2019 Winners
Best
of the Best
Parkes Elvis Festival,
Parkes, NSW
More information below.
Best Grey Nomad
Council Free-stay Campsite
Kimba Recreation Reserve
This free-stay campsite offers free non-powered camping with access to toilets, coin-operated showers, potable water, bins and is pet friendly. Owned and operated by the District Shire of Kimba, the campground is adjacent to the Roora Reserve Walking Trail with its memorable metal sculptures of native animals leading to the Whites Knob Lookout.
Best Grey Nomad
Commercial Campsite
Yorke Peninsula Council Bushcamping
This collection of 19 low-cost bush camps providing 275 sites is operated by the Yorke Peninsula Council. A single permit gives grey nomads access to their choice of bush sites, all of which boast an outstanding feature, such as stunning beach frontage or clifftop views. The sites take advantage of the Yorke Peninsula’s reputation as a region boasting uncrowded beaches and good fishing. Nearly all sites have a sandy beach within walking distance and are accessible by conventional vehicles. In addition, some bush sites have extra facilities, such as toilets and bins.
Best Grey Nomad
Community Campsite
Berri Riverside Holiday Park
Owned by the Berri War Memorial Community Centre, the park is perfectly located to explore South Australia’s Riverland region, while also being in the heart of the fruit farming town of Berri. Situated straight across a quiet road from the Murray River, the pet friendly park boasts 128 powered sites including nine drive through, two pools – one with lagoon-style entry, camp kitchens, mini golf, four BBQ areas, fire pit, kiosk, coffee shop, and pizza oven. The judges emphasised that this is an extremely impressive community-owned facility, and praised the managers for hosting innovative events, such as high teas, sunset markets and food van visits.
Best Grey Nomad
Festival or Event
Parkes Elvis Festival
This festival, which occurs every January, is the largest celebration of Elvis' life in the Southern Hemisphere. Across five days, it encompasses more than 200 events. The judges love that Parkes in central NSW has found a unique way to attract grey nomads when much of Australia is focussed on seaside holidays.
Best Grey Nomad
Small Caravan Park
Yorketown Caravan Park
Boasting two acres of lush lawns and picturesque gardens with 16 hardstand powered sites, the park is proving successful in encouraging grey nomads to stay longer to enjoy all that the Southern Yorke Peninsula offers. The setting of the park, on the edge of Yorketown in the agricultural heartland of the peninsula and away from the bustle of the busier coastal parks, has made it a favourite among over 55s visitors. They also cherish the warm welcome and little touches, such as morning teas and a herb garden.
Best Grey Nomad
Large Caravan Park
Queens Beach Tourist Village
Situated on the northern beaches of Bowen in north Queensland, this pet-friendly park boasts 130 sites fully hedged for greater privacy, plus two pools, sheltered BBQ areas, and three camp kitchens. It is perfectly located to explore the whole Whitsundays region, while also offering grey nomads options for entertainment onsite. The judges were particularly impressed with level of improvements and additions that have occurred since the start of this year.
Best Grey Nomad
Volunteer Program or Project
Kimba Community Development Group:
Grey Nomads Volunteer Program
This initiative has a win-win as its foundation – grey nomads get free access to a powered camping site at the Kimba Recreation Reserve for a week in return for two days of volunteer work. In the past year alone volunteers have restored Historical Museum equipment, entered historical data, re-oiled street furniture, lacquered town entrance walls, and refurbished the Kimba Agricultural Show Society pavilion. The judges loved how this program works in synchronicity with tonight’s Council free camp winner to significantly bolster the benefit to the whole community. “Inspired” was the word they used.
Best Grey Nomad
Attraction or Tour
Busselton Jetty
This iconic attraction offers a suite of experiences suited to the older visitor, including a level walk on the longest tourist jetty in the world, a train ride for those with time or mobility constraints, a self-guided audio tour, and a fun global positioning Direction Dial. The jetty is also home to one of only six natural underwater observatories in the world. Busselton is about a two and a half hour drive south of Perth, and has long been a favourite holiday spot for West Australians. Now, grey nomads are also discovering its joys thanks to the Busselton Jetty.