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Holiday in South Australia

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BIG4 Holiday Parks announces Australia’s BIGgest night of charitable camping.

Keep Friday 11 November free to give camping a go and support a local community cause with BIG4 Holiday Parks. Join thousands of happy campers for one night of charitable camping under the stars,
and pay just $20 to secure a site at participating BIG4 Holiday Parks, with all proceeds going to local causes.

BIG4 Holiday Parks is proud to launch Camp and Care with BIG4, a
charitable night of camping held at a wide range of Parks across Australia. The event encourages families and friends to try camping for the first time and to explore a new holiday destination close to home.

Ray Schleibs, CEO of BIG4 Holiday Parks, says Camp and Care with BIG4 allows families and friends to enjoy a quality weekend together, whilst also supporting a local community cause.

“BIG4 Parks are integral members of their community and Camp and Care with BIG4 gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy a night of camping at a flat fee of $20 per site, with the added bonus of knowing the Park has donated this money to a local person, group or organisation in need,” Schleibs says.

 BIG4.com.au/comecamp

“For the past six years, BIG4 has run a free night of camping known as Come Camp with BIG4 to reintroduce people to the best holiday park accommodation on offer in Australia. As the event and our Parks continue to grow in popularity, we decided to use this popularity to assist local charities and other community causes,” says Schleibs.

Many Parks will be hosting additional activities over the weekend to celebrate the event such as pancake breakfasts and face painting, in-park concerts and BBQs to name a few. The event will no doubt be a date marked in all Australians’ diaries, just as it has been for the last six years.

BIG4 Holiday Parks is well known for being located at key tourism destinations across the country with a variety of different settings and Park experiences to choose from. Whether the Park where you choose to camp is situated on a famous coast or beach, set amongst lush bushland or close to a world-famous winery, there are over 180 locations Australia-wide to choose from depending on your holiday style – majority of which will be taking part in this great event. Each individual Park
offers a unique experience and showcases impressive facilities ranging from resort style pools and adventure playgrounds, through to giant
jumping pillows and bike hire to keep the whole family entertained.

Keep Friday 11 November free and reserve your powered or unpowered
camping site at BIG4.com.au/comecamp

Details
on participating parks and their selected community causes will be made
available within the next few weeks.

What: Camp and Care with BIG4

Where: BIG4 Holiday Parks across Australia

Date: Friday 11 November 2011

Cost: $20 per site (All proceeds go to
a local charity
or fundraising cause of the individual Park’s choice)

Booking: BIG4.com.au/comecamp

 Australia’s favourite holiday park provider, BIG4 Holiday Parks, is adding a sweetener for those planning a spring getaway by offering a ‘Stay 4, Pay 3’ promotion during the months of September, October AND November.

 Holiday-makers can extend their long weekend by an extra day for free, at more than 40 participating BIG4 Parks located at some of Australia’s top tourist spots. Families and individuals may choose to follow the sun to warm Airlie Beach in Queensland, take in the breathtaking views of the Flinders Ranges at Port Augusta in South Australia, or enjoy a quiet weekend in quaint Queenscliff in Victoria – the options are endless.

 BIG4 Holiday Parks participating in the ‘Stay 4, Pay 3’ promotion include:

• BIG4 Narooma Easts Holiday Park, Narooma NSW
• BIG4 Moruya Heads Easts Dolphin Beach Holiday Park, Moruya Heads NSW
• BIG4 South Durras Holiday Park, South Durras NSW
• BIG4 Nambucca Beach Holiday Park, Nambucca NSW
• BIG4 Bathurst Panorama Holiday Park, Bathurst NSW
• BIG4 Valley Vineyard Tourist Park, Cessnock NSW
• Twofold Bay Beach Resort, Eden NSW
• BIG4 Lake Macquarie Monterey Tourist Park, Lake Macquarie NSW
• BIG4 Lakeside Holiday Park, Mulwala NSW
• BIG4 Saltwater @ Yamba Holiday Park, Yamba NSW
• BIG4 Beachfront Holiday Resort, Tuncurry NSW
• BIG4 Bungalow Park, Burrill Lake NSW
• Easts Beach Holiday Park Kiama, Kiama NSW
• BIG4 Broulee Beach Holiday Park, Broulee
• BIG4 Point Vernon Holiday Park, Hervey Bay QLD
• BIG4 Tweed Billabong Holiday Park, Tweed Heads QLD
• BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, Airlie Beach QLD
• BIG4 Beachcomber Coconut Caravan Village, Mission Beach QLD
• BIG4 Port Douglas Glengarry Holiday Park, Port Douglas QLD
• BIG4 Brisbane Gateway Resort, Brisbane QLD
• Discovery Holiday Parks – Robe, Robe SA
• Port Augusta BIG4 Holiday Park, Port Augusta SA
• BIG4 Porepunkah Holiday Park, Porepunkah VIC
• BIG4 Parkgate Resort, Halls Gap VIC
• BIG4 Castlemaine Gardens Holiday Park, Castlemaine VIC
• BIG4 Beacon Resort, Queenscliff VIC
• BIG4 Port Fairy, Port Fairy VIC
• BIG4 Badger Creek Holiday Park, Healesville VIC
• BIG4 Swan Hill, Swan Hill VIC
• BIG4 Riverside Swan Hill VIC
• BIG4 Whiters Holiday Village, Lakes Entrance VIC
• A Shady River Holiday Park, Echuca-Moama VIC
• Ashley Gardens BIG4 Holiday Village, Braybrook VIC
• Geelong Riverview Tourist Park, Geelong VIC
• Golden River Holiday Park, Mildura VIC
• Boathaven Holiday Park, Wodonga VIC
• BIG4 Inverloch Holiday Park, Inverloch VIC
• BIG4 Waters Edge Holiday Park, Lakes Entrance VIC
• BIG4 Wye River Holiday Park, Wye River VIC
• BIG4 Phillip Island Caravan Park, Phillip Island VIC
• BIG4 Plantation Caravan Park, Carnarvon WA
• BIG4 Albany Gardens Holiday Resort, Albany WA
• Woodman Point Holiday Park, Fremantle WA
• Perth Vineyards Holiday Park, Swan Valley WA

BIG4 Holiday Parks’ General Manager of Marketing, Kari Hunter, says the promotion falls at a perfect time, giving people the opportunity to take a well deserved short break before their summer holidays come around in the lead up to the warmer months.

“The extra night allows another whole day of quality time together seeing the local sights and attractions, adding more value to a weekend away from home. The added incentive is a great motivation for everyone to treat themselves to a longer break than usual, something the average Australian doesn’t seem to do enough of,” Kari says.

 BIG4 Holiday Parks offers an impressive range of accommodation styles and facilities that are perfect for all groups. Those travelling light or in bigger groups can relax in luxury style cabins with private decks and spacious bedrooms. For caravanners or campers pitching tents, a spacious grassy powered site or convenient ensuite site will ensure a great night sleep is guaranteed under the stars.

For more information about BIG4 Holiday Parks around Australia, please visit BIG4.com.au

 BIG4 Holiday Parks across Queensland are offering travellers a ‘Pay 4, Stay 6’ accommodation incentive to visit the beautiful sunshine-state for their next holiday.

 Visit any of the 23 participating BIG4 Queensland Parks listed below, between 14 March and 10 June 2011, for a great break that won’t be forgotten.

 Choose from a diverse range of BIG4 Holiday Parks designed to suit every travelling style whether it is a family holiday, a road trip with a group of friends or a romantic weekend away with someone special. And with destinations from the Gold and Sunshine Coasts right up to Rockhampton and Cooktown, there’s a holiday to suit everyone.

 Each unique Park is located close to tourist hotspots and all showcase a wide range of accommodation options including modern ‘city-style’ cabins big enough for the whole family as well as grassy ensuite sites where you can pitch a tent for the ultimate outdoor holiday.

 The Park facilities on offer also ensure the kids are kept well entertained and parents relaxed. From adventure playgrounds and giant jumping pillows to outdoor entertainment areas and spa pools, BIG4 Holiday Parks offer a unique holiday experience that suits both the modern and the traditional traveller.

 To take up this offer, simply browse the participating parks at big4.com.au, choose an accommodation or site option that best suits your needs, enter the promotional code ‘QLDONSALE’ and enjoy your Queensland adventure.

 Participating parks include:

 BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, Airlie Beach

BIG4 Airlie Cove Resort and Van Park, Airlie Beach

BIG4 Atherton Woodlands Tourist Park, Atherton

BIG4 Brisbane Northside Caravan Village, Brisbane

Brisbane Gateway Resort, Brisbane

BIG4 Cane Village Holiday Park, Bundaberg

BIG4 Cairns Crystal Cascades Holiday Park, Cairns

Aussie Outback Oasis Cabin and Van Village, Charters Towers

Cooktown Holiday Park, Cooktown

Ashmore Palms Holiday Village, Gold Coast

NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Park, Gold Coast

BIG4 Point Vernon Holiday Park, Hervey Bay

Fraser Lodge Holiday Park, Hervey Bay

BIG4 Innisfail Mango Tree Holiday Park, Innisfail

BIG4 Kingaroy Holiday Park, Kingaroy

BIG4 Port Douglas Glengarry Holiday Park, Port Douglas

Discovery Holiday Parks – Rockhampton, Rockhampton

BIG4 Forest Glen Resort, Sunshine Coast

BIG4 Maroochy Palms Holiday Village, Sunshine Coast

BIG4 Toowoomba Garden City, Toowoomba

BIG4 Townsville Woodlands Holiday Park, Townsville

Kahler’s Oasis Caravan Park, Warwick

BIG4 Capricorn Palms Holiday Village, Yeppoon

 The offer is available on selected types of accommodation and sites and is subject to availability at each park (availability and options will differ from park to park).

About BIG4 Holiday Parks

BIG4 Holiday Parks is a Franchise Group comprising more than 180 holiday parks across Australia. The group provides a range of high-quality accommodation options from powered ensuite sites for caravan and motorhomes to luxury cabins. With a consistently high standard across all its parks, BIG4 has also set the standard within local holiday park experiences and is the recognised industry leader. BIG4 Holiday Parks’ BIG4 Club has over 170,000 members who enjoy significant discounts on accommodation bookings as well as ongoing benefits and discounts with BIG4’s partner organisations. Being a BIG4 Member means you’ll not only get savings on BIG4 accommodation, but also access a whole host of other holiday benefits thanks to BIG4’s Local Member Benefits program. BIG4 Holiday Parks recently signed a master licensing agreement with North America’s Kampgrounds of America (the leading campground operator in Nth America and Canada) for the Australian, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and East Timor markets. BIG4 is a proud supporter of The Humour Foundation’s Clown Doctors™, a philanthropic organisation committed to bringing a little cheer to children and their families’ undergoing treatment in Australian hospitals.

For more information on BIG4 Holiday Parks visit big4.com.au

This was an amazing adventure, one of our favourite towns was Birdsville. Birsville is a small outback town with a population of about 120 residents and is ready for the many travellers that pass through this very unique town regularly.

The Birdsville Hotel is a very famous outback pub, that is a must visit when you go to Birdsville. The have several motel rooms for accommodation, great meals and of course beer.

The edge the Simpson Desert is near Birdsville. Another must see is ‘Big Red’ the first and highest sand dune of the Simpson Desert, which is a challenge to conquer. Which we did and view is amazing.

The Birdsville Working Museum is well worth a look, it displays an amazing collection of all things old and Australian. From household products, toys, farming, coins, stamps just about everying and anything you can think of is there.

The Birdsville Races are held annually and thousands of people flock to these famous unique races. for more information about the races and Birdsville have a look at this website www.birdsvilleraces.com

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Start planning your road trip adventure.

www.travel-australia-planning-guide.com/road-trip-planner.html

We have used several different map books, this one by far is most impressive. The cover is a hardback so it can’t get bent or creased like every other map book we have. With the spiral binding the maps will actually sit campletely flat on the table. The maps are very clear, detailed and easy to follow.

The authors of the book actually check as many sites as possible themselves and have travelled 90,000 kilometres in the past 2 years. So they really do know what they are talking about as they have experienced travelling Australia and know what campers and travellers really appreciate.

This book features over 3500 listings of rest areas, free camps, station stays, national parks, state forest and parks and low cost caravan parks.

Also included are dump points, pet friendly sites. the latest free camping sites, author recommended sites and includes the latest Hema Road Atlas.

Camps Australia Wide also sell a Caravan Park Listing Book with over 2300 caravan parks listed. Other camping books also available.

This map book is far superior to any other map book we have owned, we have bought several over the past 2 decades as it’s best to use an updated maps when you are travelling anywhere in Australia. Another great thing about Camps Australia Wide map books updates are available online. No need to buy a new book to get updated information.

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Plan your own exciting holiday

www.travel-australia-planning-guide.com/travel-in-australia.html

There are many styles of maps and guides, they come in books like an atlas, folded maps usually of each state or territory or of more detailed areas like 4WD maps or topography.

Local tourist maps and local guides can be picked up from a Tourist Information Centre, Tourist or Holiday Park or other accommodation.

If you are 4WD driving it is worth getting the detailed maps that are available, sometimes they come with the information pack when you buy a National Park permit. They will also be available at camping stores or map stores online.

A Guide book is an invaluable tool when you are camping and travelling as they will give you information for the towns attractions, acommodation or area that you are visiting.

There are three types of guides that can be used to help you when camping and travelling.

Free Guide Books are usually available from Information Centres which are usually in every town or your place of accommodation. The maps show the town and local area, attractions shops etc.

Most tourist information websites have the same information, so you can search for a town, region, area, state or territory in most cases there will be a tourism site. They should have the most reliable and up to date information as they would be updated regularly with local events, attractions and local news. For example this is Australia’s Tourism website www.australia.com

Accommodation Guide Books sometimes can be bought that covers camping accommodation like Caravan, Holiday, Tourist parks or they may cover camping sites as well as hotels, motels, B&Bs, holiday houses, resorts etc.

4WD Guide Books can be purchased from bookshops or online, they give you itineraries and instructions to travel in particular areas for example ‘the Kimberley’ or the ‘Outback’. Usually these are made for 4WD trips, where you need a lot more detail in maps and instructions as there are fewer signposts for directions available. Also a lot more care has to be taken and safety becomes an issue so this type of guide will include a lot of vehicle and personal safety and communication information.

Next time you are planning a holiday or trip take the time to check out road maps and travel guides as they it will make your planning easier. While you are travelling you will have all the information you need for an Aussie Adventure.

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Start planning your road trip adventure.

www.travel-australia-planning-guide.com/road-trip-planner.html

Always travel with a good supply of water in case you break down on the road. This is very important in summer, or if you are in the bush or Outback. Summer temperatures can reach 40 – 45° Celsius. If you do have a break down stay with your vehicle as you will be found faster and the vehicle will provide shelter. Here are some tips as suggestions for keeping safer while you are travelling.

• You should always tell people where you are going and how long you expect to be.
• Drive on the left side of the road
• Always wear seatbelts – both in the front and rear of cars
• Do not drink and drive – the limit is 0.05
• Do not pick up hitch-hikers (do not hitch-hike)
• Plan your trip and prepare well.
• Keep an eye on your gauges and remember to keep your petrol tank well filled and your water topped up
• Do not use a mobile phone while driving
• Make sure you have a spare tyre and repair and digging tools
• Have a map and a GPS is worth considering especially if you are going to remote areas
• In country areas take a mobile phone, in the Outback look to hire a satellite phone or personal safety radio beacon
• Watch out for wildlife – wombats, kangaroos, cattle etc

Aussie road trips are a lot of fun, you can make your own schedule, change your plans when necessary or you want to. You get to see some amazing scenery as you drive along and some very unique things like a double decker bus in the middle of nowhere, old boots decorating a tree, some great Aussie letter boxes.

When you are preparing for your trip remember that your safety and other road users safety is very important so everyone one and have travelling Australia will have a trip they will want to remember..

Cable Beach Broome WA

Cable Beach is the ultimate destination. Cable Beach boasts great views of the Australian sunset. Cable Beach is far enough away from most major Australian cities that it becomes difficult to distinguish whether you are in Australia or somewhere in the tropics.

Magnetic island

Drive around the island’s 23 beaches and bays or see crocs and koalas up close. Two thirds of Magnetic Island is National Park with secluded but easily accessible bays and golden beaches. The Island has nearly 25 kilometres of walking tracks meandering through the protected national parks which are home to stands of eucalypts, more than 2,500 free-roaming koalas and 166 different species of wildlife.

Surfer’s Paradise QLD
Surfer’s Paradise is a great beach to meet locals and travelers a like. It’s wide, beautiful, and the water’s nice and warm. The waves here are also great for surfing. Surfer’s is a definite party spot and for those looking to mix their beach activities with some social activities, Surfer’s Paradise is the place to do it. The only downside are the high rise buildings behind you, but what are you doing looking that way anyway?

Orpheus Island QLD

Enjoy complete relaxation on this luxury Great Barrier Reef Island. Orpheus Island is located just off the coast of Ingham in northern Queensland and is known for its beautiful fringing reef.

Bells Beach Victoria

Looking for a surfing beach? Bells Beach is definitely the Australian beach for you. Home of the longest running surf competition in the world, Bells Beach is world famous for one thing – surfing.

Kangaroo Island SA

Kangaroo Island remains one of the most unspoilt natural wonders of the world. You’ll find seals basking on quiet beaches, koalas, echidnas, kangaroos, goannas, wallabies, penguins and many varieties of birds.

Bondi Beach NSW

Bondi Beach is famous. theone  kilometre beach gets crowded, but this a must see stop for any trip to Sydney. Catch some sun with the locals and cool off with the surfers.

Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Islands QLD

Whitehaven is in the Whitsunday islands, located on a deserted island and nearly four miles long. You won’t be disappointed.

Seal Rocks NSW

Seal Rocks is a small, sleepy beach town south of Forster Tuncurry and 310 kilometres from Sydney. It’s famous for its beaches which are big, beautiful and most importantly, untouched.

75 Mile Beach, Fraser Island QLD

75 Mile Beach runs along most of the east coast of Fraser Island. While it may not be the best place for swimming due to dangerous currents and plentiful Tiger sharks, it is extremely beautiful and has a number of excellent highlights such as Champagne Pools, Indian Head (from where you can often see the sharks in the surf), the Maheno Wreck and Eli Creek.

The above Top Ten Australian Beach Holiday Destinations are just a few of Australia’s beautiful beaches. Which ever beach you visit, please swim between the lifeguards safety flags when they are on dutyfor your families safety.

Escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life and going camping is refreshing and exciting to wake up to peace and tranquillity in a natural habitat. If you go camping in a Holiday Park it is still a change of scenery and there is always plenty to do within the park and local area. This photo was taken at the Big 4 Port Augusta, the first night of an exciting adventure to northern Australia.

Camping is a cheap adventurous holiday that all ages can enjoy. Preparing what you are taking a week or two beforehand will make you trip more successful and less likely to forget something important. Always use a checklist to help you get ready. This photo was taken at Charlieville in QLD.

Sometimes you may find a campground that is just right and continue to go there for several years, quite often you will find other campers will do the same. Other times you will find that you like to try different places so you explore a range of surroundings and explore exciting parts of Australia. For example this photo was taken in the Kimberleys at Old Mornington Station. Camping gives you the freedom to travel amazing places and explore beautiful destinations.