V & C Impressions

Almost Grey Nomads in Australia

Tag: pet friendly

  • Lake King Waterfront Park

    Lake King Waterfront Park

    We arrived after 3 days on the road from Mildura. The drop in temperature was a bit of a shock to the system as well as the rain we had avoided for awhile. Setting up in the rain is never fun. The park itself was a pleasant surprise, well run with near new amenities and excellent grassed sites. We where happy to be here. Fires are allowed provided they are off the ground so took advantage and had a couple. Always nice to be sitting around a fire.

    We came to this stop from our previous 2 night stay at Smoko campground.

    • Website: Lake King Waterfront Holiday Park
    • Fee Category: Paid
    • Booking: Yes
    • Dog Friendly: Yes
    • Amenities: Yes
    • Dump point: Yes
    • Pool: Yes
    • Fire pits: Yes
    • Telstra: Good
    • Starlink: No problems
    Lake King Waterfront Caravan Park campground
    Lake King Waterfront Caravan Park campground

    GPS Warning

    Google, in it’s infinite wisdom, directed us under a bridge, which has 3.2 Metres clarence. We got through, so now we know our caravan is not 3.2 M high, and yes there was a sign which we missed, easy to do when trying to figure out which turn to make in a strange town. It’s a shame we can’t put our vehicle dimensions in so Google maps can take this into account.

    If there is any doubt, just go straight ahead, Google will find another way on the other side of town.

    Google map showing bridge
    Google map showing bridge

    Our Experience

    An excellent park, we were just back from the lake but that didn’t stop us from getting good views.

    There are some great walking tracks leading from the park. People are allowed to walk around the lake, so houses had to have space for this. It was easy to walk Shadow on the walking tracks. Some going through a forest type area taking you to a road that travels down and round the lake. Plenty to see along the way included rabbits.

    We took the ferry across to Raymond Island which is a short drive down the road. You can take your car across for a fee however as a foot passenger you can go for free. We found this to be one of the better nature reserves we have been on and dog friendly too. Shadow had a ball. You can also do the Koala trail. We saw so many and one was on the ground, which climbed the tree and started eating – even though there was a small crowd, he didn’t seem to be bothered by us. Lucky Shadow was far enough away and didn’t see a thing.

    Grateful to be able to work on the road and stop at places like this. It was very well maintained and a few permanent caravans on site however no one lives in them full time, like holiday homes.

    A view of the jetty's in Eagle Point Bay
    A view of the jetty’s in Eagle Point Bay
    Koala on Raymond Island
    Koala on Raymond Island
    A early morning view of Eagle Point Bay from the caravan park
    A early morning view of Eagle Point Bay from the caravan park
    Sunrise over Eagle Point Bay
    Sunrise over Eagle Point Bay
    Lake King Waterfront Caravan Park main buildings
    Lake King Waterfront Caravan Park main buildings
    Echidna on Raymond Island
    Echidna on Raymond Island

    Weather averages

    Check the table below to have a look at when is the best time to go for you. For us soft Queenslanders, that would be summer. We stayed here in March, I don’t think we would stay any later in the year.

    Weather Averages – Bairnsdale

    MonthJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
    Temp Max C24.624.723.120.317.014.313.815.317.419.621.723.4
    Temp Min C12.312.711.28.56.04.23.44.15.97.79.411.2
    Rain Avg (mm)60.250.267.050.254.458.450.248.956.870.264.467.7

  • Discovery Parks – Mildura

    Discovery Parks – Mildura

    We stayed here in March, the park itself was wonderful with all the usual features you would expect from a Discovery Park. This park is technically in NSW, on the other side of the Murrey River. Still close to town which is a 2 minute drive over the bridge.

    Discovery Park Buronga is conveniently located in Buronga, NSW, right across the Murray River from Mildura in VIC, in the beautiful Sunraysia region

    • Website: Swan Hill Council
    • Fee Category: Paid
    • Booking: Yes
    • Dog Friendly: Yes
    • Amenities: Toilets / Showers
    • Dump point: Yes
    • Pool: Yes
    • Fire pits: Yes
    • Telstra: Good
    • Starlink: May have problems with trees
    Discovery Park, Shadow going for his morning walk
    Discovery Park, Shadow going for his morning walk

    Our Experience

    We found this Discovery Park to be very good, so good we extended our stay!

    Location wise, it is close to Mildura with a quick 2 minute drive over the bridge, while the park is technically in NSW, you are greeted with the Welcome to Victoria sign every time you drive over the bridge, and of course NSW won’t be outdone with the their sign on the way back.

    Unfortunately for us, when we where there, Mildura was hot,hot,hot, so not too much exploring. None the less, we did get out and about during the morning usually which was pleasant. The heat did not really hit until midday, then it was back to the caravan and sit in the A/C, or the pool, which was surprisingly cold. It was shaded in the afternoon by the trees. There was another smaller pool that was in full sun. We didn’t try that one out.

    There are so many huge houseboats that go past and some stop and park up for the night. They are pretty impressive and one day we would love to hire one with others. What an experience that would be.

    The site we stayed on had a concrete pad and others where grassy. They were close together however it didn’t really bother us. There were groups that came and went. Everyone was friendly.

    Photos

    Discovery Park, sunrise over the Murray River bridge
    Discovery Park, sunrise over the Murray River bridge
    Discovery Park swimming pool
    Discovery Park swimming pool
    Discovery Park main amenities block
    Discovery Park main amenities block
    Discovery Park amenities block
    Discovery Park amenities block
    Discovery Park tree art
    Discovery Park tree art
    Shadow at the Entrance

    Places of Interest that we went to.

    Holden Museum – This took me down memory lane. I worked on many of these cars during my time as a mechanic. Sad to see an end to an era. Do go and support this museum if int he area. They are considering closing and we don’t want that to happen.

    Mildura Working Mans Club – A good place for a drink and a feed. Prices are very reasonable and service excellent. A visitor member pass lasts for 7 days and is free so you can go back again and again.

    Orange World – Yes we did the tour, and good to learn all about the humble orange, mandarins and even avocados. Everything from growing to harvesting and well worth a visit.

    Paddle Steamer – Catch a ride on the iconic Mildura paddle steamer or watch it go through Lock 11 at Muludra Weir. If you have never seen a boat go through a lock, you have to see this one.

    Trentham Winery – We had a lovely lunch here and they allows dogs. Nice for Shadow to be able to join us, his good looks won everyone over. A very nice setting and the Cellar Door right next door. We bought a nice bottle of Shiraz to take back to camp.

    Australian Inland Botanical Garden – this is worth a look. It’s a big area and lots of different sections include other parts of the world. It was very hot when there and they do have this drive through area so you can stay in the air con. We started walking around but just got too hot. Some areas did need a little TLC. It is run by volunteers and by donation. There was also a cafe and gift shop which we didn’t visit.

    Woodsies Gem Shop – if you are into gems or not this place is worth a visit. There are quite a few display cabinets showing all the different types of gem stones, jewellery, carved items, etc. Prices vary depending on what you want from $2 upwards. Part of the shop area and into the cafe area they have set the ceiling up like a cave. Very cool. You can also go for a walk in a cave itself. We didn’t do this part and was only a couple of dollars.