The Pulse March 2026
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The ACC Pulse | |
March 2026
Board News
- The Board approved an Application to form a Branch. The branch was formed from the attendance at the Geelong Outdoor Living & Caravan EXPO. The branch will be known as Bellarine and Beyond.
- The third edition of the BOP is currently under review by the Board.
- The Board discussed the media information from New Age Media for 2026.
- Sourcing a new editor for the Nomad due to Mr John Porter stepping down.
- Update on Queensland State Muster.
- CIAA National conference.
- Membership currently stands at 1265 units.
Member Benefits
- The RV Park of the Month is
Grampians Old Man Emu Stay,
3971 Ararat Halls Gap Road, HALLS GAP Vic
Ph: (03) 5311 3701 0r 0427 591 691
Grampians Old Man Emu Park offers a quiet and peaceful 100 acres for fully self-sufficient caravan and motorhome travellers to relax and enjoy the beautiful bushland and scenic views, with the Grampians to the West and the Black Ranges to the East.
MEMBER BENEFITS DEAL: Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night free upon presentation of your ACC Member Card.
- Business of the Month
R&J Batteries are the business of the month for February. With over 30 years in business, 29 Branches across Australia, and a vast distribution in this area, a network of more than 18,000 stockists, they ensure the very best in battery technology and expert advice is accessible to all in the region. From popular car batteries to specialized batteries and everything in between, their comprehensive product range covers it all. This company knows Batteries and can help with your needs in this area of expertise. Go to our ACC Website and check out their discount offer and details to claim under the Member Benefits RVSave tabs.
- The Member Benefits program connects businesses with our members, offering discounts to members and boosting business foot traffic. Please help by recommending RVSTAY and RVSAVE businesses so Frank can discuss the program with them aiming at increasing benefits for you the Club Members.
- Frank welcomes your feedback – positive or negative – about the Member Benefits, as all responses help improve the program. Suggestions for new Accommodation or Businesses to join as a Member Benefit Provider are also appreciated. Contact Frank on
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Branch Activities
- What is the standout Muster for your branch in 2026?
- The ACC Golden Westerners Tag-a-long, the Murray Meander will certainly be an adventure. Commencing in Khancoban and finishing in Meningie.
- The Eastern Gippsland Roadrunners recently celebrated their 10th anniversary, watch out for the report in the next edition of The ACC Pulse. Congratulations to the branch on such a significant achievement.
Industry News
- NRMA Parks have started to add the cost of pets to the camping fee. While they acknowledge that many travel with their furry friends there is also a cost associated with them staying in the park or a cabin. Make sure you ask if you travel with your pets, before booking at an NRMA park.
- Does the Caravan Industry face the reality after the Pandemic Boom? Is the boom over and are sales sliding? We all remember the difficulties in purchasing a caravan/motorhome over the COVID period with record sales and long lead times.
However, with travel returning to the norm, and the economic pressures, the industry is facing a difficult landscape.
The shift has become increasingly clear, with several caravan manufactures having collapsed or entering administration, remember Zone RV. Many in the market see this as a broader market correction rather than isolated failures.
For the first time in 2025 Chinese imports outsold Australian manufactured caravans. - South Australian Park goes adults only. The Murray Bridge Tourist Park has gone adults only (18+) targeting couples, solo travellers and long-stay visitors looking for a more peaceful park environment. The adult only policy applies across the entire park, including caravans, motorhomes and cabin accommodation.
For many travellers, particularly grey nomads, couples and long-term tourers, noise levels, site layout and overnight atmosphere play an important role when choosing where to stay. The owners have noticed a strong demand for the park. Is this a growing trend? - Tasmania’s Central Coast introduces camping fees from February 2026.
Travellers using council managed freedom camping areas on Tasmania’s Central Coast will need to pay Central Coast Council $15 per night camping fees.
The change affects several well-known freedom camping locations on the Northwest Coast. The council has said the permit system has been introduced to help manage camping demand, support maintenance and upgrades at the sites. The sites impacted are:
Forth Recreation Ground, Midway Point (Sulphur Creek), Bannons Park/Bannons Bridge (Gunns Plains).
Permits can be purchased via the Central Coast Council website or from the Ulverstone and Penguin Visitor Information Centre.
The Central Coast Council decision follows similar moves in other parts of Australia, as councils review how free and low-cost camping areas are managed in response to growing visitor numbers and site impacts.
- NSW MEMBERS ONLY – DO NOT OVERTAKE TURNING VEHICLE sign.
As usual Australia cannot have a consistent regulation across every State. The “Do Not OVERTAKE TURNING VEHICLE” sign now needs to be 400mm x 150mm with the letter size being 50mm in height. The sign is to be 50mm from the edge of the vehicle and between 400mm and 2000mm from the ground.
Queensland State Muster
The Queensland State Muster has had a date change to the 21st to 27th June 2026. The change of date was due to a double booking of the showground as the original booking did not provide sufficient water hook-ups. Tom, Dianne and Frank apologise for this necessary change, and any inconvenience this may have caused.
For any questions, contact the following:
Tom Smith – 0429 870 823
Diane Pugh – 0409 270 513
Frank Casey – 0418 573 292
The Chairman's Muster
- The Darling River Run has been filled with members joining from Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.
- During September I will be meeting with the South Australian Branches in Meningie, at the Lake Albert Caravan Park, 25 Narrung Rd, Meningie 5264 from the 11th to 15th September 2026.
ACC Bellarine and Beyond.
The new branch became a dream after attending the Geelong Outdoor Living & Caravan Expo. A very special thank you to Joan & Geoff Brumby and their team, as they jumped at the offer to man the stand. With our updated marketing material, the stand certainly stood out from the crowd. The team worked each day of the Expo signing up new members and speaking to many people about the advantages of joining the Australian Caravan Club.\
- Following the Geelong Expo, a meeting of potential members was called on the 6th February 2026. Joan was provided with a list of ACC Members that did not belong to any branch. Leading up to the luncheon, we were processing many new applications for membership and to Join a Branch, and this continued for some time. The luncheon was held with 24 people in attendance and with many items discussed, including a branch logo, the branch is off to a flying start.
- Joan mentioned that many of the new members, for the first time, were able to wear their ACC Name Tags, and how proud they were.
- As Joan has said, the Australian Caravan Club has a lot to offer the travelling public, you just have to tell the story and they will come.
Where Friendships and Adventure Begin.
Graham Humphreys
Mobile: 0409 126 308
Email:
Chairman and Membership Director
Australian Caravan Club
