THE former Lake Cullulleraine Holiday Park has been handed over to new management and given a new name – Tranquil Waters Cullulleraine.
Lake Cullulleraine residents Maureen Croft and Pip Harmer took over the lease of the park and RSL community building in September where they hope to enhance the site’s already popular reputation as a “holiday hotspot”.
After working at the local store for more than two decades, Ms Croft said she was immediately excited by the prospect of a new venture in a picturesque lakeside setting.
“We knew the previous leaseholders really well and I was told about 18 months ago that their lease was going to expire and whether I’d be interested in taking it over or not,” she said.
“I’ve worked at the local store for 22 years and really just needed a change of scenery. Because Pip and I live out here, it’s easy for us to run the caravan park and school camps than someone who lives elsewhere.”
The holiday park is on crown land and managed by Mildura Council, which has been upgrading the facilities in the RSL school camp building.
Ms Croft hoped to work with the council over their leasing period to see upgrades come to fruition.
“We’re working in with the council and we’d love to get the toilet facilities upgraded eventually and put in a camp kitchen,” she said.
“The council can see there is big potential out there and have indicated they’re willing to put in some finances.
“We want it to be a holiday park where people can come and experience relaxing and camping on green grass by the lake.”
Tranquil Waters is almost fully booked over the Christmas and New Year period and will be enjoyed by a number of school groups in the lead-up to the busy summer season.
“There are still vacancies but we’re about 60 per cent booked,” Ms Croft said.
“Pip and I are working together as a team and getting it all done. We like to make sure that one of us is always here, especially with the school camps which come to the park once a month.
“I have done a lot of catering over the years so that makes it easier when catering for the 60-odd kids that come up here on camp … I like to keep busy.”
Ms Croft envisaged welcoming and encouraging guests – old and new – to experience Lake Cullulleraine.
“It’s so dry out here, so to have this stretch of green grass on the lake really is so nice,” she said.
“The sunsets here are just unbelievable.”
