Travel GOULBURN RIVER CARAVAN PARK

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Words and pics Andrew Harris Goulburn River Caravan Park at Seymour, Vic, is perfect for a serene city break, or for a good rest on a longer trip. Clockwise from main: The park’s location, on a lush, wide bend of the river from which it takes its name, is it’s main attraction; Bernie Burke has overseen a number of renovations since buying the park almost four years ago; drive-through sites are available; Bird the galah is the park’s mascot. The late-afternoon sun is bright and the river is calm. A rack of canoes waits for us, but there isn’t enough daylight left for a proper paddle. Our drive-through site faces the water anyway, so we can properly enjoy our spot. I’ve already met Cathy at reception and I’ve become acquainted with Bird, the 15- year-old galah. Later on, I also meet eightyear-old Rocky the snuffling staffy, Ozzie the 18-month-old fox terrier, and a couple of cats. The park is very pet-friendly. As we settle in, two motorhomes pull in next to us. Having already scoped the place out, I’m not surprised Goulburn River Caravan Park draws a crowd. REFURBISHED Bernie Burke bought the park three-and-ahalf years ago. It’s a long, narrow property, down a relatively steep drive from town, and it’s consequently quiet and secluded. Five acres of 78 powered sites, 16 cabins, one unit, 10 permanents and four annuals sit on a high river embankment; three acres of 30 or so unpowered sites are on a lower bank, right by the river. There are two spotless amenities blocks, each with a laundry. There’s a large recreation room near the centre of the park that’s been chopped in half and partially converted into a two-bedroom unit. There’s still plenty of space though, with a table-tennis table, fridge, microwave, gas heater, cooktop, sink, television, plenty of couches, and what looks like a wooden bingo barrel. Since he came onto the scene, Bernie’s installed four brand-new Jayco cabins. He’s also repainted the onsite house in which he lives and given it verandahs; he’s built on the kiosk and extended the reception area; he’s covered and concreted the barbecue area and added an extra barbecue; he’s turned a large unpowered area into 20 more powered sites. “The park was pretty basic when I came here,” he says. “I thought it needed work, but not as much as it did need.” Significant attention was paid to bringing existing cabins up to scratch. Most cabins have been completely refurbished, with bedding and mattresses replaced. Only two were air-conditioned when Bernie arrived, and they’re now all kitted out. A few older cabins have been fitted with verandahs. Bernie’s a fitter by trade, so he’s as handy CAMPERTRAILER AUSTRALIA 79
Travel GOULBURN RIVER CARAVAN PARK GOULBURN RIVER CARAVAN PARK Goulburn River Caravan Park is a Top Tourist Park rated at 3.5 stars. It’s on Progress Street in Seymour, Vic, and is pet-friendly (enquire for further details). For more information, phone (03) 5792 1530, fax (03) 5799 1032, or visit www.goulburnrivercp.com as can be, and he’s always up for a homemade solution – a camouflaged clothesline was duly modified with a U-shaped wooden enclosure. “It’s always hard to know where to put a clothesline in a caravan park, but they’re a necessary thing,” he says. “People expect them.” RIVER FUN As most visitors would agree, Goulburn River Caravan Park’s main attraction is its Clockwise from main: The park is surrounded by trees on the banks of the Goulburn River; canoes with which to explore the river are available; take your pick – there’s 78 powered sites to choose from; view of the reception building. stunning location on a lush, wide bend of the river from which it takes its name. We don’t end up canoeing because the following day’s weather turns a little foul. Apart from canoeing, there’s fishing to be done, and a folding chair, a hot cuppa and a newspaper are about all you need to set up for some fulfilling time by the river. A small DVD library at reception covers rainy days. If you have a water craft in tow, there’s an onsite boat ramp. At the time of my visit, it was a gravel job, but some locals have Seymour is 105km north of Melbourne, along the Hume and Goulburn Valley highways. Attractions in the area include a number of wineries, a railway heritage centre, and of course boating and fishing on the mighty Goulburn River. The army base at Puckapunyal a short drive west of Seymour has the Army Tank Museum, with over 70 armoured vehicles as well as a good collection of Australian Light Horse memorabilia. secured a grant in anticipation of the annual Tinnie Muster and plan to build a two-lane concrete facility. ARMY TRADE Seymour is very close to the vast Puckapunyal army base, so a large contingent of soldiers’ visiting families and friends stay at the caravan park. “We get quite a lot of business from the army,” Bernie says. He even advertises in the base’s newspaper, The Boomerang. The park also hosts the regular grey nomads and the requisite young travellers. It was only a month before our visit that the park was admitted as a member of the Top Tourist Parks group. Bernie was recommended to join by the owner of the River Breeze Top Tourist Park at Moira, in NSW. “We stayed there, I met him, and I told him I owned the Goulburn River Caravan Park,” Bernie says. “And he said, ‘Listen, I’ve owned a few caravans parks, and you must be in the (Top Tourist Parks) group.’” So, when Bernie and Cathy returned from Moira, they applied for membership. Bernie takes me down to the water, along the walking and cycle path from the park, and it’s clear he takes great pride in his work. He beams as I compliment the view, but he’s not about to blow his own trumpet. “If people say to us, ‘This is a lovely park, it’s a quiet area, it’s on a river, we like it,’ that’s good,” he says. “I’m the park owner; I only create, other people make the opinions.” n 80 CAMPERTRAILER AUSTRALIA
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Travel GOULBURN RIVER CARAVAN PARK

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