The signs and billboards around the Granite Belt advertising Top of the Town certainly give the impression it’s the place to be in Stanthorpe. We stayed for two nights just after Christmas while exploring the national parks and wineries in the area.
This review is just our impression of the site. For full details about facilities and prices, check out the website: http://www.topoftown.com.au
Facilities
Top of the Town is a large, pristine park with roses around its reception and fantastic facilities for families: a swimming pool, open air movies and a games room, as well as good kitchens and bbq areas, and a huge laundry and drying area.
Not that we used any of these during our two-night stay but a park with extensive facilities has usually invested in its washblocks as well, and that’s certainly the case here. Hurrah! More in line with European amenities (thankfully retaining Australian-style loos) the washblocks were large, light, airy and spotlessly clean with loads of hot water. A relief given so many parks seem to focus on caravanners travelling with their own facilities.
The pitches are quite orderly and regimented, not huge, but there are good pockets of shade around. We had to move from our designated pitch because it was so far away from the power box, our cable didn’t reach. We found a handy Mitre 10 in town for an extension lead.
Location
We thought ‘top’ of the town meant the park would be in the thick of things, as much as that’s possible in sleepy Stanthorpe. But despite the park’s website claiming it’s ‘centrally located in town and walking distance to all shopping’, we found it a long walk from anything. It must be a 30-minute walk into town. There is a small regional museum next door, but we drove everywhere else. Having said that, it’s probably closer to town than any other caravan park.
Verdict
We’d stay here again. Lots of things going on, washblocks are the best we’ve seen.
The Campervan Converts 
Lovely photo of you both chillin’ and readin’ in your seats!
Carry On Camping! (classic film)
great photos yet again!
How are Australian loos different? Intrigued! X
Ha ha – I kind of use English / Australian interchangeably – I just meant, you don’t have to squat over a hole in the ground like you might have to at a service station in France! Thank goodness! x
I just got home from here. I had management knocking on my door at 9pm complaining that they picked up my kids icecream wrappers, we were all asleep at the time and gave our kids a fright, DO NOT RECOMMEND for families. There was no outdoor cinema
What a shame you didn’t have a great experience, we really liked the park. Maybe it was too cold for the outdoor cinema? We were there at Christmas but I imagine it’s quite chilly in Stanthorpe at the moment! If you find any other parks that you’d particularly recommend instead, please let me know!
Thanks,
Rachel
Hi Rachel – we have just done a 3300km round trip to Bowral from Brisbane. Two stand out parks for us: The Austin park at Tamworth. Nice big sites overlooking the Peel river, They have a few “suite” arrangements for the bathrooms with basin, shower and toilet in a single unit as opposed to the usual communal thing (and not at extra cost and pristine too when we were there). At Stanthorpe the Sommerville park was great. Well out of town. Fire pits and we had a lake view with lots of bird life. Pretty good amenities but as its new-ish there is not too much shade. Loved the chilly climate after Brisbane though.
Hi Steve, what a great trip – especially at this time of year. Those sites sound really good, especially the Tamworth one which I’ve definitely earmarked now. Thanks for commenting!