. This year's opening hours have been moved forward to 9.30 am each day. And if you get there before 11 am, parking is free. Otherwise catch a train to Caulfield Station which is only metres away from the entry.
|
Dates: |
23 - 28 April 2008 |
|
Where: |
Caulfield Racecourse |
|
Opening Times: |
9.30 am to 6 pm Wednesday to Sunday,
9.30 am to 4 pm Monday |
|
Admission Costs: |
$16 - adults
$11 - pensioners
Children under 16 years admitted FREE
(when accompanied by an adult) |
|
More information: |
www.caravanshow.com.au
or call 03 9329 5311 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ONE MILE BEACH HOLIDAY PARK
Congratulations to One Mile Beach Holiday Park for receiving Holidays with Kids Australia's Top Ten Family- Friendly Holiday Parks in Australia Award for 2008!.
One Mile Beach Holiday Park, Port Stephens NSW has received this award after being nominated by Holidays with Kids readers for outstanding holiday appeal and facilities for families.
Holidays with Kids is the highest-circulating audited travel publication in Australia. The awards invite readers to vote for the best Family-Friendly Holiday Parks and Resorts they've encountered, and to rank their nomination on categories including activities and facilities for kids, childcare and babysitting services, staff hospitality, standard of accommodation, location, accessibility, safety, fun for the entire family, value for money and overall experience.
Vol 15 2008, in which the 2008 Top Ten Awards is published, is now on sale. Each of the Top Ten properties are posted on the website:
www.holidayswithkids.com.au
One Mile Beach Holiday Park was voted No. 6 in the Top 10 Holiday Parks. This is a major achievement and a credit to the establishment and the staff that manage it.
www.onemilebeach.com
Free call: 1800 650 035
Bookings: reservations@onemilebeach.com
426 Gan Gan Road
Anna Bay NSW 2316
Phone: (02) 4982 1112
Fax: (02) 4982 2832
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HAPPY HALLIDAYS HOLIDAY PARK
Congratulations to Happy Hallidays Holiday Park for receiving Holidays with Kids Australia's Top Ten Family- Friendly Holiday Parks in Australia Award for 2008!.
Happy Hallidays Holiday Park, Hallidays Point NSW has received this award after being nominated by Holidays with Kids readers for outstanding holiday appeal and facilities for families.
Holidays with Kids released the results to the media on January 24th 2008 and the awards first ran exclusively in all Fairfax Sunday papers on the 13th of January 2008.
Holidays with Kids is distributed throughout Australia, New Zealand and Aisia, travel agents, visitor information centres, newsagents, Toys 'R' Us stores,in flight with Qantas and Qantas Lounges.
Each of the Top Ten properties are posted on the website www.holidayswithkids.com.au which receives over 3.8 million hits per month and up to 840,000 page views
Happy Hallidays Holiday Park was voted No. 5 in the Top 10 Holiday Parks. This is a major achievement and a credit to the establishment and the staff that manage it.
www.happyhallidays.com.au
Reservations: 1800 555 454
Email: info@happyhallidays.com.au
146 Blackhead Road
Hallidays Point NSW 2430
Phone: +61 2 6559 2967
Fax: +61 2 6559 2029
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HOLIDAY VILLIAGE RECOVERS FROM FLOOD
The Lake Maraboon Holiday Village 4-star (AAAT) rated tourist-park is located close to Emerald, Queensland. The park is comprised of 150 powered sites, 20 great villas and various improvements to make your stay easier.
Lake Maraboon Holiday Village is located 18km south of Emerald, via Selma Road or via the Fairbairn Dam Access Road off the Gregory Highway (Springsure Road) on the banks of the beautiful Fairbairn Dam and sparkling Lake Maraboon.
You will be attracted to the park by the immediate access to the dam, which is a haven for fishing and water sport enthusiasts. The park provides fishing gear and small boat hire services to guests.
Lake Maraboon, which has been dammed by Fairbairn Dam, is vast and its waters have become a popular leisure haunt for the Emerald townsfolk.
Lake Maraboon was constructed across the “Nogoa Gap”, the Fairbairn Dam creates the magnificent Lake Maraboon (Aboriginal for “where the black duck fly”).
Size: three and a half times the size of
Sydney Harbour
Purpose: supplies water for the Emerald Irrigation Scheme, the coal mining industry and domestic water for adjoining towns
Catchment area: is 15,000km2.
Capacity: 1,440,000 megalitres
Coastline: 250km
Completed in: 1972
The dam spilled over on Saturday 19th January and water was 4.44 metres above the spillway crest with around 253,000 mega litres pouring over each day. The lake filled to double capacity. It has been 18 years since the dam was full. The town of Emerald had no power for one week, no phones for 2 1/2 weeks and closure of the John Gay Bridge. The Lake Maraboon Holiday Village residents were evacuated as were thousand of residents from the Central Highlands. Many gathered at the Emerald Town Hall to find emergency accommodation. Main damage was in the town centre and to the surrounding roads.
www.bestonparks.com.au/qld
Reservations: 1800 627 226
Fairbairn Dam Access & Selma Rd,
Emerald Qld 4720
Phone: (07) 4982 3677
Fax: (07) 4982 1932
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NEW CLUB CARD-PLATINUM
2008 has seen the introduction of a new level of Top Tourist Parks platinum club membership card which will provide members with not only the current accommodation discount but also discounts at many other outlets and attractions Australia wide.
In conjunction with the 'Presidential Card' company, the Board of Top Tourist Parks has negotiated a deal which has given an enormous amount of 'add on' value to the new card and will also give the club member the opportunity to use the card when not travelling.
The current club card which has a joining fee of $25for a two year membership and allows the holder a discount of 10% up to the value of $25 per stay will still be retained for those members who require an accommodation discount only, when travelling.
For those travellers who would prefer not only the discount allowance for the accommodation in Top Tourist member parks for a two year period but would also like to have the privilege of receiving discounts at selected attractions, restaurants, electrical retailers, car hire companies for this same period, a new club card will be available at a fee of $70 for the two year membership.
Similar to the current club card, the new card is available for purchase from the Top Tourist Parks office, via the internet on www.toptouristparks.com.au or at most member parks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LAKESIDE TOURIST PARK
Lakeside Tourist Park, Robe SA - Alison Huth
One of the advantages of being on the road is being able to pick and choose where you want to stay. Peter and I were heading from Melbourne to Adelaide and decided that we would spend a couple of nights in Robe, a place we had only passed through before.
Our chosen park was Lakeside Tourist Park, a great Top Tourist park which lives up to its name of being beside a lake, with Lake Fellmongery lapping one complete site of the park. The park is long and thin, and has plenty of grass and some great sites to choose from.
I was really surprised by the park, to start with you have to go down a long driveway, away from the main road, past a magnificent old mansion that is now a backpackers. Once you get past the mansion there is the office and reception ? the old mansion stables. One of the best parts of using the stables is that they have not been renovated and modernised.
You walk in through magnificent large double doors, and you can still see the roof beams and the old plastered walls. When you have stopped looking up, you should look down at the floor which is the original one put in during the 1880's. The floor is made of poles that are sunk at least 1 meter down into the earth, the tops have been worn smooth and almost level by years of horses and people.
Recycling has reached new heights when you see that the hay bales are still there and now hold the brochure racks. The mixture of old stables and new computers works really well and creates a superb atmosphere of friendship and comfort.
Robin and Geoff Moloney, who have operated the park for the past six years, live in a beautiful 2 storey house created from the rest of the stables. When they arrived they had to get used to sharing their accommodation with the resident ghost. After a while, and a couple of close encounters, the ghost seemed to be happy with Robin and Geoff and everyone now lives in peace.
Besides having great thick grass, the park has plentyof trees, many of which are over 100 years old and are recognised has having historical significance which ensures their future in the park landscape.
Robe has a fascinating history and was declared a port for South Australia in April 1846. It went into decline in the 1870's because of poor farm and wool prices, plus the establishment of rail-lines that opened up other ports. In an odd way this decline has actually saved Robe. The old houses and buildings were in almost constant use and not demolished to allow for development and upgrades. If you like history and beautiful old buildings, Robe has them in abundance. It also has fishing, walking, superb eating and a park with a ghost.
Contacts: Lakeside Tourist Park, Robe, SA (3.5 stars)
www.lakesiderobe.com.au
Reservations: 1300 135 012
Email: info@lakesiderobe.com.au
24 Main Road,
Robe SA 5276
Phone: 08-8768-2193
Fax: 08-8768-2722
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
