Rotary Caravan Park Gilgandra NSW

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Rotary Caravan Park Gilgandra NSW

Nearby Warrumbungle's National Park

This is a little gem of a park - please stay here just because the managers are trying soooooo hard! They had only been here 8 weeks at the time of our visit, yet already the place was spic and span with lots of fresh paint and nice little touches, such as artificial flowers in all amenities. Little towns like Gilgandra tend to get muscled out by their bigger neighbours. Lets face it Dubbo has everything that opens and shuts - like drive thru sites with ensuite! What they don't have though is little signs as you go out the gate showing which way to Melbourne or Brissie! An example of how caring the managers are - a few days after taking over they noticed a feral kitten eating dead insects around the amenities. She was in poor shape. Now she's part of the furniture !

The impressive park entry

The front amenities block

Acres of lovely soft grass

Lots of shade trees and loads of space

The park is set well back from the highway, so noise is not that bad, plus it's in a 60 zone. Plenty of well kept grass and lots of room to spread out. On arrival we were told to set up "anywhere" behind the BBQ. Now that's an area of 5 acres. We expected the amenities to be pretty grotty having stayed in this park many years ago. We were totally wrong, as a lot of work has been done lately in this park. There is a new block up the front. Inside, both are tiled and extremely clean.

Note the plants!

Bug proof lights at night!

The "adopted" pussy

The more formal powered sites

There are two laundries - $1.40 a load in Maytag machines. Heaps of drying lines plus two dryers. A baby bath and free hot water for hand washing completes the picture. The pool area is quite good. The campers kitchen is basic, but adequate, and under cover and has a spotless electric BBQ. Pets are allowed. Cabins are mostly new Jayco's. Being so hot we were tempted to go for one of these to get some air conditioning! Would you believe a cool front came through and it was 21 degrees in the morning.

The neat Jayco cabins with Air-Con!

The camp kitchen at night!

Telstra CDMA and GSM work fine. We didn't check the TV as we arrived at sunset and departed at sunrise - hence the below our normal standard photos. The manager Alan loves A'vans and old us that "just last week two came in and told us they had been to a meeting in South Australia where over 300 vans turned up". Phmnnnnnnn!!!! There is really only one main tourist attraction in Gilgandra and that is the Observatory. It is easy to find on the Newell Highway near the Three Ways Motel and the town swimming pool. Admission is $8. You could also day trip to the Warrumbungle's about 60kms north and a map and brochure is available at the office. The beautiful photo at the top of this story is of one of the many creeks up there.

The impressive observatory

Just north of town is the Gilgandra Nature Gardens and these are well worth a visit. Walking - quite honestly we didn't try as we arrived in the middle of a heat wave - 46 degrees!!! The park is surrounded by natural bush and there is a set of turnstiles leading to a "path somewhere"! So who knows what delights await us on our next visit!

A path somewhere

Food wise there is not a lot to choose from. The closest hot food and basics is within walking distance at the Shell 24 hour just to the north of the park. Of course if you drive back into town you can get just about everything but it is not a five minute walk.

Nice smoko spot off the highway

Roadside rest area south of Gilgandra

Free camping north of Gilgandra is not to good. There is an Apex park just on the left as you come in from the south. There are no signs prohibiting camping, but one threatening death if you drink in the park between sunset and sunrise! Toilets and tables plus shade. Didn't give us the right vibes so we went for Rotary! You will probably find yourself in Gilgandra one day as it is at the junction of the Newel, Castlereagh and Oxley Highways and is 435 kms from Sydney. It is also the gateway to the famous Warrumbungle's - the "Crooked" Mountains. Not to be missed is the historical village of Tooraweenah nestled in the foothills of the Warrumbungle Mountains. Gilgandra's other claim to fame is the annual Coo-ee Competition held on the October Long Weekend. There is an excellent bike track that meanders for miles beside the Castlereagh River.

Smoko spot on the way to Gilgandra

Strange absence of water birds

Sorry about the photos in this story - we weren't there when the sun was shinning, hence all the "night" shots! We'll try to do better next time by arriving in daylight. The Rotary Caravan Park Gilgandra is mentioned on the Walkabout page. You can contact the park on (02) 6847 2423 or write to them at Newell Highway, Gilgandra, NSW 2827. They are not on the Net as yet and do not have email.

Cost for an unpowered site in January 2001 was the absolute bargain price of just $12.00. We recommend this park wholeheartedly as perfect for all caravanners and great for tenters as well.

Bob and Chrissy Eustace

Click on the compass for a map of the local area