Map copied from Microsoft Encarta World Atlas with thanks
If you enable JavaScript, the image in the above map changes as you roll the mouse over places that we've visited.
Weather Averages Comparison Tables copied from weatherunderground with thanks. Click on the link for full weather reports on their site.
Melbourne January February March April May June July August September October November December High Temperature ( F / C ) 79 26 79 26 75 24 69 21 63 17 58 14 57 14 59 15 63 17 67 20 71 22 75 24 Low Temperature ( F / C ) 59 15 60 16 57 14 53 12 49 10 45 7 44 6 45 7 48 9 51 10 54 12 57 14 Precipitation ( in / mm ) 2 47 2 46 2 44 2 53 3 68 2 42 2 49 2 57 2 53 3 65 2 57 2 58
Mildura January February March April May June July August September October November December High Temperature ( F / C ) 89 32 89 32 83 28 74 24 66 19 60 16 60 15 63 17 68 20 75 24 82 28 86 30 Low Temperature ( F / C ) 62 16 62 16 57 14 51 10 46 8 41 5 40 4 42 5 45 7 50 10 55 13 59 15 Precipitation ( in / mm ) 1 22 1 16 1 21 1 24 1 28 1 22 1 26 1 29 1 28 1 28 1 22 1 22
We've visited the following caravan parks, so far. They are loosely categorised in relation to how they accommodate the requirements of a couple with no kids or pets. We want to be able to easily find the park, put the van in place, hook up to power, etc, and then start to relax or take in the local attractions. Some of the parks with tight sites will help you get your van in position, others don't. In at least one case when we asked for help, we've been told that we'd do better than the staff! We've refrained from making any specific commentary about the staff or permanents or facilities that we have no need for. (If you want to know more specifically what we thought of any of these, just write and we'll respond to you!)
Also check the reports that are included in Badger's caravan park reports site . Badger's site contains reports entered by ordinary travellers about their experiences with the caravan parks they've been to.
Our impressions are provided on the places we've stayed with our van so far:
A lovely large park with the sites around the edges nestled into the tea trees. 6 amenities blocks and a kiosk in peak seasons. (The kiosk and half the amentities blocks are shut off season). Very popular park with lot's of kids and regulars in peak season. Sites not very well marked, so it can be hard to find the right site when it's busy. Highly recommend - especially for off peak seasons.
Quite expensive for the facilities, however a picturesque spot to stay at if you want to explore the Great Ocean Road! Few sites have water, and large portions of the park get closed when it gets too wet. Have received some feedback that talking after 11PM in an almost empty park can get you banned from being able to stay there again.
Friendly park with clean, well serviced amenities. Right next door to Ballarat's Soveriegn Hill. As it is up in the Great Dividing Range, the weather is a bit more extreme than it is in Melbourne, otherwise it's a great place to stay!
Shona loved the beach just over the dune! The foreshore park and the holiday park are beside each other but separated by a chain wire fence. The foreshore has a nicer, more open feel, but the amenities blocks in the holiday park would have to be better than the mess I walked into in the men's.
Nice enough park with reasonable amenities. Sites are very hard to manouvre in and out of though. Otherwise, situated at one end of the strip shopping centre and across the road from the water.
One of the few 5 star caravan parks. The stars may be of some benefit to younger travellers wanting electronic games, but we found the rest of the park just average. The sites are VERY tight, and you will need to be helped into position by one of the staff.
St Leonards Area 3 Park, St Leonards, Victoria (Admin by Portarlington Big 4) A council park frequented by some friends. It is right on the water, but basic in every other way. Amenities are just the basics. Taps are grouped about 4 vans apart, so you may need a hose extension. Over-priced for what it is. We much prefer Anglesea!
A nice enough little park with older amenities. We tried to stay there a second time, but they had a sign up - no caravans or tents - regrassing sites. The 3 concrete drive throughs just had bins and cars parked on them! Guess they just don't need the business now they are NOT with Big-4.
A very pleasant park right on the beach. Older amenities blocks are adequate. Access roads are very narrow, but sites are still quite large. Quite a number of people were there with dogs, so we presume park is dog friendly.
Hastings Caravan Park, Hastings, Victoria An okay park with a few drive through ensuite sites, and number of largish cabins, and a fair number of permanents. Hastings is 1.6km away. Apart from being pleasant and quiet, and having an immaculate toilet block, there's nothing to do in or near the park, so you have to drive every where.
A nice enough little park. (We forgot to take photos!) The sites are quite tight to position on as the trees are large and not positioned for manouvring. We had to shuffle back and forth about 7 times to move the van over enough in order to get off the site we had.
On the banks of the Murray River and backing onto the Swan Hill theme park. Very pleasant park and reasonable sites. We'll be back there!
Macedon Caravan Park (Family Parks Australia) Very quiet park with reasonable sized sites. Only a single amenties block with a pin number lock (and poor lighting over the pin pad). Trough in men's smelt strongly of urine. Guessing it was to do with water conservation as things are very dry. Nice area, but much cooler than Melbourne. We'll be back to check it out again.
