Mclaren Vale Lakeside Caravan Park

We booked our stay at McLaren Caravan Park for 2 nights, 14th and 15th of February as we wanted to visit a number of restaurants & cellar doors for Valentines Day weekend. Utilising our Gday Park "Best Mate" benefits, we arrived 1 hour earlier than standard 2pm check-in; which I noted when booking via the G'Day Parks ap as we had a lunch booking at 1.30. The lady behind reception was unhappy about this and when I asked for a free bag of ice and late check-out she told me that McLaren Vale Caravan Park was not really part of the Gday Parks. She then proceeded to place us on a site between 2 heavy smoking permanent residents, at the entrance of the camp kitchen next to 2 filthy bbqs so people were constantly crossing through our site day and night. In addition to the smokers, the stinking rancid fat congealing in the hot sun attracted multitudes of ants and the smell was putrid. We also had a lovely view of toilets and dump point. When I asked for an upgrade to the numerous empty ensuite sites overlooking the swimming pool (we have our own fully equipped ensuite bathroom in our van) I was again told no, because they are not part of the GDay parks group, despite the large sign out front and listing on your ap. I asked her what exactly does the upgrade entitle us to-she said that if we booked an unpowered site we could have an upgrade to a powered site. When we returned that evening, the stench, the ants and the view meant it was impossible to sit outside our van so we drove our car closer to the pool so we could at least have a view and get away from the smell. The pool was filthy as there was no toilet within 50 metres and there were very drunk adults drinking by the pool, one of whom slipped and fell, causing him to bleed profusely all over the area around the pool. When we went to leave one hour after check out time, the boom gate wouldn't open so I went inside to request it be opened and the lady behind the desk just said she couldn't open the boom gate as she was on the phone-a wireless headset. I demanded that she open the gate NOW she rolled her eyes and pressed the button right next to where she was sitting. We could not get out of there fast enough!! I hesitate giving this godforsaken place even 1 star!

Lovely park with nice grassy sites. Close to town and well located for visiting the plethora of wineries in Mclarenvale. Sites aren’t huge and many are odd shaped. There are a lot of long term tenants here and you may find yourself parked amongst them.

This park is our regular ‘go to’ park for a few days/week away from the city for number of years now and we just dropped in for another 3 nights. We usually book a powered or ensuite site with our caravan. All are good. We travel with our little dog, no problem. Site: large grassy power sites, easy to park. good water pressure Pool: big clean pool, well maintained. We seniors love a dip after a lunch out and some shopping. location: Excellent middle of town and close to shops/restaurants and fabulous wineries. Price: we don’t do school or public holidays, and are D’day members. so we pay normal prices per night. around 45 a night. Staff: very friendly, we have never had any issue with any staff member: respectful, helpful and a smile. Arrival 1pm members is indeed strict.

We stayed on a powered ensuite site for almost 2 weeks. The park itself has great amenities and the location is fantastic. We utilised the bbq area in the communal kitchen several times and occasionally the laundry services. The park has a great family vibe and it’s so close to all the wineries and walking trails. We would love to return in the future.

Stayed in a two bedroom cottage as a family of 4 and it was perfect. Great facilities at the park, kids loved the pool and we all enjoyed pickleball and tennis. Kitchen was well equiped with all the items you need. Easy walk to supermarket and local shops. Very centrally located. Staff were super helpful and friendly.