For kids, there’s nothing quite like the anticipation of packing the car and hitting the road, counting down the minutes until you arrive at the spot your family will spend your big summer holiday.
What will the other kids there be like? Will it be fun or boring? What about wifi?
Big4 knows all about what runs through kids’ minds when they roll up to a holiday park with wide eyes and heads full of questions. Whether they’re riverfront or beachside, Big4 Holiday Parks have got it covered where kids are concerned, but they haven’t forgotten about the parents – these holiday parks manage to strike the right balance between offering relaxation, entertainment and serious value for money. These six locations are total standouts.
1. Yamba, New South Wales
Yamba’s sleepy, beach holiday vibe has a loyal following that returns year after year to soak up the sun and surf. Big4 Saltwater Yamba Holiday Park is a popular accommodation choice for good reason. With the peaceful Clarence River on their doorstep, water lovers can swim, kayak and paddleboard to their heart’s content.
The on-site water park, complete with splash zones and slides, keeps kids entertained for hours, and water babies will love the new Oasis Resort Pool opening in November.
Energy to burn? Kids can bounce themselves from breakfast to bedtime on the giant jumping pillow. And they can bring their own bikes or hire pedal karts to zip around from campsite or cabin to camp kitchen, playground and flying fox. Holiday craft activities are also on offer, giving parents the option of taking part or closing their eyes under the shade of a tree for a little me-time.
With so much to do that doesn’t cost a cent, there’s little need to leave the park, but Yamba’s beaches and Yuraygir National Park are both a short drive away if you need a change of scenery. Surfing and sandcastle building await on the beach, or head to the national park for hiking trails, wildlife spotting and stunning coastal views – it really is the perfect family day out.
2. Apollo Bay, Victoria
If the Great Ocean Road is calling your name, Big4 Apollo Bay Pisces Holiday Park is an exceptional base camp. Just two and a half hours’ drive from Melbourne, this park offers breathtaking views over the ocean (look out for migrating whales) and easy access to the Twelve Apostles, Great Otway National Park and the scenic beaches of Apollo Bay.
There’s plenty to do back at base, even on rainy days. The heated swimming pool is impossible to resist no matter what the weather’s doing, there’s an undercover play area with a giant jumping pillow, and a games room with endless free games of air hockey, pool and pinball.
Enjoy direct access to a 3km crescent-shaped beach that’s patrolled during the peak summer months, and be sure to stock up on fresh, locally caught seafood at Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co Op – a walk on the beach at sunset will work up your appetite.
If you feel like a sweet after-dinner treat, an outing to the award-winning Dooley’s on Great Ocean Road might be in order – ice-cream flavours range from banana to unicorn poo!
3. Caloundra, Queensland
Located on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, not much more than an hour’s drive from Brisbane, Big4 Caloundra Waterfront Holiday Park offers easy access to the calm, shallow waters of the Pumicestone Passage, making it an ideal spot for families with young children.
Kids of all ages will love it here, not least because of the heated, lagoon-style swimming pool with slides, palm trees and sun loungers – it’s like a resort, but at a fraction of the cost. There are accommodation options to suit all budgets, from luxury cabins to spacious caravan sites by the creek, and cosy camping spots. The spacious indoor camp kitchen makes cooking and congregating fun, and a new restaurant and bar offers family-friendly dining (and even poolside service).
Surf beaches are a short walk away, and the nearby Australia Zoo, Aussie World and Sea Life Aquarium offer non-stop fun when it’s time for a family day out. Just be sure to stay long enough so you can fit all this in with plenty of time to relax – Big4 has you sorted with an on-site coffee and cocktail van and a free school holiday program that will entertain the kids with everything from sand art and disco nights to wildlife shows and water aerobics.
4. Murray River, South Australia
You can bring your own boat to the peaceful Big4 Renmark Riverfront Holiday Park if you want. But there’s plenty to do even if you don’t come with a vessel in tow.
Situated on the banks of the Murray River, the park offers accommodation ranging from riverfront villas and glamping tents to powered van sites and camping spots. The river isn’t far away no matter where you call home during your stay, and kayaks and paddleboards are available for hire.
In good news for parents, kids of all ages never seem to tire of the on-site water park, with its slides, tubes, sprinklers, spray guns and hilarious dumping bucket. The pool and heated outdoor spa are inviting for kids and parents alike, and there’s even an outdoor movie theatre.
This park has it going on when it comes to things to do – there’s a tennis court, pump track, gym, games room and an indoor playroom for tiny tots.
Nearby, families can hike to Headings Cliff Lookout, take a guided kayaking tour (sunset and sunrise are the most magical times to go) or visit Monash Adventure Park, where kids can tackle a giant playground and maze.
5. Emu Beach, Western Australia
Just outside Albany, in WA’s South West, Big4 Emu Beach Holiday Park offers a peaceful, nature-filled escape. With pristine beaches and rugged coastlines nearby, this park is a haven for families who love the great outdoors.
With deluxe updated cabins, a mini-golf course and a new water splash park on site, there’s no shortage of fun activities for kids. Its beachfront location (just a short stroll through the native peppermint trees) makes for an easy transition between water slide fun and salty ocean swims.
A rec room, theatre room, pedal kart hire and playground are all on offer, too, should your crew want extra things to do. Making friends with other kids staying at the park is practically a given.
Nearby, the stunning Torndirrup National Park and The Gap and Natural Bridge rock formations are must-see attractions.
6. St Helens, Tasmania
For families looking to explore Tasmania’s wild beauty, Big4 Tassie Getaway Parks St Helens offers an ideal base on the island’s scenic east coast, offering glamping tents complete with outdoor baths so you can really immerse yourself in the serenity.
St Helens is a laid-back coastal town overlooking Georges Bay, near the must-visit Bay of Fires (its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches and lichen-cloaked boulders have earned it a worldwide reputation). You can explore the Bay of Fires by foot, in a four-wheel drive or on a scenic cruise – keep a lookout for whales, dolphins and seals.
If there are any seafood lovers in the family, it’s time to get excited – the area is known for its delicious deep-sea fish and southern rock lobster (otherwise known as crayfish). Devour your share at local restaurants or try catching your own – it’s easy to drop a line off a jetty or hire a boat and fish in the bay.
Love fishing? Why not go one step further and head offshore on a game-fishing charter in search of marlin, and albacore and yellowfin tuna – catching their first fish is something the kids will always remember.
Along with playgrounds and barbecue areas, the park has a spacious indoor play area for kids of all ages, and there are indoor and outdoor camp kitchens. You can even buy pizzas from reception to put in the pizza oven – it couldn’t be easier.
