TOORAWEENAH CARAVAN PARK – HOSPITALITY PLUS.

When a good WUDU mate, Terry Heney suggested we check out Tooraweenah Caravan Park during our travels, my first question back was “where on earth is Tooraweenah?”

Tooraweenah is a small village just off the Newell Highway about 44 km north east of Gilgandra in the central west of New South Wales, and, at the 2006 census, it had a population of 239.

Tooraweenah is full of history dating back to 1837, and, when the first store was built it provided supplies brought in by wagon for shepherds and drovers pushing stock to the north and north west. During the depression in the 1920’s and 30’s, this small village boasted three football teams, and residents and property owners earned cash from the rabbit plague. Apart from this there is a stack more interesting history screen-shot-2016-12-16-at-12-22-24-pmstill to be found at Tooraweenah and you can do this by taking a local historical walk around the town.

Tooraweenah Caravan Park is a small independent park, but big on hospitality when it comes to looking after visitors. Owners Geoff and Sarah Hill know what good country hospitality is all about and they also own a caravan which they manage on the odd occasion to get away in and enjoy life on the road. Both met at Emu Plains in 2001 at a bushfire benefit and have always enjoyed the great outdoor life.

Sarah was a book keeper and Geoff a fitter, so both occupations come in handy when it comes to operating a caravan park. Geoff told me that from a young age he always wanted the chance to own a caravan park and jumped at the opportunity when Tooraweenah came on the market, and both he and Sarah have had no reg rets since taking it over.

The park has 17 powered sites, all on well kept lawn, four non power sites, two ensuite cabins, two basic cabins, a laundry that has a great book exchange.  There are free gas BBQ’s around the park plus an outside sink with hot and cold running water to make washing up easy. It is a park that is also enjoyed by single lady travellers, and while there we caught up with Heather Clyde from Ulladulla (N.S.W.) in her motor home and Jenny Wheaton from Cobden (Victoria) who was camping in her tent. Both say they really enjoy coming back to Tooraweenah Caravan Park for total relaxation, peace, quiet and friendliness of Geoff and Sarah. Once you have set your van down or erected your tent you receive a welcome visit from Sarah and Geoff with a plate of home made scones, jam and cream, direct from Sarah’s kitchen, and we gave them 11 / 10. Now that is real country hospitality folks!

Tooraweenah Caravan Park is very pet friendly with an off leash dog area and they also have a pet friendly cabin for those owners who like to have their furry friends inside wscreen-shot-2016-12-16-at-12-22-06-pmith them.  If you have your much loved dog travelling with you, they have three ‘day pens’ where they will look after your pet for a minimal fee giving allowing you the opportunity to walk through the National Park knowing your loved pet is being cared for.  If hiking is not on your list then shopping, or a trip to Dubbo Zoo is a must.

If you fancy a game of golf Tooraweenah boasts a 9 hole course, and, if you do not have your clubs with you they have a set you can borrow. There are also tennis courts within walking distance of the park. If the weather is hot there is a great swimming pool to help build a thirst leading up to their daily Happy Hour.

Tooraweenah is a town that has everything you will need for a comfortable stay; a pub for great meals and local entertainment, a rural store, a post office and of course the caravan park where you arrive as strangers, stay as guests, and leave as friends!

If you are interested in finding out more information please visit their website!