Geraldton Belair Gardens Caravan Park — Hotel in West End

The worst caravan park experience we have had in 12 months on the road (50 parks across Australia).

We were disturbed every night by trains arriving, shunting, unloading and departing, ships being loaded and sounding their horns when departing the port (depending on high tide) and trucks on the roads. There was also a smell of rotting seaweed from the nearby beach, depending on wind direction

When we originally booked we were told we would be near the pool. Unbeknown to us, this was their overflow area (a bitumen car park with power and water) - no way to peg down our awning to escape the afternoon heat or enjoy the area outside the van.

Overflow is also next to a jumping pillow. Even though the sign says "not open until 9.00am" and the material handed out on check in clearly states “absolute quiet period until 8.00am" inflation started and children were on the facility (jumping and screaming) before 7.00. Logic would dictate to not even start inflation until 8.30 so by 9.00 it would be available (as sign posted) and discourage children until at least 8.00am

Our observation of supervision through the park was that it was nearly non-existent – on the jumping pillow children were summersaulting and cartwheeling (which all signs say not to do) and one young girl was hospitalised after an accident – 15 minutes later everything was back to summersaulting and cartwheeling – another child was injured later that day but many staff were observed walking past, ignoring what is a dangerous and not permitted activity.

We saw one staff member clearing his nose by blowing the contents onto the ground – a filthy habit. There was also (we hope only) dog droppings outside the amenities left for the entire week and the amenities themselves were old; and dirty about half the time we used them, generally within hours of cleaning – we have noticed other parks inspect/clean more often in high occupancy.

Children were using pedestrian paths like a BMX track (not allowed in park rules) and three times footballs hit our van and, on many occasions, we had to ask children to move away from around our van.

The reasonable written rules about behaviour in the park if followed would make for a pleasant stay for all but our observation was staff just did not care to monitor the park to at least ensure some sense of order. Other parks use a combination of SMS technology, presence of sufficient and proactive staff and active management to achieve results. A selection of responses we got from staff:

“I have only been here a fortnight” – office staff “I forgot to do it” – office staff “You are in the overflow area” – office staff – ???? We weren’t advised this when booking and strangely we paid full rate for our stay – not some heavily discounted rate reflecting the substandard experience. “I can’t be everywhere – what do you expect me to do” – grounds staff “That’s terrible - so where are the parents” – office staff “We have new staff - anything could have happened – can’t help” - office staff

Important mail we were assured (twice) would be held for us was delivered correctly with our name and the park address correct on the envelope. We later we found it was returned to sender. When we raised this with the office, we were told had we been booked in (which of course we had been – deposit had been paid???) this would not happen – strangely that is exactly what did happen.

While individually these examples may not be terrible, they are indicative of the poorly managed park with a could not care less attitude. An alternative site was never offered, even after the park became vacant.

However, I have no doubt the response to this review will be full of excuses (like the park was full/busy, the staff were new, we don’t have enough staff, blah, blah) or hollow apologies "sorry your didn't enjoy your stay" which mean nothing to us nor should they to prospective customers.

What I don’t think will happen is an offer of compensation for a terrible week – other reviews here indicate the parks attitude to...

We were robbed while sleeping in our own van. They took husbands wallet with holiday money in it plus all his cards, bank licenses Medicare everything he needed to continue with our holiday travels, phone with all his European holidays photos with his family in Holland which he had not seen for over 20 years , all his grandchildren, children family and friends photos all gone also a brand new camera only brought the day we arrived in Geraldton in Harvey Norman had only two pictures taken on it. All the park manager was concerned about was we had to report it to police so there park could get more police patrols for their park not even asked if we were OKAY at all no concern for us at all was extremely Pushy for me to make the report right there and then. She kept stating there park policy is to lockup cars vans at all times. I tried to explain husband has kidney problems and needs to go to the mens toilet up to 5/6 time a night he must have forgot to snip our lock the last time, she replied well we state on arrival to lockup everything, l tried to explain while l was extremely Visually upset but she not not concerned except for me to quickly call the police and make the report just please report it now. l asked had anyone else reported a crime same night the manager looked me in my face and said NO, after another couple had their possession stole also reported to this same manager they also got told to make a police report so they can get more police patrols for their park. We later that day after returning from police , bank, And other places too cancel banks vic roads cards two other travelers in van tell us one had been robbed they took there car keys and van keys also while the elderly man went to the toilet block and hiding his lap top under there own van, which her elderly husband found that morning while looking for the keys but couldnt find As they were stolen, the other couple called us and showed us hand prints and finger prints all on there window. I returned back to the manager and asked for our money back for the last night as l did not feel safe in this park , she replied well its not our policy l repeatedly said l didnt feel safe anymore here and was really upset she finally looked at the other receptionist and said okay do it, she was very stoned faced and had no sympathy for us at all and lied bluntly in my face about anyone else been robbed that night oh she said it was confidentiality l replied l didnt want to know names or addresses all l asked was there any other reports of other campers been robbed. I told her its there Duty of Care as an organization a business to let people who come to there park about the robberies that have been occupying in their park not just tell everyone lock up all valuables at least campers would be more aware of the problem and take extra care. I mean someone come into our van WHILE WE WERE SLEEPING for gods sake. This is truly a disgrace to be treated as if it was our fault. I was treated badly by this park manager we are all paying customers and everyone has the right to know how bad this parks robbery status is and occurs all the time even the police officers told us its an occurring problem in this park and they were genuinely sorry it happened to us. I asked park manager for their footage of the CCTV tapes even this was to much as l was told that could take hrs to go through l replied we were robbed please the manager told me it was not good but found footage of a light colored commodore in the park and had sent it to police, well when the police come to see us at the park again they knew nothing off the CCTV footage and was going straight to the office to retrieve the tape. Once again lies by this manager straight to my face. Police shook their heads and told us wasnt good enough. So travellers yes its a nice looking park the new facility block was lovely but thats where it STOPS. Beware...

We stayed as we had already paid but we couldn't wait to leave after 2 nights. Stayed in powered site 49, & the whole area had a general smell of urine. There are 2 toilet/shower blocks - the closest to our pitch are extremely old, with tiny shower cubicles - whilst showering it started flooding and smelling like faeces. Toilets & showers are also separate in this block. Newer block is much nicer & would recommend to use this instead, toilets and showers in the same block. Amenities require a key to get into which can be quite annoying as forgot the key a couple of times (would be easier if they had pinpad locks like most other places). Camp kitchen is small with very basic facilities (two double electric hobs), although some pots, pans & utensils provided which is helpful as well as fridge/freezer. Closer bbq spot has basic fridge/freezer, kettle, microwave and 2 bbqs but no hobs. Quite noisy with nearby train/port.

Staff were friendly on arrival and no issues with them at all. The main problem is the area has a bad smell and there seems to be a general sewage system problem, as well as the very basic cooking/kitchen facilities.

The park is directly opposite Pages Beach which is quite nice and we saw a beautiful sunset there one night.

Laundry here is $4 per load, and in the newer laundry block you can pay by contactless card which I think is great. Plenty of washing line room to dry clothes, but dryers also available.

I personally wouldn’t stay here again because of the smell, the kitchen and location isn’t great if you wanted to walk to town (would take around 45 minutes, but perhaps you might be someone who would enjoy a walk!).

Sorry to leave a bad review, I’m normally not one to be so picky but I didn’t enjoy the stay here and wanted to be honest. I have provided pictures also to give a visual overview of my comments made. We stayed in a rooftop tent, I cannot comment on whether a stay in a caravan or one of their cabins would be more...