Australian Caravan Park Reports
Glossary
Adequacy of Amenities
Will the amenity cope with a large number of users? Certainly, most people
use an amenity block in the morning, and in peak seasons the amenity may have
people waiting to use it, while in the majority of time in off-peak there will
be adequate facilities for the guests at the park.
Amenity/Amenities
Means the toilet/shower building.
Annex Slabs
These are usually concrete, but may be webbing/matting. Concrete slabs are usually raised, but some can be level with the ground.
Matting is usually spiked out on the ground. Both offer some protection from getting dirt into the van.
Basic
A rating for a particular facility. Basic means that it provides the
minimum requirements necessary for the facility. For example, an amenity
block that has clean showers and toilets.
Campground
Not a caravan park. This abbreviation exists in the indexes.
Includes camping areas in national and state parks. They may be free, or charge
a fee through prior booking or an honesty box system. These may or may not be suitable for
caravans so check the report. There is a separate index of Campgrounds accessible from the main page.
Date
Date of stay at the park - Month/Year. Not the date the report was
submitted. Reports are generally kept for the previous 3 years plus the current year
and "old reports" are usually deleted.
Detour
This abbreviation exists in the Route section of the indexes. It means
that the town is not on the actual route, but you have to detour off that route
to get to the town. For example, a town may be 50 kms off the Hume Highway
but not near any other listed route, so it will be listed under the Hume Highway
route but indicate (Detour).
DFP
Dog Friendly Park. This abbreviation exists in the indexes.
Although the park may be denoted at DFP, check the comments in the park report for any
conditions. Also, a park may be dog friendly but I have not been informed of
that fact. If unsure contact the park beforehand. Most parks that are DFP will not allow pets in or
with cabin accommodation; check the comments. Most parks have an 'on-leash at all times'
policy even if
not stated. As of June 2011, BIG4 policy changed so that individual parks
can decide to be DFP or not. Some BIG4 DFP parks have very strict
guidelines - check the individual park's page under the BIG4 website for all
conditions.
Drive Thru/Through
Indicates that the park has sites that cater for overnight travellers that do
not wish to unhitch the caravan from the tow vehicle. You drive onto the
site from one direction, park, and the next day you simply drive off the site in
the same direction - you do not need to reverse on to the site.
E
East - used in directions.
Excellent
A rating for a particular facility. Excellent means that it provides a top
level of service or facility. For example, an amenity block that has clean
lage showers and toilets, plus quite a few added features such as hand dryers,
soap dispensers, exhaust fans, is bright and airy, etc.
Good
A rating for a particular facility. Good means that it provides a high
level of service or facility. For example, an amenity block that has clean
showers and toilets, plus some added features such as hand dryers, etc.
N
North - used in directions.
Number of Tourist Sites
It seems more and more parks, for economic reasons, are providing less caravanning tourist
sites in favour of permanent vans and/or residents, or cabin accommodation. Park users determine
if there are an adequate or inadequate number of tourist sites for the park -
because it is deemed to affect the ambience of a park.
Park Rating
The Park Rating in each report is made by the actual park users, and rates the
park
from 1 (low standard) to 5 (high standard). It ignores the Star Rating which is awarded to the
park by park associations or motoring organisations (eg. BIG4, RACV) through the
AAA.
Therefore, the amount (or lack) of amenities may not affect the Park Rating.
For example, a park which is suited to a one-night stop-over, but have basic
amenities, may rate higher than a park which is more geared to longer stays and
has more amenities - the one-nighter may have less services, but these are in
excellent condition, whereas the longer-stay park may have more services, but
they are not well kept or not clean and would spoil a long stay.
So, you can see that the Park Rating is more suited to picking the quality of a
park, rather than just "stars" for more services. As with any rating system, read the reports and make up your own mind.
Permanent resident
Privately owned vans or cabins occupied by people permanently living in the
park (with the usual flower gardens and little pokey fences).
Permanent vans
Privately owned vans or cabins permanently parked on a site, often only
used only during holidays by their owners.
Pet policy unknown
I cannot deternmine if pets allowed or not. Assume no pets. As
always, enquire when booking. Please inform me if you see this at a park
listing and you know the correct pet policy (allowed or not allowed, and any
conditions)
Pitch
This term is widely used in the UK to mean Site (see below). Pitch is not used in reports herein.
Playground Ratings
PN
Per night - used in pricing.
PO
Post office - used in directions.
Poor
A rating for a particular facility. Poor means that it does not provide the
minimum requirements necessary for the facility. For example, an unclean amenity
block that is small and does not cater for the number of users.
PW
Per week - used in pricing.
Quiet
No, or minimal, road noise, and no nuisance noise nearby, such as hotel,
late-night shopping center, factories, etc. Does not include noisy fellow
campers, as this usually does not reflect on the park itself, unless the
owner/manager does not take action if the noise is excessive and complaints
are made.
Rest Area
Not a caravan park nor campground. This abbreviation exists in the indexes. It is a
free roadside rest area.
It may be specifically put aside by the local council and therefore sign-posted, or may be an area often used
by caravanners as an overnight stop (as along the Nullarbor).
STAR Rating
A rating system owned by the AAA which is used to rate caravan parks (as well as
other tourist accommodation types). This website does not use the STAR
Rating - see Park Rating above.
Station Stay
This abbreviation exists in the indexes. Campgrounds or caravan parks operated
by working cattle or sheep stations.
S
South - used in directions.
Site
The allocated spot to place your caravan, motorhome or tent. In Europe it's called
a pitch. Site size can be dependent on the park used. You may find that parks have
some larger sites available to cater for large motorhomes, so enquire if this is the case
when booking in or booking ahead.
Van parking
The park manager will position your van on the site for you if you wish.
W
West - used in directions.