Weekly Wrap

WATERPARKS CREATE BIG SPLASH

First it was giant jumping pillows. Now it seems the latest (expensive) craze to hit Australia’s upmarket caravan parks is the interactive waterpark.

Big4 Saltwater @ Yamba Holiday Park on the northern NSW coast launched its Salty’s Cove splash park last month, as part of a $2 million dollar upgrade of the park’s facilities in recent years.

"Salty’s Cove has a pirate theme with a giant tipping bucket, sails, cannons, skulls, ship wheels and four different slides to cater from the littlies to the bigger kids," said park director Andrew Tribe.

He said the new waterpark, believed to be the Australian industry's biggest, has been a huge hit with families.

"This type of pool is incredibly popular with the younger kids. It's the future for resorts and holiday parks because they are safe and entertain a lot of people at the same time." 

The Yalumba park joins six other BIG4 branded parks in having waterparks, including multi award-winning Cairns Coconut Holiday Park, with five other Australian parks planning to put one in.

JOIN THE CAMPING CROWD

The Great Aussie Camp Out (GACO) is on again! After thousands of people participated in the nationwide, camp out for a night under the stars in 2010, the event is scheduled again, for October 15.

Designed to introduce people to the fun and adventure of camping out, the Camp Out is designed to encourage first timers to stay at a residential camp or caravan park, pitch a tent, and get away from their normal weekend routine.

A range of come 'n' try activities will be offered on the day by community groups such as scouts/guides, bushwalking clubs, and canoeing clubs.

The organisers are even talking about a possible entry in the Guinness Book of Records for the most people camped out for a night.

For further information or to register as part of a group, visit the GACO website.

RECORD RESULT FOR WA MANUFACTURER

West Australian-based Fleetwood Corporation, which manufactures Coromal and Windsor caravans, has recorded a 33 per cent increase in annual profit for the 2010-11 financial year.

In a report listed on the ASX, the company reported overall revenue was up 60 per cent to $466.6 million, with an operating profit of $51.25 million.

The recreational vehicles part of the business, which also includes Camec accessories, recorded annual revenue of $173.8 million (up 12.3 per cent), with profit before interest and tax of $18.1 million (up 16.8 per cent).

Fleetwood Corporation said its caravan production was higher than the previous year, with its Recreational Vehicles division "experiencing a rapid recovery in trading conditions following the global financial crisis".

RV EXPO SUPPORTS CHARITY

The Caravan Industry Association of Victoria (CIA) has donated $5000 to Wodonga’s Ronald McDonald Family Room on behalf of the inaugural Border RV & Camping Expo.

The donation follows a tradition established by the CIA at its Bendigo Show for making a donation to local charities which now totals $50,000 donated to worthy causes over the years.

The Family Room provides accommodation for families from as far afield as Culcairn, Corryong, Corowa and Mount Beauty whose babies require ongoing care in the critical care nursery.

The Border RV & Camping Expo is on at Wodonga Racecourse from August 26 to 28.

TRUSTY MECHANIC JOINS EARTHCRUISER

Diesel mechanic and fleet sales specialist Chris Hopkinson has been appointed the head of factory sales for EarthCruiser Expedition vehicles in Australia and New Zealand.

As a diesel mechanic Hopkinson has travelled throughout New Zealand, Australia, and Papua New Guinea. He's also worked for large tour companies on expeditions from the UK to Poland, Italy to Amsterdam, and many former Soviet States no longer on the map. 

Hopkinson has many years of fleet management experience and a further 10 years in fleet sales at Mercedes Benz Freightliner trucks.

"We are lucky to have him join EarthCruiser Overland Vehicles to further drive our expansion," said EarthCruiser boss Lance Gillies, who is currently based in the US while trying to expand the Queensland-based off-road RV truck business into the US market.