Tripcony Hibiscus Caravan Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tripcony Hibiscus Caravan Park |
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Tripcony Hibiscus Caravan Park, 2007
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| Location | Bowman Road, Caloundra CBD, Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1912- |
| Official name: Tripcony Hibiscus Caravan Park | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 3 April 2009 |
| Reference no. | 602708 |
| Significant period | 1912- |
| Significant components | other - recreation/entertainment: component |
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The Tripcony Hibiscus Caravan Park is a special holiday spot in Caloundra, Queensland, Australia. It is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because of its long and interesting history. This park has been a popular place for people to camp and stay by the sea since 1912. It shows how holidays and travel have changed over the years, especially with the rise of cars and caravans.
A Look Back: The Park's Journey
The Tripcony Hibiscus Caravan Park is located between Bowman Road and Pumicestone Passage. This area has always been important as the entrance to Caloundra. The park is split into two parts by Pumicestone Creek. The Tripcony section is on the eastern side, and Hibiscus is on the western side.
From Wharf to Camping Spot
A long time ago, in 1877, this land was set aside for a wharf. This shows how important boats were for travel back then. People and goods arrived here from Brisbane. The area was known as Black Flat or Tripcony Flat.
In 1912, as Caloundra became a popular seaside town, the land changed. It was officially made a camping reserve. This meant it was a place for people to set up tents and enjoy their holidays by the sea. The local council even added a windmill and a water tank for campers.
Early Days of Travel
In the early 1900s, tourists often arrived by train. They would then take local transport to reach coastal towns like Caloundra. As roads improved in the 1920s and 1930s, more people started driving. This made it much easier for visitors to come to Caloundra.
By the 1930s, Caloundra was a very popular holiday spot. New roads, like the one to Caloundra built in 1935, helped bring many more visitors. It was common to see hundreds of cars parked along the foreshores.
The Rise of Caravanning
After World War II, caravans became very popular. They offered a new way to holiday with more comfort than a tent. Caravans were like a "home away from home" with modern features. They were also a good alternative to hotels, which were often full during busy times.
Cars and Holidays
More people could afford cars after the war. Also, petrol rationing ended, and paid holidays became longer. This made car travel and caravanning even more popular. By 1948, there were about 12,000 caravans on Australian roads. Clubs like the Caravan Club of Australia were formed to help caravanners.
Organisations like the RACQ (Royal Automobile Club of Queensland) pushed for better roads and caravan parks. They wanted more places with good facilities for caravanners. They pointed out that caravanners spent money in the local towns they visited.
Making Parks Better
As caravanning grew, there was a need for better parks. Early caravan parks were often simple. But people wanted more modern facilities. These new parks had organised layouts, like grids or circles. They also offered amenities such as brick toilet blocks, concrete slabs for vans, and electricity. Many parks also had caretakers and even vans for rent.
Requests to turn the Black Flat camping area into a modern caravan park started in 1950. In 1957, the request was approved. This camping reserve then became the Hibiscus Caravan Park.
A Park for Everyone
By 1960, many caravan parks had opened along the Sunshine Coast. Both public and private parks were growing. Many council camping grounds became known as "caravan parks" as they added more features for caravans. Names like "Hibiscus" often highlighted natural features of the area.
By the 1970s, caravanning was a common holiday tradition. Many families would return to the same park year after year. Caravans were a very popular type of holiday accommodation in Australia. They also helped local economies by bringing in tourists who spent money in shops and businesses.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, caravan parks also started to host long-term residents. This included retirees, people needing affordable housing, or seasonal workers. The Tripcony Hibiscus Caravan Park now has about 80 permanent residents on the Hibiscus side.
The Sunshine Coast has grown very quickly in the last 25 years. This means there is still a high demand for caravan park spots. However, there is also pressure to use these valuable waterfront sites for other types of buildings. Many caravan parks in coastal areas have closed since the 1970s.
Protecting Our Heritage
In the late 1980s, a private company took over the lease for the Hibiscus Caravan Park. Later, the Tripcony Caravan Park land was also leased to the same company. The park continued to operate and was upgraded with new facilities. Today, Tripcony Hibiscus Caravan Park is one of only four caravan parks left in Caloundra.
In 2009, the Queensland Government decided to keep the site as a caravan park. The Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh, said this showed the government's commitment to keeping affordable holiday options on state-owned land. This means the park will continue to be a place for low-cost tourism for many years to come.
What the Park Looks Like
The Tripcony Hibiscus Caravan Park is hidden from the main road by many trees and bushes. It sits on busy Bowman Road, across from a large shopping centre. The park has amazing views across to Bribie Island and also towards Bulcock Beach and Golden Beach. It is next to tall apartment buildings on one side and Leach Park on the other.
Two Sides, One Park
Pumicestone Creek flows through the property, splitting it into two parts. The Tripcony section is on the east, and the Hibiscus section is on the west.
The main entrance is from Bowman Road. Here you will find the park office, which is a two-storey building. A boom gate controls entry to the Hibiscus side. You enter the Tripcony side from Tripcony Lane on the east.
Getting Around
Both parts of the caravan park have paved roads laid out in a grid pattern. The main roads run north and south. The Hibiscus side also has a circular road section.
Places to Stay
The park offers different types of places to stay. There are temporary spots like on-site caravans and small cabins. You can also find concrete slabs for people to park their own caravans. There are also grassy areas for tent camping.
For people who live there permanently, there are various structures. These include vans, cabins, and sheds with added extensions. Many residents also have their own gardens, small fences, and outdoor areas.
Fun Features
Both sides of the park have large masonry (brick or stone) buildings with toilets and showers.
On the Hibiscus side, there is a grassy area along the water's edge. This area has seats, a barbeque spot, and a concrete boat ramp. You will see many pine and pandanus trees along the waterfront. Other trees like palms and cotton trees are scattered throughout the park.
Heritage Listing
The Tripcony Hibiscus Caravan Park was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 3 April 2009. It met the following important rules:
The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland's history. This park shows how tourism grew on the Sunshine Coast. It started as a wharf and water reserve in 1877. Then it became a camping and recreation area in 1912. It has continued to be a seaside camping spot, showing how governments used to set aside land for public use.
The park also shows how holiday accommodation changed on the Sunshine Coast. It started as a simple camping ground in 1912. Then it became a caravan park in 1957, just as caravanning became very popular. The park has been updated over time to meet new demands. This history is linked to the rise of cars and motor tourism in Australia after World War II.
The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of cultural places. The Tripcony Hibiscus Caravan Park shows a type of land use and holiday tradition important to Queensland's tourism. It is a great example of a camping and caravanning site used by holidaymakers since 1912. It is located near calm water, perfect for swimming, boating, and fishing. This shows the key features of early camping reserves.
The park also shows the main features of a waterside caravan park. It has a great waterfront location with easy access to the water. This allows visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. It is easy to reach by car and is organised with simple roads and landscaping. The park offers different types of places to stay and has facilities like toilet blocks, barbeques, and picnic areas. The types of accommodation and facilities have changed over time to meet visitor needs. However, it remains a low-cost and affordable place for holidays.
