Comments on: A BIG hello and welcome to our blog

By: BIG4 Gabrielle

BIG4 Gabrielle — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 01:24:24 +0000

The type of facilities and services will vary from park to park, depending on location, but we aim to deliver the highest standards of presentation, personal service and facilities across our Member Park group.

Our role as a marketing organisation is focused on the brand and maintaining quality of service and amenities throughout BIG4 Holiday Parks.

It’s fair to say there has been an overall increase in the number of powered and ensuite sites from unpowered sites in response to changing consumer demands. All our Parks are individually owned and operated and each has their own business model which means they make their own decisions on what ratio is best for them. I’d be happy to pass on your recommendations to our Parks, but ultimately the decision is their own.

As a caravanner and BIG4 Club Member the return on investment of just $50 for two years starts with the 10% discount up to $40 per stay and extends to savings on local, national and international services and attractions. There are also our money back guarantee and book-ahead service for BIG4 Club Members.

By: Grahame Weeks

Grahame Weeks — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 08:29:51 +0000

Thanks Gabrielle. You haven’t answered my question. We want to know whether it is worth belonging to BIG4 as a caravanner. The cabin parks are resembling ghettos already in many places.
What improvements are you talking about? A nice ratio of grassed sites to cabinbs would be a big start. as an association you should have some standards – what is the puprose of you exsitinbg otherwise?

By: BIG4 Gabrielle

BIG4 Gabrielle — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 23:49:26 +0000

Thanks for your feedback. There has been a change in the caravan and camping industry in recent years in response to changing consumer demand for convenience, safety, facilities and community.
The type of accommodation and sites offered in BIG4 Holiday Parks is very much dependent on location and demand. Throughout Australia we offer a range of accommodation types and facilities. Cabins are in high demand in peak season and holiday periods, particularly by families and couples.
As you probably already know, BIG4 parks are all individually owned and operated. Some park operators choose to cater for families with cabins while others place a larger focus on catering for caravanners. The diversity of parks is one of the great things that makes our industry so unique and special.
I think there are improvements and changes that benefit everyone. What are the changes that you really like?

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 07:14:46 +0000

I agree, its a real put off to see so many Parks with majority cabins, at over inflated prices. This leaves the traveling caravaner with little option but to move on due to limited space for same.
They seem to get around this by calling them “Holiday Parks” not the normal “Caravan Park”

By: BIG4 Gabrielle

BIG4 Gabrielle — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 23:39:54 +0000

Thank you for your comments regarding this matter. We have taken the opportunity to discuss your concerns with the owners of BIG4 Ballarat Welcome Stranger Holiday Park and am advised that this issue with the ensuite site has been addressed. Weather conditions this year – both drought and rains – have caused some disruptions to the maintenance program. However the owners have asked me to advise that they appreciate this feedback and assure you that they are being vigilant with regard to weather related issues such as drainage. Our Victorian State Manager will be visiting Ballarat in the near future and will check on this progress in person.

By: Robert Richardson

Robert Richardson — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 12:07:55 +0000

We live on Sunshine Coast and of past few years have spent 2 weeks every year at The Maroochy Palms Big 4 which is all but 15 minutes from home! You may be thinking thats a little crazy though we have stayed in other parks in Nth Qld and cannot find better than Maroochy Palms. Once you are inside and the boom gate comes down you could be anywhere. Great facilities, great staff, great park and only a 15 minute drive home after our holiday ends!!!! Awesome. We are back there over xmas 2010 and Easter 2011!!!

By: Deborah

Deborah — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 07:33:51 +0000

It is sad to see so many vacant cabins and recognise that mostly they are only used in school holidays when most senior travellers are smart enough to stay “indoors”and not travel.
The prices asked for ensuite sites are becoming a joke, but are for me a necessity. I recognise that a cleaning fee is involved in the hire of these sites, but a discount for longer stays with no cleaning required would be nice. I’d also like to see many more ensuite sites. I find it amazing the number of people who tell me that they would prefer to pay a little bit extra for this convenience, but cant find a park with ensuite availability.

By: Trevor Lehmann

Trevor Lehmann — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 05:11:03 +0000

We were under the impression that Big4 parks had to meet specified minimum standards. Two moths ago we stayed at the “A Welcome Stranger” park at Ballarat on an ensuite site. We were not impressed. The site was obviously meant to be grassed but had very little and recent rain had turned a low lying area between the van and the ensuite into a mudhole which became hazardous when moving between the van and the ensuite. We discovered that the ensuite roof gutter did not have a downpipe and all water from the roof was draining to this low point. We mentioned these problems to mangement and they quickly fitted a downpipe which redirected water away and they laid old pieces of carpet across the mud patch to the ensuite both of which made things tolerable. However, why this site had not been properly levelled and the plumbing work done previously I do not understand and I was not impressed.

By: Grahame Weeks

Grahame Weeks — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 23:25:28 +0000

Most Big 4 parks we have stayed at have been great and our membership has always paid off over the years.

While we are prepared to pay a fair price for a site with good facilities in a good location it is a bit disappointing to see cabins (most of which are empty for a good part of the year) taking over the decent caravan sites.

Will we see a day when Big 4 prescribe a minimum ratio of van and tent sites in their parks in order to preserve the true ambience of caravan park holidays?

By: Naomi Pryse

Naomi Pryse — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 10:31:10 +0000

Hi we had a great week at the Big 4 BoarderLand Wodonga vic. November 6 the staff,were friendly and helpful.even fixing the TV.(took 1/2 hr)
so many things to do, went out to the weir, played all (3) golf courses,saw the musical strange bed fellows,& the movies,out for dinner,lots of walks.