Western KI Caravan Park
We do not normally camp at caravan parks as we like to experience more isolated and private locations, but we had a need for hot showers and to do some much needed washing of clothes. We investigated the camping locations in the Western part of the Island, and decided that this caravan park would best suit our needs – all the above facilities plus easy and close access to Flinders Chase National Park (just under 10 mins drive away).
The Caravan Park is large and well spread out with a good mix of cabins, powered and unpowered sites.
We chose an unpowered site which was grassy (though very hard ground) and had some screening between sites, but most sites do not have much screening – if any. Drive around to see what works best for you.
It was Easter, so we were anticipating a very crowded park, yet this was not the case. There were definitely more tent campers than caravans, and most of the powered sites remained empty for the long weekend.
Sites 61-69 offer protection from the westerly breezes, and look out on farmland. We thought these were the best non powered sites.
The Caravan Park is large and well spread out with a good mix of cabins, powered and unpowered sites.
We chose an unpowered site which was grassy (though very hard ground) and had some screening between sites, but most sites do not have much screening – if any. Drive around to see what works best for you.
It was Easter, so we were anticipating a very crowded park, yet this was not the case. There were definitely more tent campers than caravans, and most of the powered sites remained empty for the long weekend.
Sites 61-69 offer protection from the westerly breezes, and look out on farmland. We thought these were the best non powered sites.
Campsite - unpowered - at caravan park
Facilities
There are 2 toilet blocks – the white toilet block has 4 mini-bathrooms containing a toilet and shower. The blue toilet block has individual stalls for toilet and for showers but appeared to be the less modern of the two. During busier times, you will have to wait for a shower/toilet. They were cleaned each morning by staff and were stocked with paper towels and soap. The water was hot, though seemed to dissipate when someone flushed a toilet in nearby bathroom!
Water is at all sites and there are plenty of garbage and recycling bins.
The laundry had 2 washing machines (cost $4 for 1 cycle) and a dryer ($3). Two washing lines were available to use too should you have good drying weather.
The Camp kitchen was well stocked with a fridge you can use (label your food with site name and departure date), 2 indoor hotplates and stove. Large undercover eating area was adjacent, and as the weather one night was stormy, many campers gathered in here to cook and eat rather than face the elements. There were no outdoor BBQs at time of visit, though there did appear to be some sort of construction underway near Site 61 and 62, though could not tell what it was going to be.
The reception area has a very small selection of grocery items and alcohol. I would not rely on it to top up your groceries, but keep in mind that there are NO shops in this area, so if you forget something, most likely you will not be able to buy it here. But it did have the basics, like milk etc, so you may have to improvise with your meals.
The Caravan Park has its own little trail - “Koala Walk” - that leads off the park, and there you will see a few koalas and a lot of wallabies. In fact, the wallabies were everywhere at dusk – we had 6-7 around our tent plus a kangaroo and possum, each night. The children loved it. The kangaroo is VERY friendly, and will get up close and personal with you and your belongings. Put away all food very carefully. Our garbage bin was ransacked by this determined kangaroo (before we knew how friendly it was!). It does not scare easily and other campers had this kangaroo pawing at their tent door during the night.
Birdlife is plentiful – Cape Barren Geese, Galahs, Kookaburras and Magpies were the most common birds.
Recommendation
Based on its location and price, it would be a great choice for anyone staying over this side of the Island. It was spacious, clean and never did we feel crammed in by other campers even at Easter. We were in Flinders Chase in the morning, went back to the Park for some lunch, and then returned to Flinders Chase afterwards. It is so close, it is an easy option.
Management appears very laid back but competent and were doing their best to keep the park neat and tidy. The main buildings are looking a bit tired and could do with some freshening up and modernisation but there remains some charm about this more rustic caravan park and I prefer that style of caravan park over one of these major tourist parks that have sprung up in recent times.
It provides a good mix of accommodation for those visiting this area – we did not see the Cabins, but they all looked presentable and a lot better looking than many cabins you see onsite at caravan parks. They are well spaced apart.
The powered sites are plentiful though I would not say they are private from one another, but then again, it seems to be the case when using powered sites - cosy with others.
Recommended for families (though no playgrounds, but my children ran through bushland and built forts with fallen branches, so they did not need a man made structure).
There are 2 toilet blocks – the white toilet block has 4 mini-bathrooms containing a toilet and shower. The blue toilet block has individual stalls for toilet and for showers but appeared to be the less modern of the two. During busier times, you will have to wait for a shower/toilet. They were cleaned each morning by staff and were stocked with paper towels and soap. The water was hot, though seemed to dissipate when someone flushed a toilet in nearby bathroom!
Water is at all sites and there are plenty of garbage and recycling bins.
The laundry had 2 washing machines (cost $4 for 1 cycle) and a dryer ($3). Two washing lines were available to use too should you have good drying weather.
The Camp kitchen was well stocked with a fridge you can use (label your food with site name and departure date), 2 indoor hotplates and stove. Large undercover eating area was adjacent, and as the weather one night was stormy, many campers gathered in here to cook and eat rather than face the elements. There were no outdoor BBQs at time of visit, though there did appear to be some sort of construction underway near Site 61 and 62, though could not tell what it was going to be.
The reception area has a very small selection of grocery items and alcohol. I would not rely on it to top up your groceries, but keep in mind that there are NO shops in this area, so if you forget something, most likely you will not be able to buy it here. But it did have the basics, like milk etc, so you may have to improvise with your meals.
The Caravan Park has its own little trail - “Koala Walk” - that leads off the park, and there you will see a few koalas and a lot of wallabies. In fact, the wallabies were everywhere at dusk – we had 6-7 around our tent plus a kangaroo and possum, each night. The children loved it. The kangaroo is VERY friendly, and will get up close and personal with you and your belongings. Put away all food very carefully. Our garbage bin was ransacked by this determined kangaroo (before we knew how friendly it was!). It does not scare easily and other campers had this kangaroo pawing at their tent door during the night.
Birdlife is plentiful – Cape Barren Geese, Galahs, Kookaburras and Magpies were the most common birds.
Recommendation
Based on its location and price, it would be a great choice for anyone staying over this side of the Island. It was spacious, clean and never did we feel crammed in by other campers even at Easter. We were in Flinders Chase in the morning, went back to the Park for some lunch, and then returned to Flinders Chase afterwards. It is so close, it is an easy option.
Management appears very laid back but competent and were doing their best to keep the park neat and tidy. The main buildings are looking a bit tired and could do with some freshening up and modernisation but there remains some charm about this more rustic caravan park and I prefer that style of caravan park over one of these major tourist parks that have sprung up in recent times.
It provides a good mix of accommodation for those visiting this area – we did not see the Cabins, but they all looked presentable and a lot better looking than many cabins you see onsite at caravan parks. They are well spaced apart.
The powered sites are plentiful though I would not say they are private from one another, but then again, it seems to be the case when using powered sites - cosy with others.
Recommended for families (though no playgrounds, but my children ran through bushland and built forts with fallen branches, so they did not need a man made structure).
One over friendly kangaroo at campsite