Park Life: Coffin Bay Caravan Park

COFFIN Bay. It's not the most inviting name for a town. But don't let it  put you off, a stay in Coffin Bay will give you a new lease on life.

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COFFIN Bay. It's not the most inviting name for a town.

In fact, in these days of slick marketing and PR spin it's surprising a committee hasn't attempted to change it to something more palatable. Sunshine Cove, perhaps?

But don't let the name put you off it was actually named after Sir Isaac Coffin, a friend of explorer Matthew Flinders.

A stay in Coffin Bay will give you a new lease on life.

The southern Eyre Peninsula hamlet is essentially one main street, a couple of shops, a golf course, a pub and a boat ramp.

There's a yacht club and a surprisingly good restaurant if the sea air makes you peckish, but apart from that there's little more to do than relax and enjoy one of the most spectacular waterways in the country.

Long famous with fishermen hunting King George whiting, Coffin Bay has in recent years started to attract visitors more interested in chasing serenity than fish.

>> Sleep talking

The caravan park's new villas are perfectly appointed for families, with two bedrooms (one with a double bed and the other with two sets of bunks), a neat little kitchen/dining/lounge area and a small but rather luxurious bathroom.

There are three TVs one in the lounge and one in each bedroom. Ensuite and standard cabins, van sites and powered and unpowered camp sites are also available, so there's something to suit all tastes and budgets.

>> Inside the park

The town's caravan park, opposite the foreshore, has managed to retain some of its old-school charm despite recent upgrades.

You won't find swimming pools or video game rooms at this establishment.

What you will find is a serene bush setting, complete with semi-tame kangaroos and emus who routinely wander down from the nearby national park.

There's the standard bathroom and laundry facilities, fish-cleaning tables and a fun playground for when the young ones tire of watching the joeys hop in and out of their mothers' pouches.

>> Downers

The region can be a little "snakey" in summer, and some of the more open beaches in the park are definitely not safe for swimming, but probably the biggest danger associated with Coffin Bay is that sinking feeling that comes at the end of a perfect holiday.

>> The damage

Holiday villas: Off peak (non school holidays) for one or two people, $110 a night. Minimum two nights.

One-night stay (off peak only) is $140 for two people. Peak periods one or two people: $125 a night. Minimum booking period of four to seven nights applies.

Extra adult $12 a night. Extra child $8 night. Other rates: unpowered camp sites $12 an adult, $6 a child; powered site $28 ($30 peak) for two people; extra adult $8, child $6; standard cabin (no ensuite) $65 to $85, one or two people.

Ensuite cabin $90 to $115, one or two people.

The writer was a guest of Coffin Bay Caravan Park.