A Strategic Approach to the Caravan and Camping Industry 2012

Issues Raised in Consumer Feedback
A review of online user forums was completed in November and common comments were grouped to identify issues with regards to overall quality in key tourism regions. The
findings are reported below.
Acceptable standard Common issue to be monitored Issue requires attention
Issue
General site
availability
Peak
demand
availability
Quality of
caravan park
facilities
Quality of
caravan park
service
Availability
of low
cost/free
camp
facilities
Northwest
(Broome,
Kununurra)
Coral
Coast
(Exmouth,
Coral Bay)
South West
(Busselton,
Margaret
River)
Perth
(Mandurah)
Golden Typical Consumer Feedback
Outback
(Esperance)
“Was in this part of the woods in July...having travelled from down south and was seriously disappointed in Broome...lack of facilities,
crowded. No vacancy signs everywhere...and a general attitude that took everyone as being a cash cow.” Source www.exploroz.com
“That’s the very busiest time of year down here so it gets packed out. Always have people saying they have no where to go as they have
not booked and the campsites (paying ones) are full. ”Source www.tripadvisor.com.au
“My only gripe with them was we couldn't book ahead and had to queue for a spot. I was about number 20 in the queue by 7am but by
9am enough people had left that we got in. Tip if you go peak time is to queue very early.” Source www.exploroz.com
“We have been forced to drive all the way back to Perth when we have failed to pre book site accommodation.” Source
www.caravannersforum.com
“We understand that it is the end of the peak season and the caravan park had probably seen a lot of visitors, but seriously come on, the
back end of the park is nothing but a dust bowl, and to charge $45 per night for a site.” Source: www.tripadvisor.com.au
“It is a shame this great location is ruined by horrible staff and a totally opaque, non-booking system that applies to some guests but not
others.” Source www.tripadvisor.com.au
“I actually think the local station offering stations stays has put an end to the free camping area. When we travelled down earlier this
year it was signed as closed to camping” Source www.exploroz.com
“Unfortunately this is happening everywhere there is free or cheap camping and it will only get worse if a fee is not imposed. No use
blaming other camp spots that charge a fee for the influx of campers into free sites..... Charge a fee and it keeps the not so friendly
campers out. As said above and I agree I would sooner pay a fee and have a good regulated camp spot then camp somewhere for free in
an unregulated camp spot.” Source www.exploroz.com
“Many of the long-stay, traditional campers are elderly pensioners who travel north for the winter. They cannot afford to stay at
caravan parks charging anything from $25 a night, so they would not be able to go away and everyone loses. The present Act and the
new review are designed to aid the owners of existing caravan parks.” Source www.exploroz.com
Road side
stop/rest
“Have to agree to the majority of the rest stops I have stopped at bins overflowing or the crows have had a party. At one location
someone has just discarded a number of damaged tyres and tossed them in the grass area.” Source www.exploroz.com
area facility
availability
“One of the major problems we have though are the grubs in our society who litter where ever they are coz their too lazy or are of low
intelligence and do not understand that facilities will not be provided for them to abuse, if everybody made sure to take their rubbish
with them, then local councils would not have that extra burden of providing labour to clean up the sites.” Source www.exploroz.com
Dump point
access
“As water disposal laws continue to tighten, dump points – and their correct use – are becoming an increasingly necessary part of life on
the road.” Source: caravanworld.com.au
Site tariffs “One thing I've also noticed is that some of the accommodation books, even though they're current editions, aren't up to date with
costs, ie book stipulates $26 per night for a powered site, but by the time we check in it's $29 per night (and off season).”
www.exploroz.com
“Caravan parks are expensive, charging 20 or more dollars a night, on a long trip thats expensive, especially if you just want somewhere
legal to stop park and sleep.” Source www.tripadvisor.com.au
A Strategic Approach to Caravan and Camping Tourism in Western Australia Page 32