Hi Top Tourist Park Member,

Welcome to the July edition of ttparksnews.

In this edition of the Top Tourist Parks enewsletter you will find a range of package deals exclusive to the participating Top Tourist Holiday Parks. Click on the link to find a holiday bargain.

Alison Huth travels the Blackall Range Road and also recounts some of her positive experiences with the Platinum Club Card. If you haven't signed up for your Platinum Card you can follow the link here at TTParksnews

Urunga Heads is the TTParksnews feature park so if you are planning on heading to the NSW Northern Coast this wonderful park is a must stop and stay. We also look at two forthcoming festivals in Coffs Harbour and Sawtell.

It's business as usual at Cania Gorge Tourist Retreat after a recent fire. The Park is operating as normal.

There are two new holiday parks that have recently joined the Top Tourist Park Family - we take a look at Ballina Lakeside Holiday Park and Mission Beach Hideaway Holiday Village.

There is a great story on travelling the Fosickers Way and Alison takes a look at three brilliant Parks on her journey and all the attractions on the way.

TTParksnews finds out all about Power-Heads and why they are crucial to our comfort when staying at a Top Tourist Holiday Park.

For more information on all things Top Tourist Parks don't forget to visit our website: www.toptouristparks.com.au

Best regards,
From Top Tourist Parks

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Fern Tree Pool near Cania Gorge Tourist Retreat

Any island has a decent coastline and Australia is no different. There is over 20,000kms of coast line and around 200km of that has an escarpment overlooking it and giving magnificent views to the coast. Luckily for the people living and travelling in South East Queensland, 20kms of that 200 is called the Blackall Range, the hinterland for the Sunshine Coast.

The road travels between the villages of Maleny and Mapleton, going through Montville and Flaxton. There are plenty of places to stop and soak up the view and on a clear day it will take your breath away. At one end are the Glasshouse Mountains that rise out of the plain and tell the story of a father (Mt Tibrogargan) who is gazing out to sea, the mother (Mt Beerwah) who is permanently pregnant and their cowardly son (Mt Coonowrin).

Heading north takes you past Lake Baroon Packet Dam which is a major water supply for the coastal township and a magnificent center point for the range. On to Montville, which is a shoppers paradise, if you are into arts and crafts then through Flaxton and into Mapleton.

You can spend as long as you want walking in the national parks and state forests. The view from the Mapleton Falls looks into the Mary Valley, an area that simply demands to have dinosaurs in it.

The Range has a reputation as a great place to stay and there are three Top Tourist caravan parks there, to cover everyone’s wants and needs. Ocean View Caravan Park is on the border of Maleny and Landsborough, Palmwoods Caravan Park is in the village of Palmwoods in one of the valleys and Lilyponds Holiday Park is tucked away in Mapleton.

The Range is worth a visit, the views are worth a look and the three parks make it easy to stay and enjoy the area.

TOP TOURIST PARKS ON
THE BLACKALL RANGE ROAD

2 Old Maleny Road Landsborough QLD 4550
Freecall: 1300 769443
Phone: 07 5494 1171
Fax: 07 5494 1148
Web: www.oceanviewtouristpark.com.au
Email: info@oceanviewtouristpark.com.au
GPS South 26?47.36 East 152?56.13

18 Landershute Rd Palmwoods QLD 4555
FreeCall: 1300 669 930
Phone: 07 5445 9450
Fax: 07 5445 9450
Web: www.palmwoodspark.com.au
Email :admin@palmwoodspark.com.au

26 Warruga St, Mapleton QLD 4560
FreeCall: 1800 003 764
Phone: 07 5445 7238
Fax: 07 5445 7401
Web: www.lilyponds.com.au
Email : frogmaster@lilyponds.com.au
GPS South 26? 37.257 East 152?51.812

TWO: Why not consider booking a camp oven cooking lesson? Everything is supplied for a 3 course meal
for two people.
Very limited spots. Thursdays only
(must have booking by Monday prior)

THREE: Our Yabby Races support our local Royal Flying Doctors Service. Why don’t you?
Every Tuesday @ 4.30pm…so get your backside ringside!

Need more reasons??? Ring toll free 1800 065 311

The Bailey Bar Caravan Park
196 King Street
Charleville QLD 4470
Phone: 07 4654 1744
Fax: 07 4654 3740
www.charlevillebaileybar.com.au
Email: info@charlevillebaileybar.com.au
GPS South 26?24.0 East 146?15.15

www.charlevillebaileybar.com.au

Sometimes a caravan park has a natural advantage that simply cannot be re-created by human hands, and Urunga Heads Holiday Park is one of those lucky parks. Urunga is about 20km south of Coffs Harbour and far enough of the main roads to ensure peace and quiet. The town is on a large bubble of land that is surrounded by the Kalang and Bellinger Rivers. But that is not the end of the natural setting, because you have to factor in the Urunga Lagoon plus the boardwalk out to the ocean and the Hungry Head Beach.

While we were there, we decided to walk along the boardwalk, which is only about ?km long, and takes you past the wetlands and mangroves. There are plenty of information notices along the way, and the whole walk turns into a learning pleasure.

I really enjoy townships at night, there is something about the mixture of lights, sunsets, mountains and trees that create a magical look, and Urunga has that in abundance. I found it so easy to stand at the end of the boardwalk and watch the night wrap itself slowly around the park. Of course the best sunset happened on the one night that I did not take my camera!

The park has a range of cabins, a few slab sites, but mainly grass sites. The sites are wide enough to take the caravan, annex and car with ease. There are also some sites that will take the bigger rigs, which means that everyone can get in and enjoy some time at the park.

The tourist information tells me that there are rain forests within a 30 minutes drive, but I was just happy to be on the park and spend time in the little township of Urunga, which starts just over the road and seems to have everything that you want from a large butcher to a cosy little cafe.

What more could you want for a few days R & R.

2 Morgo Street Urunga NSW 2455
Freecall: 1800 638 039
Phone: 02 6655 6355
Fax: 02 6655 3455
Web: www.urungaheads.com.au
Email: info@urungaheads.com.au

Venue: Various Venues around Coffs Harbour
Contact Details: www.coffsharbourbuskers.com
Some of the best Street Performers in the world converge on Coffs Harbour for a massive week of fun and hilarity. There are shows catering for all ages including Kids Shows, Adults only Pub Shows, and Family Shows at the beautiful Botanic Gardens to name a few. There will be over 100 shows with some of the 'Best of the Best' street performers from previous years already lined up for the Festival. Most shows are free however save some money for the Busker's Hats!!

Park Beach Holiday Park Ocean Parade, Coffs Harbour
Toll Free: 1800 200 111
Phone: (02) 6648 4888
Fax: (02) 6651 2465
Email: info@parkbeachholidaypark.com.au
Web: www.parkbeachholidaypark.com.au

Moonee Beach Rd, Moonee Beach NSW
Toll Free: 1800 200 111
Phone: (02) 6653 6552
Fax: (02) 6653 6803
Email: info@moonee.com.au
Web: www.northcoastparks.com.au/moonee

5 Lyons Rd, Sawtell NSW (10km south of Coffs Harbour)
Toll Free:1800 729 835
Phone: (02) 6653 1379
Fax: (02) 6653 3910
Email: info@sawtellbeachcaravanpark.com.au
Web: www.sawtellbeachcaravanpark.com.au

Sawtell Chilli Festival
Date: 5th of July
Venue: First Avenue, Sawtell
Contact Details: (02) 6653 1230

Make sure you are in Sawtell for the 10th Annual Sawtell "Chilli" Festival!!

With the start of the NSW school holidays, Sawtell invites the whole community and regional visitors to the Coffs Coast to join in the fun. The Chilli Festival boasts the hottest dishes on the coast, a selection of the finest cuisine, wine tasting, "hot" desserts and a variety of "chilli" ices. This is your chance to savour the flavour of Sawtell's best chefs!

Wander through the magnificent main street while you taste the fine assortment of chilli produce and enjoy the ambience of a great day out! Sample chilli products from around 30 stalls and great music and entertainment.

Lake Wendouree Tourist Park, Ballarat, Victoria

Shady Glen Tourist Park, Darwin, Northern Territory

Edithburgh Caravan Park, Edithburgh, South Australia

The fire started on the night of Friday 27th June around midnight, when a guest on their way to the toilet noticed flames near the office area. The guest alerted Margaret & Gerald Kiljn the park operators, who swiftly evacuated their two girls. By this time the walls of their house were on fire and nothing was saved. "The Community support has been great" says Margaret with donations flooding in.

The park has continued operating without closure and a temporary office facility is in place. All guests have continued their stay and the Klijn are taking bookings.

1253 Cania Gorge Road, Monto, Cania Gorge QLD
Toll Free: 1800 446 010
Phone: (07) 4167 8110
Fax: (07) 4167 8112
Email: enquiries@caniagorgeretreat.com.au
Web: www.caniagorgeretreat.com.au

K-Mac are one of the major manufacturers of power-heads in Australia, and great supporters of the Top Tourist chain. The company is owned by Tony Harris who bought it in 1997 on the smell of an oily rag.  He took on one existing employee who is still there and they worked together to expand the business. His brother David joined him in 2003 and son Nathan in 2004.

One of the major aspects of the company is working with the park operators to make a product that suits the individual park.  Over the years they have expanded to range to add TV connection points, drinking water taps, sullage removal points and disappearing power-heads. Some parks have very seasonal business and do not want to leave power-heads out in all weathers so a lockable watertight cavity underneath a power-head was developed which is used to store the power-head during the off-season.

Plus adding extras to meet customers needs and wants, they make sure all power head meets the stringent Australian standards for electrical supply and plumbing.

For many years now an MCB (miniature circuit breaker) has been standard to ensure the cabling does not overhead and cause a fire. About seven years ago the Australian Standards also required that an RCD (residual current device) be fitted to detect faulty appliances and cut the power off before the user could be electrocuted.

The best of the best is an RCBO which puts the two together to make the safest power-head possible and is now a standard fitment. The Harris family are committed to producing a power-head that achieves a lot besides simply supply power.

Next time you plug into a K-Mac power-head take a few minutes to marvel at what it does to make your life easier.

A road trip with value
When you set out on a trip you don’t usually expect to have a chance to make a profit. But, there is one wonderful stretch of road that gives you that chance ?
The Fossickers Way, in northern New South Wales.

You could not call it a main highway at all, but it is a major tourist route which runs from Glen Innes in the north to Nundle in the south via a swag of towns including Tamworth.

The area has been famous for gold and semi precious gem stones since the early 1850’s. Gold was found first in Nundle by a couple of prospectors by the name of Laurie and Fenwick. But the gold rush could not compare with the Victorian gold rush and alluvial gold ran out by the early1860’s. Now it is reef mining that turns up the nuggets.

Sapphires are a major part of the gem stone history, in fact Glen Innes is right on top of the best sapphire area in New South Wales. Fossickers come from all over to have a go and see what they can turn up.

The whole area is just an amazing mixture of now and old. Nundle has gone out of its way to create an historic township which now boasts a woolen mill with equipment that is over 100 years old, plus a shop on the old emporium style ?everything you need and lots of things you want. These days Tamworth is best know for the Country and Music extravaganza in January but is a great place for a music and entertainment all year round. Glenn Innes is in the heart of Australia’s Celtic Country because of the granite monoliths ?the Australian Standing Stones ?which seem to be in a symbolic formation, reminiscent of the ones that ancient Celts used to dance around. Glen Innes hosts the Minerama in March each year, a major trade show for commercial and hobby gem stone traders.

Travelling the Fossickers Way is a great way to spend a few days enjoying the area and the huge range of excellent places to eat. We have three caravan parks to choose from, Fossickers Tourist Park in Nundle, Austin Tourist Park in Tamworth and Fossicker Carvan Park in Glen Innes.

Where-ever you choose to stay, take the time to pan the river or fossick around and just see what you can find.

Fossickers Tourist Park
Jenkins St, Nundle, NSW 2340
Free call: 1300 366 676
Phone: 07 4654 1744
Fax: 07 4654 3740
www.fossickersatnundle.com.au

Austin Tourist Park
581 Armidale Rd, Tamworth, NSW 2340
Free call: 1800 826 967
www.austintouristpark.com.au
581 Armidale Rd, Tamworth, NSW 2340

Fossicker Tourist Park
94-96 Church St, New England Highway, Glen Innes, NSW 2370
Free call: 1300 300 207
www.gleninnes.com/fossicker

PACKAGE DEALS
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Mandurah Caravan Park, Mandurah, WA
Date of offer: July 1st - August 1st

Package: WINTER SPECIAL: Receive every 3rd night half price.  Mothers Day Special Stay 1 night in accommodation and receive the 2nd night half price, mothers day gift on arrival.

Conditions: Subject to availability.
Bookings essential

Phone: 08 9535 1171 - Sheree
Website: www.mandurahcaravanpark.com.au
Email: mandurahcaravanpark@bigpond.com
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Halls Gap Lakeside Caravan Park, Grampians, VIC
Date of offer: July, August 2008

Package: Stay minimum 2 nights to receive 20% off Wildlife Zoo, 10% off Mini Golf & 10% off meals at local pub. Winter school holidays kids stay free

Conditions: Excluding long weekends
Phone: 03 5356 4281 - Paul Hewitt
Website: www.takaru.com.au
Email: info@hallsgaplakeside.com.au
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Toora Tourist Park, South Gippsland Hwy, VIC
Date of offer: 1st July - 1st October 2008

Package: SPA FAMILY GETAWAY: 2 nights in a luxurious 2 bedroom spa cabin with bottle of local wine, continental breakfast provisions in your cabin. With fantastic park facilities such as a jumping pillow, indoor heated pool and spa, tennis court, playgrounds, trampoline & much more. Only 2 hrs drive from Melbourne you will be delighted with what you find. Special Price: $250 Package valid for 2 adults & up to 3 children under 16 yrs of age. 

Conditions: Excludes Long Weekends
Phone: 1800 88 99 66 - Rachel & Andrew Brown
Website: www.tooratouristpark.com.au
Email: info@tooratouristpark.com.au
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The Lorikeet Tourist Park, Arrawarra, NSW
Date of offer: 1st July to 19th September 2008

Package: If you’re looking to travel North this winter, why not take advantage of our Caravan Special: Stay 4 weeks (or longer) in any of our unique accommodation options, or our well appointed Powered Sites & Ensuite Sites & receive a 10% discount off your total tariff. We provide our regular morning teas, sausage sizzles & carpet bowls throughout the winter months. We also hold our famous Fathers Day breakfast, which in previous years has proved to be enjoyable for the entire family.

Conditions: Not available in conjunction with any other discounts.
Phone: Freecall 1800 555 858 - Pam & Cliff Gray
Website: www.thelorikeet.com.au
Email: stay@thelorikeet.com.au
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Apollo Gardens Tourist Park, Craigieburn, VIC
Date of offer: July, & August 2008

Package: Winter Special - Double your Top Tourist savings with further reductions off our already great value winter tariffs. Members save an additional 10% to a maximum of not $25.00 but $5000 per stay!
New members welcome ?join online or on arrival.

Phone: 1800 886 352 - Sharon Lawler
Website: www.apollogardens.com.au
Email: stay@apollogardens.com.au
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Lanis Holiday Island, Forster, NSW
Date of offer: 1st July - 31st August 2008

Package: For only $340 stay 4 night midweek or 3 night weekend in one of our 4 star ensuite cabins at Lanis Holiday Island. Located in the Heart of Forster on Wallis Lake in the Beautiful Great Lakes Region of the Mid North Coast of NSW. Complimentary bottle of wine & chocolates on arrival, one breakfast pack for 2 persons. 2 delightful passes on the luxury “Amaroo?Dolphin watching cruise ( morning tea included). Enjoy our additional bonus - Children under 10 years of age stay FREE.

Conditions:Reservations essential
Phone: 02 6554 6273 - Robyn
Website: www.lanis.com.au
Email: info@lanis.com.au
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Swan Hill Riverside Caravan Park, Swan Hill, VIC
Date of offer: 14th July until 30th August 2008.  

Package: 20% discount on accommodation with
a 3 night booking

Conditions: Excludes our budget cabins and sites 
Phone: 03 50321494 - Barbara Camm
Website: www.swanhillriverside.com.au
Email: info@swanhillriverside.com.au
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Porepunkah Pines Tourist Resort,
Great Alpine Rd, VIC
Date of offer: July - August 2008  

Package: Stay 3 nights in any of our cabins you will receive the 4th night free (mid week only). If you stay 6 nights in one of or cabins you will receive the 7th night free. We are at the foot of Mt Buffalo which has snow for play only 1hr drive up the mountain to either Mt Hottham or Falls Creek. With lots to do & see in the area when you want a day away from the snow visit Bright.

Conditions: Mid week only
Phone: 03 57562282 - Lynette deBijl
Website: www.porepunkahresort.com.au
Email: info@porepunkahresort.com.au
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Anchor Belle Holiday Park, Phillip Island, VIC
Date of offer: July - 10th September 2008  

Package: Cabin accommodation: Stay 2 nights
& receive a free bottle of wine, chips & soft drink. Sites: Stay 4 nights & receive a free bottle of wine, chips & soft drink.

Conditions: Subject to availability
Phone: 03 59522258 - Neil Wolfenden
Website: www.anchorbelle.com.au
Email: neil@anchorbelle.com.au
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Pleasurelea Tourist Resort & Caravan Park,
Batesman Bay, NSW
Date of offer: July - 10th September 2008  

Package: Members special discount voucher. 20% off the low season price of Deluxe & Superior cabins. Please present enewsletter printout to reception on arrival.

Conditions: Minimum stay of 1 week applies.
Phone: 1800 639 396 - Louise
Website: www.pleasurelea.com.au
Email: info@pleasurelea.com.au
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Park Lane Tourist Park,Traralgon, VIC
Date of offer: July - October 2008  

Package: Gateway Escape: $249.00 2 Nights accommodation for 2 people. Discount fuel voucher (saving 10 cents per litre). Discount meal voucher at Grand Junction Hotel.Breakfast at Caf?Bar located at park. Stay MIDWEEK & receive 3rd night at 50% discount. Extra person $15.00 per night.   
UPGRADE TO 4.5 STAR LODGE ACCOMMODATION FOR $90.00 PER PACKAGE

Conditions: Conditions apply
Phone: 03 5174 6749 - Barry & Denise Stewart
Website: www.parklanetouristpark.com.au
Email: stay@parklanetouristpark.com.au
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Angelsea Beachfront Family Caravan Park, VIC
Date of offer: 1st July 2008 to 1st September 2008 (excluding Queens Birthday long weekend and School holidays 27th June to 14th July 2008.)  

Package: COUPLES MID-WEEK SPECIAL IN OUR SPA COTTAGE $283.00 per couple, SAVE UP TO $136.00
? Two nights accommodation in one of our Rustic SPA COTTAGES for two adults with all blankets, sheets, pillows and towels supplied.
?A 300gm box of Cadbury Favorites Chocolates
?A bottle of quality wine
?Late checkout up to 12 noon
?Third night FREE if you start your stay on a Sunday, Monday or Tuesday
?Herald-Sun Newspaper Delivered Daily
?Discount vouchers for local Attractions, Shops, Restaurants and Cafes.

Conditions: Limited availability please book early to secure a reservation
Phone: FreeCall: 1800 040 455
Website: www.angleseabeachfront.com.au
Email: info@angleseabeachfront.com.au

The latest addition to the Top Tourist Park Family Mission Beach Hideaway Holiday Village.....
Situated right in the centre of Magical Mission Beach.....

Bordering World Heritage Rainforest and only 100 metres to the beach.

A tropical rainforest setting by a golden palm fringed beach... There is a shopping village adjacent to park, restaurants, supermarket and specialty shops.
Try our exotic fruits and seafood, rainforest walks, or just laze on the beach. Boat ramp and jetty close by.

Mission Beach Hideaway Holiday Village
58-60 Porter Promenade Mission Beach FNQ 4852
Toll Free: 1800 687 104
Phone: (07) 4068 7104
Fax: (07) 4068 7492
Email: info@missionbeachhideaway.com.au
Web: www.missionbeachhideaway.com.au

We all know that Northern Australia is a brilliant place to be in winter, warm and sunny, with plenty of places to go and things to do. Our new Platinum Card, with discounts and special offers on everything included in the Platinum Card book, is just the thing to have in your back pocket when you are on the road. If you want to add some excitement in your days, then Broome is definitely a place to be. You can go tandem skydiving for an arial thrill followed by a personal tour of the crocodile park.

As you would expect, Northern Territory also has a few crocodile farms to look at, but you can add Outback Ballooning at Alice Springs to your itinerary here. Imagine sailing over the outback in the cool dawn with 360degree views of the rest of the world. When you are back on the ground and want to find out about the places you saw The Alice Springs Desert Park is the place to visit to learn about the outback from the people who really know and understand it.

If Far North Queensland is your spot, then you won’t be disappointed. Reef cruises, diving, fishing and the odd round of golf will fill in your days very nicely. If you want to know more about our own RFDS then the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia is on display in Edge Hill (Cairns).

With all this travel your car will need a service along the way, and Ultratune are only one of the car servicers who offer discounts to holders of the Platinum Card.

You can sign up for a Platinum Card when you re-new your membership, join at one of the participating member parks or go on line at www.toptouristparks.com.au
It’s a great way to travel.

Alison Huth

Parents can find holiday time a bit tricky when children are out of their usual environment ?the solution is to find somewhere that caters for kids of all ages so that everyone can relax.

Ballina Lakeside Holiday Park could be the solution as it has just undergone major refurbishments and now offers everything from deluxe waterfront three-bedroom (and two bathroom) Bungalows to a Childrens Water park, an 18-hole mini golf course as well as all the regular facilities such as jumping pillow .

“The mini golf course is feature-packed and suits varying levels of skill,?says manager Gerald Searle. “It’s been carefully landscaped and is just one of the many things we have to offer children and adults who want to relax and have fun without constantly putting their hands in their pockets to pay for things.?

Ballina Lakeside still caters for campers and caravanners, and offers a whole range of cabins to suit all budgets.

“The new waterfront Bungalows and villas include a barbecue on a large deck so that you can relax with family or friends,? says Gerald. “We get a lot of repeat business as families find they make friends here and meet up year after year.

“There is also a undercover camp kitchen beside the pool so that you can BBQ away while the kids enjoy the water park and pool, which can be fun especially if you’re camping.?

The Park also includes a conference room and has a cinema which runs during holidays.

“There is also a 24-hour television room with a DVD player which is particularly popular when there are late-night sporting events on,?says Gerald. “People can meet up and watch games without disturbing the family in the cabin.

“There is also a fully-equipped gym so that you can keep to fitness plans if you want.

“Internet access is also 24-hour and there is a wireless facility. We also have a large games room with a pool table and slot car machines, a 24-hour laundry and a little shop selling the basics like bread and milk.

“You can be paying more to stay in a hotel / motel and you may not get any of these facilities.?

Ballina Lakeside Holiday Park is designed so that families or couples can arrive and relax because everything needed is within the resort ?there’s no need to be rushing off every day unless you want to. There are even kid’s clubs over Easter and Christmas.

Ballina is also a regional centre with plenty of other attractions, and with the airport you could arrange a holiday together with family or friends from out of the region. Aside from Ballina’s shopping, cafes and restaurants and other big-town facilities, it has beautiful beaches and is close to national parks and subtropical rainforests as well as many other popular towns and villages for day trips.Brisbane is just a two-hour drive away, making it convenient for a day out, while the Gold Coast is even closer.

Ballina Lakeside Holiday Park
25 Fenwick Drive Ballina NSW 2478
Free call: 1800 888 268
Phone: (02) 6686 3953
Fax: (02) 6686 8755
Email: info@ballinalakeside.com.au
Web: www.ballinalakeside.com.au
GPS: South 28?52.8 East 153?35.4