TRAVEL / AUSTRALIA
Mosquito bites riding bikes fish n chips bbq grills bunk beds board games patio chairs and tight spaces smells like campervanning it's the ultimate family holiday ....I know a lot of people have fond memories, especially kids . And if your lucky enough to enjoy it as a kid there is a high possibility you'll share those same experiences with your own. So this year we did just that and set off on a little adventure in Australia road trippin down the coastline from Brisbane to Coffs Harbour in a convoy of three campers.
We mapped our one week trip loosely around a destination that took us roughly a couple of days to get to and then headed back. We also didn't book any accommodation in advance but stuck to 4 star camping grounds with facilities for kids along the way . As the weather changed we too changed our destination I guess you could say we were chasing the sun or running away from the rain. I cant recommend campervannning enough its a little more glamorous than camping and suits any age. in my opinion is one of the best ways to visit our country and is an experience not to be missed especially if you have alot of time afterall ... it's not about the destination its about the journey
Don't forget to check out a video I created of the trip click HERE
OUR ITINERARY
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Brisbane - Hastings Point 2hours BIG 4 Hasting Point
Hastings Point - Emerald Beach - 3hours BIG 4 Emerald Beach
Emerald Beach - Yamba - 1 hour 30mins Blue Dolphin Resort
Yamba - Byron Bay 1hour 30mins First Sun Caravan Park
Byron Bay - Brisbane 2hours
THE SCENERY
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Even todays technology couldn't distract me from watching all the scenery fly past my window btw thats a good thing a really good thing. Along the open road ahead we encountered a myriad of sugar cane fields, banana plantations and some really "Australiana" settings that made me feel I was more outback than costal ..... Then those quaint little towns the farms, the cattle (a great reminder that all to be seen is not only in big cities) set under moody skies a welcome change for us hot heads in the UAE and any opportunity to stick my head out of the car window like a dog lapping up the fresh air
BIG 4 CARAVAN PARKS
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Two out of the 4 parks we stayed in were a BIg 4 and Blue Dolphin a stand alone could easily have passed for one. Big 4 holiday parks are in a nutshell a kids paradise . Offering waterparks with dumping buckets slides indoor play areas jumping pillows and pedal bikes to hire the list goes on.
The amentity blocks and facilities in camper parks are not as I remembered them well at least not in Big 4 parks they have taken an elevated approach to todays camping experience so not only does it cater to keep the little ones busy but also satisfy the needs of adults with ensuite blocks, bigger powered sites and safari styled tents and cabins to choose from oh and wifi a gift from heaven above so you can plan ahead.
TIPS & ADVICE
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- If you are travelling outside of peak times book your first stop and wing it. Limiting yourself to a park for a number of nights has you wondering what else is out there that we could enjoy It's also great to play it by ear with the changing weather. As soon as you know where you will stay next call in advance to book a space
- Don't hire a camper with toilet/shower - its extra dirty work literally and more costly - instead for a couple of extra dollars a night you can buy an ENSUITE - its a private toilet block that sits steps away from your site ... no long walks to amnesties block no sharing no showering in a confined space and no cleaning toilets - winning!!
- Try hitting the road if you have younger kids around nap time - its a no brainer really they wake up fresh and you wont hear any "are we there yets"
- Talk to other people & listen to recommendations - Blue Dolphin wasn't on our radar till we heard rave reviews from a fellow camper and we're sure glad we did
