Hi Top Tourist Park Member, Welcome to the July 2009 edition of ttparksnews. This month you will find some SPECIAL DEALS from participating member Top Tourist Parks, including the "Banrock Experience" being offered by Kingston on Murray Caravan Park. Click on the links to find out all the details and make the most of these fantastic offers. Top Tourist Park Survey Prize Winners Congratulations to Melissa Chapman, John Morton, Brian Rippe, Jenny Wagner and Jean Browning, winners of the survey prizes of 5 x Platinum Card memberships and a bonus $100 Top Tourist Park voucher worth a total of $170. We would like to thank all subscribers who participated in the survey. We are delighted with the response and all the confidential information provided will be used to help make your stay at a Top Tourist Park a memorable holiday experience. This month Alison Huth visits Moonee Beach Holiday Park 10km north of Coffs Harbour tucked on the edge of a tidal lagoon. Click the link on the right hand side to find out more information on this lovely park. Alison also enjoys one of her favourite cities - Adelaide, and finds her platinum card to once again be of extra value in this beautiful city. Click the platinumcard link on the right to read the full story and find out some of the special deals that only the Platinum card can offer. South West Rocks has a lot going for it as a holiday destination, and one of the highlights is Trial Bay Goal. This goal has a short sharp history, as it was built to house prisoners solely to build a breakwater in Trial Bay (named after the Brig Trial which was wrecked in 1817). For the full story click on the link. For more information on all things Top Tourist Parks don't forget to visit our web site: www.toptouristparks.com.au You have received this email as you are a Top Tourist Park Member, affiliate or have a direct association with Top Tourist Parks If you do not want to receive any further emails, please click here... Unsubscribe Top Tourist Parks Quick News Stargaze is an event in 2009 where a large gathering of amateur astronomers and the public gather to gaze at the wonders of the universe. The next event is on the 22nd and 23rd of August. School groups and families all come along to learn about astronomy. The gathering is hosted by the Astronomical Society of Albury Wodonga. www.asaw.org.au Wymah Valley Retreat, Albury Woodonga FreeCall: 1800 776 523(Bookings) Website: www.aspenparks.com.au Albury Motor Village Tourist Park Free call: 1800 624 520 Web: www.alburymotorvillage.com.au AGQUIP, the largest agricultural field day in the Southern hemisphere Every year in August, Gunnedah hosts ‘AGQUIP’, the largest agricultural field day in the Southern hemisphere. Over 100,000 people visit the field day over the 3 days it is running. The site is over 40 hectares and over 3000 companies are involved. As far as impact on the Caravan park, we are totally booked out for the 3 days as is every other accommodation facility in town and district. The field day has been running for over 35 years. Gunnedah Tourist Caravan Park Free call: 1800 007 142 Email: gunnedahcaravanpark@westnet.com.au The Lorikeet Tourist Park Winter activities Winter visitors get to enjoy craft classes and carpet bowls with free morning teas and sausage sizzles. Phone: Free call 1800 555 858 - Pam & Cliff Gray Web site: www.thelorikeet.com.au Email: stay@thelorikeet.com.au

Kingston on Murray Caravan Park - Banrock Experience...$250 Relax and enjoy a two night getaway including a Banrock Station Food & Wine Experience for 2 people. Peter and Lisa Kollmann along with their children Courtney and Brodie welcome you to their privately owned park and invite you to discover this picturesque, peaceful hideaway at Kingston-on- Murray. The caravan park is situated on the Murray river in a secluded setting just 2kms off the Sturt Highway. This award winning park offers friendly personalised service, large shady lawned drive through sites, ensuite and non ensuite cabins along with many other facilities to make your stay comfortable. Kingston-on-Murray Caravan Park is an ideal location to explore the many attractions the Riverland has to offer. While staying at the park you can partake in many river activities like fishing, boating and canoeing all from our private jetty and boat ramp. Banrock Station Food & Wine Experience Stay 5 nights in a Powered site for 2 people and pay only $90 - SAVE UP TO $35 Extra Persons $7.50 per adult and $5.00 per child per night. This offer is subject to availability and no further discounts apply. Offer has now been reduced to $220 until 30/11/09. BOOK NOW ON 08 8583 0209 Kingston-on-Murray Caravan Park Holmes Road or PO Box 23 Kingston-on-Murray SA 533 Web: www.komcaravanpark.com.au Email: info@komcaravanpark.com.au

2009 Directory Order the 2009 Top Tourist Parks Directory Online Now The Top Tourist Park 2009 directory is now available from from all member parks or can be ordered via our web site. All you need to do to order online is to go to: www.toptouristparks.com.au/directory.asp

Festival of the Walks in the beautiful Blackall Range, Queensland The very first Festival of Walks will start on August 29th and go on for two weeks. These days we are all being encouraged to get fit, and stay that way. There has been lots of research to show that it is good to be fit, and walking is one of the best ways to do it. Running seems to be bad for your knees and ankles, but walking gets the heart going, releases those all important endorphins and lets you stop every so often to smell the roses. So, what better way to walk than to combine it with a visit to one of the most beautiful parts of Australia, the stunning hinterland of the Sunshine Coast, the Blackall Range, with the town of Maleny and the villages of Montville and Mapleton at the heart of it. The very first Festival of Walks will start on August 29th and go on for two weeks. There are a huge number of walks in the area starting at a pleasant stroll of 20 minutes right through to a four day hike. At the same time as you are walking, there will be special events covering food, wine and music, plus opportunities to see some of the local artists at work. You can go on an organized walk, go by yourselves, or make up a group, it is up to you so long as you bring your walking gear. The Blackall Range is about 100km north of Brisbane and boasts three Top Tourist caravan parks, Lilyponds Holiday Park (Mapleton), Ocean View Caravan Park (Maleny/Landsborough) and Palmwoods Caravan Park (Palmwoods). What a great way to take a break, walking through the subtropical rainforest, tall open eucalypt forest and finding some of the most stunning waterfalls, while staying in the area at the caravan parks. There is a mountain of information on the Festival of the Walks on their excellent website: www.festivalofthewalks.com.au For information on the caravan parks on the Range go to: Lilyponds Holiday Park www.lilyponds.com.au Ocean View Caravan Park www.oceanviewtouristpark.com.au Palmwoods Caravan Park www.palmwoodspark.com.au

Trial Bay Gaol - South West Rocks South West Rocks has a lot going for it as a holiday destination, and one of the highlights is Trial Bay Gaol. This gaol has a short sharp history, as it was built to house prisoners solely to build a breakwater in Trial Bay (named after the Brig Trial which was wrecked in 1817). The original goal was built between 1877 and 1886, and the extension finished by 1890. During the time the prisoners were building their goal they were also working on the breakwater. Pink granite from a local quarry was used for both constructions and caused continual problems, particularly for the breakwater. This was constantly being washed away, so in July 1903 all plans were abandoned and the gaol was closed down. In 1915 it was re-opened to house male German internees. There were too many Australians of German decent to intern everyone, so a selective system was followed where the leaders of the German community, including those born here, were interred for the duration of World War I. Gaol life was not easy for the internees, but they did create a community which included athletics, rowing, boxing, 2 choral societies and a newspaper. Originally the internees were given the same rations as an Australian soldier but from September 1917 these were reduced to “Imperial Rations” basically the same as Prisoners of War in England but the internees could fish and grow their own vegetables to augment the rations. Mind you, free enterprise had a place too, with one inspired individual opening the “Duck Coop” a gourmet restaurant serving fine food to those who could afford it! It was not all plain sailing for the internees, there were major problems with loneliness which led to depression, self harm and unrest. An all male society, no matter how well organized, had to include frustration. The gaol was closed down for the second and final time in July 1918 when the last of the internees was moved to Holsworthy in readiness for their deportation to German. In all some 6150 internees were deported to Germany in 1919. In 1922 all movable equipment and buildings were auctioned off and the gaol was left to stand as it is today. It is well worth a visit, and gives an insight into the conditions that prisoners were expected to live under in less enlighten times.Trial Bay Gaol is open every day (except Christmas Day) from 9am to 5pm,and there is an entry fee. FURTHER INFORMATION RING: Arakoon State Recreation Area 02 6566 6168 South West Rocks Tourist Park Gordon Young Drive South West Rocks NSW 2431 Free call: 1800 666 264 Web:www.southwestrockstourist.com.au Email: bookings@southwestrockstourist.com.au

We Love This Country - John Williamson CD If you are planning to hit the road, or are already living the dream, grab a copy of John Williamson’s toe-tapping We Love this Country album to really make the drive come alive. The CD is a compilation of 15 true-blue Aussie travel songs that are sure to keep you singing along, including great tunes such as ‘We Love this Country’, ‘Around Jindabyne’, ‘Welcome all to Broome’ and many more. Visit the We Love this Country website online store to pick up a copy for just $25.95. www.welovethiscountry.com.au/onlineshop.aspx

Moonee Beach Holiday Park Alison Huth visits Moonee Beach Holiday Park - Coffs Harbour. If you want to go to Coffs Harbour, but are looking for a spot a little away from the traffic lights and shops, then head for Moonee Beach Holiday Park. It is about 10km north of Coffs and tucked away on the edge of a tidal lagoon with the Pacific Ocean pounding away on the other side of a sand bar. This is an old park, which gives it a maturity that the park really seems to enjoy. Over the past couple of years some new buildings have been added, but they have only improved it. There is a new office, which is a pleasure to go into and three new two bedroom cabins are now in place. These are named after some of the dolphins at the Porpoise Pool in Coffs, Zippy, Bucky and Bella must be great animals because the cabins certainly are. Most of the caravan sites are set amongst trees, and some are scattered here and there, which adds to the charm! There is a general air of relaxation about Moonee Beach rather than one of total order and scattered sites certainly work well. If you want a quiet spot then this is a wonderful hide away out of school holidays. If you want to take the kids somewhere where there is safe fresh water swimming then this is for you. There is a good camp kitchen which has developed into the place to take advantage of the wifi on the park and a lot of laptops come out at dusk. There are national parks around the park, with some exceptional walks for the energetic. If you want to range further afield then you can get to Coffs in no time at all and enjoy all of the tourism that abounds in the area. What I really like doing is sitting and watching the Pacific Ocean thump away around the Solitary Island. Moonee Beach Holiday Park Moonee Beach Rd Moonee Beach NSW 2450 Free call: 1800 184 120 Web: www.moonee.com.au Email: info@moonee.com.au

Clare Caravan Park Clare Caravan Park wins Tourism Award. Situated at Clare's southern entrance, Clare Caravan Park is the perfect spot for a weekend or overnight getaway. Clare Caravan Park was awarded with the Tourist and Caravan Parks Award in the 2009 Jim Barry Clare Valley Regional Tourism Awards. Managers Julie and Bronte Buchanan were thrilled with the win and didn't expect it, considering the competition within the valley. The Buchanans previously ran and managed the Mount Compass caravan park and came to Clare after being successful in their application to manage the park. "It's something Clare should be proud of, I have been to many parks but this one is absolutely beautiful," Julie said. The park offers caravan sites, cabins with one or two bedrooms, powered and un-powered sites, a shelter shed with open fires and guests staying can also hire fire drums. "We (the caravan park) are on the way to the Flinders Ranges and often have people just stay the night on their way up, some people really don't know what we have here and are amazed when they stay the night," she said. Although some parks have their quiet periods, Julie said Clare Caravan Park was always busy. "We have our extremely busy times and, other than that, it doesn't really die down all that much," she said. With the Riesling Trail only across the road, the caravan park hire bikes and encourage people to local places of interest. The park has just received a four star rating and will continue to keep its rating high and offer great deals for customers. "With fuel prices and everything getting more expensive families are travelling and looking to stay in cabins now, it's definitely the way of the future, they are cheaper on the familie's pocket and they can still be comfortable. "And we have just had five cabins upgraded so we are giving families the luxuries they would have at home," Julie said. Visitors come from throughout Australia and Julie said some people stop for one night but end up staying for two or three. "I was speechless when we won the Jim Barry award and I really haven't thanked my staff. This park's run by everybody and if it wasn't it wouldn't run," Julie said. Call to book your next holiday accommodation at the Clare Caravan Park on (08) 842 2724. It's all about being a team at the Clare Caravan Park. They are all family and work well together. CLARE CARAVAN PARK WINS AWARD Congratulations to Clare Caravan Park. They are the proud winners of the Jim Barry Clare Valley Tourism Excellence Award for Tourist and Caravan Parks for 2009 Clare Caravan Park Main North Rd Clare SA 5453 Free call: 1800 422 724 Web: www.clare-caravan-park.com.au

Anglesea Beachfront Recycling Warriors Most of us take recycling for granted, we carefully put the right things in the right bins, and feel very good about doing our bit for the environment. But, it is not always easy for a business to do that. For some reason the Surfcoast Shire does not provide a rubbish collection for businesses such as Anglesea Beachfront Family Caravan Park. So years ago they set up their own system for general waste removal by buying their own compacting rubbish truck, which they take straight to the dump. In 2008 this weighted in at 126,720kgs (126 tonnes) of rubbish. But one of the things that annoyed Errol and Justin Morris was the inability to separate the recycling items, which just went into the landfill year after year. Finally Justin decided that he was going to beat the problem. He started with the compactor truck which could collect recycling material on a separate run. He did need new yellow topped recycling bins, so bought 80 of them! Then he faced the problem of storing and then removing the recycling because he could not add it to the councils recycling system. He found a company that would collect it, so now all he needed was the infrastructure. An Engineer was called for to ensure that the ramp and retaining wall would take the weight of a fully loaded compactor when it drove up to tip down into the skip. Once this was worked out, the ramp was built, the skip put in place and the bins placed around the park. The groundsman now makes two runs every rubbish day and takes the recycled waste to the skip. When this is full, Visy come and empty it. Then the whole process starts again. This is an excellent system that achieves a huge benefit for the council by reducing the amount of rubbish going into their landfill by 47%. The only downside is that there is a cost to be met by the Morris family every step of the way including paying Visy for collecting the recycled material, but they do feel that they are achieving a gain for the environment. At the same time they developed a way to recycle the water from the in-house washing and now water the gardens and grass instead of just wasting the water. Running a caravan park is not all beer and skittles, it can also mean providing council services that domestic premises take for granted. Congratulations to the Morris family and the staff at Anglesea Beachfront Family Caravan Park – our recycling warriors. Anglesea Beachfront Family Caravan Park 35 Cameron Rd Anglesea Vic 3230 Free call: 1800 040 455 Web: www.angleseabeachfront.com.au Email: info@angleseabeachfront.com.au

SPECIAL OFFERS WINTER SPECIAL - ALBURY MOTOR VILLIAGE Stay for 3 nights in any of our cabins and only pay for 2 nights. Conditions apply. Albury Motor Village Tourist Park 372 Wagga Road Lavington, Albury NSW 2641 Free call: 1800 624 520 Web: www.alburymotorvillage.com.au Email: albury@motorvillage.com.au WARM WINTER SPECIALS FROM APOLLO GARDENS TOP TOURIST PARK MELBOURNE: Visit Melbourne in winter for shows and sales, footy and fun, restaurants and bars and hundreds of other delightful winter treats starting with your stay at Apollo Gardens – only 45 minutes to the city by public transport from our door seven days a week. We offer some of the best quality accommodation and park facilities in Australia at great value winter special prices. Winter Club Card Special: Club Card members receive double the discount in Winter - Show your Top Tourist Club Card and receive a 10% discount off accommodation to a maximum of not $25.00 but $50.00* * Valid July and August 2009. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offers. Winter Family Special: Save hundreds of dollars and children stay free - Treat the family to some holiday fun without breaking the bank. Superior 2 Bedroom Cabin Winter Package : Pay only $799 per week ($699 for 5 nights) for 2 adults and up to 2 children staying in our very best fully self contained superior (4 1/2 star) cabins. * Deluxe 2 Bedroom Cabin Winter Package: Pay only $699.00 per week ($599.00 for 5 nights) for 2 adults and up to 2 chidren in quality fully self contained deluxe (4 star) cabins * Winter Getaway Specials: Singles and couples don’t miss out – treat yourself to a well earned break. Superior 1 Bedroom Cabin Winter Package: Pay only $599.00 per week or $499.00 for 5 nights to stay in our very best fully self contained 4 ?star cabins. *Valid July and August 2009. This offer is subject to availability. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offers. Winter package includes linen and towels to all beds. Extra Adults at $20.00/night, extra children at $14.00/night Apollo Gardens Tourist Park 284 - 290 Hume Highway Craigieburn VIC 3064 Free call: 1800 886 352 Web: www.apollogardens.com.au Email: stay@apollogardens.com.au SPECIAL - The Lorikeet Tourist Park Blessed by winter sunshine with average temperatures of 22 degrees The Lorikeet Tourist Park is the ideal location to while away the winter months. We invite you to advantage of our recession buster special’s and enjoy free morning teas, sausage sizzles & Carpet Bowls throughout the winter. Stay one week or more between the 5th June 2009 and 31st August 2009 and get a powered site for the price of a regular powered site. That’s an ensuite powered site for $189-00. Or stay 4 weeks or longer between the 5th June and the 15th September and receive a 10% uncapped discount of your stay Conditions apply: Offer based on 2 persons. Only one discount applies Not available with any other discounts including Top Tourist The Lorikeet Tourist Park Phone: Free call 1800 555 858 - Pam & Cliff Gray Web: www.thelorikeet.com.au Email: stay@thelorikeet.com.au COUPLES - TAKE A BREAK FROM YOUR WINTER ROUTINE AT HAPPY HALLIDAYS WHY NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HAPPY HALLIDAYS CARAVAN SPECIAL 7 NIGHTS FOR ONLY $150 INCLUSIVE OR SNUGGLE UP IN A FULLY SELF CONTAINED AIR CONDITIONED BUNGALOW FOR A WHOLE WEEK FOR $300 We’re situated on the mid north coast in a warm and friendly small coastal community. The township has great food, shopping facilities and walking track approx. 500m from the Park entrance, with fishing and national park wonders only short drive away. Friendly Staff; Warm Atmosphere; Great Facilities 20 min from Forster; 1.5hrs from Newcastle; 3.5hrs from Sydney. Pet friendly for couples on Van Sites Only. Offer Valid until 31st August 2009 Not available inconjunction with any other offer Happy Hallidays Holiday Park Free call: 1800 555 454 Web: www.happyhallidays.com.au. TOORA TOURIST PARK MID WEEK PROM COUNTRY GETAWAY Enjoy 2 nights accommodation for 2 in one of our 3.5 Star Luxury. En-suite Cabins (numbers 10-14) and included in the price is all of the following:  * Continental Breakfast provisions each morning to self prepare *  Linen and bedding on main bed. *  Kids stay free (not including linen and bedding) ALL FOR JUST $170 Not valid on Saturday nights, holiday weekends or school holidays. SPA FAMILY GETAWAY Stay 2 nights in our 4 star luxury en-suite spa cabin including: •Linen and bedding on main bed •Complimentary bottle of red or white wine from South Gippsland Vineyard •Continental Breakfast provisions each morning to self prepare •3 kids stay free up to 16 years of age. ALL FOR JUST $250 Valid July to October not including holiday weekends. Toora Tourist Park South Gippsland Highway, Toora VIC 3962 Free call: 1800 889 966 Web: www.tooratouristpark.com.au Email: info@tooratouristpark.com.au DISCOVERY HOLIDAY PARKS - LAKE TINAROO Grey Nomad Weekly Rate Special Stay 7 days and only pay for 5 on a powered site for only $140 week Conditions apply and valid until 30 September.  Not available with any other offer. Pets welcome. Lake Tinaroo Holiday Park Tinaroo Falls Dam Road TINAROO FALLS QLD 4872 Phone: 07 4095 8232 Web: www.discoveryholidayparks.com.au Email: stay@parklanetouristpark.com.au Midweek Special - Drifters Holiday Village Stay Stay 4 nights in any of our park cabins betweem Sunday to Thursday or Monday to Friday and only pay for 3 nights. Conditions apply. Phone: 1800 552 723 Web: www.drifters.com.au Email: info@drifters.com.au

Adelaide and my Platinum Card I know that winter is usually the time to go north to get the sun, but we decided to go south and enjoy some time in one of my favourite cities – Adelaide. I have been visiting this beautiful city for many years for one reason or another and have grown to love it. Once we had found all our winter woollies we were off for a lovely week. Melbourne is a wonderful city to visit and we caught it at a superb time. It is many years since I lived there and I have fond memories of the fun of Moomba, and I am glad to say that Moomba is very much back on the scene, with some spectacular fireworks each night of the three day event. We also like to try a range of interesting food, and the card came in very handy then as it appeared for a couple of dinners and one lunch. The Platinum Card led us to the Gurkha’s Express, a Nepalese Restaurant which has a superb menu. Now, goat may not be high on your list of favourites, but it was exceptionally tasty. We stayed at Adelaide Caravan Park in the old St Peter’s council area which has some of the most beautiful houses. I am particularly fond of the lovely sand stone houses which always look so inviting and warm and I love walking around the area marveling at their designs and grace. In some places there are new versions of these lovely buildings and some of them blend in so well that it is hard to know they are new. We always find time to wander through the Rundle Mall, it is just a very inviting place, with plenty of places to stop for a coffee, indulge in some window shopping or the real thing. All good malls have some artistic sites and this one is no different, the pigs are a must to stop and see. But, what I really enjoyed was taking my platinum card out for a spin. One outing readily springs to mind, with a delightful lunch in a superb Italian restaurant. The food was delicious and the bill much nicer once our generous discount had been applied. The extra value that my platinum card gives me is great. When I first got it I did wonder if I would use it enough to make the initial outlay worth while, but in four short months I am well and truly in front of the $70 purchase price. You can sign up for a Platinum Card, which costs $70 for two years and includes your normal discounts when you stay at a Top Tourist Park, 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 add a little something special to your travelling.. Alison Huth

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