RV Friendlies & Events

Just inland of the Whitsundays Coast is the quaint country town of Collinsville, situated 1163 kilometres north-west of Brisbane. Collinsville was first established in 1922, a hospital opened in 1926 and electricity was connected in 1947. With a history built around mining, Collinsville is renowned for being the last mine to use working horses in underground mines and is aptly referred to as ‘The Pit Pony Capital of Australia’. The working horses retired in February 1990. The origins of Collinsville can be explored through its many museums and historical attractions, including the ‘Coal Face Museum’, the ‘Pit Pony Experience’ and the ‘Historic Bowen River Pub.  The Bowen River Rodeo is held each year on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend in June, offering a fun country experience.Collinsville Showground on Railway Road provides free parking to RV travellers for up to 72 hours at no cost. The showground has a free dump point, potable water, and pets are permitted on leads. The popular Workers’ Club is located right across from the showground, kindly offering use of toilet and shower facilities.Collinsville is a lovely place to visit, especially for RV travellers. Tourist/Visitor Information Centre        Collinsville Info Centre81 Garrick St, CollinsvilleP: 07 4785 5795www.collinsvilleconnect.com.auCasual Parking       Collinsville Showground, Railway RdShort Term Parking           Collinsville Showground, Railway Rd, (72hrs), nil charge, pets on lead, water, dump pointDump Point  Collinsville Showground, Railway RdPotable Water          Collinsville Showground, Railway RdHospital        91 Garrick St, Collinsville, ph 07 4785 4777Doctors Surgery     91 Garrick St, Collinsville, ph 07 4785 4777Pharmacy     Collinsville Plaza, Stanley St, Collinsville, ph 07 4785 5450Supermarket            IGA cnr Conway & Stanley Sts, Collinsville, ph 07 4785 5325

Korumburra is set amongst the rolling hills on the edge of the Strzelecki Ranges, 115 kilometres south-east of Melbourne. This town is often referred to as the gateway to Prom Country, South Gippsland, with a population of 4,500 people. The town has a rich history as it is part of the Great Forest of Gippsland. A visit to Korumburra will be enjoyable, with many great cafés, bakeries, hotels, and food outlets available.Short-term parking for self-contained vehicles is available at Korumburra Showgrounds, on Elizabeth Street - a maximum stay limit of 48 hours applies. Unpowered sites cost $10 per vehicle per night, and access to bins, toilets, power and a barbecue is included. A dump point is located on-site, as is potable water. Please be mindful that the grounds are available for multiple use, and with a number of events taking place on-site, parking may not always be available.Visitors can step back in time at Coal Creek Community Park & Museum, with more than 50 buildings and exhibits showcasing the coal mining history of the area from the 1870s to the 1920s. Ride the bush tramway, feed the ducks, purchase old fashioned confectionery in the general store or simply enjoy the 36 hectares of natural surrounds with a picnic in one of the many scenic spots around the park. Entry is free.Tourist/Visitor Information CentreVIC site closed.  Please still call number below for information.Ph: 1800 630 704infocentre@southgippsland.vic.gov.auwww.visitpromcountry.com.auCasual Parking (near retail centre)Little Commercial St between King & Radovick Sts KorumburraShort Term ParkingKorumburra ShowgroundsElizabeth St, Korumburra VICSelf-contained vehicles only, 48hrs, $10pvpn unpowered $20pvpn powered, pets on lead, mobile coverage, bins, toilets, covered seating, power, BBQ, water.There are some restrictions throughout the year when camping will be unavailable or restricted.Dump PointKorumburra ShowgroundsElizabeth St, Korumburra VICLat: -38.42815, Long: 145.81734Potable WaterKorumburra ShowgroundsElizabeth St, Korumburra VICHospitalBridge St, Korumburra – Ph: 03 5654 2777Doctors Surgery50 Radovick St, Korumburra – Ph: 03 5655 1355DentistKorumburra Family Dental Surgery, 1 Radovick St, Korumburra – Ph: 03 5655 1026Korumburra Dental, 7/43-49 Commercial St, Korumburra - Ph: 03 5655 1816PharmacyTerry White Chemmart, 43 Commercial St – Ph: 03 5655 1555Chemsave Pharmacy, 3 South Railway Cres – Ph: 03 5655 2134SupermarketIGA, 1 South Railway Cres – Ph: 03 5654 0555

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