Caravan Parks in Queensland and Northern NSW

In the English speaking part of the world, the term caravan park is either not used or has a different meaning between countries. This description applies to caravan parks in Queensland and Northern New South Wales. Summer is too hot and wet for enjoyable bicycle touring, thus the bicycle tourist will be using the parks mainly in the other seasons. In winter, many retirees tow their caravans/trailers north to escape the southern winter. They are the majority users of the parks in winter. Often, they return to the same park each year and renew acquaintances with others who return to the same park each year. They are friendly and helpful and are usually very quiet of a night time, so it is unlikely that your sleep will be disturbed by a party on a nearby site. In this respect, they are similar to the "snowbird" parks in the United States.

Caravan Parks cater for caravans, recreational vehicles and campers. They are either privately owner or local government run with the objective of providing sites for

• Permanent residents living in either caravans/trailers.
• Tourists in RVs or towing caravans/trailers.
• Tourists who camp in tents.

The privately owned sites may be dedicated businesses or be run in conjunction with a motel or roadhouse. The dedicated businesses are usually better maintained and administered.

For tourists, the type of sites available are:

• Powered sites for caravans/trailers or RVs. These have connections for electricity and water and an outlet for waste water. Usually, there is a cement slab on which a canvas annex can be erected
• On-site hire vans or cabins. These are usually located in the tourist section and adjacent to the caravan section. The cabins are often of a good standard and are equipped with stoves, fans or air-conditioners and TV. Cooking and eating utensils are supplied and the visitor only has to supply or hire bed linen. Price range between hotels and motels. Although, if food is purchased and cooked, the cost would be comparable to hotel accommodation and buying prepared meals. Hotels and motels usually do not provide cooking facilities.
• Powered camping sites. Theses have a connection for electricity only. They are usually in rows, with roads between the rows.
• Non-powered tent sites. This is usually an area of lawn on which tents can be erected. Usually, there are no marked sites and tents can be pitched where-ever desired. Some have a fenced off area where motorised vehicle access is not permitted. The only facility provided is a few water points.

In most parks, the amenities block is shared by all residents of the park. It has toilets, hot showers, and coin operated washing machines and clothes driers. Ironing boards are provided free of charge, and clothes irons can be hired. Usually, the non-powered tent site area is furthermost from the amenities block.

Some parks provide extra facilities. These include:

• Electric bar-b-cues.
• Picnic tables either covered or uncovered.
• Electric lighting for the picnic tables.
• Camp kitchens. These usually have a communal refrigerator, electric kettle, wash-up sink, stove and lighting.
• Swimming pool
• Recreation room with perhaps a billiard table, a table tennis table and a TV.