JACARANDA CARAVAN PARK
Jacaranda Caravan Park was purchased by the Ellis family in December 2010 and is managed by Tania and her son Mathew.
The park is rated at 4.5 stars, there are 40 powered sites, and the owners are replacing some of the old ‘annual’ vans with more tourist sites. Most have double-size slabs for your van and for awning, with access to power, water and sullage close beside your site. All roads are sealed and there is grass between sites.
There is another powered area on grass, shaded by trees, and there are a couple of ensuite sites, as well as camp sites. For those who do not bring their van, a choice of cabins is available.
PARK FACILITIES
The amenities block, with disabled facilities, has a large number of showers and toilets compared to the number of sites. It is kept very clean, and there is also a dump point.
Beside the landscaped pool, complete with a shade sail and waterfall feature, is a children’s playground, and there is a large grassed area adjacent with a ‘fairy’ tree, swings, a sand pit and a cubby house. There is also a volleyball and badminton net, and the park takes well-behaved dogs.
The camp kitchen and barbecue area is landscaped with palms and sub-tropical trees, and contains some extra things you don’t normally see, such as real wine glasses, coffee and spray oil. There is also a TV. Tania has planted a herb garden beside the camp kitchen for guests to use.
A WiFi internet kiosk is available and daily deliveries are made of papers, milk and bread. It is only about 100m to the break wall for fishing and just 400m to the patrolled surf beach.
Find more holiday parks in North Haven
THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND NORTH HAVEN
FISHING IN NORTH HAVEN
North Haven is known for its variety of fishing, and also for its many oyster leases. There is good fishing from the break wall, located just two minutes’ walk from the van park. Good fishing is also to be had from the surf beaches, on the outer break wall, rocky headlands, Camden Haven River or in Queens Lake or Watson Taylors Lake. What a choice!
We also saw a pod of dolphins chasing fish inside the break wall.
You will see oyster leases everywhere and there are several places to buy fresh oysters and fish.
THINGS TO DO IN NORTH HAVEN
Only 4km from Jacaranda you come to the township of Laurieton, where you will find the shops including banks, a Coles supermarket, liquor outlets, hardware, motor spares, restaurants and a post office. This is a small country town, where we found everyone friendly and helpful.
Port Macquarie is only 31km north, via a beachside tourist drive, and we wanted to see the Koala Hospital, which is, apparently, the biggest in Australia.
GETTING TO NORTH HAVEN
North Haven is about half way between Sydney and the Queensland border, and 30km south of Port Macquarie. There is no Tourist Information Centre in North Haven or Laurieton, but Jacaranda Caravan Park has all the local information you’ll need.