Life Begins At » Glamping or Gramping – Holiday parks offer it all
Caravanning & Camping Glamping Travel

Glamping or Gramping – Holiday parks offer it all

big4-holiday-parks

The days are getting longer, the temperature is reaching higher, and the silly season is just about upon us. This means holiday time! No matter what sort of holiday you’re looking for, there’s a caravan and holiday park of glamping location in Australia perfectly suited to hosting your dream vacation writes Callie Henderson from the CRVA.

Gramping Grandly

Gramping is an emerging trend for extended families to get together for a camping trip. Grandparents can take their grandkids to give mums and dads a rest, or three or more generations can gather together. It’s a practice that is a lot of fun for young ’ns and oldies alike, each learning form the other in remarkable ways! Plus, it never hurts to have extra hands (and supervising eyes) on deck when kids are on holiday!

If an intergenerational family getaway is on the cards, there’s no better way to cater to kiddies and big kids alike than a caravan and holiday park. Many are set up with facilities to delight the kids – and give you a laugh with them! Look for parks with facilities like playgrounds, pools, and lots of wide open spaces for family-friendly games like Frisbee or cricket, and don’t be afraid to take the grandkids on the jumbo slide – you’ll have just as much fun scaring yourself as delighting them with squeals and laughter!

Check out Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort (QLD) – voted one of the best places to stay in Australia by TripAdvisor users, or Mandalay Holiday Resort and Tourist Park (WA) for some serious fun in the sun! With a variety of accommodation to suit all ages and budgets, and a swathe of activities for young kids, BIG4 Renmark Riverfront Holiday Park (SA) is an excellent gramping location. Right on the edge of the Mighty Murray River, this park is ideal for those into water sports, with designated waterskiing, jet skiing, and kayaking zones nearby, as well as those who enjoy a simple drift in the humble Kayak, with great scenery to see during your paddle.

Victoria’s Best Camping Spots

RAINFOREST RETREATS

Sometimes you just want to get away from the hustle and bustle of everything. If you’re more into quiet reflection, a rainforest retreat has you covered. Picture a misty morning, lush tropical greenery surrounding you, a walk to a waterfall, and an afternoon of bird-watching. This kind of a holiday is easier to come by in more isolated locations, and not during school holidays.

Check out the amazing rainforest locations of some of Australia’s best caravan and holiday parks. BIG4 Atherton Woodlands Tourist Park (QLD), located in the heart of the stunning Atherton Tableland is eco certified for nature-based tourism. If you’re anywhere the Great Ocean Road, BIG4 Wye River Holiday Park (VIC) is a gorgeous choice for nature lovers. Surrounded by the Great Otway National Park, this park has the Wye River running right through it, and leading out onto the beach. It’s always a good idea to call ahead – park managers will be able to advise you how full they will be, and in particular if there are any large groups or sporting teams planning a stay there soon.

Essential experiences for the family

When selecting a holiday destination, it pays to think about the sort of activities you prefer. For example, if fishing is your favourite pastime, look for places near the water, with a bait shop and a camp kitchen with plenty of space for cleaning and cooking your catch like BIG4 Inverloch Holiday Park(VIC). Hot tip: this one is also great for avid golfers.

If you’re more interested in getting close to nature, set up your base at one of the many parks across Australia embedded in the wilderness. Many parks will be able to guide you to the best nature walks, or to the best 4×4 country trails.

Hidden Valley Tourist Parks (NT) great base-camp for NT adventures like croc-spotting and barra-catching. Lake Somerset Holiday Park (QLD) is great for all kinds of watersports, and if you prefer to stay on dry land, have some amazing bushwalking routes. The Goolwa Camping and Tourist Park (SA) is ideally positioned for you to enjoy the Fleurieu Peninsula. Surfing, fishing, wine tasting and boat cruises are just a handful of the many attractions on offer.

Caravan parks now offering glamping experiences

Caravan parks are no longer the strictly no-frills option for a holidaymaker they were 20 years ago. These days there are parks outfitted with five-star luxuries and resort-style accommodation options to suit even the fussiest glamour puss. If you think you deserve a break, glamp it up!

Imagine waking up in a luxury cabin complete with flat screen TVs, a spa bathtub, and balcony overlooking a sandy beach. If this sounds like heaven to you, glamping is what you’re after.

BIG4 Beacon Resort (VIC) even has an in-house day spa to facilitate further pampering. If you’re a reality TV fan you might have noticed one of the women from the Bachelor inviting her love interest to the NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Park to meet her parents in the comfort of one of their 5-star luxury villas. It’s a gorgeous location even without the TV cameras, right on the beach in tropical NSW – and the option of safari tents set up for you upon arrival!

PET PARADISES


Pets have an uncanny way of making us feel terrible for leaving them behind when we go a-holidaying, so avoid the sad puppy-dog eyes and bring your four-legged friend with you!

Caravan and holiday parks are increasingly responding to the needs of travellers with wander lusting pets. There are a number of caravan and holiday parks that are pet friendly – and even a few that will let you have your pooch in a cabin with you!

Check out Crystal Brook Tourist Park (VIC) or Kingston on Murray Caravan Park (SA). Remember to call ahead to ensure they have the facilities for your particular pet, and don’t forget to bring your pet’s playthings with you!

“Imagine waking up in a luxury cabin complete with flat screen TVs, a spa bathtub, and balcony overlooking a sandy beach. If this sounds like heaven to you, glamping is what you’re after.”

More Information

If you’re looking for further inspiration on Australian glamping or holiday experiences, you can find more information on caravan and holiday parks at Life Begins At Magazine.

About the author

Alana Lowes

Add Comment

Click here to post a comment