Lucky_Phill
06-12-2004, 05:20 PM
Rover Park Report
I first heard of Rover Park, when I was browsing my local camping store and noticed a brochure on the counter. Picked it up and filed it for future reference, as you do.
Months had passed, and I had now purchased a 4 x 4, so off road it had to go. No point parking it in the driveway and washing it every Sunday, if it ain’t dirty.
Rover Park is about 4,000 acres of 4 x 4 heaven. It is situated 35k’s East of Tenterfield, along the Bruxner Highway, in Northern NSW. From my place on the southside of Brisbane, it was 243k’s to the office. I went via, Beaudesert Road to Jimboomba, Beaudesert, Rathdowney, Woodenbong, Urbenville, Tabulam right onto the Bruxner and past Drake. The road from Woodenbong to Tabulam is ordinary and NOT well signed for all those sharp corners, one encounters at speed.
Heidi and Hans were our hosts, along with their son Oliver, who made us more than welcome, with a smile and demeanour one expects of our country cousins. The park has UHF 12 channel for communicating to the office and kiosk etc. One signs an indemnity form ( as usual with these type of parks ) and receives a map of the park, covering 4 x 4 tracks, Dams ( some for swimming ), Camp Grounds, Facilities etc. The map and sign posting on the tracks are, well, in the process of being upgraded, and were the only things I could fault, during the course of the weekend. Having said that, I didn’t get lost.
We camped in the main camp ground ( most of the camp sites are on level or near level ground ), close to the facilities, which were, showers, toilets, Kiosk, Recreation Barn, Playground, Golf Course, BMX track and Animal farm. Other camp sites situated around the park have water, toilets and grass. The farm was a big hit with Brooke having
made friends with the Goats, Turkeys, Ducks, Chickens, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Birds and not to forget the Miniature Horses in the top paddock. Other animals encountered were, very friendly Possums ( looking for a feed at night ), Kangaroo’s, Wallabies and numerous species of birds. But the highlight was probably the Horse Riding on Sunday morning with, Richard and Megan. These two young people are so easy going, but professional, thus making the hours trail ride through bushlands, valleys and along river banks, most enjoyable and memorable. Put this activity on your list.
Let’s talk facilities. I have been to other ‘ 4 x 4 parks ‘, and believe me when I say, that Rover Parks facilities are 5 star, when compared to the ‘ others ‘.
Showers are hot, toilets are clean and flush ( even having hand wash and paper towels ), Kiosk has essentials, Rubbish bins strategically placed and plentiful, clearly defined roadways around the camps with logs as borders and small solar powered lights for night, fireplaces bordered by rocks and scattered around are Gazebos with gas BBQ’s.
Did I mention that all of the above comes included in the cost. Well, not quite, the horse riding was extra. But, we paid $25 for a night ( whole family ) and that’s it.
OK, the 4 x 4 part.
As stated above, the map was raw, but is being improved as we speak. The Easy tracks are something for the Ladies ( sorry ), and the Medium ones offer a good challenge to the experienced driver. Steep climbs and descents, tight corners, creek beds ( water will flow when not drought affected ) and varying surface textures, certainly keep you on your toes. The Extreme tracks are difficult, but not out of the question, although diff lockers would make life easier. I also spent some time in the 4 x 4 playground, doing logs, Rocks, lumps, water bogs ( read mud pits ) and the Donut Pad was a favourite.
In all, we done Saturday arvo and a Sunday Morning trip. Altogether we covered only 32k’s. We managed to get around most of the Easy tracks and half of the Medium, with taking a look at the Extreme.
Our return trip saw me take a short cut, yeah right. Went to Casino, Kyogle, Murwillumbah and Tweed to Brisbane. This worked out to be 66klms longer and took 1hr 20 minutes longer as well. Maybe the M1 straight to Ballina, and then into Lismore continuing to Rover park is the better option.
Other options are, staying in a on-site caravan or bunkhouse ( which are self contained and sleep up to 10 ). The Park does have special events in the 4 x 4 department and is especially busy during school holiday times. All in all, a very, very pleasant time due to the hosts Heidi and Hans, the quite and beautiful surrounds, facilities and location.
www.roverpark.com is where you’ll find all info.
Cheers Phill
I first heard of Rover Park, when I was browsing my local camping store and noticed a brochure on the counter. Picked it up and filed it for future reference, as you do.
Months had passed, and I had now purchased a 4 x 4, so off road it had to go. No point parking it in the driveway and washing it every Sunday, if it ain’t dirty.
Rover Park is about 4,000 acres of 4 x 4 heaven. It is situated 35k’s East of Tenterfield, along the Bruxner Highway, in Northern NSW. From my place on the southside of Brisbane, it was 243k’s to the office. I went via, Beaudesert Road to Jimboomba, Beaudesert, Rathdowney, Woodenbong, Urbenville, Tabulam right onto the Bruxner and past Drake. The road from Woodenbong to Tabulam is ordinary and NOT well signed for all those sharp corners, one encounters at speed.
Heidi and Hans were our hosts, along with their son Oliver, who made us more than welcome, with a smile and demeanour one expects of our country cousins. The park has UHF 12 channel for communicating to the office and kiosk etc. One signs an indemnity form ( as usual with these type of parks ) and receives a map of the park, covering 4 x 4 tracks, Dams ( some for swimming ), Camp Grounds, Facilities etc. The map and sign posting on the tracks are, well, in the process of being upgraded, and were the only things I could fault, during the course of the weekend. Having said that, I didn’t get lost.
We camped in the main camp ground ( most of the camp sites are on level or near level ground ), close to the facilities, which were, showers, toilets, Kiosk, Recreation Barn, Playground, Golf Course, BMX track and Animal farm. Other camp sites situated around the park have water, toilets and grass. The farm was a big hit with Brooke having
made friends with the Goats, Turkeys, Ducks, Chickens, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Birds and not to forget the Miniature Horses in the top paddock. Other animals encountered were, very friendly Possums ( looking for a feed at night ), Kangaroo’s, Wallabies and numerous species of birds. But the highlight was probably the Horse Riding on Sunday morning with, Richard and Megan. These two young people are so easy going, but professional, thus making the hours trail ride through bushlands, valleys and along river banks, most enjoyable and memorable. Put this activity on your list.
Let’s talk facilities. I have been to other ‘ 4 x 4 parks ‘, and believe me when I say, that Rover Parks facilities are 5 star, when compared to the ‘ others ‘.
Showers are hot, toilets are clean and flush ( even having hand wash and paper towels ), Kiosk has essentials, Rubbish bins strategically placed and plentiful, clearly defined roadways around the camps with logs as borders and small solar powered lights for night, fireplaces bordered by rocks and scattered around are Gazebos with gas BBQ’s.
Did I mention that all of the above comes included in the cost. Well, not quite, the horse riding was extra. But, we paid $25 for a night ( whole family ) and that’s it.
OK, the 4 x 4 part.
As stated above, the map was raw, but is being improved as we speak. The Easy tracks are something for the Ladies ( sorry ), and the Medium ones offer a good challenge to the experienced driver. Steep climbs and descents, tight corners, creek beds ( water will flow when not drought affected ) and varying surface textures, certainly keep you on your toes. The Extreme tracks are difficult, but not out of the question, although diff lockers would make life easier. I also spent some time in the 4 x 4 playground, doing logs, Rocks, lumps, water bogs ( read mud pits ) and the Donut Pad was a favourite.
In all, we done Saturday arvo and a Sunday Morning trip. Altogether we covered only 32k’s. We managed to get around most of the Easy tracks and half of the Medium, with taking a look at the Extreme.
Our return trip saw me take a short cut, yeah right. Went to Casino, Kyogle, Murwillumbah and Tweed to Brisbane. This worked out to be 66klms longer and took 1hr 20 minutes longer as well. Maybe the M1 straight to Ballina, and then into Lismore continuing to Rover park is the better option.
Other options are, staying in a on-site caravan or bunkhouse ( which are self contained and sleep up to 10 ). The Park does have special events in the 4 x 4 department and is especially busy during school holiday times. All in all, a very, very pleasant time due to the hosts Heidi and Hans, the quite and beautiful surrounds, facilities and location.
www.roverpark.com is where you’ll find all info.
Cheers Phill