Published on 31 May 2022
Popular Onkaparinga towns welcome RVs
Five Onkaparinga townships have been accepted into the national Community Welcomes Recreational Vehicles (RV) Program.
Aldinga, Christies Beach, McLaren Vale, Old Reynella and Willunga have all been accepted into the national signage program, which supports and promotes an RV welcoming culture in metropolitan and regional townships. RV-welcoming townships utilise short stay parking for RV travellers to stop to shop and explore and existing caravan parks and designated bush camping networks for overnight stays.
The City of Onkaparinga has five tourist parks and camping/RV sites at the Onkaparinga River National Park Pink Gum Camp Ground. All tourist parks within the city have dump points (included with stays or single use for a small fee) and the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast Visitor Centre has a free dump point providing potable water and amenities.
The national program, backed by SA Parks, participating towns receive:
- free entry signage to welcome visitors (e.g. ‘Old Reynella Welcomes Recreational Vehicles’)
- promotion of each town on the program’s national website
- the opportunity to be promoted to 350,000 members nationally through the ‘Let’s Go’ e-newsletter
- branding in the SA Caravan and Camping Guide publication, with 80,000 copies distributed annually
- branding in other caravan and camping guides
- branding and links from the SA Parks website and social media.
City of Onkaparinga Acting Mayor Simon McMahon said it was no surprise the region’s popular townships and communities have been recognised for welcoming RV’s.
“I’m thrilled some of our iconic townships, as part of the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast, have been recognised by the program and SA Parks because it’s testament to the incredible facilities, accommodation and experiences on offer here,” Acting Mayor McMahon said.
“Not only can you easily park long vehicles while exploring the townships, there are some great caravan parks and bush camps to stay in after a fun day seeing the sights.
“This is the only place in Australia where pristine beaches and unique seaside villages are part of an internationally recognised wine and food region within 40 minutes of a capital city, and you can do and see it all with ease in your caravan, camper trailer, motorhome.”
Council endorsed participation in the Community Welcomes RV Program late last year, with Aldinga, Christies Beach, McLaren Vale, Old Reynella and Willunga meeting SA Parks’ program criteria, including the provision of short stay parking for long recreational vehicles to stop for a short period and shop; existing township amenities (i.e. supermarket, ATM, pharmacy, etc), and directional signage to our visitor information centre were appropriate.
The news follows council’s recent launch of the Route 31 Coastal Drive—a scenic tourist drive showcasing the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast’s 31 kilometres of idyllic coastline to the world.
Head to the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast website to learn more about experiencing the region in your RV.