If you are camping or caravanning your way around Australia on a big lap or doing road trips there are a variety of options where you can pitch your tent or park the caravan. There are road-side stops, free camps, donation camps and of course caravan parks. 

Now I know we all want to travel for as cheap as possible to make our travel budgets go further. So many of us ‘won’t’ or ‘don’t want to’ pay for setting up camp somewhere. But you know what, every style of accommodation plays its part when travelling around Australia, even those you need to pay for. 

Now I know there is a cost to staying in caravan parks and you may be centre metres away from your neighbour however, after a week off-grid where you have to conserve your water or power or food, coming back on-grid to re-stock and immerse into civilisation can be a good thing. This is where a caravan park comes in for campers and caravaners. So why stay in a caravan park?

Why Stay in a Caravan Park

Caravan parks offer a wide range of amenities, from basic utility hooks to resort-style entertainment. And there are pros and cons to staying in them.

Pros of Staying in a Caravan Park

I do think the pros of staying in a caravan park far outweigh the cons, so what are they:

Location to Places

• Location to Town: many caravan parks are located on the fringes of a town making it easy to walk into town for a meal and other services. Or they are located in wonderful places – along rivers, opposite a beach – you get the drift.

Essential Sites and Utilities

• Powered and Unpowered Sites: Caravan parks provide spaces for caravans, motorhomes, campervans, and tents, with or without electricity to set up.
• Water & Wastewater: Stock up on fresh water from one of the connections and dispose of sanitary, grey and black water at dump points.
• Ensuite Sites: Yes, some caravan parks are providing individual private bathrooms attached directly to your caravan site. With no limits on the length of your shower! I love this after a week off-grid!

Conveniences and Facilities

cool off in the pool

• Amenities Blocks: Some call them ‘ablutions blocks’. Whatever you call them, they are shared facilities with flushing toilets and hot showers.
• Laundry Rooms: Coin-operated or card-operated washing machines, dryers, and ironing boards are great. However, not always enough!
• Camp Kitchens: Communal cooking areas featuring BBQs, stovetops, microwaves, fridges, and seating areas. So come out of your cramped kitchen or limited cooking equipment and make some great meals.
• Wi-Fi: Internet access across the park grounds. Yep, get back on-line and make connections with free Wi-Fi if you don’t have your own set-up.
• Kiosks/Convenience Stores: Many caravan parks have an on-site shop for basic groceries, ice, and gas bottle refills. Very handy, though can be a little expensive.

Recreation & Family Activities

Many caravan parks offer recreation and family activities to attract patrons.

• Swimming Pools: Seasonal or heated pools and splash pads are great when visiting in warm or hot weather.
• Playgrounds & Jumping Pillows: Outdoor play equipment and large inflatable jumping cushions for children. What fun!
• Games Rooms & Tennis Courts: Indoor recreation areas, tennis courts and mini-golf courses help while your time away.
• Pet-Friendly Areas: Designated dog-walking zones or pet-friendly cabins and sites (at park discretion).

Cons of Staying in a Caravan Park

With all the positives to staying in a caravan park, there are also negatives.

• Not always close to town – though this can suit many.
• Lots of caravans and vans packed in close proximity to each other.
• Have to share and wait to use conveniences – toilets, washing machines, BBQs.
• Not all caravan parks welcome pets.

How to Find a Caravan Park?

There are a number of ways to find a caravan park while doing the big lap of Australia or taking a road trip.

• Look out for signs as you arrive in towns or just along the road side. Symbols such as tents and caravans will show you there is a caravan park nearby.
• Use Apps such as Wikicamps.
• Word of mouth. Other caravanners can recommend caravan parks to stay.
• Stay at the chains. You can join their programs for discounts by staying with them.

Are You Going to Stay in a Caravan Park while travelling Australia?

Like all styles of accommodation in Australia caravan parks have a place in the scheme of things. So next time you are camping or caravanning whether it be for an overnight, weekend or longer a caravan park offers the traveller a lot of options.

READ MORE:

How to Survive Your First Stay at a Caravan Post: A Beginners Guide
Prepping your caravan for bad weather
Pre-drive caravan Checks Before Hitting the Road
Caravan Buyers Guide: Different Types of Caravans
Caravan Essentials You Can’t Live Without