Weekly Wrap

APPLE ISLE TOURING BECOMES CHEAPER

Enjoying the delights of Tasmania in your motorhome or caravan is set to become slightly more affordable, thanks to increased financial assistance available to those who travel over from the mainland by ferry.

The Federal Government has increased financial assistance available to mainland Australians wanting to take their RV to Tasmania, King Island, Flinders Island or any of the islands which make up the Furneaux Group.

Taking effect on July 1, the maximum rebates under the Bass Strait Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Scheme will be set at $772 for a return trip either in a motorhome, or eligible passenger vehicle towing a caravan. The new rebate for the return trip is $24 more than previously, and is delivered as a reduction in the fees charged by ferry operators.

The Scheme has been responsible for a 28 per cent increase in the number of people visiting the Island for a driving holiday, according to research.

NEW DUNNIES FOR CONGO CAMP GROUND

Campers at the popular Congo camp ground, southeast of Moruya in Eurobodalla National Park, are now able to enjoy new toilet facilities constructed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

Built at a cost of $360,000, the new amenity block and toilets replace the previous set-up provided which was very basic and in urgent need of an upgrade.
 
"The old toilets were facilities which we inherited with the establishment of the park in 1995," NPWS Area Manager, Tony Baxter, explained. "These toilets were nothing more than an earthen pit which was periodically pumped out."

Baxter said the popular camp ground  receives around 11,000 visitors annually.

"The site is regarded as very important to the local Aboriginal people because of the extensive evidence of Aboriginal occupation well before European settlement so the NPWS undertook extensive consultation with the local Aboriginal community before building the new facilities," he said.

VINTAGE VAN UP FOR GRABS

Caravan World magazine has jumped on the retro-van bandwagon and is giving away a restored 1968 Roma van nicknamed 'Betsy'.

As VIN numbers and compliance plates were not yet mandatory in the late-'60s, details of the Roma van's past are sketchy, although its former owner says it spent time as fruit pickers' accommodation in rural Victoria before he got hold of it and restored it back to its former glory.

Featuring a colourful '60s interior and a light 900kg Tare, the Roma is fitted with only the "bare essentials" including an original two-burner gas cooktop and griller, original fridge with manual waterpump and original sink.

Hydraulic brakes, new lino flooring, two single beds, and wooden cabinetry complete the authentic set-up.

Established in 1928, Roma Caravans is Australia's longest-lived caravan manufacturer. According to current owner Tony Palmarini, who has been with the Campbellfield, Victoria-based company since 1962, Roma was the first to introduce meranti timber frames and polyester-ply cabinets, back in the mid-'60s.

The prize is valued at $15,000 including registration and delivery within Australia.

Check out the latest issue of Caravan World for full details.

OFF-ROAD WHEELIES ROLLED OUT

Visitors to Victoria's national parks are used to seeing the odd four-wheel drive tearing up the tracks. Now nature lovers will have to keep an eye out for other off-road transport, with Parks Victoria trialling the introduction of special all terrain and beach wheelchairs in selected parks around the state.

The chairs, purchased through the Victorian Government's Go For Your Life Initiative, are an ideal way for those with physical disabilities to access remote and regional areas, according to Grampians National Park chief ranger David Roberts.

"Some of the most beautiful areas of the state are hard to get to and that's part of their appeal," Roberts explained. "What this trial is about is making those areas a little more accessible for all."

"The wheelchairs are specially designed to enable park visitors with a significant physical disability to access a number of bushwalking trails and beaches with carer support."

The chairs will be free of charge and made available for loan to park visitors.

FRASER COAST OFFERS WHALE OF A TIME

Kangaroo Island has the sea lions barking at your feet while at Monkey Mia you can frolic with the dolphins.

Now those who want to get up close and personal with 40 tonne humpback whales can, with the annual migration of these majestic mammals about to hit Queensland's Fraser Coast for a four month tour.

The Fraser Coast with its calm, inviting waters has been described as Australia's signature whale-watching destination by Tourism Minister Jan Jarratt, who recently launched a catchy tourism initiative titled Harvey and the Humpbacks, designed to attract visitors to the area.

"From July to November each year, the whales choose to holiday off Fraser Coast and we want Queenslanders and visitors to do the same to experience these majestic creatures first-hand," Jarratt said.

"Locals and visitors can get front row seats to see the humpbacks as they breach up out of the water or curiously swim alongside the whale-watching boats.

"It’s the perfect destination to experience one of nature’s most awe-inspiring shows."

Tourism Fraser Coast CEO Damien Massingham said the whale-watching season was vital for the Fraser Coast tourism industry and economy.

"Each year the whale-watching season brings more than 60,000 visitors, both domestic and international into our region, injecting approximately $80 million into our local economy," he said.

For more information go to the Harvey and the Humpbacks website.

GREEN AND GOLD ICEBOXES

Those cool people at Dometic Australia have put their support behind Australia's team at this year's rugby union World Cup in New Zealand, with the release of a new range of Aussie-themed iceboxes.

The green and gold Cool-Ice iceboxes feature the official Wallabies logo and the Southern Cross, and are a great gift idea for rugby fans wanting to keep their slab of Steinlager beer cold during the World Cup in September.

They're available in three sizes -- WCI-22, WCI-55 and WCI-70 -- with the same set of features and five year warranty as Waeco's traditional grey iceboxes.
Available at selected retailers, or visit the Waeco Australia website.

OLYMPIC FEVER HITS VANNERS

Caravanners won't be left out in the cold – nor too much out of pocket – at next year's London Olympic Games, with the Camping and Caravanning Club in the UK playing a part in setting up three special campsites close to the action.

Westland Playing Fields in the London Borough of Havering will host one of the temporary camping grounds. Open from July 24 to August 20, the event campsite boasts 430 sites (or pitches as they call them in the UK).

Described as "a state of the art facility", amenities will include showers and toilets, catering and entertainment facilities, and changing areas.

It's located close to Romford Train Station, giving a journey time of around 15 minutes to Stratford Station (located next to the Olympic Park and Olympic Stadium).

The other event campsites are at the Old Gravesendians Rugby Club in Gravesend, which offers 247 sites, and Culverstone Recreation Ground (221 sites)