Iluka, Northern NSW

We like Iluka. There's not much here, just a beach and a pub really. Much less than Agnes Water had to offer, with hindsight. But we like it.

Dick is loving being back by the ocean again. He is not loving the car, however, and we've been to the vet for some car sickness tablets. *sigh

We love the wildlife on our doorstep. There's a family of four Kookaburras that visit early each morning, looking for worms and snails, of which there are plenty as it doesn't stop raining for long.

It is crowded at this park, due to Easter. Lots of noisy kids and stressed parents. Don't think I missed out there by not having any. I thought this would be very annoying, but I actually quite like the fact that the campsite is alive with the laughter and folk enjoying themselves, past 9pm. Usually, everything goes silent once the sun sets at six, and I find that a bit eery. And dull! It is impossible to whisper at the dog for 14hrs and not laugh at the telly.

I've been entertaining myself whilst it's been raining, by leaving a 1 star review for a caravan park I was going to book, until I saw their over zealous, abundant and impossible dog rules. And the fines they believe they are entitled to charge you, if you don't adhere to them. It is evident they did not obtain legal advice, before publishing those. I'd love to see them challenged at Magistrates Court. They'd be a laughing stock. The rules include charging extra per night for each dog and apparently, you must tell your dog not to pee or poop, until it is off their grounds.

Dick is trained not to eliminate whilst on leash, so this is easy for us. But he has been raised by a dog trainer and has had intensive training his entire life. This is not achievable for the average family dog. And therefore, glorious 1 star review bait!

Parks should know why they are losing business, and it should be made public. I have given them the opportunity to publicly justify these extra fees (that no one else charges) and explain their ridiculous rules (that no one else imposes). Or just admit that they don't actually want dogs at their park and are only allowing dogs to claim the 'Pet Friendly' banner that gives them extra credit and priority in Google listings.

Do you think they'll post a polite, professional reply answering those questions and justifying their extra charges, as all businesses should? Perhaps they might mention that they provide extra facilities for dogs or have built them a fenced park that cost X amount of dollars? So that others may read their response to the review and think "This business is run by professionals, I will spend my hard earned dollars here".

Of course not, they're Australian! Therefore, cattiness, pettiness and presumptions they are in no position to make, was their go to favoured response. And gloriously, the Manager 'Billy-Bob Two-Toes' who is usually eminently unqualified to run a business, will publicly publish such a reply for the world to read, and instantly form a bad impression of the management of the park.

We're supposed to be heading for Minnie Water next week, but they don't seem to be on top of their admin, and haven't confirmed the booking yet.

Who knows where we'll end up!Read more