Start planning for the summer school holidays with these six family-friendly caravan parks. They’ve got kids’ clubs, awesome pools, and plenty to keep mum and dad happy, too.

WORDS EMMA RYAN, IMAGES VARIOUS

1. Treasure Island Holiday Resort, Gold Coast, Qld
The Gold Coast is a classic Aussie family holiday destination and Treasure Island Holiday Resort makes it fun and easy. Located a 15-minute drive north of Surfers Paradise, it’s close to the theme parks and is an easy walk to Harbour Town shopping centre.

There’s plenty within the park itself to keep the family entertained, too. Treasure Island has four resort-style pools, a fun waterpark called ‘Shipwreck Shores’, heated spas to keep mum and dad happy, a giant jumping pillow, pirate-themed mini golf, an outdoor cinema, a tennis court and more.

But the best bit is the ‘Kidz Korner’ kids’ club, which runs a program of activities 364 days a year to suit all ages. There are 7-8 activities scheduled each day, from painting to handball competitions, and whole family activities including trivia, ‘amazing race’ and movies under the stars every second night. Full parental supervision is required, however the kids’ club is location within eyesight of the on-site bar and bistro, where parents can enjoy a coffee or a cocktail.

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2. Ocean Beach Holiday Resort, Central Coast, NSW
Ocean Beach Holiday Resort is an idyllic beachfront park set amongst bushland on the fringes of the Brisbane Water National Park on the Central Coast of NSW. An easy 90-minute drive from Sydney at Umina Beach, this is the perfect family-friendly escape for Sydneysiders short on time.

And it’s extremely family-friendly, with a heated resort pool, ‘Splashaway Bay’ water park, giant jumping pillows, go karts, an adventure playground, a games room and a skate park an easy walk away.

 The ‘Kidz Korner’ kids’ club runs during NSW school holidays and on weekends, and provides a diverse range of activities to suit all ages, from mini Olympics and treasure hunts to craft activities and sandcastle making competitions on the beach. Sometimes there’s even reptile displays, pony rides and trivia nights. Parental supervision is required, but for older kids mum and dad can keep an eye out from the on-site café, Bluebottles on the Beach, or from the heated spas. The park runs activities for adults, too, including yoga, tai chi and surfing lessons. This is the kind of park where you can do a lot, or a lot of nothing; the perfect summer holiday.

3. Big4 Beacon Resort, Queenscliff, Vic
Located an easy 90-minute drive from Melbourne in beautiful Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula, the park is set amongst native gardens opposite the beach.

And this one has as much to offer mum and dad as it does the kids. There are free daily yoga classes, an on-site spa and a café that’ll deliver coffee and cold drinks to your caravan.

The ‘Coutakidz Clubhouse’ hosts free kids’ activities 364 days a year. Activities range from crafts and games to treasure hunts and even cooking lessons. Parents of kids aged four and up are welcome to sneak off to relax elsewhere within the park grounds (massage or facial, anyone?), while younger kids are welcome to partake with direct parental supervision. Click here for the current schedule.

The Clubhouse remains open after the organised activities are finished, providing entertainment for kids including chalkboards, colouring stations and toys for all ages. There’s also an indoor heated pool, jumping pillow and outdoor playground.

Families rolling in at dinner time can even organise a pre-made meal to be ready upon their arrival – just the ticket after a long day of travelling with kids or a Friday evening after work if you’re visiting for the weekend.

1. Beachlands Holiday Park, Busselton, WA
A top-rated, award-winning holiday park in Busselton, Beachlands Holiday Park makes for a relaxed family holiday. The park is close to the tranquil waters of Geographe Bay and a beautiful swimming beach, and is on the doorstep of the wineries and foodie experiences of the Margaret River region.

But within the park itself you’ll find lots to keep the kids entertained. There’s an outdoor heated pool, a zero-depth ‘Splash and Play’ area suitable for all ages, an outdoor playground, giant jumping pillow, pedal karts and NEOS 360 play area. You can also hire stand up paddleboards (SUPs) and push bikes to explore further afield.

Beachlands runs a program of kids activities during the September, Summer and Easter school holidays. There are free activities each weekday morning, including treasure hunts, sandcastle building competitions, arts and craft, plus movie nights for the whole family.

2. North Star Holiday Resort, Tweed Coast, NSW
North Star Holiday Park is an award-winning park on the Tweed Coast, 30 minutes north of Byron Bay. It’s a lush tropical oasis with palms, pools and playgrounds, wedged between the beach and a clear tidal estuary. This is the ultimate family-friendly park, with loads to entertain and delight kids and parents alike.

For mum and dad, the adults-only Seascape Leisure Centre is a tranquil way to unwind while the kids are busy at kids’ club. Seascape has a massage room, hair salon, beauty treatments, heated spas, a lap pool and sauna.

Meanwhile, on weekends and school holidays the kids will be entertained at the fully supervised Neptune’s Castle kids’ club, which provides a range of free activities from arts and craft to sport and games.

The whole family will love Sammy’s Adventure Lagoon; an enormous water playground featuring a water park, lagoon swimming pool, wading pool and two new giant ‘super slides’. On dry land, Neptune’s Castle indoor play area has a three-level spiral slide, ball pit, mirror maze, flying fox, and is home to the aforementioned kids’ club.

3. Merimbula Beach Holiday Resort, Merimbula, NSW
Summer is the perfect time to visit the Far South Coast of NSW, and Merimbula is one of the region’s prettiest seaside towns. Merimbula Beach Holiday Resort is the ticket if you’re caravanning with kids, offering plenty to keep small people happy.

There are two resort-style pools plus a fun, interactive waterpark to cool off in. The on-site café means mum and dad can grab a coffee while they watch the kids play. There’s also a jumping pillow, outdoor playground, tennis courts, beach volley ball court and pedal go karts for hire.

Merimbula Beach Holiday Park has a kids’ club that runs from Monday to Saturday, featuring activities including face painting, craft and kite flying. These are available for a small fee, and parental supervision is expected.

The park is perched above the beach and rock shelves at Short Point, where the Merimbula Creek trickles into the pristine South Pacific Ocean. There are breathtaking ocean views from almost all corners of the park, including the caravan sites and the swimming pools.