RV Friendlies & Events

Ararat is a city in south-west Victoria, approximately 198km west of Melbourne. The Ararat region is home to numerous towns and villages founded in the 1840's by pioneer farmers herding cattle and sheep. The area fast became a prosperous agricultural district. Ararat was founded following the discovery of gold in 1857, and the subsequent influx of Chinese immigrants. Located near the magnificent Grampians National Park, Ararat is an ideal base to start exploring the region and the best place to start this exploration is the Visitor Information Centre.Visitors to Ararat can find short-term parking at Green Hill Lake. There is no fee to stay here, however a donation is appreciated. A dump point and potable water can be found at Green Hill Lake Reserve camping area.When visiting Ararat, be sure to immerse yourself in the deep history the town has to offer. The Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre gives an insight into the lives of the Chinese miners who discovered one of the world's richest shallow alluvial goldfields in the area.  An interesting relic of Ararat's past, is the J Ward Old County Gaol. Originally built as a gaol, the buildings were transformed in 1887 into an asylum for the criminally insane, where chilling details of the prisoners and their crimes are on display. The Trash & Treasure Market is held every second Sunday of the month at Alexandra Hall across from McDonalds. With the Grampians so close, there are always many interesting walks to take, from the short and easy to the more advanced treks, taking in the views and the native flora and fauna. The Halls Gap Wildlife Park and Zoo, nestled at the foot of the Grampians Ranges, has a wide display of both native and exotic animals and birds.Tourist/Visitor Centre       82 Vincent St, Ararat VICPh: 1800 657 158tourinfo@ararat.vic.gov.auCasual Parking       High St near VIC & High St behind the Civic Centre, near the council offices; Ingor St alongside SafewayShort Term Parking           Green Hill Lake, donation, max stay 5 days without permit, if visitors would like to stay longer they need to obtain a free permit from Ararat Rural City Council, 59 Vincent St, Ararat, opposite the Visitor CentreDump Point  Green Hill Lake Reserve Camping Area.  LAT: -37.296457 LONG: 142.979597.Potable Water          Service Stations, Alexander AveHospital        Girdlestone St, Ph: 03 5352 9300, Email: info@eghs.net.au or visit www.eghs.net.auDoctors Surgery     55 High St, Ph: 03 5352 2311Dentist           220 - 222 Barkly S, Ph: 03 5352 1024Pharmacy     Advantage Pharmacy, 119 Barkly St, Ph: 03 5352 1007; Healthwise Pharmacy, 137 Barkly St, Ph: 03 5352 1114SupermarketAldi, 41-47 Moore St, Ph: 03 8369 3000; Fishers IGA, 41-47 Vincent St, Ph: 03 5352 1020; Safeway, Ingor St, Ph: 03 5352 4377

Dumbleyung is a historical farming town, located 267 kilometres south-east of Perth and is best known for its grain and livestock produce. The township was originally gazetted in 1906; however, pioneers began arriving in the district as early as 1875. Dumbleyung is now a rural service town to the surrounding shire and has all the necessary amenities for travellers passing through the area including a post office, tavern, library and general store.Stubbs Park, located on Bahrs Road, offers parking for up to 72 hours at no charge. A dump point, potable water and toilets are located at the site, and pets are welcome on leads. Casual parking in the town centre can be found on Bennett Street opposite the swimming pool.The nearby Lake Dumbleyung is the largest open lake in Western Australia’s south-west and is a haven for many varieties of water birds. Donald Campbell received fame in 1964 for breaking the world water speed record, in his boat ‘Bluebird’, and today, a replica of Donald’s boat can be found in town and is a major tourist attraction. Tourist/Visitor Centre       Shire of DumbleyungCnr Harvey & Dawson St,Dumbleyung WAP: 08 9863 4012www.dumbleyung.wa.gov.au Casual Parking       Bennett St, DumbleyungShort & Long Term Parking           Stubbs Park, Bahrs Rd, 72hr, potable water, dump point, tlts, pets on lead, nil costDump Point  Stubbs Park, Bahrs Rd, DumbleyungPotable Water          Stubbs Park, Bahrs Rd, DumbleyungHospital        Dawson St, Dumbleyung, ph 08 9863 5222Doctors Surgery     No Dr, local ambulance based on Harvey StPharmacy     Scripts can be organised through general storeSupermarket            Dumbleyung General Store & Post office, Bennett St, Dumbleyung, ph 08 9863 4101

Bower is located approximately 113 kilometres from Adelaide, South Australia. This small town was named after a South Australian Member of Parliament (1865 – 1887) David Bower, who donated land to the area. By 1916, Bower had become a dispatch centre for mallee roots and timber, which were loaded in at the railway station and then sent to Adelaide.Those visiting Bower can find short term parking at Bower Reserve Camping Area. Here, a privacy fence was recently erected, offering a quiet and secure area to park in overnight. Unpowered sites are available for $5 per vehicle per night and powered sites for $10 per vehicle per night. An additional fee of $2 is required for use of the dump point. The Reserve also has plenty of facilities available, including some power, toilets, water, barbecue stations and tennis courts.Bower Hall and Reserve is a great destination when exploring local surrounding regions.Address: Kapunda Morgan Road, BowerPhone: Progress Association 08 8581 0597Cost: Unpowered $5pvpn, Powered $10pvpn, donation box in BBQ shed opposite tennis court and war memorial, $2 for dump pointParking: Unlimited parking near BBQ or opposite tennis courts