This year you will immediately notice some changes, Frankie J. Holden and his beautiful wife Michelle Pettigrove will host our fifth series. When schooling duties permit they will also travel with their gorgeous daughter Georgia. Our first episode this years sees Frankie and Michelle discovering the area of Forster, which is in New South Wales, about 300 kilometers North East from Sydney. Coastal splendour abounds at this popular destination.

Whilst we have been off air, the price of petrol has sky rocketed and then fallen again, not that it is cheap but every little bit helps. With this in mind the Caravan and Camping Industry Association of New South Wales have worked in conjunction with KPMG accountants and put together a fuel study. The fuel study covers what the usual traveller spends on the various components that go into a holiday and the rising costs of fuel in comparision to these other charges…put basically the price of fuel is really not a huge part of the overall cost of a trip even when the prices get dangerously high.

We are putting this fuel study into action over the course of the first episode by driving a Winnebago and a Millard, with thanks to Parravans, from Sydney to Forster. We start the convoy in Vineyard, which is not to far from Sydney, at Avina Van Village.

Whilst some holiday parks have a bit of this and a bit of that it would appear as if Avina has a bit of everything. We join Frank as he has a hit of tennis, a spot of squash, a little golf and then cools off with a swim. While all this is happening Michelle is pampered thanks to “The Retreat” day-spa, located within the park. A huge restaurant on the premises was just the tonic for lunch, wow what a spread.

Then when the food was settled it was time to hit the road. All the way to Forster. Along the way we check in with Dean Allen Craig who catches up with the accountancy firm behind the fuel study. Dean the ever busy man that he is then finds time to have a chat with Barry Baillie who is the CEO of the Caravan and Camping Industry Association of NSW to find out a bit more of how a fuel study can impact on you guys, the viewers.

Upon arrival in Forster Frank and Michelle find lodgings at Lani’s Beach Holiday Park. Bob and Ruth who are in charge of the Winnebago show us through their home away from home. The convoy keeps discovering the region and before long we are diving with Dolphins. Undoubtedly; the highlight of the trip. Michelle especially has the time of her life. We were lucky enough to be graced by the presence of around forty dolphins and if you ever get a chance please dive with these gracious and beautiful creatures.

That nights lodgings were thanks to Wallamba Holiday Park and Michelle loved this place too as it gave her a chance to get onto the water and ski, ski, ski…well ski, fall, ski. It also provided a great location to get a closer peek at the Millard we were travelling with. As usual we have a competition, a chance to win a Kimberley Kamper, our RV Showcase focuses on the impressive Majestic Knight Series 3 and we also manage plenty of fun along the way. Needless to say gentle viewer it is GOOD to be back.

Holiday Parks

1. Lani’s Holiday Island
   33 The Lakes Way
   Forster NSW
   Phone:   (02) 6554 6273
   Free Call:  1300 653 258
   Fax:   (02) 6555 3824
   Email:   info@lanis.com.au
   Web:   www.lanis.com.au, www.toptouristparks.com.au
   
2. Wallamba River Holiday Park
   99 Aquatic Road.
   Tuncurry North NSW
   Phone:   (02) 6554 3123
   Free Call:  1800 268 176
   Fax:   (02) 6554 3423
   Email:   wallamba@aspenparks.com.au
   Web:   www.toptouristparks.com.au, www.aspenparks.com.au
   
3. Avina Van Village
   217 Commercial Road
   Vineyard NSW
   Phone:   (02) 9627 1847
   Fax:   (02) 9838 3046
   Email:   avina@bigpond.com.au
   Web:   www.avina.com.au

RV Showcase

1. Majestic Knight Series 3
   85 Lara Way
   Campbellfield VIC
   Phone:   (03) 9357 6959
   Fax:   (03) 9357 7210
   Email:   enquiries@majesticcaravans.com.au
   Web:   www.majesticcaravans.com.au
   

Contacts

1. Parravans
   130 Windsor Road
   McGraths Hill NSW
   Phone:   (02) 4577 5577
   Fax:   (02) 4577 5371
   Email:   sales@parravans.com.au
   Web:   www.parravans.com.au
   
2. Winnebago
   32 David Road
   Emu Plains NSW
   Phone:   (02) 4735 8116
   Email:    information@winnebago.com.au
   Web:    www.winnebago.com.au
   
3. Caravan and Camping Industry Association of NSW
   Fuel Study & Holiday Guide
   Rosehill Gardens Racecourse
   Gate 1 (Members Car park)
   Grand Avenue South
   Rosehill NSW
   Phone:   (02) 9615 9999
   Fax:    (02) 9615 9998
   Email:    admin@cciansw.com.au
   Web:    www.caravan-camping.com.au
   
4. Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow
   Caulfield Racecourse
   Wednesday 6th May- 11th May 2009�
   9.30am-5pm
   Phone:    (03) 9329 5311
   Fax:     (03) 9329 6339
   Email:    info@ciavic.com.au
   Web:    www.caravanshow.com.au
   
5. Dive Forster at Fisherman’s Wharf
   Cnr Memorial Drive and Little Street
   Forster NSW
   Phone:   (02) 6554 7478
   Fax:    (02) 6554 7478
   Email:    ron@diveforster.com.au
   Web:    www.diveforster.com.au