New to the caravan world

[sierramason]

Hi everyone

First what I like to say is first post and what a great site. Someone like me who has just entered the caravan world and has just purchased there first caravan 17.56.2 OB which I pick up this Friday, has found this site extremely informative with a lot of good ideas for the first timer like me. As I said this is all new for me so the question I am asking is. I live in Melbourne any recommendation for a first get away for a weekend just to get a feel and experience for this new exciting world I have just entered. We are a young family with two kids 4years and 2 years.

Thanks

 

[davemc]

Hello @sierramason and welcome a lot of people on here with great thoughts and ideas.
We did our shake out trip to Bellarine Big4 the sites are huge so you will not feel a idiot for not backing correctly. There was no one on the site across from us so it made it even simpler. .. Been there a few times now not the cheapest or walking distance to anything although very kid friendly.
Heated indoor pool, jumping pillows, inside playroom, movie room. clean bathrooms etc etc.
http://www.big4.com.au/caravan-parks/vic/great-ocean-road/bellarine-holiday-park

Another place we went with kids was Bendigo Parklane..
A bit tight some of the sites to get into although in the park is a 4 level playroom. Its melbourne so who knows how cold or wet it will be
http://www.parklaneholidayparks.com.au/bendigo/

We also went to nagambie lakes which was really nice as well. Although we used cabins that trip.
http://www.nagambielakespark.com.au/

You could always do coburg big4 there are plenty of parks down the peninsula probably depends what side of the city how comfortable you will be taking the van out.

Enjoy the van we want a lot of pictures

 

[Tricky]

Welcome to the site and caravaning. The memories and good times will be with the family for ever.

Depending on what type of short trip from Melbourne you are interested in, we always say go North (or bush) in the winter. If that appeals to you then there are numerous places to go that are within and hour or so.

Even places like the Yarra Yalley are good and close for a quick weekend getaway.

Enjoy - it was the best thing we did for our kids (and ourselves) many years ago.

 

[Crusty181]

Welcome @sierramason to both the forum and the caravanning world. You'll enjoy the wanderings around both.

Im with @davemc with Bellarine Big 4 for a first trip. Close to Melb, not a bad area in general (although as Dave said the park itself is isolated. The sites are enormous so you can setup with as low a pressure as you'll ever find. Its a great kids park, nice camp kitchen etc

 

[sierramason]

Thanks guys bellarine big4 looks appealing, and with nagambie lakes I was told by the sales person at page bros who sold me the expanda that the owners of jayco own that park. Which also looks appealing. Exciting times thanks again

 

[sierramason]

QLD is always going to be on the cards once I get a bit of experience???

 

[17triton]

Welcome @sierramason to the forum. Both bellarine and Nagambie are great parks for your first trip. We have a weekend planned for November in Beaufort , It's in the Victorian meets section of the forum.

 

[davemc]

Bellarine....Nagambie.....they're not in QLD

We did Bellarine, Bendigo and then Queensland.. you need to warm up first talking about warming up its freezing in Melbourne. Rather be in up north and I do not normally feel the cold

 

[Bluey]

there's also ocean grove ,,, port Arlington Phillip island but mite be a bit cold now I did like the Nagambie lakes good drive too
more info needed what are you towing it with ,,,, in Melbourne's west ,east , north we are in the west don't forget to vote in the tow poll and van poll and yes Beaufort will be good for the weekend should come

 

[AzHaych]

Welcome @sierramason @davemc is right Bellarine is a great park with everything for the kids, massive sites and not to far from Melbourne. Another great spot a little more north is Yarraby Holiday Park in Echuca, indoor pool, jumping pillow etc and generally a few degree celius warmer than south of Melbourne.
Enjoy your van and more importantly the family time that comes with getting away in it.

Az

 

[sierramason]

I will be towing it with a Nissan navara STX. Just got it back from installing the redarc tow pro break system. I live in the northern suburbs of coburg so was wanting to try a park a bit further out than the coburg big 4. Looks like a nice park though?

 

[dagree]

Welcome to the forum @sierramason and a good choice of van
Plenty of help from within here (To help you spend your hard earned $'s)

 

[Crusty181]

Bellarine....Nagambie.....they're not in QLD

That two nasty Victorian slurs in one thread ....

 

[chartrock]

That two nasty Victorian slurs in one thread ....

Quit while you are ahead Crusty.

 

[Crusty181]

Quit while you are ahead Crusty.

Three

 

[Crusty181]

I will be towing it with a Nissan navara STX. Just got it back from installing the redarc tow pro break system. I live in the northern suburbs of coburg so was wanting to try a park a bit further out than the coburg big 4. Looks like a nice park though?

The mighty Navara ..... group hug !!! :grouphug:

 

[sierramason]

when I do get a bit more confidence / experience and decide to up the anti to a two week trip. would 2 week be enough to do the east coast say from Melbourne to Baryon bay and back?

 

[chartrock]

You could do it but it would depend on whether you were heading to (I presume) Byron Bay to spend time there or just planned to have a leisurely trip up and back. To do it in a hurry with two kids would probably be 3 days minimum each way leaving you a week at Byron. Or you could spend time driving up stopping at a number of sites on the way up and back with only a day or two at Byron.

Either way it's worth considering. Many members can give advice on stopovers on the lower east coast. Keep the plans coming.

 

[davemc]

Depends how the kids travel and how and where you want to stop. First trip up to Gold coast we did 3 nights although two back.
We did Gold Coast with only one night stop over at Gilgandra in March. Although 2 nights back as we had time.

Although that is not stopping and doing a full day in the car. Kids wanted to get to theme parks

 

[Crusty181]

We make the annual pilgrimage from Melb north every year. You could blast up there over a couple of days, stay a 3 or 4 days and make a leisurely roll back along the NSW coast. Byron is Mrs Crusty's most favourite place.