This isn't the first time i've heard bad reports from Yardie CP.

Hope you caught some fish though...

no good, that is enough to keep me away from the place

Bad customer relations in my book mate. Wont be too long before they start to realise people aren't staying there and prefer the lighthouse cp or in town. We used to stay there in the late 90's for three weeks every year on our annual school holiday fishing trip. Was great back then. We never encountered any of the issues you experienced. Obviously alot has changed in 10 years. Didnt it change ownership/management between 2000 and now?

Believe management has been in place for over a year, owner is on location but didnt see him

the owner is usually overseas .. and yes the managers can be a pain ..

but im mates with Gavin the cook so its all good for me :)

disgraceful. If that's the norm they wont last long. Yet another reason to camp at Ningaloo station

Always stayed at the Lighthouse Caravan Park and recomend it. Have wondered what Yardie was like as it is closer to Tantas. Now I know , will stick to the Lightouse.

Laurie and Miffy are ok, it's bad luck you saw that side of them that you talk about though.  I guess you must have caught them at the end of a long tourist season and they've just had enough.

about YC or lighthouse of recent - particularly with the cost of accomodation they are charging.

I can understand both sides of the story. Like Adam says - after a crazy tourist season it would be pretty hard to maintain good customer service and to try be friendly with everyone. 

I have seen first hand how some tourists treat acommodation facilities (across the whole range of accomodations - caravan parks to hotels).  It sounds like you were doing the right thing by them (i.e. buying ice and bait from them, etc), but there are many who dont and i think it would take its toll. Lots of people rock up with all the holidays worth of food and drink and dont support the parks or local shops. Quite a few people ignore requests to not waste water and power, which are both pretty important resources in such an isolated area.

When it comes to bins not being emptied and toilets being grotty then you definately should complain.

I think the $50 bond for people to keep there dog on a leash isnt too harsh, its just good incentive to keep your dog under control. All it takes is one dog on the loose to wreck someone elses camp site or run off into the bush chasing one of the feral goats.

was the fishing ok?

You'll have some great trips then you'll get a shocker.

We've stayed there the last 3 trips and found it real good. Those guys cop alot of crap though. The things that happen in the park are crazy some times.

 Im dreading taking my children up there when i have them. The last three weeks  we were there, 3 groups of blokes leaving on the last night of there trips decide its there right to get out of control pissed, fight, swear and trash accomodation until 5 in the morning. Poor luarie and miffy get thrown in the middle of it.

spent 10 days there no probs,arranged internet access etc,we were in a cabin maybe that was why and had no dog, place was really packed.

tourist season is hardly a good reason for terrible customer service. The customers are the ones paying your bills. If you've been busy you should be happy having a healthy bank account.

I've worked in hotels and caravan parks and i know it's hard to keep the smile on your face. This may be a little different in a remote location but if this was happening in the SW they wouldn't be in business long.

Totally agree with Matt, I was with my family not a group of blokes out to destroy the place. All I wanted was a clean environment, gas at the BBQ and service with a smile at the shop. As a customer I believe that is my right. Just because somebody else has misused facilities doesnt mean that I or others should take the agro from management.

Isnt the saying "the customer is always right" meant to be used in a people business?

I dont care if it is the beginning or the end of the season, if I have paid the money to stay in a location and then treated with contempt I have a right to complain.

The fishing was excellent as well as the sailing

no chance they will get any of my money you have to take the good with the bad its there job plus its not hard to pick a family group from a group of yobbos and adjust your attitude accordinaly

We took the van up with the kids and stayed at the Yardie Creek Caravan Park in the July school holidays.  We had booked an un powered site and the place was really packed.  We had heard that people were queing early in the morning to get into the national park so we thought that it would be better to book something. 

Although the park was busy it appeared tidy and the toilet block was not five star but it was relatively clean. We were not too bothered with the rest of the facilities as the van is set up to be self sufficient. The staff were helpfull and the other guests were considerate and friendly. 

Kingfisher549 it is disappointing to hear that you had such a terrible time at the same place we have stayed at only a few weeks before.  Our main concern when we were there in July was the crappy windy weather.

we've stayed there three times (in chalets though) and have never had a problem. I would say that there are cleaner and probably better run parks out there, but we like it. So close to Tantabiddi.

The new chalets at the front are perfect for three guys, and have worked well for us.

My husband and I are the owners of Yardie Homestead Caravan Park. We have been for about 5 years now. I am disenheartened to read a few of the comments on this site. When we bought Yardie it was completely run down and we have been investing a lot of time and money into slowly building it up. We have replaced most of the infrasructure, the power generation systems, we now make our own Reverse Osmosis water, have revamped the toilet block and also 3 of the chalets.

We have never marketed Yardie as a flash 5 star place to stay. In fact if you look at our website we say that we offer budget accommodation in a truly wonderful location. Yes you should expect clean amenities and I take pride in the fact that ours are clean, If you happened to come in the middle of school holidays, the busiest time of the year I hope you can understand that there are probably a lot of children running around and the our cleaners do check the toilets regularly. We moved here to enjoy the wonderful location, my husband grew up here and we have a love of the ocean. As to the owners being overseas all the time I think you better get your facts right!

Obviously Yardie is not the Novotel, we do not market ourself this way. If you are after a relaxing stay, want some peace and quiet, natural surrounds, closest to the best fishing spots then Yardie is definitely the spot for you. You can see the stars without being obscured by lights, it is safe for the kids to get around on bikes, we are right near the turtle nesting spot and Tantabiddi boat ramp. If you want to be waited on hand and foot then look elsewhere. I should also add that we are the cheapest caravan park in town, we believe that camping should still be affordable .

As to our managers Laurie and Miffi, they are part of the family. Can you please imagine for one second being in an office being asked 50 times a day were the fish are???? What would your reply be? We tell everyone that for shore based fishing your best pick is between here and the tip of the Cape, the truth.  If you imagine that Miffi is going to suddenly pull out some  secret spot just for you then  dream on buddy. You will not get a more genuine , hardworking couple. If you want a fake “have a nice day “ then go to a supermarket. Miffi is a great person, who will tell you as it is.

I am sorry if you have had a bad experience staying here, it obviously was not suited to you – but we do have thousands of RETURN customers every year, who do love the place.

And to the man that made the scathing remarks on this site, your friends that you were camping with actually apologized about your awful behaviour, and that is good enough for us.

Also the reason you were moved was because your friends begged that you be put next to them, I guess they won’t want that favour next year!

always two sides to every story i guess???

Three sides to every story, managers/owners + Customers and the truth is somewhere in the middle.

It Sounds like Laurie and Miffy got caught out having a bad week and need to send a written apology or at least an explanation for their behavior with out people making excuses for them.

Well done to the owners for putting a lot of hard work into the park and it seems most folks have a good experience in a great location thats not going to change soon but you will always have some complaints about something or other.

Next time anybody has any dramas ask to see the owners i would advise and see if a solution to your problem can be worked thru,,

 Oh and i worked at Acacia caravan park in Busselton for 3 years in the early 80"s i have seen some of the hassles that managers put up with as well,,

good onya ningaloogirl for sticking up for yourself as PJAY said there is always 2 sides to a story. hope this episode hasnt harmed your business in any way . from what i have been told by people that have stayed there its a great place to stay. only downside is the travelling to get fuel for the boat. maybe put in a couple of pumps as well . sounds like youre on top of the renos and the place will come up great

sure people have bad days,but you just got to weigh it up, but there is always better days ,it doesnt always have to be 5 star service everyday,just a smile and a great attitude ,

THIS MESSAGE IS POSTED BY MY PARTNER,

Problems like this need to be resolved on the spot, not on a computer, but i do understand both sides.

If more companys, businesses strived for the highest level of customer service regardless of anything, this country would be a better place.  So many business owners nowdays have added extra pressures on them from governments, rules, regulations etc that running a business now days is a lot harder than it used to be.

This is no excuse for bad customer service, there is also no excuse for a customer making the most of a bad situation.

I have worked in the customer service industry for twenty years, i pride myself on resolving conflict, offering an alternative and doing this with a smile not only on my face, but in my voice no matter what sort of day i have had.

Just remember to put yourself in that other persons shoes before you start something.  Think before you act.  There will always be good and bad in everything in the world, but critisism must also be taken as a learning curve not taken as an offence.

Country people are renown for their hospitality, i grew up in the country, since this world became so AMericanized, things are going down hill in this country.

So i have a few customer service rules i live by, and as i said i work in the industry.

Customer may not always be right, but treat them like they are.

Customers do not have the right to be rude to staff, but if they are then the staff should not be rude back, two wrongs dont make a rights.

Resolution within 15min of problem occuring as people will only get more irate if they have to wait longer.

Bottom line, you sometimes have to take the good with the bad, both customers and business owners.

Paying a fifty dollar bond really in comparison to the damage the business may suffer from this discussion, is nothing.  Also the way things are handled withing a business should always be professional .

I wrote this to help, i am mutual, not one sided, i hope no body gets upset, this was not my intention, just  a two sided comment.

Thanks

I personally dont like dogs in caravan parks .......it doesn't work . It creates a problem for other people staying at the park and the management .When we say in a park our healer goes on holidays to relies or a kennel ( who treat her probably better that we do ).

I agree with 90% of what ningaloo girl has said . The natural surounds of the park is what draws people . I dont think anybody who stays there is expecting a five star experience .Clean and tidy with the basic's .

The only bit that is a concern is the comment about the fishing . It does't matter if Miffi is asked the same question 50 times or five hundred .........she is in a service industry and that goes with the territory . Having said that everybody is entitled to a bad day.

So I dont think this should be a black mark against anybody or the park .

Im know there are many more positive experiences than negitive ones.

My uncle (who sadly passed away last year) loved this caravan park. It was his yearly holiday spot for over 10 years. He stayed in the shearers quarters. Nothing flash but thats how he liked it. One thing that originally brought him to the park was they allowed dogs. Beening a dog lover and a mad keen fisho it was the ideal spot. Not everyone wants five star accommodation.

Cheers guys for the comments, like I said alot of people love returning here every year. As to the fuel and alcohol, we are hoping to have these available soon!

I have to admit that when we bought the park I was a bit hesitant as to it being a dog park, our last one was not. Anyway I have been pleasantly suprised, 99% of people do the right thing. We have only taken 2 dog bonds of people this year,(the money being donated to the royal flying doctor's) most people are great about it.

Personally i am not to worried about folks posting negatives comments up about thier experiences with business's, in business its the 'NICE" people that cost business's 100's of millons of revenue.

NICE people don't complain and would never think about making a fuss they just don't come back /or buy from that business again, those are the ones business's have to watch out for.

Would like to check out this park (Yardie creek) some time, sounds like a nice area to stay,,hopefully i get milly and laurie on a good day