In an Australia which has long seen a slow decline in the number of caravan parks, there is finally some brighter news for travellers.
In the last couple of days, there have been indications that two new van parks will be established … one near Katherine in the Northern Territory, and one in the West Australian town of Dampier.
The announcements come against a backdrop of a pattern of developers gradually moving in on parks in prime locations, and also the growth of cabins at the expense of caravan sites.
It’s a trend that has left many grey nomads asking: ‘where are we all going to stay as the caravanning and camping lifestyle continues to boom?’
In WA, the City of Karratha has adopted a new draft plan which it hopes will move Dampier away from its mining town roots towards a more traveller friendly destination. The plan includes a proposal for a new 40-site tourist park at Jurat Park.
The West Australian reports that a shire officers’ report said the Jurat Park land was under-utilised.
“The proposed size and location of the park allows for the development of a high value site that creates a strong connection to the foreshore,” the report said.
The draft plan follows on from a deal made last April between the City and Rio Tinto to complete the Dampier Land Transfer which enables the City to develop the land and improve the town’s liveability, community, infrastructure and tourism.
In the NT, an application has been received from the owner of the Springvale Homestead near Katherine to turn a popular camping area in to a fully-fledged caravan park.
Michael Shepherd, who bought the land last year, is looking to establish a van park on almost 25 hectares of land on the banks of the Katherine River.
The NT News reports that the proposed site would be open in the dry season only, and be set up to cater for guests with self-contained caravans and campervans. The proposal states the caravan will ‘bring under-utilised land into economic use to the benefit of the tourist economy’.
There would be 20 caravan spots in total, located only metres from the Katherine River. Given its proximity to the Katherine River, the proposed facility would be closed between November and April. The application notes the site is within areas that are subject to flooding risks.
The development application argued that the addition of caravan facilities would constitute an additional tourist attraction that ‘will help address unmet need’.
Building a caravan park on the banks of a major river that becomes severely inundated by regular flooding does not make much sense to me.
And that is why it will only be open in the dry season
I think you missed the point..
Well.. blind Freddy will tell you it’s hard to operate a Van park under 4 metres of water..
The point was if you operate a business you would want to maximise your income…
After flooding all infrastructure toilets etc and electrical would have to be cleaned, repaired or replaced. Even the Van slabs will erode or move..
More and more travellers are visiting in the wet season than in past years. So why have a business that you have to do regular major financial repairs for a couple of months before you make your first dollar.
In case you havnt noticed…
major flooding is becoming more regular than than it ever has been in past years. Cheers.
As an ex grey nomad ( on the road for 12 years) we now sometimes travel via car and motels. Unfortunately the cost of caravan park cabins make motels/hotels the cheaper alternative. Certainly develop more self contained sites. It’s the way of the future.
Caravan park ???? Power?,water ?,amenities? Without these it is NOT an as they say “fully-fledged caravan Park
There is certainly a severe shortage of quality caravan parks in most popular areas, and not limited to NT & WA.
Retirees are after these facilities without jumping castles and water parks, but with a well equipped Camp Kitchen, modern clean facilities and a swimming pool if possible.