AROUND-OZ MOTORHOMES

We were given a map with a choice of sites and the amenities highlighted in green. We meandered around the park and didn’t select No. 73, which had the best views because it was just too slopey. We ended up with No. 96, a smaller site with wonderful neighbours, but as the stay was only overnight, that didn’t matter.

The grounds are absolutely first class - the only negative we could find is that for caravans and motorhomes it would be great if the sites could be benched just a tiny bit more, in a similar manner as the tent sites are. We were offered chocks, but our yellow Fiamma ramps sufficed. Dump point wise it is terrific and an excellent example for other parks to follow. The site is situated just inside the front boom gates with superb access for even the longest motorhome. A hose is thoughtfully provided for Porta Pottie owners. Rather oddly this excellent facility is not mentioned in the hand out nor is it sign posted in any way either and unless you go looking it could easily be missed. We "discovered" it quite by accident when photographing the excellent boom gates! These by the way use unique six digit pin numbers for each vehicle. This solves the eternal problem of guests letting in extra vehicles as you can't check in again unless your vehicle has checked out - a brilliant idea. It has another advantage for those wanting to arrive after the office has closed. If you pay by credit card you receive your pin over the phone and simply use it on arrival to gain access to your site. Office hours are 8.15 AM to 6.00 PM.

Site numbering is interesting - it goes from 1 to 55 for tent sites and then jumps from 67 to 78 and from 95 to 99 for the caravan and motorhomes. There are ten water view villas and five headland view villas, all in very smart modern colours with curved colourbond roofs. Car parking is provided near each group of villas in a designated area. It is hard to believe that this is actually a council run park as it just about perfection and it certainly sets new standards for others to follow. The attention to detail is superb and it is quite obviously architect designed. The signage just simply fits the site beautifully and adds to the aesthetic appeal of this blending in perfectly with nature park.

There are no annex pads, the whole site is well grassed and no carpets or mats are permitted outside caravans, tents or motorhomes, because obviously, should you be staying for a while, this would kill off the grass underneath. Whilst the total grass effect looks beautiful, the sloppiness of the grounds themselves could mean this comes unstuck in rainy weather. But as we saw it the overall effect is quite stunning and as green as Ireland!

The power point towers, water taps and waste outlet facilities are excellent. We particularly liked the fact that the power points were covered in when not in use - much safer than the mushroom type utilised by many older parks. Sullage points all have captive screw caps when not in use. Garbage is stored in one neat central point with everything covered at all times. We feel that this is the main reason for the greatly reduced number of flies in this area - great design! There just are no visible "messy areas" anywhere in this park indicating top planning. This in our experience is a bit of a rarity! Check in parking is tops, with easy exit if you decide not to stay. We loved the divan in reception - just the ticket for the weary traveller!

The front picnic area overlooking the waterfront is available for use by day visitors as well as campers and there is a pedestrian walkway down to the foreshore, yacht club and marina. Parking in the street appears to be at a premium on Saturday night with the restaurant patronage at the yacht club, as can be seen on the sunset photos. Across the road are synthetic based tennis courts, which can be hired at a reasonable rate.

The one large block of amenities is five star, even with an insect zapper. We actually only have one solitary complaint about this beautiful almost new park - that is the dreadfully thin toilet paper. Having just come from its sister park at Halifax with the best paper we have ever come across, Soldiers Point was a bit of a come down! The colour scheme is cool and clean. The laundry is massive with the latest in washing machines and dryers. Clothes lines are really good and very intelligently set up so there is just about zero chance of walking into them at night a point over looked by so many park owners. There is a Telstra phone box and Australia post box nearby. Shopping wise there are a few cafe type places with a kilometre and walking a fair bit further brings you to an extensive shopping precinct. Bi-Lo, Woolworths etc. are back at Salamander Bay - about 10 minutes by car. We found the only fish shop in Soldiers Point to be very disappointing - Saltmines.

We went for several walks around the waterfront, but once again the "don’t do this signs" were everywhere. You could do an easy walking circuit across the front of the park, around the waterfront and back to the park.

The marina was quite picturesque, with beautiful boats coming and going. The boat ramp area had parking for twenty or more cars and trailers. The view out across Port Stephens and Soldiers Point itself was peaceful in the late afternoon as can be seen by the photos. Another late afternoon thunderstorm came across the bay and was welcomed and we can only hope further rain will result in a breaking of the drought throughout the seaboard as well as country areas. Like all the council parks activities are run in school holidays. We liked the "weather boards" - a great safety idea for those venturing out on the water.&

Pets are welcome in non-holiday times (as with all the four parks under the control of the far sighted Port Stephens Council) for campsites, but are not permitted in the park cabins or villas. Whilst the council has done an absolutely magnificent job on all their caravan parks we are sorry to report that this whole area is NOT motorhome and dog friendly. Quite frankly one has to go to Florida Keys in the States to come across as many unwelcoming signs! Absolutely ZERO provision has been made for parking caravans or motorhomes at any of the beauty spots with parking limited to 6 metres. They are presently installing more of the same. Perhaps this is why we saw so few motorhomers in this area. There is really only one beach you can take your dog and that is Bagnalls Beach. One can only wonder how retirees with no transport ever get to walk their pets on the beach bearing in mind that this is an extremely popular area for them. What we would like to see is a relaxation of some of the rules with say dogs allowed ON LEADS from 5 PM to 7 AM as is done so successfully around Narooma in NSW. If these minor changes were made, the word would soon get out and there would certainly be an influx of motorhomers to this glorious area. We would also suggest that a rest area be established in say the unused area in the centre of the divided road on the way in, as at present the ONLY official area is almost back at Williamstown. There are many motorhomers who just don't like caravan parks and many more just can't afford them, BUT they will all still spend money on food and fuel. On a recent motorhome rally at Barcaldine 1,200 motorhomes stayed for one week and boosted the town's income by over a million dollars. The bakery alone turned over three months takings in just a week.

We filled in the guest survey form at this park, because we felt the young management of Kerry Shepherd was making a real effort with this very new facility - in fact every time we saw them they were tirelessly working away. You can get lots more information on 1800 600 204 or on the website at www.beachsideholidays.com.au. The website has a nice enquiry form or if you hate forms you might like to try the email contact at soldierspt@portstephens.nsw.gov.au. Doggies are very welcome at the park, but sadly not on any nearby beaches or parks. In summing up we can't praise this park enough and absolutely recommend it to all fellow motorhomers!

Chrissy Eustace

Hema 23 E11