The Sykes Family has lived Gippsland for many generations and are of the third generation in the Gelantipy district. It was Clyde Sykes who moved permanently to the region as a teenager in 1926 to work at Black Mountain. He undertook a variety work in his lifetime, namely as a Farmer and Dingo Trapper. Clyde and his wife Evelyn selected land in Gelantipy, established a property and raised their family here, where today the knowledge possessed and the passion for the region continues.

The Karoonda Park Camp is located on the site of the Gelantipy timber sawmill, which operated between the 1950’s and the 1970’s.It was purchased in 1976 by Paul and Judi Sykes and has formed the basis to Karoonda Park's accommodation and Camp facilities. The current cabins were once the loggers and mill worker's accommodation, though over the years additional structures such as the dinning hall, recreation hall, and more recently The Lodge have been added.

Karoonda Park is an essential part of the local and greater community, supplying fuel, gas and convenience items. It generates local employment and contributes strongly to the regions identity and development.

Karoonda Park's growth is a result of much hard work, commitment and self-reliance by Paul and Judi Sykes and family. “Karoonda” is understood to be of aboriginal origin meaning “Gum Tree”. Our logo is the Eastern Pygmy-Possum.