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Australia Day Weekend 2025

Carolyn Farnell

Where: Standown Park

              91 Radtke Road, Kia Ora (between Gympie and Tin Can Bay)

 

Date:  Friday 24th January to Tuesday 28th January

 (For additional days, a booking will need to be made for those days)

 

Standown Park is nestled between the scenic regions of Gympie, Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach and offers a serene escape for campers and travellers alike. The owners bought Standown, moving up from the Sunshine Coast. Standown Park was originally a ginger, pumpkin & watermelon farm but was purchased by Rod & Pam Elkington as a base for them to retire and travel. Then their friends came and stayed, and stayed, and stayed…..

 

The ‘WHY DON’T YOU’ Tribe came along…“WHY DON’T YOU build some showers and toilets” they said.  “It will be fun” they said….

Then the ‘YOU SHOULDA” tribe came along.  “YOU SHOULDA put power and water in” they said.  “It will be fun” they said…..SO…..

 

Standown Park, as a Caravan Park came alive and was originally set up as a Veterans Retreat for ‘their mates’ and later opened to the public to enjoy. Over the years it has grown to become a ‘home away from home’ for many Veterans of all ages and all conflicts plus their families.  They are finding younger veterans from more recent wars have found peace and mateship here in the safe and relaxing atmosphere of Standown Park. "Standown" is a military term for ‘Rest/Relax’ and that is exactly what you do here.

 

You can take advantage of the Book & DVD Library to help you ‘Standown’… or you can walk amongst the picturesque gardens and memorial to help you ‘Standown’.  You may even like to gather your friends and play boccee or other games that are available at Standown Park. Whatever you do decide to do onsite, you will leave here rested and relaxed.

 

Some other things to do in the area

Tin Can Bay

Tin Can Bay is just 24kms down the road from Standown Park (opposite direction to Gympie) where the water is calm and is an ideal spot for the tinny, fishing and picnicking. It is a great source of fresh sea food and has the Country Club golf course, Bowls club and Yacht club. It has all the essential services while still retaining the quiet village image. You can take a relaxing cruise on the bay with Dolphin Ferry Cruises and enjoy some of the beautiful sunsets over the water. There is dolphin feeding at Norman Point and beautiful waterfront walks

Rainbow Beach

  • Stunning coastal views and coloured sands

  • Access to Fraser Island

  • Surfing and swimming spots

Gympie

  • Historic Mary Valley Rattler train ride

  • Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum

  • Local markets and events

 Nature and Adventure

  • Great Sandy National Park

  • Carlo Sand Blow

  • Local hiking and biking trails

Mary Valley

The picturesque Mary Valley and neighbouring areas are a beautiful drive. The rolling hills and national parks, historical trails and hidden treasures along the way make it a perfect day trip from Standown Park. The National Parks offer a diverse range of activities such as hiking, canoeing, four-wheel driving and horse riding. The quaint little towns of Imbil, Kandanga and Amamoor make up the Mary Valley.

 

Standown Park Facilities – Amenity Block, Laundry, Camp Kitchen with 2 BBQs, Pizza Oven, Microwave, Cooktop, 2 Refrigerators and usual camp kitchen items plus tables and chairs. Swimming Pool & Pergola, Dump Point, Firepit.

 

Powered sites – Discounted rate of $35/night where 2 vans share one site (sites a quite large) - Power & water.  Single sites $45/night.

 

Activities over the weekend are still to be organised. If any of the above activites are of interest, please let me know and I will obtain more details.

 

If you haven’t booked in as yet, please contact Carolyn by email - farnellgc@bigpond.com or call 0428 143 146 to reserve your spot.  The Club’s booking will need to be finalised by 21st December and a deposit of 1 night’s accommodation paid for.

 

If you have any queries, please contact Carolyn 0428143146 farnellgc@bigpond.com




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