Pay what you like caravan park

The Kulin Caravan Park in Western Australia is running a two year trial in which visitors can set their own nightly rate. And the big news is that some are paying above the normal fee!

Kicked off in August, the unique initiative will run at least until August 2017, and is believed to be a first for an Australian caravan park.

However, the Kulin Shire is keen to point out on its website that it’s not a free service and that all guests are required to pay something. Also, after five nights normal fees apply (the standard rate for a powered site for two people is $28).

The offer is only available once in any 28 day period, and excludes the two week Western Australian October school holidays period due to the popular, annual Kulin Bush Races.

But after barely a month since it started Kulin Shire senior project officer Jen Whisson said the radical marketing initiative was already a success. She said park visitors have increased, they’re staying longer while some are even paying 'above rate'.

“We’ve noticed a definite increase and a lot of people are actually paying more than what we would have charged for a night anyway. But regardless of that our main aim was to encourage people to use Kulin as a base and stay for more than one night in the town, which is definitely happening,” she said.

“The scheme isn’t really about the caravan park, it’s about sending a really clear message, and obviously the self-drive market is so important to our town, we are really serious about welcoming visitors and we’re so honest about it we’ll let you set your own price.

“It’s not about making money at the caravan park, because we already have 72 hour free parking in our town anyway for self-contained vehicles.

“Our caravan park only has 11 bays, so it’s really basic facilities, but the town has amazing facilities, so we would encourage people who stay to get out and use the other facilities in the town.”

Caravan park caretaker Joy Adams said the average price paid so far “is probably around $20 to $30” and those who’ve paid extra have done it because of a good experience.

“They just thought the facilities were great and everything was nice and clean and they just loved walking around Kulin,” she said.
“It’s been good because it’s actually bringing tourists into town.”

Featuring 11 powered caravan sites with water, the pet-friendly Kulin Caravan Park offers hot showers and toilets, drive through bays and large cement pads, washing machines, and wheelchair access.

Described as the “perfect base to stay and explore the Eastern wheat belt”, Kulin is located about 280km from Perth and has a population of around 350.

Local attractions including the Tin Horse Highway, giant water slide, Buckley’s Breakaway, Wave Rock and the annual Kulin Bush Races in early-October which attracts about 4000 visitors. 

The ‘you set the price’ program is the latest initiative from the Kulin Shire to lure self-drive visitors to the region.

A designated ‘RV Friendly’ town, the Council also provides free 72 hour camping for self-contained RVs thanks to a new $1.5 million Discovery Zone precinct that runs along the town’s main street and includes free hot showers and toilets.