Restrictive and unfair visitor policy at caravan park
Recently we visited that Blue Lake Holiday Park in Mt Gambier, SA. We, a retired couple from Adelaide, went there to catch up with our grandchildren, aged 7 and 10, and their parents from Portland Vic. who would be visiting us for the day.
We are well travelled couple around Australia. We don't generally have visitors on our travels, Mt Gambier and Portland aside.
After undertaking activities in town we went back to the BLHP to enjoy time together and the park facilities, including the new indoor pool, for which we were prepared to pay. We went to reception to book the family in but they were denied entry. Every one was upset. Why, due to their visitor policy, introduced by the operators the Marion Holiday Park, which stipulates that only one visitor is allowed for each paying guest and then you need to pay $15 per visitor. We were unaware of this. We had been visiting the BLHP for over 30 years, and have had family visits there, so were in shock by this situation. Staff wouldn't budge despite us explaining the situation.
I believe that their policy is both unfair and mean. Unfair as it discriminates against single people and couples when family members visit: especially grandparents wanting to see their grandchildren! Mean due to the charge of $15 being excessive; had the family been permitted in we would have had to pay $60 for a few hours visit.
By way of comparison the West Lakes Parks, Adelaide policy, is inviting, acknowledging and fair. They allow 5 visitors per site/ cabin for $5 per visitor or $15 per family. Had the BLHP had a similar policy our situation would not have occurred. So far I have found 3 parks who limit visitors numbers and only 4 who charge (2 are the BLHP and MHP).
I wrote a complaint email to the operators MHP who simply said that the policy was in place to try to restrict visitor numbers. I am not against this by the way, just the unfairness of their policy, which they failed to recognise.
Members experiences and views welcomed.