Discussion Forum - Caravan World

In the July edition of Caravan World magazine Belinda and Paul Kurz told us they’ve been charged as much as $75 to stay with their family of five on the same sites couples pay $25 for.

Should caravan parks offer capped rates for families?

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COMMENTS (20)

Comment by Unknown

posted 1 month ago

We have enjoyed caravanning for over thirty years, with our children and now our grandchild too. We have always ensured that our children have been respectful of our fellow campers and constantly reminded them of, and enforced,
the "rules". We do not expect to be subsidised by couples and are happy to pay our way, however in some of the more popular spots, the additional charge for taking our family along is becoming prohibitive. Keep in mind that a lot of parks charge adult rates from age 16 onwards, therefore a family that wishes to take their teenage student children can be paying for multiple adults on their site. One of our favourite spots is a Big 4 park on the NSW south coast. In peak time, they charge $70 per night for the site for two adults, plus $25 and $20 per night for each EXTRA "adult" and child respectively, therefore in the January holidays a site for the two of us, plus two teenage students and a younger child will cost $140 per night. No wonder we have noticed in recent years that several of the "regulars" have not returned. I thought that Big 4 promoted their parks as being for families too - perhaps they should more closely scrutinise the fees that some of their member parks are charging! Perhaps CW can take up this issue with Big 4 and publish their comments.

Comment by Unknown

posted 2 months ago

Definately cap them. We stayed in a Sunshine state caravan park recently that charged $15 extra per night because it was school holidays in NSW. This c/van park was capable of holding 150 vans.In the 5 nights we were there,there were only 3 vans. This park had all the extras for families,but not being used,because nobody was staying there. Charge a bit less,and fill the park makes more sense.

Comment by Unknown

posted 2 months ago

Think carefully because you are asking for couple or singles to fund your stay.

Children do use quite a few amenities. I find that trying to use the women's amenities block can be an issue when mothers take their children in for a shower - all showers etc used. I also object to 8 year old boys using the women's amenities block. How about their fathers taking them?

We have found that many parents allow their children to walk or run through the sites of others, or even ride their bikes through. We have been sitting out under our aning when a child has run through our site. We have also had children walk through our site and peer ino our van to see what is happening. Not an everyday occurrence I know, but still disturbing.

We now avoid where possible the caravan parks that provide play equipment for children. We have decided why should we pay for such equipment we will never use.

I guess what I am saying is that there are two sides to every view.

Comment by Unknown

posted 2 months ago

I do agree that thier should be capped rates for families as we love to go caravaning as it is a cheap way to holiday,but for a couple with 4 or 5 kids it can be very costly

Comment by Unknown

posted 2 months ago

Re 'pensioners raising 2 grandchildren', we, too, are raising our 2 grandkids, and would like to do 'the lap' with them before it is too late to do so. We would be grateful if anyone doing this could contact us and help us with our aspirations and/or preparations.
Jeff & Bronwyn Matthews
email jefremat@bigpond.com

Comment by Unknown

posted 3 months ago

Having read the previous comments, it is obvious that the majority of those people are parents or carers but it also seems that they haven't taken into account that about 90% of the Caravan Parks of today are catering for families with all the playground equipment, bouncing cushions, the variety of pool sizes, the organised games & activities provided so that the parents can relax or enjoy their past times, free of their kids. Believe it or not, these family benefits cost a great deal of money to maintain & because of the competition in the market, most owners keep their 'Park' well manicured and attractive to encourage patrons to choose their instead of an opposition's. And in case you're wondering, no, I'm not a Caravan Park owner, just a traveller of many years observing what is happening in the industry. And you also need to think of the struggling pensioners who want to enjoy their remaining time in the beauty of this great country of ours but don't need all the family attractions for which they are still required to pay.
Anyway, just a few thoughts that may help the others who have commented appreciate why the tarifs seem a little higher than what they want to pay. No matter what your feelings are on this subject, ENJOY your time on the road and the diverse beauty of our wonderful country.
Nifftynev.

Comment by Unknown

posted 3 months ago

as pensioners raising two grandchildren, with very little if not help from govt. we found we could not afford to go holidaying for too long,
even in caravan parks.

Comment by Unknown

posted 3 months ago

getting out and about with children should not be penalized fees should be capped maybe we will have fewer delinquents if the family unit can do more together

Comment by Unknown

posted 3 months ago

If u are dedicated enough to your family and take them on holiday 2 spend time together then fees should be capped it cost to much allready to do anything as a family unit

Comment by Unknown

posted 3 months ago

I think they should be capped but also be charged a fee for the extra children

Comment by Unknown

posted 3 months ago

As a family with three kids I can understand a small extra charge for ammenties use but given our site size is the same the difference in family rates are often unjustified. I am happy paying a bit more when parks go out of their way to provide great kids play equipment and activities but without these I would not stay at a park that charges significantly more for a family than a couple. We support seniors discounts as a great idea so cut the families a break who go out of their way to get their kids out seeing our great country from an early age!
Sandra - Cairns

Comment by Unknown

posted 3 months ago

Yes they should be capped and more so during school holidays,parents need not be penalised for having more than 2.5 children in the space paid for one caravan +tow car, they take up no extra room.Why charge more,! is it greed? Smaller profits can give bigger returns.

Andy oo

Comment by Unknown

posted 3 months ago

The caravaning and camping kids of today are the furture caravaning and campers. When the parents of the kids complain to one and other about the costs the kids little ears always take it on board so the parks need to take it on board as well as it is there furture. NWK Tinaroo

Comment by Unknown

posted 3 months ago

Totally agree that families are being hit with excessive fees, a family rate should be introduced at say $5 extra no matter how many kids you have. Parks should be encouraging families to stay with them and not put the camping holiday out of their reach.

Comment by Unknown

posted 3 months ago

I think sites should have base rates, then small charges for children to a fixed rate.

Comment by Unknown

posted 3 months ago

we agree that they are charging too much for familys there should be family pricing like evrywhere else 2adults and 2children any more kids no more thank you for your lovely magezine

Comment by Unknown

posted 3 months ago

parks have to be careful of exploiting family's with kids.these are the campers of the future,get them exited about caravaning and encourage them,if you turn to many familys away with high prices the young ones may never return.Dont forget that a lot of grandparents like to take the young ones away as well.

Comment by Unknown

posted 3 months ago

Absolutely, We have 4 children, and it is really quite expensive.

Comment by Unknown

posted 3 months ago

I THINK IT SHOULD BE CAPPED AT A FAMILY OF 4.I HAVE SEEN YOUNG CHILDREN UNATTENDED IN THE AMENITIES WASTING WATER AND TOILET PAPER,PUTTING ITEMS DOWN SEPTIC TOILETS. PARENTS SHOULD BE MORE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THERE CHILDRENS ACTIONS

Comment by Unknown

posted 3 months ago

I think they should be capped. I too have 3 children and at some places we might as well just hire a cabin than take our own van. We do pick and choose where we stay now because of the extra children extreme charges.

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