While in the area, I stayed at the Discovery Holiday Parks Bunbury Village, which is also a member of the Top Tourist Parks group. The park, about 8km from the town centre, draws caravanners who have been annual visitors for decades.

NEW HOSTS

In late 2008, Shane and Mim Conquer became area hosts for Discovery Holiday Parks in Bunbury. Both previously worked for Discovery Parks in Whyalla, SA, where they received Host of the Year award for 2007 and Best Park in the Western Region – impressive credentials to take with them on the long trip out west.

The couple’s aim is to continue attracting the guests who have been coming here since they were children, and bringing in new holidaymakers and travellers who will enjoy the traditional caravan park feel. Even though Shane and Mim have only been here a few months, the positive effect they’re having is already being felt.

“A lot of guests keep coming back year on year,” Shane explains. “We want that to continue, and for people to return here with their children to re-enact what they had growing up. There really is a good history here.”

The park is traditional in the sense that it’s very family-oriented, has a pleasing bush look with its big native gum trees and even has horses roaming the neighbouring field – just as you remember parks as a youngster.

Meanwhile, the caravan-sites area is set back from the playground and swimming pool for a bit of quiet. This, both Shane and Mim acknowledge, is important to many caravanners.

When you first arrive, the rather eye-catching Austrian/Swiss chalets give the park a unique and fun feel, and the caravan area is well spread out within the spacious grounds. There are six drive-through sites (two with ensuite) and 34 further powered caravan sites (10 with ensuite). Prices are from $27 per night for two guests.

There are three large amenities blocks that are well maintained and clean; a well-presented camp kitchen (with a second one planned); and the usual laundry facilities.

STAYING ACTIVE

The leisure facilities are a real plus if you enjoy a bit more activity in your stay. For the younger ones there’s a games room, playground and very popular jumping pillow (from what I saw, kids will happily spend hours on this). Those of all ages can relax with a game of mini golf, a spot of tennis or indulge in the huge resort-style pool with spa attached. Bikes are available to hire for exploring the local area, and catching up on emails is easy with good wireless internet coverage.

If you’ve got kids, keeping an eye on them while they’re playing isn’t a chore, as you can get busy on one of the free barbecues at the same time. Alternatively, there’s a large grassed area that’s big enough for a quick game of lawn bowls.

Even with all the facilities in the world, a stay at a caravan park can be remembered simply for the people you meet. Area hosts Shane and Mim are enthusiastic about the area and the park they’re now overseeing, and guests warmed to the duty hosts who were present during our stay.

The kiosk area offers brochures and good advice on local sights and attractions, and you can pick up basic provisions for your stay. A free book exchange is another nice touch that we remember from traditional caravan holidays.

­­BUNBURY REGION

The park is close to quite a large main road, although the noise isn’t too disturbing within the park grounds, and most will no doubt appreciate the proximity of things like shopping, cafes and tourist attractions.

As Bunbury is on a peninsula, you are spoilt for a choice of beach, and if you’re feeling energetic, a 5km walk or bike ride along the road beside the park brings you to the nearest sand. There are plenty of swimming and snorkelling opportunities right beside town. The Dolphin Discovery Centre at Koombana Bay has beach access to where bottlenoses regularly visit each day. Boat and swimming tours are also possible from here.

The Big Swamp Reserve is only a few kilometres from the caravan park, with walking trails and viewing platforms to appreciate the multitude of birds, long-necked tortoises and kangaroos. Bunbury also has plentiful fishing opportunities from beach, rock or jetty spots.

If you would like to escape into the wilds, you could do a lot worse than head east towards the Collie River Valley. The historic town of Collie shows off its coal and timber industrial past, while the river itself has swimming and white-water rafting opportunities and the surrounding national parks offer spectacular bushwalking.

If that sounds like too much hard work, we were also impressed by the local art galleries (the pink Bunbury Regional Art Galleries building is well worth a visit), and there are wine-tasting adventures to be had in the nearby Geographe Wine Region – find a few good drops here and you don’t even need to carry on to Margaret River!

There are some rather nice cafes, eateries and bars along Bunbury’s Victoria Street, which proudly calls itself the Cappuccino Strip. The town is big and busy, especially in the tourist season, so it can be buzzing or crowded depending on your point of view. A good night out can easily be had, but the caravan park is a quiet retreat if preferred.

Bunbury is a good place to stop for a couple of days’ relaxation. On top of that, it serves as an ideal base from which to make day trips – Busselton, Margaret River and even Perth are within easy reach, as are plenty of rural inland towns and national parks. And for a traditional caravan park with a warm welcome, make sure you pay a visit to Shane and Mim’s place

The traditional family values at Discovery Holiday Parks Bunbury Village make it an inviting venue from which to explore the City on the Three Waters.