Have you ever pondered on what you would like to do when you retire? I certainly have given this a lot of thought in recent years and decided travelling around our beautiful country will quench my thirst for travel and also provide me with knowledge and community awareness of our fellow Australians. Of course in doing this, I would consider purchasing an RV of some kind to be self-sufficient, especially if considering free-camping along the way.
Maryborough in
Queensland has in the past few years become known as an RV hub, with a 48-hour free parking site in the CBD and another low-cost site at Doon Villa for seven nights. Apart from its RV-Friendly status, it is also being chosen as a permanent home for RV travellers with the construction of RV Homebase, a purpose built RV friendly active lifestyle village perfect for the over 50s. RV Homebase is catering for those still wanting to travel, yet wanting to have a base to call home when they get back from the open road. RV Homebase currently houses about 420 residents and is now selling its final stages of the development.
Aerial photograph of Maryborough's RV Homebase (Photo Courtesy of RV Homebase Website)
The homebase was specifically designed and built to incorporate enclosed garages which are the largest offered in any lifestyle village for the over 50's market. The garages not only offer residents security for their caravans, boat or RV, but also provide plenty of room for storage or you can design your own to accommodate a workshop or mezzanine floor. The average size is 16 metres x 6 metres and a standard home ranges from 186m2 to 283m2 depending on the owner's requirements.
Great facilities for washing down your RV or Caravan (Photo courtesy of RV Homebase Website)
The village offers numerous benefits for their residents and these are:
25m heated lap pool / aquatic fitness zone plus instructed classes for both gym and pool
RV Wash bay which includes gantry, high pressure hoses and suds
Retractable cover to four rink bowling green with floodlights for night playing
Is pet friendly; a dog wash is included
Recreation centre including kitchen, pool tables, dance floor, bar and leisure areas. Fire pits and pizza ovens
Hardstand for your visitors
Broadband Internet Access and a provision for cable TV to all home that have a subscription service
4-hole chip and putt golf course
A team of landscape maintenance personnel to keep your home lawn and gardens in ship shape
Centralised mail boxes and mail forwarding services.
When you buy into the
Fraser Coast RV Homebase, there are no entry or exit fees, no rates or stamp duty and no legal fees. If you decided to sell your home, the homeowner retains all capital gains. The owner is required to pay a weekly site rental fee. More information can be sourced by contacting the RV site office.
Community Hall and Comradeship (Photo courtesy of RV Homebase Website)
If you are travelling through the Fraser Coast area with a genuine interest in experiencing the village, you are welcome to a complimentary two-night stay in your caravan or motorhome on the hard stand (conditions apply); however, bookings must be made first by telephoning 1300 391 711, as this option is quite popular.
Changes and upgrades to the Fraser Coast RV Homebase are continuing extending areas to provide greater living benefits to all residents. The RV Homebase is open from Monday to Saturday from 9.00am to 4.00pm and tours and inspections are available. Tours take 45-minutes and bookings are given preference over walk-in inquiries.
For those travellers passing through, who would like a short stay, the following two options may suit your needs.
Alan and June Brown Car Park in the CBD which allows 48-hours parking for small to medium self-contained vehicles
Doon Villa which is suitable for all RVs including big rigs and has sites for $10 a night for a maximum of seven nights.
The Alan and June Brown Car Park has 22 RV sites in the heart of the CBD, across the road from the modern swimming complex which has ensuite showers and toilets. Museums, hotels and restaurants are within easy walking distance.
Enjoy a visit to Maryborough's beautiful Queens Park (Author's photo)
The Doon Villa Soccer Club manages the Doon Villa site beside the Maryborough Airport, which is no longer used for scheduled passenger services. Travellers have access to the club's ablutions block of modern showers and toilets and a herb garden.
A dump point and water access is available for all RV travellers at the airport.
Many heritage sites to visit in Maryborough, the birth place of author of novel Mary Poppins - P L Travers. Statue located in Maryborough (Author's Photo)
With all these options available to the traveller, the heritage city of Maryborough is a delight to explore with lots of historical tourism sites and grand stories to tell, including a new interactive Story Trail winding through the city. When you arrive, check in at the Visitors Information Centre at the picturesque City Hall to stock up on brochures, get free permits for parking and absorb fascinating information.
