General News
12 November, 2025
Thieves target caravan park
THE Ravenshoe Steam Railway and Caravan Park is at jeopardy of losing its stellar reputation after a string of break-ins which also targeted some travellers.
The park was singled out four times in just over a week, and had items stolen from its workshop and camp kitchen. Two different campers also discovered they had food and camping equipment missing.
The thefts were particularly concerning for park staff as the campground is the main source of revenue to maintain the town’s 100-year-old steam train, Capella, and rail lines.
“The caravan park is solely there for the purpose of fundraising to keep the train and tracks active, or at least workable. The train is the only working model of its kind in the world,” staff member Christine Hill said.
“The caravan park itself is quite unique because it’s got a train in the middle of it. It’s a very, very popular caravan park and it’s not expensive because it’s run completely by volunteers.
“None of us get paid – we all put in a lot of time and effort to keep the park looking really good, to keep the train maintained, and all the rest that goes with it.
“So, we can’t afford the bad publicity of things going on to (online reviews).”
Ms Hill said the camp would also have to “fork out a few thousand dollars” on security cameras.
“That is money that would normally be going towards maintaining our heritage steam train and working on upgrading our tracks,” she said.
Ms Hill said it was upsetting to see a community-focused organisation being hit.
“It makes me feel very, very disappointed. I’m just getting tired of this happening when you’re doing the best you can for your community,” she said.
“It’s disheartening, it really is. There are always bits and pieces going missing, but that isn’t the same as this. It’s when the campers’ belongings are stolen – that really upsets us.”
A spokesperson from the Ravenshoe police station said they were taking a stand on theft in the town.
“The break-ins have been reported and there are investigations ongoing regarding this issue,” the spokesperson said.
“We’re putting a stand on property theft in Ravenshoe, and we’re definitely on top of it, put it that way.”
Concerned local Nicola Baker said the caravan park’s reputation was one of the best in the country and urged anyone with information to come forward.
“This park accommodates thousands of visitors to Ravenshoe and provides the town with lucrative tourist dollars,” she said.
“If the caravan park loses its appeal, then we lose the means to keep Capella maintained in working order.
“If anybody in the community knows who is committing these crimes, please get the message to the culprits. Our unpaid volunteers are running this park for the benefit of the community as a whole. The action of these thieves affects us all – it has to stop.”
