July - December

It's been a busy year for us, but, we still managed to squeeze another four weekends away between July and December.

Our regular Camp 'Buddies' have been busy, so, we ventured out with the Family Caravan Club twice more to Samford and then Kenilworth before the Christmas break

Samford Showgrounds (with the Family Caravan Club)
Just a short drive for us to spend a couple of days at the Samford Showgrounds with the Caravan Club. Power and Water are included in the nightly tariff. Fires permitted in self-provided pits only. Only a couple of minutes to town with coffee shops, restaurants all available

Neurum Creek Bush Retreat, Woodford
An old favourite that we've visited many times over the years. Great for us when we decide to go away for a short weekend. 

Neurum Creek is prone to flooding and we have been caught there ourselves after a night of heavy rain a few years ago. Management are quite understanding, even offering campers free accommodation (if necessary) until we could get past the floodwaters.

Dogs are allowed (extra $'s /day) and the park charges for all children (even babies, which I think is a bit 'rich'). There are a number of camping areas within the park with limited powered sites, bush sites and open grassed areas.

The Staff are always helpful and kids always have a great time.

Big4 Caloundra
Refer to our Full Review (further down), or Click Here

Kenilworth Sowgrounds (Family Caravan Club Christmas Rally)
This was the 'Christmas Rally' with Santa and his helper arriving on bikes on the Saturday evening with gifts for the kids (and their parents). Glen from Funworks came to entertain the kids for a couple of hours

The Kenilworth Pool is next to the Showground and the Kenilworth Cheese Factory is walking distance, so, we visited both over the weekend

We had an appointment Sunday afternoon in Montville, so, decided to travel north via Obi Obi Road (rather than south back through Maleny). Unfortunately, it was closed to Caravans, so, we took Buckby Road which soon became little more than a dusty track through Mapleton Forest Reserve

We were soon committed as we couldn't turn around and pressed on past Cooloolabin Dam raising the eyebrows of a few serious four wheel drivers as we towed our van up and through some interesting bends. Fortunately the 'Outback' has extra clearance and albeit slow, we eventually arrived at Mapleton - All part of the adventure 

January - June

I didn't realise it had been so long since I had made a post on our camping adventures!  Apologies for being so slack busy

As usual, we've had to cancel a couple of trips again this year due to weather conditions, but we have managed to get out to a few new places

In the first six months, we have been to...

• Bargara Beach Caravan Park (Bundaberg - just a little more than our 2 hour driving limit)
• Cotton Tree Caravan Park, Maroochydore
• Big 4 North Star, Hastings Point
• Pomona Showgrounds (with the Family Caravan Club)

Normally by July we would have at least 6 trips completed, so we are a little behind... We had to cancel our trip to Lake Dyer in February due to the floods and hope to get there in September

I wasn't a big fan of Bargara Beach, but that may have been because it was the beginning of January and it was just a little bit too hot for me... portable air-conditioning made it just bearable!

It is definitely a beautiful place but for the 5 hour drive from Brisbane just didn't seem worth it to me.  We are fortunate to live only an hour, or so, away from the beautiful beaches of the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast, and I find it hard not to compare with places much closer!

We spent a lot of the time at the beach and a lovely little spot called Kelly's Bathing Reserve.  The absolute highlight of the trip was getting to see the Turtles and the hatchlings, and that would be the only reason I would go back again during summer

We spent Easter at Cottontree Caravan Park.  I love that the beach is just so close and so is the river.  You can surf or body board, canoe or kayak, fish or even fly kites.  At low tide you can kayak over to the flats in the river mouth and explore... the kids love collecting the soldier crabs by the bucket-load! The kids can also ride their bikes around the park (they seem to form little packs) - I'm pretty sure scooters are not allowed

Amenities are modern and (mostly) clean (being Easter the park is full so I don't mind cutting a little slack to the guys who run the park and I recommend you try to use the facilities in non-peak times). I love that there are shops across the road so I can stock up on fresh fruit & vegies easily, I can disappear for a coffee & cake or a quick browse through the shops. We can go out to dinner if we choose

If the weather is so so, head to Sunshine Plaza and catch a movie or partake in some retail therapy.  There are also great walking paths along the beachfront, we enjoy going for an early morning walk.  Markets run on the 3rd Sunday of the month.  Caloundra markets are much bigger and run every Sunday - about a 15 minute drive away

Over the June long weekend we went on a trial with the Family Caravan Club to the Pomona Showgrounds. We had a great time with a lovely bunch of people! Everyone is really friendly and helpful and most said something on the lines of... "We used to have one of those vans... A great place to start!"

This was the first time we have stayed at a Showground and it was really quite good.  The toilets were clean (and flushing) and the showers were hot so no complaints here!  The sites were all powered and most had access to water as well.  I didn't like the taste of the water... could even taste the chlorine after it was boiled, so in future I will be taking enough bottled water for my tea and coffee too! It was about a 20 minute drive to Eumundi so we did the Eumundi Markets on the Saturday morning

On Sunday it was wet & drizzly so we spent the day in Cooroy visiting relatives.  Others went 4WDing or visited the Ginger Factory.  The township of Pomona was really quaint and had all the necessary supplies. 


One of the "campers" did not to cook for the whole weekend and tried out all the local cafes and restaurants! If the weather had been better we would have been happy to just hang around the showgrounds a little bit more and mingle and let the kids play and explore

The Family Caravan Club meet every month (February - November) and hold a Christmas Rally (Late November with a visit from Santa) - Check out their website for more information

Big4 Maroochy River

We have just come back from a long weekend at Big 4 Maroochy River. There's so much to do at all Big4 Parks, you don't have to leave the park at all!  The kids were entertained with the pool, jumping pillow, putt-putt golf, playground and their favourite activity - feeding the ducks, water hens and eels (shudder) at the pond. There were even baby chicks to see!

We went straight from school on Friday, so we were set up around 5.30pm.  We were setup on site 41 directly adjacent to the pond, which turned out to be a perfect location - the kids happily fed the ducks and explored the pond area while we set up and we could see them the whole time.

The amenities were great too - nice hot showers, nice wide cubicles and nice and clean! They also have a shop at the front for any emergency supplies plus they have a little cafe where you can get fish and chips, sandwiches, burgers, breakfasts etc.(eat in or delivered to your campsite or cabin).

Check in is from 2pm and Check out is at 10am. The Maroochy River and a Boat Ramp are located immediately across the road from the entry, plus there is a walking path beside the river.  We saw plenty of people fishing from the shore, there were BBQ boats and catamarans for hire along the river, there are markets on Fisherman Ave on Sunday mornings (about 1km walk) and it is about a 10 minute drive to Cottontree and the beach.

Noosa North Shore Beach Campground

We spent the first week of the September School holidays at the Noosa North Shore Beachfront Campground which is a Sunshine Coast Holiday Park (Council managed)

Weather was great, albeit for the Tuesday afternoon storm which destroyed a couple of gazebos and a tent or two. We camped with friends Sharon & Paul, Roger & Anita, Martina & Eddie, Chris & Sally (and all their respective children)

Access to Noosa North Shore requires a short ferry ride (5 minutes), driving to the campground is just 15 minutes along a now fully-sealed road

Due to it's location, the facilities at this campground are basic but everything is available including a limited number of powered sites. Sites are numbered (on their maps), but, are not marked throughout the park, and may be booked by management as 'shared' sites. This is worth remembering during busy times

It's not too tough as the local pub is very popular and very accommodating for the Campers and their families - you pass it on the way to the campground, so, you can't miss it

There are actually two campgrounds - the second (located adjacent to the pub), is generally only used during the School Holidays as the 'over flow'. Please be wary of this when booking if you particularly want the 'Beach' camping experience

There is a lot of wildlife within the park with goanna, wallaby, bush turkey and snakes (not that we saw snakes!). Permits are required to access the beach from Noosa through to Rainbow Beach. These can be purchased prior to catching the ferry across the river, at the Park shop or on-line prior to arrival - National Parks regularly patrol the beach, so, permits are a must

Big4 Tallebudgera Creek, Gold Coast

Just returned from a long weekend at Tallebudgera Creek. This was the first trip for us in our 'New' Jayco Swan Outback ('Our Camper' is now updated with some photographs). I've already got a list of modifications before our next trip!

Being right on Tallebudgera Creek, this would be a fantastic spot in Summer. Fishing is also popular and yabbies can be pumped from the beach between the tides right in front of the park.

Tallebudgera Creek is a Gold Coast Tourist Park, so, facilities are of the highest standard. There are lots of different accommodation types available so if travelling with friends or families who want a little more comfort, there's something for everyone.

Both photographs were taken at the park. It was very windy with the 'Westerlies' coming through the park but otherwise, the weather was perfect.

  

Big4 North Star, Hastings Point

For the past few years, we've spent the Anzac Day Weekend at Big 4 North Star (Hastings Point).  Just south of Kingscliff it is another lovely beach location.  The Big 4 isn't on the Beach like Cottontree, it is about a short 5 min stroll away (there is a Tweed Coast Holiday Park which backs onto the river and just across the road from the beach and a park.)  The Big 4 boasts its own Water Park and Pool, Restaurant, Kids Club, Playground and Games Room.

 

You really don't need to leave the premises if you don't want to! This trip we chose to have a private bathroom (so we could bath Lauren) We have stayed there in the past and used the general amenities and have found them to be lovely and clean.  The kids enjoyed using the water park - it was a little too cold for the adults.  We didn't use the Kids Club this trip but it is like an indoor play centre.  They do sessions for different ages at different times of the day (you sign your child in and out).  Great opportunity if you just need a bit of time kid free! And it's included in the price!

 

We had a lovely coffee & cake at the Restaurant which had a great gluten free selection (love it when there is a choice for GF cake!).  We also ventured to Cabarita Sports Club for a scrumptious Chinese dinner one night (and they happily catered for the gluten free too).  On Sunday there are markets on at Pottsville or Kingscliff.  We have been to both... A nice morning out looking at all the handmade goods, vintage wot nots and other bits and bobs!

Cotton Tree Caravan Park

Our most recent trip has been our longest yet - 10 nights

Cotton Tree is one of our favourite camping destinations. We 'camped' in one of the grassy sites with nine other families over the Easter period which included the School Holidays. This was Lauren's 3rd Camp, she loves the attention of all the new faces

Thanks to Cathy, Mike, Amy, Danny, Jo, Todd, Charlotte, Rob, Rebecca, Mick and other Parents and families for making this another memorable holiday.With a borrowed kayak, Noel spent hours fishing the Maroochy River

We had the freshest whiting for Dinner on Good Friday. All the kids enjoyed an Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday. Local Markets operate in the main street on the third Sunday of each month, but, the Caloundra Markets run each Sunday which are only 15 minutes away. Weather was perfect and we all spent hours in the water each day

Please note that the park now requires 50% deposit on bookings and final payment three months in advance during School Holidays

Big4 Hibiscus Holiday Park, Caloundra

  

We've just returned from a weekend at the newest Caravan Park on the Sunshine Coast - Big4 Caloundra. The newly renovated 'Hacienda Holdiay Park' re-opened in December, so, we were able to book 'Prime' Sites directly adjacent to the pool, jumping pillow and beach. It's right at the bottom of Bullcock Street, so, close to everything

We were joined by Steve and his Kids along with Scott, Pia and Ava who recently invested in a camper trailer of their own

The park has all the 'usual' luxuries - power, excellent amenities block, pool and plenty for the kids as it has been completely renovated. With so much to do within the park, we suggest staying an extra day to visit the local attractions. Site sizes vary throughout the park but are all sites are grass.

As we were by the beach, kayaks and fishing were popular with a decent 'Muddie' caught by Scott in a 'secret' spot in the Bribie Passage. Big4 Caloundra also has it's own small craft ramp, right into the water!

General consensus is that Big4 Caloundra is definitely on the radar for a future visit.

Happy New Year

We have updated our trip list for this year and have a few new locations to try... We are heading to Kingscliff later this month and although not on our list, there is a new Big 4 at Caloundra I am keen to try. We will be returning to a couple of favourites that we seem to go to every year and also go to a couple of campgrounds that we haven't been to since starting our blog.  We have eleven trips planned this year... Bring it on!!!

Bongaree Caravan Park, Bribie Island

Bribie is an annual trip for us.  We enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and it's a quick easy trip from home on a Friday afternoon when school finishes. Its not real camping... more of a glamping trip... the only thing camping about our trip to Bribie is that we sleep in the camper trailer!

We booked our trip the previous year, before we knew we were having a baby, so we didn't know if we'd actually go until the last minute - Noel was keen as, but I must admit I was a little hesitant about talking a 3 week old baby camping.  Lauren was great! She slept well, fed well and even had her first 8hr sleep!  But I didn't venture too far from the campsite as we didn't have the pram because Noel had his golf clubs and there just wasn't enough room in the car for both! (I told you it wasn't real camping)

Bongaree Caravan park is located on the passage - just the road between you and the water, and mainly local  traffic going past.  I would say the caravan park does lack character, and first impressions aren't great - just a flat grassed area with a few trees and a 1.8m chain fence all the way around.  But you can walk across the road with your fishing rod, or if you have a boat, the ramp is across the road too.  The Bribie Bowls club is next door (recommend the Hot Rock Garlic Prawns -mmmm) or you can easily walk a little further for fish & chips or coffee & cake.

The park is very level, most sites have slabs and power, you will pay more for the "waterfont" sites, and there are cabins available too. The kids can ride their scooters or bikes around the park and still be within eyesite,  and the toilet block is large and clean.

I think we've already booked again for 2012!