SHOWING SOME LEG IN LONGREACH

Participants on our first Caravan Safari strutted their stuff at an ‘Op Shop’ Black Tie function, hosted by Tourism Queensland in Longreach on May 14 Mothers Day. Travelling from Sydney to Cairns via the Outback, participants had no idea they would be attending a ‘Black Tie’ Dinner at the at the Qantas Founders Museum, until the first day of the Safari, so they had to purchase their outfits from op shops along the route.

As you read this email the convoy of caravans and motorhomes is enjoying refreshments around the camp fire after exploring Burke & Wills Roadhouse. It’s just another day on the “Safari” - a new concept developed by CRVA.

Led by experienced tour operators, the group of around 80 adventure seekers will finish their month long journey from Sydney on Friday, 26 May in Cairns.

Bookings are now being taken for the WA Wildflower and Goldfields Trail – the second of three safaris planned for this year. This 26-day trip departs on 21 August, when the convoy will travel through some of Western Australia ’s most dramatic landscapes; from wildflowers to the outback around Kalgoorlie , and down to Albany , one of Australia ’s best Whale watching destinations. Limited places are still available.

To see a detailed itinerary and booking information for the WA Wildflower and Goldfields Trail visit: www.caravansafari.com.au


DON'T MISS THE SHOW!

Queensland Caravan, Camping & Touring Holiday Show
7 - 13 June 2006

Covering more than 70,000 square metres of exhibits, the Queensland Caravan, Camping & Touring Holiday Show is now one of the biggest shows in Australia. And at just $10 entry, it has to be one of the best investments for anyone buying or maintaining a caravan or simply planning a driving holiday.

And at just $10 entry, it has to be one of the best investments for anyone buying or maintaining a caravan or simply planning a driving holiday. 

With over 300 exhibitors, we suggest you plan you visit carefully, especially if you want catch the free seminars

This year’s Queensland Caravan, Camping and Touring Holiday Show features a range of inspirational and educational seminars by experts to help holidaymakers get moving.

First introduced at the show in 1989, the seminars have proven to be a popular attraction.

The seminars will run every day in two auditoriums, one situated on the Upper Level, Building 3 and the other in Building 11 within the Motorhome and Campervan Show area at the RNA Showgrounds.

CARAVANNING FOR ALL AGES
Presented by Ron & Thora Schafer
Caravanning experts Ron and Thora Schafer have traveled extensively in a caravan for decades. Join them as they pass on their valuable knowledge and experience to fellow adventure-minded travelers.

WORKABOUT OZ AS YOU TRAVEL
Presented by Barry Brebner
Interested in working as you travel? Barry Brebner has done it, written a book about it and now joins us to share his experiences and expertise on working and travelling Australia.

PREPARING FOR THE BIG TRIP
Presented by Lionel Mussell
Travel Writer Lionel Mussell will reveal the practical elements on how to make your trip a memorable and enjoyable experience, from planning and budget, to communications and recording your trip.

4WD TO CAPE YORK
Presented by Tom Rosser
Operations Manager of Billy Tea Bush Safaris, Tom Rosser, has driven to Cape York more than 150 times. He is an expert in the way, knows the country, knows the people and knows the pitfalls.

UNDERSTANDING SOLAR POWER
Presented by Robert Pitt
Join Robert Pitt as he goes through the intricacies of fitting solar panels to recreational vehicles.

INTRODUCTION TO MOTORHOMING
Presented by Bill McClintock
Bill has been motorhoming in Australia and overseas for 40 years, and will impart his words of wisdom to those who are interested in embarking on a touring holiday for the first time.

Places to stay around the Brisbane Show include:

BIG4 Brisbane Northside Caravan Village
Big 4 Brisbane Northside Caravan Village is a top quality tourist accommodation complex conveniently located close to excellent transport facilities, shops, restaurants and clubs. The Village is situated only 10 kilometres from the Brisbane International Airport and 12 kilometres from the city centre.

763 Zillmere Road (cnr Zillmere & Dorville Roads) Aspley
Phone: 07 3263 4040
Website: http://www.caravanvillage.com.au/

Brisbane Holiday Village
Brisbane Holiday Village offers the ultimate getaway for families, couples or groups wanting to kick back, unwind and enjoy being together. No matter what option you choose - from self contained cabins through to camping or caravan site - Brisbane Holiday Village promise you value for money and an unforgettable holiday.

10 Holmead Road Eight Mile Plains
Phone: 07 3341 6133
Email: sales@brisbaneholiday.com.au
Website: www.brisbaneholiday.com.au

Brisbane Gateway Village Resort
Gateway Village Resort is the perfect location from which to enjoy a great Brisbane holiday and explore Brisbane and South-east Queensland from the city life to the fabulous sights and attractions of our region.

If your looking for a fresh holiday experience and a friendly place to stay and relax you must come and see us and discover the wonderful spacious environment we have to offer... so close to the city!

200 School Road Rochedale
Phone: 07 3341 6333 
Email: bookings@gatewayvillage.com.au
Website: http://www.gatewayvillage.com.au/

Aspley Acres Caravan Park
1420 Gympie Road Aspley
Phone: 07 3263 2668

Bramble Bay Caravan Park
37 Thompson Crescent Clontarf
Phone: 07 3284 6802

Bribie Island Caravan Park
Jacana Avenue Woorim
Phone: 07 3408 1134

Burpengary Pine Village
764 Morayfield Road Carindale
Phone: 07 3888 1252

Galaxy Caravan Park
3813 Pacific Highway Tanah Merah
Phone: 07 3209 8434

Nestle Inn Tourist Village
905 Manly Road Tingalpa
Phone: 07 3390 4404

Springtime Gardens Caravan Park
13-17 Old Chatswood Road Springwood
Phone: 07 3208 8184

GETAWAYS TO BEAT THE WINTER BLUES

If you’re not heading north for the winter, you don’t need to hibernate when you can warm up at a music festival close to home.

Beat the Winter Blues n' Jazz
When: 7 - 9 July 2006 
Where: Milawa, Victoria
Web: http://www.milawagourmet.com

Nestled in the heart of North East Victoria, Milawa township is home to a number of Australia ’s favourite wineries and gourmet food producers including Brown Brothers and Rose Hill Estate Wines.  Showcasing musicians around Australia, ‘Beat the Winter Blues n' Jazz’ is the perfect excuse to enjoy great music and sample this area's magnificent food and wine.

Where to stay while enjoying this festival:

Painters Island Caravan Park
Pinkerton Crescent Wangaratta
Phone: 03 5721 3380

Gemstone Caravan Park
139 Main St Eldorado
Phone: 03 5725 1745

Gentle Annie Camping Reserve
Gentle Annie La Whitfield
Phone: 03 5729 8205

Arderns Caravan Park
Willowgrove Road Myrtleford
Phone: 03 5752 1394

Echuca Moama's Winter
Blues Festival
When: 30 - 31 July 2006 
Where: Echuca , Victoria
Web: www.winterblues.com.au

Relax and enjoy great blues music on the Murray River .  Echuca’s 7th annual Winter Blues Festival will be held in the historic port area; with its restaurants, cafes, pubs, cellar door outlets, attractions, and sensational specialty shops – the perfect location to listen to great blues music.

Where to stay while enjoying this festival:

Morning Glory River Resort
32 KM from Eucha follow Cobb Highway
Phone: 03 5869 3357

Murray River Holiday Park
2 Blair Street Moama
Phone: 03 5480 9899

Murraybank Caravan & Camping Park
Picnic Point Road Mathoura
Phone: 03 5884 3518

Quambatook Caravan Park
Meering Road Cohuna
Phone: 03 5457 1350

Hats Off To Country Festival 
When: 7 - 9 July 2006 
Where: Tamworth , NSW
Web: www.visittamworth.com

The Hats Off Festival runs over three fabulous days and nights in Tamworth, Australia 's Country Music Capital. Incorporating Tamworth Camerata and the CCMA Junior Winter Talent Quest it is anticipated there will be over 120 hours of home-grown country music at this special mid-year celebration in Tamworth.

Where to stay while enjoying this festival:

Austin Tourist Park
581 Armidale Road (New England Hwy) Tamworth
Phone: 02 6766 2380

City Lights Caravan Park
New England Hwy Tamworth
Phone: 02 6765 7664

Paradise Tourist Park
Peel Street Tamworth
Phone: 02 6766 3120

Tamworth North Holiday Park
New England Hwy Tamworth
Phone: 02 6760 9356


My FAVOURITE CARAVAN PARK: COMPETITION

We’ve got 15 double passes to Robin Williams’ new comedy
“RV Runaway Vacation” (opens In cinemas on June 1) to give away.

So we'd like to hear about your favourite Caravan Park or a Caravan Park that has a unique feature or event each year or great facilities. For example your park may teach surfing, or feed exotic or rare animals, serve pancakes, teach astronomy lessons to the kids, have great facilities or it offers something to Caravanners that you don't see everyday. Enter your answer by 5pm Wednesday 31 May 2005.

This Competition has closed. Thank you for your participation.

The Best Places to Stay: by AAAtourism

Since the 1950s, travellers have used STAR Ratings to make choosing accommodation easier.

Aside from setting the right expectations, the Australian STAR Rating Scheme makes people confident that the place they lay their head has been thoroughly checked (and then regularly re-checked) by a detail-loving STAR Rating assessor. They’d have to as there are over 1000 items to check in every assessment. A STAR Rating is a reflection of how many points out of this 1000 an accommodation property achieves (given that they’ve also met minimum requirements in important areas such as décor, cleanliness and maintenance).

There are over 10,000 STAR Rated accommodation properties in Australia, including over 1600 Tourist Parks. A recent report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics confirms that this represents 70% of the accommodation market. Not a bad figure when you consider the logistical challenges Australia presents our intrepid assessors!

Travellers trust the STAR Rating system. And so they should. It is owned by Australia’s Auto Clubs (NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA, RAC, RACT and AANT), and managed on their behalf by AAA Tourism.

Take the guesswork out of choosing accommodation - make sure your next stay is STAR Rated. Visit your local Auto Club website to plan your next holiday.

DON'T BE CAUGHT STRANDED! INSURANCE TIPS FROM MHIA

Your caravan is one of the most expensive purchases you'll make and so it's worth protecting with a specialist insurance policy.

Check if your insurance policy offers:

  • New for old cover for the caravan up to two years old - your caravan will be replaced with a new caravan following a total loss. Caravans over two years old should be insured for agreed value not the value at the time of the loss.
  • Caravan Contents - these are items kept in the van that are not fixtures.
  • Extra Accommodation Expenses - should your caravan be stolen or damaged to a point where it cannot be used whilst away on holiday.
  • Caravan Recovery – check to see your insurer will cover these (following a claim) anywhere in Australia.
  • Machinery Breakdown Costs - not just fusion. This is especially important for caravans with air conditioners or refrigerators.

MHIA offers cover for touring caravans anywhere in Australia and offers benefits tailored to suit the real needs of caravanners. Visit: www.mhia.com.au