Great options for winter trip in southern Qld

[Con]

Hi. Planning our first trip with the kids in our new Jayco for this July. Where to go is the question. Needs to be somewhere with interesting things for 7 to 12 year olds to do, other than swimming!

Any suggestions would be very welcome!! Thanks all.

 

[megcam]

Hi Con - If you don't mid the drive I reckon a run out to Longreach, Winton & Dinosaur trail could keep them interested. Giraween is another option a bit closer to home but will be cold. What sort of van and what type of camping do you & the family enjoy?

 

[Tone]

Charleville is worth a look on the way to Longreach, heaps for the kids. Winton is great to.

 

[Con]

Great thanks @megcam and @Tone, appreciate the feedback. Well here is our camping and caravan story in a nutshell....
As a blended family of 5 we have never camped, period. Always been to resorts or cabins at caravan parks. We have stayed at Somerset Dam holiday park and own a jetski which the kids love tubing behind etc.
Over the past 6 months we have been researching and looking into Van options so we can take the kids out more road trips to new and interesting places. In 2014 we did a road trip to Canberra from Brisbane via Dubbo and Parkes, then onto the snowy mountains for a day trip to Perisher for a snow experience. TubeTown was a hit. The kids still rave about it and keep asking when we are going back to the snow! I promised ski school on the next trip...
Getting back to the Van... We took a big step the other week and ordered 2 big things. A Van and a truck to tow it... Because we are a family of 5 and there were some "must haves" we settled on the Jayco Expanda Caravan 20.64 1OB and to tow it a new Ford Ranger XLT with some "accessories". Van will be ready for pick in early June and the Ranger in the next couple of weeks .
Cathy and I plan on doing a trip alone for 3 nights prior to taking the kids out for the July holidays in its first family fun. At least that way we will get a feel of whats involved and get in some practice before introducing 3 midgets to the mix....
We were looking at Cania Gorge as an option and its great to add Longreach, Winton, Charleville & Dinosaur to the options.
Let the games begin!!!

 

[chartrock]

Sounds good @Con. Love Cania Gorge, but we stay at the park right at the entrance rather than the Big4 at the top of the park. The Big4 is probably better for the kids with a playground etc but is not much closer to the lake than the park outside as it is still a fair drive to the water. Cania Gorge Retreat is a top tourist park and all the walks start at the park entrance so no driving. Maybe I am biased as, with no kids, we find the park quiet and a joy to stay at.

 

[megcam]

Exciting times @Con! Enjoy the wait . You could also consider Carnarvon Gorge for some excellent bush walks. Takarakka Resort usually books out in school hols so there are plenty of kids there for your lot to play with.

 

[JohngQld]

Hi @Con,
If your out and about in the Great South East early in July, you might like to look at the Qld Members Meetup at Stanthorpe the weekend of the 8th 9th and 10th of July. Should be some really great people there, full of knowledge and merriment. There should also be another Ranger there.
Here is a link.
http://www.expandasdownunder.com/threads/qld-meet-8-10th-july-stanthorpe.8419/
John

 

[Con]

Great, thanks everyone for your feedback.... We made a decision! Because we can only get away for 5 nights, we decided to reduce the travel time and have booked into Fraser Lodge Holiday Park this time...

Cant wait to pick up the rig in a couple of months!

 

[DRW]

Hi @Con I missed this thread, we have stayed at Fraser lodge a few times, new owners now and I don't like complaining but Happy Wanderer 2 blocks away is a friendlier place in my opinion.