Rose Bay Beach Caravan Park rises from the ashes with new owners

A coastal caravan park got so out of control council forcibly shut it down last year. Now it has been refreshed as a family-friendly beachside destination thanks to new husband-and-wife owners.

Rose Bay Beach Caravan Park has a new lease on life as a pet-friendly, family-friendly small 24-site park right on the beach.

Bowen’s Rose Bay is a little slice of quiet paradise, but for awhile the sole caravan park in this idyllic location was... less than ideal.

Leased out to an operator who crammed the small 24-site park with tents, packers and itinerant long-term residents, the situation got so bad that in November 2023 the Whitsunday Regional Council was forced to step in and close the caravan park for non-compliance.

It was certainly a wild chapter in Rose Bay’s history, but today it feels like it happened a lifetime ago thanks to the tireless work of the park’s new owners — Bernie Mackie and Tony Ardente.

The couple come from a background of retail management and long-haul truck driving, and said they were “in the right place, at the right time” to rescue the little caravan park.

Ms Mackie said they purchased the park in March 2024, during its closure, and officially reopened it themselves on July 1 after sinking close to $100,000 into pool, grounds, toilets and shower block renovations.

The new owners have sunk close to $100,000 into renovations — and it’s clear to see.

This includes converting the pool into a magnesium mineral pool, perfect for sore muscles after a day’s hiking or kayaking.

“We’ve had a slow school holidays because no one really knows we’re here yet,” Ms Mackie said.

“But the trend so far has been guests book for a night or two, and they end up staying three weeks.”

The park’s new owners - Bernie Mackie and Tony Ardente. The couple come from a background of retail management and long-haul truck driving.

Predictably the first travellers to return to Rose Bay Beach Caravan Park are the adventurous sorts — full-time caravanners, people on ‘The Lap’, and grey nomads.

Victorian Sarona Morgan is travelling full-time with her two young kids, husband, and caravan and praised the new management.

Rose Bay Beach Caravan Park owner Bernie Mackie with guest Sarona Morgan - with them is Ms Mackie’s dogs Malie and Ellie.

“It was really spontaneous, we just came down here and had a look and we’ve really loved it,” Ms Morgan said.

“We love the relaxed lifestyle here so much and the beach is very kid-friendly.”

The park is small and the owners live on-site, which gives the place a safe, communal atmosphere as campers say hello to each other and sit around the new garden bar discussing the best places to go outrigging, a particular passion of Ms Mackie’s.

Rose Bay Beach Caravan Park has a new magnesium mineral pool.

Surrounded by family homes, away from all heavy traffic roads and right on the beach, Ms Mackie says the new customers trickling in have been giving glowing reviews on wikicamp, helping get the park on the map.

“We’re pet-friendly, and owners love the fact there is an off-leash beach just 20 metres away,” Ms Mackie said.

Rose Bay Beach is located just across the road from the small park.

“The local residents in Rose Bay are loving the changes too, and many people have thanked us for taking over the caravan park.”

She is inviting any Townsville or Mackay holiday-makers to put the park on their map, and says they are open to taking bookings four months in advance.

All sites at the small park are powered, but those in tents and swags are welcome to stay.

The couple still have big plans for their new slice of paradise, including opening a corner store that can supply the coastal community with bread, milk, good coffee, swimming toys and more.

Originally published as Rose Bay Beach Caravan Park rises from the ashes with new owners